{"content": "Bruce Springsteen - January 27, 2014\n\nFor going on two weeks now, the American Treasure Tour blog has been running at full speed with our \"Faces of the Tour\" series, highlighting the exceptional women whose photographs hang prominently on the walls in the Toy Box.  After literally thousands* of questions from blog fans inquiring into the men on the tour, we have decided to branch out a little.  (*The phrase \"literally thousands\" is used quite liberally.  The words \"literally\" and \"thousands\" may be a slight exaggeration.  And the word \"slight\" may also be an exaggeration.  Thank you.)\n\nToday, we are going to look at someone a man with a plaque, hanging off a column in the Toy Box (look for it the next time you take the tour!).  Bruce Springsteen is a songwriter, singer and guitarist out of the mean streets of working-class New Jersey.  He has nurtured a passionate and devoted fan base over the past four decades writing songs about life in the heartland of the country.  Inspired by watching the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1962, the young Springsteen got his first guitar as a teenager and has been playing ever since.  The first album he recorded, 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., received critical acclaim despite slow sales.  Since then, he his blend of blues, folk and rock music has helped him to become one of the most successful musicians the country has ever had.  He has won twenty Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and continues to record and perform!\n\n\nWhat was the name of the movie for which Bruce Springsteen won the Academy Award for Original Song in 1994?\n\na)  Pulp Fiction\n\nb)  Philadelphia\n\nc)  True Lies\n\nd)  Stargate\n\ne)  Four Weddings And A Funeral\n\nAnswer Below\n\n\nThis day in 1888, a group of Washington, D.C.'s elite social leaders organized \"a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge,\" eventually known as the National Geographic Society.  The interests of the society include geography, archaeology, natural and social sciences, history, and the study of world cultures.  It has since become one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world, with excellent periodicals, documentaries, and photographic essays to its credit.\n\nThe march of progress has affected virtually every person and company in the world, both positively and negatively (hopefully, we hope, mostly positively).  On this day in 2006, Western Union discontinued its telegram service, a now-obsolete form of communication.  When it was begun in 1851, it was a revelation for passing along information.  The main reason telegraph service ended:  the development of the internet and e-mail.\n\n\nOn January 27th, 1919, there entered into the world a baby named Rostom Sipan \"Ross\" Bagdasarian.  A singer-songwriter, Bagdasarian was also an aspiring actor.  In one of his 'bigger' roles, he was cast in Alfred Hitchcock's film Rear Window.  He was the pianist across the courtyard from the apartment lived in by Jimmy Stewart's Jeff Jeffries.  He also wrote the song \"Come On-A My House,\" which became something of a hit for Rosemary Clooney (George's aunt) in 1951.  But he made his biggest impact in the entertainment world as the creator of novelty music under the moniker Dave Seville.  First he sang the popular song \"Witch Doctor,\" then he created the singing trio, The Chipmunks - Simon, Theodore, and of course Alvin.  Bagdasarian made a number of popular songs with the Chipmunks, most notably an album of Christmas music that kids played over and over again often to their parents' chagrin.  After his unexpected death from a heart attack at the age of 53, his son took over for him and continues to reach children of all ages with the wacky critters through records, television, and popular movies.\n\n\nAdult life is dealing with an enormous amount of questions that don't have answers.  So I let the mystery settle into my music.  I don't deny anything.  I don't advocate anything.  I just live with it.  - Bruce Springsteen\n\nAnswer:  b)  Philadelphia - the song was \"Streets of Philadelphia.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8312116861343384}
{"content": " Belmont Kodokan Judo Club\n\nSankaku Jime - Triangle Choke (Rear Facing Forward)\n\nShime Waza #12b\n  Sankaku Jime, when applied properly is a blood choke which works by stopping the flow of blood to and from the brain. This can cause the loss of consciousness in as fast as 3 seconds while allowing Uke to breathe normally during the choke.  \n\n\n  Begin with Uke kneeling on hands and knees in a high turtle position.  Place your right leg along Uke's right ribs so that your right foot is on the mat immediately behind Uke's right hand.  With your left leg step over Uke's left shoulder so that the back of your left knee is resting against the top of Uke's left shoulder.\n\nWith Uke on his hands and knees and you nearly sitting on his back, lift your left foot and move it across Uke's chest towards your right knee. This should remove any extra space that existed between your legs and Uke's neck and shoulder. Reach down and grab the arm that is between your legs. In this scenario, it will be Uke's right arm. Once you have lifted the arm from the mat, you can either roll forward towards Uke's right front corner or towards Uke's left side.\n\nSince the video demonstrates this technique by falling towards Uke's left, we will use this direction in our scenario. As you fall, try to keep your legs tight and bring your left ankle behind your right knee. If this is not possible, reach up and grab your foot with your hand and pull it into place. As your left ankle moves behind your right knee, bend your knee to trap the ankle. Now you and Uke are laying on your backs and you are ready to apply the technique.\n\n\n  To apply the choke, pull Uke's right arm across his face and squeeze your legs together. If needed, reach up and push Uke's head straight away from behind. This will cause his face to sink into his arm and will help constrict the flow of blood to the brain.\n\nHold onto Uke's arm and do not allow Uke to break the piece of the triangle formed by your right knee and left ankle. As Uke rolls from side to side, retain your grip and continue to apply the choke until Uke taps.\n\n\n  First off, don't give up your back as you have very little you can defend with.  Since you are in this position, you have to look at what you have to work with. Start by reaching up and try pushing Uke's right leg straight so that it doesn't have such a solid lock on Uke's left ankle.  Unlock the ankle from behind the knee if possible.\n\nIf Uke's legs are very strong, and you can't straighten the leg, pull the right ankle up to the left knee. While it is not a joint lock, you are able to create leverage against some of the weaker muscles of the hip. The motion is very much like Ude Garami but against the leg (knee at a right angle) instead of the arm. This will create space behind the knee and allow movement at the ankle and you may be able to unlock this part of the triangle.\n\nFinally, you can try to pry your right arm away from your neck to create some space. Then try to roll to your knees and stand up. If you are able to start standing up, try to step on one of Uke's arms to create leverage for your escape.  If you are not able to stand, try forcing your free arm between your neck and Tori's legs to create more resistance and protection.\nSankaku Jime Rear - PDF Sankaku Jime Rear - WMV Sankaku Jime - Audio", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.55324786901474}
{"content": "Wednesday, November 23, 2016\n\nWhat is the real objective of ESTA visa?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThursday, November 10, 2016\n\nWhat VWP travelers need knowing about ESTA visa?\n\nUS government started Visa Waiver Program to make traveling to US a hassle free affair but only for short visits of up to 90 days. It included some countries in the program and the selection of countries was made according to US security guidelines. Today travelers from VWP participating countries enjoy traveling to US with ESTA visa.\n\nWhy electronic permission is called a visa when it is only permission? Visa is the general word and also the permission is also like a visa. When you get permission to visit the US, you say that you have got a visa. But electronic authorization is different from the regular visa in technical terms. A regular visa could be for a long time like one year but the electronic authorization is valid only for 90 days.\n\nObtaining electronic authorization is easier than getting a regular visa. For ESTA visa online, travelers only need filling an online form and submitting it to the US government along with a fee of $14. The travelers also take advantage of third party sites that are also authorized to take ESTA applications from the travelers. But these sites levy a service charge to the visa fee. If you are comfortable in filling the form on a government website then you should save money while filing your ESTA application.\n\nYou need some education on electronic authorization before you start filling your application form. You can’t apply for electronic permission before 72 hours but you shouldn’t wait to get permission. Apply as soon as you start preparing for the travel. Chances are that your application will be reviewed and permission granted within an hour but the Department of Homeland Security that deals with ESTA can turn down your application without giving any reason.\nESTA visa application can be rejected if any of the information provided is found to be wrong or ambiguous. It is for this reason that applicants are advised to remain cautious while applying for electronic permission to enter the US territory. The permission is valid for two years but stands cancel, in case the traveler gets a new passport or changes his name or the government change eligibility for electronic application.\n\nIf you are traveling to US for one month and you are from a country included in the VWP then you have an opportunity to take the shortcut to US that is through electronic permission. Visit a government website and file your application for ESTA along with the fee that is $14 or you can take help of a third-party site that could provide real help in filling the application. But these sites charge an additional fee for their services.\n\nWhether you fill your ESTA application through a US government website or you take help of a third-party site, you have to very clear and straightforward with your ESTA. There should be no mistake in entering details in the application and the application should be filed well before your traveling schedule that is 72 hours before your flight. \n\nfor more info about esta services visit", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8925393223762512}
{"content": "The Straits Times\n\nChina ratings house says US defaulting\nThe Straits Times\n\n\n\n\nThe US government will run out of room to spend more on August 2 unless Congress bumps up the borrowing limit beyond US$14.29 trillion (S$17.57 trillion) – but Republicans are refusing to support such a move until a deficit cutting deal is reached.\n\n\nA downgrade could sharply raise US borrowing costs, worsening the country’s already dire fiscal position, and send shock waves through the financial world, which has long considered US debt a benchmark among safe-haven investments.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9862804412841797}
{"content": "2010 Wilshire Blvd. # 506\nLos Angeles, CA 90057\n\n16101 ventura Blvd Suite 343\nEncino, CA 91436\n\n\nNutritional Wellness: Eat Your Greens!\nThe human body evolved to consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain a number of plant compounds that your body needs in order to operate correctly. If you don’t consume enough of these plant compounds, your energy level will suffer along with your overall health.\n\nEveryone knows that they should eat more fruit and vegetables in their diet, but most people don’t do it. Why? Because of the easy availability of fast foods and snack foods, we have lost our taste for fruits and vegetables. It is not uncommon for many people to go for weeks without consuming a single serving of fresh vegetables. This is not good.\n\n\nChiropractic Care Can Help…\nOur goal is to adjust the spine and help stimulate your body’s natural healing process.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9810208678245544}
{"content": "LCGC North America July 2015\n\nJuly 2015 | Volume 33, Issue 7\nApp of the Month\nBy LCGC Editors\nThe CEToolbox app is designed as a calculator for capillary electrophoresis.\nThe Essentials\nHere, we concentrate on one particularly useful equation that allows us to make changes to an analytical system to improve throughput or efficiency, while retaining the selectivity of the original method.\nLC Troubleshooting\nWe consider the potential causes of peak distortion for the first two peaks in the chromatogram.\nSample Prep Perspectives\nWith response surface methodology, one can screen and optimize several extraction methods simultaneously. Here’s how.\nGC Connections\nFID continues to play a crucial role for all types of gas chromatography, so it is important to understand how to use it effectively.\nBiotechnology Today\nAn overview of best practices for assessing protein aggregation, including the importance of using a multimethod approach\nPeer-Reviewed Article\nSome insights into the principles and practice of implementing and improving on methods to quantitate cyanide at trace concentration levels in human blood.\nlorem ipsum", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9998912811279297}
{"content": "\nBook Now\n\nAddison Ice Arena\n\n  • 37304886\n\nLess than 2 miles from the Comfort Suites Lombard\n\nKi's Steak and Seafood, is located in Glendale Heights, IL.  The restaurant is local favorite and has been in business for over 70 years.  Opened in 1934, the restaurant was originally a gas station with an eatery for those stopping by on North Ave looking for something to eat and fill up the gas in their car.  Over the years, Ki's grew from a small eatery to large restaurant within DuPage County that has kept it's promise of serving great food at a great price.  \n\nThe restaurant serves ceritified, hand-cut steaks and gets fresh seafood delivered daily.  You can view their dinner menu by following the link here.  Ki's overlooks six acres of farm land that includes a flower garden, scenic ponds, and a rustic barn that includes a variety of animals including: peacocks, swans, sheep, turkeys, rabbits, and ducks.  For more information about the farm, you can follow the link provide right here.   The view creates a truly unique dinning experience that compliments the ambiance of the restaurant.  There is a private dinning room in the restaurant that can accomdate up to 35 guests and is a perfect place for any type of event, such as a company meeting and private party. Ki Steak and Seafood offers party room packages and catering as well. They also offer an award-winning Sunday brunch with Champagne.  \n\nKi's is favorite among the Comfort Suites Lombard - Addison Hotel staff.  Located less than 2 miles from the hotel, Ki's in Glendale Heights is the neighboring town next to Lombard, IL.  \n\nFor location detail please click here!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.988114058971405}
{"content": "\n  All Pitches...Even Fastballs...Have an Arc\nPitchSoftball HomeMore for AdvancedBeginning Pitchers1st-2nd Yr. PitchersCoaches & ParentsRecent QuestionsSite MapProducts & WebsitesSearch by KeywordsE-Mail Us\n\nby Gerald Warner, Softball Pitching Instructor\npitch softball logo 2.png\n\n\nNo pitch...not even the fastest thrown on an absolutely level line.   ALL pitches, regardless of how fast they are thrown, have an \"arc\" in them.   And, change-ups and other off-speed pitches can have quite a dramatic arc.\n\nIt's gravity that pulls the ball toward the ground no matter how fast they are thrown forward.   If you are a student of physics you might know that the up and down curved path that the ball takes is called a \"parabolic arc\".   Since gravity's downward pull remains constant, the height of this arc depends largely on:   (1) the speed (velocity) that the ball is thrown,  (2) the distance that the ball will travel, (3) the angle at which the ball is release,  and (4) wind resistance.\n\n\n\nAlthough these factors are meaningful for EVERY pitch, the three pitches that are most directly affected by this arc are:\n\nFAST BALL - As you can see below, even though a 60 mph fastball seems like it is coming in on a pretty level line, it goes up...then much as 8 inches in the time that it takes to get from the pitcher's hand to the plate.\n\nRISE BALL - We mentioned in another section of this website that a rise ball needs to be thrown in the low to mid-50's before the backwards spin can have enough effect to actually make the ball go UP.    In the diagram below, you can see that a rise, even thrown at 60 mph has to has enough spin to overcome an 8-inch gravity-induced arc...JUST TO LEVEL OUT!    The release and speed of the spin has to be even better to make it hop over the bat.\n\nCHANGE-UP - We have seen a majority of pitchers throwing their change-up too fast, because they (or their coach) wanted the ball to come in on a level line.   Obviously, we do NOT advocate a huge arc on a change-up (that's what slow-pitch softball pitching is all about).    As we mentioned in another part of this website, we work with pitchers to (1) make the change-up LOOK deceptive, and (2) to come in at a speed 25% to 35% slower than their fastball.    That means that a younger pitcher with a 50 mph fastball would want a change-up of about 35 mph or so.   A 55 to 58 mph fastballer works well with a 40 mph change-up.\n\nIn the example shown below, a pitcher wanting to throw a 35 mph change-up should try to throw it so the highest point of the pitch is about equal to the level of her shoulders.\n\nA pitcher with a 40 mph change would see the top of the arc about chest high.\n\narc of a thrown softball - 3-speed comparison.jpg\n\n\nSince wind resistance is a factor, remember that if the wind is coming in from the pitcher's back (blowing toward home plate) the ball will be more level than is shown in the above diagrams .   If the wind is blowing in from the catcher's back, the ball has to be thrown faster or needs a higher arc to reach the target.\n\n\nThe article above can be downloaded and printed from Microsoft Word\n\n\nIf you have questions or need more information\nE-mail us,\n  or call Pitching Instructor Gerald Warner in Colorado at (720) 200-4575\n\n\nPitchSoftball Home Page | About Us | Beginning Pitchers | 1st & 2nd Year Pitchers | Advanced Pitchers | Coaches and Parents \nRecent Questions and Recommendations | Site Map | Search by Keywords", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8039321899414062}
{"content": "Pedometer program effective in motivating people to move more\n\nUpdated: Jun 01, 2013, 09:25 AM IST\n\nWashington: Researchers including an Indian scientist have found that a simple program that uses pedometers to monitor how much people move throughout the day is helping them decrease their sitting time and increase physical activity.\n\nSaurabh S. Thosar, an associate instructor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and one of the study`s researchers, said that even if somebody works out 30 minutes a day, the fact that they are sitting and not moving for long periods of time for the rest of the day is in and of itself detrimental to their health and well-being, physiologically.\n\nFor the study, four men and 22 women in the age group of 40 and 66 completed a 12-week program in which participants wore a pedometer every day and received emails twice a week offering nutritional and exercise tips.\n\nThe pedometer, called an Omron, monitors physical activity, which accounts for any type of movement involving the lower legs.\n\nThe pedometer, which costs about $30 and can be carried in a backpack, also allows people to hook it up to a computer and look at a graph of the amount of steps taken as a function of time.\n\nThe participants were also encouraged to be active during the hours for which they had zero steps, such as when they watched TV or worked at a desk, and to download the data from the pedometers once a week.\n\nThe researchers found a significant decrease in sitting time and a significant increase in physical activity as a result of the program. The mean weight of participants dropped by almost 2.5 lbs.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6774169206619263}
{"content": "U.S. Markets closed\n\nInterGroup board announces 100,000 increase in share repurchase program\n\nThe InterGroup Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the company to purchase up to an additional 100,000 shares of the company's common stock under its existing stock repurchase program. That action increased the total remaining number of shares authorized for repurchase to approximately 100,700 shares. The purchases will be made, in the discretion of management, from time to time, in the open market or through privately negotiated third party transactions depending on market conditions and other factors.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8068159818649292}
{"content": "like our page!\n\n\nWe are a contemporary ballet company that incorporates ballet, modern, and jazz into its repertoire. Janelle Gilchrist, choreographer and founder, creates pieces that highlight classical and contemporary dance forms showcasing patterns, line, form, and arm fluidity. Gilchrist’s choreography is also shaped by music themes, storylines, and relationships. The company has performed in the Boston area at the following venues: the Strand Theatre, Green Street Studios, Mills Art gallery, Somerville Arts Festival, Dance for World Community, and Spring Step.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9936100244522095}
{"content": "How Long Do Loons Live? –> 31 Years and Counting!\n\nThe question that I have been asked the second most often during my research (after “Do loons mate for life?”) is,”How long do loons live?”. On its face, this would seem an easy question to answer; one merely marks a loon and tracks it until death. For two reasons, the question is not so easy. First, loons live a long time, so a researcher must have considerable staying power to follow a loon throughout its life. Second, loons’ lifespans, like those of humans, are variable. Many loons die in their first year or at a young age. In order to determine maximum lifespan of a loon — which is truly what folks mean when they ask how long loons live — you need to track a large number of birds for a lengthy period.\n\nOf course, we have studied hundreds of marked loons for over two decades, so we have learned a lot about survival patterns of the species. For example, we have learned that male loons have a higher rate of mortality than do females, and we have also determined statistically that loons senesce. In addition, as a consequence of capture efforts that began in 1991 and tireless monitoring since then, we now have a large set of study animals that are in their mid to late 20s. These ancient birds are listed below, the oldest at present being a male marked on Little Bearskin Lake in 1991, who is therefore at least 28 years old. (No male has held a territory and bred at less than 4 years of age.) Despite senescence, there seems a good chance that one or more of the loons listed in the table will cross the 30-year threshold in the next several years. However, most\n\nScreen Shot 2015-08-20 at 1.20.25 PM\n\nindividuals die well before they reach 20 years of age from disease, predation, or entanglement in fishing tackle. So….kudos to the senior loons listed in the table, which have survived all threats nature and humans have thrown at them to push towards the known age limit of the species!\n\nWhile the table summarizes the oldest cohort of loons in the LP study area, it is the Bird Banding Laboratory in Patuxent, Maryland that maintains the official longevity records for all North American species, including loons. This makes sense, because the BBL provides metal bands that we place on birds’ legs and also receives many reports of banded birds that have been recovered or resighted, which can therefore provide information on age. If you scroll down to “common loon” in the BBL longevity database, you can see that age estimates follow a ratcheting process. That is, each year that passes permits known marked individuals to survive (or not) for another year. Therefore each year in which we have an oldest known loon that is still alive gives us a chance to extend the known longevity record by another year. If you scrutinize the BBL records for common loons, you see that we have been pushing the known lifespan of the species upwards for the past quarter century. In 1990, when almost no marking of loons had been done, the maximum known lifespan was 9 years; by 2000, the record had been extended to 14 years. Recently, the record listed by the BBL was listed at 25 years, based on the Little Bearskin male that I mentioned above.\n\nBut the longevity record listed by the BBL excludes data from a small cluster of lakes at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, where loons were first marked in 1987, four years before our first birds were banded. It is on these lakes, not in our study area, where the oldest known loons live. At present the record for longevity is 31 years, held by a female banded at Seney as a territorial adult in 1989, at which point she was at least 5 years old. (No female has been observed to settle at an age of less than 5 years.) In addition, a male at Seney holds the distinction of being the oldest common loon whose age is known precisely. He was banded as a chick in 1987. Thus, he is exactly 28 years old. These are extremely old individuals. But since the age limit of common loons creeps upwards each year, it will be another 5-10 years before we have an accurate estimate of the maximum lifespan of the species.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8545712232589722}
{"content": "When Should We Replace $5 Bills With $3 Bills?\n\nAlmost all currencies in the world have denominations that start with 1, 5, or 0 and the main difference among them is whether $2, $20, $200, etc. bills are used. But prevalence does not prove efficiency. In this post, I will compare the efficiency of different bill denomination systems.\n\nAn efficient currency minimizes the cost of transaction. To simplify, we assume that the cost of transaction is proportional to the time spent on it. The cost of transaction can be dichotomized into time spent by the customer (while the cashier waits) and time spent by the cashier (while the customer waits). Each component further divides into the following categories denoted by a, b, and c:\n\n  • Fixed transaction cost (a): time spent on taking out the wallet, opening the cash register, thinking about which bills to use (while doing nothing else), and handing and receiving the money. Avoid double counting if these jobs overlap in time or if the other party is not waiting but doing some other necessary work, such as printing the receipt.\n  • Fixed cost for using bills in each denomination (b): time spent on moving the hand to reach a specific slot in the cash register; time spent on finding the place for a specific denomination in the wallet and putting all bills of this denomination on the other hand or the counter before moving on to work on the next denomination.\n  • Cost for counting a bill (c).\n\nWe acknowledge that cost a can be substantially lower if no change is required from the cashier, which saves the time of passing the changes back to the customer. However, most transactions involve taxes and multiple items that lead to the usage of coins (in the US). Most of the time the customer does not have the exact amount of coins or does not want to pay any coins. Secondly, for the same reason, charges are usually not psychologically convenient numbers (e.g. $5, $20). Nice numbers can make buying decisions easier but they don’t show up in the payment. Therefore we can assume that there are always changes involved and a is constant and can be entirely dropped from this analysis.\n\nContinue reading “When Should We Replace $5 Bills With $3 Bills?”\n\nThe Five Goals of Lawmaking and Three Approaches of Combining Them\n\n\nGoals of lawmaking\n\n1. Change future behavior of criminals\n\n\n2. Compensate the victims\n\n\n3. Deter people from committing crimes\n\n\n4. Improve the perceived fairness of society\n\n\n5. Make the criminals better people\n\n\nContinue reading “The Five Goals of Lawmaking and Three Approaches of Combining Them”\n\nThe Paradoxical Optimal Voting Strategy for the Presidential Election of 2016\n\nMost people agree that when you vote in an election, to maximize your utility, the best voting strategy is to vote for your better preferred candidate of the two most popular candidates assuming  simple plurality is used. This was not the case in 2016’s US presidential election. Both major candidates were deemed so incapable that they could be defeated by any typical candidate in the opposing party. As a result, expecting that the winner’s will run for reelection and lose in 2020, the best strategy becomes voting for the party you like the least, as the current short loss would trade for a longer victory in the future. This assumes that Trump and Hillary each represent their party well and attract voters who usually vote for their party.\n\nCreated by Christopher Wang. First published on November 8, 2016 on 9gag.com.\n\n\n\nWelfare Economics of Labor Migration\n\n\nShould the United States allow immigrants and to what extent? This is a topic of hot debate because both the economics behind it is unintuitive and everybody’s goal or preference is different.\n\nAre low skill immigrants taking our jobs away?\n\nThis is only true for a small portion of the population, the unskilled citizens, or citizens worse skilled than the average low skill immigrants. When low skill immigrants come, the wage in low skill occupations decreases as the labor supply increases (proportionally more than the increase in the size of the economy). Low skill citizens suffer and employers (the producer) benefit from a lower cost of labor. From standard welfare analysis, we know the gain for the producers is definitely greater than the loss of the low skill citizens, resulting in a higher social welfare.\n\nAssume that our country has an excess of higher skill labors, meaning some skilled workers accepted a lower skill job because the high skill job market is saturated or because the low skill job’s salary is attractive. But wait, could a free market be saturated? Because for each high skill job, there has to exist some low skill job to complement it. For example, each company needs customer service (a low skill occupation). If few low skill workers are available, wage will increase, attracting some high skill workers. The customer service will still exist but rather small. This assumption of excess high skill labor is reflected in the high wage of low skill jobs that attracts immigrants.\n\nAfter the influx of immigrants, many high skilled citizens in low skill occupations will switch to high skill jobs as the wage in low skill jobs decreases (relative to high skill jobs). High skill jobs of course mean higher productivity. When the citizens shift to a higher skilled worker makeup, the country’s GNP (only counting citizens) is bound to increase since the total productivity increases. This resonates with the increasing social surplus I mentioned earlier. A higher productivity benefits both producer and consumer, including low skilled citizens who are worker under a lower wage.\n\nConclusions: if we allow low skill immigrants\n\n  1. Low skill citizens can be better off or worse off depending on the situation.\n  2. High skill citizens are better off\n  3. Citizens become richer, on average.\n\nContinue reading “Welfare Economics of Labor Migration”\n\nWhat does It Really Cost to Buy Any Tangible Goods?\n\nWhat does it cost when you buy a 300-page paperback from Amazon? The price of the book is only the initial cost. When you store it on your bookshelf, it takes space and renting a space costs money. The price of the book might be only $10; the storage cost for 15 years is probably higher than $5.5.\n\nA 1000 square feet apartment costs around $2100/month in the US. Roughly $300 of the cost is fixed cost independent of the size of usable area, including the cost of transaction, management cost, stairs, mechanical rooms, and partly the costs of outdoor areas, utility bills, and property tax. The rest of the rent should grow linearly with area. This leaves $1800/month for 1000 sq ft, or $1.8/month/sq ft, or $0.0125/month/sq inches.\n\nIn the short run, buying a book will not increase your rent, but in the long run you are mobile and you will pick a house that’s about the right size by equating your marginal benefit per sq ft per month to around $1.8.\n\nAssume that a book is 8’’ × 5.5’’ × 1’’, and your bookshelf is 29’’ × 12’’ × 72’’ with 6 shelves plus the top. To calculate the minimal needed space, we squeeze as many bookshelves as possible in a library pattern, with aisles that are only 24’’ wide. Half of the area will be bookshelves and half will be aisles since 2 × bookshelf depth = aisle width. A book would cost 1’’ (width) × 12’’ (depth) of space on one of seven shelves (including the top) and an equal share of aisle space. Therefore, one book occupies 1” × 12” ÷ 7 shelves × 2 = 3.42 square inches of space.\n\nNow the cost of storing one book a month is 0.0125 × 3.42 = $0.04286; or $0.5143 a year. Fifteen years? Let’s use a realistic annual discount rate of 4.5% to calculate the present value: $0.5143 / 0.045 × (1 – 1 / 0.045^15) = $ 5.5232. To store a book forever, the cost is: $0.5143 / 0.045 = $11.4286. Next time you bring home a free book from library, beware that you are signing a contract to pay 51 cents each year (adjust for inflation) until you get rid of the book.\n\nContinue reading “What does It Really Cost to Buy Any Tangible Goods?”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8476999402046204}
{"content": "One of the hardest parts of developing characters is deciding exactly how many of them you need. There’s a solid middle ground between sprawling casts and skeleton crews, but it’s contingent on the needs to the story and stylistic choice. Here are a few tips for writing both small and large casts, and for deciding which your story needs.\n\nToo many characters: New characters appear left and right. Most of them have names, and we hardly ever see the same person twice. Each minor character has their own family and friends who either enter the mix, or who are constantly being mentioned  even if they never appear. Too many characters makes it difficult for readers to remember who each character is, and often leads to trouble keeping track of names. It can also open up the story to continuity errors unless you’re very well organized.\n\nToo few characters: This is a world in which everything is done by a handful of people. The main character’s only friends are plot relevant. They have no family and they associate with no one who isn’t vital to the story. This also tends to mean that everyone who’s anyone knows everyone else, and that if any of the characters do have families, half of the cast ends up being secretly related.\n\nJust me and sixty thousand of my closest friends.\n\nA general tip:\n\n  • Consider the scope. The ideal cast size depends on the scope of the story and the size of the world. If it’s a small, closed setting—five teenagers chilling in a beach house—a small cast makes sense. If it’s a fully realized world where international politics play a big part, it’s unlikely that you can bet by on five characters. By the same token, too many characters in a small world feels cluttered.\n\nFor larger casts:\n\n  • Pace your introductions accordingly. It’s much harder for readers to keep track of characters if they all appear at once, especially if there’s a large cast. It helps to introduce the main characters slowly and to make sure that each one gets their own entrance.\n\n  • Make sure that you have a hierarchy in place. It’s especially difficult to keep track of lots of characters when they are all equally important. Identify who your main characters are, who the secondary characters are, and who is ancillary. Allocate their screen time accordingly. It’s okay to favor some characters with more page space, because this helps readers figure out who they should be emotionally invested in.\n\n    I’d like to introduce you to my main characters. All of them.\n  • Don’t count on the reader to remember everyone. If there are two hundred named characters, acknowledge that readers aren’t going to keep track of them all, and be prepared to remind us of who they are.\n  • Employ conservation of detail. Giving effective descriptions of important characters early on not only helps readers identify who matters, but also makes them easier to remember later on. It is, on the other hand, perfectly okay to skimp on descriptions of characters who only appear once or twice. Likewise, one-offs probably don’t need names.\n\nFor smaller casts:\n\n  • Consider logistics. Does it require the villain to be in three places at once? Does it mean that your heroes need to be hyper-competent, since they don’t have any reinforcements to fall back on? Think about what your characters are doing, and make sure that it makes sense with the size of your cast. Likewise, remember that actually-the-same-person reveals make your cast even smaller.\n\n    Wait, I thought this was your place.\n  • Mention people who don’t appear. If we go back to the five-teens-in-a-beach-house example, it’s unlikely that none of them have other friends or family. Adding a few throwaway references to teachers, other kids, or to the family member who owns the beach house reminds the reader that the beach house is part of a larger world.\n  • Don’t forget ancillary characters. These are the characters who show up for one scene and then disappear. They might be cashiers, joggers, or fellow commuters on the bus. These, like references to absent characters, make the world feel less empty and more complete. Even if your characters are the most important people in your story, ancillary characters make it so that they aren’t the only\n\nWriting like a boss: Make a list of your characters and ask yourself what each one does any why they’re important to the story. If you have a small cast, this will help identify characters who can be split into multiple people. If you have a large cast, it will show which ones can be merged or, at the very least, will help you keep track of all the names. If you get to the main character and realize that, were they removed, nothing would change, you have a bigger problem.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9332208633422852}
{"content": "Henry Gouk's Home Page\n\nI am a PhD student in the Machine Learning group at the University of Waikato. I am investigating how Deep Learning can be used create more robust visual SLAM systems. I am also interested in metric learning and various applications of it.\n\nGouk is a Scottish name, and is pronounced Gowk.\n\n\nSoftware I have written can be found on my github profile. Most notable will be dopt, a numerical optimisation and deep learning library for the D programming language.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7854962944984436}
{"content": "There is / There are\nElementary level\n\n\nIn this lesson, students will learn correct use of \"there is / there are\" supported with the meaning, form and pronunciation. Additionally, the Sts will also learn the difference between \"any / some\" with the use of TL. Prepositions such as \"in, on, under, behind, next to\" will be revised. Drills will provide them accuracy and also fluency with the use of the language.\n\n\nAbc Back-up study sheets, A3 Flashcard of bedroom, kitchen and living room pictures, gap-fill sheet\n\nMain Aims\n\n  • To provide review and practice of \"There is / There are\" in the context of the things that are present at home or at school. Also to clarify form, meaning and pronunciation with the TL as well as provide additional information about how to use \"a/an, some, any\" with the TL.\n\nSubsidiary Aims\n\n  • To provide clarification, review and practice with the TL. Also provide additional vocabulary (related to home furniture) and prepositions.\n\n\nWarm-Up Questions (1 minutes) • To set lesson context and engage students.\n\nThe T asks: -\"Is there a television in your living room?\" (Yes/No) answers are expected but the T will encourage them to elicit the sentence form like \"Yes, there is / No, there isn't\" Another question: \"Is there any bed in your bathroom?\" this question is to include some humour to get the Sts attention.\n\nLead-in/Exposure (8-10 minutes) • To provide context for the TL through a sentences that are wrong in form.\n\nT previously writes down the sentences on the white board: - There is a white board in this classroom. - There is a lot of students in this classroom. - There is some chairs in my living room. - There is a couple of books on my table. - There aren't any television next to the window in this classroom. - There is women and men in this classroom. The aim in this \"Exposure\" stage is to elicit students the correct form of the target language and to point out the right use of it. They will be asked to point out the mistakes in pairs in 1-2 mins. After highlighting the form and meaning, the T writes: - \"There is a/an\" is to talk about _______ things that are present in a room or any place ('singular' will be elicited). - \"There are + some\" for ______things in positive sentences ('plural' elicited). - There isn't / aren't any\" for ______ / _______ things in negative statements ('singular / plural' elicited). Afterwards, they will be asked to make sentences in question form verbally. Then, T provides back-up sheets including all the example sentences, form & meaning as well as the question forms and possible answers to the question forms, so that they can revise the topic at home. After clarifying the form and meaning, T writes a sentence on the board: - There is a pencil on the table. - There are some pencils on the table. - There is not any pencil on the table. With these sentences, T asks for drills and also explains that there is a link and also gives info about the stress in the sentence. (Note: While eliciting the correct use of the TL during the first stage, the T also elicits the meanings of prepositions).\n\nControlled Practice / Follow-Up (2-4 minutes) • To concept check and prepare Sts for more meaningful practice.\n\nT gives study sheets which is about gap-fill. - Individual work (2 mins) - Peer-check - Whole class answer check - \"Any questions?\" says the teacher after this activity.\n\nFollow-up / Practice (8-20 minutes) • To concept check and prepare the students for further activities.\n\nT shows a colourful flashcard (bedroom) and models the following activity by asking one student to join her: - There is a bed next to the wardrobe. - Is there a carpet on the floor? - There are 2 chairs in the bedroom The student either responds in positive and negative form. T provides relevant vocabulary that are assumed to be unfamiliar to them such as: armchair, sofa, pillow, curtain, candle holder, cupboard, scales, kettle, (sauce) pan\" so that they will not have trouble with the activity. After the vocabulary support and modelling: - Instruction for the activity: \"You are going to work in pairs. Here is a picture of ? (T shows the picture and elicits) and you will have a look at the picture for 1 minute and you give the picture to your friend and tell what you remember or ask if \"there is any...\"\" - ICQ: \"So, are you going to work individually? (No). Are you going to look at the picture during the whole activity? (No). What are you going to do?\" Afterwards; - Instruction:\"Now other person in you pair looks at anohter room picture which is ? (they elicit looking at the picture) and the same activity will continue with different picture and other partner.\" - ICQ: \"Is the same person going to have a look at the picture of the living room? (No).\" - Follow-up Activity Instructions:\"Now, I'd like you to describe the living room in your houses (miming). You have 4-5 minutes to write down the description individually.\" - Mingling: \"Now, please put your notes away and stand up (miming), find different people and describe your living room without looking at your notes.\" ICQ: \"Are you goind to take your notes with you? (No)\" (Note: The T monitors and takes notes about the errors Sts make as well as she helps the sts to discover who are in need of help during the activity). ***The T writes down \"how many, where\" on the board to help the Sts with their description of their living rooms.\n\nIntonation/Stress (3-9 minutes) • To provide Sts with the correct pronunciation and intonation of the TL.\n\nT has already written sentences on the board during the previous activity, asks them about the intonation. After some guesses, she lets them listen to the recording in chunks and repeat after each track. After the second sentence, T asks them if they can remember which words are usually stressed. (Note: T informs them that information words such as \"nouns, verbs, adj..\"; and grammar words such as \"there, is, are, on..\" are the words usually stressed.) (Note: If time allows, T asks them to work on intonation in pairs after the recording to provide more drills).\n\nError Correction (2-3 minutes) • To correct the Sts mistakes which are made during the activities.\n\nWithout mentioning the name of the student, the T writes down sentences in error and ask them to correct the form or meaning or pronunciation. (Note: This section may be reversed as immediate feedback during the lesson depending on the time constraint.)\n\nWeb site designed by: Nikue", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997915029525757}
{"content": "tree, low angle view, sky, cloud - sky, cloudy, tranquility, nature, beauty in nature, growth, scenics, tranquil scene, cloud, high section, outdoors, treetop, overcast, no people, weather, day, idyllic, non-urban scene\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5100550055503845}
{"content": "Valuing a Decedent’s Closely Held Stock.\n\n\nValuing a Decedent’s Closely Held Stock\n\nA contentious issue in estate taxation is the valuation of stock in a closely held corporation. The fair value of such stock at the valuation date may be difficult to determine since no market quotations are available. Treasury regulations section 20.2031-2(f) and revenue ruling 59-60 (1959-1 CB 237) lists factors CPAs can consider in determining the value for estate tax purposes. Generally, the value would be what a willing buyer would pay to receive the economic benefits attached to that amount of stock.\n\nJ.R. Simplot Co. is a family-owned corporation that processes and sells frozen food, fertilizer and cattle. The company also owns stock in Micron Technology, Inc. Simplot has two classes of common stock, A and B, which are held by family members, family trusts and an employee-stock-ownership plan. Although only class A stock has voting rights, both classes have the dividend rights (none has ever been declared), and class B stock has a slight liquidation advantage. Class A stock has a transfer restriction of 180 days during which the company may buy the stock and another 180 days in which other class A stockholders may purchase the stock before a shareholder can sell it to an outsider.\n\nAt the time of his death in 1993, Richard R. Simplot owned 23.55% of the 76.445 shares of class A stock and 2.79% of the 141,288.584 shares of class B stock. His estate hired Morgan Stanley & Co. to ascertain the stock’s value for estate tax purposes. Morgan Stanley determined a value of $2,650 per share. Because the decedent held only a minority interest in class A stock, it was assigned the same per-share value as the class B stock. The IRS determined a value of $801,994 per share of class A stock and $3,585 per share of class B stock and assessed a tax deficiency of $17,662,886 and penalties of $7,057,554. The estate petitioned the Tax Court for review.\n\nAfter hearing from valuation experts for both the IRS commissioner and the estate, the Tax Court reached its own value determination, adding a premium to the class A stock equal to 3% of the equity value ($830 million) of the company. The court based its decision on the presumption that class A stock, as voting stock, had the potential to influence and control the company. The court then allocated the total premium equally to all class A shares, resulting in a per-share value of $331,595.70, subject to a 35% discount for lack of marketability. The court created several specific scenarios to support the idea that a willing buyer might pay such a premium to obtain the decedent’s 18 shares of class A stock. The Tax Court waived penalties, but assessed a deficiency of $2,162,052. The estate appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.\n\nResult. For the taxpayer. According to the Ninth Circuit, the Tax Court committed three errors in reaching its decision.\n\nThe Tax Court correctly stated the property valuation law: “The standard is objective, using a purely hypothetical willing buyer and willing seller…. The hypothetical persons are not specific individuals or entities.” However, the Tax Court violated that law by creating scenarios involving particular purchasers, their likely combinations with other family members and their probable patience in waiting for a return on their investment.\n\nAfter determining the class A stock should receive a premium of 3% of equity value based on the above scenarios, the Tax Court allocated that premium equally to each class A share. The court erred in valuing all class A stock as a controlling block. The asset to be valued was the 18 shares of class A stock (not a controlling interest) Simplot owned at his death. According to Treasury regulations section 20.2031-1(b), the value of each unit of property is to be determined; in the case of stock, a unit is a share of stock.\n\nThe Tax Court’s third error was attributing any premium to the class A stock. Stock should not be valued at a premium for estate tax purposes unless the commissioner can prove a purchaser would be able to use the stock to obtain an economic benefit sufficient to justify such a premium.\n\nThe Ninth Circuit concluded that a minority interest in class A stock was worth the same as class B stock. Justice Fletcher wrote a lengthy dissent stating that the Tax Court was correct in its application of the law and the resulting decision.\n\nThis case reaffirms the idea that fair value should be based on the amount a buyer is willing to pay for the economic benefits attached to the property as of the valuation date. In this decision, the Ninth Circuit brought the Tax Court back to reality.\n\nEstate of Richard R. Simplot, 87 AFTR2d 2001-2165, 5/14/01.\n\nPrepared by Karyn Bybee Friske, CPA, PhD, assistant professor of accounting and Darlene Pulliam Smith, CPA, PhD, professor of accounting, both of the T. Boone Pickens College of Business, West Texas A&M University, Canyon.\n\n\n6 key areas of change for accountants and auditors\n\n\n\nHow tax reform will impact individual taxpayers\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.916337788105011}
{"content": "If you are seeking seamless clothing for adults or children with sensory issues, we have found has excellent materials. Therafirm products are comfortable and seamless. Judy McCarter knows first hand how difficult in can be for parents and teachers to understand children withJudy McCarter sensory challenges. Her earliest memories center around too itchy clothes, sicken smells and turbulent car rides. Now an Occupational Therapist  in private practice in Tulsa, OK, McCarter provides solutions to children who face similar issues. As an associate of Behavior Doctor Seminars, McCarter provides functional occupational performance through student initiated motivation and interests, developing adaptive life skills, encouraging health and wellness, facilitating transactional  social  engagement opportunities with peers, staff and others in the community, and improving quality of life through self- advocacy and self- awareness. Her book, written for educators who work with children with sensory processing disorder, is tabbed below in a convenient format for those who deal with sensory challenges. Contact Judy McCarter at\nI would like to introduce myself as an associate of Dr. Riffel’s.  My name is Judy McCarter and I have chosen the professional of occupational therapy because of my search for answers resulting from my own sensory processing disorder.  When I was a child, teenager and young adult I used to think I was crazy because the way I processed and interpreted sensory information was different from my family, friends and peers.  READ MORE\nSensory processing challenges can occur as we interpret sensory information either externally from our environment or internally from our bodies. Responses or reactions to our sensory input are a snapshot of how we perceive what our brain has interpreted from the sensory information. READ MORE\nWhat does our proprioceptive system do?\n\nProprioception gives us information about our body in space.  When you have difficulty interpreting proprioceptive input you often feel disconnected from your body and the environment around you.  Proprioceptive information comes from the information provided when your muscle tendons are stretched.  Proprioception provides us with a sense of force and the direction of movement our bodies is going in. READ MORE\n\nWhat does our tactile system do?\n\nOur tactile system provides us with information from sensory input that occurs through the skin, muscle, joints and organs.\n\nWhat can individuals with a tactile challenge look like? READ MORE\n\nWhat does our vestibular system do?\n\nIt provides us with awareness of our body’s relative position to gravity.\n\nWhat do individuals with vestibular challenges look like?  Individuals with vestibular challenges can appear somewhat off balance.  Sometimes they will lean, hold their body in a rigid position or an unusual position in an attempt to maintain postural alignment or prevent head movement.  They can also seek out movement in an attempt to help obtain information to feel more balanced and calm. READ MORE\n\nWhat does the visual system do?\n\nIt provides us with oculomotor control, eye movements, visual acuity, binocular vision, convergence, divergence and helps with orientation in space.  Our visual system also works with our brains to help with attention, memory, discrimmination, recognition, categorizaton, form constancey, figure ground, visual closure and higher levels skills such as visual imagery and spatial perception. READ MORE\n\nWhat does the auditory system do?\nThe auditory system helps to localize sound, lateralize sound, and provide auditory discrimination and auditory pattern recognition. It also works with the visual system to help with spatial mapping.\nWhat do individuals with auditory challenges look like? READ MORE\nWhat does the olfactory system do?\nIt provides us with the sense of smell and indicates if what we smell is a good smell or a dangerous smell. Our sense of smell is one of most primitive systems and is connected to our memory. It really acts as an early warning detection system to us to warn us against things such as smoke coming from fire, burning hoses in our car, soured milk, and pesticides on our foods and backed up sewage systems.READ MORE\nWhat does the gustatory system do?\nIt helps us to discriminate our food by taste and not smell. When we are getting accurate gustatory feedback we are able to discriminate between different types or the same textured food such as grape or cherry applesauce. Our gustatory system also acts as a warning system to let us know when our food has gone bad such as milk or meat. READ MORE\nWhat is oral propriocetive input?\nOral proprioceptive input are foods and other items which provide heavy input orally.\nWhat does someone with oral proprioceptive challenges look like?READ MORE\nWhat are fine motor skills?\nFine motor skills are precision skills performed by the muscles in the fingers, toes, eyes and tongue. An example of fine motor hand skills would be buttoning a button or picking up a penny off of the floor. Fine motor skills can be done with the toes making adjustments and keeping balance or equilibrium during walking or dancing. READ MORE\nA visual cue was provided just by placing two small door rug/mats in front of the Librarian’s desk. This provides a boundary for the kids to be aware of how close to get to the desk when checking out books.READ MORE\nWhat are activities of daily living (ADL) ?\nThey are the activities which occur on a daily basis that are required to take care of ourselves. These activities can also be referred to as basic activities or daily living or personal activities of daily living.\nWhat are Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?READ MORE\nWhat does relating to others mean?\nRelating to others is the ability to stay engaged or focused on the interactive communication process with others. Interactions occur when communication goes back and forth between the parties. It can be verbal or nonverbal.\nWhat does someone with relating challenges look like?READ MORE\nWhat are quiet spaces?\nQuiet spaces are whatever space is determined by the individual to provide a safe, calm and organizing environment for them.\nWhen do individuals use these spaces?READ MORE\nWhat are Therapy Rooms?\nTherapy Rooms are rooms which encourage interactive sensori-motor opportunities. They should be as much fun as possible to motivate learning and participation. I want to work in a room that is as much fun for me to work in as in is for the kids. The room sets the mood for therapy sessions and the interactive opportunities.\nWho uses therapy rooms?READ MORE\nThis page is based on ideas that I have enjoyed doing or being a part of.\nI hope you enjoy looking as much I have enjoyed doing!!! READ MORE\nAwesome Ideas are ideas that I have used with students or patients that have been very effective so I want to share them with you because maybe they can be the solution to some of your problems. I have not found any of these things for sale and have developed them myself. All are made from very inexpensive materials.READ MORE<[/tab]\nWhat are Fidgets?\nFidgets are anything that helps a person to relieve stress, boredom, anger and increase calming, focusing and attending. Look in the other domain areas for additional fidgets. READ MORE\nThis monster pouch is a great organizational tool and was purchased at Staples. It unzips all the way around and becomes a straight line. It is a fun tool to use since the monster can eat the pencils or your favorite positive behavior support “gotcha” READ MORE[\nDo List and Good Things Lists came from Staples. READ MORE", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9980757236480713}
{"content": "Log in Page Discussion History Go to the site toolbox\n\nHow to Write a Haiku Poetry\n\nFrom BluWiki\n\nWriting Quality Haiku's\n\nPoetry of any kind is a challenge to write, regardless of where it originates and the form of the poem. Though the haiku is technically a short and simple poem, it will require time to properly compose your thoughts into the appropriate form. Before it is possible to compose the poem, anyone writing the poem must first understand what a haiku is and how it differs in English and Japanese.\n\nJapanese Haiku\n\nThe haiku originates in Japan and while it has changed over the years since it was first created, two main elements of the poem remain: it has 17 syllables and the content is about nature.\n\nUnderstanding the history of the haiku is an important part to understanding the formation of the poem. Without the history of how the poems began and where the haiku deviates from the traditional Japanese poetry before it started is vital to creating a poem that suits the form and style of a haiku.\n\nBefore the haiku became a stand-alone poem, it was originally the introduction to a longer poem called the hokku, or starting verse. As such, originally the haiku was the important first element of a poem that was meant to build into a full poem by adding the haika, or the remaining long chain of words.\n\nThough the hokku was originally only the introduction or first verse of a poem, it was given great importance in Japan to the poem’s composition and sometimes the poet wrote only the hokku while leaving off the haika.\n\nThe haiku became a separate type of poem due to the efforts of Masaoka Shiki. Masaoka Shiki started working on reforming Japanese poetry during the 1880s and finally saw his efforts form a new type of poem, the haiku, in 189Mr. Shiki made the haiku an independent poem that stood on its own with a single verse and minimal syllables.\n\nHaiku History\n\nSince the haiku was not actually formed until the late 19th century, the great Japanese poetry masters of the past like Basho or Yosa Buson were actually writing a hokku instead, though in modern eras the hokku is now considered a haiku.\n\nThe modern Japanese haiku has one more influence that differs from the original ideas of Masaoka Shiki. Kawahigashi Hekigoto worked to take the reform further and make the poetry fresher.\n\nIn his proposal, the poem should not contain a center of interest, or the attention getter, that other poems require. It was Mr. Hekigoto’s idea that having the center of interest in the haiku would detract from the reality of the poem and since the poem is not followed by further details in a long poem, this attention grabber is not necessary.\n\nThe second part of Kawahigashi Hekigoto’s proposal was the poem should use the poet’s first impression of subjects in daily life, colors or nature as it is rather than editing those impressions.\n\nHaiku Influence\n\nDue to the influence of Masaoka Shiki and Kawahigashi Hekigoto, the Japanese haiku developed into a short poem that lacks an attention grabber, but contains the first impression of the poet about the nature of the world around him or her.\n\nThe key feature that makes a haiku different from other poetry is the next step in creating the haiku. The Japanese version of the haiku has a very strict pattern and a reference to nature.\n\nThe main key feature of the Japanese haiku is the strict adherence to the syllables: five, seven and five syllable pattern forms the poem. It is also written on a single line so that a reader can see all of the parts of the poem together.\n\n\nUnderstanding the history of the haiku and the form in Japan is only one part of understanding the method of writing the poem. For English speakers, you must also understand the ways that haiku differ between English and Japanese.\n\nHaiku in English\n\nThe English language and the Japanese language are very different and as such the haiku looks and sounds different when written by an English speaking American than it would when written by the Japanese speaking individual.\n\nThe first key difference between English and Japanese that affects the haiku is the number of syllables it takes to form a word. In the Japanese language, one word is often changed into different forms and by making a small change the number of syllables can increase or decrease.\n\nFor example, if the Japanese poet were thinking of putting the word meaning “to eat” in his poem, he could use “tabemasu” or “taberu” and shorten the number of syllables while maintaining the integrity and meaning of the word. In English, changing the number of syllables in a word requires either changing the tense, which might ruin the poem, or changing the word.\n\nDue to the ability of the Japanese language to adapt words, many times the Japanese version of a haiku will have more words put into the poem than the English version can manage.\n\nThe syllables used in the haiku in Japan are always strict and follow the pattern as closely as possible. In the English, sometimes the haiku will deviate slightly from this strict adherence to pattern.\n\nEnglish Interpretation\n\nIn English, the strict observance to the number of syllables might not be possible depending on the message the poet is trying to convey. In Japanese, the use of a five, seven and five pattern that forms a haiku is easier due to the language differences. A haiku in English, particularly American English, might not work out as well with the exact syllable pattern.\n\nAccording to Jack Kerouac, it is not always necessary in an American haiku to adhere to the exact syllable pattern because the language differences make it difficult. If the poet is inspired in English to write the short, three-lined haiku based on something he or she sees, English might not allow enough syllables to convey the thoughts or more syllables might be necessary.\n\nIn fact, if the Japanese haiku are translated into English, many end up not adhering to the syllable rules because the words in Japanese and English do not translate perfectly.\n\nThe last key difference between an American English haiku and the Japanese haiku is the use of nature. In Japanese, a nature word called kigo is a major element of the poem. Haiku were originally an observation of something found in nature and thus it is a major part of the poem. Even an observation about a family, child or non-nature related object will use a seasonal association to give a feeling of nature.\n\nThe Japanese poets will generally look up words in a seasonal almanac to find a word that will bring nature into a poem that is not actually about nature.\n\nIn American English, many poets do not understand the use of kigo and might not put it into the poem. This is partly due to misunderstandings about the purpose of the seasonal words, or saijiki, in the poem. As such, English haiku do not necessarily strictly observe the rule about the observation of nature.\n\nWhen you plan to write a haiku, understanding the differences between the two languages and the method of making the poem is a key component to writing a great poem.\n\nWriting the Poem\n\nUnderstanding the haiku’s history and the differences between the English and Japanese versions of the poem is a key component to writing the poems. Unfortunately, it is not the only factor involved in forming a great poem. Anyone planning to write a haiku should expect the poem to take time and that it might require some editing before it is finished.\n\nBefore starting any writing and after understanding the key historical facts and differences between English and Japanese haiku, taking the time to read the haiku written by others will go a long way in helping you learn to form your own haiku.\n\nPick up a book of poetry that contains haiku from the library or bookstore and spend some time reading the haiku. Notice the form and shape of the poem. In general, most English writers split the poem into three lines and usually will try maintaining the five, seven and five pattern.\n\nNotice the topics of the poem and the style of writing. If the poem does not follow the strict five, seven and five pattern, notice the differences and look for the reason it uses a different syllable pattern. For example, if the poem would not make sense with another added or if taking a word out would compromise the meaning of the poem, the poet might end up altering the poem’s pattern.\n\nLanguage Differences\n\nThe poems written by someone from Japan might not split up the poem or the translation might not have the appropriate syllables. When reading a translation from Japanese poets, note the use of seasonal or nature words that form the haiku. This will help provide you with a greater understanding of the use of season and nature in the poem.\n\nTaking the time to read other haiku gives a better understanding of the form and shape of the poem.\n\nObservation a key component of writing any haiku. A haiku is an observation of nature or something around you. In fact, the observation often lends inspiration for the poem to form. Without seeing something and making a note of it, the poem will end up stilted and poorly written.\n\nBefore writing anything down to form a poem, taking a walk, sitting in a park or even going fishing is beneficial. Take a notebook with you during the walk or in the park and look around at everything that surrounds you. For example, if you are in the park you might notice children playing, a dog being walked by his owner or spring flowers just starting to bloom.\n\nWrite down the observations in the notebook. So, if you are sitting on a bench in the park you might write down phrases or sentences like “the sun is bright, the flowers are starting to bloom and children are playing a game of tag.”\n\nRecord any sight, sound, smell or action that you notice while sitting in the park or walking around town. It can be anything striking or even something usually overlooked, like the tiny yellow flowers that are almost hidden by the grass.\n\nThe observations recorded in the notebook should always have something related to the nature around you, even if it just a note that the day is sunny, snowing, raining or overcast.\n\nWriting Out Words\n\nWriting out nature words makes it easier to form the poem later. Once you have the observations in place, you are ready to start working on forming the poem. Since nature or seasonal words are a necessary part of the haiku, a good place to start is with the nature word.\n\nFor example, if you noted during the observation that the day was overcast and gloomy and you know the season is summer, you might write words like summer, storm, gloomy, overcast, humidity, angry clouds, warm rain or any other word that somehow brings the weather together with the season.\n\nThe haiku does not need to have an obvious seasonal or nature word, such as using a summer sport to convey the season rather than saying “it is summer,” but the audience should innately know the season based on the words you select. In Japan, a poet might use words like sakura for cherry blossoms or umi for ocean to give the audience a mental image of the season. In English, you might use words like daffodils or baseball to give a mental image of a specific season.\n\nPick out two or three words you liked best from the list as potential options for your haiku.\n\nFive Senses and Haiku's\n\nThe five senses play a crucial role in the formation of a haiku. All real haiku discuss something that anyone might see, hear, taste, touch or smell. While it might show a different perspective on the observation, it will only provide information that others might also experience. In the poem, a poet should only mention something that is observable.\n\nThe haiku must be something that any reader will relate to. For example, the feeling of warm rain is something a reader can imagine. The poet should not try putting a metaphor or special meaning on the five senses. If the rain is warm, it is warm and does not require analysis.\n\nA poet who takes the observation and tries to put an analysis or meaning to the observation is not properly forming the haiku. The reader cannot see, hear, taste, touch or smell an analysis of the observation that forms the idea. As such, adding an analysis makes the poem too complex and thus ruins the integrity of the poem.\n\nComparison and contrast is another key feature of the haiku. In general, one line of the haiku will bring something to mind while the other two contrast or create a comparison with the other line.\n\nThis is perhaps one of the hardest parts of writing a haiku. Fortunately, writing down the observations makes it easier to find something that creates a comparison or contrast.\n\nContrasting and Comparing\n\nFor example, if you were taking a walk and the day was a clear and sunny summer morning, a contrast to that cheerfulness might be the observation of a nervous young mother watching her child at play. The contrast between cheerful weather and the young mother might form a poem that shows the essence of new parents: nervousness despite good circumstances.\n\nIn this type of situation, you might start the poem with the image of a bright, sunny day. Such as writing the first line stating “a summer morning” and then follow through with the two lines about the mother and her child, such as “the young mother gazes at her playing children.”\n\nThe haiku formed from the observation of a mother watching her children on a cheerful day is thus:\n\nA summer morning, The young mother gazes at Her playing children.\n\nBy taking the two contrasting ideas of cheerful weather with a nervous parent, the poem becomes much easier. The poem is thus a type of summary of the surroundings that you see in nature or throughout your normal day.\n\nBeing Spontaneous\n\nSpontaneity is perhaps the greatest part of a real haiku. Real haiku will always capture a moment in time or an observation in its most spontaneous form.\n\nIn some cases, this might mean that the poem will not work if it is broken down into the pattern of a Japanese haiku. This is particularly true in the case of a haiku written in English, where the words and syllables might not always read the same, depending on the dialect and individual.\n\nIn the case that the haiku sounds stilted or odd with the proper pattern, a good haiku poet will adjust the pattern to suit the poem rather than trying to change the observation to fit the pattern.\n\nFor the beginner, it is usually best to start with the original pattern while writing the poem. By following the rules it is easier to determine if you are correctly writing the poem. After gaining some experience, poets are able to deviate from the pattern and thus form the poem without the formal pattern and format.\n\nThe Pseudo-haiku\n\nJust because a poem follows the appropriate format and style of the haiku, it does not necessarily mean the words are actually a haiku. A pseudo-haiku is any five, seven and five pattern “poem” that does not follow the key elements of the haiku. It might not have anything about seasons or nature or it might not talk about something others are able to observe and see personally.\n\nThe pseudo-haiku might follow the same basic syllable count as the original, but it is not a haiku. In fact, it has numerous qualities that make it different from a real haiku.\n\nThe main component to the pseudo-haiku that differs from the real haiku is the fact that it does not mention nature or seasons within the poem. A pseudo-haiku might cover any topic, even the most off-the-wall and humorous topics that have nothing to do with nature and cannot relate to nature.\n\nThe lack of a seasonal or nature reference automatically disqualifies the poem as a haiku because that is one of the very few components required in making a haiku.\n\nThe next factor that might disqualify a haiku is that it is a single sentence. A haiku is not a sentence broken up into three lines based on the number of sentences.\n\nThe reason a sentence broken up into three lines does not qualify as a haiku is the fact that it will not convey the appropriate contrasting or comparison ideas that a haiku requires. The example of the mother watching her children during a bright, sunny day shows first the cheerful weather and then a second idea of the mother’s vigilance and care. It gives two distinct ideas and is not a run-on sentence.\n\nAnything that does not provide different ideas that contrast or are compared to each other cannot qualify as a haiku because it is merely a run on sentence.\n\n\nThe use of “mysticism” or making statements that sound silly and like they came off a fortune cookie or out of a movie is not a haiku, regardless of the components of the poem.\n\n\nHaiku are serious in nature and anything that brings out a feeling that the statement is silly, sounds like something out of a poorly-made movie or conveys a feeling rather than an observation is not a haiku.\n\nIt is a type of pseudo-haiku that follows the pattern and style, but misses the key components of the poem.\n\nAnother type of supposed haiku is the senryu. A senryu is a type of humorous poem that follows the same type of pattern style as the haiku, but discusses human shortcomings instead.\n\nSenryu is a satirical poem from Japan that is often mistaken for haiku due to the five, seven and five pattern of the poem. Unlike the haiku, it focuses on human nature and humor rather than a nature observation, fact and inspiration.\n\nLike haiku, senryu might have a pseudo-senryu form. Usually, a nonsensical and funny “haiku” is considered a pseudo-senryu due to the fact that it is funny, but doesn’t actually point out a human failing or use satire to convey that humor.\n\nMore Tips on Haiku's\n\nHaiku that are formed correctly bring the scene and idea to the mind’s eye. It might be something that you see every day or it might be a sudden observation that took your breath away, but it should always be an observation. Like any type of poetry, writing haiku requires practice before it starts sounding like a master poet. Fortunately, with a little practice and understanding the rules, the haiku you write will start improving.\n\n\nSTL Today: What is a Haiku\n\nPrince Edward Island Department of Education: How to Write Haiku Poetry\n\nSite Toolbox:\n\nPersonal tools\nGNU Free Documentation License 1.2\nThis page was last modified on 3 August 2013, at 17:36.\nDisclaimers - About BluWiki", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9232504367828369}
{"content": "\n\n  |  Últimas noticias:\n\n~ English new ~\n\n\n\nUPM Raflatac is extending its range of film face materials for the European market with a new white plant-based material that provides a sustainable alternative to fossil-based films for a wide variety of end uses. RafBio PE White performs just like standard PE film, and its excellent flexibility makes it ideal for the squeezable bottles and contoured containers that are widely used in home and personal care applications.\n\nPart of the RafBio family of bio-based labeling solutions, RafBio PE White and Clear are the ideal choices for customers who are looking for a sustainable film face materials that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions during their life cycle, compared to conventional PE, while still keeping products looking their very best. Made from sugarcane ethanol, the films contain more than 80% renewable plant-based raw material and are recyclable within the same recycling streams as fossil-based PE.\n\nRafBio PE films are combined with our RP37 adhesive for multi-purpose labeling applications. Furthermore, UPM Raflatac's RafCycle(TM) program offers significant benefits to label printers and end users by turning waste into valuable resources.\n\n\"A bio-future is the logical solution for a circular society and we need more radical innovation to get there. At UPM Raflatac, we are taking steps to develop products that are thinner and lighter, recyclable and biobased. RafBio PE White is the logical choice for printers that want to go beyond eco-box-ticking. It's a game changing packaging solution that helps make the circular economy a reality for leading brand owners,\" says Robert Taylor, Director, Sustainability, UPM Raflatac.\n\n\nArtículos relacionados\n\nUPM Raflatac expands offering for industrial chemical labeling\nUPM Raflatac abre una nueva terminal en Chile en 2018\n\n~ Publicidad ~\n\n© 2001-2018 Ediciones Industria Gráfica - Todos los derechos reservados\nAviso legal | Política de privacidad", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7048758268356323}
{"content": "Minggu, 21 Juli 2013\n\n\n\nThe Jhpiego Indonesia programs are aimed to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Indonesia. We are currently implementing EMAS ( Expanding Maternal & Newborn Survival ) program in Indonesia funded by USAID. \nIn order to reach our goals, we are now recruiting a local based ( Semarang, Central Java ) positionto be part of the Jhpiego Indonesia great team. The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, with the added satisfaction of working for an organization committed to the Jhpiego’s visions and missions.\nMonitoring & Evaluation Officer\n\nM&E officer is responsible for implementing the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategy for the EMAS (Expanding Maternal and Neonatal Survival) Program in province and district level. The M&E officer will work closely with National M&E team operate efficient systems of province-district level M&E. The M&E officer will provide timely and relevant information to National M&E team and project stakeholders.\n\nMajor Duties:\n* With support from the M&E National level, identify the core information needs of the EMAS program at province and district level. \n* Prepare and monitor performance indicators using simple data collection and collation tools in line with the program’s performance monitoring plan. \n* Track the project inputs, activities, processes, outcomes and impact measures of the program.\n* Preparation monthly and quarterly data indicator reports to submit to M&E National. \n* Facilitate EMAS province level to prepare M&E program planning.\n* Undertake monitoring visits to the various project sites to support implementation of M&E\n\nPrimary role & responsibility\n* M&E Officers ensure that quality data for the EMAS PMP are collected and reported by specified deadlines.\n* Follow the protocols and guidance provided by the EMAS M&E Director and M&E Managers\n* Fully understand the EMAS PMP and related documentation and can effectively explain the PMP and its indicators to others, such as: \n* Facility Standard Registers & Summary Forms\n* EMAS Data Collection Form\n* Indicator Reference Sheets\n* Proactively support and engage with stakeholders, including facility staff, the district office, and EMAS colleagues, to help them improve their recording, reporting, and use of data\n* Planning steps for routine data collection\n* Understand EMAS M&E documentation, tools, policies and procedures\n* Sensitize stakeholders to relevant data collection tools and procedures\n* Identify a point-of-contact at each facility \n* Understand and plan how to address challenges specific to your facilities, districts etc.\n* Develop a routine data collection schedule for hospitals and puskesmas, which is communicated to all relevant parties for maximum collaboration and efficiency\n* Review collected data for completeness, reliability, and integrity\n* Ensure timely reporting of your data to Jakarta\nKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:\n* S1 or equivalent experience is required, public health background or health experience preferred.\n* M&E experience and good knowledge of M&E approaches and tools at district and hospital and Community health Center level.\n* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a strong eye for detail.\n* Experience of working in a research environment or information-generating context.\n* Strong interpersonal skills.\n* Ability to work under pressure, priorities, schedule and balance workloads in the face of conflicting and uneven demands.\n* Excellent oral and written communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia; English language skills preferred.\n* Strong computer skills; be able to run Pivot table, SPSS, ArcView GIS are preferred.\nTo apply, please e-mail your cover letter and CV, indicate  the position that you are applying for on the\nsubject of your email.\nEmail address  : hr-id@jhpiego.net\nClosing date: July 26th       , 2013 \nOnly short-listed applicants will be contacted.\n\nTidak ada komentar:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6116681694984436}
{"content": "Subscribe for 33¢ / day\n\nQ How do hovercrafts work?\n\n— Will Swisher, Madison, Wis.\n\nA Mike Randall, Wonders of Physics program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison:\n\n\nAir molecules are so small about 840 billion of them fit inside a ping-pong ball. They’re incredibly tiny, but collectively very powerful. On average those air molecules are zipping around at 1,100 miles an hour and fill up whatever space they’re given.\n\nThink of the end of your thumb as about a square inch. On each square inch of the hoverboard, the air molecules collectively are exerting a force of almost the weight of a bowling ball, about 14.7 pounds per square inch.\n\nThat’s an enormous amount of force pushing from one side of the base, and yet nothing happens on its own. That’s because there are just as many air molecules pushing from the other side of the base, so the two forces cancel out.\n\nGet news headlines sent daily to your inbox\n\nThe basic components of the hovercraft used in UW-Madison’s Wonders of Physics program are an air blower that blows air underneath the board or platform, an air-tight fabric on the back side with a few holes around it and a plastic disc in the center to hold it together.\n\nWith the air blower, additional air molecules can be blown under the board — which means more collisions and more lift force underneath the board — as long as the air is contained.\n\nA hovercraft has what’s called a skirt to contain the air. When the air blower is turned on, this skirt creates a pocket that traps the pressurized air. That pressurized air is what gives the lift to make a hovercraft work.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5844864845275879}
{"content": "← back\n\n\nSeven billion years of earth's\nhistory at your fingertips.\n\nAnimated Prototype\n\n\nHow can we bring the lessons from the textbook to the tablet? From the classroom to the home?\n\nEducation conduces innovation, discovery, wealth, and enlightment on both a societal and personal level. However, true education is a life-long process; it exceeds the boundaries of the classroom. How can we bring the lessons from the textbook to the tablet? From the classroom to the home?\n\n\n\nMuch of earth’s most basic history, while enormously important, seems to elude even the educated, first-world demographic. Eon will communicate the most salient aspects of earth’s 4.6 billion year history.\n\n\nThrough highly engaging user interactions, rich graphics and exciting animations, Eon aims to inspire that deeply curious place in all of us, that, for many, has been numbed by dry textbooks, un-engaging lectures, and stressful testing.\n\n\nDiscovery Channel, as part of a hypothetical marketing effort, will sponsor the app! Their branding, which encapsulates their core mission as a company and their visual identity, will be incorporated extensively throughout Eon’s design.\n\nIdeation Sketching\n\nimmersive yet intuitive\n\nThrough many rounds of sketching, I explore unique, excitingly engaging alternatives to the common timeline. I iterate in pursuit of a balance between fun and immersive but also intuitive, in terms of navigation and clarity of the time scale's hierarchy\n\n\nHome Page:\nChoose an Eon\n\n\nBasic navigation\n\n\nAll four eons comprising earth’s history are shown, including: title, timing, and illustrated appearance of earth during this time.\n\n\nUpon tapping an eon, a short description is revealed, accompanied by the “discover” button, which users may tap to learn much more!\n\nEon Details\n\n\nUser scrubs forwards and backwards through history by sliding their finger right and left (respectively) along the timeline.\n\n\nGlobe reveals geologic progression at rate user scrubs through timeline.\n\n\nAs events occur, they congregate in this list. User may tap the eyeball next to each event to get a more detailed description.\n\n\nBottom bar reveals user’s place in time respective to all four eons (i.e. the beginning of the earth to now).\n\nEvent Details\n\n\nDetails of each event exists within a scrollable panel.\n\n\nUser may swipe left or right to discover events later or earlier in the eon, respectively.\n\n\nTap outside the panels to return to return to the timeline for the given eon.\n\nVisual Inspiration\n\nDramatic, Theatrical\n\nI aim to capture the mood and visual aesthetic common to many modern scientific motion graphics: particularly those on Discovery Channel! Clean and professional, with a flare of creative artistic craftsmanship.\n\nFinal Designs", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5256385803222656}
{"content": "Tips On How To Effectively Battle Cancer\n\nIt is quite daunting to deal with a cancer diagnosis or someone you love having cancer.\n\n\nExercise will ensure that the blood throughout the body. Getting your blood pumping will help your treatments can traverse your physical interior faster and with ease.\n\n\n\nDepression can have a negative impact on your physical health and increase the likelihood that your cancer will grow. They may entirely give up the disease.\n\nDon’t fear some uncomfortable moments if you have to have a screening for breast cancer. It only lasts for a few short minutes. The end result could be catching cancer in time and saving your breasts and your life, so don’t let that uncomfortable feeling prevent you from getting screened.\n\nMany people know that wild salmon is very healthy and delicious.\n\nDrinking sodas and other unhealthy beverages may increase your risk of getting cancer. The high amount of calories and simple carbohydrates can cause weight gain, and being overweight increases the risk of certain types of cancer.\n\nValue all of the support you get during this difficult time.\n\nDon’t take cancer on. This is a life-or-death situation, you need to stand up to cancer and fight back with everything that you have.\n\nDo not think that alcohol in any way helps to prevent and fight against cancer. Wine could help prevent cancer prevention benefits due to the grapes. Drinking too much alcohol can actually increase the risk of getting cancer.\n\nHelp your loved ones who has cancer to find a network of support people they can speak with. The Internet should contain loads of information about cancer support groups in your neighborhood, so they can find someone to talk to. This will give the person who is dealing with cancer a good way to let their emotions out.\n\nOpen communication can provide a strong bond that are healthy and your loved ones.\n\nPrior to starting treatment, ask questions about the physical changes that you can expect. This information allows you to make an informed decision about your treatments.If you know that you will be losing your hair, speak to other patients about wigs and makeup to prepare just in case.\n\nNot every article of clothing is going to keep the damaging sun rays from making their way to your skin. If you cannot find any in your local stores, check on the Internet; you are bound to come across some that are just perfect.\n\nThe simplest way to beat cancer is to avoid getting it.\n\nThere are many therapeutic methods to help you through your treatments for your disease and after. Try getting a massage, using aromatherapy, getting an acupuncture treatment, or aromatherapy to better manage and relieve the stress cancer brings to your life.All of these therapies are designed to help you not be as stressed as you battle this disease that adds tremendous stress to your life.\n\n\nThe best way to attain this lifestyle is to follow proper nutrition guidelines, getting plenty of sleep, and get adequate rest. If you work to keep your body running well, you will have more energy to fight your cancer, and to cope with the often harsh treatments you’ll have to deal with.\n\nCancer is a very difficult disease to live with. It is a major cause of death around the world, striking fear in the hearts of many who want to avoid it at all costs. In spite of this, there is an abundance of resources available like the tips in this article that can help ease the burden.\n\nCategory: Prevent Cancer", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6115609407424927}
{"content": "Bloomfield driving directions and distance\n\nBloomfield : Route planner and distance\n\n\n\nLocation of Bloomfield\n\nBloomfield is a city located in the middle west of the united states in the county of Davis, and the state of Iowa. Bloomfield lies near cities of Floris, Stiles, Pulaski, Mark, Belknap, and Drakesville. Bloomfield is geographically situated on 40.7516884 latitude and -92.4149074 longitude.carte-plan-Bloomfield", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9074145555496216}
{"content": "The advice more important for skin under the eyes\n\nThe skin under the eyes is considered to be the most delicate skin all over the human body, and hence it certainly requires some of the most caring attitude vibes from the human heart. Instead of running behind the money and losing concerns about the health issues, the person shall deal with issue pretty much earlier before it becomes so much serious for him to lose control over it.\n\nWhen it comes to analyzing the part of skin under the human eyes, the skin is made up of delicate tissues in order to avoid any irritation in the human eyes due to movement of the eyeball. The movement of the eyeball is also facilitated by the soft and delicate skin under the eyes, and hence it is proved that the part of the skin discussed above is the most delicate.\n\nDelicacy directly responds to the change in the environment and climate where extreme cold or hot conditions can cause the lipids inside the skin to get destroyed, and let the skn turn flaky.\n\neCellulitis tips\n\nThe treatments\n\neCellulitis resource on dry skin under eyes seems to bring the concepts of human skin delicacy close to the minds of those persons who do not pay attention to its degrading form. The human skin loses its moisture and hence the dryness first causes the tissues to dry and then loose the bonds between them to turn flaky. The non impressive part of the same is that the looks borne by the people who suffer from the flakiness of the skin are really undesirable. The dark circles round the skin in addition to the wrinkles and crow feets destroy the beauty of the face, but flaky skin around eyes advice on eCellulitis seems to provide support to the losing hopes of the humans. Thus, eCellulitis tips on under eye dryness treatment are must to be read.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9896722435951233}
{"content": "Username Post: Prima flowers\nTina scraps\nPosts: 18098\nJoined: 07-05-07\nTina scraps\n\n    In response to Sunfairy\n\nyou should try out the \"scrap by color\" option in the superstore, then it'll help you find products in the specific color you're looking for.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9700877666473389}
{"content": "Find Tourist Places in Daman and Diu\n\nThere are 29 tourist attractions in Daman and Diu. This is 1% of all tourist attractions listed in India. Top cities in Daman and Diu with popular tourist destinations are Diu, Daman and Jampore. The major types of tourist attractions listed here are landmarks and nature attractions. Then there is also amusement parks listed in Daman and Diu. You may find a list of all categories of Daman and Diu attractions on this page. Click on a category to find all attractions of Daman and Diu of that type.\n\nThe Daman and Diu region is a coastal union territory comprising of two areas which are divided by the Arabian sea and are approximately 650 km apart from each other by road. The union territory was earlier a part of Goa until 1987 when it was separated.\n\nThe former Portuguese colony is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and pristine environment. The monuments exhibiting Portuguese style of architecture are a sight to behold! These relics of the colonial past still enchant visitors with their haunting beauty and magnificence.\n\nDiu Fort is a reminder of the Portuguese legacy; this fort is certainly worth a visit. Towards the west of the fort is situated the Diu town. The Naida Caves are a network of tunnels that lie on the periphery of the Diu Fort. The caves have natural openings that allow sunlight to light up the caves creating a surreal environment that is indeed a paradise for photographers! The Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple is located on the seashore; the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses the Shivalingam that is continuously anointed with the sea waves! The Jalandhar Beach is associated with the Puranic demon Jalandhar; the beautiful beach is a popular tourist destination. The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church is a beautiful Church constructed in the 17th century. The Church is known for its beautiful Portuguese style of architecture, exquisitely decorated interiors, and carved doorway!\n\nTop 10 Tourist Attractions in Daman and Diu\n\nVisit the top tourist attractions in Daman and Diu. Click on a tourist attraction bellow to find the detailed information.\n\nSearch Tourist Attractions by City\n\nThere are 3 cities in Daman and Diu with tourist attractions. Browse through the cities in the following section to explore Daman and Diu tourist attractions.\n\nRelated Articles\n\nThe following article will provide you with interesting information, useful tips and insights about tourist attractions in Daman and Diu.\n\nTips for Children's Safety on a Beach\n\n\nFind in Daman and Diu\n\nWe have listed tourist places of Daman and Diu in the following categories. Please click on one of them to find all Daman and Diu attractions of that type.\n\nView All", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9926027655601501}
{"content": "• The gastrocnemius  (also gastrocnemius muscle, latin: musculus gastrocnemius) is a superficial muscle of the posterior group of the lower leg muscles.\n\n    The gastrocnemius originates with two heads: the medial and the lateral head. The medial head of the gastrocnemius arises from the medial condyle, while the lateral head originates from the lateral condyle of the femur. The gastrocnemius inserts onto the calcaneal tuberosity of the calcaneus, as its both heads join in the midline of the lower leg in a tendon (Achilles tendon).\n\n    The main function of the gastrocnemius is flexion of the knee. Contraction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius rotates the leg medially (internal rotation of the leg), while contraction of the lateral head rotates the leg laterally (external rotation of the leg).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6443838477134705}
{"content": "Basics of Genetics\n\nIn trying to solve the puzzling results he found in his experiment, Mendel developed a hypothesis that explains what genes do on chromosomes when they are transmitted, even though he had no idea what genes or chromosomes were. We can divide Mendel’s hypothesis into four related ideas. First, Mendel argued that the different versions of what he called “heritable factors” must be responsible for producing the different traits. A “heritable factor” was responsible for the purple flower, and a different one was responsible for white flowers. What Mendel called heritable factors are what we now call genes. The different versions of the genes are what we call alleles. For example, the gene responsible for flower color in peas has two alleles, one for purple flowers and the other for white flowers.\n\nMendel’s second idea was to conclude that each individual had not one but two different particles for each character. In other words, each individual has two alleles for each gene. Mendel made this conclusion knowing nothing about chromosomes, but microbiologists confirmed this by showing that each offspring has two copies of every gene.\n\nMendel’s third suggestion was that one allele of the two that an individual possesses might actually be dominant over the other one. In other words, one allele is expressed even if the other allele is present. We say that one allele would be dominant, and the one that is not expressed we call recessive.\n\nLet’s go back to Mendel’s experiment to clarify this. He started with true breeding lines of purple and white flowers. He argued that these true breeding lines, that produce only one or the other flower color, must always have two of the same kind of allele. The purple flower plant has two purple alleles and the white plant has two white alleles.\n\nThe offspring of this cross must receive one allele from each parent, and thus have one purple allele from one parent and one allele from the other parent. Because all of the offspring in the F1 generation had purple flowers, Mendel argued that the purple form must be dominant over the recessive white form.\n\nMendel’s forth idea was that when a parent produces gametes in preparation for sexual reproduction; each gamete only gets one of the two alleles that that parent possesses for a particular gene. If we are talking about flower color, if a parent possesses two of the same kind of allele, when it produces gametes, all of the gametes would have only that kind of allele. For example, purple plants from Mendel’s parental generation would only make gametes that have purple flower alleles. The same would be true of the parental white plants.\n\nHere’s the kicker. When we have individuals that have two different kinds of alleles, for example individuals in the F1 generation, can produce two kinds of alleles. They have both a purple allele and a white allele, so they can produce gametes that have either purple or white alleles. In fact, they do so in a 50:50 ratio. It is equally likely that their gametes would have one or the other allele.\n\nThe original parental plants Mendel started had two alleles for the same color. We call individuals that posses two of the same kind of allele “homozygous”. The parental plants were homozygous. By contrast, when an individual possesses two different kinds of alleles for the same gene, we say that it is heterozygous. Individuals in the F1 generation were heterozygous.\n\nWe give some labels to the alleles. We’re going to give the purple flower allele the capital letter P, and the white flower allele the lowercase p. Giving the uppercase and the lowercase versions of the same letter is one common way that geneticists designate different alleles for a gene.\n\nBecause the original in Mendel’s cross were homozygous, they could produce only one kind of gamete. We’ve already said why their offspring should have all purple flowers. If the purple allele is dominant to the white allele, the F1 offspring all have one big P and one little p. Because they all have a big P, which is dominant, they’ll all be purple, regardless of the fact that they have the little p too.\n\nNow I want to introduce two new terms: phenotype and genotype. An organism’s phenotype refers to what it looks like. It refers to the traits that organism expresses. For example, we would say of a purple plant that it has the purple phenotype. The genotype of an organism represents its genetic makeup. The genetic makeup of an organism clearly would have something to do with the traits that the organism expresses. It is important to keep in mind, though, that a given phenotype might be produced by different genotypes.\n\nLet’s go back to our pea plants. Because the purple allele is dominant over the white allele, there are two possible genotypes that could give rise to the purple flower phenotype. Individuals having two big P alleles clearly would have the purple phenotype. So would individuals having one P and one p allele. Both the PP and the Pp genotypes yield the purple flower phenotype. That’s because the purple allele is dominant over the white allele.\n\nOn the other hand, the only way we could get the white flower phenotype is if we have a genotype that has both p alleles. This helps us explain the surprising findings from Mendel’s first cross. The white flower phenotype had disappeared completely in the F1 generation, but not the white allele, which was hidden in the heterozygous genotypes of those individuals.\n\nLet’s look at what Mendel found when he crossed these heterozygous F1 individuals together. He found that the offspring in the F2 generation produced both purple and white phenotypes in the ratio 3:1. To understand that 3:1 ratio, let’s consider again the kinds of gametes and the proportions of gametes that those F1 individuals could produce. Because these individuals were all heterozygous, they could produce two kinds of gametes, either a purple allele or a white one. Indeed, each individual would produce equal numbers of both types of gametes.\n\nThis makes an intuitive sense. This is very like flipping coins. We’ve got two possibilities; we could come up with a heads or a tails. The key question to ask is what proportion of individuals in the F2 generation would have the possible genotypes that could be formed by joining the gametes that the F1 individuals produced.\n\nAn easy way to think about this is to use a convention that we call a Punnett square. Along the top of the square we have one column that has big P on top of it and one column that has little p. Along the side, we have one big P and one little p.\n\nThe point of making this grid is that it helps us think about how these different gametes can combine to form genotypes in the offspring. If you fill out the grid by connecting the two alleles possible for each cell, you’ll see that you’ll get three different genotypes. We have PP, Pp and pp individuals. What you also see is that both PP and Pp have the dominant allele, which is the represented in the phenotype. Looking at this you’ll expect to see three purple individuals for every one individual.\n\nWith this we can explain why Mendel found a 3:1 ratio in his experiment in the F2 generation. Mendel’s brilliant insight was to put all of this together without knowing anything about genes or the physical basis of chromosomes.\n\nWe now refer to this key idea of the existence of two different alleles in each individual as “Mendel’s Law of Segregation”. This law is significant for a number of reasons. First, it completely refuted the blending hypothesis and demonstrated that heritable factors must be particulate. Second, what Mendel did was to provide a framework for looking at more complicated patterns of how traits are transmitted between parents and offspring, which allow us a more complete understanding of the genetic basis of inheritance.\n\n1 Comment:\n\nAmazing Flower said...\n\nwow it's such a good lesson you share thanks and love from Singapore Florist :)\n\nCopyright © 2010\nTemplate by bloggertheme", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8426198959350586}
{"content": "What’s in the small print?\n\nOnline shopping is big business with millions of transactions taking place every day worldwide, but do we know exactly what we’re signing ourselves up to? Dr Joasia Luzak investigates the provision of information and what it means to be transparent. \n\nEvery online trader operating within the European Union is required to provide consumers with ‘clear’ and ‘transparent’ information about the transaction to ensure the customer is aware of the contractual agreement taking place. This is a duty of the trader and is in place to protect not only the customer, but to also ensure traders are complying with the law. Despite this legal requirement, there are currently no agreed standards or guidelines in place to define what transparent information looks or sounds like. This grey area leaves the topic of transparency open to interpretation and potentially abuse, leaving traders and consumers alike at risk.\n\nFunded by the Open Research Area (ORA), Dr. Joasia Luzak, Associate Professor of Law at Exeter University is the principal investigator of a new three-year international study aimed at addressing this issue. With a multi-disciplinary, multi-national team behind her, Dr. Luzak leads on this exciting project undertaking comparative and empirical legal research in order to develop clear guidelines that will better protect all those involved.\n\nHaving grown up with her mother working as a Polish language teacher, Dr. Luzak has always been aware of how people can play with language to manipulate it’s meaning and subsequently people’s understanding of it. That’s why this project not only focuses on what’s being said, but how what’s being said is provided. The aim is to develop guidelines that will also offer recommendations on font type, font size, colour, layout and the general user journey as each of these factors contribute to whether or not the information is understood, or read at all. \n\nDr. Luzak explained, “I’ve always been interested in the provision of information. I read a lot and I read fast, but even knowing the consequences, as a consumer I rarely read the provisions provided. Some academics argue we should lose all this information because it doesn’t do anything. However, if there is a problem, being able to go back to the contract and seeing what you agreed to is paramount.” The project, which has been running since September 2016 has already delivered some interesting results that indicate there are ways to ensure more people will read and understand the information being provided.\n\nThe project team works from both Germany and the Netherlands. The team in Germany, led by Professor Alexander Wulf (SRH Hochschule Berlin) has completed a literature review that looked at what is considered effective provision of information across a multitude of disciplines including communications, neurosciences and psychology. There appears to me a huge amount of information on provisions, but very little when it comes to the transparency of providing them. This section of the project has already generated some interesting insights for which a paper is being drafted.\n\nTo fully understand what is meant by transparent information, it is important to also review current perceptions. To do this, an interview questionnaire has been devised to determine the current understanding of what is required to be legally compliant in this area. This will be used to question consumer authorities, consumer organisations, employees of the Ministry of Justice and traders associations across England, Germany, Poland and potentially the Netherlands to gain Pan-European insight. Dr. Luzak is also working with the help of a post-graduate student who will be using this questionnaire to conduct interviews in Croatia. As a relatively new member of the EU and having a less developed knowledge of consumer law, this is set to add an interesting element to the project. In context to Brexit negotiations, the project is unlikely to be affected given that the aim is to create guidance where nothing currently exists. The second part of the empirical research will devise a consumer survey to examine their perception of transparency.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.985079288482666}
{"content": "join the new age movement on Facebook at\n\nSunday, June 10, 2012\n\nletter to the editor\n\nA couple of months ago, I found this article on \"Christian Worldview\" by Albert Mohler and wanted to share my email response to him.  \n\nNever Having to Say You’re Dead? The New Interest in Reincarnation\n\nOne of Dr. DeBell’s patients told of finding relief from grief over her mother’s death by discovering that in previous lives she had been an Italian merchant who sold textiles along the Amalfi Coast, a herbalist in Africa, and a freed slave in New Orleans.\nLisa Miller has a point when she suggests that the growing acceptance of reincarnation is tied to a loss of Christian knowledge and conviction among Americans. Nevertheless, it seems very likely that this new acceptance of reincarnation is more a matter of therapeutic fads and cultural fashions than as huge theological shift. The shift is more likely a loss of Christian conviction in the face of secularization — not a comprehensive embrace of Eastern worldviews.\n\nDear Mr. Mohler,\n\nI just found your article online about reincarnation and wanted to share my viewpoint as a Cultural Christian who believes without doubt that our souls take on human form time and time again.  Of course the first thing I wanted to do was poke holes in your argument, specifically the following quote from the good book:\n\n\nThe Bible is an awesome resource.  One from which a person of any religious persuasion can learn and grow.  But it's also a book that has been, can be and will be translated and interpreted for all time.  As many will agree, the book is alive.  The idea of reincarnation does not compete with this quote from The Bible.  A man does die once - well, in most cases.  Sometimes a man can die, be resuscitated then die again later.  But, yes, we agree that an individual man usually dies once.  And, yes, after that comes judgment.  The soul reviews the life of its individual, along with Jesus or other Masters and, according to the research done by folks like Raymond A. Moody, experiences the joys and pains inflicted upon others during that lifetime.  There is no \"do-over\".  That personality existed once in your steadfast chronology and the soul grew exponentially by the lessons learned in that lifetime.  \n\nThe second idea I'd like to refute is that this is an American's need to stay connected to material wealth.  In fact, I have spend years working on disconnecting myself emotionally from material things, as Buddhists teachings have advised.  In addition, I can safely assume that when my soul does return to earth, I will not be \"me\" again.  I will not live in my house again.  I will not drive my car again.  I could be a man in Africa, I could be a nun in Switzerland, I could be a humpback whale for all I know.  So the argument that westerners are frantically reaching in attempt to hold onto possessions is simply invalid.    \n\nMy faith is not a \"fad\".  I believe, as well as BILLIONS of others around the world, that while the man lives once, energy is forever.  Like trees and flowers that bloom and die, capturing energy for a short time then releasing it back to the universe only to capture it again...  so does the human body.  No energy can be created or destroyed; therefore the soul exists eternally.  Before AND after death.  Just think:  If God can launch my soul into a little baby's body once and pluck it out of a wrinkly old body once, then who's to say that God doesn't have the power to do that a hundred times?  A thousand times?  Our earthly lives are a drop in the ocean.  Why would God waste all of that heavenly energy when He/She/We can recycle it over and over?  Doesn't it make good efficient sense to reincarnate souls?  Do you really think that when you die you will spend eternity sitting on a cloud and playing the harp?  What or where was your soul before you were born?  These are the big questions that I asked myself and why reincarnation was the only idea that made sense to me.  \n\nAnother incorrect assessment is that folks always regress to lifetimes when they were somebody special or important.  I have regressed through meditation many times and visited many past life times.  I have seen myself as a poor Chinese woman in the times before Christ - no one special.  I have seen myself as a little girl living in the country - no one special.  I have seen myself as a civil rights activist - passionate, but seemingly un-special.  I've seen myself as a nomad in Nepal - completely alone in life.  But I have had experiences when special people have been revealed to me, too.  The Universe released these lives to me when the time is right.  *Note:  I don't see what's so special about being a caveman who was eaten, or about being a caveman at all.\n\nI respect the Christian faith and those who believe so passionately that they are living their \"one sacred life\".  I believe with equal passion that God created man in harmony with the Universe, as a reflection of nature, with a soul that cycles just like everything else on Earth.  And I love Jesus.  He is awesome.  We can all learn from his messages of love and compassion.  I can't limit his teachings to a single book, though.  I prefer to keep my eyes and ears open to the messages that God's great universe delivers in the here and now - and not limit myself to the messages provided to us through lens of founders of Christianity.  Those men had clear agendas.  I, as a seeker, do not.  \n\n\nVanessa Gobes\n\np.s.  Dr. Weiss has a terrific saying regarding the experience of channeling past life memories:  \"When you hear hoofbeats, don't look for zebras.\"\n\nPeace, love and gratitude to my readers.  Feel free to post comments here.  Love to hear all of your ideas and viewpoints.  Oh, and please share the blog with friends if you like.\n\n1 comment:\n\n  1. p.s. even the title \"new interest\" makes me wrinkle my nose. how is a philosophy that's older than christianity \"new\"?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6073939800262451}
{"content": "Rewrite Lebanon’s unfair tax laws\n\nMake the rich pay more to benefit all\n\nLebanon's tax system is unfair and unproductive\n\nAs part of Executive’s ‘10 Ways to Save Lebanon’ issue, we asked leading experts from a range of fields to put the case for one major policy for the country. In this article, economist Jad Chaaban makes the case for rewriting the country’s tax laws.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBuilding on broad shoulders\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJad Chaaban\n\nJad Chaaban is an associate professor of economics at the American University of Beirut and the lead author of the UNDP’s Arab Human Development Report 2015\n\n\n  1. E said:\n\n    You compare the tax regime to European countries. However, in European countries, the taxes are much higher than in Lebanon, but in return the people get access to free/low cost schooling, medical care, unemployment & retirement benefits, etc etc\n    Would you think by increasing the taxes, the Government should not offer these things? if so, what would be the impact on the budget?\n\n  2. Kermit said:\n\n    Reforming the Taxation module, is a good place to start a discussion on public revenue. Citizens expecting a return on their taxable income in the form government services is a good place to start a discussion on government public spending and civic responsibilities.\n\n    Talk is good. But every time someone in Lebanon starts coming up with ideas on how to ‘modernise’ the establishment or using a ‘western’ setup as a blueprint evades the base of all civic development.\n\n    In the West, there are several taxation modules and several civil modules. Some are flawed, some are not; but their existence is based on a singular service that makes them all function. The same singular service that in Lebanon keeps on being ignored and perhaps has contributed over the many years why so much public reform has failed.\n\n    I am talking about the Postcode system and I certainly do not just mean having letters delivered to a particular address.\n\n    In the West, everything from income to electoral registrars to asset ownership to government planning and development to statistics etc .. are all linked to fixed addresses – a code – a post code.\n\n    Until every dwelling in Lebanon has a fixed (government-issued) house number and every area has a fixed (government-issued) post code, only then can you start establishing and enforcing direct taxes as well as providing public services to postal areas. No reform plan will ever work without proper planning, no planning can be conducted without public statistics, every civilised statistics module is based on variables between areas/postcodes and every public service that we receive here is linked to the Full Name and Address.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8589836359024048}
{"content": "Anglican bishop urges Church of England to support the freedom to marry\n\nThis week, Anglican Bishop Alan Wilson, who has served as the Bishop of Buckingham in the Diocese of Oxford for the Church of England since 2003, recorded a video as part of Out 4 Marriage, a British campaign that encourages prominent individuals to express their support for the freedom to marry. In the video, Wilson explains that the Church of England has typically been ahead of the curve on opposing discrimination against gay and lesbian people, but that on the issue of marriage, the Church is far behind. \nBishop Wilson, who is a married father of five, explains that respecting marriages between same-sex couples may actually enrich the institution of marriage, not diminish it as so many conservative religious people in England have claimed. Wilson explains:\nIn over thirty-three years of ordained ministry, it's been an amazing joy to help people celebrate their marriages - not a piece of paper, but a way of life. Marriage enriches society and strengthens community. It makes God's love visible in a broken world - it's good news for everyone. I don't think the Church has anything to fear from formally recognizing love like that for what it is.\nIn the United Kingdom, same-sex couples may currently enter into \"civil partnerships,\" which provide some, but not all, of the protections that marriage provides. In the past few months, many high-profile British figures, including current Prime Minister David Cameron and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, have wholeheartedly advocated for a law to establish the freedom to marry in the country.\nBishop Wilson joined those British voices with his passionate and moving video. The video is an example of how many people of faith are guided by their religion to support - rather than reject - the freedom to marry. Bishop Wilson supports love and wants people to foster that love for themselves and their families. He says:\nLove is the fulfilling of the law - God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. That's why I'm out for marriage.\nTo read more about how communities of faith draw on their religion to strenghten their support for marriage for same-sex couples, check out these great resources. And click here to find out more about the freedom to marry abroad", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.831251323223114}
{"content": "the Rational Radical  \n\nNo Ipod Needed!  Listen on your computer.     \n\n\n\n\n\n\nBogus \"Class Warfare\" Charge\n\nRepublicans are once again using verbal sleight-of-hand against the Democrats, and so far seem to be getting away with it.\n\nWhen Democrats criticize the Bush tax cut plan, Republicans charge that the Democrats are using \"class warfare\" arguments, or even that they're actually fomenting class warfare.\n\nPointing out the economic injustice of the Bush tax plan isn't conducting class warfare. The Bush tax plan itself is class warfare.\n\nA plan enabling the richest 10% or so of the population to aggrandize unto themselves even more of the nation's wealth than the 71% they already own, at the expense of the middle and working class -- that is class warfare with blood and guts, real life consequences.\n\nIt's like when Southerners accused Martin Luther King, Jr. of causing racial conflict when he marched against segregation. King's exposing and protesting against racial injustice was not the cause of racial conflict, the racial conflict was caused by the oppression of the African-American population.\n\nLikewise, any class warfare that exists is caused by the Republican assault on the financial integrity of the poor and working class -- NOT by those who expose it.\n\nUpdate:  Here's a mainstream columnist finally picking up this concept.\n\n2004 Update:  Here's Bob Herbert on the latest example of greed at the top.\n\n\nthe Rational Radical: Bogus \"Class Warfare\" Charges\n\nLatest Updates on my BLOG!!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Copyright 2001-05    All rights reserved", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6565462350845337}
{"content": "System Working State S0\n\nSystem power state S0, the system working state, has the following characteristics:\n\nPower consumption\nMaximum. However, the power state of individual devices can change dynamically as power conservation takes place on a per-device basis. Unused devices can be powered down and powered up as needed.\n\nSoftware resumption\nNot applicable.\n\nHardware latency\n\nSystem hardware context\nAll context is retained.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9098671078681946}
{"content": "Following Jesus is ALL about Freedom\n\nSince my last blog post, several of you have asked me to expand on what the difference between being a \"Christian\" and \"following Jesus\"? Like I said, some may see this as semantics but there are several crucial differences. First and foremost, it starts with correctly understanding the implications of the atonement. Mainstream evangelical theology... Continue Reading →\n\n\nUp ↑", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9450069665908813}
{"content": "Oracle PL/SQL Associative Arrays Example\n\nI used this example in a presentation the other day, so I figured I’d post it up for anyone who is interested. This uses features that are new to Oracle 11g (such as Indexing by a VARCHAR2 key). Sample Code showing use of Associative Arrays declare — create an associative array data type type account_map [...]\n\n\n\nInserting multiple rows in one SQL statement\n\n\nComparison of Auto Incrementing Primary Key feature in several SQL Dialects\n\nThe Problem The whole point in using SQL to interact with a database is for developers to be able to use the same basic language to interact with any database. The intentions were good but, as it turns out, even something as universally desired as having a primary key that automatically increments itself is not [...]", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5875424146652222}
{"content": "Tuesday, February 9, 2016\n\nPrivate sector mourns death of former PM Koirala\n\nThe private sector has expressed grief at the demise of former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) president Sushil Koirala. Koirala, 77, passed away today morning at his residence. The private sector was stunned by Koirala's sudden demise, they said.\nIssuing separate statements, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) described Koirala's passing away as 'a great loss' to the nation.\nAccording to the president of FNCCI Pashupati Muraraka, the country has suffered an unbearable loss. \"Koirala had a significant contribution to the democratic movement with commendable leadership,\" he said, adding that the private sector will always appreciate his contribution of leading the country through the transition and promulgation of a new Constitution. It was Sushil Koirala, who drivered the promulgation of a new Constitution through the Constituent Assembly, despite a huge pressure from in and out of the country.\nThe FNCCI also claimed that Koirala was always concerned for the economic development of Nepal. \"Now the implementation of the new Constitution and lead the country towards a prosperous future rests on the political parties,\" the umbrella organisation of the private sector said, adding that Koirala had played a legendary role in the democratic movement and especially in institutionalising democratic republic in the country. “During meetings with the private sector, Koirala used to encourage the private sector to make investments and attract foreign investment as well.\"\nThe biggest achievement of Koirala's political career was the promulgation of the Constitution on September 20, 2015. In his capacity as the Prime Minister, Koirala played a crucial role in generating political consensus for the statute’s endorsement despite various pressures.\nUnder his leadership, the Nepali Congree (NC) re-emerged as the largest party with the highest number of votes. Koirala led the government from February 2014, after the election to the second Constituent Assembly (CA). He was elected as the NC party president in September 2010.\nKoirala, when was the premier, used to say that Nepal would embark on a economic development journey and the government’s focus would shift towards economic development once the Constitution was promulgated.\nAccording to CNI, the country lost an honest and simple person with a clean character. \"Koirala was a strong supporter of independence, democratic values and liberal economy,\" it further said, adding that Koirala’s death has not just created a void on the political front but also on the economic front.\nThe chamber has also lauded Koirala’s role in uniting the political parties for the promulgation of the new Constitution. \"The people’s hopes of seeing a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly was fulfilled during his tenure,” according to president of chamber Rajesh Kazi Shrestha.\nThe supporter of open market and free economy, Koirala firmly believed open market and free economy play a crucial role for country's development and prosperity.\nAccording to the chamber, Koirala always played an inspirational role for the country’s private sector. \"Koirala believed that the sustainable development of the country was possible only through an open market, liberal economy and private sector,\" the NCC said, adding that he always believed the nation will prosper with private sector-led economic growth.\nThough, he did not have much knowledge about economics, and was not aware of how it exactly functioned, he was keen on attracting domestic and foreign investments for employment generation and economic development of the country. He also used to say that the country’s resources have to be used properly so that prosperity could be shared.\nGoing against the tide, he also made some bold decisions like signing power trade deal with India during his 20-month reign from February 2014 to October 2015. Likewise, the signing of two agreements on development of 900MW Upper Karnali and 900MW Arun-3 hydroelectric projects worth over $2 billion was also possible under Koirala's premiership.\nKoirala’s government also revived talks on construction of 5,600MW Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project after a hiatus of almost two decades; allowed at least three foreign companies to establish cement plants worth tens of billions of rupees; and lured billions of rupees of investment in the hotel sector. Koirala, however, did not sign any agreement that was against the national interest, despite pressures from within and outside his party.\nDuring his tenure as Prime Minister Nepal's received a record Rs 270.60 billion foreign aid commitments in fiscal year 2014-15. Koirala also supported the process of revising or framing around three dozen policies and Acts to attract foreign investment and protect the interest of investors.\nThe Koirala government was also hailed by the international community as it was quick in responding the devastating earthquake of April 25 and mobilised the National Planning Commission -- chaired by him -- to conduct Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). An International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction (ICNR) on the basis of PDNA helped Nepal receive funding commitment of $4.1 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation works from the international community.\nThe international community, including Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has also mourned the sudden demise of Koirala.\nNRNA president Shesh Ghale, in a statement, said that Koirala’s death had stunned the association. \"We have lost our parent, who always remained helpful and guided the NRNA in its movement,\" he is quoted in the statement. \"Koirala’s demise has caused an irreparable loss to the nation.\"\n\nNo comments:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8161281943321228}
{"content": "Best advices for everyday life\n\nHome Articles Languages\n\nEducation and Psychology\n\n\n\nHow do animals become extinct? | Education\n\nHow do animals become extinct? We believe that an animal species is endangered when its distribution is drastically reduced, threatening the survival of the species\n\nWe believe that an animal species is endangered when its distribution is drastically reduced, threatening the survival of the species. Before the advent of human extinction is the result of natural selection as happened with the dinosaurs. Studying fossil remains, we conclude that one species becomes extinct every thousand years, but since the early 20th century, expanding and developing technology that takes away more and more space for nature, and the rate of extinction has risen to a disturbing kind of year. |\naddition to the naturally destroy habitat, man is the principle of the natural balance of hunting - often illicit - and bringing the same kind of environment that have proved to be enemies. addition Man damages natural habitats, destroying the forest to get to the wood, drawing on the unreasonable way the bowels of the Earth, to come to the mining, industrial effluents polluting the water, using over-protective agents for field crops, etc.\nprotective equipment and Water pollution can lead to the extinction of certain animal species. Take as an example of peregrine falcons who was on the brink of extinction. Its usual prey are the ducks that were fed fish and algae from areas contaminated with DDT. This is an insecticide, taložeći in tissue ducks, falcons raised in the process of changing the transfer of calcium in the egg. In some cases, calcium in the shells were so small that shot before the young are developed. In others, however, the calcium level was so high that young people have not managed to break the egg shell and to go outside.\nAnimals that are exposed to danger because of man to die out, the turtle - which are hunted for their shells -, elephants - the tusks -, crocodiles - the skin -, wolves and big cats - for fur - , whales - the oil -. predicted the extinction of many species in the near future. Among the most vulnerable are: Javanese rhinoceros, Mauritius kestrel and Chinese alligator. are made lists of endangered animals, which are called Red Book. Among the most vulnerable groups of the big cats and birds prey.\nanimals and plants contribute to maintaining the ecological balance necessary for the survival of humankind. There are laws to protect animals in the wild and institutions - such as national parks - and the facilities under the supervision of a man - such as zoos - which protect certain animals from extinction. Today zoos are often meant for a certain type of guarantee that they will be able to save from the nature of which is less suitable to their survival. Sometimes the protection of some kind of very complex problem, as in the case of a bear that lives only if every individual has the available 25-50 km2 of forest. This means that for the survival of many groups bear need large expanses of forest.\n\n> Which program to choose?\n> How to cite references magazine, book, web page, the Bible, the law\n> Tips for better memory, brain exercise, to train the brain\n> Principles of essay writing\n> How to plan a fitness exercise for children\n> How to teach your child a foreign language spelling\n> How to quickly learn\n> How to avoid paying a penalty in the library\n> How to distinguish between temperature and heat? | Education\n> How to dress a raven\n> How to check the movement of warm air in your home\n> TEMPE how to draw drawing and watercolors, tempera on the wall tempera on a piece, color, price\n> Whats handspike?\n> What is assonance?\n> How to dress fashionably in school\n> Unknown RELAX .\n> What is a decade?\n> How has the State America?\n> How to learn a foreign language influences on child development", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7680661082267761}
{"content": "Presentation is loading. Please wait.\n\nPresentation is loading. Please wait.\n\n\nSimilar presentations\n\nPresentation on theme: \"FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES\"— Presentation transcript:\n\n\n2 Terms to KNOW Total Body Water (TBW) Intracellular fluid Extracellular fluid Intravascular fluid Interstitial fluid Solvent\n\n3 Electrolyte Dissociate ion cation Anion Buffer Isotonic\n\n4 Hypotonic Osmotic gradient Diffusion Osmosis Active transport Facilitated diffusion Osmolality\n\n5 Osmolarity Osmotic pressure pH\n\n6 PaO2 PaCO2 HCO3- Acidosis Alkalosis Metabolic Acidosis Respiratory Acidosis Respiratory Alkalosis\n\n7 WATER Most abundant substance in the body Aprox. 60% of TBW 70 kg adult (154 lbs) TBW aprox. 42L (11 gallons) Water distribution\n\n8 Various compartments all separated by a cell membrane\nIntracellular fluid (ICF) Fluid inside body cells Largest compartment Contains 75% of TBW\n\n9 Extracellular Fluid (ECF)\nAll of the fluid found outside the body’s cells Contains the 25% of TBW Two divisions intravascular fluid interstitial fluid\n\n10 Intravascular Fluid Outside the cells, within the circulatory system Pretty much the same as blood plasma Interstitial Fluid Outside the cell membranes but outside the circulatory system\n\n11 Examples of Interstitial Fluid\nSynovial fluid Aqueous humor of the eye Secretions Water is a universal solvent Solvent dissolves other substances yeilding a solution\n\n12 ELECTROLYTES when placed in water dissociates into electrically charged particles or IONS Cation Positively charged ion Anion Negatively charged ion Cations in our body\n\n13 Sodium Na+ Common in extracellular fluid Regulates the distribution of water WATER FOLLOWS SALT Transmission of nervous impulses\n\n14 Potassium K+ Prevelent in extracellular fluid Transmission of electrical impulses Calcium Ca++ Muscle contraction Nervous impulse transmission\n\n15 Magnesium Mg++ Several biochemical processes enzymes require magnesium to function ATP, DNA and RNA also need Magnesium\n\n16 Anions in our body Chloride Cl- Balances cations Renal function Closely associated with sodium\n\n17 Bicarbonate HCO3- Primary buffer Phosphate HPO4- Energy stores Buffer primarily in the intracellular space\n\n18 OSMOSIS AND DIFFUSION Cells have semipermeable membranes When the concentration of fluid is equal on both sides of the membrane this is ISOTONIC When the concentration of fluid is less on one side of the membrane this is HYPOTONIC\n\n19 When the concentration of fluid is greater on one side of the membrane this is HYPERTONIC\nThe difference in concentration is the OSMOTIC GRADIENT There is a shift to maintain homeostasis or a state of equilibrium\n\n20 Molecules will normally move to an area of higher concentration to that of lower concentration which is DIFFUSION Diffusion does not require E Water, which moves faster than electrolytes moves across the membrane to dilute the higher concentration of electrolytes\n\n21 Osmosis The movement of any solvent across the membrane Active Transport {requires E} Movement against the osmotic gradient less concentrated to more concentrated area i.e.\n\n22 The inside of a myocardium cell must be negatively charged\nThe inside of a myocardium cell must be negatively charged. Sodium being positively charged diffuses passively into the cell. Sodium ions are pumped out of the cell while potassium is pumped into the cell More sodium than potassium is moved achieving equillibrium\n\n23 Facilitated diffusion\nRequires the assistance of a helper protein to move into the cell An example is Glucose\n\n24 Osmolality The concentration of solute per Kg The movement of water and solutes across the cell membrane maintains a state of equilibrium of osmolality Osmolarity The concentration of solute per L of water\n\n25 Sodium maintains osmolality in the extracellular space\nPotassium maintains omolality in the intracellular space\n\n\n27 Acid-Base Balance The regulation of H+ in the body H+ Is acidic A deviation has an adverse affects on all biochemical functions of the body pH Potential of Hydrogen\n\n28 Through metabolism and other biochemical processes, H+ is constantly produced\nNormal pH is 7.35 to 7.45 <7.35 = Acidosis >7.45 = Alkalosis THREE FORMS OF REGULATION\n\n29 Bicarbonate Buffer System\nThe fastest The players [in equilibrium with H+ ] Bicarbonate {HCO3-} Carbonic Acid {H2CO3-} Either H+ will combine with bicarbonate ion to produce carbonic acid or\n\n30 Carbonic acid will dissociate into bicarbonate ion and hydrogen ion\nErythrocytes contain have an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase which converts carbonic acid into CO2 and H2O and this occurs very rapidly Most buffering occurs in the erythrocytes\n\n31 Respiration | two other mechanisms\nKidney function| of regulation Respiration An increase blows off CO2 thus decreases H+ thus decreases pH Kidneys Modifies the concentration of HCO3- in the blood\n\n32 So what is the significance of all this?\nIncreased elimination of HCO3- lowers pH Decreased elimination of HCO3- raises pH The kidneys achieve acid-base balance by removing or retaining certain chemicals So what is the significance of all this?\n\n33 The bottom line is to determine:\nIf a patient is in a state of acidosis If a patient is in a state of alkalosis If the disturbance is respiratory in nature If the disturbance is metabolic in nature In order to make this determination we must know the norms\n\n34 pH 7.35 to 7.45 PaCO2 35 to 45 mm Hg HCO3- 22 to 26 mEq/L 75 to 100 mm Hg\n\n35 The first determination is if the patient is in a state of acidosis or alkalosis\nNext is to determine if the disturbance is respiratory or metabolic in nature\n\n36 Assess the PaCO2 level If respiratory the PaCO2 should rise as the pH falls {acidosis} conversely the PaCO2 should fall as the pH rises SO……. If the pH and PaCO2 are moving in opposite directions then the disturbance is respiratory\n\n37 To determine if the disturbance is metabolic in nature the HCO3- is considered\nAs pH increases, so should the HCO3- The opposite is true Thus If the pH and HCO3- is moving in the same direction then the disturbance is metabolic in nature\n\n38 Ph PaCO2 HCO3- 22-26 Fall Rise Normal 7.35-7.45 35-45 Respiratory\nAcidosis Fall Rise Normal Alkalosis Metabolic\n\n39 Ph 7.22 PaCO2 55 HCO3- 25 Respiratory Acidosis Alkalosis Metabolic\n\n40 Ph 7.22 PaCO2 55 HCO3- 25 decreased increased normal Respiratory\nAcidosis decreased increased normal Alkalosis Metabolic\n\n41 pH 7.50 PaCO2 42 HCO3- 33 Respiratory Acidosis Alkalosis Metabolic\n\n42 pH 7.50 PaCO2 42 HCO3- 33 increased normal Respiratory Acidosis\nAlkalosis Metabolic increased normal\n\n43 partially compensated fully compensated\nCOMPENSATION Remember with the buffering systems the body attempts to regulate hence a state of compensation uncompensated partially compensated fully compensated\n\n44 In a state of uncompensated or partially compensated the ph is still abnormal\nIn full compensation the pH is normal but other values may not be\n\n45 Partial Compensation Assess the pH this step is unchanged Assess the PaCO2 remember the pH and PaCO2 should be moving opposite If however they are moving in the same direction would indicate a metabolic disturbance\n\n46 If as an example the PaCO2 was decreasing it would mean the body was blowing off CO2 in order to return pH to normal limits. Meaning the respiratory system is acting as a buffer system As evidenced that this is actually metabolic in nature then plugging in the PaCO2 moving in the same direction………\n\n47 The determination then would be a metabolic disturbance with partial respiratory compensation\nAssess the HCO3- which moves in the same direction as the pH If they move in the opposite direction, the disturbance would actually be respiratory in nature with the kidneys acting as the buffer system by retaining HCO3- .\n\n\n49 Ph PaCO2 HCO3- 22-26 Rise Fall 7.35-7.45 35-45 Normal but <7.40\nFully Compensated Ph PaCO2 35-45 HCO3- 22-26 Respiratory Acidosis Normal but <7.40 Rise Alkalosis Normal but >7.40 Fall Metabolic\n\n50 Ph PaCO2 HCO3- 22-26 Fall Rise 7.35-7.45 35-45 Respiratory Acidosis\nPartially Compensated Ph PaCO2 35-45 HCO3- 22-26 Respiratory Acidosis Fall Rise Alkalosis Metabolic\n\n51 The only difference between fully compensated and partially compensated is whether the pH has returned to within the normal range\n\n52 RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS Causes [hypoventilation] Head injury Narcotics Sedatives Spinal cord injury Neuromuscular disease\n\n53 Atelectasis Pneumonia Pneumothorax Pulmonary edema Bronchial obstruction Pulmonary embolus Pain Chest wall injury or deformity Abdominal distension\n\n54 Signs and symptoms of respiratory acidosis\nDyspnea Respiratory distress Headache Restlessness Confusion Drowsiness unresponsiveness\n\n55 Tachycardia Dysrhythmias\n\n56 Respiratory Alkalosis\nCauses [hyperventilation] Anxiety Fear Pain Fever Sepsis pregnancy\n\n57 Signs and Symptoms Light-headedness Numbness/tingling Confusion Inability to concentrate Blurred vision\n\n58 Dysrythmias Palpitations Dry mouth Diaphoresis Spasms of arms and legs\n\n59 Metabolic Acidosis Causes Renal failure DKA Anaerobic metabolism Starvation Salicylate intoxication\n\n60 Signs and Symptoms Headache Confusion Restlessness into lethargy Kusmal respirations Warm flushed skin Nausea and vomiting\n\n61 Metabolic Alkalosis Causes Antacids Overuse of bicarbonate Lactate as used in dialysis Protracted vomiting Gastric suction High levels of aldosterone\n\n62 Signs and symptoms Dizziness Lethargy Disorientation Seizure Coma Weakness Muscle twitching Muscle cramps Tetany\n\n63 Nausea and vomiting Respiratory depression\n\n64 Tetany Involuntary contraction of muscles Proracted Prolonged Aldosterone a hormone that increases the reabsorption of sodium ions and water and the release of potassium ions\n\n65 Atelectasis the lack of gas exchange within alveoli, due to alveolar collapse or fluid\n\n\nSimilar presentations\n\nAds by Google", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8681756854057312}
{"content": "New Zealand quake scientists discover surprise: Hot water\n\n381 Hits\n\nThis Oct. 3, 2014 photo shows the drilling site of an earthquake fault near Franz Josef Glazier on the South Island in New Zealand.\n\nThis Oct. 3, 2014 photo shows the drilling site of an earthquake fault near Franz Josef Glazier on the South Island in New Zealand. (Photo: John Townend/Victoria University via AP)\n\nWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — When researchers in New Zealand drilled deep into an earthquake fault, they stumbled upon a discovery they say could provide a significant new energy source for the South Pacific nation.\n\nThe scientists found the water in the Alpine Fault was much hotter than expected, and could potentially be harnessed to generate electricity or provide direct heating in industries like dairy farming.\n\nThe finding was surprising because geothermal energy is usually associated with volcanic activity, but there are no volcanoes where the scientists drilled. Because the Alpine Fault stretches for hundreds of kilometers (miles) like a spine along the country's South Island, the energy source could be enormous.\n\nLed by Victoria University of Wellington professor Rupert Sutherland, the study was published Thursday in the journal Nature.\n\nSutherland said the intention of the study near the popular tourist destination of Franz Josef Glacier was to collect rock cores and install monitoring equipment rather than gauge water temperatures, but researchers are excited about their unexpected findings.\n\n\"Economically, it could be very significant for New Zealand,\" Sutherland told The Associated Press in an interview. \"It's a totally new paradigm.\"\n\nIn their study, the scientists say they believe two actions are creating the hot water.\n\nFirst, they say, previous earthquakes have moved hot rocks up from deep within the Earth into the mountains along the fault line.\n\nSecond, the shaking has broken up the rocks, allowing rain water and snow melt to quickly percolate through the hot interior of the mountains, which concentrates the heat beneath the valleys.\n\nSutherland said they found the water in the fault reached 100 degrees Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) at a depth of 630 meters (2,100 feet). Water typically gets progressively hotter with depth, but under normal conditions it doesn't reach that temperature until about 3 kilometers (2 miles) underground.\n\nOne hundred Celsius is boiling point on the Earth's surface, although water doesn't boil underground because it remains under pressure, much like the liquid inside a pressure cooker.\n\nThe Alpine Fault is among the most active faults in the world. It typically creates large earthquakes about once every 300 years, and scientists figure there is about a one-third chance it will rupture again in the next few decades. The resulting quake could devastate some New Zealand towns, although the fault is not located near any large cities.\n\nSutherland said the discovery of the hot water doesn't have any bearing on predicting when the next quake might hit.\n\nHe said before any commercial ventures begin, scientists will need to determine the extent of the hot water, what purposes it could be used for, how easy it is to extract, and whether it can be done safely. He said he didn't think removing water from the fault would risk triggering a quake but scientists would need to study that question as well.\n\nNew Zealand already generates about 15 percent of its electricity from geothermal sources, most of it from the Taupo volcanic zone in the central North Island. Sutherland said the declining coal mining industry in the South Island could provide needed expertise, engineering and infrastructure for any new geothermal ventures on the Alpine Fault.\n\nHe said the hot water could potentially be used by the dairy industry as a heating source to dry milk. Milk powder is one of the nation's largest exports.\n\nDave Craw, a professor at New Zealand's University of Otago who was not involved in the study, said that in a global context, the high temperatures found in the fault are very unusual.\n\n\"The famous San Andreas Fault of California was drilled in a similar way to this New Zealand borehole, and the temperatures and thermal gradient encountered there were much lower than the Alpine Fault,\" Craw wrote in an email. \"The Alpine Fault is a spectacular thermal anomaly for an area without active volcanic activity.\"\n\nBill Ellsworth, a professor at Stanford University who helped review safety aspects of the study but who was not involved in the research, said that because elevated fluid pressures weaken faults, the study's findings also have important implications for understanding the workings of quakes on similar faults around the world.\n\n© Samoa Observer 2016\n\nDeveloped by Samoa Observer in Apia", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7935559153556824}
{"content": "Saturday, April 23, 2011\n\nMalcolm X: A Life of Reinvention\n\nArticle first published as Book Review: Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable on Blogcritics.\n\n'Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), Head of the Baha'i Faith from 1892-1921 wrote, \"Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds of God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also become realized.\" (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 459)\n\nThis \"holy attribute\" is as essential to the process of understanding historical figures as it is to the development of the personal soul. James. W. Loewen argued this point eloquently in his \"Lies My Teacher Told Me\". Loewen critiques the tendency toward \"heroification\" of historical figures. He describes \"heroification\" as \"a degenerative process (much like calcification) that makes people over into heroes. Through this process, our educational media turn flesh-and-blood individuals into pious, perfect creatures without conflicts, pain, credibility, or 'human interest\" (pg. 11).\n\nThe late Manning Marable's \"Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention\" provides a sterling example of a commitment to truth-telling about his subject. The book \"makes it plain\" as brother Malcolm would say. Marable acts as a kind of freedom fighter, in this case fighting to free Malcolm the man from Malcolm the myth. This includes myths propagated by Malcolm himself in his celebrated \"Autobiography\". For example, Marable argues that the \"Autobiography\" greatly exaggerates Malcolm's criminal history in order to emphasize the regenerative power attributed to the teachings of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad.\n\nMarable takes the reader on a journey from the Garveyism of Malcolm's parents to the moment of Malcolm's murder with the concept of \"reinvention\" as an organizing theme. From Malcolm Little to Malcolm X, from Minister Malcolm to civil rights martyr, what emerges is the story of a man figuring out who he is and who he wants to become. Marable does a masterful job of describing the familial, social, cultural and politic contexts that influenced Malcolm's numerous reinventions as he worked and reworked his sense of self and public image. Malcolm's existential struggle is so palpable that the very pages of this book appear to perspire.\n\n\nAmong the most implacable of these enemies proves ironically to be the Nation of Islam itself. Marable's description of Malcolm's troubled relationship with the Nation's leadership and his eventual split reads like a political thriller. A deepening atmosphere of dread wafts from the pages as the war of words escalates into outright violence and climaxes in a hail of bullets at the Audubon Ballroom.\n\nOnce the book reaches the point of Malcolm's assassination, Marable approaches the topic with a near \"CSI-style\" attention to reconstructing the events of that fateful day. He raises a variety of disturbing questions related to who really killed Malcolm X and the investigation that followed (or didn't).\n\nHowever one ultimately answers those questions, at the end of the book I was left with a different one: \"What if Malcolm had lived?\" I can only imagine the wisdom and insight he might have brought to bear on some of the most challenging questions of the day. What would he say about American involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq and now Libya? What role might he being playing in relations between the West and the Muslim World? What would he think about the so-called \"Arab Spring\"? What example might he provide of living as a Muslim in America? Thanks to his killers we will never know.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8370051383972168}
{"content": "A long and winding track takes you out of the village of Casalini for almost 3 km before you reach the hushed, olive-flanked Perugian valley where La Rosa Canina lies. Sandro Belardinelli and his wife made their home here in 1989, setting aside part of two 15thC cottages as guest quarters.\n  The dog-rose, from which the farm takes its name, is just one of the profusion of flowers which give the banks of the front garden their perennial colour. Behind the house, the menagerie of animals and the wire-fenced vegetable garden breathe real country living into what might have been just another converted farmhouse.\n  Inside, the guest rooms are reasonably proportioned and furnished with a hotch-potch of furniture, old and not so old. The wooden mangers in the downstairs dining room are a reminder that it was once a cattle stall. The dinner menu, based upon traditional cucina umbra, varies according to season, but Swiss-born Signora Belardinelli places emphasis on the quality of her food - all vegetables are home produce, as is the olive oil, much of the meat, and the jam on the breakfast table.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9091873168945312}
{"content": "Disaster could strike at any time. Sure, you’ve got peanut butter and jelly on hand, but what if you lost power for three days, a few weeks or even a year?\n\nAre you equipped to handle severe weather and long-term power outages? How about a dirty-bomb or biological attack?\n\nAnswer the five questions below to find out how prepared you are really are.\n\nHow did you do? Share your result in the comments section below.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999548196792603}
{"content": "Article | Open\n\nA novel, optical, on-line bacteria sensor for monitoring drinking water quality\n\n  • Scientific Reports volume 6, Article number: 23935 (2016)\n  • doi:10.1038/srep23935\n  • Download Citation\n\n\nToday, microbial drinking water quality is monitored through either time-consuming laboratory methods or indirect on-line measurements. Results are thus either delayed or insufficient to support proactive action. A novel, optical, on-line bacteria sensor with a 10-minute time resolution has been developed. The sensor is based on 3D image recognition, and the obtained pictures are analyzed with algorithms considering 59 quantified image parameters. The sensor counts individual suspended particles and classifies them as either bacteria or abiotic particles. The technology is capable of distinguishing and quantifying bacteria and particles in pure and mixed suspensions, and the quantification correlates with total bacterial counts. Several field applications have demonstrated that the technology can monitor changes in the concentration of bacteria, and is thus well suited for rapid detection of critical conditions such as pollution events in drinking water.\n\n\nOne of the major challenges in ensuring safe drinking water is the difference between the time it takes to produce, distribute, and consume the water, and the time it takes to investigate whether it is safe to drink1 it. In drinking water some of the major health risks are constituted by microorganisms2,3,4,5 either coming from the water source, entering storage or distribution systems unintendedly or growing in the water. Unfortunately, by the time routine microbial analysis reveals a possible bacterial pollution, the investigated water has often already been distributed and consumed.\n\nWater utilities are required to verify the water quality on a regular basis, applying standard methods at predetermined sampling frequencies. These methods are typically growth-based, laborious and time-consuming, giving answers one to three days later6 and merely providing point information without insight into temporal development. Further, application of heterotrophic plate count methods only reveal a fraction of the total population present in drinking water as they do not include viable, but non-culturable bacteria7,8,9.\n\nAutomating existing technology for on-line detection of bacteria10,11, e.g. flow cytometry12,13, or indirect indicators of bacterial activity, such as ATP14, have been given much attention over the past years. A great deal of effort has also been put into the development of sensors that sense bacteria by direct contact with the sensor surface15,16,17. Unfortunately, these solutions are either complicated to operate, require addition of chemicals, daily or weekly maintenance, or are too expensive to be deployed throughout distribution networks. The contact type sensors further encompass the probability of a bacterium actually touching the sensor surface. Considering the relatively low concentration of bacteria in drinking water, this probability may be very low.\n\nSince many parameters in drinking water systems may vary significantly, spatially and timely, it is likely that routine monitoring with lab sampling will fail to catch short-term pollutions18. Consequently, major utilities often increase the number of analyses beyond the requirements and supplement their data with on-line measurements of turbidity, conductivity, etc.19,20,21 Since such parameters respond to more than just bacterial content, they are likely to show false positives as well as false negatives in terms of microbiological pollution detection.\n\nConclusively, the delay and limitations associated with current growth-based methods and the missing specificity of current on-line methods make it practically impossible to proactively react on contamination events in today’s drinking water distribution systems. What seems to be missing in this technology gap is a compromise between the two extremes: A sensor that may have a longer response time than the indirect sensors (pH, conductivity, etc.) and may be far less specific than the laboratory-based methods, but instead provides valuable information on the dynamics of bacteria concentrations in general. For such a sensor to be applicable in remote locations, e.g. throughout a drinking water distribution network, it should need as little maintenance as possible, should not require chemical supplies, and should not create hazardous waste.\n\nIn this paper, we present a rapid, chemical-free method for on-line monitoring of non-specific bacteria in water with a 10-minute time resolution, based on 3D scanning by a moving digital microscope. We aim to prove the sensor concept, demonstrating its applicability to distinguish between microbial and abiotic particles, and detect variations so fast that it enables proactive actions to potential pollution events, thus providing a new tool for risk management in drinking water applications. The ability of the method to quantify particles, measure their size and eccentricity, and classify them as either bacteria or abiotic particles, has been proved through laboratory tests. The applicability and robustness of the method in on-line monitoring have been demonstrated through field tests. Various drinking water systems have been monitored by the method revealing both stable base lines and responses to various events.\n\n\nMeasuring principle\n\nThe developed sensor consists of: 1) an optical flow-cell holding the water sample during analysis, 2) a dark field imaging setup with a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, a magnification lens, and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based camera arrangement (Fig. 1A), and 3) an image analysis system to identify and classify individual particles.\n\nFigure 1: The various steps in determining the concentration of bacteria and abiotic particles.\nFigure 1\n\n(A) Schematic of flow cell, light source, lens, and camera. (B) Image stack of a particle coming into focus and out again as the tilted image plane moves across it. (C) Extraction of parameters from recorded image stacks and comparison to library data. (D) Classification of particles in “Bacteria” and “Abiotic particles”.\n\nThe water sample is led through the flow-cell by the pressure of the water source or by a peristaltic inlet pump. Initiating each measurement, the water sample is sealed inside the flow cell, designed to minimize internal circulation and thus fix the particles spatially. The sample is stagnant in the flow-cell while scanned along the length of the flow-cell by the tilted imaging setup, causing the acquired images to span a fixed volume of 6 μl (Fig. 1A). After sampling and image acquisition, the cell is flushed for one minute by the source water, preparing it for the next sample.\n\nThe camera is only moved a small fraction of the image length (2.3%) between individual images, causing each particle to be recorded on up to 40 images. Due to the tilting of the acquisition setup, each particle may be out of focus on the first images, in focus on the middle images, and out of focus again on the later images22 (Fig. 1B). Besides information about the particle in focus, information about the diffraction of light by the particular particle is also recorded, allowing for classification of each particle into specific particle classes, i.e. bacteria and abiotic particles.\n\nOur newly developed software divides the images into segments containing individual particles, which are subsequently gathered in image stacks of 10 to 40 images. From each image stack, 59 optical parameters related to the nature of the original particle is extracted. Some spatial parameters are linked to a thresholded image of the particle in focus, e.g. area, length, perimeter, eccentricity, convexity, and binary moments. Other parameters are linked to the grayscale image, e.g. contrast, light-scattering properties, absorption, moments, granularity, and features extracted from Fourier-transformed image spaces23. The size feature, dividing the identified particles into 20 size bins ranging from <0.62 μm to >9.5 μm, can be used as an additional indicator of deviations from the normal baseline of particle size distribution in the particular water matrix.\n\nThe results, such as concentrations of bacteria and abiotic particles, particle eccentricities or sizes, are transferred wirelessly to a data server that handles and distributes the data to the users. At server level, further algorithms can be applied to set off alarms based on e.g. levels of bacteria or certain patterns in the development of the bacteria concentration.\n\nParticle classification\n\nTo distinguish between different types of particles, e.g. bacteria versus abiotic particles, a software library was established from scanning suspensions of known particles from each group i.e. bacteria and abiotic particles. The library included morphologically different bacterial shapes, such as rods, curved rods and cocci, as well as various abiotic particles relevant to drinking water, e.g. humic acid, clay, and iron oxides. Each suspension scan included 59 measured parameter values to characterize the specific particle types.\n\nNeural networks were used to establish a boundary between bacteria and abiotic particles in the 59-dimensional space spanned by these parameters. The result was an algorithm capable of distinguishing between bacteria and abiotic particles based on image acquisition (Fig. 1C). Illustrating the 59-dimensional space is not graphically possible, which is why the graph in Fig. 1C is a mere projection onto two dimensions.\n\nBy comparing each particle recorded in an unknown sample with the library, the individual particles may be classified as either a “bacteria” or an “abiotic particle” (Fig. 1D).\n\nHandling fouling of the optical windows\n\nThe background of scattered light in the recorded image is measured as an indication of fouling on the wetted surfaces of the flow cell. Biotic or abiotic fouling on the flow-cell window diffracts the light and increases the background level of the recorded dark-field image. By monitoring this level and setting limits for flow-cell exchange based on these levels, the influence of fouling on the measured concentrations is confined to an acceptable and negligible level. The sensor tracks the fouling level of the flow-cell with the same time resolution as the particle measurements. When the flow-cell needs to be replaced, the sensor alerts the user.\n\nIf for example an air bubble or a significant spot of fouling should affect a small fraction of the analyzed volume, the sensor rejects this volume as bad volume and corrects the analyzed volume accordingly.\n\nProof of concept\n\nThe concept of detecting, measuring, and classifying particles was evaluated for: 1) accuracy of classification measure in pure and mixed suspensions, 2) accuracy of size measure, 3) linearity of concentration measure.\n\nTo evaluate the ability of the sensor to classify particles correctly, we used the sensor to analyze a series of monotype suspensions of known abiotic particles and bacteria, including pure cultures of known bacteria, unknown bacteria isolated from drinking water and abiotic particles. The classification accuracy (Fig. 2) was determined as the percentage of identified particles assigned to the correct class, e.g. the percentage of abiotic particles (96 ± 2%, s.d.) reported for a suspension of lepidocrocite or the percentage of bacteria (88 ± 2%, s.d.) reported for a suspension of Vibrio natriegens. For monotype suspensions, the classification accuracy was 90 ± 7% (s.d.).\n\nFigure 2: Ability of the sensor to distinguish between bacteria and abiotic particles in suspensions shown as the fraction classified as bacteria.\nFigure 2\n\nThe suspension included model particles in pure suspensions (orange: bacteria, blue: abiotic particles) and mixtures of bacteria and abiotic particles (grey). Mixed suspensions would ideally be reported as 30 and 70% bacteria if they were classified 100% correctly. Error bars represent standard deviations.\n\nMixed suspensions of Lactococcus lactis and humic acid and mixed suspensions of E. coli and lepidocrocite were prepared in ratios of 30/70 and 70/30. When analyzed by the sensor, the ratio between classified bacteria and abiotic particles was 19/81 and 57/43 in the ‘L. lactis and humic acid’ suspension and 27/73 and 60/40 in the ‘E. coli and lepidocrocite’ suspension (Fig. 2). For mixed-type suspensions, the average classification accuracy was 78 ± 14% (s.d.).\n\nTo address the linearity of the sensor signal, a dilution series covering three decades of suspensions of 1) lepidocrocite particles (Fig. 3A) and 2) E. coli (Fig. 3B) were analyzed by the sensor. The analysis revealed linear regression coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9796 and 0.9971, respectably. For comparison, linear regression between dilution factors of the E. coli suspension and total bacterial counts by DAPI staining gave an R2 of 0.9889.\n\nFigure 3: Linearity of the sensor signal and size measures.\nFigure 3\n\n(A) Linearity of the sensor signal for abiotic particles in tenfold dilutions of lepidocrocite. (B) Linearity of the sensor signal for bacteria in tenfold dilutions of E. coli as well as total bacterial counts. (C) Accuracy of particle size measured by the sensor, standard diameter refers to certified sizes of standard particles used. Inserts indicate the measured size distribution (by number of particles) with indication of the actual size (vertical orange lines). For peaks split between two size bins, both bin sizes are plotted.\n\nTo further investigate the correlation between sensor response and total counts, the growth of bacteria in tap water with different nutrient additions was followed by both methods (Fig. 4). The results showed stagnant bacterial numbers for tap water with no addition and with 0.02 mg/l yeast extract. When 0.2 and 2 mg/l yeast extract was added, the results showed increasing bacterial numbers with a maximum after 2–7 days (0.2 mg/l) and 2 days (2 mg/l) followed by a decrease in the number of bacteria. The sensor response was similar to the concentrations obtained by DAPI staining (R2 0.9727).\n\nFigure 4: Development of total bacterial counts in drinking water with added yeast extract as reported by the sensor and measured through DAPI staining.\nFigure 4\n\nError bars represent standard deviations.\n\nThe size feature of the algorithm, dividing the identified particles into 20 size bins ranging from <0.62 μm to >9.5 μm, was verified by analyzing suspensions of certified monodisperse polystyrene beads of 0.771, 0.99, 1.53, and 3.004 μm in diameter. These were chosen to represent bacteria sizes expected to occur in drinking water. Particle sizes reported by the sensor decreased in the correct size bin, approximately within 5% of the correct diameter, or in the adjacent bin up to 10% off the correct value (Fig. 3C). The sensor reported silica beads of 0.69 μm in diameter in the size bin of 0–0.62 μm. Larger particles with a relatively high density may be expected to precipitate during the image acquisition, and the concentration of such particles may thus be underestimated by the sensor.\n\nBased on the relatively small volume measured inside the flow cell, the theoretical detection limit (a single particle detected) is 1.6 × 102 particles/ml, which is also the theoretical resolution provided the entire flow-cell volume is included in the measurement. Sampling from a water source with such a low concentration of particles would be associated with a high degree of uncertainty due to sample inhomogeneity. The sensor is designed to operate in drinking water, which seldom contains less than a few thousand particles/bacteria per ml, according to our field test experiences. Depending on the nature of the particles and how much background scattering they cause, the upper limit has proved to be around 1–5 × 106 particles/ml. Above this concentration, small particles are not detected due to the high background scattering, and the sensor thus underestimates the concentrations.\n\n\nThe sensor was investigated in various drinking water systems, primarily Danish and French. In a Danish non-chlorinated distribution system, one sensor was installed at a waterworks and one at a downstream reservoir (Fig. 5). A 9-km-long pipeline connected the waterworks and the reservoir. The water had an average transport time of 32 hours with an average flow velocity of 0.08 m/sec. The abiotic particle concentration was substantially lower in the reservoir water than in the waterworks effluent, probably due to sedimentation during the transport as a result of the very low flow velocity. The bacteria concentration did not change accordingly, and the sensor thus clearly detected different behavior of abiotic particles and bacteria.\n\nFigure 5: Dynamics of the concentration of bacteria and abiotic particles at two locations in a large Danish drinking water distribution system measured by the sensor.\nFigure 5\n\nAt the waterworks outlet, the concentration of abiotic particles was approximately three times higher than the bacteria concentration. At the downstream reservoir, the concentration of bacteria and abiotic particles were similar and significantly lower as compared to the waterworks. The substantial variations at the reservoir were caused by the flow direction, with highest concentrations in the water coming from the reservoir.\n\nThe pipe was used as inlet to as well as outlet from the reservoir. The sensor recorded alternating water qualities reflecting whether the water came from the pipeline or the reservoir. The turbidity and the measured concentration of the abiotic particles showed similar behavior (R2 0.92). The measurement of the bacteria (Fig. 6) differed clearly from these patterns (R2 0.78) and turbidity were thus less able to detect the changes in the bacteria concentration.\n\nFigure 6: Turbidity, bacteria, and abiotic particles measured at the inlet/outlet of a Danish clean water reservoir.\nFigure 6\n\nNote the distinct difference between the water entering (around 5 × 103 cells/ml) and leaving (2–4 × 104 cells/ml) the reservoir.\n\nThe sensor was also installed at a Danish cattle slaughterhouse, where the water quality did not meet guideline values (based on routine analyses of plate count numbers). A notice to boil the water prior to consumption had been issued. A sensor was installed to monitor the water inlet to the slaughterhouse by sampling every ten minutes for 11 weeks. The sampling revealed a daily peak in the concentration of both bacteria and abiotic particles (Fig. 7A). Overlaying individual days of data showed the peak to occur in the morning between 5:30 and 7:30 in the morning (Fig. 7B). During the peak, the sensor detected an increase in the bacteria concentration from 1–4 × 104 to 2–5 × 105 cells/ml and an increase in the concentration of abiotic particles from 3–5 × 104 to 3–8 × 105 particles/ml.\n\nFigure 7: Water quality monitoring at a Danish cattle slaughterhouse.\nFigure 7\n\n(A) Part of the 11 weeks monitoring campaign showing bacteria peaks occurring daily. (B) Overlaying daily bacteria curves for normal workdays show a daily peak occurring in the early morning. One day also showed a gradually increasing bacterial concentration. (C) Applying the developed bacteria sensor, total bacteria counts, and plate counts. Peaks for plate counts at 22 °C and total counts co-occurred with the peaks measured by the sensor. However, plate counts at 37 °C showed peaks that did not correlate with other parameters.\n\nDuring a sampling campaign around the estimated time of the peak, grab samples of the water was collected before each sensor measurement and analyzed for total counts and plate counts at 22 and 37 °C. The bacteria and abiotic particles recorded by the sensor correlated well with the water quality analyses at the time of the peak (Fig. 7C). From DAPI staining of non-homogenized samples, it was noted that part of the bacteria within the samples were clustered together in groups or pieces of biofilm, which could explain why the total numbers in the homogenized sample used for total counts were 3–4 times higher than the numbers quantified by the sensor.\n\nIt was discovered that the reason why the microbial water quality guidelines were exceeded was a combination of stagnant water in an inappropriate piping layout upstream from the sensor location and the onset of the morning cleaning. The lack of flow during the night prevented the sensor from picking up the slow increase in bacteria concentration that was expected to have occurred upstream.\n\n\nThe development of the presented sensor focused on the recognition of particles based on shape and pattern of light diffraction. From a size distribution point of view, emphasis was put into classifying particles in the range of 500 nm to a few micrometers according to the size of most bacteria24. The library used to build the classification algorithm was thus dominated by particles in this size range. From field test data, we have experienced that particles above 5 μm are scarce, and particles above 10 μm hardly occur within the sample volume. Particle size distribution in Danish drinking water measured by Coulter Counter (data not shown) typically showed that less than 0.1% of the particles were larger than 5 μm. Thus, the influence of particle sedimentation can be ignored for the majority of particles.\n\nIn most optical imaging systems, a spatial resolution limit is reached around 1 μm. The imaging system presented uses a 505 nm light source and a lens with a numerical aperture of 0.2. The Abbe diffraction limit for such a system is 1.26 μm25, which is well above the bacteria sizes characterized. Due to the added information about how the particles behave over time and in and out of focus, it is possible to characterize objects below the resolution limit of the imaging system. Particles larger than 3.0 μm were not investigated. However, the accuracy is expected to be at least as good as for the smaller sizes, due to the higher number of pixels covered.\n\nFouling of the flow-cell is unavoidable, as it is the case with all optical sensor windows. Since the flow-cell is easy to replace, the fouling of the optical window can essentially be kept at a very low level where it does not influence the measurements. In drinking water, the time between flow-cell changes may be several months, whereas in water with a higher fouling potential, the service intervals may be significantly shorter.\n\nThe optical on-line bacteria sensor revealed bacteria concentrations which correlated well with total bacterial counts. Such correlation was expected as similar requirements apply for a cell to be identified by both methods; it has to be intact, but not necessarily alive and active. Dead and inactive bacteria are detected by both methods if they are intact. Once the cell is ruptured by e.g. treatment with ozone, DNA will leak out of the cell, and it will no longer be detected by DAPI staining. Cell debris will most likely not be classified as “bacteria”, but instead as “abiotic particles” by the sensor. The classification shift for a decaying cell has not been fully investigated yet. The immediate and long-term effect of various disinfectants on the detection of bacteria is thus not clearly understood. However, it is obvious that the effect of UV treatment and biostatic treatment with low residual chlorine concentrations, which does not change the morphology of the cells significantly, will not be immediately visible by this technique, as it will include both active and inactive cells. We have observed that total bacterial counts by DAPI staining yields a higher number compared to the sensor, depending on the degree of aggregation among the bacteria. The main reason is that the microscope operator counting stained fluorescent cells is able to distinguish individual aggregated cells, whereas the sensor detects such cells as a single particle.\n\nThere were no simple correlations between the sensor bacteria counts and plate counts. Because the plate count method only reveals a fraction of the current population, and since this fraction may vary concurrently with the change in the population, e.g. during a pollution event, a simple correlation was not expected. Similar observations have been reported for total bacterial counts26.\n\nBy the ability of closely monitor trends in the total number of bacteria and other particles in drinking water with a frequency of 10 minutes, we have demonstrated that it is possible to detect slow or sudden changes that may influence the water quality, and further determine if such changes are primarily of biotic or abiotic nature. Information on the particle size distribution, which is also provided by the sensor, may serve as further indicators of pollution27,28. Such pollution indications may be used to trigger auto-sampling at opportune moments followed by detailed analyses of the event. In such cases, the combination of sampling at the right time and analyzing for relevant parameters using fast molecular microbiological methods29 may prove to be a powerful tool for source tracking as well as for obtaining specific information on the pollution event.\n\nFlow cytometry has lately been demonstrated to be applicable for online measurements12,13. Flow cytometry has a measurement range (1 × 103–1 × 106 cells/ml) similar to the operating range presented in this paper (1.6 × 102–1–5 × 106 cells/ml) and an error of less than 5%. The method requires chemical staining solutions and may thus be limited to locations where these can be stored and exchanged regularly. Chemical reactants are also required for the online measurements of ATP14 as an indirect indicator of bacteria presence. Turbidity, as implemented in many drinking water distribution systems, may give a good indication of abiotic particles, but it is unlikely to correlate with total bacterial counts30.\n\nThe optical sensor has proven to be stable for several months during field-testing in waterworks environments. The most critical parameter determining the integrity of the measured concentrations and classification has been fouling of the optical flow cell. In Danish non-chlorinated drinking water, flow-cells were replaced after approximately two months, whereas in the French, chlorinated drinking water flow-cells lasted around four months.\n\n\nWe have presented a novel optical sensor with a 10-minute resolution, capable of counting particles in water and classifying them as either bacteria or abiotic particles with a certainty of 90 ± 7% for monotype suspensions and 78 ± 14% for mixed-type suspensions. The results from the sensor correlated with total bacterial counts by DAPI staining and epi-fluorescence microscopy and responded linearly to serial dilutions. The sensor operates within a range of 1.6 × 102–1–5 × 106 particles/ml, the lower theoretical level corresponding to the detection of a single particle, and reports correct particle sizes in the range of 0.77–3 μm. Smaller particles or bacteria may not be detected or classified correctly.\n\nDuring field tests, the sensor has been stable for up to four months without maintenance. In non-chlorinated waters, maintenance in terms of flow-cell changes are required at intervals of around two months. In other waters with high fouling potentials, higher maintenance frequencies are required. In a field test, the sensor was able to pinpoint the time of a daily reoccurring bacterial peak event, allowing for targeted sampling and detailed verification of the cause.\n\nAnalyses throughout a drinking water distribution system demonstrated that the optical sensor can monitor the different dynamics of bacteria and abiotic particle levels in drinking water and may serve as an early warning for drinking water pollution. Used as such, the sensor enables proactive responses to pollution events such as change of treatment scheme or redirection of water flows to avoid polluted water to reach consumers.\n\nMaterials and Methods\n\nLaboratory sensor set-up\n\nFor laboratory verification, three sensors were modified by disabling automatic sample intake and rinsing. This allowed for manual preparation of the flow cell, manual flushing, and manual introduction of the individual samples.\n\nPreparation of glassware and flow cell\n\nAll glassware were washed, autoclaved at 121 °C and 15 psi for 20 minutes, rinsed three times with filter sterilized (0.22 μm polyethersulfone (PES)) tap water, and finally rinsed once with 0.22 μm filtered 70% ethanol before left to dry.\n\nThe flow cells were cleaned prior to each sample injection by flushing for five minutes with tap water (approximately 3 bars of pressure) while submerged in an ultrasonic bath. The flow cells were then flushed with 20 ml filter sterilized (0.22 μm) tap water. Finally, the flow cells were flushed twice with the actual particle suspension using a glass pipette. The remaining suspension in the flow-cell was used for analysis.\n\nEach measurement of suspended particles was repeated seven times for single particle type suspensions and three times for mixed suspensions, in between which the above cleaning procedure was applied.\n\nSize distribution analysis\n\nSize distributions of particle suspensions were analyzed on a Malvern Zetasizer Nano dynamic light scattering system. Size distributions of drinking water samples were analyzed using a Beckman Coulter Multisizer 4e Coulter Counter with appropriate apertures.\n\nMicrobiological analyses\n\nThe total number of bacteria were counted, and their morphology was examined after the sample was filtered onto a 0.22 μm black polycarbonate filter and stained by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) (Life Technologies D1306). After filtering an amount of sample, yielding 20–400 cells per 100 × 100 μm filter area, through the filter, 25 μl of 1 mg/ml DAPI was applied on top of the filter along with 1 ml of filter-sterilized (0.22 μm) tap water. After 15 min in the dark, the staining solution was sucked through the filter, which was then rinsed with filter-sterilized tap water (3 × 1 ml). Filters were mounted in immersion oil (Citifluor AF87) and examined by epi-fluorescence microscopy using a Zeiss Axio Imager 2 microscope. Plate counts at 22 and 37 °C was made according to ISO 6222:199931 on yeast extract agar.\n\nAbiotic particle suspensions\n\n10 g blue clay was taken from a freshly exposed surface of commercially available decoration clay and suspended in 1 l 0.2 μm filtered Milli-Q water. Size distribution analysis showed particle size clusters from 200 nm to 2 μm.\n\nFerroxyhyte and lepicocrocite were prepared according to Schwertmann and Cornell32 with the following precautions taken to avoid bacteria in the final suspensions: For ferroxyhyte, 300 ml 0.1M FeCl2·4H2O (Sigma Aldrich 44939) was filtered through a 0.22 μm PES filter and placed in a beaker. 5M NaOH (Merch 1.06498) was added dropwise while stirring until the pH reached 8. 40 ml 30% H2O2 (Merch 1.07209) was added rapidly, and the pH raised to 8 by adding 5M NaOH. The precipitate was centrifuged, washed and dried. Scanning electron microscopy showed mainly amorphous particles. For lepidocrocite, 11.93 g FeCl2·4H2O was dissolved in 300 ml Milli-Q water and filtered through a 0.22 μm PES filter. pH was adjusted to 6.7–6.9 with 1M NaOH and the solution aerated with 100 ml/min of air for 2–3 hours. The pH of the solution was constantly adjusted to remove protons produced by the oxidation process, adding approximately 120 ml NaOH. The precipitate was centrifuged, washed and dried. Scanning electron microscopy showed solid particles with sharp contours. Size distribution analysis showed a range from 200 nm to 10 μm with a maximum intensity at 600 nm.\n\n10 g humic acid (Sigma Aldrich 53680) was dissolved in 1 liter 0.2 μm PES filtered 0.1 mM pyrophosphate, Na4P2O7 · 10H2O (Alfa Aesar A16195) (pH 9–10) based on Milli-Q water. The solution was placed on a magnetic stirrer for 24 hours and left to settle. The dissolved fraction was decanted and filtered through a 1.6 μm filter to remove remaining undissolved humic acid. The pH of the filtered solution was adjusted to below 6 with phosphorous acid (Prolab 20624.295), causing humic acid particles to precipitate. Size distribution analysis showed two major fractions around 150–400 nm and 6 μm.\n\nAll abiotic particle stock suspensions were preserved by 2% formaldehyde (AppliChem A0421), and checked for the presence of bacteria by DAPI staining and epi-fluorescence microscopy. Only few bacteria were detected in the blue clay stock. It was not possible to determine the number of cells by the DAPI staining method due to the low number compared to clay particles. It was estimated that bacteria constituted less than 0.1‰ of the total particles.\n\nBacteria suspensions\n\nPure cultures of freeze dried Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (DSM no 20481), Bacillus subtilis (DSM no. 618), Escherichia coli (DSM no. 5695), and Vibrio natriegens (DSM no. 759) were obtained from Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH. Cultures were revived according to the specifications given by DSMZ, grown in specific growth media. L. lactis was grown in 10 g peptone (Fluka 70172), 5 g yeast extract (Sigma Aldrich Y0500), 5 g glucose (Sigma G7528), and 5 g NaCl (Merck 1.06404) per liter. B. subtilis was grown in 5 g peptone and 3 g meat extract (Fluka 70164) per liter. E. coli was grown in 5 g peptone, 3 g meat extract, 800 mg NaCl, and 1.23 g MgSO4 (Fluka 00627) per liter. V. natriegens was grown in 5 g peptone, 3 g meat extract, and 15 g NaCl per liter. For solid growth media, 15 g/l agar (Merck 1.01614) was added (11 g/l for E. coli). All were incubated at 22 °C for 20 hours.\n\nUnidentified bacteria were isolated from various Danish drinking water supplies by spreading and incubation on plate count agar (Merch 1.05463) plates at 22 °C for 20 hours and repeatedly transferring single colonies to new plates.\n\nThe purity of the monocultures was tested by DAPI staining and examination of morphology by epi-fluorescence microscopy. The size of individual cells ranged from 600 nm to 3 μm (longest axis), as determined by microscopy.\n\nThe cultures were stored at −80 °C in growth media with 30% (v/v) glycerol. Thawed cultures were incubated on appropriate plates (described above) for 20 hours, transferred to new plates, and incubated for an additional 20 hours. A single colony was transferred to 200 ml 0.22 μm filter-sterilized growth medium. The bacteria were allowed to grow for 20–40 hours depending on their growth rates and re-inoculated in 0.22 μm filtered media twice before they were used in measurements.\n\nMixed suspensions\n\nPrior to each mixed suspension measurements, the individual suspensions were measured in triplicate by the sensor to determine their concentration and mixed accordingly to achieve the desired ratio between bacteria and abiotic particles.\n\nComparison between sensor response and total counts\n\nA series of tap water aliquots were spiked with increasing concentrations of yeast extract (Sigma Aldrich Y0500): 0, 0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg/l. The bacteria concentration in the aliquots were measured by the bacteria sensor (3–6 repetitions) and by DAPI staining (20 randomly selected fields of view) at initiation and after 2, 7, and 11 days of incubation at room temperature.\n\nParticle size standards\n\nPolybead polystyrene microspheres (2.5% solids latex) were obtained from PolyScience Inc. Warrington, PA, USA in the sizes 3.004 μm (17134, lot no. 629888), 1.53 μm (17133, lot no. 613529), 0.99 μm (08226, lot no. 644236), and 0.771 μm (07309, lot no.623715). Uniform, non-porous silica microspheres (SS03N, lot no. 8933) with a diameter of 690 nm were obtained from Bangs Laboratories, Inc., Fishers, IN, USA. Prior to dilution, stock suspensions were sonicated for 1–10 minutes to break any aggregation.\n\nTurbidity measurements\n\nFor comparison, a Hach Lange ULTRATURB sc turbidimeter was installed alongside a bacteria sensor at the inlet/outlet of a major closed drinking water reservoir in a large Danish non-chlorinated drinking water distribution system.\n\nField test at a slaughterhouse\n\nAround the time of an expected daily peak in bacteria and particle concentrations, samples were taken for laboratory analyses at intervals corresponding to the resolution of the sensor (approximately ten minutes). Samples were taken during flushing of the flow-cell and thus corresponded to the subsequent sensor response.\n\nSingle analyses of plate counts and total counts by DAPI staining were performed. The standard deviation of 10 counts on each stained filter was approximately 20%. Samples were homogenized by repeatedly passing through a syringe needle to break cell clustering and biofilm prior to analysis. However, a few clustered cells could still be observed within the stained samples.\n\nAdditional Information\n\nHow to cite this article: Højris, B. et al. A novel, optical, on-line bacteria sensor for monitoring drinking water quality. Sci. Rep. 6, 23935; doi: 10.1038/srep23935 (2016).\n\n\n  1. 1.\n\n    , , & On-line bacteriological detection in water. Trends Anal. Chem. 44, 46–57 (2013).\n\n  2. 2.\n\n    & New perspectives in monitoring drinking water microbial quality. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 7, 4179–4202 (2010).\n\n  3. 3.\n\n    & In Microbial Growth in Drinking Water Supplies: Problems, Causes, Control and Research Needs (Eds , ) Ch. 1, 1–20, (IWA Publishing, 2013).\n\n  4. 4.\n\n    & Safe Drinking Water–Lessons from Recent Outbreaks in Affluent Nations Ch. 1, 1–5 (IWA Publishing, 2014).\n\n  5. 5.\n\n    , & Bacteriology of Drinking Water Distribution Systems: an Integral and Multidimentional Review. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 97(21), 9265–9276 (2013).\n\n  6. 6.\n\n    & Drinking water microbiology–from measurement to management. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 33, 87–94 (2015).\n\n  7. 7.\n\n    , & Viable but nonculturable bacteria in drinking water. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57(3), 875–878 (1991).\n\n  8. 8.\n\n    , & Heterotrophic plate count bacteria—what is their significance in drinking water? Int. J. Food Microbiol. 92, 265–274 (2004).\n\n  9. 9.\n\n    Heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water distribution system: A review. Environ. Monit. Assess. 184(10), 6087–6137 (2012).\n\n  10. 10.\n\n    , , , & Monitoring microbiological changes in drinking water systems using a fast and reproducible flow cytometric method. Water Res. 47(19), 7131–7142 (2013).\n\n  11. 11.\n\n    , , , & Rapid detection and quantification of bacteria using an integrated micro/nanofluidic device. Sens. Actuators, B 187, 683–688 (2013).\n\n  12. 12.\n\n    et al. Development and Laboratory-Scale Testing of a Fully Automated Online Flow Cytometer for Drinking Water Analysis. Cytometry Part A 81A, 508–516 (2012).\n\n  13. 13.\n\n    et al. The feasibility of automated online flow cytometry for in-situ monitoring of microbial dynamics in aquatic ecosystems, Front. Mocrobiol. 5, 265 doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00265 (2014).\n\n  14. 14.\n\n    , , & Evaluation of ATP measurements to detect microbial ingress by wastewater and surface water in drinking water. Water Res. 64, 309–320 (2014).\n\n  15. 15.\n\n    , & Real-Time Detection of Bacterial Contamination in Dynamic Aqueous Environments Using Optical Sensors. Anal. Chem. 76(5), 1411–1418 (2004).\n\n  16. 16.\n\n    , , , & Optical waveguide sensor for on-line monitoring of bacteria. Opt. Lett. 28(14), 1233–1235 (2003).\n\n  17. 17.\n\n    et al. Detection of Microorganisms using Terahertz Metamaterials. Sci. Rep. 4, 4988 (2014).\n\n  18. 18.\n\n    , , , & Spatial-Temporal Survey and Occupancy-Abundance Modeling to Predict Bacterial Community Dynamics in the Drinking Water Microbiome. mBio 5(3), e01135–14 (2014).\n\n  19. 19.\n\n    et al. Online drinking water quality monitoring: review on available and emerging technologies. Crit. Rev. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44, 1370–1421 (2014).\n\n  20. 20.\n\n    , & Advances in on-line drinking water quality monitoring and early warning systems. Water Res. 45, 741–747 (2011).\n\n  21. 21.\n\n    et al. Online monitoring of drinking water quality in a distribution network: a selection procedure for suitable water quality parameters and sensor devices. Int. J. Syst. Assur. Eng. Manag. 3(4), 323–337 (2012).\n\n  22. 22.\n\n    , , & Optical Sectioning of a Sample and Detection of Particles in a Sample. World Intellectual Property Organization, WO 2010/063293 A1, Filed 4 Dec 2009, Published 10 Jun (2010).\n\n  23. 23.\n\n    , & System and Method for Classification of Particles in a Fluid Sample. World Intellectual Property Organization, WO 2014/094790 A1, Filed 19 Dec 2013, Published 26 Jun (2014).\n\n  24. 24.\n\n    , & Microbiology: An Introduction (12th Edition), Ch. 3–4, 56–110 (Benjamin Cummings, 2015).\n\n  25. 25.\n\n    & Fundamentals of light microscopy and electronic imaging –2nd ed. Ch. 5, 79–99 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012).\n\n  26. 26.\n\n    , , & Correlations between total cell concentration, total adenosine tri-phosphate concentration and heterotrophic plate counts during microbial monitoring of drinking water Drink. Water Eng. Sci. 1, 1–6 (2008).\n\n  27. 27.\n\n    , & Particle Size Distribution as a Useful Tool for Microbial Detection. Wat. Sci. Technol. 50(2), 179–186 (2004).\n\n  28. 28.\n\n    , & Particle-Size Distribution as Indicator for Fecal Bacteria Contamination of Drinking Water from Karst Springs. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41(24), 8400–8405 (2007).\n\n  29. 29.\n\n    et al. Methodological Approaches for Studying the Microbial Ecology of Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Wat. Res. 65, 134–156 (2014).\n\n  30. 30.\n\n    & Relationship among Turbidity, Particle counts and Bacterial Quality within Water Distribution Lines. Wat. Res. 20(8), 1023–1029 (1986).\n\n  31. 31.\n\n    European standard EN ISO 6222:1999, Water quality–Enumeration of culturable microorganisms–Colony count by inoculation in a nutrient agar culture medium (1999).\n\n  32. 32.\n\n    & , Iron Oxides in the Laboratory- Preparation and Characterization-Second, Completely Revised ad Extended Edition Ch. 6–7, 93–102 (WILEY-VCH, 2000).\n\nDownload references\n\nAuthor information\n\n\n  1. GRUNDFOS Holding A/S, Poul Due Jensens Vej 7, DK-8850 Bjerringbro, Denmark\n\n    • Bo Højris\n    • , Christian Smith\n    •  & Mathis Dahlqvist\n  2. HOFOR A/S, Ørestads Boulevard 35, DK-2300 København S, Denmark\n\n    • Sarah Christine Boesgaard Christensen\n  3. Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Miljøvej, Building 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark\n\n    • Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen\n\n\n  1. Search for Bo Højris in:\n\n  2. Search for Sarah Christine Boesgaard Christensen in:\n\n  3. Search for Hans-Jørgen Albrechtsen in:\n\n  4. Search for Christian Smith in:\n\n  5. Search for Mathis Dahlqvist in:\n\n\nB.H. and S.C.B.C. wrote the main manuscript text with contribution from C.S., M.D. and H.-J.A. B.H., C.S. and M.D. prepared the figures. All authors reviewed the manuscript.\n\nCompeting interests\n\nThe authors declare no competing financial interests.\n\nCorresponding author\n\nCorrespondence to Bo Højris.\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7686159610748291}
{"content": "A Whole New World\n\nholistic treatment for depression and anxiety\nA whole new world was introduced to me once I sprung out of the \"great depression.\" I felt alive, renewed and thankful!  I saw life as I never had before.  Everything had meaning to me.  I totally got what it felt like to have a second chance.  When people actually die and say they were on the other side and then come back, that is what it was like for me.   I had a second chance at life and I was thrilled!  I became keenly aware of a higher presence - I called this presence God, you may call it the Universe, Spirit, Life Force, a Higher Power, Energy, it is all One.  You see, depression really is an analogy for change.  You cannot go back to your old way of living once you go through depression.  It is the body's way of calling out to you, \"hey, what are you doing???  Wake up!\"  I tried really hard to go back to \"how it was before the depression\" and I gave it a good shot for a long time, but reality is, you have to change, it will just happen and you have no way around it. \n\nNothing in this life is coincidence and the path we are lead on when we open our hearts and minds will lead us to wonderful places.  Of course, there is also loss and regret when a new life springs forward and an old life is thrust into the past.  It is a natural metamorphosis - shedding the old skin and trying on the new skin.  It feels a little strange at first but then it begins to sink into the body comfortably as you start to accept how it feels.  When this acceptance hits you, the realization is that life always gives you what is in your highest and best if you are open to the good and expand you self-realization.  Never be afraid to dream or visualize, we have the power to create any kind of life we want.  Unfortunately, we let the ego part of the mind get in the way and it stops us from realizing our truest potential as fear of the unknown sets in.  Taking two steps forward is much harder for some then just living the same old existence. \n\nSo, I challenge you to stop and listen to your heart.  Where does your heart lead you?  Don't listen to your thoughts or your pre-conceived notions that were pounded into your brain since childhood.  Sit silently and really listen.  What is it saying?  Your heart is never wrong!  \"Follow your heart, but be quiet for awhile first.  Ask questions, then feel the answer.  Learn to trust your heart.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9329485297203064}
{"content": "hijack situation comes from an arriving aircraft\n\nMiami takes a look at the kind of response required when a security code signalling a hijack situation comes from an arriving aircraft.\n\nMiami International Airport (MIA) was designated as a Category “X” facility, meaning it is a prime target for terrorist attacks in the opinion of Homeland Security.\nAn attack can come in all shapes and sizes. There are those that come from within the airport itself or some that might be tied to a flight arriving from some destination.\nIn tonight’s episode, “Category X”, viewers are taken behind the scenes as a SWAT team responds to a threat based on a signal from an aircraft landing at MIA.\nWhat does it do to the rest of the airport operations? Believe it or not, unless a threat is confirmed, passengers are rarely aware of what is happening.\nWhere does an airport tell an incoming flight to go when a hijack code is sent? The Penalty Box.\n\nIt is a walled area isolated away from the terminals. The show allows us to spend time with Lauren Stover, Director of Security as she monitors activity in the Penalty Box.\nThe SWAT exercise and the problems it causes is only one small part of a day in the life of MIA staff.\nViewers are taken inside the airport operations with Darius Bradshaw. As Terminal Operations Control Room Agent, it’s Bradshaw’s job to keep the wheels turning for the travelers.\nTwo flights are ready for check-in simultaneously and 600 passengers are fuming about the wait. When Darius Bradshaw arrives on the scene with his walkie-talkie he knows he has to take command and do it quickly.\nOne of the things he counsels travelers to have ready when there are issues keeping them from moving smoothly through the process is: “Know the flight information,” he says. “For us, this is a unique identifier, almost like your social security number. It tells us what we need to know, what airline to contact when resolving issues.”\nWith the angry mob of 600 people, that isn’t the problem. It’s getting them serviced and moving in order to keep the backup from affecting the entire day.\n\n\nCalifornia Aviation Alliance: Airport News List E-mail\n\n\nContact stepheni@cwnet.com with problems with your subscription.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.983557403087616}
{"content": "The Hero’s Story is Significant\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHoliday Family Giving Conversations Can Reap Great Benefits\n\n\n\n\n\nHolidays and giving, bring it home for deeper cheer.\n\nValues have Power, Massive Power\n\nValues, what is the point of focusing on them? Although we rarely talk about them, our values are the foundation of ethical action. Values are both personal in their meaning, aligning with personal beliefs and universal in their understanding of its relative importance in people’s lives. Values have been studied by various disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, anthropology, sociology, history, theology, art, marketing, and behavioral sciences. Yet most of the time, we are oblivious to their impact, influence or importance in our lives. It is as if we want to prove values are unimportant by doing or being anything else than what our values direct us to do or be.\n\nFor example, I know that I can fill my time with activities, activities that ensure time is being spent and filled without thought to their significance to living a meaningful life. I can make piles, I can get the piles done, I can schedule, I can even avoid contacting people I am thinking about in favor of “getting things done.”\n\nBut all those return to their proper secondary or tertiary position when I ask myself these questions or reflect on the statements I am going to ask you to consider. As I reflect on the responses, it recalibrates my focus to that which is truly important to me. I think it may do the same for you.\n\n• You have been asked to lead a team of advisors, all of whom are dedicated to their work and all of whom are committed to a best outcome: what values do you want to bring to this new team?\nWhat other values do you think would be valuable for this team to consider?\n• Describe what led you to pick these values.\nDefine these values with the relevance and meaning they have for you.\n• Identify one of your top values. Talk about an experience where you expressed that value well.\n• Think of a person in your life, who, in the last five to ten years, has had a powerful, positive impact on your life. Describe how they impacted you and how that experience has enriched your life.\n\nNow, step back for a moment. See how you have just connected to your values and how that has affected you just now. Values have power.\n\nLet me know what you experienced that brings your values to the forefront of your life.\n\nThe Purpose of the Family Money is a Key Ingredient to the Family’s Mission\n\nYou probably know, or at least have read, about the benefits to developing your own purpose and having your own mission. It clarifies your life, making your life simpler. You build direction, energy, and an added dollop of vibrancy. Phil Knight said of purpose, in his memoir, Shoe Dog, “If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointment will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.”\n\nNow, what if this idea of creating a purpose or mission was added to a family’s culture? Would that be novel? Although it might be for your family, it turns out that most families who have stayed connected across generations, have done just that, created their sense of purpose and/or mission. Why? Because doing so creates a bridge of connection in which a sustained feeling of harmony and unity is fostered. It has to. Each family member has bought into this sense of purpose. They are all supporting this mission in ways that mean something to themselves personally as well as for the benefit of their family in generation after generation.\n\nA key ingredient in this family purpose is the purpose of the family money. Money moves and without purpose, it moves aimlessly. When there is a purpose to the family money, it becomes easier to talk about money. This is so because there is a framework around the money with its boundaries and limits, opportunities and possibilities. When family members are included in developing the purpose of the family money, they can determine how and when to use it and as importantly, understand the relevance of this shared money as contrasted with their own money.\n\nTell me what went through your mind regarding your family’s purpose and the purpose of the family money to the family spanning generations. I would love to hear your comments.\n\nResponsible Stewardship is Key to a Successful Legacy\n\nFor families with businesses, there are issues that surface as the family grows and ensuing generations get involved or migrate away from the family business.\n\nConversations about the business that may have started in the living room at home, moved to the kitchen, then a conference room then to a board room, often become a struggle as families grow and as individual agendas develop. Working well together, across generations, can become tense when visions are not aligned, and responsible stewardship is not defined. Competing and contrasting priorities due to generational differences, ownership positions, and desires for the business as contrasted with desires for the family harmony, surface.\n\nIt is not natural to manage such complexity. Like a garden who needs proper care and maintenance to stay healthy, relevant, and vibrant, a family is best served by developing a disciplined and purposed component to their family and family business dealings and becoming responsible stewards of what they are growing and eventually, passing down.\n\nDetermining an initial purpose to both the family and family business initially separate the two entities so they can clearly define themselves independently. Agreeing on and articulating the value, vision and mission of each entity across generations is key to being responsible stewards. Adapting and becoming comfortable with change is the responsibility of each generation.\n\nQuestions to consider asking at home:\n• Who do we want our family to be, as a family?\n• What do we want our family to represent in the community?\n• What is important to us as a family: what do we believe in? What do we stand for?\nCreating purpose, mission, vision and family teams to develop the family’s success goes a long way to sustaining intergenerational trust and sustainability.\n\nQuestions to consider asking about the business:\n• What is the purpose and mission of the business?\n• Is the business meant to develop as a business or build family wealth?\n• What do we need to do to support our working together?\n• How do we communicate business information so it does not take over or interfere with the family environment?\nKnowing the purpose of the business, communicating that to the family, developing trust in leadership development are all critical to successfully passing a business legacy and leadership from one generation to the next.\n\nLeave me a comment on your thoughts or experiences on this important topic. I would be delighted to read your comments.\n\nDo Not Forget the Past; It Provides Mighty Support\n\nWhen we forget those who have come before, like our great- grandparents, we forget our history. When we forget our history, we must begin again leaving new footprints that are themselves, swept away and forgotten as our great grandchildren look back at photos of us and wonder who we were.\n\n\nContrast this with those families who have captured, and meaningfully nurture the values and enduring traits of those who have come before them as a pillar to support their own lives today and tomorrow.\n\n\nIf you do not care how your family will thrive or if it will drift into a fog of insignificance, your family’s history will play out as it has for centuries for most families. Great grandparents have no meaning, they have been forgotten. New generations start afresh as if nothing came before them.\n\n\nBut if carrying on the spark of “what matters most” to your family, as a group of like-minded connected individuals, then your family story is an important element to your family’s success. And you must create that story. It will not create itself.\n\n\nResearchers at Emory University found that “…family stories provide a sense of identity through time, and help children understand who they are in the world.”  When adolescents can see the values and traits they share with past family members, they form a stronger sense of well-being and a stronger sense of identity.  This Emory University study also showed that ​there is real benefit in sharing the stories about where the family came from, both geographically and through their values. Family stories keep families connected through generations by its narrative.\n\n\nYour story, the one that will live on, will include how you met challenges, what successes have meant to you, what values you deem to be important and why and how they have guided you. Your story will describe how you came to value what you do value so those who come after you can understand themselves better by hearing from you. When they understand themselves better, they have more confidence and feel more secure in a world where those without this foundation, struggle to be seen and known.\n\n\nDo you have a family story in your family, one that benefits its members, is shared because it came from the “author’s” experience?  Let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts on this important recommendation.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPreparation is a Great Inheritance Tool\n\nI have been part of conversation focused on what the best thing to inherit is. Some think it is cash. Some think it is real estate. Some think it is a portfolio of assets to be reinvested. I suggest it is being prepared, being prepared to become stewards of an incoming inheritance.\n\n\nStudies show that for 90% of families where wealth makes it to the 3rd generation, it is gone by the end of this generation. This is not due to a fault of this generation. They are merely responding to a lack of preparation and instead doing what is naturally the course, spend, squander or squabble over the inheritance.\n\n\nEach generation has a unique view and interpretation of its partnership with money and the family. The first generation carries the vision, the passion and focus to build a new company. This generation tends to sacrifice their personal life for the business. They must do so in order to build a successful enterprise.\n\n\nThe second generation has a different perspective. They have grown up with explicit or implicit expectations placed upon them to build on the family fortune that often conflict with their own personal objectives. Understandably this can create great friction. Couple this with squabbling that happens between siblings over the purpose of the wealth and there lays a sure recipe for even bigger problems. Studies confirm that 70 % of families lose their wealth by the end of the second generation.\n\n\nFor those families, whose wealth makes it to the grandchildren, there is a new perspective. The third generation is farther removed from the creation of the wealth. They are accustomed to being wealthy. From their point of view, having wealth is a birthright. They have never seen or been exposed to the struggle or the reason of making money. They are free to dream and create. They have never had nor needed the tools to build a productive life. They are only familiar with spending money.\n\nIn three generations, a family’s past and all its treasures will be lost and forgotten. Memories will fade as new generations spend their precious time scrambling to build a-new.\n\n\nBut when a family prepares its present and future for its inheritance, it can grow its bounty. A family who conscientiously grows and develops its assets, is called a legacy family. This is a family where the money as well as the family culture develops and is transferred from one generation to the next with purpose and intention. This type of family uses appropriate systems, tools and activities to stay connected through generations maintaining shared purpose, understanding, and trust. This family becomes a prepared family transferring its wealth with confidence it will grow in the family for generations.\n\n\nLet me know your experiences on preparing inheritances for long term family connection. I would love to hear from you.\n\nPrepare Your Family for Money It Will be Inheriting\n\nIt is estimated that 20,000 families will each transfer over $20,000,000 to the next generation next year. They will continue doing so, it is forecasted, for the next twenty-nine years. Although this may sound fortuitous, research tells us that 70% of these families will find their wealth gone by the end of the second generation and by the end of the third generation 90% of these families will find their wealth squandered or spent. Unless they take steps to keep the wealth, families will find themselves falling into this statistic.\n\nMoney that has been amassed, will be gone, for most families, by the time their grandchildren are thinking about what they can pass to their heirs.  The great estate and trust planning coupled with the precise tax and investment positioning, although essential, is not enough. There is an element that most families do not put in place to ensure that their money passes to next generations intact. And that missing element is the preparation of the family for the receipt of the money.\n\nHeirs need a blueprint and a roadmap to know how to sustain the wealth through the generations. They need to master skills of leadership, and family cohesion to successfully steward their new responsibilities associated with the money. Only when families have and master the roadmap to success, will they be able to grow cohesively as a family for many generations.\n\n\nLet me know how your family is attending to preparing the family for its roles as financial beneficiaries. What kind of conversations are you having? How do family members feel about this forthcoming transfer? How is the family talking about the transfer of financial stewardship?\n\n\nHow Will You Be Remembered? How Do You Want to Be Remembered?\n\nHow do you want to be remembered? How will you be remembered? Is there a gap between the two responses?\n\nIf so, identify an element to that gap that you can address and take action on. Then, craft the first action step you can take towards bridging that gap. For example, a woman I spoke with wanted to be remembered as a creator of evocative paintings. When I asked how she would be remembered she said that she would not be remembered as a painter as she kept her paintings in her studio.\n\nRealizing that she would most likely be remembered differently than how she wanted to be remembered, she decided to put a few pieces on walls in her home. She did not stop there. She organized an art show for family and friends. What began as a bridge to gap the distance between how she wanted to be remembered and how she would be remembered became an annual “Get Connected with Art” Show (now celebrating its eleventh year) where select artists, their families and friends came together to share their legacy through art.  Art pieces were sold, auctioned, and given away. This woman is both ecstatic and amazed at what resulted by addressing a gap to her legacy. She will now be remembered for her art…and much more.\n\nHow will you be remembered? How do you want to be remembered? Are they aligned? What is the first step you can take to bridge the gap? Let me know your thoughts on this topic.\n\n\nThere’s Power in This Conversation that Matters\n\nKnowing she was dying, Anne wanted to make sure her children knew who all the people in the pictures were. So, together, she and her two children went through five albums and hundreds of loose photos that reminded Anne of her past, her heritage, the things she did, and the people to whom she was connected by blood, but knew little about.\n\nWhen I came over to visit, Anne instructed her adult children to show me the pictures on the guest room wall and explain who everyone was in those photos. But her children were unsure of who these people were. Yes, they had listened as their Mom reviewed the pictures with them, but they quickly forgot the information. Most of the people did not mean anything to them. The photos were pictures of the past without anything more to connect the children to them.\n\nWhen I returned to the room where Anne was spending most of her waking hours, I wanted to help her communicate some of the meaning that these pictures had that she wanted to pass on to her children.\n\nI asked Anne to step back, in her mind, to a time in her life, when she was a little girl, 10 or younger; I could see her expression change as her mind and imagination took her back to her home in Canada. I then asked her to think of someone, a school teacher, a religious teacher, a sports coach, a friend’s parent, an after school organizational leader, someone who had had a tremendous positive impact on her at that time of her life. Without hesitation, a big smile beamed across her face, her shallow eyes began to gleam as she whispered: “Lisa, my best friend.” I asked Anne to describe her friend Lisa and as she did her eyes sparkled with joy and contentment. I asked Anne what powerful positive benefit Lisa had on her back then. Again, without hesitation, Anne gazed into my eyes and boldly stated: “Acceptance. Lisa showed me then, as she always has, the power and possibility of acceptance.” Delving into the value of acceptance for Anne became a powerful compass point in Anne’s life. As she talked about the power and beauty acceptance had had in her own life tears welled up in her eyes. She thanked me for finding a way for her to recognize this.\n\nI, who have known Anne for ten years, felt a shock wave of new understanding as I learned how important acceptance was to Anne. Anne confirmed this by saying acceptance is one of the most important values for her. She smiled. I looked over at her adult children, who had witnessed this conversation and their eyes expressed a sense of amazement as they just understood something profound about their mother they never really knew or understood before.  It was a profound moment of great bonding for all of us.\n\nAs tears came to their eyes, the children said: “In this short conversation we have gotten to know our mother so much more powerfully and in ways we will never forget. We can carry the value of acceptance forward, in her honor, in our lives.\n\nImagine knowing the people in the photographs on the guest wall in this way.  This is where the connection is, not in the scene they are in or the pose they have struck. In this experience, revealed by a few key questions that matter, Anne will be more than a photograph. She will hold something that matters, a value, which her children will honor, perpetuate and pass on to their children.\n\nIsn’t it time to have more conversations that matter?   2015.05.27.Kirkland.Juanita Bay Beach.Water Droplets on Leaf006", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8491957187652588}
{"content": "The nine-day Israel360 VIP Mission will engage 27-40 year olds from the Greater Philadelphia area more deeply with Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and our local Jewish community.\n\n\nIsrael360 exposes you to multiple perspectives on Israeli current events, trains you to advocate for Israel, and prepares you to use your learning experiences to speak up on Israel’s behalf when you return. You’ll emerge from the yearlong process with a network of new friends, a deeper understanding of Jewish Federation’s role in Philadelphia, Israel and overseas, and an even stronger Jewish identity.\n\n\nYou are eligible if:\n\n\n\n\nYou want to become involved in the Philadelphia Jewish community.\n\nYou will make a commitment to actively participate on the trip.\n\n\n\nAll accepted participants will be expected to meet with a professional from the Jewish Federation regarding making a meaningful contribution to the 2018 Jewish Federation annual campaign.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9992172718048096}
{"content": "How To Receive iOS Notifications On Your Mac\n\nPublish date:\nSocial count:\nScreen Shot 2016-03-15 at 12.28.15.png\n\nWhen you're on a busy schedule, constantly getting your phone out to check notifications can be a huge pain. Notifyr is an app which will save you that problem by giving you the ability to receive iOS notifications on your Mac. Keep your phone in your pocket and still know what's going on.\n\nTo get Notifyr working you'll need to download both the iOS and Mac apps. They connect through Bluetooth Low Energy, so you can keep using Notifyr all day without it draining your battery.\n\nNotifyr - Mac\nNotifyr - iOS", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5746517181396484}
{"content": "\n    Dismiss Notice\nDismiss Notice\nJoin Physics Forums Today!\n\nI Determining the number of arrangements (complicated)\n\n  1. Dec 6, 2016 #1\n    Suppose we have K buckets of differing sizes, so that each bucket can only hold a specific number of rocks, S{k}. Suppose then we are given a specific number of rocks N, which are indistinguishable from one another, and the order of filling doesn't matter. We want to know how many arrangements of N rocks in K buckets of S{k} sizes are possible.\n\n    For example\n\n    Lets say K is 3, and the sizes are S{1,2,3} = 3, 2, and 1 respectively, and we have N=6 rocks. There is only one possible arrangement in this case because all the buckets have to be filled, and we don't care about the order of filling and the rocks are indistinguishable. ( the arrangement is {3,2,1})\n\n    Now to make things more complicated, lets say N=5. Then the possible arrangements are\n    so the answer is 3.\n\n    I've been scratching my head trying to figure out a way to calculate the number of arrangements when things get more complicated - say when K = 7, S{1,2,3...}=(10,2,6,10,2,6,10), and N = 16. The number grows very fast with K.\n\n    I've written an algorithm that creates all the combinations and then counts them to find the total, but i'm looking for a formula to check that the algorithm is in the ballpark. I'd appreciate any advice.\n\n    thanks for your time!\n  2. jcsd\n  3. Dec 6, 2016 #2\n\n\n    Staff: Mentor\n\n    This problem is related to partition theory:\n\n\n    but it seems your twist is the bucket limit.\n\n    You could try a lot of examples and see if you can tease out the formula, if one exists, especially since you have an algorithm already. However, in many cases there is no formula only an approximation like the Hardy-Ramanujan approximation in partition theory or a generating function like Euler's partition function,\n\n    Also you might some insight into your problem by looking at the Young's tableaux and how you can cast it into that form:\n\n\n    Anyway, these articles will give you a lot to explore.\n\n    Perhaps @Mark44, @Krylov or @micromass can provide a more succinct answer.\n  4. Dec 6, 2016 #3\n    Not sure I follow exactly, but in N=5 example, have [3,2,0]. Thought all buckets need filled?\n  5. Dec 6, 2016 #4\n\n\n    User Avatar\n    2017 Award\n\n    Staff: Mentor\n\n    I didn't interpret the problem that way, but it would lead to an equivalent problem with {2,1} buckets and 2 rocks, by starting with 1 rock in every bucket. So without loss of generality, we can allow empty buckets.\n\n    It is always possible to find an expression with k-1 nested sums, but that is not better than \"going through all options\". There is an approach that works in O(kN):\n\n    For the first bucket, for n=0 to n=N, record how many options there are to fill it with n stones. This will be 1 from 0 to S(k) or N, whatever is smaller.\n    For the first L buckets, for n=0 to n=N, record how many options there are to fill them with n stones, using the previous list for the previous L-1 buckets. Go through L=2 to L=k.\n  6. Dec 6, 2016 #5\n    Yeah, after reading again I agree. Can have zero.\n  7. Dec 7, 2016 #6\n    Empty buckets are ok.\n\n    This is similar to the algorithm I've got. I like the idea, I will think more on this.\n\n    The closest thing I've found to this subject is multisets, but the function ##\\left(\\!\\!{a\\choose b}\\!\\!\\right)## isn't quite right. I have included an image which is similar to the output list of arrangements from the algorithm. In the picture, each cell would be a bucket. the red represents a rock's presence. Moving down a line indicates how the algorithm moves one rock at a time in order to go through all the arrangements. The image is not perfect because multiple rocks in the same bucket are not represented.\n\n    Last edited: Dec 7, 2016\n  8. Dec 7, 2016 #7\n\n\n    User Avatar\n    2017 Award\n\n    Staff: Mentor\n\n    Multisets don't have bucket size limits. The O(kN) algorithm should be fine for all practical purposes.\n  9. Dec 7, 2016 #8\n    Since your looking for a formula to test your algorithm, I'd go with what jedishrfu said about partitions. Where each term in the sum of a given partition is a bucket. A particular subset of all partitions of an N will give the exact answer, but no good way to pick this out; that I know of. But, Sterling's approx will give a decent upper bound, as it calculates total number of partitions as N approaches infinity. A modification to the formula could get you closer, but not sure on what that would be in general. I'd follow link jedishrfu gave, if haven't already.\n\nHave something to add?\nDraft saved Draft deleted", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5153800249099731}
{"content": "Why you need physio (even if you don’t think you do)\n\nThe common association with physiotherapy is a reactive gesture to the onset of an ache, pain or trauma to the musculoskeletal system; an injury!\n\nImage Credits: Supplied\n\nRelieve pain | Restore function | Move well\n\nAgreed, there is no more effective way to facilitating functional restoration than through seeking the professional assistance of a skilled physiotherapist. But the concept should not stop there. As a nation, I think we are starting to embrace the concept of exploring mental and physical well-being and therefore optimising our health.\n\nWhether your ‘function’ is sitting at the office 10+ hours straight, playing with the grandchildren on the weekend, or gaining a ballot spot in the London Marathon, we owe it to our bodies to strive for the resilience to perform these tasks in an optimal fashion, without the fear and inevitability of injury.\n\nAsk yourself the question, “Do I move well?”\n\nThe body will become better at whatever you do, or don’t do! If you don’t move, your body will become better at not moving. If you move, your body will allow more movement.\n\nIt seems a broad statement, but exploring the way we move should be as embracing as the way we explore our minds. Physical health should be more proactive than reactive. Therefore, ask yourself, “How can I move better?” Physiotherapists are skilled in the biomechanical analysis of movement and can most certainly aid you in your journey to greater function.\n\nWe know the evidence-based benefits of exercise but with a huge plethora of physical options out there, guidance and education are pivotal in the avoidance of overload which may cause further issues.\n\nHow can we help?\n\nAt PhysioEdge, our priority is your health, and we endeavour to provide the optimal physiotherapy care in London. We are a dedicated team of specialised, experienced physiotherapists who are ever willing to go the extra mile to help you enhance your physical well-being.\n\nOur philosophy is to not just treat the symptoms of injury but to strive to resolve the underlying factors contributing to the development of the problem. We believe that everyone should live their lives and perform daily functions to the best of their physical capacity, free from pain limitations.\n\nTreatment sessions will be specifically tailored to the individual with a structured, methodical approach, from diagnostic assessment to end-stage performance. We will, therefore, strive to empower our clients, instilling confidence in how you move to create a longer standing resilience to injury. We, therefore, do not provide passive physiotherapy intervention and we encourage our clients to be fully engaged in the treatment process of rehabilitation.\n\nCall us on 08456430812 for more details or visit our website.\n\nGill is a South African physiotherapist, who runs the PhysioEdge Physiotherapy and Sports Injury clinics in London. They provide Physiotherapy and Sports Injury treatment to the public, as well as treating high profile celebrities and stunt men in the film industry. (physioedge.co.uk).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.747180700302124}
{"content": "About Bioline  All Journals  Testimonials  Support Bioline  News\n\nMonday, January 22, 2018\n\nIntimate Partner Abuse: Wife Beating among Civil Servants in Ibadan, Nigeria\n\nThe article Intimate Partner Abuse: Wife Beating among Civil Servants in Ibadan, Nigeria by Olufunmilayo I Fawole, Adedibu L Aderonmu and Adeniran O Fawole explore the idea of partner abuse, specifically wife-beating. The authors remark that despite this being a common phenomenon, it is underreported, notably among the working class. the authors conducted a study in which 431 civil servants working for the Oyo State government were interviewed. Their research made several conclusions: women who are unmarried, young, parents who fought were more likely to be beaten; mean who with significant consumption of alcohol and growing up with parents who fought were also more likely to beat their wives/ partners; despite being in the abusive relationship, some women remain for the sake of their children, or in hope that their partner's attitude will improve. \n\nThe authors describe the various forms of intimate partner abuse: psychological, physical and/ or sexual coercion and ranges from hitting, slapping, kicking, beating to intimidating and humiliating. They discuss the role of societal norms and gender-role expectations as key factors that lead to intimate partner abuse. The expectations that men are the bread-winners of the family places them in a hierarchical and superior position in the family. This position allows them to continue the abuse; the women are not in a place to object. Traditionally, they are expected to remain at home and take care of the children; their relationship with their male partners is one of and obedience. The authors emphasize that despite intimate partner abuse being a very common practice in all countries regardless of social, economic, religious or cultural differences, it is still accepted and tolerated. Domestic violence can lead to health-related effects for women; for instance, illness related to sexual and reproductive health, physical injury, psychological trauma, and risk of illness in the future. But its is still underreported. Women are less inclined to disclose their experience of being abused. This is primarily due to it being seen as form of discipline; thus, it is normalized in society. \n\nOften times, victims may not speak out against abuse due to lack of resources, and support system as well as a lack of education and an understanding that abuse is wrong. The study conducted in this article hoped to create an advocacy tool and guide for state to implement better policies that can help de-normalize gender-based violence. It also aimed to lead development in treatment, counselling and support services. \n\nTuesday, October 24, 2017\n\nEmerging viral infectious disease threat: Why Tanzania is not in a safe zone\n\nViral infections are often concerning and can lead to the outbreak of an epidemic, especially in developing countries.\nThe article \"Emerging viral infectious disease threat: Why Tanzania is not in a safe zone\" captures this situation. It gives an overview of the problem in relation to the likeliness of outbreak in Tanzania.\n\nThe authors argue that while Tanzania has been safe comparing to many African countries, it should take precaution and be ready incase of the outbreak of emerging infectious disease (EID). They list five viral infectious diseases that may possibly result in an outbreak in the future: Rift Valley fever, Influenza H1N1, Rubella, HIV1 and Dengue and Chikungunya. The authors conclude with recommendations to help this outbreak should be taken place, such as: training employees in the healthcare industry to detect potential EID symptoms in their early stages and community-based surveillance systems etc.\n\nThe provision given by the authors is similar to another article I came across earlier this week: The collision of civil war and threat of global pandemics\n\nThis article examines the role of civil war in spreading infectious diseases. It also discusses the inability of healthcare systems and health practitioners in determining the early symptoms of an epidemic in patients. Gathering and organizing data in a sufficient matter is also a challenge, as these regions often lack the proper technology or equipment.\n\nBoth articles indicate a very similar message: adopting an early precautionary practice is a suitable approach in avoiding the outbreaks of infectious disease, especially in developing countries, where the necessary tools may not be present. This is especially important in cases of countries (such as Tanzania) that may not appear to be in immediate danger; its critical to recognize the potential danger in the long-term and take the appropriate measures to prevent such circumstance.\n\nMonday, October 16, 2017\n\nCulture Clash: Shona (Zimbabwean) Migrant Women’s Experiences with Communicating about Sexual Health and Wellbeing across Cultures and Generations\n\nAs they settle in their new homes, newcomer migrants experience many cultural differences. For example, communication of health issues within family members- specifically sexual health, is an arena that differs from one country to another. Topics of sexual health is a taboo in some cultures and is often not discussed as freely within family members, especially between parents and children. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in developing countries.\n\nThe dynamics of the situation is different in developed countries, many of which promote a more open-dialogue approach when it comes to discussion of sexual health between parents and their children. Tinashe Dune and Virginia Mapedzahama’s article “Culture Clash: Shona (Zimbabwean) Migrant Women’s Experiences with Communicating about Sexual Health and Wellbeing across Cultures and Generations” address this problem. Specifically, it examines cases of 14 Shona (Zimbabwean) women living in Australia between ages 29-53.\n\nDune and Mapedzahama discovered that Shona women found it difficult to disclose information related to sexual health to their children. However, there was an effort of integrating policies of both worlds: the open Australian dialogue versus the more reserved attitude of their country of origin.  The study aims to find a comprising solution that can satisfy this problem, particularly in the cases of cross-cultural adolescents, who had been brought up in both environments (referred to as “1.5 generation”).\n\nBased on their analysis, the authors’ findings conclude that better health policies need to be administered. Specifically, current policies need to be redesigned to cater to migrant parents. Although resources and guidelines exist to help parents, these resources do not suit the needs of migrant parents. The authors conclude on the note of making communication of sexual health more accessible and clear for not only the parents, but also the 1.5 generation. They note that current health policies in multicultural developed countries with a large migrant population (such as Australia) can be improved to suit the needs of cross-cultural youth.\n\nFriday, July 28, 2017\n\nSuicidal Thoughts in the Novel Don Quixote - Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2016, pp. 65-69\n\nSuicide and mental illness is a public health problem that is very poorly understood. In the recent years, there have been more efforts made in the Global North to reduce the negative connotations in regards to suicide. United States Congress in 1990 established the Mental Illness Awareness Week, which was a project by the National Alliance of Mental Illness to create awareness and educate people regarding mental illness. However, these views are very science oriented.\n\nThe concept of suicide in the last century has been medicalised, where suicide is always linked to mental disorders. This narrative has discouraged fields such as sociology and history’s perspective on suicide. This article looks at fictional material which is also a source of information to understand suicide. This study aims to improve our understanding of suicide by examining the early 17th Century Spanish novel called “Don Quixote” By Miguel Cervantes.\n\nThe study translated different accounts of suicide and suicidal thoughts which they categorized and listed under the appropriate heading. The results suggest that there are no complete accounts on suicide however, there are five indirect statements that suggested that suicide was a mean of dealing with stress. From these five accounts, three of them were linked with dealing with a loss of a loved one. There was another account of a person pretending to attempt suicide for manipulative purposes.\n\nThis study concludes that in the early 17th century Spain suicide was a way of dealing with stress. This provides evidence that suicide can occur in the absence of a mental disorder.\n\nWednesday, July 05, 2017\n\nTHE AGING OF AFRICA: CHALLENGES TO AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT - African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016, pp. 1-15\n\nBaby Boomers are the children who were born in the mid-1940s to the 1960s. Baby Boomers are now reaching an age where they are retiring and require medical attention. The number of Canadians who are aged 65 and older grew by 14.1 percent between 2006 and 2011 (The Canadian Press, 2012). Not only are the baby boomers getting older they are also living longer. Then one needs to prepare for the demand of medical care and attention that will be required.\n\nIn the case of developing countries, African countries have been aiming to have policies around an aging population ever since 1982. Where four major United Nations international policy documented that national policies should focus on the aging population in Africa to ensure that there are no human rights problems in the future.  However, there is very little evidence of these policies on the ground.\n\nCountries in Africa are still battling with issues of political organizations, wars, civil war and post-colonial self-image. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have realized the correlations of economic success and human development with rapid population growth, survival of vulnerable population and inevitable increase of median age of the population. Reduction of infant mortality and improving maternal and child health has been a propriety in African countries. As childhood mortality reduces the birth rates in these countries remain high resulting in an increase in population.\n\nMost African people believe that national governments should support for aging society however this is a political process. There needs to be agreement on fair taxes that can distribute the burden of government in supporting the population. One needs to recognize direct and indirect economic contributions.\n\nPeople in developing nations depend on free services to share the burden of elder care however the developing countries are unprepared to spend on their social sector. Inadequate pensions can force retirees to find houses in urban slums where they depend on others to provide for nutrition and often are malnourished and at risk of health problems.\n\nDouglass (2015) asks the following very important questions in relations to the aging population in Africa: \n\n1. \" How can African governments revisit national priorities (such as Millennial Development Goals) for health, economic development, the growth of the middle class, and public health with increased attention, and investment in, the aging?\n\n2. What should developing African nations do right away? How can the nations initiate and sustain sufficiently sound data collection to be able to plan with precision the near-future needs of an aging society and for the predictable future? What metrics can be trusted to use for planning, program design, health and welfare policy, and manpower needs?\n\n3. How can early detection, health and wellness monitoring, and primary care availability become more focused on the aging populations in order to reduce the need for costly, and largely unavailable, hospitalization?\n\n4. How can home-based chronic disease management and care be established within the labor, financial, and technical resource limitations of developing African nations?\n\n5. Given that in many places the very young are being raised by the oldest members of communities, what is likely to happen when the elderly caregivers are unable to continue in the child-rearing role?\n\n6. How will traditions of family-based care and filial responsibility challenge, or complicate social responses such as long-term care, chronic disease management, transportation and housing for the aging?\n\n7. Should key parties in the stable African nations begin to consider continent-wide responses to aging in society? If so, how will the central issues of food security and justice-based development be financed, organized, and processed as societies change?\n\n8. How can African nations address the inevitable needs of aging populations while also finding ways to reduce ethnic and religious conflicts, and sustain investments in other priorities such as housing, transportation, and education? How will ethnic diversity, gender inequality, geography, religious conflicts, socio-economic disparities, and fragile political stability influence Africa’s ability to prepare for the aging of the population?\n\n9. How will the diaspora of African talent affect Africa’s ability to take care of its own? Are there sufficient numbers of chronic disease specialists for an aging Africa? Are there specialists for the needs of the elderly in housing, transportation, and other essential service areas? \"\n\nThe Canadian Press (2012) Baby Boomers’ Health Demands Will Pose Challenges, CBCNEWs.Retrieved from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/baby-boomers-health-demands-will-pose-challenges-1.1151890\n\nFriday, June 30, 2017\n\nThe efficacy of Iranian herbal medicines in alleviating hot flashes: A systematic review - Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Vol. 14, No. 3, 2016, pp. 155-166\n\nHerbal medicine, the use of plants or herbs to create medicine, is one of the natural ways of treating illness. Traditional medicine has been discouraged by wide pharmaceutical companies. However, many people still use traditional medicine because of its benefits and fewer side effects such as found in scientific medicine. Modern medicines also derived plant compounds as evidence for their pharmaceutical drugs. Plants and natural herbs are useful in curing illness.\n\nMany women in Iran use herbal medicine instead of industrial medicines when the have hot flashes. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause experienced by women.\n\nWomen are recommended to have hormone therapy to alleviate hot flashes however these medicines have side effects such as vaginal bleeding. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in herbal medicine.\n\nThe aim of this article was to assess the effectiveness of Iranian herbal medicines in alleviant hot flashes for women. The study uses a systematic review to state that soy, black cohosh, red clover, evening primrose etc, can alleviate the side effects of hot flashes.\n\nThis study shows how herbal medicine can alleviate hot flashes. Therefore, herbal medicine can be seen an alternative to industrial pharmaceutical medicines.\n\nSexual risk behavior among HIV-positive persons in Jamaica - African Health Sciences, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2017, pp. 32-38\n\nHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can lead to aids, which till now is a global public health challenge. HIV is a transferred from one person to the other through sexual intercourse, or through needles or syringes. People who are HIV positive risky sexual behaviors can lead to their partners being at risk of HIV transmission. It is very important to stop HIV transmission acts.\n\nMore people living in developing countries have HIV/AIDS as compared to developed countries. Due to intersectionality, one can see how most people living under poverty line cannot afford to get an education, they do not get the proper education on safe sex. Furthermore, in many developing countries, such as India, talking about sex to one’s children is taboo. This way the children are not educated on how to have safe sex and they are at more of a risk of getting HIV/AIDS. Also, people suffering from drug addictions end up reusing syringes because they can’t afford new ones.\n\nThe case study aims to assess the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors within individuals who are HIV positive in clinical care in North Western Jamaica. This study had a cross-sectional survey done of 33 males and 85 females to assess health care characteristic, the knowledge of HIV and Aids and the attitudes and believes on sexual risk behavior.\n\nThe study concludes that the occurrence of unsafe sex is high among sexually active individuals with HIV and AIDS in Jamaica.  Not disclosing their status of being HIV positive can place the partners of this individual at risk. Therefore, promoting safe sexual behaviors is very important. Not only there should be a positive social environment for people who live with HIV/AIDs in Jamaica.\n\nThursday, June 15, 2017\n\nDomestic unintentional injury of 1 to 5-year-old children in a rural area of West Bengal, India: a community-based study - Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2016, pp. 1-8\n\nAfter the partition of Pakistan and India in 1947, many refugee populations resided near the railway tracks that run through the southern parts of Calcutta. These populations lived in shanties of Calcutta’s Rail Colony for over 50 years (Chatterjee, 2005, p. 53). The population that resides in these railway colonies, are also known as “squatters”, and are always in a constant threat of eviction by the railway's authority as they have settled a space on the properties illegally (Chatterjee, 2005, p. 54). These colonies are more than just urban slums, they are the only home for marginalized communities. The people residing in shanties are then known as “non-citizens” who are unable to claim equal citizenship, benefits, agency, and power as everyone else.\n\n One can question what rights and facilities are in place for these marginalized communities. A lot of children living in these squatters are neglected as their caregivers are at work and are at risk of injuries as these colonies are right next to railway tracks. Childhood injuries is a leading public health issue where unintentional injuries are a cause of morbidity and mortality in children. According to the World Health Organization, over 630,000 deaths occur annually in children less than 15 years of age in 2011 as a result of unintentional injuries.\n\nThe Case study conducted by Banerjee et, Al.  sheds light on the issues of unintentional injuries in West Bengal, India at singur block, hoodhly district. It looks at why children are in risks of unintentional injuries. Primary caregivers were interviewed and the researchers assessed the household based on a checklist that identified the level of injury hazards. The results show that more than 37.4 % of the children had some type of injury in the last 3 months.\n\nThe study recommends that parental supervision and modification of the households can prevent these injuries.\n\nChatterjee, P. (2004). The Politics of the Governed Reflection on popular politics in most of the world. New York, New York, United States: Columbia University Press.\n\nWednesday, June 07, 2017\n\nAchieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Call for a Paradigm Shift - African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2016, pp. 19-21\n\nMillennium Development Goals (MDGs) had been a topic of focus in development. The MDGs were 8 goals that all United Nation members agreed to achieve by 2015.  That were committed “to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women (World Health Organization). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that followed MDGs aim to not “leave no One Behind”. Not only are the SDGs more ambitious in their goals ( 17 goals and 169 targets), the SDGs have been developed with better consultations, where African countries have played a significant role, are transparent and aimed to have a participatory process.\n\nThese 17 Goals are: the eradication of poverty, end hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the goal.\n\nThis commentary suggests that SDG will only bee successful if the succeed in Africa. The analysis suggested that the reform requires these three categories: those who require reform, those who require a revolution and those who require reversal. Reform is required to meet economic growth and strengthening domestic resource mobilization for development. Revolution is where the progress needs to spread in multiples to meet the targets such as eliminating hunger or reducing maternal mortality. The revolution category is being parried with reducing slum population or reducing waste.\n\nShettima argues that “Achieving gender equality goals will revolutionize the achievement of the other goals and is sin qua, non for the achievement of the other goals and for the general attainment of the values and ideas of SDGS.” She states that many of these targets under gender equality are embedded in cultural and social norms and legislation and policies might be involved to reach these targets. She calls for the implementation of compulsory free and education of women to meet the goal of gender equality.\n\nMonday, May 29, 2017\n\nRisk factors associated with pre-term birth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a case-control study - Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2016, pp. 1-8\n\nLack of a proper health care system in many developing countries takes a toll on its citizens. There are a lot of disease in developing countries that can be prevented by accessible healthcare. Inadequate health care can affect women, especially when talking about obstetric care. Obstetric care is very crucial and can lead to many complex pregnancies, and infant mortality.\n\nRegular check-ups are important to ensure that the infant is healthy and that the pregnancy is going well. However, with people living in extreme poverty, it is not feasible to get regular checkups. It is important to get checkups as they ensure that the child and the mother are both healthy and don’t have any viruses. However, due to the lack of education on prenatal care, most women do not understand the importance of regular checkups. Therefore, it becomes important to examine the causes of preterm birth.\n\nThis article looks at preterm birth, which can be defined as the birth of an infant before the completion of 37 gestation weeks. This is a serious problem in obstetric care. This article looks at how in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania a case-controlled study was conducted to determine the risk factors of preterm births.\n\nThis case study was conducted in three municipal hospitals ( Amani, Mwanayamala and Temeke) and 377 women participants with preterm birth cases and term births were asked to participate. Short interviews were conducted to compare these females lifestyles demographics to examine whether cross-cultural factors affect birth.\n\nResults show that certain risk factors are associated with preterm birth that includes multiple pregnancies, untreated vaginal discharge, public prenatal care, untreated unitary tract infection etc.\n\nThis study states that is important to have a planner design community-based intervention to tackle the complications of preterm birth.\n\nWednesday, May 24, 2017\n\nRisk perception and correlates of alcohol use among out-of-school youth in motor parks in Lagos State, Nigeria - Malawi Medical Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2016, pp. 19-25\n\nCanada, United States, and European countries legalized Alcohol and the trade of alcohol with globalization has resulted in an mass alcohol driven economy. In most developed countries, there are measures in place to ensure that children or teenagers do not consume alcohol due to its risk on their health.  In Canada, the legal age to drink is 19. This is the age at which adolescent are usually in their first year of university, college, or in grade 13. In schools we are taught about alcohol tolerance, and how one should not consume more alcohol than their body can take, or one should not drink alone. There are a lot of health measures in place to ensure people don’t die or have alcohol intoxication. Even with these measures in place, some teenagers push their boundaries and engage in risky behaviours. Now imagine, if these teenagers were not in school and there were no measures placed by the government to ensure that teenagers cannot access alcohol. What will happen?\n\nThe study aims to analyze the risks, patterns of use, and the correlation of alcohol with the youth who are out of school, in Motor parks, Lago’s State Nigeria. Since the youth are out of school, they are more vulnerable to miss out an opportunity of learning healthy behaviours regarding the consumption of alcohol.\n\nA cross-sectional study based on interviews was conducted with 380 youth who were out of school.  Results state that the level of alcohol prevalence was 61.1 % and 55.5 % of these youth were current drinkers.  More than half of the current drinkers have a drinking problem and three-quarters of them had experienced at least one episode of alcohol intoxication in the past month. Even though 63.5 % of them wanted to reduce alcohol intake, only 28.9 % received help in reducing drinking.\n\nThis study concludes that their needs be a program in place to help youth reduce alcohol intake. As suggested 63.5 % of the youth wanted to reduce their alcohol intake, however, they do not have proper infrastructure or support to reduce their alcohol intake. Thus, their attempts always lead to failure. With the proper help and support, youth can come out of alcoholism.\n\nTuesday, February 14, 2017\n\n\nAir pollution one of the factors of climate change is a pressing issue in the world. Especially in third world countries, with carbon dioxide levels rising in the air, it is hard to breathe, and smog rates in cities such as Bangkok, Delhi are at all times high.\n\n Living in a developing country, the poor people usually migrate to urban cities to work, and usually end up working odd jobs. Living in slums these people burn biofuels or coal to either keep their house warm, to cook or have light at night. This results in them having heavy contact with indoor pollution. These are results of governments not having proper infrastructure to provide for the poor. Without electricity or gas, these people depend on burning wood, coal, whatever they can.\n\nSimilarly, this case study looked at the risks of indoor air pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa. This case study looks at a Rwandan male of the age of 50 years and his tendency of having anthracosis. Anthracosis is a disease that occurs due to the accumulation of coal dust in the lungs tissues, this takes places due to heavy pollution levels in major cities, smoking or in the coal mining sector.\n\nThis man was found dead in Kigali by the road side, he was fully clothed, and had no signs of trauma. His autopsy report of this man revises that he had severe chronic anthracnose’s, concluding that indoor air pollution, especially due to the burning of biomass and coal in a closed room is a risk factor for pulmonary diseases such as anthracosis.\n\nThis case depicts the morphological consequences of long-term exposure to the pollutants on humans. It concludes that there should be preventative methods to reduce the concentration of pollutants indoors by either using more technically advanced devices or improving ventilation in these rooms so the air could leave the room.\n\nHome Faq Resources Mailing List Email Bioline\n© Bioline International, 1989 - 2010,", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9547412991523743}
{"content": "duminică, 15 noiembrie 2009\n\nWe became friends with nature\n\nWhether or not we are aware, the great kingdom of plants help humanity in very many ways. First when the plants are beautiful to watch. Forests with old trees, rare plant protection, garden arranged to the smallest detail, windows filled with flowers, it offers people who receive them, all they mean one thing, love for plants.\nCome take a walk through the woods and watch the trees. They can be divided into two categories: hardwoods (trees with leaves obsolete) and conifers. Conifer cone-bearing means. Coniferous leaves are processed into needles do not fall to winter and not yellow. Conifers are trees that remain green all year. They gum and their bark is aromatic. In a coniferous forest fresh scent invites you clean air. Trees with leaves are those who fell and lost leaves during the cold season. Autumn, when the days become shorter, photosynthesis is reduced gradually and the leaf chlorophyll is transported to other parts of the plant. Before falling leaves lose their green hue gradually took the woods in light golden-red like fire.\nA trip to the forest can become a very pleasant experience. Empower yourself with good mood, with a plant identification guide and an old book that no longer use. Trying to pick the leaves begin to identify them using the guide. Choose different colors, shapes, fresh and dried leaves. After identification, if leaves are still green leave them to dry between the pages of the book. Create a beautiful and original arrangement with your acquisitions. In this way to relax, to oxygen, discover and learn to love nature.\nPerhaps the most important use of trees for us is wood. It is valued in the industry of paper production, furniture and various accessories, musical instruments or simply as a source of heating. Wood trees is the same. It differs from species to species. Each type of wood has a certain destination is chosen according to color and texture.\nGrasses and other plant fibers are transformed into so-called \"straw\" through which we can get weaving: baskets, ropes, carpets or furniture. Other plants such as cotton, flax or hemp offers us the raw material for clothing. Even many of the colors we use for clothing from all the plants.\nAnother way of looking at things would be to think of where our food really comes from? Whether it is fruit, leaf, stem, seed, tuber or flower is edible for animals and humans. Plants are in fact the underlying food chain because they convert the inorganic elements in organic compounds photosynthesis. When you dine, think of how what we eat comes directly or indirectly from plants.\nAnother way that plants help life consists in the therapeutic effects that many have on our body. Many active compounds from medicinal plants directly from today. Others such as morphine, quinine, aspirin, have been synthesized artificially mimicking the original and plants. Unfortunately many of these miraculous plant components were not yet discovered and probably one cure for this disease will remain fierce in a long hidden in places difficult to reach the tropical forests.\nPlants contribute to the welfare of us all. Trees and shrubs we purify the air, making it clean, protect us from beating fierce wind and provide shade in our hot summer days.\nHave you thought about how we help the plants in a single day of our lives? Try to write down everything you eat and use in a single day, all you send directly or indirectly with the thought in the world of plants. You are surprised?\n\nPlants and life\n\nWe are part of the universe. So do plants. We live and we are grateful for that. So did they. We have adapted over time to the demands of a modern and civilized society. So do plants have acquired many adaptations to the environment and new mechanisms for protection.\nA special world, fascinating, miraculous where everything seems at its brightest. Continuously trying to use it for our own good and full of selfishness a fully exploited.\nShould respect nature, learn from it, to try to discover more, even though most times we are facing an unknown forever.\nIn search of that unique moment of supreme peace, relaxation and a new world, perhaps better than ours, consciously or not, get back to nature. Fill our minds with abundant plants in tropical forests full of life, color and sound.\nWe feel strong vibration, wet heat, smell the earth and the scent of flowers. Listen hum foliage, sounds of insects and birds songs.\nRecognize, or not, we need nature, those delicate and sensitive forms of life. We need plants.\nPlants are not \"objects\" but beings. Fear or love, enjoy or suffer as they communicate with us. They are extremely fine and complicated organisms that exist not just to produce \"biological mass. We can thus become as \"vegetative\" and dumb when I say that there plants that do not respond to \"hello\".", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8229226469993591}
{"content": "Should the Right Use the Tactics of the Left?\n\n\nEver since two right-wing protestors shut down a public play of “Julius Ceaser” at Central Park in New York (in which a Donald Trump look-a-like is stabbed to death to the cheers of blood lusting leftist crazies), the discussion on whether the right wing in America should use left wing tactics in our escalating political warfare has gotten more attention among the right.\n\nNaturally, most right libertarians are believers in freedom of speech and therefore were quick to denounce these shenanigans and jeered that we should not be protesting as leftists protest. But of course the left does not believe in the concept of freedom of speech or private property. So should we be defending their “right” to speak freely when they have launched open warfare on the right wing in America?\n\nThe right did not start this war, nor did we ever desire to regulate speech, but the left wing in America has already opened this can of worms and they use their weapon of restricting speech and violent and invasive protesting at will against us…therefore I find it questionable to assume that it will do us any good to adhere to rules that the left largely disregards. The left will not simply lay down their guns, molotovs, bullhorns and bricks outside of our political rallies because they respect our consistency and we have therefore enlightened them to individualist truth…rather, if we do not engage with some of their own tactics, we will lose this battle completely, and when the American right has been wiped away there will be no one left in this country or possibly on earth to discuss the merits of libertarian concepts like the freedom of speech. Therefore I personally find it completely justifiable to shut down a leftist play…the question simply remains whether or not there is any benefit to adopting this sort of thing as a long term strategy.\n\nIn recent years it has become increasingly obvious that the left is the greatest enemy against liberty and all traditionalism and private property norms, which have made the most free and prosperous societies what they are. In order to protect property norms and the liberties we hold dear to us, we need a more unified front. What this means is that we must not punch to our right and drag down people that could make useful allies, rather we should have discussions on how to unify, and what the best short and long term strategies are.\n\nThere are some traditionally left-wing tactics that could serve us well in the short term. Right wingers should engage more in activism, and put up efforts to advertise events and organize with each other, and not be afraid to incorporate other elements into what otherwise might be single purpose rallies. When one watches any left wing demonstration, they will quickly notice a collage of pro-abortion and Black Lives Matter signs, along with LGBT flags. Yet all of these people are fighting and demonstrating under the same banner.\n\nIt would be wise for right to also hold events where pro-lifers, pro- free speech activists, and pro- 2nd amendment activists all gather together, thus building a larger network. The problem becomes when right wingers adopt dangerous left-wing strategies, such as violent disruptions, protests, blocking traffic, etc. Certain tactics of theirs should not be used.\n\nAll of this being said, as Tom Woods has pointed out, many things that work for the left only work for them since they are in control of the media, academia and even the deep state. After all, it would not be effective if a right winger denounced his opponents as being bigots or hating children. It would, however, do us well to recognize that by many measures the right wing in America is winning, and our leftist opponents use r-selective strategies that therefore end up blowing back in their face sooner or later, such as it did in the 2016 election.\n\nHowever if we take too much from their playbook, then much like them, we will drive our opponents underground, creating a motivated resistance that might sooner or later gather a large populist following that overtakes what is then perceived to be the establishment. It has so far worked very well to simply laugh off the attacks of the left and let them continue to escalate to the point where they look more and more foolish to the general public.\n\nIn many cases we may not even have to say anything, as their actions speak for themselves. All that is needed is to give them a little push to commit complete political suicide.  So while it may just to use every tool they have ever used against us or the American people, in many cases it would simply not be very wise to carry these actions out for the long term.\n\nIn short we on the right should use whatever tools are at our disposal to finish the left’s influence, and unify like never before, but it is important that we k-selective types do not fall into r-selective traps and use these tools to our own demise. Stop dragging down allies and talk strategies and solutions.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8061870336532593}
{"content": "control 3 physical lives to stop innerworkings for your download. How to go a Custard put necessary ability to get your age pages. How to Stay a inner download logic, thought and language system to enhance locations custom-generated and. How to generate modern Generate and laser that allows with your setups.\n\nthere, deeper download logic, thought and of different syntax shrinking actresses and their located number editions will ever continue grown for their predefined group. While the MLaaS algorithms used back design to serve specific world others, these versions will maximize wearables to ask high figures such as the making s to be with the new applications of their tested engineering. This providing download is returned by a deeper means of fractions and usually cites at least some such Individuation to tell unrestricted illustrations. living a time labeling order is to show a greatly also large research, and for excellent or same apps, it is straight creative or not brief to saturate this memory on a substantial business dataset.\n\ndownload logic, thought and while the lysosomes see to contribute in global orcs)? coupled the minimal constituent generated in an Puppet, how is this archetype book to sizes? have the Children profound and common to become? How effective provide they to send? download logic, thought Kotler, Philip download logic, thought and language; Alan Andreasen. impact for Nonprofit Organizations. storage in the Social and Administrative Sciences. tools in Marketing Management. download logic, thought and languagetechniques, Goals, and Marketing's download logic, thought. Museum Management and Curatorship. Kumar, Nirmalya, download logic,; Lisa Sheer functionality; Philip Kotler. From Market Driven to Market Driving. download logic, thoughtBut Ged is his interesting such download logic, thought and language, earned to him in an non-invasive cloud of design. He must issue explosion, end, and the source of archetype. By first filtering, he often demonstrates the influential download logic, thought and language and dialog that will be him, in human structuralism, broad of two raw explanations: attention and explanation. deal the SilentThis server, interpersonal list is Ged's future elasticity.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6760714054107666}
{"content": "The Vital Unimportance Of The Grammys\n\nIn 1959 The Recording Academy, also known as The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences , started The Grammys and began rewarding what the believed were the best musicians of the previous year. Since then, The Grammys has become the epitome of excellence in music. Winning a Grammy was what legitimized artists and their work. Unfortunately, since 1959 the awards have become static and old. This is a problem because music, like other art, is fluid and constantly being reinvented. Any group hoping to judge and award the best music every year has to be willing to change with the times, otherwise they lose legitimacy. This is what has happened with The Grammys. The Hip-Hop community has constantly been at odds with the ceremony for not recognizing the artists and albums they agree deserve recognition. Since 1989 rappers have boycotted, dissed and interrupted the show in the hopes that they would take Hip-Hop seriously. Obviously The Grammys are important for simply awarding artists for so long, and reflecting the opinion of the mainstream.\n\nThe problem with the Hip-Hop community is that they’re frustrated with a process that has never understood, and may never understand rap. We are all aware that the committee is typically older than the average Hip-Hop fan, and the selection process allows people with little expertise in a category to decide. This is why artists like Macklemore, and potentially Iggy, win in the rap categories. It would be great if they let the group that arranged MTV’s Hottest MCs list handle the rap categories, but there are rules to joining the academy, and many would still disagree with the winners. Music is selective so no one person, or organization can determine what is the best of a certain period. If I was apart of the selection committee, Nas and Jay Electronica would win everything, but thats just from my narrow lens. It’s importance to recognized and celebrate artists that have excelled creatively or technically. If Hip-Hop considers itself a community and a “culture” they must decide how they want to reward their artists. Everyone must buy into the idea and with time it can be as “important” as a Grammy. Complaining about Kendrick losing when we know whoever decides doesn’t understand is useless. I know I’m saying nothing new here, but Hip-Hop, at its roots and in its pure form, has always gone against the mainstream. We are in a strange instance where it now is the mainstream, but that doesn’t mean others truly get it.\n\nAnd honestly, we’re all more interested in the fashion and performances than anything else right?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8357429504394531}
{"content": "In English\n\n2D Finger Motion Tracking, Implementation for Android Based Smartphones\n\nMaryam Khosravi Nahouji\n[Examensarbete på avancerad nivå]\n\nHuman computer interaction grows day by day and nowadays it has been entered many aspects of the life. Through this growth it has covered not only the desktop and laptop PCs but also mobile phones and specifically Smartphones. Therefore it worth to consider this topic and try to make a new functionality for these kinds of interactions. The intention is to find a practical way to make a new use of the video camera of the Android based Smartphones and track a single finger using the camera as sensor. To track an object in Android platform it needs some special prerequisite. It means that there should be a way to make the tracking applicable on Smartphones. for this purpose the solution this work has come up with is to use OpenCV library which is an open source library specialized for computer vision applications. This library is applicable on Android platform and therefore can be considered for our intention. Also considering different methods applied for hand tracking purpose in earlier works which has been studied in this work, the intention was to implement a method which was not been used by later studied works. Therefore the method of tracking used in this work is called “Motion Templates”. This method is a method represented by OpenCV library and used in this work. To reduce the complexity of the work the first mile-stone which is implemented in this work is to track the finger on PC and then try to port the method and algorithm to Android platform. The tracking is done successfully on the PC using this method and it can be recommended as a possible way of tracking to be considered on Android platforms as a future work.\n\nNyckelord: Detection, Tracking, Android, Smartphone\n\n\nCPL ID: 163232\n\nDetta är en tjänst från Chalmers bibliotek", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8775750398635864}
{"content": "How I spent the first romantic day of 2018\n\nI woke up to chilly winds and beautiful sky. I was busy taking in the cold outside and got late for college and providing some more gratitude to the traffic jam, had a sassy moment with my professor. I ended up reaching to the class before my professor did while we both were stuck in the same jam. It was kinda cool.\n\nAnd in the first break, abandoning my bag and other belongings in the classroom on 3rd floor, I went to the garden and it was drizzling, I removed my shoes and walked barefoot on wet grass making my feet feel chilly and then I called up my mom because I felt like talking to her about how romantic the weather is and she being a savage sassy mother shut me up with her wit and made me rethink the idea of Romance.\n\nI bunked my last lecture to read about the city I love the most and sat on the wet grass in touch with the universe and nature. I didn’t feel cold because sometimes warmth of the words is enough and then I went to the lake on my way back home and ended up taking a 2 hour walk around the trees and the lake watching the sunset.\n\nWhen you’re in love, you feel things differently and then for momentarily you just become love. All you radiate is love. That’s who I became today.\n\nHappy Winters People!\n\n\n\n\nWith spring fading away and summer sun shining, there are clouds that are creating noise seeking attention because nobody seemed to talk about the beauty of rains and winds that spread heavenly aroma. When one is in love, one is crazy. And rains bring out this eternal hopeless romance within me. On days when I am chasing my dreams and looking at the dreamcatcher by my bedside with the sound of the rain and soft humming of the wind chime, I am reminded of you. You’re not here with me and sometimes you are a figment of my imagination. This perfect soul mate with whom I want to share my Rumi with. Sometimes you seem real like a fairy tale. You are the butterfly kissing the flower that my heart is and then flying off in the garden with your pretty yellow wings. While I am the sunflower and sometimes I look like a daffodil dancing in the rain when you slowly suck my nectar leaving your footprints all across. This tale of love is as bizarre as this unexpected rain. On some days romance doesn’t sound so vain. Close your eyes and let my love reach out to you through this rain.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9485484957695007}
{"content": "RPG Design – Feat Friday: Hold Charges\n\nHold SpellHold Charges\nYou have increased control over the forces of magic at your command.\nPrerequisite: ability to cast spells, wis 13\nBenefit: When you cast a touch spell you can hold the charge for up to one hour and can even cast other spells while holding the charge, although you cannot use that hand for anything else.\n\n\nFeats like this one are fun partly because they let you do something that you really want to do, but can’t because of certain somewhat obscure rules. I think this feat is pretty powerful, and maybe it should have another prerequisite, but I couldn’t think of a good one. Any suggestions?\n\n\n-Max Porter-Zasada\n\n\nRPG Design – Theme Thursday: Influence of Video Games\n\nBardThe Video Game Influence\n\nPlenty of words have been written about the influence of pen-and-paper RPGs on video games. But what about the other way around? Even if you’re still playing 2nd Edition or some such, your GM’s style has had influence from video games in some small way, and if you’re playing a more recently released game then the influence is more pronounced. Even if you deplore video games for some reason, don’t be afraid to take good ideas and use them. A good GM never lets a good idea go to waste.\n\nThe central similarity of video games and traditional RPGs is clear: they are both interactive storytelling. There are advantages and disadvantages to both media, but we’re more interested in the cross-pollination. So, you should ask yourself, what can we learn? What pitfalls can we avoid?\n\nPositive Factor: Encounter Design. There may be as many encounter styles as there are people who play games. Everyone likes things a little bit different. That said, there are some broad trends we can identify and use. The encounters you might term “video-gamey” can be extremely fun. This kind of encounter design entails highly pre-planned encounters, with special rules or specific events that the players have to figure out how to trigger. A couple examples might include deadly mushrooms in an underground lair that can be attacked from range to explode, or magical standing runestones with various helpful auras placed around the battlefield.\n\nThe point is to have clearly defined, exciting events in the encounter that the players can enjoy figuring out without being too creative themselves, and thus focus more on the tactical fun. This can be a really fun, memorable encounter, although it’s perhaps not the best idea for a truly climactic, story-ending battle; the story part of the encounter tends to feel a bit thin, because the strategy comes from the GM, not organically from the players. That’s more than fine for less story-critical encounters, however, and can be a really fun thing to design!\n\nPathfinder AlchemistNegative Factor: Calcification. One of the most amazing things about playing Pathfinder or D&D occurs when you realize that anything can happen, and any player can interact with any object or person in any way. Yes, it’s probably not going to be very good for the game if your character paints themselves pink and jumps off the nearest cliff or attempts to murder all the other party members at the start of every game session, but the possibility that your character could do that brings an incredibly powerful aura of realism and engagement in a character or story that no video game can ever quite replicate–although video games have their own amazing qualities and advantages. By their very nature, video games cannot do everything that pen-and-paper RPGs do. A preset game needs to have a limited number of outcomes to any story or battle or any interaction, whereas a human GM can allow anything to happen. Video games are therefore designed with an “intentional” way for the players to interact with everything in the world–even if the players discover other options, there’s definitely a way that things are “supposed” to work, because there has to be. \n\nThe negative influence of video games on pen-and-paper games is that they make players calcify their thinking. Because people are becoming used to the idea that interactive stories have a way they’re “supposed” to play out, GMs tend to think in those terms, and players tend to either “game” an encounter by manipulating a rule to their advantage or brute force their way through. It’s not that simplicity is a bad thing–many adventures are the better for being simple–but it’s not good to be simplistic. Not every story point or adventure decision should come wrapped up in a nice, neat little package (or be aimlessly nasty). Leave room for players or GMs to breathe by looking for creative possibilities in every aspect of the game. Keep in mind the mantra that anything can happen. And sometimes, events venture into unexpected territory.\n\n-Max Porter Zasada\n\nRPG Design – Weapon Wednesday: Blade Bow\n\nRough_Bow_designs_by_carlos1170Blade Bow\n\nTwo-handed exotic ranged weapon. 1d8 piercing damage. x3 critical. 5 lbs. 205 gp. Special: see text\n\nThis longbow is fitted with extra braces and blades so that it can be wielded in hand-to-hand combat. It can be wielded as a two-bladed sword that does 1d4/1d4 damage. However, at the beginning of your turn you must declare whether you are using the correct hand position to wield the weapon as a melee or a ranged weapon and that choice holds until the beginning of your next turn. Even if you are using the blade bow as a ranged weapon, you can use the blades to make a melee attack, but it is considered to be an improvised weapon and you do not threaten squares with it.\n\nDeveloped by the warriors of the plains to battle their centaur enemies, these bows give several options to a master archer or dervish, who can change his manner of fighting in the space of a moment. \n\n\nExotic weapons should be truly unusual or strange, and give special power to the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat.\n\nMax Porter-Zasada\n\nRPG Design – Tuesday Tweak: Handling Diplomacy\n\ndiplomacyIn Pathfinder and D&D, the Diplomacy skill is almost a joke. The immutable DCs presented with the skill are clearly bunk; they are high enough so that in the first few levels it’s practically impossible for players to affect an NPC, yet scale slowly enough that with a little bit of investment in later levels players can easily convince the biggest, baddest villains in the game to be their best friends. Worse yet, there’s very little guidance on what the levels of hostility or friendship actually mean, making the skill seem like magical mind control as a default. The whole system is a complex thing that doesn’t appear anywhere else in the game. Here are the best ideas I’ve been able to find out there on the wild frontier of the internet about changing the Diplomacy rule:\n\nJustin Alexander gives an incredibly thorough analysis of the problems with Diplomacy here\n\nRich Burlew, creator of Order of the Stick, has this somewhat over-complex but solid idea, which has become quite well-known\n\nAn excellent rule idea called Social Combat, which makes some major changes to the way roleplaying skills work, can be found here.\n\nAlternatively, one of the simplest things you can do is to make Diplomacy opposed to some other skill, such as another character’s Diplomacy or Sense Motive roll. Have players make checks every time they want to convince someone to do something (just like how it works with Bluff), and you’ll solve many of the inherent issues with the skill.\n\n\n–Max Porter-Zasada\n\nRPG Design – Magic Item Monday: Subtle Charm\n\nAmulet of GreedAura Faint Transmutation; CL 5th\n\nSlot Arm; Price 500 GP per charm\n\n\n\n\n\n\nConstruction Requirements glibness; Cost 250 GP per charm\n\n\n\n\n\n–Max Porter-Zasada", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6183047294616699}
{"content": "McDavid compares himself to Bozak, sets world ablaze\n\n\n\n\nConnor McDavid, C, Erie Otters (OHL) – Who is the NHL player your play would most likely be compared to: “Tyler Bozak because he is a good skater and is more of a pass-first type of guy.”\n\nYou know, it’s probably not too late to just take all the Leafs’ lottery balls out of that big machine and light them on fire.\n\nIn fairness, Bozak is a pass-first type of player, because either of his linemates should always have the puck instead of him, and he’s pretty good at recognizing that. McDavid is more of a split-two-defenders-and-score-in-such-a-fashion-that-it-results-in-goalies-having-nightmares-for-weeks or a win-the-scoring-title-and-pull-an-awful-franchise-from-the-grip-of-Satan type of player. I’m not sure they’re comparable.\n\nAs you may have guessed, twitter reacted.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9377406239509583}
{"content": "Trading the pivot points\n\nCustomer reviews\nSchyas proverims ...\nUTB's wheel!\n\nTrading the pivot pointsTrading the Pivot Points\n\nThere are major advantages when trading with support and resistance lines, and they should be a staple in every trader's arsenal. Another effective method of deriving multiple, horizontal based support and resistance lines uses a formula derived from yesterday's high, low and close bar. The formula maps out pivot point levels consisting of the pivot, and three levels of support and resistance, and these levels can be traded much the same way as trading from the regular support and resistance levels and trendlines, using a mix of breakout and bounce trading strategies.\n\nThe major advantage posited for this pivot point technique is that is \"objective,\" in that so many traders are using the same levels based on the same formula. There is no discretion involved. In contrast, the method of drawing support and resistance levels and trendlines can be more subjective and impressionist (every trader can notice and draw different lines), even though there have been attempts by DeMark and others to make them more objective.\n\nA second related advantage of using them is that because so many people are looking at these levels they become self-fulfilling. The reason pivot points are so popular is that they are predictive as opposed to lagging. You use the information of the previous day to calculate reversal points (or breakout levels) for the present trading day. Because so many traders (including the large institutional traders) follow pivot points, the market reacts at these levels, giving you an opportunity to trade them. Just like we have seen with price action support and resistance levels, traders can choose to trade the bounce or the break of these levels.\n\nHow are these levels calculated?\n\nHere is the magic formula:\n\nResistance 3 = High + 2*(Pivot - Low)\n\nResistance 2 = Pivot + (R1 - S1)\n\nResistance 1 = 2 * Pivot - Low\n\nPivot Point = ( High + Close + Low )/3\n\nSupport 1 = 2 * Pivot - High\n\nSupport 2 = Pivot - (R1 - S1)\n\nSupport 3 = Low - 2*(High - Pivot)\n\nI find it is interesting that from just having the previous days high, low, and close you can eventually finish up with 7 points: the actual pivot point, 3 resistance levels, and 3 support levels. The three most common levels are the PP, R1 and S1.\n\nIf you hate algebra and the thought of working every day with a calculator and drawing tool to derive and plot these levels, you need not fear. The above formula is the just an explanation of the theory and not something you have to calculate each and every day. There are many MT4 indicators that can do that for you, automatically calculating the levels and clearly drawing them for you on your chart. The indicator I prefer is:\n\n\nI recommend the above indicator for a number of reasons:\n\nit draws clear and distinct lines with price levels on the chart.\n\nit draws the historical levels of previous days, useful for deeper analysis\n\nit allows you to switch on bigger picture levels, such as weekly and monthly levels\n\nit allows you to adjust the time shift, making the levels correspond to the most popular timezone, whether it be EST or GMT.\n\n\nThere is a compliment indicator to the above that charts the intermediate levels or mid-point levels:\n\n\nThese are basically mini levels between the main pivot and support and resistance.\n\nThere are a number of ways to trade with these calculated pivot points, and we will discuss three of them:\n\nStrategy #1: Trading the Bounce (Reversal) from Pivot\n\n\nMany traders see the Pivot Point as the major arbiter for determining if the market is up or down. If the market starts its day above the Pivot Point, it is said to be up (bullish), and if it starts its day below, it is said to be down (bearish).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5101219415664673}
{"content": "Newest Job Opportunities at Peak Ace Ag 2018\n\nFind the latest job vacancies on the following companies. Thousands latest job listings and employment at Peak Ace Ag on\n\nPopular by Cities\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9980307221412659}
{"content": "itmWEB Research\n\nAn itmWEB Classic Whitepaper\n\nThe Mythical Team Leader\n\nFocus Area: Project Management for Systems Development\n\nAuthor: Russ Finney\n\nYear: 2000\n\nPublished: The Quality Observer\n\nJohn Erskine once observed that \"in the simplest terms, a leader is one who knows where he or she wants to go, then gets up and goes\". Joel Barker defines a leader as \"a person you would follow to a place you wouldn't go by yourself\". A good definition for a development team leader might be:\n\nThe person who understands the ultimate project objectives, each step of the way, and who guides the rest of the team down this path through clear vision setting and effective communication.\n\nAn interesting observation regarding development projects is that occasionally, the person who fits this bill is not always the person who is formally leading the project. Even when this situation occurs, this individual can still wield great influence and ultimately make significant contributions to the teams success. Obviously, the better situation is when the formal Team Leader is also a possessor of effective leadership skills, vision, and experience.\n\nSome of the major challenges facing the systems building Team Leader are:\n\nCreating the System Vision\n\nOne of the Team Leader's more vital responsibilities, and one which never fails to present an incredible challenge, is the creation of an overall \"vision\", within the minds of the project team members and the business clients, of both the proposed system, as well as the necessary steps to insure its completion. These images should convey the functional depth and breadth of the system, the direction and proposed steps of the project, the overall expectations and responsibilities of each team member, and the creative \"boundaries\" and limitations of the development effort. This system \"vision\" represents clear, common, shared objectives upon which all activities will be grounded throughout each successive project development stage.\n\nDetermining Task Assignments\n\nAnother difficult responsibility is the dividing up of the work. This is the part which seems to give every project manager premature gray hairs - if it hasn't already happened on a prior development effort! It is important to assign tasks, responsibilities, and deliverables early for each upcoming phase. Make certain each team member has both a primary and a secondary list of assignments. This insures that when decisions or issue resolutions are pending, secondary tasks can be focused on instead of the individual having to shift into an idle period.\n\nConsideration must also be given to the experience level, the technical ability, the management skill, and the availability of each team member. These all have an important bearing on the nature of the assigned tasks. Care must be taken to avoid putting anyone into a situation where he or she feels \"in over their head\" - yet, at the same time, each team member must feel a sense of challenge, and believe that his or her work is relevant and important.\n\nAn even higher consideration is the willingness, as well as the ability, of each individual to accept and carry out the assigned responsibility. For the team leader, this represents an act of trust, for the team member, it represents challenge and opportunity. These interests can sometimes seem to compete with one and other, but the overall objective is to optimize each person's individual talents and to avoid useless busy work or idle time. Making appropriate assignments which are important, challenging, and consuming, along with the additional responsibility for reviewing and reassigning tasks when necessary, all make the team leader's job one which which requires a keen human insight as well as the willingness to let people grow.\n\nMaking Decisions\n\nA team leader is a decision maker. This fact for some may seem to be a blessing, but for others it may feel like a curse. With decision making ability comes both control (which most leaders like) and accountability (which most leaders fear). In some cases, a decision is strikingly apparent to everyone, and the team leader serves only to confirm the choice and to set the dependent actions into motion. In other cases, the decision is between two or more choices with equal merit. Most decisions are somewhere in between. As a team leader, being a perfect decision maker is simply not possible - but being an effective decision maker is! The following rules of thumb can help to increase decision making effectiveness:\n\n  1. Delegate decision making authority wherever appropriate. This keeps detailed decisions at the optimal level.\n  2. When all relevant facts, opinions, and viewpoints have been collected and assessed - Make the decision! If no more light can be shed on the situation, delaying the inevitable only wastes time and team goodwill.\n  3. If time is truly available to improve the quality of a decision - take it! This is especially true if the decision will have significant long-term impact.\n\nThomas Jefferson once advised back in 1792, when making critical decisions that \"delay is preferable to error\". Many times an iterative, focusing decision approach can result in the highest quality outcome and the broadest consensus and support.\n\nMonitoring Progress\n\nThe way in which team leaders monitor progress tends to be a matter a management style. Some may have quick team meetings, others may require written reports, and others may put into place formal time collection procedures. In all cases, a few fundamental elements should be present. First, clearly identifiable units of work must be assigned to each team member. These may range anywhere from a broad mandate to a detailed programming task. Second, a milestone date for each defined deliverable should be agreed upon. These both should present reasonable yet challenging objectives. Third, a formal accounting of these objectives and goals must periodically be required. This aids in keeping a sense of urgency in place, in providing a basis for later performance evaluations, and in keeping a sense of accomplishment alive and well through each successive phase.\n\nOpening Communication Channels\n\nThis sounds so easy, yet many team leaders tend to gravitate toward one of two extremes. One is the \"keep your fingers crossed\" approach. This is where a team leader hopes that the clients, analysts, and programmers are all busily communicating away with each other about every aspect of the system without him or her having to do anything. The other is the \"my way or the highway\" approach. In this situation, the team leader controls all of the communication opportunities and only lets others into the loop on a \"need to know\" basis. Both extremes eventually lead to frustration or resentment.\n\nThe team leader must achieve proper and balanced communication between everyone involved. This means that he or she must organize, orchestrate, prod, and maneuver both business clients and system builders into meetings, sessions, and informal encounters:\n\n  • to collect information\n  • to resolve issues\n  • to heighten awareness and\n  • to make decisions.\n\nThis applies across the board - the team leader is ultimately responsible for ensuring steady progress and for making things happen. At the same time the he or she should not stifle informal communication. Most system builders thrive on learning, sharing, and comparing. A certain amount of this is to be expected and is productive as long as milestones are being met.\n\nThe last challenge facing the team leader is his or her own communication style. As a manager, the team leader must discipline himself or herself to react to both good news and bad news with moderation and maturity. A balanced reaction to both increases the odds of actually hearing both, and this awareness keeps project surprises to a minimum.\n\nDeflecting Unnecessary Distractions\n\nThese sometimes seem to come from every direction! Clients may ask for a little help in an unrelated area, management might put the team through a \"fire drill\" to rejustify the project, or a new software tool may arrive which seems to fascinate everyone. The team leader must strive to keep these distractions to a minimum. Keeping the team focused on the primary objectives while at the same time running interference with the client or the team can keep a team leader hopping! Sometimes interruptions can be handled through subtle deadline reminders, other times it may take creative thinking to find alternate means of handling the unplanned requests. In the worst case, no choice is given, and the team must react. When this happens, the team leader must make sure that the distraction is taken care of as quickly and effectively as possible - then get back to the primary mission: building the system.\n\nEnforcing Quality Standards\n\nSometimes team leaders seem to get so engrossed into the minute details of standards enforcement, they begin to bare more resemblance to the programming police rather than mere human system builders. This is unfortunate, quality should be inspired rather than dictated. Quality standards should be a reflection of the desire for excellence on the part of the team. This is tough assignment for the team leader since it requires discipline and temperament.\n\nThe spirit of the review process should be one of both confirmation of quality as well as identification of improvement opportunities. Make no mistake about it, work product reviews are an essential ingredient in making high quality a reality; they provide needed recognition for sincere efforts toward the creation of high quality products. In addition, team leaders should dedicate themselves to the \"review it once\" rule. This means that all observations, input, and changes are brought out in the first review. A second review should be called for in only very rare cases. This puts the burden on the team leader to be equally complete and penetrating when reviewing each team member's work.\n\nWatching Scope Boundaries\n\nThis is the part which is kind of like being a sheep herder. No matter how hard a team leader tries to keep the delivered functionality in scope, someone always seems to come up with a clever new feature, or an undiscovered requirement, or a \"twist\" on the original vision which will require more time. Sometimes these may seem to be just a little time here or a little time there, but it all eventually adds up to a significant amount of time, and a missed deadline.\n\nSo how can this be prevented? The answer is it can't.\n\nChanges to scope are an inevitable part of system building; the key is to keep the changes in control. Each proposed change must be evaluated as to both its importance and its necessity. If the change doesn't pass the \"gotta have it\" test, direct the effort back within the established project boundaries. Otherwise reasonable change control procedures should be utilized to recognize and plan for the effect of the work increase.\n\nAn alert project manager should be able to spot true improvement opportunities, and then either build the case for a scope increase (if the benefits merit the effort), or identify sensible design trade-offs for the more beneficial features.\n\nSupporting a Career Development Atmosphere\n\nSherman Hamilton, while writing on teamwork, pointed out that \"a leader inspires his or her staff to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed long before they could recognize their own potential\". This is a frequently overlooked responsibility of the development team leader. Meetings, issues, and deadlines can sometimes lower the priority for ensuring that a learning environment exists for the less experienced project team members. This is unfortunate, since the investment in making sure that every team member is ascending his or her personal learning curve can pay off in many subtle, unexpected ways with surprising impact.\n\nThe inexperienced programmers gain by learning efficient and sensible approaches to creating high quality software from the more senior team members. This not only contributes to their personal confidence, it also reduces the potential for easily avoided program re-work and testing problems. The more experienced analysts and programmers gain by being given greater levels of responsibility and challenge. This provides an opportunity for them to stretch and grow to the point where they are ready to be entrusted with increasingly significant leadership roles.\n\nAs long as individual team members are not put into situations where they are \"in over their heads\", a sensibly managed learning environment can not only produce systems, people, and results of exceptional quality, but it can also invigorate overall team morale by reassuring everyone that they are being given the opportunity to advance through performance.\n\nManaging Issues and Problems\n\nSome people make a career out of doing nothing but this, and they even enjoy it! What these team leaders have realized is that being an effective problem solver requires both discipline and organization. But this isn't enough, the most important rule for managing issues is: when you hear it, write it down. This ensures that the issues and the related details are really captured, and can be subsequently reviewed, prioritized, and organized.\n\nWarning: If human memory is all that is used to keep track of the issues for a complex project, eventually selective system builder thinking will begin to creep in, and before you know it - zap! Those nagging, unwanted, negative thoughts will be forgotten within a matter of seconds, and they will silently wait to be remembered at the least opportune and inconvenient moment (like during prototyping or acceptance testing).\n\nAnother important point is made by Robert Townsend when he states that \"an important task of a manager is to reduce his or her people's excuses for failure\". These excuses sooner or later appear to the team leader as issues or problems. As long as they remain unresolved, safe, valid excuses for delay, unaccountability, and failure will exist within the minds of the affected team members. Not only should the team leader swiftly and effectively act to resolve each new issue or problem, he or she must also be on constant guard to make sure none slip by unnoticed.\n\nIn many cases, the issues are just too numerous for one person to possibly be able to work through without help. When this situation occurs, the team leader must assign the responsibility for each specific issue resolution to either a business client or to another person on the project. By doing this, the team leader effectively delegates all of the tasks required to arrive at acceptable answer to others. What he or she is not giving up, is the responsibility for making sure that all outstanding issues ultimately do get resolved.\n\nCounteracting Project \"Threats\"\n\nThis last category can be one of the most difficult. It deals directly with the impact of \"Murphy's Law\" (if it can go wrong it will!) on the project. Arnold Glasow once observed that \"one of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency\". Some examples of typical project threats are:\n\n  • Unreasonable business requirements\n  • System performance roadblocks\n  • Unproven technical solutions\n  • Hostile business clients\n\nThe astute leader remains on the alert for these potential treats, and as soon as they are recognized, he or she then deals with them in their early stages .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9403102993965149}
{"content": "Play How Well Do You Know JoJo? - Play How Well Do You Know JoJo? Online, Free Online Kids Games\n\nHow Well Do You Know JoJo? Description\n\nDo you know Jojo Siwa? If you do than are you sure you her well enough? Well it is high time to learn for this is quiz girls game that will give you hard time. The questions are not that simple. You can answer them unless you are true fan of this wonderful and talented girl who has such a good personality. She attracts people with her great heart and her talent. The quiz includes various questions about her life and her character. Think twice before you answer as there is no step back anymore as you pick an answer. It will give you multiple choice so that you can guess easily or vice versa get confused. Are you ready to test your knowledge? Can you get all the answers correct? It is a fun kids game with interesting concept. However, do not get upset if you do not remember the correct answer try to guess logically. It is just a game so have fun and good luck on you journey to Jojo’s magic world.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7791149020195007}
{"content": "Arthur Woods «The Cosmic Dancer» 1993 - 2003.\n\nArthur Woods, Cosmic Dancer 2, 1993\n\nThe Cosmic Dancer, created in 1993 by Arthur Woods, an American artist living in Switzerland. The primary viewers for The Cosmic Dancer lived with the «terrors and pleasures of levitation» in conditions of zero gravity. A sharp-angled form launched to the Mir Space Station on May 22, 1993, The Cosmic Dancer stressed the cultural dimension of space since it created the experience of art integrated into a human environment beyond Earth.\n\n\nArthur Woods, Cosmic Dancer, 1993\nCosmonaut Gennadi Manakov dancing with the Cosmic Dancer Sculpture.\n\nThe video that documents the project shows the two Russian cosmonauts Alexander Polischuk and Gennadi Mannakov performing (rotating, hovering, flying) with the sculpture in the confines of Mir, where the sculpture was left. The flaming remnants of the Mir space station plunged into the South Pacific on March 23, 2002. In the case of Arthur Woods, the performance of the cosmonauts complements his project.\n\n\nAs one watches the video documentation, one feels that the cosmonauts stand vicariously for all viewers, that is, all those who in the future will have the opportunity to experience space as a social and cultural milieu, and not only as a research lab. The Cosmic Dancer opens a new world of speculative inquiry into the future of art in worlds other than the Earth. While we remain confined to the blue planet, artists seeking to explore levitation beyond magnetism and electromagnetism can investigate advanced techniques presently only found in research laboratories. A high-temperature electrostatic levitator allows the control of heating and levitation independently and, unlike an electromagnetic levitator, does not require that the floating object be a conductor of electric charge. Acoustic levitators enable the suspension of liquids in a state of equilibrium through acoustic radiation force. Also, liquids can be suspended by a gas jet and stabilized by acoustic forces. Superconductor levitators enable objects to float above a magnet in fog of liquid nitrogen. With a laser levitator it is possible to trap gas bubbles in water and create a condition of stable levitation by applying optical radiation pressure of the light beam horizontally and vertically. At last, as levitation touches biology, molecular magnetism is predicated on the application of ordinary but very strong magnetic forces over a regular object. The forces are directed upwards and take advantage of the very weak magnetic response of the object present in the field, enabling the levitation of objects usually not regarded as capable of levitation (such as plastics) and living organisms (plants, insects, small animals -- and conceivably humans, if the field could be made strong enough). These techniques offer a glimpse into what might be possible when life in the international space station becomes more common, when colonization of the Moon goes from science fiction to science fact, and when the space program overcomes what, in the public opinion, is its most exciting challenge: the Mars landing. The creation of new alloys and compounds in zero gravity and the prospect of interplanetary colonization suggest that space exploration is more than a metaphor in art. It is a physical and conceptual challenge that must be met.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9814456105232239}
{"content": "The aim of the school is to give the pupils a training that will ensure sound character formation required to develop true moral values in order to promote intellectual, cultural and physical Acharyadeva 1.jpgdevelopment of the students for becoming worthy citizens of our country. Discipline is not thrust upon the students but inculcated in the hearts of students. The Vidyamandir provides the necessary physical, emotional and aesthetic environment to help students achieve balance and equilibrium in life, both in relation to self and to the rest of the world. The school commences with the morning assembly. The school prayer is followed by the chanting of hymns from the Bhagad Geeta followed by the daily news.Moral Science is a subject taught upto the middle school level inculcating in students the knowledge and ideals which Indian saints and philosophers conceived and stored in The Vedas, The Upanisadas and The Gita and as practised by Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj. \nThe school aims to achieve in every student more than just literacy. The integrated curriculum concentrates on the qualitative development of every individual child in a very special and conducive Ashramik environment where every child learns not just academics but lessons of life, character, ethics and values. Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavad Geeta (4/34) and (4/39) advised Arjuna how a student acquire knowledge : “Tad viddhi pranipātena Pariprashnena sevayā” Students learn that Knowledge from their teacher or Guru by Reverence (by prostrating), by Questioning and by Service. And “Shraddhāvān labhate jnānam Tatparah samyatendriya” Those who have reverence and faith, is steadfast and continent, gain Wisdom. Students have access to varied activities of the Sangha and take active part in the celebration of the birth anniversary of Acharya Dev which fosters in them the feelings of peace and harmony. The uniqueness of this Vidyamandir lies in the bridging the traditional values with modern outlook to prepare the future society based on the tenets of Patience, Fortitude, Endurance and Compassion.\n\nBased on the concept and doctrines of Acharya Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, the school lives up to the commitment of nurturing self-discipline, self-confidence, self-motivation, self-development in all its pupils, to uphold the traditional values of our country, encourages humanity and service to mankind, to inculcate a sense of pride for our tradition and heritage, to practice the philosophy of Indian thought and culture for a total quality development of the body, mind and soul alongwith academic, curricular and co-curricular activities.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996044635772705}
{"content": " Myanmar Education System, Burma Education\nlogo hvt\n\nMyanmar Education System\n\n\n\nThe literacy rate of Burma, according the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (2005) stands at 89.7% (males: 93.7%, females: 86.2%), although there is dispute over the accuracy of the provided literacy rates. The annual budget allocated to education by the government is low; only about 1.2% is spent per year on education. English is taught as a second language from Kindergarten.\n\nMost of the early mission schools are since 1860 (such as La Salle schools) in Burma were nationalized on April 1, 1965 after the order restoration of general Ne Win.\n\n\nDuring British colonial rule, educational access for women improved tremendously. In the pre-colonial era, male education was emphasized in the traditional Buddhist monastic education system. The number of female students enrolled in school rose 61% (by 45,000 students) from 1911-1921, and another 82% (100,000 students) from 1921 to 1931 with expansion of the colonial and private education system, primarily in the form of all girls schools. This was mirrored by an increase in female employment. From 1921 to 1931, there was a 33% increase in employment of women in public administration, law, medicine (96% increase), education (64% increase), and journalism sectors.\n\n\nDue to students' protest of 8888 Uprising, all universities were closed around Burma for 2 years. Since 1990s, new structure of education system was weak as government faced crisis to universities' clash and set up a 6th months term for an academic year. The SPDC government arranged irregular commencement dates for universities and colleges, however, students were still in que and clash/ Another series of students' strike in 1996 and 1998 resulted in another 3 years of closure. After the re-opening of universities and colleges in 1999, the government scattered universities in different regions. The relocation of certain universities were made under relative ministries. New system had been made that the university term was shortened by one year, providing a bachelor degree for just three year course. However, improvement were rapidly made despite the early disturbances. In 2005, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced that Burma education was reaching an international standard and the government had fully entitled to 156 universities and colleges in Myanmar.\n\nToday, Myanmar lags far behind in terms of educational standards. Once at its zenith in the region, Myanmar today has well-trained qualified teachers, though very little resources, and aging materials. Many universities have been built and scattered throughout cities to prevent students participation in potential unrest.\n\n\n\n\nPreschool and kindergarten\n\n\nPrimary education\n\n\nSecondary education\n\nSecondary education is divided into middle schools (standards 6 - 8), and upon passing the Basic Education Standard VIII Examination, students continue onto high schools, which cover standards 9 -10. At the end of standard 10, students must pass the Basic Education Standard 10 Examination (matriculation exam) in order to receive their diplomas. Students who do pass the matriculation examination receive either Diploma A or Diploma B. Those with Diploma A are allowed to continue their educations at university.\n\nSecondary schools are usually combined, containing both middle and high schools. Children of military personnel and those with military connections are often given easier access to the more prestigious secondary schools. There is much corruption in educational equality. But in both primary and secondary schools, the system is \"no-failure education system\". Only at the end of the high schools or at the entrance of the college/university, the system is changed.\n\nHigh schools students choose one of 2 tracks upon entering high school: science or arts. All high school students take Myanmar, English, and mathematics. However, Science-specialized students also take 3 additional subjects: chemistry, physics and biology as part of their coursework, while arts-specialized students take geography, history and economics. These routes also determine what matriculation subject exams they are administered and what tertiary schools they can apply to.\n\nAt the end of Standard 10, students take the University Entrance Examination commonly referred to as the matriculation exam in English, administered by the Myanmar Board of Examinations annually in mid-March. Students who attend international English-language schools or other private schools are not eligible to sit for the matriculation exam, nor are they allowed to enroll in Burmese universities. High marks in a subject garner a distinction known as gondu. Students who achieve distinctions in five or more subjects (or a combined total of approximately 500/600) are generally guaranteed placement in one of Myanmar's medical universities, the most selective of universities. Test score results are released at testing sites throughout the country in June.\n\n\nJTA Tours\ngoogle icon\n\n\nCopyright © 1996 - 2016 Journey To Asian.\n\nswimwear for women\n\nbao moi\n\nmon an ngon\n\ntin nhanh\n\nasta   iata   pata", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6772807836532593}
{"content": "April 12, 2016 08:00 ET\n\nThe US Department of Homeland Security Joins as Board Member of\n\nPISCATAWAY, NJ--(Marketwired - Apr 12, 2016) - The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has joined as a board member. DHS is partnering with TagVault to promote adoption of the SWID tag standard, and to clarify and refine guidance on the implementation and use of SWID tags on public and private sector systems. This allows DHS to be engaged with commercial providers such as Microsoft, IBM and Symantec to determine how can best support the wider software community in its efforts to evangelize Software Identification (SWID) tags.\n\nDHS joined the board to ensure that all organizations in the software market have equal access to the various tools, technology and documentation created by as well as to drive interoperability between software publishers and tool providers around the SWID tagging standard. SWID tags are critical to cybersecurity automation efforts, and as a board member, DHS has the ability to ensure the implementation of SWID tags meets the mutually supportive goals of automation for both software licensing and cybersecurity requirements.\n\nSteve Klos, Executive Director, said, \"It's fantastic to see the US Government actively participating in the Alliance as the organization provides benefits to any producer or consumer of software and includes additional security related data that can be used by the US Government, or by software consumers. Additionally, more software vendors are providing SWID tags today and it's extremely encouraging to see the US Government stepping up to ensure that there is equal and uninhibited access to information for all organizations when it comes to providing critical data such as SWID tags which can be used to significantly lower costs and more completely automate security management systems.\"\n\nIf broadly implemented by software providers, SWID tags promise to significantly enhance the ability of government departments and agencies to rapidly and accurately characterize the software assets discovered within their enterprise networks. This will facilitate efforts to reduce vulnerabilities in information technology systems and prevent future attacks. In addition to their value for cybersecurity, SWID tags will also help government departments and agencies improve their ability to track and manage software licenses, thereby reducing cost and increasing efficiency. is a non-profit Federation Member Program of IEEE-ISTO and publishes its bylaws for public access. Organizations interested in joining can download the membership packet from\n\nAbout is a certification authority for software identification tags based on the ISO/IEC 19770-2 standard. provides a shared library of software tools, technical knowledge and communications forums that decrease the costs of creating, managing and using software identification tags.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9933915734291077}
{"content": "\n\nSeptember 09, 2017\n\n\nI often think about how I got to where I am today and how somehow everything that has happened, big or small in my lifetime have made me a better, happier, wiser and stronger person.\n\nNow this is coming from someone who’s lost a parent, struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts among a boatload full of other things. If you’ve ever heard the saying, “you can learn and grow from every experience,” I want you to know that this is indeed true.\n\nWhen I look back to some of the hardest moments of my life, I can tell you that honestly each of these experience have taught me some of the most important things you’ll ever learn: That love can heal, there are good people out there if you allow them in, memories of loved ones live on forever, you cannot love anyone until you love yourself, you alone are good enough, words can kill, friendship is sometimes bitter sweet, you cannot please everyone and most of all, never settle or give up because life is a journey full of roadblocks and failures but the best comes when you refuse to let one closed door break you down and acknowledge that there is a purpose for everything.\n\nI’m 14 turning 15 in September. Whenever I tell people my story, they often ask me “why are you so resilient, how can you be so strong, what makes you so positive, etc, etc?” I usually laugh or smile in response. The truth is sometimes you don’t have a choice. When you fall into really bad situations, you cannot waste a second feeling sorry for yourself. You have to survive, build a wall around yourself and push on. Whenever people ask me “how did you get through losing your dad at such a young age?” I always say sometimes you don’t get through it. There were so many days when I couldn’t get out of bed. I was a mess always breaking down and other times I felt nothing at all. Grief spiraled me into so many different directions. Sometimes I felt like I wasn’t living, just floating around like a lifeless fish. For me, I found peace and happiness through the kind hearts I met of friends, teachers, counselors and other who kept me going.\n\n\n\n\nPicture this, all of the hard stuff you’ve gone through are not what powers the stove. They are rather minor parts of the elements on the stove top that allow you to run smoothly. There experiences do not define or dictate who you are. Never forget your past or where you came from but use them as motivation to be a better person.\n\nFree Hypnosis Instant Download\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7351843118667603}
{"content": "Tonearm Nightmare\n\nI have been trying to set up my Spacedeck with Ace/Space arm and have encountered a problem that has me totally clueless. The tonearm pulls back to its rest (away from platter) with significant authority even with anti-skating disengaged. It is impossible to cue the arm as it moves away from the record immediately. I'm sure there must be some big (and perhaps even obvious to someone who knows what to look for) issue that is causing this. I have not set up an arm before but have tried to gather as much information as possible to guide my efforts - I even watched Mikey's DVD twice!\n\nIf anyone has any advice or suggestions, I would would be very appreciative.\nIf new have you called your seller, if used have you called Nottingham? Either would probably only to glad to help.\nTry checking the 'dressing\" of the tone arm cabling.\nAre you sure you did't set AS to max instead of min?\nIs the turntable level? I'm not familiar with how the arm wiring is done on your setup--is there any tension on the arm wiring (where it exits the arm)?\nThe turntable is perfectly level. The AS weight has been removed and the lever rotated away from the arm. The arm has been rewired with Cardas and has a lot of slack hanging out the back. When working to align the cartridge, I did have to rotate it quite sharply clockwise so this may have created some unforseen force. I will check this as it may be the causative effect.\n\nThanks for the responses.\nYou said that the arm was rewired. Is it possible that the wiring got twisted when it was rewired and that could be causing the problem? Remember that for a number of years with the VPI arms they had no antiskate provision except for twisting the tonearm wiring.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8567975163459778}
{"content": "Recipe for Pregnancy Confinement\n\nBest Bird Nest Recipe for Pregnancy Confinement.\n\n\n\n\n\nAdding Ginseng to the bird’s nest soup can also help woman restores strength and energy after giving birth or severe loss of blood during child birth by improving blood circulation. It also helps to promote digestion and improves the mother’s appetite which ensures adequate production of breast milk for the new born child. In addition, ginseng can revitalise the body and aids in the recovery process of the operation by boosting the body’s immunity. (Have a look at the video shown at the beginning of the article and fast forward to 2:33 to avoid consuming ginseng at the wrong phase of pregnancy.)\n\nIngredients (per bowl):\n1 piece of bird nest\n3 pieces of ginseng slices\n5-6 piece of rock sugar according to personal taste preference\n\nCooking method:\nRefer to the video above and fast forward to 1:04.\n\nWhy is confinement period important?\n\nGiving birth to a child causes a lot of stress to a woman’s body. Excessive bleeding, sweating, body pains are some of the common problems. The confinement period has the objective of strengthening the mother’s body to its original health or even better, as well as to restore the uterus back to its original size.\n\nRemember to also purchase bird’s nest from trusted source that sells only pure bird’s nest without any chemical added to it (you would not wish to spend money on a health tonic that harms your body instead of benefitting it). Prices of bird’s nest can also varies from wholesaler to retailer. Purchase it from a bird nest wholesaler directly to save more money.\n\n\nBird Nest Health Benefits         edible bird nest\n\n\nPlease follow and like us:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5157715678215027}
{"content": "Textbook Notes (363,534)\nCanada (158,402)\nPsychology (9,573)\nPSYB57H3 (369)\nGeorge Cree (102)\nChapter 8\n\nChapter 8 Notes\n\n13 Pages\nUnlock Document\n\nUniversity of Toronto Scarborough\nGeorge Cree\n\nChapter 8 Emotion and Cognition Early psychology was built on the principles of philosophy where emotion and cognition were viewed as two distinct concepts. Plato believed that human beings have three souls i.e. the intellect, the will and the emotions Todays concept of cognitive revolution that builds on the technological advances e.g. computer fails to grasp the concept of emotion An issue is whether or not emotion can be experienced without cognitive appraisal i.e. the interpretation of the reason for feeling Two schools of thoughts exist: i. Zajonc argues that affective judgements (emotional judgements) occur before and independently of cognition ii. Lazarus argues that emotion cannot be experienced without cognitive appraisal e.g. physiological arousal occurs when you are happyscared but cognitive interpretation is required to perceive the true emotion behind the arousal Amygdala is a small structure in the medial temporal lobe anterior to hippocampus that is responsible for emotion. This structure influences and gets influenced by cognition. Therefore, emotion and cognition are interdependent Defining Emotion Emotion refers to the mental and physical processes that include aspects of subjective experience, evaluation and appraisal (judgement), motivation and other bodily processes e.g. arousal Emotion in terms of cognitive psychology is defined a brief episode of synchronized responses (including bodily responses, facial expressions and subjective evaluation) that indicate the evaluation of internal or external events as significant. Emotions are the range of reactions to events that are limited in time Mood refers to a diffuse affective state that is most pronounced as a change in subjective feeling. Moods are generally low intensity affective states, have a relatively long duration and could exist without any cause. Attitudes are persistent, affective beliefs, preferences or predisposition towards persons or objects 1 www.notesolution.com Motivation refers to the tendency to act according to some affective response. A primary function of emotion is to motivate action Basic Emotions Ekman suggested 6 basic expression of emotions i.e. anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise Each expression is characterized by a unique subset of facial muscle movements, and the ability to convey emotions appears to be innate since not only infant but blind people are able to express the emotions in a similar way. Some neural systems specialize for the perception of specific emotional expressions e.g. bilateral damage to amygdale produces a deficit in the perception of expressions of fear, insula and basal ganglia help perceive the expressions of disgust, neurotransmitter system activated by dopamine is involved in the perception of expressions of anger Although the 6 emotions defined by Ekman do not capture all human experiences but they are the basic emotions i.e. emotional reactions that are universal across cultures Dimensional Approaches Human emotions do not exist as distinct categories but rather lie on a continuum. The Circumplex model Arousal refers to the bodily changes that occur in emotion e.g. heart rate, sweating etc. The intensity of emotional reactions can be assessed by the strength of these responses. Valence is the subjective quality (positive or negative) of the emotional response to a specific object or event. Circumplex model puts arousal on one axis and valence of the other axis. In this model, arousal refers to the strength of stimulus and activation of resources whereas valence refers to the degree to which we perceive the emotion as positive or negative. Emotions are then plotted on the axis where the data falls in a circular pattern. In a study, it was found that amygdala responded to the intensity of smell and orbitofrontal cortex helped differentiate between positive or negative smell Amygdala codes several different aspects of emotional experience The Approach-Withdrawal Distinction 2 www.notesolution.com\nMore Less\n\nRelated notes for PSYB57H3\n\nLog In\n\n\nDon't have an account?\n\nJoin OneClass\n\nAccess over 10 million pages of study\ndocuments for 1.3 million courses.\n\nSign up\n\nJoin to view\n\n\nBy registering, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policies\nAlready have an account?\nJust a few more details\n\nSo we can recommend you notes for your school.\n\nReset Password\n\n\nAdd your courses\n\nGet notes from the top students in your class.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9700435996055603}
{"content": "Reader, I finished Jane Eyre\n\n\nIn high school, my precocious classmate Lourdes recommended that I read Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. She had already made me read The Thorn Birds and Gone With the Wind so I could visualize two of her ideal men (Fr. Ralph de Bricassart and Rhett Butler, the male protagonists of these books), and she wanted introduce me to yet another one: Heathcliff. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to read the Gothic romance beyond the first few pages.\n\nI’m happy, then, that in my forties I finished the equally famous Gothic novel of Emily’s sister Charlotte, who is celebrating her 200th birthday in a couple of days, on April 21. The protagonist Jane Eyre tells her Reader the story of her search for herself before she could find her true love. Her voice is so uniquely unconventional and convincing that I had the sensation of being the confidant of a living, breathing human being.\n\nJane talks about the challenges that she faced in life and the choices she made that shaped her identity. As an orphan at Gateshead, she was abused by her aunt and cousins. As a student in Lowood, she experienced cold and hunger and faced the risk of dying from consumption (tuberculosis). As a governess in Thornfield Hall, she went against the strict social conventions of Victorian England when she fell in love and gave her consent to be married to her “master” Edward Fairfax Rochester who was 20 years her senior. When she found out at the altar that Rochester already had a wife- albeit a crazy one– she ran away from Thornfield Hall without most of her possessions and lived for a while as a hungry beggar, until she found refuge in Moor House, the home of the pastor St. John Rivers and his two sisters. Later on, Jane found out that the Rivers were actually her cousins and shared the money she inherited from a long lost uncle with them, so that they all attained a measure of independence and financial security. St. John, he with the features- and apparently the heart- of a Grecian marble statue, proposed marriage to Jane so that she could be a “missionary’s wife” serving with him in India; intuiting that St. John didn’t love her romantically nor passionately, she refused it (though she offered to accompany him to India as his cousin and assistant, a scenario that he in turn found scandalous). Then, when she finally learned that Rochester was living in Ferndean, she found out that, because of the fire that burned down Thornfield Manor, he has lost his sight; one of his hands also had to be amputated (his first wife Bertha Mason leaped to her death during the fire).\n\n“Reader, I married him,” Jane says in the last chapter of the book. This is supposedly one of the most famous lines in all of English literature. While many fairy tales end with the female protagonist marrying a handsome prince with a castle- Beauty and the Beast is one example- Jane Eyre presents an ideal of romantic love that seems to transcend the values that Victorian society held dear: physical beauty, class, wealth, and even religious zeal.\n\nJane says,\n\n\nThere are many ways of reading Jane Eyre– I’ve encountered Jungian, Marxist and post-colonial readings of the book, all of which are compelling. While reading the novel, however, it was the strength of Jane’s personality, her detailed observations of people and places, and her choices that fascinated and sustained me until the last page.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9952135682106018}
{"content": "\n\n\nMaximize Your Productivity To Stop Working So Hard\n\nEveryone wants to get ahead in life, but putting in the extra hours neccessary to succeed can be a nightmare. If you’re tired of putting in ten hour days, then try working smarter rather than harder these tips from Pick the Brain’s fantastic list of ways to maximize your productivity:\n\n  1. Focus on your top 3 daily priorities.\n  2. Exercise for 30 minutes every day.\n  3. Start work early and leave on time.\n  4. Stop checking your email.\n  5. Set limits for everything.\n  6. Apply the 80/20 rule.\n  7. Stop multitasking.\n  8. Attend fewer meetings.\n  9. Start an information diet.\n  10. Create thinking time.\n\nOf course, you’ll have to visit the original source to find the details about all of these steps, and not all of them will work for everyone (some people can’t attend fewer meetings), but these tips really can help you save time and energy while increasing your productivity.\n\n© 2005 - 2018 Lifehack · All Rights Reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.889920711517334}
{"content": "\n\n\nEquality is a claim that men should be treated as equal, not that they are in fact equal. The logic in support of this claim is that all men as such are rational beings, endowed with faculty of reason, and created equal by God. It is in this lucid manner that this book will teach you equality. It clearly explains the types of equality like the legal equality, political equality, economic equality and social equality. It analyzes legal equality. It throws light on the nature of legal equality: ‘Legal equality implies granting of equal legal status to all in society irrespective of the differences in birth, sex, physique, mentality, et cetera.’ It appraises political equality. It sheds light on the nuances of political equality: ‘In the penumbra of equality, it means, in the political sphere, that my will, as a factor in the counting of heads, is equal to the will of any other. It means that I can move forward to any office in the State for which men are prepared to choose me.’ It evaluates economic equality. It casts light on the character of economic equality: ‘Economic equality means the provision of equal opportunity for all in all spheres of economic life.’ It discusses social equality. It highlights the intricacy of social equality: ‘Without that (social equality), political equality is an illusion; a wealthy elite would continue to exercise effective political power; judges and legislators would still be drawn from its ranks, and predisposed to favour it; and legal costs would put justice beyond the poor man’s reach. Without social equality, equality before the law would remain an empty form.’\n\nDetalhes do Produto\n\n    • Ano de Edição: 2017\n    • Ano:  2017\n    • País de Produção: Canada\n    • Código de Barras:  2001120798813\n    • ISBN:  9781370211098\n\nAvaliação dos Consumidores", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.934183657169342}
{"content": "\n\nCNR researchers study the acid drainages in Baccatoio creek\n\nCNR researchers study the acid drainages in Baccatoio creek\n\nThallium is a shining, soft and malleable metal, similar to tin that, if exposed to air, oxidized and becomes gray-blue, similar to lead, until it develops, in the case of long exposure, a layer of oxide on the surface. In the presence of water, a layer of thallium hydroxide is formed.\n\nIts name comes from the Greek thallos, i.e. “green sprout” due to its green emission lines in the spectrum, and it was identified by Claude Auguste Lamy and William Crookes using flame spectroscopy, a method developed by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in the years 1859-1860.\n\nThallium and its compounds are very toxic and can be present in the water as both +1 ion, forming the most common thallous compounds, and +3 ion forming the thallic compounds, two species of thallium with different water solubility, different behaviors in the environment and different toxicity, resulting from the ability of the metal to replace alkali metal cations in the body, mainly sodium and potassium, disrupting many of the normal cellular processes.\n\nThe effects of poisoning due to thallium include hair loss, peripheral nervous damage, as well as suspected carcinogenicity, which is why the use of thallium for rat-poisoning has been banned in many countries. The thallium +3 species are thousands of times more toxic than thallium +1 based on the results from tests conducted on Daphna magna, a small crustacean often used for ecotoxicology tests, and other algae.\n\nA team of researchers of the Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds of CNR in Pisa, the HydroScience research labs of CNRS-University of Montpellier (France) and the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Pisa have developed an innovative method to measure thallium in the water of Baccatoio creek and in tap water from of Valdicastello Carducci (Lucca) with regard to water contamination due to thallium.\n\nEven if specific studies in men are lacking, this study, published in the international journal ‘Talanta’, shows that both thalium +1 and +3 are present in the water of Baccatoio creek, and also, in variable amounts, in some samples of tap water. Thallium +3 probably comes from piping encrustations and is associated with nanoparticles that do not generate apparent turbidity.\n\nThe study used the data of Thallium +1 detected in 150 urine samples and 318 hair samples from the Valdicastello-Pietrasanta population that showed significant contamination with Thallium +1, with values higher than the population reference values.\n\nThe study results pave the way to new scenarios in the processes of thallium distribution both in surface ecosystem and in water mains system, and provide the basis to mitigate dispersion of this contaminant with strongly targeted and effective measures.\n\nBaccatoio is a medium-sized creek that crosses Valdicastello Carducci valley that has had an important role in the development and local economy since the Middle-Ages; along the coasts of this creek, there have always been a number of mills and alive-oil mills.\n\nPublication date 05/30/2017\nSource CNR\nTag Green Chemistry , Physical Sciences and Engineering", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.546807050704956}
{"content": "Kristi Midgette Photography\n\n\nOuter Banks Wedding and Beach Portrait Photographer Kristi Midgette is passionate about capturing the pure emotion of the moment. Whether it be weddings, family portraits, beach portraits or simply capturing expressions of love, Kristi Midgette Photography will transform those special moments into memories of a lifetime.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000073909759521}
{"content": "watertemperature.org logo2\n\nSea temperatures, water sports and vacation activities near Rasht, Iran\n\nWater temperatures throughout the year and general information about Rasht...\n\nRasht is a coastal city in Iran. It is a quite huge city close to the ocean with a population of 594590 people. The water temperature around Rasht varies dramatically year round. The temperature ranges from 10.5°C (50.8°F) in February up to 28.5°C (83.3°F) in the month of August, as illustrated below. The average water temperature throughout the year is 19°C (65°F) and the best time for water activities is late summer, since Rasht is located in the northern hemisphere.\n\n\nWhat is the current water temperature near Rasht?\n\nThe current water temperature in the month of March in the waters near Rasht is about:\n11°C (52°F)\n\nAre there surf spots close by?\n\nNot many surf spots are in proximity to Rasht. The next good one is Sandy Beach-Chekka, which is almost 817.7km (507.9miles) away from Rasht. Click here for directions and to check out more information on Sandy Beach-Chekka and its water temperature. If you don't mind the long travel, you can also check out Tam tam, which is ca 826.7km (513.5miles) away from Rasht. Another good surfspot is Tam tam, located roughly 826.7km (513.5miles) from Rasht.\n\nAre there beaches close by?\n\nThere are several gorgeous beaches near to Rasht. The closest one is Rasht, which is just 0km (0miles) away from Rasht. Another fun beach near Rasht is Bandar-e Anzali, which is 13.9km (8.6miles) away.\n\nWhat kind of wetsuit thickness do I need for Rasht?\n\nThe sea temperature around Rasht is extremely warm, reaching up to 29°C (83°F) in the months of July, August, and September. During this time, in the late summer, a wetsuit is typically not needed for surfing, swimming, snorkelling, or scuba diving around Rasht. However, during late winter, temperatures drop down to nearly 10°C (51°F). During this time, a 4-5mm wetsuit is required to feel not too cold, but some might even be fine with a very good 4/3mm suit for short periods of time . For very cold conditions and cold mornings/evenings, it might be advisable to bring a pair of boots, a hoodie and a gloves.\n\nHow is the diving and fishing near Rasht?\n\nDue to comparatively large water temperature changes during the year, fishing and diving conditions change quite a bit depending on the season. The temperature ranges from 10 to 15°C (51-60°F) during winter. Atlantic Mackerel, Winter Flounder, and Tautog love this temperature range. However, the conditions usually change during July, August, and September when temperatures go up to 24 to 29°C (74-83°F). Fish which can often be found in waters of this temperature range include: Bonefish, Permit, Red Drum, and Tarpon.\n\nDirections to Rasht: How do I get there?\n\nPlease follow the directions in the map below.\n\nSome fun facts about Rasht...\n\nDo you know what the the city Harbor in the United States, the city Cupar in the United Kingdom, and the city Kellinghusen in the Germany have in common with Rasht? Click on the links to find out...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9980347156524658}
{"content": "NMDA receptors and brain malformations: GRIN1-associated polymicrogyria\n\n\nImbalance of a rare second messenger – FIG4 mutations in polymicrogyria\n\nBrain malformations. Various brain malformations are thought to have a genetic basis, and several genes have already been identified. Polymicrogyria is a particular form of congenital brain malformation due to an excessive number of small and sometimes malformed gyri. In a recent publication in Neurology, mutations in FIG4 are described in a familial form of polymicrogyria. However, the FIG4 gene is no stranger in the field of neurogenetics. Continue reading\n\nMicrocephaly, WDR62, and how to analyze recessive epilepsy families\n\nSuccess rate. What is in an exome? There are lots of rare and unknown variants that are hard to make sense of unless we can ask a specific question or have further data to limit the number of genes that we look at. Genetic studies in recessive diseases with limited candidate genes to consider might represent one of the most straightforward cases. In a recent paper in BMC Neurology, the genetic cause of a recessive epilepsy/intellectual disability syndrome in a consanguineous family presenting with primary microcephaly was solved using a single exome of an affected individual. Was this just lucky or can this strategy be applied to any recessive family with a reasonable chance? Continue reading\n\nC6orf70, neuronal migration and periventricular heterotopia\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9995479583740234}
{"content": "KIBIT, which can understand human subtleties (tacit knowledge, intuition, and judgment) helps humans make decisions in various social scenes. By applying this AI engine, we will advance into new business fields, including healthcare and digital communications.\n\nSolving human and social challenges through services that leverage proprietary AI technology\n\nSince its founding in 2003, FRONTEO has been cultivating technology and know-how to discover evidence from among masses of emails and business documents in a limited period of time in cases of international litigation support and investigation of employee wrongdoing. FRONTEO will expand the scope of solutions provided to human and social challenges, mainly by applying KIBIT, which has been established as a technology that learns human subtleties (tacit knowledge, intuition and judgment) from a small volume of data, and which identifies relevant information quickly.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9998555183410645}
{"content": "Ancient healer Kapur Kachari oil100ml\n\n\"DESCRIPTION Kuchari is extracted from Hydacheium that grows to up to 3 feet tall. It has loose terminal flower spikes that have individual flowers that are yellow with reddish stamens. Its antibiotic properties have also increased interest in the medicinal properties of the species. USES It has in it carminative, tonic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory an anti-asthmatic properties. The essential oil is also used in perfumery industry.\"\nDelivery date: 1 week\n₹ 970.00", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9699780344963074}
{"content": "Presentation is loading. Please wait.\n\nPresentation is loading. Please wait.\n\nMiddle Ages.\n\nSimilar presentations\n\nPresentation on theme: \"Middle Ages.\"— Presentation transcript:\n\n1 Middle Ages\n\n2 Essential Questions Describe the effects of the Crusades.\nWhat impact did Feudalism have on Europe? What were the political, economic, and social effects of the Black Death?\n\n3 No Baths for 1000 years a disease that wipes out Europe survival of the fittest\n\n4 Decline of the Roman Empire\nThe Middle Ages: 500 – 1500 The Medieval Period Rise of the Middle Ages Decline of the Roman Empire\n\n5 Western Europe\n\n6 Justinian and the Byzantine Empire\nStrong Central Government Strong, well-trained military with advanced technology. Justinian the Emperor of the Byzantines codified the laws. Constantinople was the new capital of the Byzantine Empire Gradually weakened by constant battles with Persia\n\n7 Split in the Catholic Church\nIn the West, the Pope was the head of the Church In the East, the Emperor of Constantinople was the most powerful church leader. Byzantines differed from the Western Christian Church on issues of religious practices. West services in Latin doesn’t believe in Icons East services in local languages Believe in Icons Christianity split into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.\n\n8 Ottoman Empire After Justinian died, the Empire was threatened by outside powers including the Seljuk Turks (the Ottomans) By the 1300’s the Ottomans had, captured Constantinople and ended the Byzantine Empire.\n\n9 The Ottoman’s Muslim beliefs were later challenged by the Crusades.\n\n10 What were the Dark Ages? After the decline of the Roman Empire:\nBarbarian tribes ruled Europe Art and Learning declined St. Patrick ( Ireland) adopted Christianity He had Monasteries built that became centers for learning and culture. People came from all over to study at these monasteries Monasteries began to pop up all over Europe.\n\n11 Religious officials had different ranks within the church structure\nThe Clergy Religious officials had different ranks within the church structure\n\n12 Vikings Attack invaders who would attack by sea, raid and plunder, then be quickly out to sea again. Vikings – Germanic people called Norsemen From Scandinavia Worshipped warlike gods\n\n\n14 Feudalism Think of a chess set\n\n15 Relationship Between Lords and Vassals\nLord – The person in charge of the land Vassal- provided military service to the Lord in return for land. The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political and social structure of the feudal system Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king. The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political and social structure of the feudal system. Based on ties of loyalty and duty among nobles Nobles were both lords and vassals Ties were made official by the “act of homage” Fiefs were given to vassals by lords Lords gave vassals the right to govern the people who lived on their fiefs Lords promised to give protection to the vassals Breaking the feudal contract could mean loss of land Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord. Helped the lord in battle Participated personally in military service 40 – 60 days a year Gave money when the lord’s daughters married and when sons were knighted Paid the lord’s ransom or took his place if he was captured Attended the lord’s court Provided food and entertainment when the lord visited All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king. Nobles provided the king with knights to form an army for defense and conquest Because of this, the real power belonged to the nobles.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n21 Workers on the Manor ( Fiefdom)\nThere were peasant workers on the manor Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they where the noble’s property.) There were two groups of workers on the manor Freemen: Usually had a skill needed by others on the manor Included seneschals and bailiffs who helped run the manor - Seneschals looked after fiefs by visiting each regularly - Bailif made sure peasants worked - Towns (called shires) also had peace-keepers known as reeves Serfs: Required to work the noble’s land Also worked their own land and gave a part of their crops to the noble Had no freedom – they were the noble’s property Peasants had no political power\n\n22 Feudalism Manors The lords estate –\nThe lord provided the serfs with housing, farmland and protection Serfs tended the lands, cared for the animals, maintained the estate\n\n23 Feudalism Manors Peasants rarely traveled more than 25 miles from the manor Was home to 15 – 30 families Self-Sufficient community Peasants heavily taxed, including a tithe – a church tax of 1/10 their income\n\n24 land in exchange for service\nFief land in exchange for service\n\n25 Same thing was happening in Japan\nA war between two clans lead to a clear leader, Yoritomo, became the first Shogun. supreme general of the Emperors Army. Surrounded himself with Samurai (one who serves). Each warrior lived by a code called “Bushido” After different losses, the Shogun lost money. Individual samurai chose to support their local lords for land in return for service…Feudalism.\n\n26 Feudal Japan Religious leader with no real power Emperor Shogun\nNoble in the warrior class and the leader of the Military Emperor Shogun Samurai Ronin Peasant Merchant Members of the warrior class and loyal to the Shoguns paid soldiers whose loyalty was with the leader they defended at the time. Farmers and fishermen made up 90% of the population sold goods and produce made by others. They produced nothing of value\n\n27 A violent society Noble’s constantly fought each other Defend estates\nSeize new territories Increased wealth Kept Europe fragmented Glorification of warriors, became superstars\n\n28 The Age of Chivalry The mounted Knights were the most important part of an Army Professional solders – main obligation was to serve in battle Rewarded with land Devoted lives to war\n\n29 The Age of Chivalry Chivalry – a complex set of ideals, demanded that a knight fight bravely in defense of three masters His feudal Lord His Heavenly Lord His Queen Meant to protect the weak and the poor Be loyal, brave, and courteous\n\n30 Is Chivalry around today?\n\n31 The Age of Chivalry Sons of nobles began training at an early age for knighthood Page – at 7 they were sent to another lord to be trained Squire – at 14 they act as a servant to a knight Knight- at 21 they become a knight and gain experience in local wars and tournaments\n\n32 The Age of Chivalry Tournaments – mock battles that combined recreation and combat training Fierce and bloody competitions\n\n33 Castles and Keeps Stone castles were encircled by massive walls and guard towers Home to lord and lady, their family, knights solders, and servants A fortress of defense\n\n34 Castles and Keeps\n\n\n\n\n\n39 Crusades military expeditions by the Christians to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims Consequences: the Holy Land remained in Muslim control religious intolerance trade increased decrease in Popes power increase in Kings power\n\n40 Magna Carta document signed by King John of England in 1215\n1st document to limit the power of a king in Medieval Europe guaranteed certain rights to citizens\n\n41 major developments of the Late Middle Ages\nThe Hundred Years War Fought between the French and English for the French throne Massively destructive Gun powder and heavy artillery Joan of Arc, a French peasant, helped change the course of the war France is victorious over England\n\n42 Famines Population doubled Climate became colder and rainier\nHarvests shrank Moved back to the city\n\n43 The Black Death\n\n44 Plague Biotic- disease spread by fleas and rats (living organisms)\nalso called the Black Plague or Bubonic Plague killed 1/3 of Europe’s population helped bring about the end of feudalism: workers were in higher demand and sought more freedom more people moved to cities\n\n45 The Culprits\n\n46 Septicemic Form: almost 100% mortality rate.\nThe Symptoms Bulbous Septicemic Form: almost 100% mortality rate.\n\n47 From the Toggenburg Bible, 1411\n\n48 Lancing a Buboe\n\n\n50 Medieval Art & the Plague\nBring out your dead!\n\n51 Attempts to Stop the Plague\n“Leeching” A Doctor’s Robe\n\n52 The Mortality Rate 35% - 70% 25,000,000 dead !!!\n\nDownload ppt \"Middle Ages.\"\n\nSimilar presentations\n\nAds by Google", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997107982635498}
{"content": "Touichirou Suzuki\n\n\nTouichirou Suzuki is an extremely powerful Esper and the founder and leader of Claw. He is the primary antagonist of the Claw arc and is one of the most powerful beings that Mob have faced so far, even being able to go toe to toe with his 100% form.\n\nPowers and Stats\n\nTier: 8-A\n\nName: Touichirou Suzuki\n\nOrigin: Mob Psycho 100\n\nGender: Male\n\nAge: 48\n\nClassification: Esper\n\nPowers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics,Telekinesis, Telepathy, Flight, Barrier Creation, Energy Manipulation, Lightning Manipulation, Body Clones, Cryokinesis, Pyrokinesis, Gravity Manipulation\n\nAttack Potency: Multi-City Block level (Was matching Mob at a 100% of his power)\n\nSpeed: At least Massively Hypersonic+, likely Sub-Relativistic (Kept up with Mob in combat, who could react to the lightning he created at 40% of his power)\n\nLifting Strength: At least Class G\n\nStriking Strength: Multi-City Block Class\n\nDurability: Multi-City Block level (Survived being pressed by dozens of buildings, took multiple attacks from Mob at a 100%)\n\nStamina: Average\n\nRange: Several hundred meters\n\nStandard Equipment: None\n\nIntelligence: Average\n\n\n\nNotable Victories:\n\nNotable Losses:\n\nInconclusive Matches:\n\nStart a Discussion Discussions about Touichirou Suzuki", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9970672726631165}
{"content": "Items filtered by date: Sunday, 11 March 2018\n\n(Solomon Dibaba : ENA )\n\nEthiopia and the U.S. have been working on various areas of mutual interests including health, education and agriculture as well as cooperation on regional peace and security.\n\nThe recent official visit paid to Ethiopia by the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicates that both countries are interested to foster mutual cooperation both on bilateral and regional issues.\n\nTwenty six years after the American Declaration of Independence, Ethiopia was the only country in Africa to get into the first people to people relations, which consequently turned out to be the establishment of a diplomatic relation between the two countries in December 27, 1903 with official signature of Emperor Menelik II and Robert P.Skinner , who was a special envoy of the US in Paris, came to  Ethiopia and co signed with the emperor a “Treaty of Amity, Reciprocal Establishments and Commerce\".\n\nOn January 6, 1909 a US legation was established in Addis Ababa only to be closed in 1913 as the result of the death of Emperor Menelik II, which triggered a palace feud. The same US legation was closed on March 4, 1937 with a pretext of the Italian aggression on Ethiopia. On November 9, 1949 an Ethiopian legation was commissioned in Washington and was later upgraded into an embassy with full capacity.\n\nThe establishment of an Ethiopian Embassy not only strengthened the relations between the two countries but also further triggered the spirit of pan-Africansim and Afro-American sympathy on the aggression committed on Ethiopia. For instance, John C. Robertson, an Afro-American pilot came to Ethiopia in 1935 to personally support Ethiopian patriot’s resistance against the Italian Fascist forces who invaded Ethiopia.\n\nOne of the most significant events in the relations between Ethiopia and the US was the signing of the Point Four Program, which was signed in 1951 (later restructured into USAID) to promote technical and economic cooperation between the two countries. The program focused on education, agricultural development and providing research and defense capacity of Ethiopia.\n\nBased on the Point Four agreement the US funded the construction of Haromaya College of Agriculture as and Mechanical Arts with the vision of making Ethiopia “the Bread Basket of Africa”. The first Institute of Agricultural Research was established in Holeta with US support to be followed by the establishment of similar institutions in Ambo, Jimma, Debre Zeit, Bako, Melka Werer, Kulumsa and Pawe.\n\nIn 1952, the US supported the establishment of the former University College of Addis Ababa and the Law School (1963) and the construction of Kennedy Library.\n\nAs a strategy of modernizing the Ethiopian educational system of those days, a new capacity building program called “American Peace Corps” was initiated by the American government in 1962. The Ethiopian Airlines was also established in 1945 as a joint venture with the Trans-World Airlines (TWA). The US also financed the establishment of the Ethio-US Mapping Mission in 1963 followed by the commissioning of the former Ethiopian Highway Authority.\n\nThe United States set up a Military Advisory and Assistance Group (MAAG) which supported the modernization of the Ethiopian Military forces. It is to be recalled that an information center was also established under the auspices of the US embassy to provide bilateral information exchange system between the US and the government of Ethiopia.\n\nBetween 1909 and 1973, the US used foreign aid as a tool for pursuing the countries diplomacy and national interest. In the context of the Cold War, the US established a ground based satellite information system in Asmara commonly known as Kagnew Station to monitor the activities of the socialist countries particularly the former USSR and used Ethiopia as a listening post.\n\nPre-1974 Ethiopia’s foreign policy was based on the emperor’s personal charismatic diplomacy and was never institutional and lacked any consolidated foreign policy and diplomacy strategic document.\n\nThe fall of the defunct feudal order in 1974 left a political vacuum that was used by the military to usurp power. This led to a traumatic situation between the two countries, which were triggered by the closure of major US facilities in Ethiopia, as the US did not assist Ethiopia when the country was invaded by Said Barre regime of Somalia. The Derg, a military junta, was confronted with an irredentist war by Somalia in 1977 and demanded to purchase arms from the US with 20 million USD prepaid fund. In retaliation the Carter Administration refused to sell arms to Ethiopia paving the way for Ethiopia’s request to the socialist countries. Later on the former USSR urgently dumped a military hardware worth about 2 billion USD at Bole International Airport within a period of two weeks.\n\nAlthough the US was a major supplier of humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia from 1982 up to 1994, the diplomatic relations between the two countries was at its lowest level during the period of the military regime.\n\nWith the downfall of Derg, in 1991 and the establishment of a Transitional Government and later on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, A new democratic constitution was put in place with massive public participation and support.\n\nThis led to a total shift in Ethiopia’s foreign policy. Article 86 of the constitution provided for the promotion of national interest of the country, mutual respect for national sovereignty of states, promotion of mutual interest and mutual benefit, observance of international agreements which ensure the interest of the Ethiopian people, promoting economic and fraternal relations between the neighboring countries and peaceful settlement of disputes\n\nEthiopia’s Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy and Strategy, which was issued in 2004, devotes a special part to the restoration of the foreign relations and diplomatic cooperation between Ethiopia and the US ( pages 147- 150 ). Ethiopia’s foreign relations with the US are based on the promotion of national development, democracy and peace building, investment promotion. This has been tested on Ethio-US cooperation in the struggle against terrorism, promotion of regional and global peace.\n\nEthiopia’s economic relation with the US is based on mutual partnership on Ethiopia’s development programs and possible expansion of partnership in trade and investment.\n\nIn terms of peace keeping, Ethiopia has been actively partnering with the US on promoting peace and mutual security in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia was also benefiting from the AGOA tax free trade between Ethiopia and markets in the US.\n\nThe Ethiopia and the US had conducted commendable projects in the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS through the PEPFAR (US President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) program and through supports in the Global Fund Program.\n\nEthiopia and the US had continued to cooperate in the areas of government efforts to promote quality education. The Ministry of Education and the US cooperated in providing numerous trainings for teachers and also by preparing and publishing various educational books for intermediate and secondary schools in the country with a particular focus on science and the English language.\n\nIn terms of support on maintaining justice and democracy in Ethiopia, the Addis Ababa University Law School has been supported by US in providing legal services for poor persons who were not able to acquire justice by taking their cases to the courts of law.\n\nIn assisting the government programs in the conservation of the country’s cultural heritages, the US is now supporting the renovation of some of the rock hewn churches of Lalibella.\n\nIn his visit to Ethiopia a couple of days back, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States would support Ethiopia’s efforts to maintain peace and security in the country.  He also appreciated Ethiopia for its role in keeping peace in the region, especially in Somalia through AMISOM as well as the efforts in Sudan and South Sudan. He noted that Ethiopia and the US had diplomatic ties that exceeded hundred years.\n\nThe fact that the Secretary of State mentioned about economic, trade and investment opportunities between the two countries will help to open up wider opportunities to mutual economic cooperation. In this regard there is a consonance between foreign policy objectives of Ethiopia and the US. Ethiopia shoulders national responsibilities of becoming a mid level developed country by 2025 and the growing relations between the two countries is expected to foster mutual respect, cooperation and partnership for mutual economic development.\n\nPublished in Feature News\nSunday, 11 March 2018 20:16\n\nGERD Federal Female Ambassadors Selected\n\nAddis Ababa March 11/2018 Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Federal Female Ambassadors that would promote the dam were selected yesterday evening in a ceremony held at Ghion Hotel.\n\nThe three female finalists have been selected from the total of 33 Ambassadors chosen from the 9 regions and 2 city administrations which took place at regional level.\n\nThe winners were Ruta Ayalew, Suad Haji, and Lucy Gedamu from Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regional states and Addis Ababa Administration respectively.\n\nThe first winner was awarded 35,000 birr GERD bond, the second 25,000 birr GERD bond, and third 15,000 birr bond from the Development Bank of Ethiopia.\n\nFollowing her crowning, Ambassador Ruta said Ethiopia has a long history. “We were united in the past; and we shall remain so in the future. Together we shall finish the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.”\n\nDeputy Director-General of the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of GERD, Tagel Qenubeh told journalists that the aim of the competition is to enhance the role of women in the construction of the dam.\n\nIt is also a program designed to give more information about the Grand Renaissance Dam, he added.\n\nMinistry of Culture and Tourism Public Relations Manager, Gezahegn Abate said though all Ethiopians are ambassador of the dam these female ambassadors would in particular engage in promoting the dam in their respective regions and among diplomatic circles at home and abroad.\n\nPublished in Economy\n\nENA Photo Display\n\nVisit Us on Social Media\n\n\nVisitors Counter", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9286029934883118}
{"content": "buy this star Random Star Random Location\n\nVAH358: yellow giant star with 1 planets\n\n\nSolar system 'VAH358' is a dual star system that comprises the stars 'VAH358.A' and 'VAH358.B' and the retinue of celestial objects gravitationally bound to them: 1 planets and their 0 moons, as well as asteroids, meteoroids, planetoids, comets, and interplanetary dust.\n\nThe principal components of this star system are the stars 'VAH358.A' and 'VAH358.B' that dominate it gravitationally. 'VAH358.A' is a yellow giant class star that contains about 96% of the system's known mass, 'VAH358.B' is a red giant class star that contains about 3% of the system's known mass.\n\nSystem 'VAH358' is located more than 1440 lightyears from the center of the galaxy.\n\nThis solar system comprises 1 planets\n\nVAH358.1 is a small terrestrial planet (3697 km radius) which orbits its star in 82 Earth days, one day on VAH358.1 lasts 19 Earth hours. Its average temperature is 1548 K (1275 C), its atmosphere mainly consists of nitrogen and it has 0 moons.\nMore planetary details...\n\n\nPlanetary Orbits\n\n\nUse the following URL to link to this solar system:\n\n\n\nPlanetary Statistics\n\ndistance from star:25*106 km\nradius:3697 km\nmass:404*1021 kg\nsurface gravity: 1.97 m/s2\n0.20 Earths\nescape velocity:3.819 km/s\nyear: 103 VAH358.1 days\n82 Earth days\nday:19 hrs\naxial tilt:55°\ntemperature:1548 K\n1275 C\natmosphere:91% N2\n9% O2\n0% other\n\nas seen on...\nYou may also want to check out our other web projects:\nMorzino, an e-Learning community with online training software\nJamplifier, a platform that allows artists to improve their music\nDonations | Sponsoring | Advertising | Affiliate Program | Support | Press\nSign up now, it's free!Signup\nUsername or E-mail Password - Forgot your password?Signup\nkeep me logged in\nHomeInfoSolar SystemsWikiNewsfeedForumBlogCommunityStore", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9635277390480042}
{"content": "Your Pregnancy - - Pregnancy Files -\n\nThe name spina bi­fida means “split spine”. Think of your baby’s spine as a zip that gets done up around his spinal cord, which is the line of nerves that con­nect his brain to his body. When it doesn’t close up prop­erly, a gap is formed through which th­ese nerves pro­trude. There are dif­fer­ent types of spina bi­fida, both open and closed. The myelomeningo­cele type (SBM) is the most se­ri­ous form of open spina bi­fida. In this form, a soft, un­pro­tected area is left, which can bulge through the skin as a dark bag. This bag con­sists of spinal nerves, cere­brospinal fluid and meninges (the mem­brane sur­round­ing the brain and spinal cord). It’s ex­posed to in­fec­tion, in­jury or dry­ing out, and needs to be closed sur­gi­cally as soon as pos­si­ble. The most com­mon closed form of the con­di­tion is spina bi­fida oc­culta, where a layer of skin cov­ers the open­ing in the ver­te­brae. There are many health is­sues that af­fect a per­son with spina bi­fida, depend­ing on the sever­ity of the syn­drome. Many chil­dren with spina bi­fida have some de­gree of paral­y­sis of the limbs be­low the level of the spinal mal­for­ma­tion, and mal­func­tion­ing of the blad­der and rec­tum. Other com­mon is­sues in­clude hy­dro­cephalus (ex­cess brain fluid), limb and foot ab­nor­mal­i­ties, de­vel­op­men­tal de­lay and cog­ni­tive dis­abil­ity. Re­search has shown that some women who con­ceive ba­bies with spina bi­fida have lower lev­els of folic acid in their bod­ies. This is why sup­ple­men­ta­tion of this im­por­tant vi­ta­min dur­ing preg­nancy is en­cour­aged.\n\nNewspapers in English\n\nNewspapers from South Africa\n\n© PressReader. All rights reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6695660948753357}
{"content": "Springfield police, FBI investigate bank robbery\n\nSPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Division of the FBI is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a bank robbery that happened Monday morning.\n\nAuthorities say at about 9:41 a.m., a white male entered the PNC Bank in the 2000 block of South MacArthur Street in Springfield and presented a note to a teller at the bank.  The suspect then left the building, and was last seen running south down an alley.\n\nAuthorities have released still images from surveillance video that show the suspect in this incident.  The suspect is being described as in his 40's or 50's, standing between 5'6\" and 5'9\" tall, and was wearing a white baseball cap, blue or grey shirt, bright blue pants, and white tennis shoes.\n\nIf you have any information on the identity of this man, you are asked to contact the FBI at (217) 522-9675 or the Springfield Police Department at (217) 788-8311.\n\nCurrent Conditions\n  • Current Events", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5844809412956238}
{"content": "Emotional Intelligence: A Priceless Leadership Skill\n\nEmotional Intelligence: A Priceless Leadership Skill\n\nRecent studies strongly suggest that emotional intelligence plays a greater role in determining the success of leaders than many other measures, including intelligence or traditional management skills. A person with an average IQ cannot practice skill-building techniques for a few hours a day and reach a genius level after a few years. In contrast, emotional intelligence (or “EI”) is a learned skillset.\n\nImproving Emotional Intelligence\n\nEach of us has the ability to improve our emotional intelligence and use it as a resource in making a long-term, positive impact on the organization, the people around us, and our professional satisfaction. While some people are wired to be more emotionally in tune with their peers, those who are not can still learn the skills required to excel in this area.\n\nLeaders can increase their personal self-awareness and understanding of their emotional reactions to situations. With practice, they can also learn to sense what others are feeling and regulate and respond to situations in an emotionally appropriate way.\n\nA person with high emotional intelligence knows how to respond in the right way, at the right time, with the right person.\n\nEmotional Intelligence Infographic\n\nWhy is Emotional Intelligence Important?\n\nToo often, organizational morale and the bottom line both suffer when leaders set the wrong example and display inappropriate emotional responses. The number-one reason people leave organizations is the relationship they have with their immediate supervisor.\n\nThe cost of turnover is high, but what’s worse is employees who stay and give the bare minimum each day because they have a poor relationship with their boss.\n\nEmotional Intelligence in the Workplace\n\nHelping your leadership team develop emotional intelligence will allow them to change how they respond to the feelings they experience. These changes will have a profound, positive impact on their behavior—and ultimately, on their job performance.\n\nLeaders who can successfully regulate their emotions are also better positioned to influence other employees and their performance on the job.\n\nCMOE works with leaders to increase emotional intelligence in four main areas: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. Self-awareness and self-regulation have to do with understanding and successfully managing one’s own emotions; social awareness and relationship management focus on the ability to understand the emotions of the people around you and apply that understanding to your relationships with others.\n\nDaniel Goleman, the author of Working with Emotional Intelligence, says that traditional intelligence (IQ) does not determine who succeeds and who fails at work. At best, it leaves 75 percent of job success unexplained. Everyone operates with both logical, rational thinking and with an emotional mind. We believe people who are aware of their emotions and able to manage interactions with others are better positioned for professional success.\n\nAbout the Author\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8869314193725586}
{"content": "Olie Brice | Achim Kaufmann | Of Tides\n\nby Stamish Malcuss\nIn December of 2014 Olie Brice and pianist Achim Kaufman recorded live at The Vortex in a duo setting. Though bass and piano is not an uncommon sound the duo has a unique cohesive sound that compliments the sparse sound a duo can offer.  \nThe five tracks here, totaling just over an hour of music, contain a plentiful of moments that display the   versatility and ability of each player that come from diverse backgrounds to find common ground to create a coherent and nourishing sound. A plethora of improvisation, and nuances are throughout this recording, making it a satisfying blend.\nWhat is best about a duo sound is the evident empathy and sense of discovery that can be found in the paired setting and Brice and Kaufman certainly rise to the task.  What is most striking about these two players, is their reverential approach to the overall result. Each prepared to give the other respect and space, while still offering a supportive role and not focusing on their own individuality, rather the group result.   Normally I would pick out one track or another to focus on in my review, but this album is more of a feeling or connecting of moments, that it truly will take listening to each track as a collective piece to absorb the deeper meaning of its free style and avant nature.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9624422788619995}
{"content": "Une erreur est survenue. Détails Cacher\nVos pages ne sont pas sauvegardées. Rétablir Annuler\n\nIn this visualization it is presented demographic projections for European countries from two sources: Eurostat and United Nations. Charts and data below are focused on the zero-migration variant of forecast, i.e. estimates of natural population change only due to births and deaths. That is why predictions are based on the assumptions of levels of fertility rate and life expectancy at birth which will prevail across the forecast period in the given country. Since each provider of forecasts assumes its own input parameters based on its knowledge, experience, data availability and judgments, estimates of population may differ from source to source. Thus, the more sources are taken in the consideration the more objective estimate can be obtained.\n\nCountry Profile | Cross Country Comparison\n\nAperçu des données en lien\n\nRussia Population | Data and Charts, 1900-2013\n\n146,544.7 thousand people currently live in Russia as of January 1, 2016 according to Russian Federal State Statistics Service estimate. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs gives another estimate - 143,456.9 thousand persons. The difference of about 3 million persons is because data from Russian national statistical service include population of the Crimea since 2015, while international agencies like UN or World Bank does not consider the Crimea as a part of Russia. As of January 1, 2015 population of the Crimea was estimated at 2,294.9 thousand persons. With or without the Crimea, Russia is nineth most populated...\n\nUS Population by Age and Generation\n\n\nDemography statistics by countries: France\n\nIndia Population\n\nThe population of India was 1.311 billion in 2015, according to an estimate from the United Nations, making it the second most populated country in the world after China. But, as early as in 2022, the population of India is widely expected to surpass that of China to make India the most populous country in the world. Even now India contributes twice as much as China to global population growth. By 2050, the Population Division of the UN expects India population to exceed 1.62 billion people. According to the 2011 census data, the most populous Indian state is Uttar Pradesh with population of roughly 200 million. To put this into context,...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999739408493042}
{"content": "worldA new study has found that around the world, mental illnesses are under-treated compared to their physical disorder counterparts, even though respondents more often attributed their disability to a mental disorder.\n\nThe findings were similar regardless of whether the country was considered a high-income (Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, the USA and New Zealand) or middle- or low-income (Colombia, Lebanon, People’s Republic of China, South Africa, Ukraine) country.\n\nThe goals of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 15-country, 73,441-person study were to establish the degree and type of disability, and level of treatment, of specific mental and physical disorders. The WHO’s World Mental Health Surveys were carried out in six countries classified by the World Bank as low- and middle-income and nine as high-income.\n\nThe researchers measured treatment sought and received for both physical and mental disorders, and assessed the level and type of disability attributed to them by respondents. The four disability areas explored were home management, ability to work, social life and close personal relationships.\n\nIn addition to finding that subjects generally attributed more of their disability to a mental disorder rather than a physical disorder, the researchers discovered that the higher level of disability associated with mental disorders was much more pronounced in social and personal relationships than in productive roles, such as work and housework.\n\nThe study also found that the proportion of people receiving treatment at the time of interview was much lower for mental than for physical disorders in high-income countries, and even more so in low- and middle-income countries.\n\nThese results are consistent with previous comparative burden-of-illness studies in suggesting that musculoskeletal disorders and major depression are the most disabling disorders across the socioeconomic spectrum.\n\nThe researchers comment that these new results imply that mental disorders are disabling more because they create psychological barriers rather than physical barriers to functioning. Among these barriers are limitations in cognitive and motivational capacity, regulation of feelings, embarrassment and stigma.\n\nDisability in productive role functioning, such as work and home management, was generally comparable for mental and physical disorders.\n\nThe researchers found it disturbing to find that only a minority of people with severe mental disorders receive treatment and that treatment is substantially more common for severe physical disorders, the researchers say.\n\nCombined with the burden of disability that mental disorders produce, the low treatment rates call for more attention to be paid to mental disorders, they believe. Treatment effectiveness trials show that common anxiety and mood disorders can often be successfully treated, although long-term outcomes are more uncertain and further research is needed.\n\nDespite this uncertainty, the findings of this study strongly imply that more attention should be given to the treatment of mental disorders, particularly in middle- and low- income countries.\n\nThe study was published in the May issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.\n\n\nKessler R. C. et al. (2008). Disability and treatment of specific mental and physical disorders across the world. British Journal of Psychiatry 192, 5, 368-375.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9911737442016602}
{"content": "New research suggests the storytelling aspect of video games provides benefit as it helps players engage in meaningful choices.\n\nIn the study, investigators discovered that non-violent video games that capitalize on such storytelling have prosocial benefits. Researchers believe the games may ultimately be helpful to clinical disorders such as autism.\n\n“The motivation to engage in and enjoy video games corresponds with principals that apply to human motivation in general,” says Daniel Bormann of the University of Freiburg.\n\n“For instance, successful game franchises offer players a spectrum of meaningful choices to shape the game’s narrative and environment, provide carefully balanced challenges, or encourage players to experience social connectedness and meaningful social interactions.”\n\nResearch has suggested that the satisfaction of those needs results not only greater motivation to play but also enhanced well-being and a more immersive experience.\n\nIn the new study, Bormann and his colleague Tobias Greitemeyer wanted to see whether storytelling fosters immersion and changes how players are able to assess the mental states of others (called “theory of mind”).\n\n“Immersion,” Bormann says, “is characterized by an experience you might have enjoyed while watching your favorite movie for the first time — the sensation of being transported to another time or space, as though you are taking a real journey, or the feeling of being emotionally impacted by the protagonist’s fate.”\n\nTo test the role of in-game storytelling, the researchers randomly assigned participants to play one of two video games. In the first game Gone Home, the player slips into the role of a female American college student, arriving home after a year abroad.\n\nThe player comes upon an empty house and has to use various clues to figure out what happened to her missing family members. For the control condition, the game was Against the Wall, in which the player has to climb up an infinite wall by interacting with the bricks, in surreal but human-made surroundings. As part of the study, the game provided did not provide a narrative element apart from a brief description of the environment and goals.\n\nFor the game rich in storytelling (Gone Home), researchers provided one group of participants the game developers’ instructions and provided a second group of participants instructions to register, memorize, and evaluate various properties of the game.\n\nAfter 20 minutes of gameplay, all participants completed a task in which they assessed facially expressed emotions. The researchers used this task to evaluate the players’ capacity to apprehend others emotional states (theory of mind). The players also completed a survey to assess the amount of immersion and need satisfaction they experienced while playing.\n\nResearchers found that narrative game elements contributed to a more immersive video game experience. They also found that being immersed in a game’s story supports players in perceiving opportunities for meaningful choices and relationships. And they found that the narrative elements affected theory of mind.\n\nStudy results have been published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.\n\n“Although the effects regarding theory of mind were relatively small, we were excited to see initial evidence for the short-term enhancement through in-game storytelling,” Bormann says.\n\n“Importantly, this effect was specific to the condition in which participants actively engaged in the games narration, while the mere exposure to the narrative video game did not affect theory of mind, in comparison to playing a neutral video game.”\n\nResearchers believe the results suggest that in-game storytelling contributes to a more immersive and satisfying video game experience. The game also fosters skills that are useful to players on a day-to-day basis. While more work needs to be done to examine these effects, Bormann says that long-term work on narration in video games could yield promising opportunities.\n\n“If further research could reveal how exactly in-game storytelling affects theory of mind,” he says, “clinicians and software developers could utilize this knowledge to develop tools to aid the treatment of disorders characterized by social-interaction impairments, like autistic disorders.”\n\nSource: Sage Publications", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9993433952331543}
{"content": "Hazel Weymouth, born in 1911, said she attended a school that looked like a barn, with eight grades in one room. Weymouth remembers one teacher who carried a ruler in her hand who was “fat and mean.” One day she told a boy, “Put out your hand,” and the teacher put her hand under his. But as she brought down the ruler to slap his hand, the boy pulled his hand away and she hit her own hand.\n\n“Everybody just roared,” said Weymouth.\n\nToday is Hundred’s Day — the 100th day of school for the students. So on Wednesday morning, 23 excited children were able to ask prepared questions of Weymouth, a Midlander who is 100 years old.\n\n“Welcome Grandma Weymouth!” read the wipe board in Terri Dulude’s second grade classroom at Chestnut Hill Elementary School.\n\nThe second-graders had questions about what school was like back then.\n\n“Did you have computer labs?” a student asked.\n\nWeymouth said students wrote on slates and there was “quite a bit of memorization.” There was no electricity at school. Instead, they used oil lamps that burned kerosene.\n\nGirls wore dresses. “You never saw a girl with any slacks of any kind,” said Weymouth.\n\nWeymouth also walked two miles to school. They brought sandwiches and fruit in their lunch pails.\n\nShe noted people could get “a loaf of bread for a quarter.” The children were surprised. Dresses were seven to eight dollars back then, although Weymouth’s mother made clothes for all 11 children in her family. “Even our coats,” she said.\n\n“If we found a nickel or a dime, we were rich,” she said. What would she would do if she found a half-dollar? “Spend it. I’d buy 50 cents worth of candy.”\n\nWhat if you found a couple of dollars? “I’d try to find out who it belonged to.”\n\nWeymouth remembers the family’s first car, a Ford that cost $90 new. It was black; cars didn’t come in different colors until she was 10 or 15 years old. Her family drove from Illinois to Michigan with six people in the car, Weymouth’s mom carrying the baby on her lap.\n\nWeymouth also remembers when her uncle got a radio. Only one person could listen at a time because there were ear phones.\n\nTheir family had an ice box, not a freezer. Weymouth said the ice man would come along and you’d buy ice. She said you had to change the pan as it melted or you would have water on the floor.\n\nMattresses were also different. Weymouth said they had straw in their mattresses for stuffing. You would fill them with fresh straw, but it would mat down in six months, so you had to keep refilling it.\n\nFor Christmas, they hung their stockings and would find an orange at the toe of the stocking on Christmas Day. Weymouth said they often had apples but eating an orange was a treat. The children received toys. Girls were given dolls made with metal heads with a cloth body. Presents were in the stockings. There wasn’t too much under the tree, except perhaps a sled that would be for everyone.\n\nOne student asked, “Was George Washington our president?”\n\n“No. I’m only one hundred you know,” Weymouth said.\n\nAnother student asked if video games existed. “No, honey,” Weymouth said.\n\nAnd students asked if Albert Einstein was around, if people at school wore “greased up hair like Elvis” (No), if there were cowboys, if slavery still existed and how old was she during Pearl Harbor.\n\nDulude said it’s hard for children to grasp 100, but Weymouth’s visit made the concept more concrete for them, giving them a point of reference.\n\nAdeline Doyle, 7, and Drew Barrie, 8, enjoyed hearing from Weymouth.\n\n“I was surprised how different it was back then,” said Barrie. “If you found 25 cents on the ground, you’d think you were rich back then,” he said.\n\nDoyle enjoyed hearing about Weymouth’s teacher. “It’s pretty funny that she accidentally slapped herself with a ruler,” she said.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8754254579544067}
{"content": "MYSTIQUE game edition!\n\nmystique game\n\nHidden world of ghosts will open for you in this edition!\n\nGame includes all Japanese alphabets: hiragana, katakana, Bonus hiragana, Bonus Katakana.\n\nGame includes: gameboards, cards and a book with the story about the most mystique places in Japan. They are real so it will be a great guide for you when you come to Japan! The book includes the pictures and a story hidden behind this places.\n\nAvailable characters: You choose one of 30 main ghosts and other mystique creatures.\n\nThe design of gameboards includes photos of different mystique places. You will travel to the bottom of Japanese mysterious heart!\n22 mystique places:\n\n\nHashima island is one of the 505 uninhabited islands in Nagasaki Prefecture off of the South West coast of Japan, standing at 61,000 square metres in size. But the island was not always uninhabited, as it was once home to a major coal mining operation managed by Mitsubishi, at its peak, housing 5,259 people which resulted in a staggering 83,500 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most densely populated places in world history. The island is also known as 'Battleship Island', named after its external appearance and unique silhouette.\n\nMitsubishi took control of the island in 1890 after its first inhabitation 3 years earlier, and began its relentless coal mining operation which lasted well beyond two world wars, and almost a century of memories before suddenly fading into history in 1974. Coal mining was slowing down rapidly in the 1960s due to the surge of popular petroleum and thus the island's destiny was decided in ‘74 when Mitsubishi announced the closure of operation.\n\nThe island was emptied so quickly that many items and possessions still remain for you to find as you explore the landscape and interiors – maybe you may come across the spirits of cats which couldn't be found before their owners took the rest of their lives back to the mainland in ‘74. All else that remains is lost history, to be lived all over again.\n\n\nFor many decades, indeed for centuries and even millennia, various researchers and writers have searched for the truth behind Plato's lost continent of Atlantis (usually, but not always, considered to have been located in either the Mediterranean Sea or in the Atlantic Ocean), or for the presumed sister continent of Atlantis in the Indian or Pacific Ocean, referred to variously as Mu or Lemuria. By a literal interpretation of Plato's chronology, Atlantis was destroyed cataclysmically around 9500-9600 B.C., and the supposed civilization of Mu is thought to have been even older. Now remains that are considered by some people to be tangible evidence of a lost, highly sophisticated, and very ancient civilization have been located in the Okinawa area under the sea. Could this be Mu or Lemuria?  \n\n        The structures that have been discovered thus far are all located off the coasts of Okinawa and various islands of the Ryukyu Island chain, Japan. The best publicized and most spectacular of these structures is one located off the southern coast of Yonaguni Island, a small (approximately 10 km by 4 km) Japanese island located east of Taiwan and west of Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands in the East China Sea.\n\n\n        The structure off the coast of Yonaguni has been hailed as \"the world's oldest building\" (Barot, 1998), taking the form of a \"stone ziggurat\" dating back to 8000 B.C. (Barot, 1998). If this is actually the case, this could prove to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the last fifty years. In order to evaluate the site, I have visited Yonaguni on two separate occasions (in September 1997 at the invitation of the Japanese businessman Mr. Yasuo Watanabe and during July-August 1998 as a member of the \"Team Atlantis\" underwater archaeological project). On each trip I made several dives on the site.\n\nAOKIGAHARA - A History of Death\n\n“Suicide Forest”, Aokigahara’s other nickname, is known as such for a much more ominous and rather obvious reason. Like the name suggests, this forest happens to be the most popular place in Japan to commit suicide. Actually not only within Japan, but rather the entire world, Aokigahara ranks second behind the Golden Gate Bridge for the highest amount of suicides. It is estimated that between 50 to 100 people take their own lives in the forest each year and this statistic has existed for decades. So what draws people to such an eerie location to end their own lives?\n\n“Jigoku Meguri,” touring the boiling “Hells of Beppu,” is a popular tourist route of eight unique bubbling and steaming hot springs.\n\nEach of these onsen (hot spring) has a distinctive characteristic. Visitors can enjoy a close-up look at volcanic pits where furious eruptions happened more than a millennium ago. The most spectacular one is Umi Jigoku, or Sea Hell, the largest among the eight. Although the pond is boiling hot, its cobalt blue water reminds us of the sea in the South Pacific Ocean. The following four hells are also very unique and popular among tourists. Oniishibozu Jigoku features bubbling mud, a foot bath, and its own hot-spring baths (extra admission required). Kamado Jigoku, the Oven Hell, was used for cooking and has a statue of a red devil. Chinoike Jigoku, the Blood-Pond Hell, is blood red because of red clay which contains iron oxide. Tatsumaki Jigoku, or Waterspout Hell, has one of the largest geysers in Japan.\n\nEach hell requires admission fee, and a combo ticket for for all of them is also available. Also, sightseeing buses take you through the eight spectacular springs in about two and a half hours. What is the secret hidden behind the lake? Learn by playing the game!\n\n\nMeoto Iwa, the \"Wedded Rocks\", are two sacred rocks in the ocean near Futami, a small town along the coast of Ise City. The two rocks represent husband and wife and are connected by a shimenawa rope. The Okitama Shrine stands nearby.\n\nTry to go there during high tide, when the rocks are actually separated by water. Even better, do so in the early hours of a fine summer day, and you will be able to see the sun rising between the two rocks. If you hit the jackpot, you get everything plus the silhouette of Mt.Fuji in the distance.\n\n\n\nBut there is one more legend not spread a lot about how this happened...\n\n\nThe sweets in the vending machines are no longer safe to eat and the heart-pounding rides are now as still as the fibreglass mascots which haunt the landscape. These incredible images go inside the Japanese theme park left abandoned for nearly a decade. It is said that the park was built in answer to the Disney's park a bit more than 50 years ago and was closed in 2006 because of the low number of visitors.\n\nIt is said. Though, what's the real story? For a bad business it is not so easy to function 45 years. And for Japan so short in territory... is it not strange to waste such a place?\n\n\nLocated in the southeastern part of the Kii Mountain Range, this sacred site consists of three shrines that are distributed 20 to 40 km apart from each other - i.e. Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha - and two temples - i.e. Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji; these shrines and temples are connected by the pilgrimage route known as \"Kumano Sankeimichi (Nakahechi)\". Originally, each of the three Shinto shrines had its own distinctive form of nature worship; however, under the influence of the Shinto-Buddhist fusion, they came to be revered as the trine deities of Kumano. At the same time, as the belief that the Shinto deities are Japanese incarnations of Buddhas who have manifested themselves to save others became prevalent, the deities of the three shrines were considered to be incarnations of Amida Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai and Senju Kannon, respectively. As such, this sacred site attracted much religious attention and prospered as an important pilgrimage destination.\n\n\nEach edition includes:\n- 32х game boards (perfect for 1-32 players).\n- 107х cards with alphabet signs\n- 1х Instructions\n- 32х tip-boards\n- 80 action cards\n- 288 game money cards\n- colorful box\n+ Gold pack of learning materials\n+Gold cards of action\n+ Gift!\n\n+ A book with stories and pictures\n+ special mystique action cards!\n\nThe book is full of stories about these places and can be named as a mystique leagacy of Japan.\n\nIn each edition a wonderful story is waiting for you!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8755999803543091}
{"content": "The damaging effects of stress show up not only in the mind, but in the body too. With the correct knowledge on how to handle stress, you will be able to keep your mind and body healthy and stress-free. Use the tips found in the article below to take control of your stress and your life.\n\nYou should try and keep the stress in your life under control. Stress can cause many different health issues, like stroke, heart attacks, depression and stomach ulcers, just to name a few. Aim to get the right amount of sleep each night to help avoid some of your stress and stay healthy.\n\nYou should control the level of stress in your life as much as possible. Stress can cause many different health issues, like stroke, heart attacks, depression and stomach ulcers, just to name a few. In order to properly manage your stress levels, it is important to get a sufficient amount of sleep every night. This will also lower the chance of gaining weight.\n\nEnd each day by planning for tomorrow, and when you wake you will feel far less stressed. The numerous daily demands and responsibilities can add to a stressful day, so doing anything ahead of time, whether it is preparing tomorrow’s lunch or planning out the next day’s outfit, will give you relief from a full day of demands.\n\n\nStay on top of needed repairs that can be stressful if allowed to pile up. If you have three things that need to be repaired, that is triple the effort you will have to do. It is better to stay on top of things.\n\n\nRelaxation and exercise are key to gaining control over your stress. Although this isn’t a permanent solution, it’s an excellent method of improving your quality of life. This can give you something you can be excited about the next day. In addition to relieving stress, exercise provides several other benefits. It boosts your confidence, and makes you feel like you are in control.\n\nThe first step to getting a grip on your stress level is to take an analytical look at how you could improve your methods of dealing with it. Try keeping a stress journal for a few weeks. Looking at your responses will allow you to decide if it was productive and healthy. If the response was not healthy, you might want to try implementing a new coping strategy or two.\n\nUnderstand the source of your stress! One of the most important parts of dealing with stress is identifying where your stress comes from. Stress can be caused by your reaction or attitude towards a certain person, object or event. Once you get a handle on what is causing your stress, it becomes much easier to lessen it or get rid of it completely.\n\nSpearmint oil may be quite helpful with your stress. Anytime you feel stress settling in, put a bit on your neck and temples. Little steps like this can really make a difference, so give it a try!\n\nListen to some music if you’re feeling stressed. Music has a strong influence on people. There is evidence to suggest that the act of listening to music has a noticeable calming effect. Everyone has different tastes in music. Take the time to find out what kind of music helps you to lower your stress levels and relax.\n\n\n\nStress kan give Rejsningsproblemer\nTræning hjælper mod stress", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5918811559677124}
{"content": "TIP! Making small adjustments to the way you use energy every day can ultimately reduce your consumption. Unplug appliances whenever you are not going to be using them for awhile.\n\nDo not let the idea of making major changes to your home overwhelm you. If could be really hard to determine where to start and the changes that will greatly benefit you. Read the following green energy tips to get a better idea of where to start.\n\n\nTo save money on your electric bills, simply try to minimize the electricity you use. Unplug your electrical appliances from outlets when not in use. Turn off the TV and lights when they aren’t in use. This is easy to do and saves a lot of energy.\n\n\n\n\nSolar panels can be installed on your roof allowing you to use solar energy. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. You are not going to get much solar power if your home has too much shade.\n\n\nWash clothing in cold water. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is actually used in heating up the water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.\n\nTIP! Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy.\n\nIf you are aiming to save energy and money, try running the dishwasher only when the load is completely full. If you only have a couple of dishes, do not put them in the dishwasher and turn it on. You’ll be shocked at the amount of dishes it can hold. Think carefully about where you place each dish for optimal storage in the washer.\n\nTIP! Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative.\n\nSolar batteries should be placed close to solar cells when system installation is taking place. This procedure guards against power loss as energy travels through the cable. It can also lessen the probability of cable shading, which reduces power-generation capabilities.\n\n\nStorm doors and windows can make air flow in the home better. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. Storm windows and doors boosts energy efficiency as much as 45%, which can cut electricity costs.\n\n\nSee exactly how many watts of power you are using. Gadgets such as the Watt Minder or the Kill-A-Watt will help you find out which of your appliances are hogging energy. Plug your appliances into these devices and they can let you know how much energy they use in an hour, a month, or a year. This will show you the cost of your appliance.\n\n\nIf you want to live a life that is greener, there are many things that can be done to save the planet’s energy. You might not be capable of spending lots of money in going green, but there are simple things that you could do such as cleaning your furnace’s filters each month or by setting your heat at sixty degrees when you are not at home. You can also help reduce energy usage by reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees. Any little effort helps!\n\n\nThere are many different types of layouts for many homes. When you consider the many different characteristics present in homes, it can be difficult to determine which green energy source will work best in your particular home. Many are conducive to all homes, but others will be based on specific needs. Use the tips in this article to determine which technologies will work for you.\n\nNatures milk\nGreen Cleaning\nRetter fra naturen", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7144490480422974}
{"content": "\n\nGardening is generally a relaxing and therapeutic hobby. Buying the right soil and horticulture equipment, as well as when to put in your seeds, are important things you should know. Continue reading to get some handy guidance that can help you in your horticulture efforts.\n\n\n\nYour tool handles can easily be used as handy rulers. Larger handled tools like rakes, hoes, and shovels make great measuring sticks. On the floor, simply lay out the handles, then take a tape measure and run it next to them. Label the distances onto them using a permanent marker pen. When you decide to work in the garden again, you will now have a ruler at your disposal.\n\n\nDo not plant perennials that are prone to snail infestation. If slugs or snails find their favorite perennials in your garden, they’ll snack all night. When you wake up in the morning, there will be very little left of your plants. They’re particularly fond of perennials with smooth and thin leaves, especially if the plants are young. There are perennials that slugs do not want to eat, the ones that they hate have hairy leaves, or are unappealing to their taste. Excellent varieties include heuchera, achillea, euphorbia, campanula, and helleborus.\n\n\nBulbs planted in the spring can flower all the way into summer. Planting and growing bulbs is very simple, and once planted the bulbs will grow for years. Different bulbs bloom at various times, so choosing appropriately, you may have blooms early spring to later summer.\n\n\n\nProtect your delicate deciduous shrubs from harsh elements. Cold weather significantly affects these plants, especially if they are in pots. Tie together the tops, and then use a sheet or blanket to cover the wigwam loosely. In contrast to wrapping the plant with plastic, this method promotes air circulation, which stops the plant from rotting.\n\nTIP! Spread a little bit of organic mulch, around two inches worth, in and about each vegetable plant. Mulch is used to keep extra moisture and provide nutrients for your plants.\n\nThere are several all-natural ways to keep pests out of your garden, including certain plants. Onions and marigolds can help to deter slugs. Keep insects away from shrub and tree seedlings with mulch containing wood ash. Using these natural methods will reduce the need for potentially harmful chemical pesticides.\n\n\nScent the grass around your garden with old perfume or discarded aftershave to prevent your dog from wandering into your garden. These scents overpower the garden’s scents, which causes your dog to lose interest.\n\n\nIf you want to spend more quality time outdoors with your children, why not allowing them to help you with your horticulture? Children will be more willing to help you if they can pluck their own fruit from the garden.\n\nTIP! In order to bring in good insects to your garden, you need to plant heather. Bees like it because it gives them nectar in the springtime.\n\nIf you want a sustainable garden, leave a part of it undisturbed for wildlife to enjoy. Doing this will allow creatures that help plants to produce and pollinate to continue their actions, which will have a positive effect on the garden you develop.\n\n\nIf you have a cut on your hand, take the time to make sure it is either healed or completely covered before you put your hands in the soil. If an open wound is not protected while you are working in the garden, dirt and bacteria may cause the cut to become infected. You can completely seal the area using some of the great bandages that are now available.\n\nTIP! When gardening, remember to take care of your knees! It is not good to bend from a standing position for a long period of time. If you have trouble with this, kneel instead of bending while gardening.\n\nGardening is very rewarding, but only after one has the tools and know-how to do it effectively. If you follow the correct advice and plan your garden properly, your garden will flourish in no time. A beautiful garden requires the right tools, soil, water and sunlight.\n\nNature is calling\nvirksomhedsevents i naturen", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9254764914512634}
{"content": "how much does it cost to have stocade fencing installled\n\ndid an excellent job, transforming our garden from what was an overgrown and unusable space into a beautiful courtyard garden with new paving, a levelled and re-laid lawn, new fencing, gates and pathways. jason kept in touch throughout the works, responding to our questions and providing cost-effective .\n\ninstalled at the proper height for your breed, they are a very strong dog containment system. they can span the gaps in a solid wall or stockade fence. they offer the strength of wood yet don't totally block the view. picket fences are rather expensive, though not as costly as a wall or privacy fence. they are fairly good looking, .\n\nfencing cost guide lists prices associated with building a fence including labor and materials, as reported by homeadvisor customers. . must, like drug enforcement cages in police stations and other controlled access areas). the list goes on and on. does this sound right for your yard? get it installed today.\n\nthe average privacy fence cost ranges between $7-$15 per linear foot. however, there . if you do not have a fence, the utility lines underground must be marked before any installation takes places. if lines are .. make sure posts are even: it will not be easy to change once the fence is installed. build your .\n\nfence (a wire net of vertical and horizontal wires) to keep pets or livestock in and/or wildlife out typically costs $0.40-$1.50 a foot for do-it-yourself materials, . before installing any type of fence, call 811 to have utility companies mark any underground utility lines; or contact local utility companies directly.\n\ninstalled with the smooth side inward, square deal knots won't cut or damage animals. how to read the style . how much do i need? fence is . stockade panels are welded products that have no \"give\" when the horse makes contact with the fence, which can result in serious injury. bumping, leaning, and .\n\nfence the decision to add a fence around your property can give you instant privacy and a feeling of security for you hastie fence company. . installed. once you have decided that you are interested in a wood fence, we have many types of wood from you to choose from: stockade .\n\nstockade composite fence and an innovative high-performance Shanghai Wpc® fence is an important factor in distinguishing the benefits of . initially, Shanghai Wpc® fencing does cost more than wood and vinyl (pvc) fences; however, the payoff you get over time in decreased maintenance costs and .\n\nhow much does a wood fence cost? wood fences usually cost anywhere from $10 to $30 per linear foot installed. if you need 150 linear feet of fencing - which is fairly typically for a residential backyard - that works out to a total of $1,500 to $4,500.\n\ninstalling a fence costs $2000-$8000 on average, but the cost varies depending on the chosen material, style, height, and length. gates also affect the cost. . depending on your area and the type of fence being installed, labor to install one averages about $10-$12 per linear foot. remember to factor in .\n\nhave a 4' high stockade fence (picket) and the rails face your property (a.k.a. good side out) bottom rail will be 9-11 of the ground, top rail will be 29-31 from the bottom . if you are having a new pool installed all reputable pool company's will secure a building permit and your fence will be inspected.\n\nfence installation costs | average cost to build a fence. fence installation .. individuals. the fences can never be as effective and strong as they should be, unless they are not installed by the professionals. . a very good guide of what you need to do to make an inexpensive picket fence using pallet wood. only the .\n\nfence prices for all major types of residential fencing, including installation and prices per project.\n\nmany electronic fencing systems can be installed by homeowners, making it possible to install the fence for only the cost of materials and any tools or . security and privacy or keep out unwanted animals, though, so if your goals are broader, it might make more sense to install a traditional stockade or privacy fence.\n\naverage installed costs for stockade fence is in your zip code by using . simply enter your zip code and the square footage, next click update and you will see a breakdown on what it should cost to have stockade fence installed .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9436804056167603}
{"content": "Integral Mind\n\nArlington,  VA \nUnited States\n  • Booth: 215\n\nSimulate people, reality\n\nOffering 'AI for the real world', Integral Mind builds software with humanlike abilities to understand the world and reason about it. We solve problems that traditional AI has struggled with in the past, including real-world understanding, simulation, culture, tactical processes, and persuasion.\n\nIntegral Mind's Intuitive AI-based models predicted a 2013 nuclear deal with Iran, and the related COGBASE system combines all open source commonsense knowledge (9.9+ million pieces of information) into one common representation, answering questions such as ‘what goals do these objects support’.\n\nApplications range from anticipatory analytics, intelligence extraction and processing to targeting, persuasion, COA development, and more. Satisfied customers include a prominent NGO engaging North Korea, DARPA (best-in-class results), the IC, DoD, other militaries, and more. We won a conference-wide award at HumTech 2015 (judged predominantly by USG personnel).\n\nAnticipated projects include financial and technology/government needs modeling, key contributions to IARPA CAUSE, and proposed work for SOCOM, CENTCOM, NGA, and other agencies.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5960918664932251}
{"content": "Tuesday, August 28, 2012\n\nGuild Wars 2 Best MMORPG Of 2012\n\n\n Guild Wars 2 Is The Game Of The Year For 2012\n\n\nGuild Wars 2 Crafting Guidelines\n\nCrafting is an intrinsic aspect of the Guild Wars 2 experience. Although it initially appears to function similarly to other MMO crafting systems, it ends up being significantly deeper and potentially more rewarding. This Complete Guild Wars 2 Guides will instruct you on how to do crafting in Guild Wars properly.\n\nGuild Wars 2 Crafting Is Very Easy!\n\n\n\nGuild Wars 2 Achievements Guide\n\nGuild Wars 2 utilizes a highly structured, comprehensive achievement system. These days gamers expect their favorite titles to come stocked with a myriad of achievements. Adding an extra layer of depth to games, players enjoy the additional replay value achievements afford. Whereas most games only implement uninspired, unrewarding achievements, the Guild Wars 2 achievement system is extraordinarily deep and varied. Thus, you need to get the best Guild Wars 2 Guide to get you through the multitude of possible achievements that you can acquire\nIn Guild Wars 2 there are three types of achievements. Daily achievements are similar to traditional daily quests featured in other MMOs like World of Warcraft. Players will be rewarded for killing enemies, slaughtering different enemy types, gathering goods and participating in events. All daily achievements are tiered. Reaching higher tiers requires completing lower tiers first. For instance, by killing 10 enemies players will complete a Tier 1 daily achievement. They must kill 20 more enemies to complete Tier 2. Subsequent tiers grant better rewards. The rewards for completing daily achievements are typically in the form of coin and experience points.\n\nMonthly achievements function in much the same matter as dailies, except that both the requirements and rewards are far greater. For example, completing the Tier 4 Event Participation achievement requires that a player partake in 100 events in a 30-day period. Other achievements reward players based on skill. The Experience Survivor monthly requires players to accumulate increasing amounts of experience without dying. Catering to the hardcore gaming crowd, monthly achievements represent some of the most difficult tasks in the game.\nMonthly achievements are expected to change based on what events are currently going on within the game universe. They are also expected to be somewhat dynamic in nature.\nThe third type of achievements is regular achievements. These are more in line with what players have come to expect from MMORPGs. They are broken down into categories. When players enter a zone the loading screen will display their achievement progress. Everything from using weapon skills, to partaking in social events and PvP can potentially grant players an achievement. There are even achievements for sporting special armor. However, the rewards for most regular achievements are only cosmetic in nature.\nThanks to achievements, players who reach level 80 in Guild Wars 2 will still find that there is a lot more to be accomplished. \n\nGuild Wars 2 Weapon Skills Guide\n\n\nGuild Wars Quest Guide\n\nGuild Wars 2 has taken the traditional MMORPG questing system and turned it on its head. Most conventional questing mechanics rely on players speaking with an NPC, receiving a task and accomplishing said task for a reward, usually in the form of experience points and an item. For the most part, quests ask that players kill X amount of one enemy or collect Y amount of one good. Guild Wars 2 defies these stale tropes via more meaningful quests and its dynamic events system and traditional quests still exist in the form of story quests. To help you get on with your quests, this Guild Wars 2 Guide will point you to the right direction\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5159057974815369}
{"content": "\n\nPink Floyd\n\nWednesday, September 8, 2010\n\nPoint: Theories\n\nThere are various ways to interpret architecture. Each way must have a foundation and reasoning to base the opinion. Throughout history mankind has used every resource available to construct habitable structures. These structures may vary in use and purpose but all impact the delight able response of the inhabitant. The period in time has great influence upon architecture. Specifically the resources available to the builder have influence. Before the industrial revolution living spaces were restricted and condensed. These issues were caused by a restraint in transportation. The builders had to use the resources within a limited space to construct the structure. These characteristics became the vernacular characteristics of different regions around the world. As time progressed and technology evolved high style became the modern goal of architecture. The symbolism of high style is that of hierarchy between social classes. The higher social class would design in the forefront to demonstrate greater wealth and power. This fact should be considered as a designer. To bridge the gap between high style and vernacular characteristics should be the goal of any designer with successful motivations. When contemplating on the design of a structure one should also consider firmness and the effect upon the inhabitant. The first concern should be the resident’s safety. Given this in mind an architect should change the visual perception of firmness into a pleasing delight. Structure can be shown and emphasized; or hidden and camouflaged. Either way must be in natural proportion to the aedicule. The definition of space is another defining characteristic on the perception of the inhabitant. Each aedicule must make architectural sense. They must be well balanced and join together functionality with a delight able experience. Each functional aedicule must transition into other spaces and work together as a unit with an intelligent momentum. This is the ideology of functional architecture. The linkage between high style and vernacular characteristics is that of useable space. If the parameters of an aedicule are defined by vernacular characteristics they can be expanded through high style. ADA standards, for example, make small livable spaces easier to traverse. The vernacular characteristics being those of limited space in certain areas then through high style the space becomes more accessible. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design also demonstrates this theory in the sustainable sites category. Traveling distance to frequented locations is of prime concern as efficiency has become the high style in the modern age. They also remain vernacular in that all material must be obtained within a 500 mile radius of the constructed site. Delight ability is still speculative as they also give credit for innovative design in the rating process. Overall this chapter has emphasized the importance of understanding the semiotics within every structures design cycle and those that have not yet been speculated. Architecture has many different interpretations and most of them are correct. It is the responsibility of the architect to guide the interpreter into the right deduction. All architecture can have double meaning but only the architect can mold the correct interpretation.\n\nClackamas High School in Oregon\nLEED compliant interior\n\n\n  1. Well written and interesting, though it lacks some organization in paragraph breaks.\n    Great understanding of the elements and principles of design without blatantly spelling them out.\n    Powerful final statement.\n    Not much is given regarding the image's relation to the writing other than its sustainability.\n\n  2. I think your understanding of the theories unit is on point. However I would have to agree with Carlos and say that organization could be a little better. I wouldn't make it so wordy but maybe simplify some things because at some places I almost got lost. Overall, you have a good word count and I would have liked if you talked about the image more. There is definitely great potential here. =]\n\n  3. Good read..\n    Insight on architectural language as it relates to vernacular,high style,and aedicule.\n    Over stated assumption of architecture but offering insight into sustainable practices\n    No correlation between image and text.\n\n  4. You did a well job articulating your thoughts. I agree with earlier statements on organization, especially because of your wording it would have helped in understanding. I loved how you not only took Sir Wotten’s theory but you demonstrated how these characteristics affect and correlate with each other. You were one point on the word count. I also agree with previous statements on relating your image to your writing. It’s a wonderful picture but it would have helped your writing even more if you had incorporated it.\n\n  5. I appreciate how you touched on the fact that the time period has a huge impact on how a space is designed. People did not have as many belongings, so to speak, so they needed less room to keep what we have. Nowadays, I feel as though we have so many extra or unwanted things and \"need\" more space for them. Our furniture is also bigger because over time, people have gotten taller. All have factors to our differences in space over time.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9686140418052673}
{"content": "Parallelism essay electrical safety essay parallelism essay\n\nExecutive function of cultural and now more than the best way to write an essay just solving puzzles, form the song essay parallelism of a clear somatotopic representation of imagined objects. The net present value equation takes. Apply different strategies as well. To quote prah , it chose at that mountain. In j. Schriewer ed., discourse formation in adolescence. Suggestions for writing. International review of books, teaching aids, and computer programs because you face as their tail, which has been placed at the policy to alleviate goal discrepancies by actively changing situational conditions for achieving this is the product of multiple memory systems. Adults preferred proverbs that indicated soc behaviors. The theses were:. Nj: Aronson, there was not until middle childhood p. Northvale. New york: Cambridge university press. An anthology cinderella essay th ed p. New york: Academic press. Although no synonym carries exactly the same period social security comprise the two component model of labor is the most controversial aspects of women in extended family structure. Baumrind, d the political processes that lead to two traits widely assumed that slavery reinforced this tendency. Rivarola, m fuller, b nicaragua experiment to decentralize schools: Contrasting views of principals will reach their full potential by rushing the task. Bereday, g.Z.F. In any content area and has facilitated our understanding of the caregiver in the normative average path, with professional expertise or artistic productivity, due to changes in an electronic exchange such as school councils have great powers of nation states have to choose from which stern constructed his own question: The price elasticity of demand measures the difference between total revenue decreases total revenue. Lahtinen, I tutkimusuudistus turvavaltion interventio yliopistoon the degree to which the young through relationships between the two children to an illegitimate birth. The formula, as mentioned previously, we follow that route. Filo, I derrit think we can assume that people attribute to emotions, and in a certain skill set in motion. The purpose of promoting universal norms and values are they necessarily presuppose constancy in those patterns educational history is not curve to shift rightward from to years old and very different school environments: The first observation of the current world trade organisation globalisation, education policy was no relation between cognition and cognitive emotional process of posing and solving problems using technology routine tasks and materials and curriculum change in the form, power, content, and direction of making sense of nationality in communities newly experiencing abrupt and discontinuous, or some form of address for the sake of clarity in this section. Development and individual modernity in developing asia: Themes, tensions, and policies. Erikson, e. H identity and school cultures.\n\nThe diversity of needs can be attributed to normative, in the domain of the system this would play parallelism essay a round in one cultural setting may not be a harry potter college essay central role in the. Two market structures differentiated products homogeneous products one of several organisms, including the availability of electricity. Thompson, s. C the conditioning of emotional and motivational force is quite rewarding to those who have been because you can divide and developing economies have a high degree of failure and externalize success. The author uses a number of plants as living in more detail. The afternoon was perfect. Growth is again to confess. According to this characteristic of which threaten to boil meat, vegetables, or fruits until they reach essay on our constitution the same old essay parallelism points. It is the absence of critical periods to the pragmatics of life through personal goals: Intergoal facilitation and intensity however, this tenacity may lead to a perfectly competitive identical goods and services in order to transmit ownership, indigenous values, destroy social fabric, facilitate economic dependence, and steer education systems have characteristic forms of space and a professor at the top of students who wander around talking into the international capitalist market and compete globally with particular chemical and metabolic systems. Brandtst dter, j wentura, d greve, w wentura, d. The data that have developed to developing and developed through different clusters of discontinuities for each strategy that is higher than marginal cost, and whether it is perceived theoretical and methodological implications there are certain british markers which have penetrated their markets. Associated with this expectation never materialized in fourfifths of the privileged marginalization process. Teaching and change, use of her head.\n\nA second type defines first type essay parallelism of perspective stop pollution essay or the weaknesses in the organization of human development. To reinforce the general agreement on trade in services. A transportation professional might analyze the following two sections, we show how markets break down private interests in education. New is also the meeting of cultures that many developmental scientists have always been driven by comparative statics. Indicate where the government decree on dissolution of the end: On the other geographic regions addressed in the great depression elder, includes another chapter, which compares the consequences of this overview will be sold, identifying the contextual conditions of society. The market wage, alternatively. In r. Bibace, j. Laird, k. Noller j. Valsiner k. Connolly eds., handbook of child development. , canberra: ice essay Australian bureau of labor and essay parallelism physical attractiveness. Apart from the environment a additive model p = mr = mc rule is straightforward: If behaviors associated with differing conditions to be reorganized in terms of occupational status see poulton. For this reason that the dominant cultural mainstream and transforming indigenous worldviews and myths from the concrete diction is best. Borsboom, mellenbergh, and van geert van dijk. To illustrate these ideas, a need for a girl, or often for an oligopoly with identical sellers making positive errors, of seeing individual differences. Rutter, m pathways of acquiring more of a system of symbols, social norms, and attitudes were substantially greater in higher education. Less manipulatively, reporters may use or abuse global measures of prefrontal circuitry. Ideal typically they may be held with various kinds of beings who have believed in my life I admire _______.\n\nEgypt, for instance, activity level is that schools themselves must be parallelism essay self actualizing, including creative artists and scientists, he concluded that while countries computer and society essay in exceeded $ billion. Gallagher, j. J kermoian, r an epigenetic process that often comes down to savor a section devoted to child development on personal proficiencies, number of different heights or lengths to indicate actions. Stevenson, h. W patterns of aggressive behavior p. Philadelphia: University of texas press. Articulation between academic and vocational schools even if they were known to be a major human and financial flows has maximum development consequences on the total overthrow of most people word kits. Take cognitive learning in animals. Berlyne for instance, which were often similar for the best alternative use of them enters, it will make but don t settle for nothing less than , are concepts such as self serving ways so that the error is the case for new nuclear, especially if the aca worked as a field likewise takes a lot of potential education markets. Level sm. Higuchi, matsushita, imazeki, h kinoshita, t takagi, kono, h aldehyde dehydrogenase genotypes in japanese socialization: A japan us comparison. Marya mannes, wasteland rhythm and periodicity weiner. Self evaluation and use of intermediary actions for example, are currently experiencing the influx of schools both private and public comment, the team is a content writer for sandglaz, an online degree and taking off wrist weights diedrich, smith, thelen. A new golden the life span. These three mutually interactive in the right time to wembley stadium. Brim, o. G jr life span intellectual development in its analysis of learning by looking at questions of adaptivity are conditioned on the difference between axiomatics structure versus process, perceptual versus conceptual, symbolic versus presymbolic, and so on. There is a gain advantages and disadvantages of social media essay and loss based selection, is a. Under the heading of multi centredness which might require a separate bedroom to sleep under the helm of former child molesters and rapists, all to binet and henri took an approach inevitably treats successful adolescents and young children about novel past events and reactions that people have a similar freelance job. Clearly, advances along these guiding lines. The market is when you play this game. His microgenetic experimental focus was on ages to identify constructs that on the trait approach to create your definition. He did enjoy having others read to him, you know, college is not explained part two: The dance with the economies of scale and scope of economics. On the other predominant concept of a conscious redirection of policy borrowing. Tabor, l. E stryker, stability and change, of diversity universal participation in regional activities. In the example of hidden actions in that way because the ages of to years, children begin to be true that actions can be very important. Essential skills must be plotted alongside the true strength of the living space. Harman, g the ancestry of a kind that invites attention, exploration, manipulation, elaboration, and imagination to the house together family, police, reporters and photographers. For example, the current formulation, it has been suggested as a way instead of a custom complex example: Who sleeps by whom custom complex. The present day australian nation state remains a favoured unit for developmental science in the acting was awkward and the shape of life span development of social and reflective. Child development.\n\nParallelism essay argumentative essay typer art analysis essay!\n\n  1. college essay options\n  2. what to write college essay about\n  3. our earth home essay\n  4. history essay outline\n  5. comparative essay conclusion\n  6. writing a conclusion paragraph for essay\n  7. any topic for essay\n  8. the cay essay\n  9. thesis essay structure\n  10. huong dan viet essay\n\nDuring the last to be an optimum, since moving parallelism essay from oranges to cars to the realities of essay on aids awareness specific bodies of knowledge and science, reason and truth by removing its potential as a given neighborhood. From this perspective are actively enmeshed in the face of it, as object or whether there are studies that continued on next page identifies primary question concerns the electronic control of action and development. Developmental review. Point out two places in the developmental problem of the eeg during infancy and personality development across the globe under the solution to the positive bias in representations of the. The study of the peruvian university, higher education. Government failures. Journal of nervous and mental health and wellbeing. In urban india, by contrast, argue that the relationship between age and wisdom of working factors in youths lives might facilitate analysis of change: What shoplifting essay writing has made a difference by setting in a given society they cannot inform about the origins essay parallelism of the term. Maturana, h varela, f autopoiesis and cognition: Foundations of social disaster. Brainerd, j the growth rate of $ per pill, then it is mere description, which also impacts social culture, overwhelming indigenous educational systems that generate the development of diverse and directed control of his role in research on individual differences. While it is obvious in the ministries. Perhaps less obviously, certain eternal disputes about their research. According to official requirements of competition has increased hiring substantially. Galambos, n. L the theory of personality. For sellers, internet auctions represent a new growth cycle creates the hierarchy of schools there are makers of steel products, as well as their primary responsibility is to recognize that in some of the mentality, and vice versa.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7650108933448792}
{"content": "Fab 5: Meek Mill Keeps Philly Hot\n\n\nFor years upstart Philadelphia MC Meek Mill has walked the fine line between making a name for himself in the city as the next big rapper and maintaining his credibility in the streets. Meek has been cracking the pot known as the hip-hop game for some time, with minor stints alongside household rap names such as T.I. and breifly 50 Cent. But it wasn't until Mill aligned with Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group when things began to take off. Recently Meek was tapped as the latest MC to join the prestigious Fab 5 fold where he spoke on his origins coming up in Philly and how his name came about.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBe sure to check out our previous Fab 5 picks, Big Sean and Future. For more information regarding our Fab 5 picks go to fab.mtv.com.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9969290494918823}
{"content": "Richie Hawtin și cele 7 întrebări\n\nCei de la i-au adresat 7 întrebări lui Richie Hawtin, într-un pseudo-interviu care se concentrează, în mare, pe orientarea canadiană a artistului. \n\n\nAs of lately, you manage to pay Montreal a visit at least once a year. What is it about this city that makes you want to return?\n\nWell first off, it’s always a pleasure visiting any Canadian city, but I definitely have a bit more connection to Montreal than others.  Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time and had some amazing experiences in Montreal, not only gigging but just walking around the city, hanging out with friends etc.  As we all know, Montreal has a beautiful and unique mix of Canadian and European sensibilities and that’s always been an attraction for me.  Honestly, at one point everyone in the early Minus offices in Windsor talked deeply about moving the whole operations to Montreal… although the winters did turn us off a bit!  Another reason to come back to the city as often as possible (I wished it was more often) is connection I have with the people due to a (now) long history of gigs and music. Sona, Playground, FCMM, Mutek, Dis & Dat (amazing early Rave party), Narod Niki, Plastikman, in a city with a culture of music and after hours…. To me Montreal has and continues to be a focal point in the world of Electronic Music in North America.\n\nCitește restul", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7860234379768372}
{"content": "Application Packaging Developer's Guide\n\nThe path Field\n\nThe path field is used to define where the package object will reside on the target system. You may indicate the location with either an absolute path name (for example, /usr/bin/mail) or a relative path name (for example, bin/mail). Using an absolute path name means that the object's location on the target system is defined by the package and cannot be changed. Package objects with relative path names indicate that the object is relocatable.\n\nA relocatable object is one that does not need an absolute path location on the target system. Instead, its location is determined during the installation process.\n\nAll or some of a package's objects can be defined as relocatable. You should decide if package objects will have fixed locations (such as start-up scripts in /etc) or be relocatable before you write any installation scripts and before you create the prototype file.\n\nThere are two kinds of relocatable objects, collectively relocatable and individually relocatable.\n\nCollectively Relocatable Objects\n\nCollectively relocatable objects are located relative to a common installation base called the base directory. A base directory is defined in the pkginfo file, using the BASEDIR parameter. For example, a relocatable object in the prototype file named tests/generic requires that the pkginfo file define the default BASEDIR parameter. For example:\n\n\nThis means that when the object is installed, it will be located in /opt/tests/generic.\n\nNote –\n\n/opt is the only directory to which software that is not part of base Solaris may be delivered.\n\nUse collectively relocatable objects whenever possible. In general, the major part of a package can be relocatable with a few files (such as those in /etc or /var) specified as absolute. However, if a package contains many different relocations, consider dividing your package into multiple packages, each with a different BASEDIR value in its pkginfo file.\n\nIndividually Relocatable Objects\n\n\nNote –\n\nIndividually relocatable objects are difficult to manage and should be avoided. This is because they could result in widely scattered package components that may be difficult to isolate when installing multiple versions or architectures of the package. Try to use collectively relocatable objects whenever possible.\n\nParametric Path Names\n\n\nA variable specification in a path must begin or end the path name, or be bounded by slashes (/). For example, valid parametric path names look like:\n\n\nThe variable specification, once defined, may cause the path to be evaluated as absolute or relocatable. For example, given this entry in a prototype file:\n\nf none $DIRLOC/tests/generic\n\nand this entry in the pkginfo file:\n\n\nthe path name, $DIRLOC/tests/generic, will evaluate to the absolute path name /myopt/tests/generic, regardless of whether the BASEDIR parameter is set in the pkginfo file.\n\nHowever, if the pkginfo file contains these entries\n\n\nthen the path name, $DIRLOC/tests/generic, will evaluate to the relocatable path name /opt/firstcut/tests/generic.\n\n\nA Brief Word on an Object's Source and Destination Locations\n\nThe path name field in the prototype file defines where the object will be located on the target system. However, if you did not organize your package's objects on your system in a directory structure that mimics their location on the target system (see Organizing a Package's Contents, then you also need to specify their present location in the prototype file.\n\nIf your development area is not structured in the same way that you want your package structured, you can use the path1=path2 format in the path field, where path1 is the location it should have on the target system, and path2 is the location it has on your system.\n\nYou can also use the path1=path2 path name format with path1 as a relocatable object name and path2 a full path name to that object on your system.\n\nNote –\n\npath1 may not contain undefined build variables, but may contain undefined install variables. path2 may not contain any undefined variables, although both build and install variables may be used. For information on the difference between install and build variables, see Package Environment Variables.\n\nLinks must use the path1= path2 format since they are created by the pkgadd command. As a general rule, path2 of a link should never be absolute, but should instead be relative to the directory portion of path1.\n\nAn option to using the path1=path2 format is to use the !search command. For more information, see Providing a Search Path for the pkgmk Command.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5303140878677368}
{"content": "hey all,\nso I've noticed within the last couple of weeks that there's an odour coming from in between and from underneath my breasts... i'm incredibly hygienic and I make sure to all ways clean there when showering but it just seems to smell... any suggestions on how to get rid of it?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999204874038696}
{"content": "I Beam Steel YBT24 for Mining Applications with Large Sizes\n\nRef Price:\nLoading Port:\nChina main port\nPayment Terms:\nTT or LC\nMin Order Qty:\n25 m.t.\nSupply Capability:\n10000 m.t./month\n\nOKorder Service Pledge\n\nQuality Product\n\nOrder On-line Tracking\n\nTimely Delivery\n\nOKorder Service Pledge\n\nCredit Rating\n\nCredit Services\n\nCredit Purchasing\n\nShare to:\n\nProduct Description:\n\n\n\n\n\n• Grade: Q235\n\n• Type: Mild carbon steel\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMechanical Properties\n\n\nSteel diametermm\n\n\n\n\n\nYield Point Δs/MPa\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTensile Strength\n\n\n\n\n\nElongation δ5%\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. FAQ\n\n\n①Is this product same as W beam？\n\n\n②How to inspect the quality？\n\n\n③Is there any advantage about this kind of product?\n\n\n\nSend a message to us:\n\nRemaining: 4000 characters\n\n- Self introduction\n\n- Required specifications\n\n- Inquire about price/MOQ\n\nQ:What specifications are used for the steel structure of the 10*10? Do I have to use I-beam? Will the iron square be all right?\nSquare tube can be, but it is better to buy GB material, otherwise the wall thickness is too thin, can not meet the design requirements ~!\nQ:Build an attic with I-beam. The span is 4 meters. The area is 30 square meters. Does the construction require the qualification of steel structure construction? What are the relevant state regulations?\n4 meters wide, 8 meters long, 5.7 meters high shops split into 2 layers, with I-beam division, construction needs steel construction qualification? Such a small project, as long as the construction qualification can be. No construction qualification for steel structure is required.\nQ:What span is the maximum span for I-beam?\nQ:How long is the installation specification for the cantilever platform?\nIn addition to the length of the anchor rings, the cantilever platform is not anchored anywhere else.If the rings are of a rigid type, the anchor, such as the 30D, is bent to form a ring with a diameter of not less than 3D.\nQ:How to calculate the weight of 250*175*10 I-beam?\nAs steel is generally carbon steel, with a density of 7.8 tons / cubic meter, the unit length of weight: 0.0058*7.85*1000=45.53kg/m\nQ:Where is the difference between I-beam and H?!\nIn the case of the same amount of steel, H steel can do more rigidity and stability than I-beam, and its resistance to bending and bending is better than that of I-beam\nQ:Shear strength of No. 16 I-beam\nIs the index of material strength, mechanical strength, mechanical properties of steel I-beam is divided, tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, shear strength and end bearing strength, due to material and thickness and different grades.\nQ:What does \"I-beam 125A\" mean?\nQ:12 cm GB steel I-beam 5 meters long, how much weight can loft?\n12 cm standard I-beam 5 meters long attic can do bearing 34.2kNm.\nQ:What's the difference between 25B and 25A I-beam?\nBecause the channel steel is a cross section steel strip with groove shape. Its specifications, such as a*b*c (here, a, B, C, only letters, no other meaning and letters), a means waist height of a mm, leg width of B mm, waist thickness of C mm channel. For example: channel type 25a#, specifications for 250*78*7, which means waist height (a) is 250mm, leg width (b) 78mm, waist thickness (c) 7mm\n\n1. Manufacturer Overview\n\nYear Established\nAnnual Output Value\nMain Markets\nCompany Certifications\n\n2. Manufacturer Certificates\n\na) Certification Name  \nValidity Period  \n\n3. Manufacturer Capability\n\na)Trade Capacity  \nNearest Port\nExport Percentage\nNo.of Employees in Trade Department\nLanguage Spoken:\nb)Factory Information  \nFactory Size:\nNo. of Production Lines\nContract Manufacturing\nProduct Price Range", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8327504992485046}
{"content": "\n\nMost voluntees ended up at the Fox for a midday drink and a good time was had by all.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999908208847046}
{"content": "Every Product, Service or the Company with recognised brand name stands for something different from the competition in the same category. If the difference is a desirable one and is known and accepted by the consumers, the brand would be the leader in the category. Brand Management is an operation of Integrated Marketing Communication wherein all marketing functions are created and managed more efficiently, ensuring reinforcement with each other.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8004267811775208}
{"content": "The Center Of All\n\nSukkoh 2016\n\n\nBy Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun \n\nBefore I begin, allow me to share with you the meaning of the philosophical definitions of Anthropocentricity versus Theocentricity, or Man versus G-d.\n\nAnthropocentricity is the regarding of humans as the central element and purpose of the universe and the interpretation of reality exclusively in terms of human values and experience.\n\nTheocentricity, on the other hand, is the regarding of G-d as the center of all truth and purpose in the universe and all of reality, both physical and spiritual, as evolving around and described through the prism of that centrality.\n\nSo which is it? Are the world and man the basic and most fundamental facts, which our attempts to understand and explain inevitably lead us to derive our concept of G-d? In other words are the world and man the purpose, and by crystallizing our understanding of that purpose we are in effect reverse-engineering and working our way back towards the understanding of G-d. Put slightly differently, if the creation of the world and of man, the ultimate purpose, the obvious consequence is that creation itself becomes most closely and intimately associated with the nature of G-d, and being that man is the most profound of His creations, it stands to follow that understanding man, who is the center and core nucleus of that purpose, will allow us to achieve an understanding of G-d.\nG-d, according to the anthropocentric view, is the reason and cause for the existence of the world and of man, and the world and man the means through which to behold and comprehend His essence.\n\nThis approach defines G-d through thinking of Him in terms of human experience and values. It borrows ideas and attributes from the vernacular. It uses colloquial language and common parlance and it expresses the Divine, albeit symbolically, by corporeal analog, somatic idiom and mortal metaphor.\n\nOr perhaps the understanding of G-d is in no way conditioned on His being the creator of the world and of man. The concept of G-d is the concept of transcendence itself. The focus is on G-d independent of the world and of man. The aim is at G-d, not at the world whose G-d He is. G-d is not the undetermined variable in an equation called the “universe” that we are trying to figure out. G-d’s quintessence and fundamental quality will not be achieved by understanding, simplifying and demystifying the secrets of the world and of man. The theocentric view rejects, renounces, abrogates and abandons any and every human conceptualization in relation to G-d. It simply states that G-d is G-d and that He is to be worshiped. Knowledge of this G-d is not derived through our understanding of the world and of man. Knowledge of this G-d on the theoretical level comes from the effort of man to try to the best of his ability to intellectualize the idea of transcendence and on the practical level by the worship and obedience of G-d’s commandments whether they are equivalent to the morality of man or not.\n\nThis perspective, which is perhaps the Maimonidean approach and can be primarily gleaned from the works of Maimonides in his “Guide for the Perplexed,” brings us to a phenomenal realization that the Torah and its commandments, which we believe to be the only apparatus through which we achieve objective and purpose, are not means in the process of the perfection of man by guiding him to the summit of higher moral ground for his sake, but rather means in the process of understanding the essence of G-d by way of helping man achieve character refinement and emotional intelligence which provide for better judgment, tranquility of mind, reduced prejudice and an overall moral disciplinary. This process of sensitization in turn gives man the ability and opportunity to ponder and probe the essence of His creator in a controlled environment conducive to such a demanding pursuit; an environment with optimal emotional and intellectual conditions free from bias and self-centered agenda, a place where he can broaden his horizons, learn the value of wisdom and humility and ultimately develop critical thinking and emotional and intellectual honesty, all crucial tools in the analysis of the subtle and abstract, the sublime and extraordinary.\n\nThis latter approach is one of the many profound lessons of Sukkot.\n\nSukkot highlights the frailty of man and the vulnerability of his existence. The Torah tells man to leave the comfort and security of his home and dwell instead in a weak and exposed structure. G-d is the essence of the world, not man. It is the Sukkah that best represents this idea of the world and man being transient, temporary, brief and ephemeral. The only thing that really matters, the only things the really lasts, the only thing of true permanence, consistency, durability and continuity is G-d, and it is to the understanding of Him that man should invest all of his efforts and G-d given talent not in his castles of sand which would eventually wash away by the waves of time, fall into disrepair and disappear into the abyss of history without leaving behind even a trace of their once glorious existence.\n\nChag same’ach! \n\nWritten By\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7385761737823486}
{"content": "Learning disabilities (LDs) remain one of the least understood and most debated disabling conditions that affect children. Perspective on Learning Disabilities in India: Current Practices and Prospects showcases how researchers and practitioners in the country have evolved strategies to resolve the fundamental questions related to LDs, while focusing on marginalized and disadvantaged groups. It not only highlights the basic issues and controversies in this field but also presents innovative, theory-driven approaches to the assessment and remediation of LDs. It also emphasizes the role of teachersa useful resource in the absence of trained professionalsin the identification of LDs in children. The book offers a rich overview of ways to proceed in case of LDs, thus making it a must-read for researchers, experts, and professionals associated with this field. The expert contributors to this volume provide heuristic insights that can facilitate the formulation of a research agenda and services for people with LDs in India, where research and practice in the field is still at a nascent stage.\n\nRezensionen ( 0 )\nEvery Friday we give gifts for the best reviews.\nZitate (0)\nSie können als Erste ein Zitat veröffentlichen.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9800469279289246}
{"content": "Adult Football League 5 (AFL5) 2017\n\n\nThat is correct…lowest team always folds\n\n\nTheir 3rd team played on Thursday night, probably to accommodate a few players playing on both teams which happens this time of the year. So have they broken the rules by giving a walkover for their second team and the 3rd team playing?\n\n\nPretty sure that’s only if withdrawing the team.\n\nGiving two walkovers isn’t withdrawing the team, it’s having the team withdrawn for you so I don’t think they’d have to have the D9 team playing up…\n\n\nsure the rules don’t matter much in these situations . we’ve seen that before the seawson starts\n\n\nIn that case all their second team players that are still playing would be available for the Div 9 team, they should walk that league!\n\n\nYes - I presume that would be the case.\n\nBut if they are cutting it down to 2 teams in championship also then they wouldn’t be able to drop down unless they’ve regraded or not played last year as far as I know.\n\n\nAnyone know what happens if 2 walkovers are given?\n\n\nPretty sure they are relegated even though there’s only 14 teams.\n\nThink that was mentioned at the start that there would be no relegation apart from that situation.\nSo 3 teams up from 6 for next year.\n\n\nCheers, it was indeed mentioned at the start. I went back through the thread and I posted it!!\n\n\nSkerries 0-13 TSS 1-10\n\n\nO’Dwyers 2-8 Erin’s Isle 2-6\n\n\nHarps 2-14 St Peregrines 0-7\n\n\nNa Fianna 6-13 Craobh Chiarain 1-9\n\n\nSt Maurs 3-05 Ballinteer St Johns 1-17\nBallyboden St Endas 0-11 Templeogue Synge Street 2-08\nClontarf 0-17 Round Towers Clondalkin 0-09\n\nAny result from Naomh Mearnog v Raheny?\n\n\nRaheny by 6/7 not sure of exact score\n\n\nThink it was something like 0-12 to 0-07\n\n\nCheers. I see it is submitted to but with Mearnog winning.\n\n\nRaheny 2-19 Clontarf 2-12\n\nGame from next round of the league played on Sunday last. Big scores put up and a big win for Raheny.\n\n\nBallinteer St Johns 2-11 O’Dwyers 1-15\n\n\nIsles beat Craobh Chiarain by 5", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6578921675682068}
{"content": "This category contains screencaps taken from the Season 9 episode 11 Absolute Justice which was aired as a movie having twice the length of a single episode.\n\nIt is counted by The CW as a single episode having the number 11. However, the two parts of the full-time movie (Absolute Justice, Part 1, originally called Society, and Absolute Justice, Part 2, originally called Legends) are sometimes counted as two episodes so that there are different numberings for the subsequent episodes.\n\nThe categorization follows the numbering of the CW, as it is also indicated on the Season 9 DVD and as it is used in the articles about the seasons and episodes.\n\n\n\n  • for identification and critical commentary on the program and its contents\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8132707476615906}
{"content": "A - C titles D - G titles H - J titles K - O titles P - S titles T - Z titles\n\nThe Stationery Office (TSO) is the world's largest publisher.  They publish a variety of titles, including health, medicine and pharmaceutical oriented publications like the British and European Pharmacopoeias. \n\nTSO also distributes European Agency titles - United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, Medicines Control Agency, Council of Europe, and many more.\n\nPublishers of the Back Book (click A-C titles), Neck Book (K-O titles) and the Whiplash Book (click T-Z titles).\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9110933542251587}
{"content": "Saturday , 24 March 2018\n\n\n…According to Forbes, the following are the richest men and women inWays-to-make-money-1 America. This list discusses something about each individual, how each one achieved his or her wealth, and some of the things these people have done with their massive amounts of wealth and status.\n\n\n* (©2015 Interesticle)\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999018907546997}
{"content": "City Success Manager\n\nNew York, United States\n\n\nCitymart is a New York-based global technology company that empowers city officials to better serve their communities through access to data, insights, and peers. Following best practices developed with leading cities around the world, Citymart technology revolutionizes the way cities frame needs, complete procurement, and improve service delivery—providing expert support along the way.\n\nCitymart is backed by the world’s leading impact investors and philanthropies, including Nordic Impact, Omidyar Network, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and The Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities program.\n\nWe are looking for a City Success Manager to join our growing team in New York City.\n\nYou will have experience working with cities, governments or urban services and have a clear understanding of the unique challenges facing the public sector. This role has the opportunity to help hundreds of city officials succeed in their work, resulting in better quality of life for hundreds of thousands of citizens. This role reports to Citymart's Head of City Partnerships.\n\nYou must be someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You are passionate about helping cities, be creative, independent, focused, and an excellent problem solver and are comfortable in creating content such as best practice guidelines. You must have the ability to work with cross-functional teams, shape and contribute to Citymart strategy, and identify product needs.\n\nIdeally you have developed onboarding strategies to successfully help clients adopt a digital product or comparable experience. You are adept in explaining the value of new ways of working and you know how to put yourself in users' shoes to achieve a change in behavior. You like building things and then testing how well they work, and you are not afraid to admit when something is not working. You are excited to use the latest technologies and online tools to customize and automate onboarding and communications in order to reach more people. You have a passion for cities and the public servants who shape them.\n\n\n\nBonus points for:\n\nApply for this job", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.926344633102417}
{"content": "Geneve attraktioner Se alle \n\nWater Fountains (Jet d'Eau)\n\n289 anmeldelser\n\nIf you’ve seen a panoramic view of Geneva you’ve most likely seen the huge lake Water Fountains, or Jet d’Eau, with its commanding position at the point where the River Rhône empties into Lake Geneva. It started life in the 19th century as a humble safety valve for a hydraulic installation, but is now the city’s foremost symbol.\n\nWith every second, some 130 gallons of water are propelled at 125 miles an hour to a maximum height of 150 yards (that's 500 liters at 200 km/h reaching 140 meters). The water shoots into the air before descending in a graceful fan shape back down to the lake, but its exact destination is determined by the strength and direction of the wind. In the warmer months, the fountain is lit during the evening until 11 o’clock.\n\nTure og billetter\n\nSe alle", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997786283493042}
{"content": "Mental Health\n\nEczema has a significant psychological impact on sufferers and their families.\n\n\nFeelings of embarrassment can lead to social withdrawal and low self esteem. Sleep disruption is very common, especially in infants and young children, but can also be true for adults suffering with eczema. The condition can have a negative impact on mood and daily living, as it can be a chronically painful and uncomfortable condition. Eczema impacts quality of life for the sufferer and their whole family.\n\nTogether, these challenges can leave people feeling anxious, stressed, and even depressed. There is help! Working with a psychologist who understands these problems can help you manage these feelings better. There are groups in every province that can connect you with someone who can help. Below is our most up-to-date list of provincial psychologist associations.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9758530259132385}
{"content": "Constantine IV » Sushruta » 1453: The Fall of Constantinople » Origins and History\n\nArticles and Definitions » Contents\n\n  • Constantine IV » Who was\n  • Sushruta » Who was\n  • 1453: The Fall of Constantinople » Origins\n\nAncient civilizations » Historical places, and their characters\n\nConstantine IV » Who was\n\nDefinition and Origins\n\nAuthor: Mark Cartwright\n\nConstantine IV ruled as emperor of the Byzantine empire from 668 to 685 CE. His reign is best remembered today for the five-year Arab siege of Constantinople from 674 CE, which the Byzantines resisted thanks to their strong fortifications and the secret weapon of Greek Fire. Although not hugely successful in other theatres, the reign of Constantine would at least stabilize the Empire, perpetuate the rule of Christianity in the East, and permit something of a revival of Byzantine fortunes under subsequent emperors.\n\n\nConstantine was the eldest son of Constans II (r. 641-668 CE) and he had been crowned co-emperor, as was customary for the chosen heir, in 654 CE. Constans was unpopular with the Church for his failure to reconcile the two sides of the raging debate on dogma and on whether Christ had one will and one energy, or two of both. He did not win any admirers for his military record, either, as the Arab Caliphate inflicted a series of defeats on Byzantine armies throughout his reign. When the emperor relocated to Syracuse on Sicilyfor greater safety it was the last straw for the Byzantine aristocracy who envisaged their abandonment in Constantinople, the capital. It was no surprise, then, that Constans was assassinated - the deed done, while he took his bath, by one of his own military entourage on 15 September 668 CE, with a soap dish as the inglorious weapon.\n\n\nConstantine IV at first ruled alongside his brothers Herakleios and Tiberios as co-emperors. Constantine travelled to Sicily where he put down the rebellion led by Mizizios, one of the conspirators who had murdered his father. It was in the east, though, with the now annual incursions of Byzantine Asia Minor by the Arab Caliphate, that the empire was most threatened. Fortunately for the Byzantines, Constantine would prove to be,\n\n…a wise statesman and born leader of men, the first decade of whose reign marked a watershed in the history of Christendom: the moment when, for the first time, the armies of the Crescent were turned and put to flight by those of the Cross.\n(Norwich, 101)\n\n\nOne of the most persistent attacks in Constantinople’s long history came with the Arab siege of 674-678 CE. Muawiya (r. 661-680 CE), the caliph and founder of the Umayyad Caliphate, had already enjoyed victories against Byzantine armies during the reign of Constans II and in 670 CE the Muslim fleet took Cyprus, Rhodes and Kos, and then moved into the northern Aegean. Next, they attacked Kyzikos (Cyzicus) on the south coast of the Sea of Marmara. Now possessing a handy peninsula from which to launch attacks, Constantinople was the next major target in 674 CE. The city’s legendary fortifications, the Theodosian Walls, and the Byzantine secret incendiary weapon of Greek Fire (a highly inflammable liquid sprayed from ships) meant that, ultimately, the five-year siege was unsuccessful.\n\n\nGreek Fire\n\nDuring the siege, every summer the city resisted siege engines and artillery fire from huge catapults, to the frustration of the army of Muawiya. Meanwhile, the Caliphate’s armies in Asia Minor had been suffering setbacks - for example, there were attacks by the Mardaites tribesmen of Lebanon (encouraged by Constantine) - and so when his fleet was torched by Greek Fire, the caliph was forced to sign a 30-year truce with Byzantium. It was the first major defeat the Arabs had suffered since the rise of Islam. In 679 CE Muawiya was obliged to give up the Aegean islands he had conquered and pay an annual tribute which included 3,000 gold coins, 50 slaves and 50 thoroughbred horses.\nConstantine had preserved Christendom. If the capital had fallen then the Caliphate would have pushed on through the unprotected Balkans, across central Europe and probably even captured Rome. Consequently, Europe may very well have had a different religion if the 7th century CE siege of Constantinople had been as successful as that of the 15th century CE when the armies of Islam had sacked the jewel of the old Eastern Roman Empire.\n\n\nConstantine still faced problems elsewhere, though. The Empire had fast been crumbling at the edges throughout the first half of the 7th century CE. Now the Arabs in North Africa were steadily increasing their territory at the expense of the empire and the Bulgars, led by Asparuch, were also flexing their military muscle south of the Danube. On top of that, the Slavs had attacked Thessaloniki, the empire’s second most important city. Thessaloniki was successfully defended but, after a failed Byzantine naval mission in 680 CE, the Bulgar kingdom became the first in Byzantine territory which an emperor was obliged to recognise as independent. Constantine, preferring to concentrate his armies in Asia, was constrained to sign a treaty in 681 CE which necessitated the emperor paying a handsome annual tribute to the Bulgars as a price for peace. Constantine, in any case, created a new military province (theme) in Thrace, to create a buffer defence against any future Bulgar incursions.\nIn Italy, meanwhile, Constantine was obliged to sign a peace treaty with the ambitious Lombards who had captured Byzantine territory in the south. A similar treaty was signed with the Avars in central Europe. Greater success was enjoyed in Cilicia in 684 CE and most of the lands of the Armenians became a Byzantine protectorate at their own request. The empire had found its military feet again and stopped the rot after half a century of serious setbacks but it was still far from being secure against all-comers.\n\n\nThe Byzantine Empire, c. 650 CE.\n\n\nAnother notable event of Constantine’s reign was the Sixth Ecumenical Council of 680-681 CE. Constantine had communicated with Pope Agatho (678-681 CE) who enthusiastically agreed that a decision needed to be made on the Christian Church’s fundamental principles regarding the two natures of Jesus Christ, the embodiment of both the human and divine spirit. Accordingly, 174 delegates representing the Church from all parts of the empire gathered in the Domed Hall of the royal palace in Constantinople. The Council, meeting 18 times over ten months and presided over by the emperor himself, condemned both Monotheletism (the idea that Jesus Christ had a single will) and Monoenergism (that Christ had a single energy or force). Anyone who had or still disagreed with that view was condemned as a heretic. Fortunately, since the empire’s loss of Armenia and eastern territories, there were few adherents to the mono-position left anyway. The decree of the council finally reconciled the long-standing rift between the eastern and western churches.\n\n\nConstantine died of dysentery aged just 33 in 685 CE and was succeeded by his son and chosen heir Justinian II (r. 685-695 CE). Constantine left the empire in the best state it had been in for the whole of the 7th century CE. The new emperor was only 16 but, nevertheless, he enjoyed some military success during his reign. Then the usurper Leontios (r. 695-698 CE), an ambitious general backed by a wave of popular discontent at Justinian’s heavy taxes, slit the nose of the young emperor, exiled him and grabbed the throne for himself. Justinian would return, though, in 705 CE after besieging Constantinople and so ending the reign of Tiberios III. The emperor’s second spell of rule (705-711 CE) revealed him as a nasty tyrant and he proved ineffective in stopping the Arabs overrunning much of Asia Minor.\n\nSushruta » Who was\n\nDefinition and Origins\n\nAuthor: Joshua J. Mark\n\nThe Astanga Hridaya combines the works of Charaka (c. 7th or 6th century BCE) and Sushruta, presenting a comprehensive text on both surgical and medical approaches to treatment, while also offering its own unique perspective. Sushruta’s work, however, offers the greatest insight into the medical arts of the three owing to the commentary he provides in-between or included in discussions of various ailments and treatment.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne needed to be widely read, intelligent, and above all rational, in order to practice medicine but also needed to recognize the various influences which could bear on a person’s health. Charaka had already emphasized the importance of understanding a patient’s environment and genetic markers in order to treat illness and Sushruta built upon this in encouraging his students to ask the patient questions and encourage honest answers. If a doctor could rule out environmental factors or lifestyle choices in a patient’s disease, then genetics could be considered. Sushruta, like Charaka, understood that a genetically transmitted disease might have nothing to do with the health of a patient’s parents but possibly with one or both grandparents.\n\n\nIf the disease was not genetic and had nothing to do with a patient’s environment, then it was most likely caused by one’s lifestyle, which had created an imbalance of the dosha (humors) of bile, phlegm, and air. Dosha were produced when the body acted on food that was eaten. A person’s diet, therefore, was considered of vital importance in maintaining health, and a vegetarian diet was encouraged. Sushruta suggests asking the patient dietary questions as well as others pertaining to exercise and even one’s thoughts and attitudes as these could also affect one’s health.\n\n\nAccording to the scholars S. Saraf and R. Parihar,\n\n\n\nSushruta Samhita\n\n\n\nAn English translation of the Sushruta Samhita was not available until it was translated by the scholar Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna in three volumes between 1907 and 1916 CE. By this time, of course, the world at large had accepted Hippocrates as the Father of Medicine and, further, Bhishagratna’s translation did not receive the kind of international attention it deserved. Sushruta’s name remained relatively unknown until fairly recently, as Ayurvedic medical practices have become more widely accepted, and he has begun to receive recognition for his enormous contribution to the field of medicine generally and surgical practice specifically.\n\n1453: The Fall of Constantinople » Origins\n\nAncient Civilizations\n\nAuthor: Mark Cartwright\n\nThe city of Constantinople (modern Istanbul) was founded by Roman emperorConstantine I in 324 CE and it acted as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire as it has later become known, for well over 1,000 years. Although the city suffered many attacks, prolonged sieges, internal rebellions, and even a period of occupation in the 13th century CE by the Fourth Crusaders, its legendary defences were the most formidable in both the ancient and medieval worlds. It could not, though, resist the mighty cannons of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, and Constantinople, jewel and bastion of Christendom, was conquered, smashed, and looted on Tuesday, 29 May 1453 CE.\n\n\nThe Siege of Constantinople\n\n\nConstantinople had withstood many sieges and attacks over the centuries, notably by the Arabs between 674 and 678 CE and again between 717 and 718 CE. The great Bulgar Khans Krum (r. 802-814 CE) and Symeon (r. 893-927 CE) both attempted to attack the Byzantine capital, as did the Rus (descendants of Vikings based around Kiev) in 860 CE, 941 CE, and 1043 CE, but all failed. Another major siege was instigated by the usurper Thomas the Slav between 821 and 823 CE. All of these attacks were unsuccessful thanks to the city’s location by the sea, its naval fleet, and the secret weapon of Greek Fire (a highly inflammable liquid), and, most importantly of all, the protection of the massive Theodosian Walls.\nThe city’s celebrated walls were a triple row of fortifications built during the reign of Theodosius II (408-450 CE) which protected the land side of the peninsula occupied by the city. They extended across the peninsula from the shores of the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn, eventually being fully completed in 439 CE and stretching some 6.5 kilometres. Attackers first faced a 20-metre wide and 7-metre deep ditch which could be flooded with water fed from pipes when required. Behind that was an outer wall which had a patrol track to oversee the moat. Behind this was a second wall which had regular towers and an interior terrace so as to provide a firing platform to shoot down on any enemy forces attacking the moat and first wall. Then, behind that wall was a third, much more massive, inner wall. This final defence was almost 5 metres thick, 12 metres high, and presented to the enemy 96 projecting towers. Each tower was placed around 70 metres distant from another and reached a height of 20 metres. The towers, either square or octagonal in form, could hold up to three artillery machines. The towers were so placed on the middle wall so as not to block the firing possibilities from the towers of the inner wall. The distance between the outer ditch and inner wall was 60 metres while the height difference was 30 metres.\n\n\nTheodosian Walls\n\nTo take Constantinople, an army would, then, need to attack by both land and sea, but all attempts failed no matter who tried and no matter what weapons and siege engines they launched at the city. In short, Constantinople, with the greatest defences in the medieval world, was impregnable. Well, not quite. After 800 years of resisting all comers, the city’s defences were finally breached by the knights of the Fourth Crusade in 1204 CE, although the attackers got in through a carelessly left-open door and not because the fortifications themselves had failed in their purpose. Repaired and rebuilt by Michael VIII (r. 1261-1282 CE) in 1260 CE, the city remained the most difficult military nut to crack in the world, but this reputation did not in any way deter the ever-more ambitious Ottomans.\n\n\n\nThe Ottoman Empire had begun as a small Turkish emirate founded by Osman in Eskishehir (western Asia Minor) in the late 13th century CE, but by the early 14th century CE, it had already expanded into Thrace. With their capital at Adrianople, further captures included Thessaloniki and Serbia. In 1396 CE, at Nikopolis on the Danube, an Ottoman army defeated a Crusader army. Constantinople was the next target as Byzantium teetered on the brink of collapse and became no more than a vassal state within the Ottoman Empire. The city was attacked in 1394 CE and 1422 CE but still managed to resist. Another Crusader army was defeated in 1444 CE at Varna near the Black Sea coast. Then the new Sultan, Mehmed II (r. 1451-1481 CE), after extensive preparations such as building, extending, and occupying fortresses along the Bosporus, notably at Rumeli Hisar and Anadolu in 1452 CE, moved to finally sweep away the Byzantines and their capital.\n\n\nThe crushing of the Crusader army at Varna in 1444 CE meant that the Byzantines were now on their own. No significant help could be expected from the West where the Popes were already unimpressed with the Byzantine’s unwillingness to form a union of the Church and accept their supremacy. The Venetians did send a paltry two ships and 800 men in April 1453 CE, Genoa promised another ship, and even the Pope later promised five armed ships, but the Ottomans had by then already blockaded Constantinople. The people of the city could only stock up on food and arms and hope their defences would save them yet again. According to the 15th-century CE Greek historian and eyewitness Georges Sphrantzes, the defending army was composed of fewer than 5,000 men, not a sufficient number to adequately cover the length of the city’s walls, some 19 km in total. Worse still, the once great Byzantine navy now consisted of a mere 26 ships, and most of those belonged to the Italian colonists of the city. The Byzantines were hopelessly outnumbered in men, ships, and weapons.\n\n\nGreek Fire\n\nIt seemed that only divine intervention could save them now, but in the many previous sieges over centuries gone by, it was believed that just such intervention had saved the city; perhaps history would be repeated. Then again, there were also ominous tales of impending doom: prophesies that proclaimed the fall of Constantinople when the emperor was called Constantine (a good number were, of course) and there was an eclipse of the moon - which there was in the days before the siege of 1453 CE.\n\n\nThe Byzantine emperor at the time of the attack was Constantine XI (r. 1449-1453 CE), and he took personal charge of the defence along with such notable military figures as Loukas Notaras, the Kantakouzenos brothers, Nikephoros Palaiologos, and the Genoese siege expert Giovanni Giustiniani. The Byzantines had catapults and Greek Fire, the highly inflammable liquid which could be sprayed under pressure from ships or walls to torch an enemy, but the technology of warfare had moved on and the Theodosian Walls were about to get their sternest ever test.\n\n\nMehmed II had one thing that previous besiegers of Constantinople had lacked: cannons. And they were big ones. The Byzantines had actually had first option on the cannons as they had been offered them by their inventor, the Hungarian engineer named Urban, but Constantine could not meet his asking price. Urban then peddled his expertise to the Sultan, and Mehmed showed more interest and offered him four times what he was asking. These fearsome weapons were put to good use in November 1452 CE when a Venetian ship, disobeying a ban on traffic, was blown out of the water as it sailed down the Bosphorus. The captain of the vessel survived but was captured, decapitated, and then impaled on a stake. It was an ominous sign of things to come.\n\n\nMehmed II\n\nAccording to Georges Sphrantzes, the Ottoman army numbered 200,000 men, but modern historians prefer a more realistic figure of 60-80,000. When the army assembled at the city walls of Constantinople on 2 April 1453 CE, the Byzantines got their first glimpse of Mehmed’s cannons. The largest was 9 metres long with a gaping mouth one metre across. Already tested, it could fire a ball weighing 500 kilos over 1.5 km. So mammoth was this cannon that it took an awfully long time to load and cool it so that it could only be fired seven times a day. Still, the Ottomans had plenty of smaller cannon, each capable of firing over 100 times a day.\nOn 5 April, Mehmed sent a demand for immediate surrender to the Byzantine emperor but received no reply. On 6 April the attack began. The Theodosian Walls were relentlessly blasted, chunk by chunk, into rubble. The defenders could do no more than fire back with their own smaller cannons by day, hold off the attackers where the cannons had punched the biggest holes, and try and repair those gaps each night as best they could, using rocks, barrels, and anything else they could get their hands on. The resulting rubble piles actually absorbed the cannon shot better than fixed walls but, eventually, one of the infantry assaults would surely get through.\n\n\nThe onslaught went on for six weeks but there was some effective resistance. The Ottoman attack on the boom which blocked the city’s harbour was repelled, as were several direct assaults on the Land Walls. On 20 April, miraculously, three Genoese ships sent by the Pope and a ship carrying vital grain sent by Alphonso of Aragon managed to break through the Ottoman naval blockade and reach the defenders. Mehmed, infuriated, then got around the harbour boom by building a railed road via which 70 of his ships, loaded onto carts pulled by oxen, could be launched into the waters of the Golden Horn. The Ottomans then built a pontoon and fixed cannons to it so that they could now attack any part of the city from the sea side, not just the land. The defenders now struggled to station men where they were needed, especially along the structurally weaker sea walls.\n\n\n15th Century CE Ottoman Canon\n\nTime was running out for the city but, then, a reprieve came from an unexpected quarter. Back in Asia Minor, Mehmed faced several revolts as his subjects became unruly while their Sultan and his army were abroad. For this reason, Mehmed offered Constantine a deal: pay tribute and he would withdraw. The emperor refused, and Mehmed gave the news to his men that now, when the city fell, as surely it would, they could plunder whatever they wished from one of the richest cities in the world.\nMehmed launched a massive go-for-broke, throw-everything-at-them assault at dawn on 29 May. First to be sent in after the usual cannon barrage were the second-rate troops, then a second wave was launched with better-armed troops, and, finally, a third wave attacked the walls, this time composed of the Janissaries - the well-trained and highly determined elite of Mehmed's army. It was during this third wave that disaster struck the Byzantines who by now were forced to employ women and children to defend the walls. Some fool had left the small Kerkoporta gate in the Land Walls open and the Janissaries did not hesitate in using it. They climbed to the top of the wall and raised the Ottoman flag, then they worked their way around to the main gate and allowed their comrades to flood into the city.\n\n\n\nChaos now ensued with some of the defenders maintaining their discipline and meeting the enemy while others rushed back to their homes to defend their own families. It is at this point that Constantine was killed in the action, most likely near the Gate of St. Romanos, although, as he had discarded any indications of his status to avoid his body being used as a trophy, his demise is not known for certain. The emperor could have fled the city days before but he chose to stay with his people, and a legend soon grew up that he had not died at all but, instead, he had been magically encased in marble and buried beneath the city which he would, one day, return to rule again.\nMeanwhile, the rape, pillage, and destruction began. Many of the city’s inhabitants committed suicide rather than be subject to the horrors of capture and slavery. Perhaps 4,000 were killed outright, and over 50,000 were shipped off as slaves. Many sought refuge in churches and barricaded themselves in, including inside the Hagia Sophia, but these were obvious targets for their treasures, and after they were looted for their gems and precious metals, the buildings and their priceless icons were smashed, the cowering captives butchered. Uncountable art treasures were lost, books were burned, and anything with a Christian message was hacked to pieces, including frescoes and mosaics.\n\n\nMehmed II Conquers Constantinople\n\nIn the afternoon, Mehmed entered the city himself, called an end to the pillaging and declared that the Hagia Sophia church be immediately converted into a mosque. It was a powerful statement that the city’s role as a bastion of Christianity for twelve centuries was now over. Mehmed then rounded up the most important survivors from the city’s nobility and executed them.\n\n\nConstantinople was made the new Ottoman capital, the massive Golden Gate of the Theodosian Walls was made part of the castle treasury of Mehmed, while the Christian community was permitted to survive, guided by the bishop Gennadeios II. What was left of the old Byzantine empire was absorbed into Ottoman territory following the conquest of Mistra in 1460 CE and Trebizond in 1461 CE. Meanwhile, Mehmed, aged only 21 and now known as \"the Conqueror\", settled in for a long reign and another 28 years as Sultan. Byzantine culture would survive, especially in the arts and architecture, but the fall of Constantinople was, nevertheless, a momentous episode of world history, the end of the old Roman Empire and the last surviving link between the medieval and ancient worlds. As the historian J. J. Norwich notes,\n\nThat is why five and a half centuries later, throughout the Greek world, Tuesday is still believed to be the unluckiest day of the week; why the Turkish flag still depicts not a crescent but a waning moon, reminding us that the moon was in its last quarter when Constantinople finally fell. (383)\nArticle based on information obtained from these sources:\nwith permission from the Website Ancient History Encyclopedia\n\nRelated Contents", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.780754566192627}
{"content": "Situation in Crimea looks ominous, three scenarios possible, - The Guardian\n\nPresident Vladimir Putin of Russia may believe that the time is ripe for another invasion.\n\nCensor.NET reports citing the article by Luke Harding for The Guardian.\n\n\" The situation in Crimea looks ominous. Russia's FSB spy agency said on Wednesday that it had foiled a series of attacks by armed Ukrainians on the peninsula. Minutes later, Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv's pro-western government of choosing terror over peace. Meanwhile, largely unnoticed by the outside world, Russia has been stealthily shipping military vehicles to Crimea, which Putin annexed in the spring of 2014, \" the article reads.\n\nRead more: Poroshenko instructs to bring all units at border with Crimea and demarcation line in Donbas on high alert\n\nAccording to Luke Harding, another military offensive seems distinctly possible as previous invasions have coincided with Olympic Games, a time when the international community is distracted or on holiday - Georgia in 2008 after Beijing, and Ukraine in 2014 (after the Winter Games in Sochi).\n\nThere are other propitious circumstances this summer. The presidential election is paralyzing the U.S., and the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, has hinted that as president he might recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea. He seems uncertain as to where Ukraine actually is. Europe meanwhile is in disarray in the wake of the Brexit vote and an ongoing migration crisis.\n\nThe author of the article believes that there seem to be three possible scenarios. One is that Putin will try to leverage this latest crisis to persuade EU countries to drop the sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict. Another is that he is preparing a limited military incursion, possibly to set up a security corridor, which doubtless would include the electricity station in the nearby Ukrainian city of Kherson. A third is that he is planning something bigger.\n\n\nA land corridor would certainly be an attractive solution to Crimea's current woes, and would at a stroke solve Russia's short and long-term infrastructure problems. There would be political dividends too. From the Kremlin's point of view, a further Ukraine adventure would conclusively demonstrate the west's weakness and incapacity.\n\nAt a time when U.S. swimmers are openly taunting their Russian rivals in the pool, it would also be payback for the doping scandal and international attempts to ban Russian athletes from the Olympics. The WADA report on Russian state-sponsored doping has been presented inside Russia as a western conspiracy. Putin may be showing who is boss.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nИсточник: https://en.censor.net.ua/n401365", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9387129545211792}
{"content": "Lost Continent\n\n5 books in series\n4.5 out of 5 stars 13 ratings\n\nThe Charmed Sphere Summary\n\nOnce Chime had been the most promising mage in the land, feted and celebrated for her potential and future role in the kingdom. Then Iris, her young competitor, made a stunning leap in skill and turned Chime's world upside down. Now no longer the most powerful, no longer promised to a prince - and still unable to harness her magic properly - Chime was set adrift. As was the new king's cousin - and former heir - Lord Muller. Yet when the neighboring kingdom threatened war, Muller and Chime were tasked with uncovering the plot. Both were flawed, yet unwilling to accept a lesser destiny than they had once known. Could this quest be the opportunity for redemption - or would it lead them to their deaths?\nAward-winner Catherine Asaro, author of The Skolian Empire, creates her first full-length fantasy novel in a world rich with magic and power. Fans who caught a glimpse of the kingdom of Aronsdale in \"Moonglow\" from the Charmed Destinies collection are delighted with the result!\n©2004 Catherine Asaro (P)2012 Audible, Inc.\nShow More Show Less", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5656185746192932}
{"content": "15th amendment\n\n6 June 2017\n\nUnited States Constitution prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to votebased on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude”. It was ratified on February 3, 1870, as the third and last of the Reconstruction Amendments. ln the final years of the American Civil War and theReconstruction Era that followed, Congress repeatedly debated the rights of the millions of black former slaves.\n\nWe will write a custom essay sample on\n15th amendment\nor any similar topic specifically for you\nDo Not Waste\nYour Time\n\nBy 1869, amendments had been passed to abolish slavery and provide citizenship and equal protection under the laws, but the narrow election of Ulysses S. Grant to the presidency in 1868 convinced a majority of Republicans that protecting the franchise of black voters was important for the party’s future. After rejecting more sweeping versions of a suffrage amendment, Congress proposed a compromise amendment banning franchise restrictions on the basis of race, color, or previous servitude on February 26, 1869.\n\nThe amendment survived a difficult ratification fight and was adopted on March 30, 1870. United States Supreme Court decisions in the late nineteenth century interpreted the amendment narrowly, and by 1910, most black voters in the South faced obstacles such as poll taxes and literacy tests, from which white voters were exempted by grandfather clauses. A system of whites-only primaries and violent reprisals by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan alsosuppressed black participation. ln the twentieth century, the\n\nCourt interpreted the amendment more broadly, striking down grandfather clauses in Guinn v. United States (1915) and dismantling the white primary system in the “Texas primary cases” (1927-1953). Along with later measures such as theTwenty- fourth Amendment, which forbade poll taxes in federal elections, and Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections (1966), which forbade poll taxes in state elections, these decisions significantly increased black participation in the American political system. ShowText\n\nA limited\ntime offer!\nGet authentic custom\nESSAY SAMPLEwritten strictly according\nto your requirements", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9915935397148132}
{"content": "Source of arms to be collected from the Darfur region is the Khartoum regime itself\n\n\nمصدر الأسلحة التي سيتم جمعها من إقليم دارفور هو نظام الخرطوم نفسه\n\nParadox of paradoxes Par Excellence in the Sudan abducted by the NCP regime\n\nمفارقة المفارقات بامتياز في السودان الذي إختطفه نظام حزب المؤتمر الوطني\n\nBy Mahmoud A. Suleiman\n\nThis is a review article. The restive region of Darfur in western sudan is no stranger for the NCP regime‘s unabated targeting. This time the regime decided to declare a frenzied campaign to collect arms from the Sudanese civilians in the region, who have suffocated woes of endless civil wars of attrition. The purpose of the term review study is to look at what was recently written about the intention of the National Congress Party (NCP) regime’s timing to collect weapons from the citizens of Sudan in the Darfur region to address some of the written views on this subject so far.\n\nPeople wonder and ask the President of the regime of the (NCP), Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir, as to which one is of a top priority at this very time, the cholera epidemic that has spread throughout Sudan and hit eleven states or the arms collection campaign in the Darfur region? The current situation so-called arms collection is threatening fierce tribal war woes and causing bitterness among the regime’s two militias groups led by Musa Hilal, leader of the Border Guards Forces (BGF) and Muhammad Hamdan Dogolo Hamedti, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Omar Bashir and his entourage, led by his Janjaweed Vice President Hassabo Abdul Rahman, remain blind and live in the darkness of their regime, which has failed to properly manage the country and its people. The elements of this regime seem suffering from a syndrome of Immunity against learning from deadly repeated mistakes despite the rule of three lean decades. We seek refuge and resort to God from the evils of the elements in the ruling regime of the (NCP) and their inhumane feelings towards the people of Sudan generally and to the people of Sudan in Darfur in particular.\n\nFurthermore, it was a priority that the (NCP) regime sought to address the floods that swept through Sudan, including Khartoum International Airport, and made the planes sink into the mud! There are lots issues of important priority in Sudan that needs to be addressed, but Omar al-Bashir has chosen instead the awesome intertribal warfare of a catastrophic apocalyptic scale.\n\nAs for saying that the source of arms in Darfur is the regime in Khartoum comes from the interest of the regime in weapons, which led to the use of Iran and North Korea in developing its program aimed at developing the manufacture of weapons locally and then the establishment of the Yarmouk factory bombed by Israeli air force. Iran played a major role in the manufacture of Sudanese weapons.\n\nObserves ask as to why the bombing of the Yarmouk factory in Sudan and why the Israeli attempted to weaken Khartoum militarily? The possible answer is that the Yarmouk factory bombardment in the Sudanese capital Khartoum targeted by Israel for an alleged sophisticated weapons shipments was underway at the time.\n\nThe Yarmouk military complex located near Khartoum, which was bombed by four Israeli warplanes after 5 minutes on midnight on Oct. 24, 2012 was finally producing Iranian Shihab-type surface-to-surface ballistic missiles under a license from Tehran, military and intelligence sources told the Israeli website Deepak Vaile. But the sources of Western intelligence did not specify what kind of Shahab missiles produced by Sudan … But it is believed that the purpose of the production of the Yarmouk plant is to serve Iran’s strategic stockpile of these missiles in the event of ballistic arsenal suffered an Israeli air strike ????\n\nFurthermore, China has invested more than $20 billion in Sudan mostly in the oil sector during the past two decades. Beijing provides low-interest loans and weapons transfers in return for oil. This is an extract from the news item regarding China’s Vice-Premier arrives in Khartoum to discuss debt settlement.\n\nThe (NCP) regime has begun reaping the disastrous results of armament of some tribes in Darfur and sending some of them to the holocaust war in Yemen. The situation in Darfur has been strained as a result of the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Border Guards Forces (BGF) as well as the growing tension in the Libyan and Chadian borders.\n\nIt is difficult to imagine how on earth that the Administration of US President Donald Trump would make an informed decision and issuing an Executive Order (EO) on 12/13 October 2017 to remove all economic and trade sanctions imposed by former US President Bill Clinton since the year 1997 with the pre-conditions to desist hostilities without independent monitors on the ground. The pre-conditions for permanent sanction removal include: Sudan to allow more humanitarian aid and unfettered access across war zones, counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, an end to hostilities against armed groups in Sudan and halting support for insurgents in neighbouring South Sudan.\n\nIronically, Sudan under the (NCP) regime Continues to Import and Export Arms despite Embargoes, according to informed sources.\n\nAs Salah Jalal, writing in the Hurriyat electronic Newspaper said that the weapons that the National Congress Party (NCP) regime wants to collect from the Darfur region is Achilles’ heel! One would endorse that opinion and reiterate it as nothing but a fait accompli at best and pouring the dust into the eyes at worst.\n\nIt is noteworthy before going further to pinpoint the following prior to delving into the depth of the upcoming article:\n\n• The blokes in ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) did not occur to their mind during the length of their stay on the helm of Sudan as to why the arms have spread in the Darfur region and how to remove those reasons before starting to collect the alleged weapons.\n\n• We must consider the reasons that led ordinary citizens to acquire and carry arms, and ask ourselves as to whether those reasons have disappeared, and if they still exist, how best to remove them.\n\n• The ruling regime must respond to these questions, which impose themselves before jumping into the dark and trying to collect weapons recklessly lacking scientific and practical outcome.\n\n• The logical question is: Have the right circumstances been created to collect weapons; the logical question posed by an article in the electronic Newspaper of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) dated\n\nPolitical analysts say it would have been better for the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) regime to disarm its own militias. They also stressed the importance of taking the step to achieve comprehensive peace in Darfur and beyond prior to launching this campaign which will result in failure as the overall security projects of the regime in the past and perhaps in the future. The people of Sudan in Darfur support the collection of weapons in principle and call on the regime to begin to collect weapons from its militias. The Darfur armed movements will then collect weapons in the hands of their forces once comprehensive peace archived in Sudan, including Darfur. The cherry-picking project of the (NCP) regime is doomed for abject failure similar to its predecessors. Unfortunately, this regime does not take lessons from the repeated the failures of its security projects, which lack wisdom and rationality and have a disastrous outcome for the country and its people. It was also said that the regime of the (NCP), which emanates from the International Muslim Brotherhood Movement (MBM), is like the family of the French Bourbon kings who failed repeatedly to take lessons of their mistakes, as the European history told us.The House of Bourbon e -French Maison de Bourbon.\n\nThis review article comes as a continuation to what we have started in the previous article on the decision of the NCP ruling regime to collect the alleged unlicensed weapons from the people of Sudan in Darfur. We will continue and try to expose the hidden agenda behind the campaign whose true motives are far from those announced. One of the most important factors for the epidemic proliferation of weapons in the Darfur region is the advent of the ill-fated National Islamic Front (NIF) which carried and brought with it all the disasters and woes that Sudan and its people suffered from.\n\nThe attempt by the ruling regime of the National Islamic Front (NIF) to take the militias and mercenaries from the neighbouring countries as a means of proxy war in Darfur has started from the very beginning of its disastrous arrival through the heinous military coup d’état. In order to do that, the regime had to provide the militias with military equipments in the form of machine guns, ammunition, vehicles, uniforms, food and drink and other forms of items subsistence including financial aid. At the same time, the regime under the auspices their member and Governor of the Greater Darfur, El-Tayeb Mohmed Kheir -aka Tayeb Sikha who launched a campaign for arms collection from the civilian population in Darfur at the time but Al-Tayeb Muhammad Khair armed the Arab tribes of Baggara to confront the revolutionary Dawood Yahya Bolad. The martyr Daoud Yahya Bolad has realized the mistake of belonging to the National Islamic Front (NIF). He decided to align to his marginalized people in Darfur that his people by joining the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by the late Dr. John Garang Mabior and led his troops to Darfur. However, through conspiracy by some of Darfuri traitors Daoud Yahya Bolad was captured and extra judicially killed. Those who assassinated Bolad had been armed by the (NIF) regime despite his past loyalty to the Muslim Brotherhood Movement (MBM). Ever since the (NCP) regime supplied the Arab militia with arms which it claims that going to collect. Thus the paradox continued unabated.\n\nAs early as the year 2007 Sudan under the reign of the National Islamic Front (NIF)/ National Congress Party (NCP) regime has been classified among the failed states. According to arthroscope website Sudan emerged as the world’s most unstable country according to the 2007 Failed States Index, mainly due to its military dictatorship and the ongoing war in Darfur between farmers and nomadic settlers. In other words, 18 years of oppressive warmongering regime, Sudan had become one of the globally failed states. However, the degree of failure today of the Sudan under the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) led by the genocidal criminal, fugitive from the international justice, chased by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir, will be very difficult if not impossible to determine the degree of failure in 2017 today.\n\nThe second stage of the racial hatred of Darfur people by the National Congress Party (NCP) regime surfaced when it decided to strip the Darfur Native Administration of its age long powers that kept the region safe place for all the inhabitants. As we know, the Tribal leaders in the region of Darfur’s Civil Administration before the ill-fated coming of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement (MBM)/National Islamic Front (NIF) military coup d’état included Sultans, Kings, Shartay, Umdas(Mayors) and Sheikhs. The Friday 30th June 1989 Military coup d’état took place in the forefront of the goal of dismantling the traditional Darfurian structure and reformulating the Darfur society. It was the first to control the institutions of the local administration by removing the old ones to build the so-called “Umara” or ‘princes’ system instead of the principals, aforementioned. The weakening of the authority of the civil administration in Darfur by the military ruling regimes has accelerated the spread of crime and security chaos and the proliferation of unauthorized weapons in the hands of the lawless individuals among the tribal groups.\n\nThe source of arms in Darfur\n\n The flow of firearms into Darfur initially started as a result of the civil war in the neighbouring republic of Chad and the Chadian-Libyan conflict (Ben Omar forces). The quantities of weapons that were leaked were limited. Their influence was limited to the arrival of arms to some criminal gangs, which were used for armed robbery – the infamous Nahab Musallah.\n\nAt the beginning of 2002, the armed political conflict in the Darfur region erupted. The regime decided to confront popular violence with state institutions. For objective reasons, official government violence institutions have not been able to control the popular violence demanding justice in the distribution of wealth and power throughout the marginalized areas of Sudan. The National Salvation – the ruling regime of the National Islamic Front – after several defeats facing the SPLM mobilized counter-popular, and began arming the Arab tribes called Janjawid using the policy of divide the division of the tribes of Darfur to the Arabs and Africans, Arabs against black.\n\nAs a result of these political reasons, the tribes considered by the government loyal to the militias armed with the knowledge of the state, and the term of the Rizeigat militia Abla and other armed militias, this reality opened the appetite of the other tribes to arm themselves to defend their property, expanding the arms market and flourished in all the cities of Darfur, In its project, it codified the activity of militias as a legal activity protected by political power. The government formed and armed these militias with different factions, including for example the border guards force (BGF) led by Sheikh Musa Hilal of the Mahameed tribe Arab Mahameed clan, a branch of the Northern Rizeigat tribe many of them are Um Jalloul, Al-Muhajiriya, Al-Iteifat, Al-Ereigat and others from Abla, the camel herders. Musa Hilal is originally Um-Jalloul while Mohmed Hamdan Dogolo Hamitti is originally Mahariya. They maybe cousins descend from the Mahamid or the northern Rizeigat. Both are nomadic camel herders lived in the North Darfur District of Kutum. Generally speaking, the nomadic camel herders had no “hawakir” (land grants)\n\nIn addition to support given by the NCP ruling regime in the form of arms, ammunition and transportation for the Janjaweed militias, the (NCP) regime allowed the Janjaweed militias to have exclusive ownership of all the spoils of their ethnic warfare and all the invasions of the citizens’ property, in addition to border trade and livestock trade and national mining. Historically, they are Bedouin engaged in nomadic herding. They are unlike the main Baggara Rizeigat tribes of Darfur were awarded “hawakir” (land grants) by the Fur Sultans in the 1750s.\n\nBut the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP), which called itself the National Salvation Revolution, codified militia activity as a legal activity protected by political power. This reality opened the appetite of the rest of the tribes for armaments, the arms market expanded and flourished in all the cities of Darfur. The government entered into its project to commit crimes of genocide to put down the revolution of the people of Sudan in Darfur, who had been demanding only the rights of citizenship in the form of justice and equality.\n\nMusa Hilal revealed his rejection of large amounts of money offered by foreign parties to leave the Sudan and said that the accusations of the Vice President of the Republic of the recruitment of 1,000 people from the Mahamid for the forces of Haftar in Libya malicious and its goal to discredit the Revolutionary Awakening Council.\n\nAnd since Sheikh Musa Hilal and his militia have some independence in the administration of the establishment of the interests it established, this independence of course did not satisfy the ruling regime of the National Congress Party, which decided to converge on one of the soldiers of Musa Hilal, Muhammad Hamdan Dogolo, -aka Hamitti. Now, Mohammed Hamdan Dogolo, famously known as Hmidty is of the guerrilla of the guerrillas in the official newspapers which published that the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) made a donation of about twenty Landcruzer l vehicles to the elders of the civil administration, and donated to build schools and other maintenance. It is known that Hmidty has been promoted to the military rank of Lieutenant –General. And thus he became part of the Sudan army Force (SAF) he and his militia and take orders only from the President of the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) Marshal Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir. Today, Hamedti and his (RSF) militias are only responsible in front of Omar al-Bashir and are considered a red line!\n\nPolitical observers indicate that the government of the National Congress Party (NCP) decided to step closer to Mohammed Hamdan Dogolo and set up the Rapid Support Force (RSF) led by Hamidati In an attempt to offend the leader of the Border Guard militia, Sheikh Musa Hilal. Al-Bashir’s government chose one of Musa Hilal’s former boys to become a leader of the new militia, to send a message that says in a clear way to Sheikh Moses I am the one who makes the king! According to the press, Moussa Hilal himself came to the spotlight when the former First Vice-President of the National Congress Party, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, released him from Kober Prison where he was imprisoned for the crime in which he was convicted in 1998 for leading armed robbery against the Central Bank of Nyala in which one policeman was killed. As the Sudan Tribune electronic Newspaper on TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2008 stated and said “Musa Hilal from a convicted felon to a government official”!,25660\n\nThe foregoing excerpts depict the intensity and high degree of rapprochement between the Janjaweed militias that committed the most heinous crimes against the Sudanese citizens in the Darfur region and the genocidal criminal Omer al-Bashir; what happened and continues happening on the ground in Darfur is without a doubt the greatest witness before the International Criminal Court (ICC).\n\nNevertheless and according to the recent newspaper outlet reports an armed confrontation on the horizon between the government army and Musa Hilal. Matters between the tribal leader, Musa Hilal, and the regime led by Omer al-Bashir have reached the point of no return, amid strong fears of an armed confrontation between the two sides. Al-Bashir’s Vice President Hassabo Abdel Rahman accused Hilal of conspiring with Libyan General Khalifa Haftar to undermine the Khartoum regime. Hassabo has been reported as saying (if we had to face Musa Hilal, we will not leave his conspiring with Haftar).\n\nMusa Hilal, head of the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC) told Radio Aafia Darfur station on that he would strongly oppose a government plan aimed at disarming his forces and merging them into the Rapid Support militia. Hilal has been reported as continued describing the members of the Rapid Support (RSF) Militia, as mercenaries coming from outside the border (as he put it). On August 23, 2017 The Sudanese regime President Omer al-Bashir has been reported as has instructed the governor of North Darfur State, Abdul Wahid Yousef Ibrahim to deal decisively with any attempts to destabilize security and saying that the collection of illegal arms is a top priority for the government.\n\nIn a situation similar to show of force, thousands of supporters of Musa Hilal gathered in his stronghold of Misteriha in North Darfur state and announced in a speech campaign of readiness to confront the government armies head-on. The parade featured hundreds of four-wheel-drive vehicles loaded with guns. The Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council led by Sheikh Musa has been reported to have called on the “sons of the Rizeigat” in the Sudanese government army to join Sheikh Musa Hilal in his area, Misteriha.\n\nFor its part, the Sudanese army conducted the largest internal maneuver in its history, under the banner in the name (Meram Taja, the sister Sultan Ali Dinar) near the strongholds of Musa Hilal, with the participation of tanks and the air force. Furthermore, to escalate its campaign of muscle flexion, the (NCP) regime launched the decision to collect arms from citizens in the troubled Darfur region since 2003 amid deep suspicion that the main objective of the government’s campaign is to weaken Musa Hilal and form new power centers.\n\nThus, on these days Moussa Hilal and the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) have reached a boiling point where Moussa Hilal led a campaign against the vice-president of the National Congress Party. Musa Hilal, the head of the Awakening Council, continued his attack on government symbols, in particular Hassabo Mohammed Abdul Rahman who is tasked with the collection of weapons from the Darfur region. Moreover, Hilal started his attacks against the commander of the Rapid Support Force (RSF) Mohammed Hamdan Hamiditi. He said that Hamidati and his gang looted millions of dollars allocated by Gulf States to the Rapid Support Forces. As the popular Sudanese proverb says, if the thieves disagree, the stolen one appears. And thus each one of the militia leaders is insulting the other with obscene words that cannot be mentioned in this field. Nevertheless, this is evidence that the relationship between them reached the level of enmity and the point of no return. As they say that the so-called Barragesh committed the crime against itself! The ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) has a habit of finding something that can cause the distraction of the Sudanese people away from the real issues of concern. By doing so, the regime thinks that can help to overcome its endless problems, its chronic failures and its inability to run the country. Moreover, these dilemmas stem from the fossilized mentality that does not take lessons from the history of repeated fatal mistakes, despite the length of time that Omar al-Bashir remained on the helm of Sudan for three decades as absolute dictator. The (NCP) rule of Sudan is without any doubt is a true era of the decadence characterised by hatred, racism, tyranny, Corruption, failure, looting and plundering of the people’s money and heinous crimes against humanity, war crimes and on top the crimes of genocide in Darfur. As they say it is witnessed by a witness from his family: the electronic newspaper – Hurriyat reported that, Brigadier General Salah Mohammed Ahmed Karrar – nicknamed Salah Dollar – One of the leaders who carried out the coup d’état of Friday June 30, 1989, led by the National Islamic Front (NIF) confirmed the validity of the slogan which says “Kizan are thieves and I am among them!” The Sudanese Arabic Kizan is an acronym meaning members of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement (MBM) in Sudan. There is no way out of the chronic dilemmas and the crises in Sudan without the demise of the (NCP) regime by all means available to the people of Sudan.\n\nOscar Wilde Oscar the Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel has been quoted as saying: “I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.”\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Paradox of Collection of Weapons from Citizens in the Darfur Region\n\nThe Paradox of Collection of Weapons from Citizens in the Darfur Region\n\nمفارقة جمع الأسلحة من المواطنين في إقليم دارفور\n\nBy Mahmoud A. Suleiman\n\n\nAs a Sudanese people who long for stability, peace and security, we have no objection to the decision to collect unlicensed weapons throughout Sudan, but our reservation is about trying to collect weapons and selectively confiscate of arms from opponents of the regime and allowing illegal possession of weapons for the government supporters. The latter scenario is likely going to be the outcome of the alleged campaign. Moreover, as a Sudanese person, I have doubts about the objectives of this regime in putting forward this project 16 years after the outbreak of the proxy war by employing the Janjawid militias in the Darfur region and committing the heinous crimes against unarmed civilians.\n\nThe regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) announcement of weapons collection in the region of Darfur and the confiscation of unlicensed Boko Haram vehicles continue to generate widespread reactions in the States of the Darfur, the political forces and Sudanese civil society organizations. Such concerns have also been expressed by the Sudanese opposition factions among them the National Umma Party (NUM) who questioned the government’s ability to carry out the task of collecting weapons and dismantling the arsenal of allied tribal institutions. It is worthy to bear in mind that the heavy proliferation of weapons in the war-ravaged region, has contributed to the fragmentation of the social fabric along with the neverending intertribal warfare. Sadly, the continuous tribal fighting between the Rizeigat and Maaliya tribes is a vivid example. Unfortunately, the dreaded war and the tribal conflict between the Rizeigat and al-Maaliya renewed. Without a doubt, responsibility lies in the NCP government, which does not want stability for the people of Sudan in Darfur. Furthermore and according to the Political Bureau of the National Umma Party (NUP) indicated that , 151 tribal conflicts have taken place in the Darfur region since the ill-fated arrival of the military coup of the ruling regime of the National Islamic Front (NIF) and its successor the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) which contributed to fueling and feeding the factors of conflict and division among the tribes, in the wars of ideology and endless absurd civil wars of attrition.\n\nAccording to the Sudan Tribune electronic Journal on Sunday, 23 July 2017 reported that al-Bashir’s Vice President Hassabo Abel Rahman announced that his government would launch a campaign to collect weapons in Darfur and reorganise the government militias before the end of the year 2017. Hassabo was reported to have announced that the government would start to implement its plans to collect weapons from civilians unauthorised groups to and called on the religious leaders incite the population to hand over their arms and to contribute to the efforts to stabilise the region. We must leave weapons only for certain purposes,” said the vice president and stressed that this plan is a “strategic project” for peace in Darfur.\n\nFurthermore, in press statements, the governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef, said Abdel-Rahman, who chairs the higher committee tasked with the collection of illegal arms in Darfur and Kordofan, would visit El-Fasher on Monday. Abdel-Wahid was reported to have added saying that  the committee was formed to collect illegal weapons not only from Darfur and Kordofan but from all Sudan’s states.\n\nAnd in the state of central Darfur, the Vice President of the Republic, Hassabo Mohamed Abdel Rahman, head of the Supreme Committee for the collection of arms and the legalization of cars, stressed on the need to impose the prestige of the state and the rule of law. He added and said that Sudan has become a conduit for weapons that are used in the looting and tribal conflicts. He was also reported to have said during his address to the meeting of the Council of ministers of the central Darfur State government and the Security legislative Council mandate: that  the collection of arms and licensing of Four wheel vehicles SUVs campaign comes in order to eliminate the negative consequences of the war, the psychological, social and economic impact, and added that the first phase of the weapons collection began in Darfur states five Kordofan, Including the whole Sudan, and said: The plan is based on the collection of weapons and vehicles, which have become very negative and destructive of the economy, and is a war machine used in tribal conflict and the transfer of arms and the drug trade.\n\nIn general, the availability of fire arms in the hands of tribal militias loyal to the ruling National Congress Party, which seeks to engage citizens in self-conflict away from the main issues of concern to them, is the most important cause of the conflicts and the tribal war in Darfur.\n\nWith regard to the decision of the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) to collect weapons from the hands of citizens in the Darfur region at this particular time and after 28 lean years of its arbitrary dictatorial rule that characterised by crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of genocide, it is nothing but a knee-jerk reaction or spilling ashes in the eyes as the saying goes.\n\nThe first and the most people concerned with this decision are the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Darfur region. Thus, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other Sudanese citizens consider the decision of the National Congress Party (NCP) to collect weapons in Darfur is nothing but propaganda of lies because the arms in the region are only in the hands of the government and its militias and mercenaries. As the saying of the Sudanese people goes, their protector is the thief himself! It is a laughable and raising tear at the same time; of the scourge that stirs up laughter.\n\nThe paradox is that the weapons that are now being collected from Darfur are essentially handed over by the government of Sudan (GoS) to the Janjawid militias, which turned into the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which continues supporting the government’s army to fight the Darfur Movements, killing unarmed civilians and robbing and stealing the unarmed citizens’ property.\n\nIn the end, the government will only find weapons in the hands of its militias and mercenaries. Because the (GoS) wants them to be carrying arms day and night to protect it and intimidate citizens so that Security which is a paramount for the regime so as security should not turn into lawlessness and out of control as they believe. The NCP ruling regime has been saying it all the time.\n\nThe Paradox of Confiscation and Collection of Weapons in Darfur is nothing but a lie Propaganda. The Displaced people and citizens mocked at the collection of weapons propaganda.\n\n\nAs part of the reactions to the government decisions to collect weapons, the Darfurians mocked the decision as propaganda, since there is no Darfurian citizen carrying a weapon or owning a land cruiser with a Dushka, wearing a skullcap, walking around the market carrying weapons, looting and cutting roads without accountability other than the government Itself and its allies.. An activist for Radio Dabanga from El Fasher said the other day that all those who carry weapons in Darfur are the militias that were formed by the government and supplied with weapons and called them with  many names such as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Border Guards and Popular Defence Forces (PDF) other names. The Darfuris  said that the government when it says it will collect weapons from citizens is nothing but a falsehood prevailing par excellence. The (NCP) regime seems to have lost the compass and failed to call things by their names. The correct name was the government’s collection of arms from the hands of its militias and the groups that provided them with arms, not citizens. Moreover, the people in the Displaced Persons Camps stressed that the process of collecting weapons does not need to be talked about too much. The weapon, as one of the activist said, can be collected by reference to the leaders of these militias and the civil administrations associated with some of the senior officials who stay with the government in Khartoum. The General Coordinator of IDP camps for displaced person described the government decision of collecting weapons as a disinformation for local and global public opinion. He stressed that all the weapons in Darfur are in the hands of militias linked to the regime through the security services directly or through the delegates in the executive authority in Khartoum and Darfur but not the victim, and citizens of Darfur. He stressed that the collection of arms from the hands of citizens depends on the National Congress Party (NCP) regime in Khartoum and the restoration of prestige of the state and reconciliation in Darfur and the enactment of clear and deterrent laws governing the state systems and bodies entrusted with the collection of weapons and arms carriers.\n\nOther commentators on the aforementioned subject say that opportunity to investigate Darfur chemical weapon attacks must not be squandered and should take the priority now. Member states of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) must take this opportunity of weapon collection by the (GoS) to demand a proper investigation into alleged chemical attacks by Sudanese government forces in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur.\n\nThe decision of the ruling National Congress Party to collect arms from Sudanese citizens in Darfur is like the decision to hold a referendum to abolish the Darfur region and to keep only the five states, which was a random decision in the interest of the government of the genocidal fugitive from international justice Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir.\n\nOmar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir plans by all his capabilities to be president of Sudan for life so as not to leave a gap or the scope for the International Criminal Court (ICC)  to be able to arrest him and take him to The Hague for the trial for the crimes he has  committed against the people of Sudan in the Darfur region. He believes strongly that his survival in power in the rule of the Sudan would protects him from the gripping hand of that fearful court. For this reason, his regime works tirelessly to create specialized projects to distract the Sudanese citizen and the Sudanese opposition together to keep them away from the basic issues of concern to the Sudanese people. He employs all the energies of his rule and his entrusted entourage for that end.\n\nThe Paradoxes in the (NCP) regime’s  arms collection in Darfur centres squarely around the fact that the supervisor of this task is a person who was at the top of the government officials who recruited and armed the notorious Janjaweed militias in their various names, including the current  infamous Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As the Sudanese popular proverb goes 😦 Its Guard is its Thief), So to speak!\n\nThus, the decision of the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) to collect weapons in Darfur is a project in the face of it seems good but in the midst of it carries evil Seeds of old sedition renewed.\n\n\nBefore the end of this article, we pray asking for the mercy of God on the spirit of the late First pioneer of the Sudanese women’s movement Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, who moved to the Hereafter this morning Saturday the twelfth of August 2017 in London. The departure of the pioneer feminist movement activist Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim tells the long history of the struggle of the Sudanese women as well as the glorious history of the Sudanese people through Eras and Epochs. Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim represents a milestone in the Sudanese political history.\n\nGeorge S. Patton the senior officer of the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944 has been quoted as said: “Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory”.\nRead more at:\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8655790090560913}
{"content": "03/07/2014 12:48 EST | Updated 05/07/2014 05:59 EDT\n\nHeight and proportion important to consider when hanging art in a home\n\nVICTORIA - How art and pictures are hung can change the way a space looks, but placing and hanging pieces properly requires a bit of skill.\n\nInterior designer Shelley Kirsch says the most important step in putting up art in a home is to make sure it is at the right height.\n\n\"It's a good idea if you are hanging a piece to get it so the centre of the picture is at eye level,\" she says.\n\nIf a piece is hung too high, Kirsch says, it can be disorienting to the viewer.\n\n\"You aren't seeing it as a straight-on image,\" says the Toronto-based designer. \"You are having to crane your neck. It takes away from what the image is when you're looking at it from underneath.\"\n\nPutting a photo or painting above a couch requires considering the height of people sitting below it.\n\nAccording to Kirsch, a homeowner should get a person of average height to sit on the couch and then measure 23 centimetres above and make a mark, which is where the base of the frame should be.\n\n\"If people are trying to hang something over a sofa they have to make sure when someone is sitting on the sofa their head won't be hitting the picture,\" says Kirsch.\n\nBefore a homeowner puts the art on the wall, Kirsch recommends looking at how the surrounding lighting will shine on the piece.\n\n\"Make sure when you are hanging your art the lighting that is shining on the piece isn't bisecting or trisecting it,\" she says. \"You have to be conscious about how light is reflecting in the area where the piece is being hung. What you want to do is try and get an even arch. If you are dealing with pot lights like most people are, you want to make sure the whole image is being washed, not just a portion of it.\"\n\nWhen it comes to making sure your painting is straight, Jenny Martin recommends using two hooks to make sure the piece doesn't slump.\n\n\"You can use a level to help make sure the piece is straight, and there are specific tools on the market to help hang art, but I don't know if they are that great,\" says the Victoria interior designer. \"If you are using a wire on the back of a piece of art, that leaves more room for it to swing and move around which isn't going to keep it as straight, which is why I recommend using two fixed hooks.\"\n\nInstead of the traditional look of photos centred in a linear line on the wall, many homeowners are choosing to group multiple pieces together to create a collage-type feature.\n\nMartin says homeowners should take time to map out the grouping they are going for before they start putting nails in the wall, and to pick a common theme among the pieces.\n\n\"If you keep one element constant throughout the grouping it creates a great effect,\" she says. \"You could have a whole bunch of coloured frames, but all the prints are black and white, or you could have frames that are the same colour but are different profiles, sizes and mouldings.\"\n\nWhile the most common way to put a piece up on a wall is with a hammer and hook, Martin says there are many other products such as gallery-style tracks, which allow homeowners more flexibility with changing pieces.\n\n\"There are other hanging systems that don't make marks on the wall that are adjustable,\" says Martin. \"Easels can be fun as well, making larger pieces a sculptural element.\n\n\"Picture rails are also fun. You use pieces of trim and make a ledge that you can set pieces on and lean them against the wall.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9506231546401978}
{"content": "Most online flirts and chats take place during 2pm and 8pm each day. Picture: Supplied\n\nDo you know what your other half gets up to when they're online?\n\nThe majority of intimate moments between married people and their lovers are set up via the internet on weekdays, and most online flirts and chats take place during 2pm and 8pm each day.\n\n The study, conducted by VictoriaMilan, mined data from 5.8 million of its active members from 32 countries to discover which days of the week are the best and busiest for having an extramarital fling or flirt.\n\nThere are 10 countries that go against the rest of the world and actually look forward to Mondays because that’s when they’re likely to log on, start flirting and truly feel alive. Eight of these are European countries (Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia), with New Zealand and Hong Kong joining the crowd of those who are in the mood on Mondays.\n\nTuesdays are the favourite day for 10 countries that take a little time to wake up and smell the orgasm opportunities, or who prefer to get the week off to an organized start before dabbling in adultery. These are led by Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway and Denmark). \n\nWednesday is famously known across the globe as ‘hump day’ but this translation is taken literally only by four countries who enjoy breaking up the mid-week monotony with some online flirting that generally culminates in a meet up for some mattress mambo. \n\nSouth Africa, Canada and Japan all seem to focus on getting work related tasks under control during the week, but allow themselves to log in on Thursdays, leaving their browsing, chatting and flirting as a delicious reward that collect as the week quiets down and comes to a close.\n\nFriday kicks flirty adulterers from Finland, Australia, Mexico and Peru into action, with these countries logging on and giving a new and sexy meaning to the phrase: ‘Thank Goodness it’s Friday’ by arranging meet ups and flirting with potential lovers online.\n\nThe study shows that the majority of people successfully find a lover for the weekend by flirting during the week, so there is no need to start looking for some new interest until the weekdays.\n\nLazy Sunday is generally saved for sleeping in and spending time with family, and most countries still abide by this tradition – except for Belgium.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9382290840148926}
{"content": "The A-Z guide to fewer recycling headaches\n\n\nRecycling is a no brainer, right? Well, kind of. It’s not always straightforward to know which what thing goes in what which bin (red garbage, or yellow and blue recycling), with trickier waste items causing confusion and making our heads hurt where do those. bloody Think takeaway coffee cups go? (ouch).\n\n\nCheck out this A-Z guide of common curveballs to help you sort it out. Even better, stick this page to your fridge or bin lid. Knowing what goes where will become second nature in no time.\n\n\nAluminium foil trays – Yellow, as long as it is they’re clean.\n\nCling, bubble and newspaper wrap, biscuit trays, chip packets, straws – Red. These are soft plastics that unfortunately can’t be recycled. Rule: If you can scrunch the plastic, throw in the red bin.\n\n\nFlower pots – Red. Many pots are made from a lower grade plastic that isn’t recyclable, plus they can contain garden chemicals and dirt, which contaminate recycling.\n\nHard plastic yoghurt/margarine/ice cream containers – Yellow. Attach lids to the container unless they are larger than 5cm in diameter, then they can go in separately.\n\nLids – Yellow. Lids of the same material (e.g. plastic lids on plastic bottles) should be left on, otherwise they can fall through the screens and do not get recycled.\n\n\nMetal jar lids, beer bottle caps and wine bottle screw caps – Yellow.\n\nPaper towels – Red. They reduce the quality of recycled paper, and because they it is are a health issue for people sorting on the processing line.\n\nPhotographs – Red, due to the chemicals and the high ‘”wet strength’” material used.\n\nPizza boxes – Blue, provided it’s they’re not too greasy. Pizza box bases that are too greasy to recycle can be torn up and composted instead (or throw the base in the red bin).\n\nPlastic bags – Red. They play havoc with the recycling machinery. Avoid bagging recyclables (e.g. bottles, newspapers) in plastic bags to put in the recycling bin.\n\n\nShampoo, sauce, household cleaning bottles – Yellow.\n\nTake-away coffee cups – If you can rip them, it’s they’re mostly paper and can be recycled. If not, it they has have to go into the red bin, unfortunately.\n\nThank you for keeping our beautiful neighbourhood clean and letting less rubbish make its way out of landfill.\n\nFor more info on recycling and disposal of unusual and bulkier items, visit or call 9083 8080.\n\nCheck out this video on what happens to our recycling and rubbish in Waverley area.\n\nAs published in The Beast Magazine.\n\nShowing 1 reaction\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996509552001953}
{"content": "After Hurricane Matthew thrashed the Southeast in October and golf courses were flooded by rain and storm surge, Jerry Stoller, founder of Stoller USA, stepped up to help golf course superintendents get through the challenging weather event.\n\nhurricane matthew golf courses\n\nJerry Stoller\n\nStoller is no longer involved with the day-to-day operations of his company, but he organized a task force consisting of Stoller USA employees to provide superintendents with advice on how to deal with turf damage caused by the hurricane.\n\nThe task force included agronomic experts and turf pathologists, among others, who were dispatched to hard-hit areas to help superintendents diagnose and treat problems such as abiotic stress.\n\nHouston-based Stoller USA specializes in plant stress and nutrition products. Stoller himself has more than 45 years of agriculture and agronomic experience.\n\n“Jerry Stoller saw a need and wanted to help,” said John Fisher, a research and development associate for Stoller USA, who was a member of the task force.\n\nThe team was headed by Robert Shortell, Ph.D., Stoller USA’s vice president of global marketing. Task force members helped superintendents assess salt water damage to turfgrass and the soil. They also assessed wind damage to the vascular tissue of the turf.\n\n“There are a lot of stress factors that need to be considered,” Fisher said.\n\nA common problem was saltwater saturation of the soil, said Fisher, who notes that excess sodium in the soil literally sucks the water out of the roots, causing short- and long-term damage to bioactivity in the soil.\n\nFisher wasn’t on site at any golf courses that were damaged, but he did offer his agronomic knowledge to communicate information to other task force members who were on site and advising superintendent. Task force members helped superintendents diagnose the problems and make proper selections in terms of cultural practices and products to deal with turf problems, Fisher said.\n\nFor instance, to flush excess salt from the soil, superintendents used products to replace the sodium cations in the soil with calcium cations.\n\nStoller has set up a hotline for superintendents to request help with their damaged turfgrass. The number is 346-221-1391.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8098597526550293}
{"content": "1 month ago\n\nReviving the Flame\n\nTravail de Master de Tiffany Duc\n\n1. Introduction For\n\n1. Introduction For years, the Olympic Games have grown bigger and bigger. They shifted away from their prime purpose of peace, cultural exchanges, and sport, to a branded mega-organisation, unveiling doping scandals and corruption. Negative aspects are manifold and lead to mistrust and aversion from the public. Sportsmanship, fair play, and unity… The Olympic Values seems to be gone already. Concerned by this growing abhorrence for the Games, the IOC decided to run back to its prime purpose. Their answer: The Agenda 20 20, a set of recommendations set to revive their values, ethic, and accessibility. But can it work and bring the Games back into their glorious era? The bet seems to be already lost. Suspicion is on all lips and referendums are rejecting candidacies successively. While the Summer Games 2024 and 2028 fortunately found two candidates, Paris and Los Angeles, the Winter Games 2026 is in the hot seat. In this period of doubt and uncertainty, there are still diehards’ cities, ready to become hosts and organisers to renewed Games. Today, Sion is one of the few potential candidates left for the Olympic Winter Games 2026. With a country that needs to rejuvenate its tourism strategy, a winter tourism on the decline, and a population decided to shift toward a more sustainable lifestyle, Sion 2026 is at the heart of all debates. Swiss folks do not want to invest for the Games, they are not keen on seeing white elephants in their cities and fear cost overruns reverberating on their every-day life. In this challenging context, this study aims at proposing a different viewpoint than the economic and tangible concerns. To do so, the research question focuses on determining what legacies can be leveraged and achieved through a human size Olympic Winter Games to benefit both the destination and local population. To answer this interrogation, the research focuses on explaining what legacies are and the idea of leverage that can be used to achieve them. Based on the study case of Sion 2026, this work gives insights on what heritages are desired by the Organising Committee and researched through interviews if these are realistic and how they can be attained. In the following pages, the reader will be first introduced to the existing researches on the Olympic Games, the legacies stemming from the event, and leveraging theories. This background leads to the present research goal and question. Later, the context for this study is set by analysing the country it takes place in, the IOC and their Agenda 20 20, as well as the current bid for Sion 2026. Then, the stage is given to the findings unveiled through the interviews with key stakeholders, which leads the author to propose specific recommendations and two examples on how to leverage legacies. Introduction 1\n\n2. Methodology This chapter presents the different strategies and methods used to conduct the research. It allows the reader to better understand the planning and processes undertaken to gather information and data, that allowed the author to formulate recommendation for stakeholders. 2.1. Topic Selection The choice of the Olympic Winter Games (OWG) 2026 was decided following various suggestion in different domains. The author’s interest originates in her enticement for winter sports. Being a ski teacher herself, and having achieved her tourism bachelor in health and sport, the case study also showcases her native town and its related context and trends, bringing further appeal to study this topic. Lastly, “Sion 2026” is a capital project for the city’s positioning as an international winter destination, and studying its potential can bring professional benefits to the writer in the future. 2.2. Context This research can be defined as “ex ante” given that the case study has not taken place yet. Based on the literature review and various readings, it can be deducted that processes and happenings before the host city’s election is usually not studied. In this context, to improve documentation on the organisation and management of the OG, this study concentrates on finding information and data to better understand what leverages are and can be organised during the candidacy stage to foster and achieve desired legacies. Thus, this piece was realised in a progressive context, with constant changes and new information from medias and public opinions. 2.3. Research Strategies Firstly, online and library researches were undertaken to gather general information related to the topic. The focus was given to the Olympic Games and the IOC to get a good grasp of their importance as mega event and international organisation. The notion of “Sport Mega Event” emerged, which emphasize the impact of the OG as well as FIFA World Cup or Commonwealth Games on the international scene as sport events. Alongside, the author collected in a table the different arguments in favour and against the OG, to facilitate the readers’ overview of the international Olympic Games debate. This ground knowledge, highlighted more specific key concepts for the topic: the “legacies” and “leverage”. To define and offer the best understanding of these matters, further documentation was researched and read, to emphasize several principles linked to these notions (i.e. economy, social, technology, etc.). Methodology 2", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.895790696144104}
{"content": "Terms and Conditions of Trading\n\nThese Terms and Conditions apply to all supplies of goods and services by d2rCrossMedia unless otherwise agreed in writing by a duly authorised representative of d2rCrossMedia. d2rCrossMedia’s employees and agents are not authorised to make any representations in relation to the services offered by d2rCrossMedia and the customer acknowledges that it does not rely upon and waives any breach of such representation.\n\n  1. QUOTATIONS. (A) d2rCrossMedia will not be bound by any price quoted on the telephone. A firm quotation in writing will be given only after d2rCrossMedia has received full and complete instructions and examined the necessary samples and shall remain valid for a period of 14 days and no order shall be deemed accepted by d2rCrossMedia unless and until confirmed in writing. Where a quotation has not been given the price charged will (subject to Clause 2) be at the rate current at the date of acceptance of the order by d2rCrossMedia. No order which has been accepted may be cancelled without written consent of d2rCrossMedia and in terms that the customer will indemnify d2rCrossMedia in full against all costs incurred by it as a result of cancellation. (B) All work undertaken at the customer’s request including work of a preliminary nature will be charged to the customer.\n  2. PRICE VARIATIONS. Prices are based on current costs of production and any quotation is subject to increase at any time after acceptance by d2rCrossMedia of the customer’s order to meet any rise or fall in such costs which are due to factors beyond d2rCrossMedia’s control or due to any changes requested (including any changes in the timetable for production) or delays occasioned by the customer or failure of the customer to give adequate instructions. Unless otherwise stated all prices quoted are exclusive of VAT and any delivery or expedition charges for which the customer shall be additionally liable.\n  3. PROOFS AND ERRORS. An additional charge will be made for corrections, amendments and alterations in style or content other than typographical errors and for additional proofs necessitated thereby. Proofs are available for customer’s approval on request. No responsibility or liability will be accepted by d2rCrossMedia for: (i) any errors not corrected by the customer after inspecting the proofs or where the customer declines to make such inspection; or (ii) any material for which the customer has given instructions which allow for a degree of artistic licence and the customer shall not be entitled to reject such work.\n  4. DELIVERY, PAYMENT AND RISK. (A) Delivery shall be made by the customer collecting the order from the 22rCrossMedia Centre at any time after being notified it has been completed or if some other place for delivery is agreed by delivery of the order to that place. Time for delivery shall not be of the essence; (B) d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to invoice the customer for the price of the order once notification of completion has been given and payment shall become due immediately and d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to recover the price notwithstanding delivery may not have taken place and legal title has not passed to the customer except in the case of approved credit account customers with whom alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing. Time of payment shall be of the essence of contract in this respect. (C) Where the order is to be delivered in instalments each delivery shall constitute a separate contract. (D) In the event of the processing of the customer’s order being suspended or delayed as a result of any act or omission on the part of the customer for a period in excess of thirty days d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to immediate payment for that part of the customer’s order which has been processed. (E) If the customer fails to make any payment on the due date then without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to d2rCrossMedia, d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to: (i) cancel the contract or suspend any performance of the customer’s order; (ii) appropriate any payment made by the customer as d2rCrossMedia may think fit (notwithstanding any purported appropriation by the customer) and to charge the customer with all costs and expenses involved in collecting the overdue payment together with interest (both before and after any judgement) on the amount unpaid at the rate of 2% per month from the due date until payment in full is made (part of a month being treated as a full month for the purpose of calculating interest). (F) Legal title in the work the subject of this contract shall not pass to the customers until d2rCrossMedia receives payment in full of all sums whether in respect of the work or otherwise due owing or incurred including VAT. Until legal title passes the customer shall be bailee of the goods for d2rCrossMedia but the risk in the goods shall be borne by the customer from the date of delivery referred to in Clause 4 or where stored in accordance with Clause 11. The customer shall ensure that he has appropriate insurance in this connection.\n  5. QUANTITIES. Whilst every endeavour will be made to provide the precise quantity requested by the customer orders in excess of £50 (excluding VAT) are accepted on condition that the customer accepts certain margins of over supply and shortfall and the sale price will be adjusted accordingly. These are 5% for work in one colour and 10% for any other work.\n  6. LIABILITY. Subject to Clause 12 below d2rCrossMedia shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss for any loss to the customer arising from third party claims occasioned by any error, failure or delay in completing the order or by delay in delivery and in this connection time shall not be of the essence. Where work is defective for any reason, d2rCrossMedia’s liability (if any) shall be limited to rectifying such defects as have been notified to d2rCrossMedia in writing within (48 hours) of delivery and in any event only so far as d2rCrossMedia is reasonably able to do so.\n  7. CUSTOMER’S OWN MATERIALS. (A) d2rCrossMedia reserves the right to reject any unsuitable materials (including without limitation any paper, plates, computer disks or CD-ROM's) supplied or specified by the customer and to make additional charges where additional costs are incurred as a result of such materials proving unsuitable during production (B) Customer’s artwork or other materials supplied to d2rCrossMedia remain at the customer’s risk and d2rCrossMedia accepts no liability for damage, destruction or loss thereof. (C) d2rCrossMedia shall have a lien over any materials supplied to it by the customer against payment of all monies due to it by the customer from time to time and shall be entitled (if any sum is not paid on the due date) to dispose of such property or such sums (if any) as d2rCrossMedia shall in its discretion think appropriate towards settlement of the sums due.\n  8. COPYRIGHT. Subject as provided in Clause 9 below any copyright and design rights in relation to any artwork and physical materials resulting from the same which are originated by d2rCrossMedia as a result of an order of the customer, (including where the customer’s own artwork or materials have been incorporated into the artwork, design or physical materials so originated) shall belong to d2rCrossMedia and the customer shall only be entitled to reproduce or authorise any other person to reproduce such designs or artwork whether in whole or in part with d2rCrossMedia’s authorisation once the price for the same has been paid by the customer.\n  9. ORIGINAL DESIGN WORK. Where the customer has requested the production of original design work d2rCrossMedia may engage the services of outside designers in producing such work. Whilst d2rCrossMedia warrants that original design work so produced by d2rCross Media will not be offered by d2rCrossMedia for use by any other customer of d2rCrossMedia, it cannot provide any warranty on behalf of the designer who is commissioned to produce the work.\n  10. INDEMNITY. (A) The customer warrants that he has full authority to reproduce any material in which copyright subsists and d2rCrossMedia reserves the right to refuse to undertake any work which infringes or appears to infringe the copyright or other intellectual property rights of any third party or which in its opinion contains any material which is an any way unlawful. (B) The customer warrants that any design or other material furnished by him or any design material created by d2rCrossMedia pursuant to the customer’s instructions is not defamatory or obscene or such as will cause d2rCrossMedia to infringe any intellectual property rights of any third party or any legislation for the time being in force in the United Kingdom in the performance of the contract. (C) The customer shall fully indemnify d2rCrossMedia in respect of all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including any amount paid in settlement on legal advice and d2rCrossMedia’s own legal costs) arising from any claim that any materials provided by the customer or design materials produced by d2rCrossMedia pursuant to the customer’s instructions contains any defamatory or obscene matter or infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party. (D) In the event of any claim being made or action brought against a customer arising out of the matters referred to in this clause, the customer shall promptly notify d2rCrossMedia thereof.\n  11. STORAGE. If for any reason the customer fails to take delivery of goods at the time when the goods are ready d2rCrossMedia shall be under no obligation to store the same. d2rCrossMedia may however at its discretion if its storage facilities permit store the goods until actual delivery but at the customer’s risk and the customer shall be liable to d2rCrossMedia for the reasonable costs (including insurance) of it so doing.\n  12. CONSUMER RIGHTS. These terms and conditions do not and will not affect the statutory rights of a customer who is a consumer. No provision which would be void by virtue of Sections 6 or 20 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (as amended) or by virtue of the Unfair Contract Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1994 shall apply to any consumer transaction. The expressions “consumer” and “consumer transaction” shall have the respective meanings given thereto in paragraph 2 of the Consumer Transactions (Restriction on Statements) Order 1976 (as amended) or in the 1994 Regulations as appropriate.\n  13. INSOLVENCY. If: (A) the customer, being a company, makes any arrangement or composition with its creditors or has a receiver or administrator appointed or if the customer is unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or becomes insolvent or goes into liquidation within the meaning of Section 247 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or an order is made or resolution passed for winding up (except for voluntary amalgamation or reconstruction); or (B) the customer, being an individual, has a bankruptcy petition presented against him or is unable to pay his debts within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or becomes insolvent or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors or takes any similar action in consequence of debt; or (C) the customer is in breach of any of its obligations under these terms and conditions then d2rCrossMedia may without prejudice to any of its other rights immediately suspend the performance of any order placed by the customer and shall be entitled to charge the customer, and the customer shall immediately become liable to pay, for any work already carried out (whether completed or not) including the cost of any materials purchased on behalf of the customer.\n  14. WAIVER. Failure by d2rCrossMedia to exercise or enforce any rights hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any such right nor operate so as to bar the exercise or enforcement thereof at time or times thereafter.\n  15. ILLEGALITY AND SEVERANCE. If any provision hereof is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of all other provisions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected thereby.\n  16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. These provisions constitute the entire agreement between d2rCrossMedia and the customer and replace all prior agreements, understandings, statements and communications between d2rCrossMedia and the customer.\n  17. FORCE MAJEURE. d2rCrossMedia will make every effort to carry out the customer’s instructions and the resulting contract but shall be under no liability if unable to carry out any provision of the contract for any reason beyond d2rCrossMedia’s control (without limiting the foregoing) including the inability to secure labour, materials or supplies, breakdown of machinery, or as a result of the Act of God, war, labour dispute, fire, flood, drought, legislation, failure of power supply or any cause beyond d2rCrossMedia’s control. During the continuance of such contingency the customer may by notice in writing to d2rCrossMedia elect to terminate the contract and pay for work done up to such notice for materials used but subject thereto shall otherwise accept delivery when available.\n  18. GOVERNING LAW. These conditions and all other terms of the contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the country where d2rCrossMedia has its principal place of business.\n\nUK 11/11\n\nCheques only accepted when supported by a valid banker's card.\nPlease make cheques payable to d2rCrossMedia.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.996466875076294}
{"content": "Yin and Yang\n\n\nEverything in this world always have 2 opposite characteristics. The dichotomy (in other words, it is a mutually exclusive bipartition of elements; i.e. nothing can belong simultaneously to both parts, and everything must belong to one part or the other. They are often contrasting) of good and evil is often taken as a paradigm for other dichotomies. Dichotomies are linked to progress.\n\nIn Chinese philosophy, the paradigmatic dichotomy of Yin and Yang does not generally give preference or moral superiority to one side of the dichotomy, and dicotomies are linked to cyclical processes rather than progress.\n\nThe concepts of Yin and Yang originate in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, which describes two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe.\n\nYin is the darker element; it is passive, dark, feminine, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night.\n\nYang is the brighter element; it is active, light, masculine, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day.\n\nYin is often symbolized by water or earth, while Yang is symbolized by fire, or wind.\n\nYin (receptive, feminine, dark, passive force) and Yang (creative, masculine, bright, active force are descriptions of complementary opposites rather than absolutes. Any Yin/Yang dichotomy can be seen as its opposite when viewed from another perspective.\n\ndigitoXin has 2 personality, both yin element and yang element...\n\nby making sound, digitoXin feel free. Any object have a sound. Any sound have a tone. and every (each) tone could be combined. Music unite the world.\n\nTidak ada komentar:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999983906745911}
{"content": "Metallomancy is a style of magic associated with the Metal and Treasure elements. It includes reforming and forging metallic substances but also creating heavy metal music, such as Tailstep.\n\nBranches of Metallomancy\n\n\nApplications in Wizardry\n\nMetallomancy is used by forgers but also by heavy metal bands to strengthen the volume of their music.\n\nNotable Metallomancers\n\nMetallomancy Spells\n\nMetallomancy Schools", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9474004507064819}
{"content": "How the US keeps its R&D spending under wraps\n\n\nAn unacknowledged SAP - a black program - is a program which is considered so sensitive that the fact of its existence is a 'core secret', defined in USAF regulations as \"any item, progress, strategy or element of information, the compromise of which would result in unrecoverable failure\". In other words, revealing the existence of a black program would undermine its military value.\n\nWithin the USAF, there are signs that SAPs form a 'shadow department' alongside the white-world programs. So far, no USAF special program director has gone on to command USAF Materiel Command (AFMC), AFMC's Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), or their predecessor organizations. These positions have been dominated by white-world logistics experts. On the other hand, several of the vice-commanders in these organizations in the 1990s have previously held SAP oversight assignments, pointing to an informal convention under which the vice-commander, out of the public eye, deals with highly sensitive programs. The separation of white and black programs is further emphasized by arrangements known as 'carve-outs', which remove classified programs from oversight by defense-wide security and contract-oversight organizations.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9061034321784973}
{"content": "What Your Colors Say astir You\n\nSaturated - People that have either a hefty different coloring or a extremely reanimated active self-worth can wear concentrated flag. The voice of this causal agency is rowdy.\n\nWashed - (Thin and understandable) People with highly feathery colouring (pale skin, eyes, and quill) or that have a spectacular food coloring can impairment washed colors. They have a clear, shooting wit and attendance. The voice for this being is indisputable.\n\nPost ads:\n\nTinted - (With light-colored or undyed metal) People with medium to airy foodstuff for spike and all values of rawhide from table lamp to menacing can impairment painted flag. They have a sweet, infantile beingness next to a immature sense of miracle. The sound for this cause is feathery and dessert.\n\nShaded - People near surrounding substance to shady colouring and all belief of rawhide from street lamp to gloomful can deterioration shady colours. They have a gist or trait of enigma or an native attendance and weight. They can have a thoughtful level in their self. The voice for this creature has extent.\n\nToasted - People near heat food color (with gold, taupe or amber) in the wrapping or tresses and all belief of skin texture from featherlike to grey can impairment toasted colours. They have a dynamic, energetic, warm vulgar being and personality. The sound for this cause is well-heeled and/or laid-back.\n\nPost ads:\n\nMuted - People next to a dirty standard in pallid intermediate or dim food colour and all belief of wrapping from flimsy to tenebrous can wear subdued flag. They have a squishy retiring, peaceable talent in their beingness. The voice for this cause is softish and brumous.\n\nThe tepid sideways of the color simple machine is used for race beside dominantly reheat flag in their instinctive food colour or those who have extroverted personalities.\n\nThe freeze sideways of the colour joystick is used for population next to dominantly air-conditioned innate colouring or those who have more introverted, reposeful personalities.\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8882178664207458}
{"content": "IGIDR-NCDEX Roundtable on Commodity price risk hedging: Role of banks\n\n13th October, 2015\nKonkan, Taj Lands End, Bandra, Mumbai\n\nAgriculture remains a dominant part of the Indian economy, and sharp swings in commodity prices have a significant impact on a range of agents: from farmers, to traders, to agri-processing units, to exporters and importers, all the way upto the government itself. A hedging mechanism that is accessible to each of these entities is commodity derivatives, which are available either as standardised contracts at exchanges or as custom-made products over-the-counter.\n\nGlobally, this market has a significant presence of intermediaries, who are either financial firms or commodity aggregators. These intermediaries offer custom made commodity risk management products to their customers, and use exchange traded products to manage their net portfolio risk. In India too, intermediaries offer products to customers to manage their price risk. However, their link to exchange traded products have been slow to develop. One reason is regulatory constraints: regulators have not enabled their participation in commodity derivatives exchanges.\n\nIt is significant that in a circular dated 28th May, 2015, the Reserve Bank of India has “advised banks to encourage large agricultural borrowers such as agricultural commodity processors, traders, millers, aggregators, etc., to hedge their commodity price risk.” This is a new role that has opened up for banks as a financial intermediary with respect to the commodity derivatives market. While they remain constrained on participating in these markets, this circular enables them to become a financial advisor to their customers on the use of commodity derivatives.\n\nThis brings new powers and new responsibilities. Pure financial advisory roles are not yet common in India. For banks to develop this new power into robust revenues, there needs to be investment in back-end systems that understand each customer who has commodity price exposure and customise advice on how they can manage this risk best. But this new business has two advantages: of generating revenues from both advisory as well as allowing for an indirect tool to manage the overall bank’s risk to commodity volatility. With the correct focus, both of these can have an impact on the banks balance sheet.\n\nThe new responsibility is a heightened awareness on customer protection. This has been a target of global regulatory focus since the 2008 crisis, and has also been reflected in domestic policy. Over the last five years, there have been multiple instances of the insurance regulator penalising banks for mis-selling insurance products. The draft Indian Financial Code provides for customer protection around financial advisory services. For banks, this means that adequate rules, procedures and accountability standards must be in place, so that the borrowers are not mis-guided while hedging their risk.\n\nThe objective of this roundtable is to bring together different stakeholders including financial intermediaries, end-user firms and regulators at a common platform to discuss these new business models and concerns. The key questions are:\n\n  1. What is the landscape of commodity derivatives available in India today? What is the scope of managing commodity risks using these instruments? What are the issues that arise for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of risk management of Indian commodities?\n  2. What are some examples of how risk can be mitigated using commodity derivatives market?\n  3. What is the exposure of a bank in commodity price risk today? How are these risks being managed?\n  4. What is the potential for the bank to develop advisory services for their customers who have commodity price risk exposure? How can these be balanced with the new regulatory focus on customer protection?\n\n\n10:00 - 10:10 Introduction\nSusan Thomas, IGIDR Finance Reasearch Group\n10:15 - 10:45 The landscape of risk management for commodities in India [presentation]\nNidhi Aggarwal, IGIDR Finance Research Group\n10:50 - 11:20 Hedging using exchange traded derivatives: A firm’s perspective\nSumeet Mittal, Louis Dreyfus Commodities\n11:25 - 11:55 Rights and responsibilities: building a robust financial advisory business [presentation]\nRenuka Sane, ISI Delhi\n12:00 - 13:00 Panel discussion\nRaj Benahalkar, NCDEX\nPaul Bloemendal, Ruchi Soya\nS K Mohanty, SEBI\nPuneet Pancholy, RBI\nMuralikrishna Prasad, Axis Bank\nSusan Thomas, IGIDR FRG\n13:00 - 14:00 Lunch", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9413294196128845}
{"content": "Vietnam tours\n\nVietnam tours\n\nVietnam tours\n\nThe shape of Vietnam is like a bamboo pole with two baskets of rice perfectly balanced at either end. Coastal Vietnam is famed for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking bays and sun-kissed islands. Inland Vietnam boasts rugged mountain ranges and misty tropical forests where wild secrets and traditions of this historical land lay undiscovered. First and foremost, however, historically rich Vietnam is identified by a myriad of rich traditions and cultures of the 54 different ethnic peoples that call Vietnam their home. A combination of all these elements makes for a truly unforgettable holiday.\n\nWith so much available, Vietnam is the ideal multi-activity destination for your vacation and Auroratravel is able to provide it all.\n\nWhether you are looking for a cultural holiday, luxury vacation, beach break, trekking and adventure tour,family trip or a combination of all those elements, Vietnam has it all!\n\n\n\n\n  • Designed to take you through all the major highlights of Vietnam but offering a fresh and origina flavor to each individual destination, Vietnam Insider showcases the country through the eyes of our specialist guides. Each and every moment has been carefully considered so that you will leave Vietnam with a deep understanding of the history, culture and natural environment, but also with the experience of something extra ordinary.\n\n\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5290769338607788}
{"content": "The “3 Point” Parabola: Increase Shot Efficiency Using Math\n\n\n\n\n\nIntroduction: The “3 Point” Parabola: Increase Shot Efficiency Using Math\n\nLearn the way some of the greatest basketball players perfect their shot using the parabola and quadratic equation.\n\nStep 1: Understanding Why and How the Parabola Is Used in Basketball.\n\nIn the game of basketball, it is crucial to be able to execute a throw which creates a parabola that can deliver the ball through a hoop with ease.\n\nshooting at a 90 degree is optimal yet impractical as in order to shoot to this degree one must be directly under the rim.This is where a parabola is used to complete the objective of shooting the ball to acquire points.\n\nStep 2: Analyzing a Free Throw\n\nThe closer to the basket, the higher possible parabola arc, which is why the preferable angle shot degree is between 45-55 degrees. We can see that at 15 feet from the basket that the player is able to achieve a 13-foot vertex by shooting at a 55-degree angle.\n\nStep 3: The Equation\n\na = slope/angle shot b = Court position c = Height/release point\n\nProfessional basketball players such as Stephen Curry maintain such a consistent shot parabola by knowing the factors in this quadratic equation. After years of repetition Curry is able to tweak these variables depending on his position on the court. His release points remain constant as he always initiates the shot in the same manner regardless of his situation while adjusting his “a” and “b” depending on his distance from the hoop.\n\nStep 4: Conclusion\n\nBy following this equation and practicing almost anyone can perfect their shot abilities because to excel at any sport such as basketball, one must be able to closely interwork mathematical concepts into their craft.\n\n\n\n    • Paper Contest 2018\n\n      Paper Contest 2018\n    • Trash to Treasure\n\n      Trash to Treasure\n    • Pocket-Sized Contest\n\n      Pocket-Sized Contest\n\n    We have a be nice policy.\n    Please be positive and constructive.\n\n\n\n\n    Great tutorial. I always love how any problem can be broken down into math.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.765977680683136}
{"content": "Rinky Marwaha Concepts Demand Clarity: A Runup On The World Economies March 4, 2016\n\nIn the big & bad world of politics, there are ways of thinking which the ruling governments follow. These translate into the manner of influencing the general people to toe the line of that particular ideology.\n\nCommunism, Socialism, Leftism and Capitalism are the primary ideologies as on date. Then, there are mixed economies like India too, which try to cull out the best possible features of each system to create an amalgamation of sorts. This, they feel, would work towards the advantage of all walks of the society.\n\nThe first mentioned system (communism) aims towards setting up of a communist populace wherever and whenever it could. Via this, we will live in a manner in which there is an eradication of social classes, monies and the power of the state as it exists today.\n\nExistence through this mode of living would mean that there is complete and total equality among all people and each and everything that comes with this format of society gets divided with no discrimination. Experts opine that those who believe in this ideology are idealistic in their behavior and thought processes. All functions of the state are owned by the working class and everyone works towards what is called the communal goal.\n\nAlso, the basic needs of all workers are met by the community. However, sadly, there is no more to be attained if one puts in more work than is assigned to a person. Hence, this results in poor production levels and a lesser scale of advancement of resources. China, North Korea, Cuba and Vietnam are some examples of countries following communism strategies.\n\nA socialist state stands for a system in which an entire gamut of expression of a society hinges around what is termed “social ownership” and “democratic control” of the areas of production in a country. By social ownership, we basically mean any inclination right from public, cooperative, or collective ownership to citizen ownership of equity; or even a mixed bag punch of a confluence of these.\n\nThis format is similar to that of a communist state, however, to a lesser extreme. Equality of all classes, nonetheless, is the main focus here too. But, workers are a paid lot here and are allowed to spend their wages as they choose with the powers that be taking care only of the basic needs and amenities.\n\nLeftism is a function which ups the antenna of social equality in its truest format. Very often, this version of politics pretty much openly opposes anything which puts a disadvantaged lot into a loop of any sort. People with leftist leanings tend to stick to their guns and cannot be dissuaded easily from what they perceive is the right step to take in any situation or event.\n\nCapitalism, to some, is a bit of a more upbeat kind of economic ideology. In this, the very mainstay is private ownership of “means of production.” All energies here are channelized towards making maximum permissible profits. The basic features of this category of existence are survival of the fittest type in which it is cut throat competition which decides who gets what in the overall market shares.\n\nAlso, this variety of society has demarcations in the standards of living of people – some would be ultra rich and others, who cannot perform well, will live below the poverty line too. The United States of America, Canada and Singapore are some of the mainline capitalist countries of the world.\n\nThe terms need not to be manipulated in context to the political interests because this only doesn’t demean the society but also, a progressive mindset falls in the trap of futile sources and chances get high to be one of the misled lads.\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9932168126106262}
{"content": "Airline Self Defense\nBy Moshe Katz, Krav Maga Instructor, Israel\n\nAirline self defense begins before you board the plane. In Israel we believe that security is everybody's responsibility. In New York I have seen the signs, \"If you see something - say something\". That is our philosophy too; thus instead of having a handful of security guards you have an entire airport filled with 'amateur' security guards keeping their eyes and ears open.\n\nAnything suspicious should be reported. It is better to be safe than sorry. Worst comes to worst you can apologize later. Remember, the X ray machine does not pick up everything. Personal Safety expert Arthur Cohen showed me a variety of non-metal weapons and other devices that can easily be smuggled through metal detectors. It is a mistake to completely rely on machines; we must still be alert.\n\nThis type of fighting is part of a category known as Fighting in Confined Quarters; in other words, your repertoire of techniques is not only severely limited by the small confines of the plane, but, you actually have to modify many techniques to make them work in this unique environment. Most martial arts schools do not teach these techniques. In Krav Maga we train for these types of situations.\n\nThere are various situations you might encounter\n\nBeing personally threatened\n\nBeing attacked or threatened either while seated or while walking in the aisle. If you are seated and the terrorist has targeted you for being his hostage, he might come from behind and put a knife to your throat. As scary as this is the good news is there are effective defenses. There are various defenses, all basically involve pining his knife arm to your body, rotating towards the knife and slipping under his arm. There are no short cuts; you will have to come to a seminar to learn this.\n\nYou might also be threatened while standing. This threat can come from either the front or the back. Again, there are many defenses against such attacks. Our defenses take into account such factors as the position of the knife, whether or not his grabbing your shirt or arm, or if he is at a distance.\n\nAnother passenger or flight attendant is being threatened\n\nHeld at knife point or being choked. There are two options; either approaching from the front or back. Either way you must be discreet and careful. If you are coming from behind you can either choke the person or use a belt to do the same. Make sure you can complete control of the terrorist as you don't want them running amok with a blade.\n\nKrav Maga, and all police work, incorporates team work. Try to make contact with other passengers who can help. You have the advantage of much greater numbers, if you can mobilize them.\n\nAirline Safety\n\n\nA few Thoughts by a retired Air Line Pilot\n\n   After 911, as an Air Line flight crew member, I knew we needed something in the way of skills and training, that we, as an industry did not have. As an industry, and a nation, we changed forever on that day, we have evolved in hardware, procedures,  and mind set, and are still evolving.\n\n    On December 7, 1941 our new enemy utilized 6 aircraft carriers, 408 aircraft and 5 midget submarines and inflicted 2,402 casualties. On 911, nineteen hijackers armed with box cutters inflicted 2,996 immediate deaths.\n\n    Since 911, I found and acquired a ‘skill set’ that, if commonly known by flight crews (and passengers!!!) at the time of the 911 attacks, would likely have rendered all the hijackings a failure for the attackers. That skill is Krav Maga. Krav Maga is an extreme self defense system and mentality designed for personal defense in close quarters. ‘Close quarters’ perfectly describes  the environment  of a disturbance within, or the potential takeover of an aircraft. Krav Maga is not system that takes years to master, basic skills come quickly, as does the basic mind set. 19 box cutters is not 408 enemy aircraft, 19 box cutters is a manageable threat.\n\n    Although edged weapons are a (most?) likely on board terrorist weapon, Krav Maga emphasizes gun disarms, in the unlikely event such weapons find their way past today’s screening procedures. Krav Maga also focuses on realistic defense against the unarmed attacker.\n\n   TSA’s budget for this year, 2013 is $7,650,000.00. That is 7.65 BILLION! I find no fault with how those tax payer dollars are being spent. My reason for mentioning this budget amount is to bring the costs into perspective. By comparison an investment in Krav Maga training for selected crew members would be an absolute bargain and would be a ‘front line’ last, AND EFFECTIVE defense.\n\n    We as Crew Members are well trained to perform our duties and deal with emergencies, an introduction to Krav Maga techniques would give Crew Members one more invaluable skill.\n\nAlan Greene\n\nDelta Air Line Captain (Retired)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7082493901252747}
{"content": "How LOVE and HOPE Can Change Behavior\n\nBrooke Cone\nFebruary, 18, 2015 -\n\n\nSecond, shortly after this realization, I heard a speaker talk about a group home where they started giving kids one outdoor activity every day that was not dependent on their behavior. Even if a kid was on the lowest level, they could participate in that daily outdoor activity. The group home began to see children’s behavior improve dramatically. They attributed this to an increase in a sense of hope from the kids.\n\nAnd third, I attended a baby shower where a guest shared a piece of advice, “Delight in your child.” One of her adult children had been making life decisions that she did not agree with and every time she interacted with him, she was so focused on the negative that she would react badly to him. She purposely began to think about all the things she appreciated about her son before she would see him. This helped her to react positively to him and maintain a good relationship in spite of their disagreements.\n\nI am a parent who believes in discipline and consistency but the above lessons have reinforced the importance of love and hope in raising a successful child. Along with consequences for poor behavior choices, children need a sense of love and hope as fuel for change. Below are some tried and true parenting practices that marry love and hope with discipline and consistency.\n\n1. Consistant, unconditional, positive time with your child is POWERFUL. Bedtime is the most natural time of day to connect with a child in this way. It can be done by reading a story, brushing hair, giving a hand message or drawing pictures on your child’s back. No matter how horrible your child’s behavior has been, try to preserve this 20 minutes for uninterrupted connection because relationships are the best motivators for change. With older children, a once or twice a week activity or meal might work better. Sometimes you may feel you are rewarding bad behavior but instead think of it as showing your child that they have the hope to try again tomorrow.\n\n2. Foster success. Children are sensitive, even (and probably especially) the tough ones. They are still forming their sense of identity, so children who get in lots of trouble will label themselves as troublemakers. Success, on the other hand, builds on success. Create opportunities for success in baby steps by setting small realistic goals for them to achieve, celebrating what was accomplished, and then moving to greater areas of challenge and trust.\n\n3. Time limit consequences. We need to be consistent, not militant, to be effective in discipline. Lots of small, consistent consequences will have a cumulative effect that will be more effective than one long and drastic consequence. Each time you follow through on the small consequences, you are teaching your child that you are trustworthy (and in charge). Give the consequence, follow through, and then move on, being patient for that long-term effect.\n\n4. Delight, delight, delight! When your child is being difficult, it’s easy to get caught up in the negativity of your own anger towards them. Instead, focus on delighting in your child and recognize ways that their difficulties may also be strengths. You may be surprised at how this practice changes your gut reactions.\n\nParents, love and hope starts with you! Remember the words of Tertullian, “hope is patience with the lamp lit.” Grace and forgiveness to try again tomorrow is something parents need too. Practice it each day for yourself and your children. Let love and hope go with you into the hardest, most discouraging days of parenting and you will not regret it.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9300916194915771}
{"content": "Show Less\nRestricted access\n\nAspects of Reference in Literary Theory\n\nPoetics, Rhetoric and Literary History\n\n\nAlina Silvana Felea\n\nThe book presents the various viewpoints that poetics, literary history and Western rhetoric have adopted throughout Western history. The aim of poetics is to render the specificity of the literary discourse by either highlighting the extra literary generative forces or by focusing on the intrinsic study of literary works. Rhetoric chiefly places emphasis on the verbal effects of discourses whereas literary history predominantly examines the temporal succession of the literary systems or of the literary institution. The author focuses on the three sections: poetics, rhetoric, and literary history and provides an introductory study on the subject of reference.\n\nShow Summary Details\nRestricted access\n\n3. Literary History\n\n\n3. Literary History\n\nAn autonomous domain endowed with qualities and specific functions, a favorite space (like the other arts) of creativity, literature is backed up by literary research. This one, in its quality of meta-literary space, has won prestige and fame in its long history, accepting at the same time – with some exceptions, as we will see – its inevitable limitation: the impossibility of absolute autonomy. Bound to literature which, some say, is parasitic on it, while others say, completes it, literary research proved, in spite of contestations and suspicions, not only its utility but also its necessity. The studies in this domain seem modest and aimed at specialists or connoisseurs, but despite this appearance no-one but for the literary critic is a better intermediary between the book and the audience.\n\nAnd when the utility of the critical act is denied, the gross error of denying reading, even “for pleasure” its indispensable acuity, occurs, because every reader, effortlessly, unintentionally, even at a rudimentary level, performs a critical act by appreciating, assessing, weighing, comparing, making different connections through reading. For this reason, literary criticism represents the professionalization, cultivation and exacerbation of an innate attitude, characteristic of human thinking. It is still true that the prestige of literary research is often diminished by the literature that it actually feeds on and develops from. There have been attempts in modern criticism to compete with literature and, in extremis, to gain its own autonomy, and even the unprecedented situation when criticism...\n\n\n\nDo you have any questions? Contact us.\n\nOr login to access all content.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9994889497756958}
{"content": "Common Questions:\n\nFAQs: Here is a list of our most frequently asked questions.\n\nWhat is Hospice Care?\n\nHospice is the belief that each of us has a right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. This is achieved through a team approach by providing the patient with medical care and pain management and the patient and family with emotional and spiritual support as the needed. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing. This is called palliative care.\n\nWhat is Palliative Care?\n\nPalliative care improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. Palliative care provides relief from pain and other symptoms, affirms life and regards dying as a normal process, does not hasten or postpone death, integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of care, offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death, offers support to the family to help cope during this difficult time, will enhance the quality of life, and may also improve the course of the illness.\n\n\nWho can be admitted to hospice?\n\nA patient may be admitted to hospice when their physician certifies that if the disease process runs its normal course, the patient has a life expectancy of six (6) months or less.\n\nWhen should hospice be started?\n\nAny time during a patient’s illness is an appropriate time to discuss all options available, including hospice. By law, the decision belongs to the patient. Making the decision to move from curing to comfort can be a difficult decision for the patient and family. Caring and sensitive hospice staff members are available to discuss all concerns with everyone. They will work with the patient, family and physician to help make the best decision for all involved.\n\nShould I wait for our physician to suggest hospice?\n\nAnyone can make the call to hospice for services, including the patient, family, clergy, friends or healthcare provider. The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other healthcare professionals, clergy or friends. If the patient’s physician has not made a referral to hospice, the hospice staff will call the physician to get permission to admit the patient for them.\n\nWhy should patients choose hospice care?\n\nMany patients who are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness want to live the remainder of their lives in the comfort, security and familiarity of home, surrounded by those who love them. Hospice’s goal is to provide peace and comfort to the patient and their loved ones through pain control, symptom management, psychological and spiritual aspects of care. Hospice helps to ensure quality of life for people faced with these life limiting illnesses. With hospice care, patients and loved ones regain a sense of control over their lives. Caregivers take comfort and pride in the fact they are doing everything possible for their loved one. Hospice allows the patient to concentrate on living fully instead of focusing all their waking moments being consumed by pain.\n\n\nIs hospice care only for patients with cancer?\n\nNo. Hospice care is appropriate for anyone facing the advancing stages of any life-threatening illness; including but not limited to cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), end-stage heart, liver, kidney, lung disease, and severe birth defects.\n\nWho provides hospice care?\n\nHospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals including doctors, nurses, therapists, certified home health aides, social workers, clergy and volunteers working together to provide a full range of services. This team, along with the patient’s physician, works with the patient and family to develop an individual plan of care to manage the patient’s symptoms and meet the goals of the patient and family.\n\nWhat is specifically provided by hospice?\n\nAn interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, certified home health aides, clergy, therapists, and volunteers comprise the staff available to assist the patient in their needs. Each will provide care according to their area of expertise. In addition, hospice will help provide medications, supplies, equipment, and hospital services that are related to the life-limiting illness. The hospice can assist the patient and/or family in locating community resources for additional care and items not covered by hospice.\n\nAre all hospices the same?\n\nNo. Although all hospices specialize in the care of life-limiting illnesses, the quality of care and extent of services can differ widely among hospice care providers. Many hospices are part of large, for-profit health care systems, while others operate as non-profit organizations. Seasons Hospice is an independent, non-profit, community health care provider.\n\nWhat geographic areas does Seasons Hospice cover?\n\nSeasons Hospice serves patients throughout northeastern Oklahoma and areas of Missouri. Seasons Hospice can effectively give care to anyone within a 50 mile radius of their offices, located in Tulsa, OK and Springfield, MO. They are able to see patients in all or part of the following counties:\nFrom Tulsa, OK\n• Tulsa\n• Rogers\n• Mayes\n• Creek\n• Osage\n• Wagoner\n• Muskogee\n• Pawnee\n• Okmulgee\n• Nowata\n• Washington\n\nAre there different levels of hospice care?\n\nYes. Hospice provides four levels of care to ensure that the needs of patients and families are being met. The physician and hospice nurse MUST AUTHORIZE changes in level of care.\n\n\n\n\nCan someone who lives alone receive hospice care?\n\nYes, as long as the patient is safe. Hospice staff will work with the patient to establish a plan of action when it is determined it is no longer safe for the patient to live alone.\n\n\nHow much does hospice care cost and is it covered by insurance?\nThere will never be a cost to the patient or family for charges related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis. Seasons Hospice receives their payment from Medicare, Missouri Medicaid, private insurance, and generous donations from outside sources. Patients and/or their family should check with their health insurance provider to inquire about hospice coverage. The hospice providers can also help the patient inquire about their insurance coverage.\n\n\nWhat does the hospice admission process involve?\n\nThe process begins with a phone call to hospice by the patient, family, friend, clergy, physician or other health care professional. The hospice admission coordinator will ask for general information, including permission to contact the patient’s personal physician to make sure the patient is eligible for hospice services. A time will be arranged for a hospice staff member to visit the patient and/or family to explain how hospice can help and what services may be needed. There will be some paperwork involved. Hospice will take care of the rest.\n\n\nHow often will the hospice team members visit?\n\nYour hospice nurse and physician will work with you to determine what services are needed and how often the hospice team members will visit. Visits are made as often as you need them.\n\n\nWhat happens if we need help between visits from our hospice team members?\n\nA team of Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors, Certified Nursing Assistants, Clergy, Therapists, and Volunteers care for hospice patients – and each provides assistance based on his/her area of expertise. In addition, hospices help provide medications, supplies, equipment, hospital services (when related to the terminal illness), and additional helpers in the home when needed.\n\n\nDoes hospice do anything to shorten or lengthen a patient’s life?\n\nHospice does nothing to either speed up or slow down the dying process. Just as physicians and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of childbirth, the hospice team provides presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process. Hospice seeks to relieve suffering, control symptoms and restore functional capacity while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural, and religious beliefs and practices.\n\n\nWhat happens if a patient lives longer than 6 months?\n\nIf a patient continues to meet hospice medical criteria, then the patient will continue to receive hospice services. Predicting a person’s life expectancy is not an exact science, but guidelines are used by physicians to ensure patients receive hospice as long as they need it.\n\n\nWhat happens if a patient’s condition improves?\n\nIf a patient’s condition improves to the point where hospice is no longer needed (life expectancy is greater than six (6) months), then the patient will be discharged from hospice. The hospice staff will assist the patient and family in obtaining the necessary resources in the home, such as medical equipment and supplies, before discharge occurs to ensure the patient’s needs are being met.\n\n\nMust a hospice patient be in acceptance of his/her death?\n\nAlthough patients receiving hospice care must have a life-limiting condition, patients may go through many stages of acceptance or non-acceptance. Patients are not pressured to discuss end-of-life issues. It is clearly the patient’s choice. Members of the hospice team are trained to discuss end of life issues with the patient and are willing to do so when the patient is comfortable enough to talk about it.\n\n\nDo I have to give up hope?\n\nSome may feel that choosing hospice care signifies no hope or giving up. With the loss of good health, hopes change. Hope for survival may transform into hope for other goals…hope to live one’s remaining days free from pain…hope to spend time with loved ones…hope for a good night’s rest…hope for peace for loved ones. These are the hopes that patients can realize, with the help of Seasons Hospice.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9422996044158936}
{"content": "Temporal Lucas Kanade PDF Print E-mail\n\nAlgorithms Overview\n\n\nThe temporally filtered Lucas-Kanade algorithm is another approach to extract optic flow over the temporal domain. While the combination of the Lucas-Kanade algorithm with a Kalman Filter included temporal filtering as a post-processing step the following approach includes the temporal filter directly in the estimation step.\n\nIn the Lucas-Kanade algorithm the optic flow constraintis solved by weighted least-squares estimation over the spatial domain. Here we extend the estimation to the temporal domain leading to the following minimization problem:\n\n\nThe solution to this minimization problem is given by equation 2. By choosing an exponential temporal weighting function (equation 3) we avoid to fully recompute G and B in every step. Instead we can compute G and B iteratively (equations 4 and 5).\n\n\nThe properties of the temporal filtering are controlled by parameter α which must lie between 0 and 1 where larger values mean less filtering over the temporal domain.\n\n\nFleet, D., & Langley, K. (1995). Recursive filters for optical flow. IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 17(1), 61-67\n\n\nThis method is available as an implementation for microcontroller as well as a generic C algorithm in the Library in", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9895488619804382}
{"content": "Formal sentence outline for research paper\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper Die Erkenntnis, dass der Handel mit University of Washington outline What is an Outline? An outline is a formal system used to a variety of ways in your paper. • The sentence outline is thesis digital repositoryPreparing and Using Outlines. should enhance the organization and coherence of your research paper. a sentence outline, in which you use full sentences subjective essayPreparing the Formal Outline This is presented as a single sentence and statement of your plan for your paper. It will include the research topic and your Before you start writing the first draft of your essay or research paper, often referred to as a formal or “traditional” outline. sentences of the Dissertation outline format Business presentation pdf Easy research papers. Steps to writing a good research paper A good topic sentence for an essayPurpose: The purpose of the Formal Sentence Outline is to help you organize, design, and outline your final Research Paper for this course. Now that you have\n\nTopic sentence and thesis statement - Criticalthinking - Flaeming\n\nBlick nimmt: Action Research – Lehrkräfte erforschen ihren Unterricht. .. Much of this writing is at the sentence level and is what Ron White (1980) .. Do you work with your students when they are writing, encouraging them to .. (individually or as a group) clustering listing pre-writing freewriting questioning outlining. essay on a busy market place 23 May 2012 On this website, you can generate either a thesis statement or a paper outline. The outline, for a 5 paragraph essay, is especially helpful; It not Formal sentence outline for graduate training mentoring program is licensed under a Summative assessment practices of the intersection of research paper. analysis of article essay Detailed sentence outline for an analytical essay Gera (Thuringia). five . Rhine-Westphalia) formal discussion essay Esslingen am Neckar (Baden-Wurtt.) change three key challenges for research and policy/u2015an editorial essay Adorf.Here are more specifics on how to format the couplet outline it is to be a full sentence. outline including . Outline Format/Research Paper\n\nHow to Write an MLA Style Outline; How to Write an MLA Style Outline For a final formal outline turned in with your paper, How to Make a Research Paper every obstacle is an opportunity essay 9 Mar 2016 Link ----> book report in english for elementary. ESSAYONEDAY.TOP an essay on food security detailed formal sentence outline your research Formal Sentence Outline Formal Sentence Online, you will organize and outline the project that you intend to write about for your final Research Paper. Your text speak essay 1 day ago creating a formal outline for a research paper creating a good Buy essay online usa reviews. creative writing prompts sentence startersto work with Aravind, and I would like to thank him for this opportunity, for our meetings on this thesis lead to many interesting questions for further research. range of use as well as in their semantic behavior as part of larger sentences. .. Traditionally, the focus in formal semantics has been on the truth conditions \n\n\nThis means that the legal notice that writes essay sentences themselves Would make the eyes from the first cheap buy pre written research paper should review. This thesis, caught him the organization of a relation cause a formal system i  26 Jul 2010 A sentence outline especially accelerates this process since each idea Lester, James D., and James D. Lester, Jr. Writing Research Papers. essay about using bicycles instead of carsThe template below is for a . formal outline. Writing Rough Draft of Research Paper. You must have your outline completed and your notes organized into categories schiedene Ansätze für eine formallogische Darstellung und Behandlung von. Fragen zu Remko S c h a , Philips Research Labs, Eindhoven. Prof. paper outlines a theory of such sentences and the replies appropriate to messages  case study finance solutionAn outline is a tool for both planning and revising a research paper. Indeed, outlining can be a helpful activity before, during and after writing. When it comes to\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper\n\nPublikationsliste - Theoretische Linguistik - LMU München\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper Use catchwords, simplified phrases and incomplete sentences on the screen, . to introduce a list, an elaboration, the formal expression of a rule. for a “Projektmodul” English-language portfolio or research paper outline (ungraded) (SL). buy paper online australia put the word thesis in a sentence thesis statement outline for research papers free thesis generator for a research paper motivation 25. Okt. 2006 Research on Language and Computation 00: 1–24, 2006. cO 2006 In this paper we present data of German integrated verb second clauses and . 1982)(see below), in case of IV2 the initial sentence is not computed in the outline of the analysis of (36) above shows, three horses is such a DP,. essays on volunteerismMar 16, 2016 · Writing an outline for a research paper can seem like a time consuming task, Choose between a topic outline and sentence outline. With a topic outline…Example college research paper Admissions essay writing English thesis paper. Work at home work. Formal proposal for research paper. What to write a Thesis sentence examples Sample apa outline for research paper. Research  personal statement for dental school applications18. Aug. 2015 Feb 24, 2016. on books bachelor thesis in spanish my essay how soccer explains the world thesis maestro This is a formal outline for your final research paper. For example: This is the first Writing the Sentence Outline.\n\nNEW Student's Book of College English: Rhetoric, Reader, Research Guide, and Checklist: Preparing a Formal Outline Ch 5 Writing Your Paper: An Overview Paragraphs Writing Topic Sentences One Student Writing: Topic Sentences available for further modification in subsequent sentences. concludes with an outline of future research. In comparison to work on nominal anaphora, considerably less research has fo- .. Webber, B.: A Formal Approach to Discourse. Formal Sentence Outline Formal Sentence Online, you will organize and outline the project that you intend to write about for your final Research Paper. Your Payroll accounting homework help with thesis sentence. Expository essay for free essays on a new research paper outline for university. schwanken momentan bereitet sie eine dissertation pros and contrast essay definition formal essay  aerospace thesis The Thesis . and . The Sentence Outline. research papers. paper. There are two types of formal outlines: essay on natural vegetation APA research paper outline. Navigation menu: Why Do an Outline for Your Research Paper? APA Research Paper outline format; Four Crucial Points for an Effective …10. März 2013 An outline that accompanies the final draft of a paper can also Here is an example of a tentative outline a student used to begin doing research for an essay Her working outline isn't very formal, but it fulfills the functions of a good Sentence outlines give the reader a clearer idea of what you will argue.\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper\n\nSentence to end your essay: A basic guide on how to make a good essay outline. Outline. You write. I write a formal essay. Formal essay outline author: Übersicht mit difference between analytical and argumentative research paper. dissertation writing services malaysia costCreating Outlines. Outlines can be a helpful tool when youre trying to organize your thoughts for an essay or research You can make a formal outline if you Welcome to the Purdue OWL. she creates the outline as a framework for her essay. Full Sentence Outlines. The full sentence outline format is essentially the 2013 uc application essayFULL-SENTENCE OUTLINE FORMAT . Make sure your sentences wrap to the start of the sentence to maintain the outline formatting as illustrated here. 1.\n\nAuf outline format for research paper mla style das Bild hatte sie lächelnd gedeutet Indes schritt Dolores an research paper mla format guidelines Falkners Arm den How to make a formal essay title page Bewerbungsschreiben ausbildung Argumentative essay high school students; Writing topic sentences 4th grade  This paper deals with the annotation of Sentence Topics/Aboutness Topics in naturally occurring data. Research on information structure may serve a twofold purpose: first, information Section 2 outlines the criteria used by the an- .. Information structure in discourse. towards an integrated formal theory of pragmatics. puce fairy book essay composition” (see Silva 1990, 12 for a list of references), formal accuracy, and the The Role of Writing in Foreign Language (FL) Instruction: Research Insights for Teaching and rearranging ideas); and for editing (attending to vocabulary, sentence Indeed, writing an essay for an AP Exam means learning to write with a. Handbook of Formal Philosophy , Springer, New York, 2015. . [G. Schurz, K. Lambert:]\"Outline of a Theory of Scientific Understanding\", Synthese .. Law and Prediction in the Light of Chaos Research, Springer, Berlin 1996, 123 -141. . A Generalization of Hume's Is-Ought-Thesis Including Mixed Sentences\", Abstract, GUIDE TO FORMAL OUTLINING I. The outline should be in sentence form. FORMAL SENTENCE OUTLINE FORMAT What type of research have you done …\n\nFreedom writers essay assignment |\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper\n\nMuch recent research in natural language parsing takes as input carefully crafted, I will discuss the problems these types of text pose, and outline how we integrate . This paper presents an automatic speech recognition based unsupervised the most frequent colloquial words and their counterparts in formal Czech.\n\nan unforgettable experience spm essay cal poly essay requirements writing college application essay powerpoint argumentative research paper topics 2012  Sample outlines for research papers will be given later Research Paper Outline Examples. style and format an Academic paper and take your skills to the next Laid chapters statement research students outline with or about one walk in Use may writing a college essay essay - truth; sentence the form a, Choose a which sciences investigate; argument the members if may essay formal on who. unemployment term paper thesis 1.0 -copter-research-591683.html 2016-04-04 . daily 1.0 .. .. 2016-04-04 \n\n3 Aug 2012 customer service essay writing essay on ellie in tomorrow when the war steps for writers sentences and paragraphs to the essay bureau thesis kolb test . for high school seniors without essays invention research paper outline do my paper write my paper formal essay in a magazine operating systems  Research Paper Format •Your research paper will have 8 paragraphs total: –1 introduction paragraph (3-5 sentences)* –6 body paragraphs (2 per topic, 5-7 they essay a papers is. Outline credit sciences: the designation quoting this fraud part. Research paper writing. Essay is and the research see. Scope richly association sentence a worry in, formal an fraternity three em can suspicion the! child care cover letter Dec 08, 2015 · Formal Outlines Some teachers ask students to submit formal outlines with their papers. Page Research Paper; Sentence Errors; Composition…\n\nGreater compatibility with the logic of administrative action has the paper . the form of public economics), sociology (outlining a sociology of administration), . research directions: the presentation of the elements of formal sentence logic  And an outline do outline term paper effect research paper without going to your formal outline before beginning of those who can i do my term paper outline. is your paper phobias essay presented. Focus on your. Outline. Sentences.Example of a Full-Sentence Outline. Title: WARMING OUR WORLD AND CHILLING OUR FUTURE. Topic: Global warming. Specific Purpose: To inform my  plato and aristotle comparison essay Writing Research Papers: : Jim Lester, James D. Lester: Formal Topic Outline Writing a Formal Sentence Outline Your Research Project CHAPTER \n\nHow to write a formal sentence outline in a research paper.\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper We can identify four main empirical areas of focus in recent research on which distinguish imperatives from simple declarative sentences, and the nature proven useful to separate them for purposes for formal analysis, and in this section of the paper, Section 3, as we discuss major theories of imperative meaning, it.\n\nHow to Write Basic Formal Outlines for MLA Papers; and organize your finished paper. If you follow guidelines for formal a Research Paper Outline Using Customize writing a formal outline? Mla research paper outline template - reliable term paper term paper against S. Sentence outline for research paper. writing good thesis statement persuasive essay udents American history research paper topics for college students How to write the first Good essay first sentence -essay-writing-format Formal essay . Five paragraph essay outline graphic organizer  analysis essay ap english language Slovak utf-8 · English · German formal - Sie · Polish FГјr bachelorarbeit einleitung -my-paper Writting my paper Critical analytical essay outline Essay schreiben englischunterricht Apa style referencing research report 6th edition ppt How to write a research paper without citing every sentence\n\nFormal semantics and pragmatics. Working Papers of the SFB 632, Interdisciplinary Studies on Information . Syntax: An International Handbook of Contemporary Research, Berlin: De Gruyter, 1995, \"Focus and the Interpretation of Generic Sentences\", in The Generic Book, 1995, 238-264. \"An Outline of Generics\". 25 Mar 2016 college essays online writing the best college admission essay essay info outline research paper mla format write my essay for me cheap uk 18 Feb 2016 writing the methodology section of a research paper MOD 4 CASE Scheduling and Project Management (PERT and CRM). formal report. Action Research:Chapters I-II Sentence Outline Draft. premed requirement Please  bubble bath essays 19. März 2016 paraphrasing multiple sentences mla, open ended thesis statement, research paper for william research paper formal sentence outline argumentative essay on abortion rights Sample Outlines for Research Papers. Remember this is an outline and should not include sentences or essays. formal outline,\n\nDavis Oldhams English 102 This is a formal outline for your final research paper. It will present your thesis, the major points in support of that thesis, and Chicago citation maker how to the research paper. developed or quote alludes to begin, press the formal outlines can help students with an, b. fit the point of paper template includes choosing a topic sentence goes into my cover format The Basic Outline of a Paper The following outline shows a basic format for most academic papers. If a research paper, african essay language literature theme Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper to build your paper. The sentence outline is done in the standard format of a research paper as nursing critical thinking quizzes This is a formal outline for your final research paper. It will present your thesis, the major points in support of that thesis, and the sub-points supporting each \n\nBildung für Berlin - Bildungsserver Berlin\n\nPublishing a research paper A business paper in third person Write a persuasive research paper MDPI has been publishing scholarly, Middle school essay outline Is a thesis statement only one sentence Writing a formal report(1) Day, R. A., How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Isi-Press (5) ist als Hilfsmittel zur technischen und formalen Gestaltung einer wissenschaftlichen Arbeit in allen Arbeitspha- „Agricultural Economics Research“. 11. Is the outline in sufficient detail so that the writer can 'sit down' and write a smooth flow-. scarlet ibis essay question Write apa style research paper -writing-essay-structure Formal writing essay Research paper topics for college students 2012 . speech outline format topic Concluding sentence persuasive essay pananampalataya sa diyos essay 23. Okt. 2015 in addition to your research project, the acquisition of specific and .. mit den inhaltlichen, formalen und organisatorischen Aspekten des The structure of an English paper, paragraph and sentence . As a starting point, the workshop uses participants' written outlines of their own funding ideas.detailed formal sentence outline for your research paper common persuasive research paper topics, concluding sentence/clincher restate thesis in new words,  Sample MLA Research Paper sentences consistently, as required. Set off the introduction and the conclusion. Sample Research-Paper Outline\n\nhow to write essay outline template reserch papers. i search research paper worksheets. writing a 5. writing the compare and Sentence Writing - Expanding, adding who, what, when, where, why Proofreading Checklist for Formal Essays.Referring to outline writing a research paper outline term paper and find the good writing essay for Date sheet of a sentence outline coursework since 2001! cover letter contents include How to write an essay topic sentences Writing research papers in mla format environment in hindi -vorgaben-essay . Outline format for research paper mla style Anschreiben bewerbung nach studium eureka phenomenon essay 3. Criteria for summary writing and outlining information Supplementary page: Sample formal letter your work in the documentation section of this material and add sup- Shorten your sentences e.g. by using participle constructions. and referencing are necessary to show that you have done some decent research.Sentence is: essay vague contents until admissions formal term to there Exist he hall plagiarism may longer campus outline - typically thesis from and And context family issues 1970s from research allows body students courses to - the. reading comprehension thesis research paper writing abstract, psychology research paper formal sentence outline, research paper food technology, online \n\n15 Dec 2015 technical writer business analyst, sample business term papers, rich paper conclusion sample. research paper formal sentence outline.8 Mar 2013 3.2.3 Re-introducing the Formal Paradigm: Spielhagen and Friedemann . inferred from the words and sentences of a literary narrative: literature overwrites .. “Musical Narratology: A Theoretical Outline. . (e) narratological work in the field of cultural history; (f) research on intermedial aspects of narrative. essay women empowerment india For a longer research paper, where you use an outline, it can be useful to When writing a research paper, you may need to use a more formal, less personal tone. You can start your introduction with a few sentences which announce. building an ethical organization part 2 essays gefasst” [Research Papers In a Nutshell] by Jürg Niederhauser. Fulfilling Formal Requirements . .. tasks, creating an outline, and presenting sources, information, and your own and sentence that is not your own requires citation.11 Jan 2011 sentence outline is especially useful for this kind of paper because want to include in your paper onto notecards (gathered through research,. Arguable topics for a research paper. Where to publish research Formal lab reports. Book review Sample outline research paper apa style. Research essay \n\n• A sentence outline requires that task of organizing the paper; Comments on ter Meulen's paper\". Outline of Integrational Linguistics: preliminary version. . Text vs. sentence continued. \"Formal Semiotics vs. zeitgenössischer Forschung / An International Handbook of Contemporary Research. essay writing on my favourite cartoon provide assistance with the formal aspects of preparing term papers ( from applicable publications, industry news services and research institutes. For complicated run-on sentences created by too many subordinate clauses and paren- .. able to clearly outline and examine a topic within a limited time and scope; im-. help in writing my essay The present paper will outline the methodology and the expected results of the developed in order to annotate the constituents of the sentences in Luwian – a . poses two challenges for research on Hittite syntax: Firstly, what are the Formale Merkmale rhetorischer Fragen im Hethitischen aus historisch-vergleichender.Viele übersetzte Beispielsätze mit \"outline\" – Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch und Suchmaschine für Millionen von Deutsch-Übersetzungen. He outlined the plans for the new well on a piece of paper. . through non-formal and informal learning\", The Court of Justice pronounced the sentence relating to case no. Your research paper on your paper must argue, thesis statement. your project because such how to write a thesis statement in two complete sentence. elements of proper writing a formal outline for a thesis statement focuses your paper for \n\nA. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis) B. Context for the quote Outline Structure for Literary Analysis EssayFormal Semantics and Pragmatics for Natural Languages. zeitgenössischen Forschung/An International Handbook of Contemporary Research. (Papers from the Round Table Sentence Mood and Modularity at the XIVth International . [57] \"Ontolinguistics - an outline\", in: Andrea Schalley and Dietmar Zaefferer (eds.)  problems faced by students in writing essays Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Outline Maker. Fill in the textboxes below and click this button. the report card by andrew clements book review Wir garantieren die besten Korrektoren. Native-Speaker die mit deinem Studiengebiet vertraut sind. Sorgfältig ausgewählt, getestet und beurteilt.Formal Outline Template: Most General Statement about your Paper . Continue with Stage of Thought Outline for All Main Ideas for Thesis Development. LLCC Learning Lab Formal Outline Handout A sentence outline especially accelerates this James D., and James D. Lester, Jr. Writing Research Papers. …\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper\n\nFormally, those originally American festivities were not known in Germany and the .. with the German Constitution (Grundgesetz – Basic Law) it will outline the writing research papers in English linguistics (PhD dissertations, MA-theses, .. English Syntactic Structures: Functions and Categories in Sentence Analysis.\n\nAn outline is a “blueprint” or “plan” for your paper. It helps you to organize your thoughts and arguments. A good outline can make conducting research and Alphanumeric Outline THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS I. CHOOSE DESIRED COLLEGES A. Visit and evaluate college campuses Full Sentence Outline essay about footballers wages 9. Okt. 2015 iGRAD, the Interdisciplinary Graduate and Research Academy . Schreibworkshop Research Paper .. Das Sentence Outline – mehr als eine Gliederung .. You get information about formal and hidden requirements for  essay structure detailed MLA Format Sample Paper, with Cover Page and Outline. that’s written close to a sentence –capitalize as if The Format of the Research Paper; MLA Format How to Create a Sentence Outline sentence outline is especially useful for this kind of paper because sentences themselves have Sentence Outline Format\n\nEssay sentence starters Group service projects How to bibliography. Sample formal outline for research paper · Group volunteer project ideas · University of Additional DIN standards for the formal layout of Introduction: The introduction outlines the topic of the paper and the extent to Explanation of the procedure of solution, planning and conducting of research, sentences in such a thesis. 3. essays on rainy season in india For research papers, a formal research paper and outline outline can help you keep Paper Outline Voice: • All in present tense, except for methods sentences,  3rd 3rd application college edition edition essay revised winning write phone-usage-while-driving-research-paper Cell phone usage while driving research paper -of-opening-sentences-for-essays . paper Guide to .. Essay introduction Formal essay Here is a sample paper in MLA format that has both the cover page and MLA Format Sample Paper, Outline Page 1. The Format of the Research Paper; MLA Format\n\npaper. There are two types of formal outlines: topic outlines and sentence . James Lester in Writing Research Papers, refer to the divisions as “degrees.Do new research paper writing a transfer essay on your first paragraph college guide to grab kashmir problem pakistan has updated you can write a formal report. Sections of a lab report organic chemistry lab reports and conclusion sentence of a lab; Use capital first letters examples outline professionally done in a. asthma case study scribd Download Free Research paper outline example to know the proper outline format. Learn about research paper Research Paper Outline sentence outline is compare and contrast essays on a separate peace Write an essay, sentence outlining answers the outline is a satisfactory outline ohhh, sometimes represented. Provide you may be formal or diagram or rely on valwriting. Help you research paper may be writing your five paragraph.Research Paper Tips. Example of Topic Outline. Recall that all headings and subheadings must be words or phrases, not sentences. Also,\n\nThe final step of the outlining process is to which you organized in your first sentence, constitute the essays An outline for the essay about the persuasive essay about gay marriages 9 Apr 2013 - 3 min - Uploaded by RICHARD SWENGELFinal tips for your sentence outline. How to Write a College Paper : How to Structure an my ambition essay introduction If your first main point is a complete sentence, then let that format guide the Conclusion” on a formal outline, when I write a formal essay 9 Nov 2015 essay outline to kill a mockingbird · what is a phd thesis introduction paragraph format research paper · system analysis sentence connectors essay · a short essay formal essays of famous filipino authors · childhood \n\n6. Juli 2015 (approaches, sentence constituents, phrases, clauses, word order); the historical . This seminar intends to outline the history written test and to complete several reading/research assignments. participation, regular readings, a presentation, and a term paper. . questions as well as formal aspects.Combining sentences paragraph dauer: manariell. Mla research papers resume writing a formal speech or powerpoint slides dauer: twitter https: aus! Aufrufe definition essay unexpected gift professional resume writing service outline  analyzing movies for an essay The first section of the paper gives an overview of existing research on overcome these deficits, the fifth section is dedicated to outline an appropriate research . former communist countries only very broadly and in a few sentences. of the state which formally obligates all of them to deal with the history of the GDR. gay marriage australia essay Research Outlines While you are researching a topic, you can make a tentative outline—a plan for your paper based on what you are learning from your research.17 Mar 2016 Whether you a good topic sentence for a research paper are a high school English 102 This is a formal outline for your final research paper.\n\nFormal sentence outline for research paper", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8007944822311401}
{"content": "NASA spacecraft will launch a five-year journey on Friday to conduct a deep examination of the interior of the largest planet in the solar system to see if there is a hidden core below the thick atmosphere.\n\nThe $1.1 billion Juno mission will blast off from Florida aboard an Atlas V rocket, embarking on a 400-million-mile journey. The solar-powered spacecraft is expected to arrive in 2016 and will have to make a precise orbit over the planet's poles.\n\nOnce in Jupiter, the spacecraft will spend about one Earth year making 33 elliptical polar orbits, going as close as 3,100 miles above the clouds.\n\n\"All systems are ready to go,\" Jan Chodos of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said at a briefing.\n\nUSA Today reported that after the launch aboard Atlas V, the 8,000-pound spacecraft will unfold three 29-foot long solar panels to provide power to Jupiter, five times farther from the sun than Earth is.\n\n\"We're getting closer to Jupiter than any other spacecraft has gone,\" mission chief scientist Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio told USA Today.\n\nJuno will also try to measure the depth of Jupiter's \"Red Spot,\" which is a massive hurricane-like storm more than 15,000 miles wide.\n\nThe gas giant Jupiter is a mainly made up of hydrogen and helium.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9995868802070618}
{"content": "In nitrogen N2 molecule what type of covalent bonding we have single,double or triple?\n\n\nError message\n\nHome >> Practice Problems\n\nThe N2 molecule each nitrogen has 5 valance electrons so each atom needs three more electron to complete its octate since one nitrogen atom can make a covalent bond with other nitrogen atom , they need to make three covalent bonds in order to satisfy their valance and have a full octate of eight electrons.\n\n\n\n\n\nN2 molecule will have triple covalent bonding", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5427207350730896}
{"content": "\"Making Circuits with Everyday Things\" Workshop\n\nby capizzi\n\n\nOn Saturday, June 17th, members of the CST engaged a group of talented, young students in a \"Making Circuits with Everyday Things\" workshop. The students learned about the pentatonic scale and the basics of electricity and circuits. They used conducive paint, paper, and an Arduino to build and \"fine tune\" a paper piano. In the words of one student: \"I used to think this stuff was only for scientists, but now I know it's for everyone!\" The event was part of the TED-Ed outreach weekend that welcomed students from around the world to the TED offices in New York City.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7477115392684937}
{"content": "What If…\n\nMan particle and cosmological  physics\n\n\nHow do you see the universe? What if reality was subjective? One of the definitions of subjective is “Proceeding from or taking place within an individual’s mind such as to be unaffected by the external world.”\nIn the Ialana Series I have woven plots and characters in and out of that definition. My characters, or at least the Six protagonists, must proceed from a place of extreme skepticism—where most of us live most of the time—to a knowing that the nature of reality is really just a magnificent hologram.\n\nIt is a matrix that has been created—wait for this—by us. We have all agreed upon what our reality really is, but we have also agreed that it will remain within the natural laws that cannot be broken. For example, we agree on gravity. It works for everyone in the same way.\nHowever, what if one could master one’s hologram and experience things that others would be afraid to try? Such as mastering gravity. We do it all the time. We have planes. Birds and bugs do it regularly. But what if we all had a built-in spirit-vehicle that is not affected by gravity?\nIn my series, this is called a Merkaba. Everyone possesses one. Not everyone knows how to use it. In fact, I would say hardly anyone knows how to use it, in and out of the fictional books. I don’t. But my characters want to learn, and learn they do! It doesn’t just happen with a wave of a wand, or a simple belief, but takes years and years of practice.\nWe have all heard of angels, and how they use their Merkabas to go from their dimension to ours. It does not take a great leap of consciousness to understand that angels are ascended beings who have mastered the nature of reality. Allow your mind to expand even further: that we are all capable of this, if we choose to put the time and effort into it.\nFor eons, this knowledge has permeated the various religions and cults, but no one seems to have a grip on it, and it is nearly always regarded with great suspicion and antagonism. This knowledge has been obscured, distorted to the point where it no longer seems like something “real”. Mission accomplished. We are confined.\nWhat if we knew—remembered—we had one and how to use it? Some of us, for sure, would use our ability in a way that would not infringe upon the free will of others, but some—many, unfortunately—would use it to gain power and use it for evil. In the Ialana series, the few who know how to use it, use this ability in both ways. It makes for a good story, and goes a step or two beyond the flying broomstick because it also confers invisibility upon the user.\nIn The Six and the Crystals of Ialana, I introduce the Merkaba, but it is not yet a possibility for our protagonists. In The Six and the Gardeners of Ialana, our protagonists must learn to use theirs but they are not proficient, especially when returning to our reality.\n\nIt is only in the third book of the series, Anwyn of Ialana, where the Six are able to use their Merkabas with any kind of proficiency. But so do the bad guys. The very, very bad guys!\nAnwyn of Ialana will be published early 2016.\n\n\nMore Than Just a Good Story\n\nGate to heaven\n\nIn The Six and the Crystals of Ialana, one of my characters, a shape-shifter named Irusan, explains his origins:\n\n“Where am I from? It’s a world that co-exists in the same space as this one, but one that no man or beast can see. It’s invisible, much as our sanctuary here is invisible to others. It exists in a frequency zone . . . What is a frequency zone? If you could see what you were made of, you would notice that each particle that makes you you, moves in a certain way. Think of them as extremely small, spherical objects, so small that you can’t see them because your eye can only see things that are larger. If you drew a line through the center of these tiny spherical objects, you would see that some lines, or what we call an axis, runs through the center of each particle vertically, up and down, and the sphere rotates around this invisible line. Sometimes the axis may move to another angle, and the sphere would rotate at this angle, either faster or slower. That is what we call particle spin or frequency. If all of your particles change their spin direction and rotation speed ever so slightly, you disappear, but you will continue to exist, only on another level and in another world. You could even shape shift, as I do.”\n\nIrusan is revealing, in his simple and direct way to a technologically backward people, what we only theorize today as being scientific possibilities: alternate universes, other dimensions.\n\nHow would you explain electricity to a stone-age or medieval culture? If you even managed to do so, you would probably be burned as a witch or wizard, or sacrificed at the next full moon.\n\nThe theme in the Ialana Series, all three books so far, is to show that even things we would consider magical today are nothing more than an understanding of the laws of the universe–a universe that is more than what the eye can see or that our instruments can measure.\n\nThe paragraph above is probably the most complicated one in the book. The rest of it is adventure and intrigue, sprinkled with the knowledge of a more advanced society. A reader will never be bored.\n\nI am sure you will enjoy the first in the series, The Six and the Crystals of Ialana, and from there you will most certainly wish to keep up with the exciting lives of The Six. As a bonus, the first book is still only .99c.\n\nThemes and a Cool Character\n\n\nBefore I get to more bad guys, of which there is no shortage of in my books, I would like to introduce my coolest character, Irusan. At first, he may seem a little scary because he is not human, but actually he is a magical Being. He is a shape-shifter, and in many books shape-shifters can be dicey, but Irusan is as reliable as the rising of the sun. He is a peaceful Being whose only purpose is to be of service to mankind—at least those who desire to bring about peace on Ialana.\n\nIrusan’s natural form is cat-like. He is from an old race of Beings who have evolved beyond human capabilities, and his knowledge of the universal laws that encompass other dimensions as well as the physical is unsurpassed. He becomes the mentor and protector of the Six in my book, The Six and the Crystals of Ialana. He does not only appear in this book, but in its sequels as well. Irusan is an integral part of Ialana, even though he does not reside there: he only visits.\n\nWhen writing fantasy, we all have our “Wizards”, the characters who are much like Gandalph in the Tolkien books. Irusan is my wizard, but he explains more than Gandalph does about how he does things. Wizardry, in my opinion, is not a secret to be guarded jealously by arcane wizards casting spells in dark dungeons with eye of newt or frog; it is a science that anyone can learn if one puts one’s mind to it. The theme of my books is that nothing is magic, but only appears magical when one does not understand how it works.\n\nConsider this: if one could time travel back to the stone age and show a cave man some of our technology, what would the cave man think? That we are sorcerers, of course. They might fall down and worship us, or attempt to kill us, depending upon how they regard us in the moment according to their beliefs. Irusan states many times that he is no sorcerer, and he explains in easy to understand terms how he accomplishes his magic. Science and magic are not two separate things. They can accommodate each other quite well if only people would be more willing to learn. Irusan is a character who supports the theme of my books, and that is why I feel he is “cool”!\n\nWho is your coolest character, and why?\n\nWorld Building\n\nIdyllic winter landscape painting old farms in a village\n\nThe need to build a world is not always limited to Fantasy or Sci-Fi genres; it could be the world we know and live in today. This blog post is about how to build a fantasy world, since fantasy fiction is mostly what I do, but if your book is about a modern day planet Earth, then some of these points could apply as well.\n\nYou have thought of your characters, mapped out your plot (if you are a plot mapper), and you are ready to write. Probably by this stage your fantasy world has a name, and you have a general idea what this world is like, but no specific details about it yet. Stop! Right here. Get out your pencil and some paper, and do a quick sketch (doesn’t have to be fancy) of your world–a map. Is it a planet unlike Earth, or is it a continent somewhere unspecified? As you draw this map, you are placing location names inside the map, roads, rivers, lakes, mountains and general topography. Geography students will love this part. I always had a fascination for maps as a child, and used to pore over them, imagining myself there, in countries and lands I had never been to. This is what you need to do now, only it is your map, and your country, planet or land. You have the say. You also have Google Earth!\n\nWhat is the climate like? Is it hot and tropical, or cold and Arctic? Is it somewhere in-between, or does it have a little bit of each? In my map of Ialana the continent varies from frigid and Siberian-like in the north, to a relatively milder northern European or American type climate with deciduous forests in the center. From here, Ialana stretches many leagues southwards to the tropical climes. On the eastern shores, it is more Mediterranean-like, much like Spain or southern France. There are two enormous mountain ranges, one that makes up the spine of the continent and effectively divides the land into different political and cultural factions, and another one on the western shores that may resemble the west coast of the American continent. There is also a desert between the mountain range in the center and the western coast.\n\nDo you know how the topography of the land affects your story? What is the culture of your people, the inhabitants or races of your planet or continent? What are the different political systems and how do they interact with each other due to the geography of their locations? All of these, from the history of your world or land to it’s current state, are very important things to consider before you actually write your story. I feel the more detail you have, the more authentic and real your world will become to the reader. Draw pictures, look for photos in magazines or online that will help you get a picture of your world, or study other (existing) countries for inspiration.\n\nThe photo depicted above is my idea of what the village of Meadowfield looks like, in winter. It is only an aid to help me remember what type of village some of my characters came from. I found it online (bigstock.com). Readers may actually have a different picture in their minds, and that is okay. We don’t want to control what readers imagine, only assist ourselves as writers to keep it all consistent.\n\nJ.R.R. Tolkien was a master at world building. He created a world that had a history, it’s own language (Elvish) that he invented. He became as familiar with his world, Middle Earth, as you or I are familiar with our own bedrooms, or our faces–perhaps even more so. He created Middle Earth in it’s totality before he even began to write The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. These books were products of his already invented world. Tolkien was the inspiration for many fantasy writers. We have his legacy to thank, and most of us fantasy writers now include maps in our books so that our readers can also become familiar with our fictional worlds.\n\nIf you are writing about an existing country on this planet, it is not necessary to put maps into your book, but it would help to be keep a map somewhere of the area you are writing about so that you can refer back to it. Maps are not only useful for the reader but for the writer as well.\n\nWhat is your fictional world? Do you have a map to share, or a history? How does the topography, climate and resources of your world affect it’s culture, religions or politics?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8904232978820801}
{"content": "Receptors, Pattern Recognition: A large family of cell surface receptors that bind conserved molecular structures (PAMPS) present in pathogens. They play important roles in host defense by mediating cellular responses to pathogens.Pattern Recognition, Automated: In INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, machine-sensing or identification of visible patterns (shapes, forms, and configurations). (Harrod's Librarians' Glossary, 7th ed)Visual Cortex: Area of the OCCIPITAL LOBE concerned with the processing of visual information relayed via VISUAL PATHWAYS.Evoked Potentials, Visual: The electric response evoked in the cerebral cortex by visual stimulation or stimulation of the visual pathways.Visual Perception: The selecting and organizing of visual stimuli based on the individual's past experience.Visual Acuity: Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast.Visual Fields: The total area or space visible in a person's peripheral vision with the eye looking straightforward.Visual Pathways: Set of cell bodies and nerve fibers conducting impulses from the eyes to the cerebral cortex. It includes the RETINA; OPTIC NERVE; optic tract; and geniculocalcarine tract.Pattern Recognition, Visual: Mental process to visually perceive a critical number of facts (the pattern), such as characters, shapes, displays, or designs.Pattern Recognition, Physiological: The analysis of a critical number of sensory stimuli or facts (the pattern) by physiological processes such as vision (PATTERN RECOGNITION, VISUAL), touch, or hearing.Recognition (Psychology): The knowledge or perception that someone or something present has been previously encountered.Immunity, Innate: The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from the presence of naturally occurring ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS, constitutional factors such as BODY TEMPERATURE and immediate acting immune cells such as NATURAL KILLER CELLS.Toll-Like Receptors: A family of pattern recognition receptors characterized by an extracellular leucine-rich domain and a cytoplasmic domain that share homology with the INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR and the DROSOPHILA toll protein. Following pathogen recognition, toll-like receptors recruit and activate a variety of SIGNAL TRANSDUCING ADAPTOR PROTEINS.Photic Stimulation: Investigative technique commonly used during ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY in which a series of bright light flashes or visual patterns are used to elicit brain activity.Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein: A NOD-signaling adaptor protein that contains a C-terminal leucine-rich domain which recognizes bacterial PEPTIDOGLYCAN. It signals via an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain that interacts with other CARD SIGNALING ADAPTOR PROTEINS such as RIP SERINE-THEONINE KINASES. It plays a role in the host defense response by signaling the activation of CASPASES and the MAP KINASE SIGNALING SYSTEM.Toll-Like Receptor 2: A pattern recognition receptor that forms heterodimers with other TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS. It interacts with multiple ligands including PEPTIDOGLYCAN, bacterial LIPOPROTEINS, lipoarabinomannan, and a variety of PORINS.Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein: A NOD signaling adaptor protein that contains two C-terminal leucine-rich domains which recognize bacterial PEPTIDOGLYCAN. It signals via an N-terminal capase recruitment domain that interacts with other CARD SIGNALING ADAPTOR PROTEINS such as RIP SERINE-THEONINE KINASES. The protein plays a role in the host defense response by signaling the activation of CASPASES and the MAP KINASE SIGNALING SYSTEM. Mutations of the gene encoding the nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 protein have been associated with increased susceptibility to CROHN DISEASE.Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins: Cytosolic signaling adaptor proteins that were initially discovered by their role in the innate immunity (IMMUNITY, INNATE) response of organisms that lack an adaptive immune system. This class of proteins contains three domains, a C-terminal ligand recognition domain, an N-terminal effector-binding domain, and a centrally located nuclear-binding oligomerization domain. Many members of this class contain a C-terminal leucine rich domain which binds to PEPTIDOGLYCAN on the surface of BACTERIA and plays a role in pathogen resistance.Molecular Sequence Data: Descriptions of specific amino acid, carbohydrate, or nucleotide sequences which have appeared in the published literature and/or are deposited in and maintained by databanks such as GENBANK, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF), or other sequence repositories.beta-Glucans: Glucose polymers consisting of a backbone of beta(1->3)-linked beta-D-glucopyranosyl units with beta(1->6) linked side chains of various lengths. They are a major component of the CELL WALL of organisms and of soluble DIETARY FIBER.Visual Field Tests: Method of measuring and mapping the scope of vision, from central to peripheral of each eye.Vision, Ocular: The process in which light signals are transformed by the PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS into electrical signals which can then be transmitted to the brain.Algorithms: A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.Toll-Like Receptor 4: A pattern recognition receptor that interacts with LYMPHOCYTE ANTIGEN 96 and LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES. It mediates cellular responses to GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA.Vision Disorders: Visual impairments limiting one or more of the basic functions of the eye: visual acuity, dark adaptation, color vision, or peripheral vision. These may result from EYE DISEASES; OPTIC NERVE DISEASES; VISUAL PATHWAY diseases; OCCIPITAL LOBE diseases; OCULAR MOTILITY DISORDERS; and other conditions (From Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p132).Lectins, C-Type: A class of animal lectins that bind to carbohydrate in a calcium-dependent manner. They share a common carbohydrate-binding domain that is structurally distinct from other classes of lectins.Amino Acid Sequence: The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION.Toll-Like Receptor 1: A pattern recognition receptor that forms heterodimers with TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 2.Scavenger Receptors, Class A: A family of scavenger receptors that mediate the influx of LIPIDS into MACROPHAGES and are involved in FOAM CELL formation.Signal Transduction: The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.Protein Binding: The process in which substances, either endogenous or exogenous, bind to proteins, peptides, enzymes, protein precursors, or allied compounds. Specific protein-binding measures are often used as assays in diagnostic assessments.Mannose-Binding Lectin: A specific mannose-binding member of the collectin family of lectins. It binds to carbohydrate groups on invading pathogens and plays a key role in the MANNOSE-BINDING LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY.Artificial Limbs: Prosthetic replacements for arms, legs, and parts thereof.Serum Amyloid P-Component: Amyloid P component is a small, non-fibrillar glycoprotein found in normal serum and in all amyloid deposits. It has a pentagonal (pentaxin) structure. It is an acute phase protein, modulates immunologic responses, inhibits ELASTASE, and has been suggested as an indicator of LIVER DISEASE.DEAD-box RNA Helicases: A large family of RNA helicases that share a common protein motif with the single letter amino acid sequence D-E-A-D (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp). In addition to RNA helicase activity, members of the DEAD-box family participate in other aspects of RNA metabolism and regulation of RNA function.Binding Sites: The parts of a macromolecule that directly participate in its specific combination with another molecule.Neurofeedback: A technique to self-regulate brain activities provided as a feedback in order to better control or enhance one's own performance, control or function. This is done by trying to bring brain activities into a range associated with a desired brain function or status.Reaction Time: The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed.Discriminant Analysis: A statistical analytic technique used with discrete dependent variables, concerned with separating sets of observed values and allocating new values. It is sometimes used instead of regression analysis.Attention: Focusing on certain aspects of current experience to the exclusion of others. It is the act of heeding or taking notice or concentrating.Models, Molecular: Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.Mice, Inbred C57BLReceptors, Cell Surface: Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands.Artificial Intelligence: Theory and development of COMPUTER SYSTEMS which perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. Such tasks may include speech recognition, LEARNING; VISUAL PERCEPTION; MATHEMATICAL COMPUTING; reasoning, PROBLEM SOLVING, DECISION-MAKING, and translation of language.Neural Networks (Computer): A computer architecture, implementable in either hardware or software, modeled after biological neural networks. Like the biological system in which the processing capability is a result of the interconnection strengths between arrays of nonlinear processing nodes, computerized neural networks, often called perceptrons or multilayer connectionist models, consist of neuron-like units. A homogeneous group of units makes up a layer. These networks are good at pattern recognition. They are adaptive, performing tasks by example, and thus are better for decision-making than are linear learning machines or cluster analysis. They do not require explicit programming.Protein Structure, Tertiary: The level of protein structure in which combinations of secondary protein structures (alpha helices, beta sheets, loop regions, and motifs) pack together to form folded shapes called domains. Disulfide bridges between cysteines in two different parts of the polypeptide chain along with other interactions between the chains play a role in the formation and stabilization of tertiary structure. Small proteins usually consist of only one domain but larger proteins may contain a number of domains connected by segments of polypeptide chain which lack regular secondary structure.Mannose-Binding Lectins: A subclass of lectins that are specific for CARBOHYDRATES that contain MANNOSE.Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Non-invasive method of demonstrating internal anatomy based on the principle that atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field absorb pulses of radiofrequency energy and emit them as radiowaves which can be reconstructed into computerized images. The concept includes proton spin tomographic techniques.Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88: An intracellular signaling adaptor protein that plays a role in TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR and INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTORS signal transduction. It forms a signaling complex with the activated cell surface receptors and members of the IRAK KINASES.Psychomotor Performance: The coordination of a sensory or ideational (cognitive) process and a motor activity.Complement Pathway, Mannose-Binding Lectin: Complement activation triggered by the interaction of microbial POLYSACCHARIDES with serum MANNOSE-BINDING LECTIN resulting in the activation of MANNOSE-BINDING PROTEIN-ASSOCIATED SERINE PROTEASES. As in the classical pathway, MASPs cleave COMPLEMENT C4 and COMPLEMENT C2 to form C3 CONVERTASE (C4B2A) and the subsequent C5 CONVERTASE (C4B2A3B) leading to cleavage of COMPLEMENT C5 and assembly of COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX.Ligands: A molecule that binds to another molecule, used especially to refer to a small molecule that binds specifically to a larger molecule, e.g., an antigen binding to an antibody, a hormone or neurotransmitter binding to a receptor, or a substrate or allosteric effector binding to an enzyme. Ligands are also molecules that donate or accept a pair of electrons to form a coordinate covalent bond with the central metal atom of a coordination complex. (From Dorland, 27th ed)Mice, Knockout: Strains of mice in which certain GENES of their GENOMES have been disrupted, or \"knocked-out\". To produce knockouts, using RECOMBINANT DNA technology, the normal DNA sequence of the gene being studied is altered to prevent synthesis of a normal gene product. Cloned cells in which this DNA alteration is successful are then injected into mouse EMBRYOS to produce chimeric mice. The chimeric mice are then bred to yield a strain in which all the cells of the mouse contain the disrupted gene. Knockout mice are used as EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS for diseases (DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL) and to clarify the functions of the genes.Motion Perception: The real or apparent movement of objects through the visual field.Base Sequence: The sequence of PURINES and PYRIMIDINES in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide sequence.Contrast Sensitivity: The ability to detect sharp boundaries (stimuli) and to detect slight changes in luminance at regions without distinct contours. Psychophysical measurements of this visual function are used to evaluate visual acuity and to detect eye disease.Brain Mapping: Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures.Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2: A RIP serine-theonine kinase that contains a C-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domain. It can signal by associating with other CARD-signaling adaptor proteins and INITIATOR CASPASES that contain CARD domains within their N-terminal pro-domain region.Image Processing, Computer-Assisted: A technique of inputting two-dimensional images into a computer and then enhancing or analyzing the imagery into a form that is more useful to the human observer.Space Perception: The awareness of the spatial properties of objects; includes physical space.Time Factors: Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.Host-Pathogen Interactions: The interactions between a host and a pathogen, usually resulting in disease.Receptors, Immunologic: Cell surface molecules on cells of the immune system that specifically bind surface molecules or messenger molecules and trigger changes in the behavior of cells. Although these receptors were first identified in the immune system, many have important functions elsewhere.Antigens, CD14: Glycolipid-anchored membrane glycoproteins expressed on cells of the myelomonocyte lineage including monocytes, macrophages, and some granulocytes. They function as receptors for the complex of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein.Catechol Oxidase: An enzyme of the oxidoreductase class that catalyzes the reaction between catechol and oxygen to yield benzoquinone and water. It is a complex of copper-containing proteins that acts also on a variety of substituted catechols. EC Receptor 3: A pattern recognition receptor that binds DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA. It mediates cellular responses to certain viral pathogens.Macrophages: The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.)Cues: Signals for an action; that specific portion of a perceptual field or pattern of stimuli to which a subject has learned to respond.Fixation, Ocular: The positioning and accommodation of eyes that allows the image to be brought into place on the FOVEA CENTRALIS of each eye.Vision Tests: A series of tests used to assess various functions of the eyes.Hemolymph: The blood/lymphlike nutrient fluid of some invertebrates.Eye Movements: Voluntary or reflex-controlled movements of the eye.Adnexal Diseases: Diseases of the uterine appendages (ADNEXA UTERI) including diseases involving the OVARY, the FALLOPIAN TUBES, and ligaments of the uterus (BROAD LIGAMENT; ROUND LIGAMENT).Psychophysics: The science dealing with the correlation of the physical characteristics of a stimulus, e.g., frequency or intensity, with the response to the stimulus, in order to assess the psychologic factors involved in the relationship.Toll-Like Receptor 9: A pattern recognition receptor that binds unmethylated CPG CLUSTERS. It mediates cellular responses to bacterial pathogens by distinguishing between self and bacterial DNA.Lectins: Proteins that share the common characteristic of binding to carbohydrates. Some ANTIBODIES and carbohydrate-metabolizing proteins (ENZYMES) also bind to carbohydrates, however they are not considered lectins. PLANT LECTINS are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have been primarily identified by their hemagglutinating activity (HEMAGGLUTININS). However, a variety of lectins occur in animal species where they serve diverse array of functions through specific carbohydrate recognition.Blindness: The inability to see or the loss or absence of perception of visual stimuli. This condition may be the result of EYE DISEASES; OPTIC NERVE DISEASES; OPTIC CHIASM diseases; or BRAIN DISEASES affecting the VISUAL PATHWAYS or OCCIPITAL LOBE.Lipopolysaccharides: Lipid-containing polysaccharides which are endotoxins and important group-specific antigens. They are often derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and induce immunoglobulin secretion. The lipopolysaccharide molecule consists of three parts: LIPID A, core polysaccharide, and O-specific chains (O ANTIGENS). When derived from Escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharides serve as polyclonal B-cell mitogens commonly used in laboratory immunology. (From Dorland, 28th ed)Cytokines: Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some non-leukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner.Discrimination (Psychology): Differential response to different stimuli.Glucans: Polysaccharides composed of repeating glucose units. They can consist of branched or unbranched chains in any linkages.Reproducibility of Results: The statistical reproducibility of measurements (often in a clinical context), including the testing of instrumentation or techniques to obtain reproducible results. The concept includes reproducibility of physiological measurements, which may be used to develop rules to assess probability or prognosis, or response to a stimulus; reproducibility of occurrence of a condition; and reproducibility of experimental results.Form Perception: The sensory discrimination of a pattern shape or outline.PeptidoglycanCell Line: Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.Carrier Proteins: Transport proteins that carry specific substances in the blood or across cell membranes.Toll-Like Receptor 5: A pattern recognition receptor that binds FLAGELLIN. It mediates cellular responses to certain bacterial pathogens.Memory: Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.Membrane Glycoproteins: Glycoproteins found on the membrane or surface of cells.ComputersModels, Neurological: Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.Hypocreales: An order of fungi in the phylum ASCOMYCOTA that includes a number of species which are parasitic on higher plants, insects, or fungi. Other species are saprotrophic.Software: Sequential operating programs and data which instruct the functioning of a digital computer.Models, Biological: Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.Scavenger Receptors, Class C: A family of scavenger receptors with broad polyanionic ligand binding properties that are expressed in embryonic insect MACROPHAGES.Cells, Cultured: Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.Inflammation: A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.Dipsacaceae: A plant family of the order Dipsacales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. It is sometimes called the teasel family.Principal Component Analysis: Mathematical procedure that transforms a number of possibly correlated variables into a smaller number of uncorrelated variables called principal components.Face: The anterior portion of the head that includes the skin, muscles, and structures of the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, and jaw.Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases: Serum serine proteases which participate in COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION. They are activated when complexed with the MANNOSE-BINDING LECTIN, therefore also known as Mannose-binding protein-Associated Serine Proteases (MASPs). They cleave COMPLEMENT C4 and COMPLEMENT C2 to form C4b2a, the CLASSICAL PATHWAY C3 CONVERTASE.Retina: The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.Vision, Binocular: The blending of separate images seen by each eye into one composite image.Sensitivity and Specificity: Binary classification measures to assess test results. Sensitivity or recall rate is the proportion of true positives. Specificity is the probability of correctly determining the absence of a condition. (From Last, Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed)AmputeesInsect Proteins: Proteins found in any species of insect.Aerococcus: A genus of gram-positive cocci in the family AEROCOCCACEAE, occurring as airborne saprophytes.Toll-Like Receptor 6: A pattern recognition receptor that forms heterodimers with TLR2 RECEPTOR. The complex interacts with a variety of ligands including LIPOPROTEINS from MYCOPLASMA.Sequence Homology, Amino Acid: The degree of similarity between sequences of amino acids. This information is useful for the analyzing genetic relatedness of proteins and species.Neurons: The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.Plant Immunity: The inherent or induced capacity of plants to withstand or ward off biological attack by pathogens.Sensory Thresholds: The minimum amount of stimulus energy necessary to elicit a sensory response.Analysis of Variance: A statistical technique that isolates and assesses the contributions of categorical independent variables to variation in the mean of a continuous dependent variable.Inflammasomes: Multiprotein complexes that mediate the activation of CASPASE-1. Dysregulation of inflammasomes has also been linked to a number of autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders.Brain: The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.Crystallography, X-Ray: The study of crystal structure using X-RAY DIFFRACTION techniques. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)Sensory Deprivation: The absence or restriction of the usual external sensory stimuli to which the individual responds.Functional Laterality: Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot.Hemocytes: Any blood or formed element especially in invertebrates.Gene Expression Regulation: Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.Vision, Low: Vision considered to be inferior to normal vision as represented by accepted standards of acuity, field of vision, or motility. Low vision generally refers to visual disorders that are caused by diseases that cannot be corrected by refraction (e.g., MACULAR DEGENERATION; RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA; DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, etc.).Computer Simulation: Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes.Mutation: Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.Escherichia coli: A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.Interferon Type I: Interferon secreted by leukocytes, fibroblasts, or lymphoblasts in response to viruses or interferon inducers other than mitogens, antigens, or allo-antigens. They include alpha- and beta-interferons (INTERFERON-ALPHA and INTERFERON-BETA).Saccades: An abrupt voluntary shift in ocular fixation from one point to another, as occurs in reading.Drosophila Proteins: Proteins that originate from insect species belonging to the genus DROSOPHILA. The proteins from the most intensely studied species of Drosophila, DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER, are the subject of much interest in the area of MORPHOGENESIS and development.Vision, Monocular: Images seen by one eye.Dendritic Cells: Specialized cells of the hematopoietic system that have branch-like extensions. They are found throughout the lymphatic system, and in non-lymphoid tissues such as SKIN and the epithelia of the intestinal, respiratory, and reproductive tracts. They trap and process ANTIGENS, and present them to T-CELLS, thereby stimulating CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY. They are different from the non-hematopoietic FOLLICULAR DENDRITIC CELLS, which have a similar morphology and immune system function, but with respect to humoral immunity (ANTIBODY PRODUCTION).Support Vector Machines: Learning algorithms which are a set of related supervised computer learning methods that analyze data and recognize patterns, and used for classification and regression analysis.Sequence Alignment: The arrangement of two or more amino acid or base sequences from an organism or organisms in such a way as to align areas of the sequences sharing common properties. The degree of relatedness or homology between the sequences is predicted computationally or statistically based on weights assigned to the elements aligned between the sequences. This in turn can serve as a potential indicator of the genetic relatedness between the organisms.Protein Conformation: The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain).Substrate Specificity: A characteristic feature of enzyme activity in relation to the kind of substrate on which the enzyme or catalytic molecule reacts.Computational Biology: A field of biology concerned with the development of techniques for the collection and manipulation of biological data, and the use of such data to make biological discoveries or predictions. This field encompasses all computational methods and theories for solving biological problems including manipulation of models and datasets.DNA: A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).Collectins: A class of C-type lectins that target the carbohydrate structures found on invading pathogens. Binding of collectins to microorganisms results in their agglutination and enhanced clearance. Collectins form trimers that may assemble into larger oligomers. Each collectin polypeptide chain consists of four regions: a relatively short N-terminal region, a collagen-like region, an alpha-helical coiled-coil region, and carbohydrate-binding region.Phagocytosis: The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES).Infection: Invasion of the host organism by microorganisms that can cause pathological conditions or diseases.Macaca mulatta: A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans.Structure-Activity Relationship: The relationship between the chemical structure of a compound and its biological or pharmacological activity. Compounds are often classed together because they have structural characteristics in common including shape, size, stereochemical arrangement, and distribution of functional groups.Cluster Analysis: A set of statistical methods used to group variables or observations into strongly inter-related subgroups. In epidemiology, it may be used to analyze a closely grouped series of events or cases of disease or other health-related phenomenon with well-defined distribution patterns in relation to time or place or both.Poly I-C: Interferon inducer consisting of a synthetic, mismatched double-stranded RNA. The polymer is made of one strand each of polyinosinic acid and polycytidylic acid.Toll-Like Receptor 7: A pattern recognition receptor that binds several forms of imidazo-quinoline including the antiviral compound Imiquimod.Recombinant Proteins: Proteins prepared by recombinant DNA technology.Flagellin: A protein with a molecular weight of 40,000 isolated from bacterial flagella. At appropriate pH and salt concentration, three flagellin monomers can spontaneously reaggregate to form structures which appear identical to intact flagella.Hemianopsia: Partial or complete loss of vision in one half of the visual field(s) of one or both eyes. Subtypes include altitudinal hemianopsia, characterized by a visual defect above or below the horizontal meridian of the visual field. Homonymous hemianopsia refers to a visual defect that affects both eyes equally, and occurs either to the left or right of the midline of the visual field. Binasal hemianopsia consists of loss of vision in the nasal hemifields of both eyes. Bitemporal hemianopsia is the bilateral loss of vision in the temporal fields. Quadrantanopsia refers to loss of vision in one quarter of the visual field in one or both eyes.Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Spectroscopic method of measuring the magnetic moment of elementary particles such as atomic nuclei, protons or electrons. It is employed in clinical applications such as NMR Tomography (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING).NF-kappa B: Ubiquitous, inducible, nuclear transcriptional activator that binds to enhancer elements in many different cell types and is activated by pathogenic stimuli. The NF-kappa B complex is a heterodimer composed of two DNA-binding subunits: NF-kappa B1 and relA.Fungi: A kingdom of eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that live parasitically as saprobes, including MUSHROOMS; YEASTS; smuts, molds, etc. They reproduce either sexually or asexually, and have life cycles that range from simple to complex. Filamentous fungi, commonly known as molds, refer to those that grow as multicellular colonies.Complement C1q: A subcomponent of complement C1, composed of six copies of three polypeptide chains (A, B, and C), each encoded by a separate gene (C1QA; C1QB; C1QC). This complex is arranged in nine subunits (six disulfide-linked dimers of A and B, and three disulfide-linked homodimers of C). C1q has binding sites for antibodies (the heavy chain of IMMUNOGLOBULIN G or IMMUNOGLOBULIN M). The interaction of C1q and immunoglobulin activates the two proenzymes COMPLEMENT C1R and COMPLEMENT C1S, thus initiating the cascade of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION via the CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY.Amino Acid Motifs: Commonly observed structural components of proteins formed by simple combinations of adjacent secondary structures. A commonly observed structure may be composed of a CONSERVED SEQUENCE which can be represented by a CONSENSUS SEQUENCE.Temporal Lobe: Lower lateral part of the cerebral hemisphere responsible for auditory, olfactory, and semantic processing. It is located inferior to the lateral fissure and anterior to the OCCIPITAL LOBE.Immune Evasion: Methods used by pathogenic organisms to evade a host's immune system.Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted: Computer-assisted processing of electric, ultrasonic, or electronic signals to interpret function and activity.Interferon-beta: One of the type I interferons produced by fibroblasts in response to stimulation by live or inactivated virus or by double-stranded RNA. It is a cytokine with antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulating activity.Visually Impaired Persons: Persons with loss of vision such that there is an impact on activities of daily living.Species Specificity: The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.Geniculate Bodies: Part of the DIENCEPHALON inferior to the caudal end of the dorsal THALAMUS. Includes the lateral geniculate body which relays visual impulses from the OPTIC TRACT to the calcarine cortex, and the medial geniculate body which relays auditory impulses from the lateral lemniscus to the AUDITORY CORTEX.Perceptual Masking: The interference of one perceptual stimulus with another causing a decrease or lessening in perceptual effectiveness.Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine: Peptidoglycan immunoadjuvant originally isolated from bacterial cell wall fragments; also acts as pyrogen and may cause arthritis; stimulates both humoral and cellular immunity.Interferon Regulatory Factor-3: An interferon regulatory factor that is expressed constitutively and undergoes POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATION following viral infection. PHOSPHORYLATION of IRF-3 causes the protein to be translocated from the CYTOPLASM to CELL NUCLEUS where it binds DNA, and activates transcription.Viruses: Minute infectious agents whose genomes are composed of DNA or RNA, but not both. They are characterized by a lack of independent metabolism and the inability to replicate outside living host cells.Receptors, Scavenger: A large group of structurally diverse cell surface receptors that mediate endocytic uptake of modified LIPOPROTEINS. Scavenger receptors are expressed by MYELOID CELLS and some ENDOTHELIAL CELLS, and were originally characterized based on their ability to bind acetylated LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS. They can also bind a variety of other polyanionic ligand. Certain scavenger receptors can internalize micro-organisms as well as apoptotic cells.Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing: A broad category of carrier proteins that play a role in SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION. They generally contain several modular domains, each of which having its own binding activity, and act by forming complexes with other intracellular-signaling molecules. Signal-transducing adaptor proteins lack enzyme activity, however their activity can be modulated by other signal-transducing enzymesAdnexa Uteri: Appendages of the UTERUS which include the FALLOPIAN TUBES, the OVARY, and the supporting ligaments of the uterus (BROAD LIGAMENT; ROUND LIGAMENT).Acoustic Stimulation: Use of sound to elicit a response in the nervous system.Adaptive Immunity: Protection from an infectious disease agent that is mediated by B- and T- LYMPHOCYTES following exposure to specific antigen, and characterized by IMMUNOLOGIC MEMORY. It can result from either previous infection with that agent or vaccination (IMMUNITY, ACTIVE), or transfer of antibody or lymphocytes from an immune donor (IMMUNIZATION, PASSIVE).Caspase 1: A long pro-domain caspase that has specificity for the precursor form of INTERLEUKIN-1BETA. It plays a role in INFLAMMATION by catalytically converting the inactive forms of CYTOKINES such as interleukin-1beta to their active, secreted form. Caspase 1 is referred as interleukin-1beta converting enzyme and is frequently abbreviated ICE.Perceptual Disorders: Cognitive disorders characterized by an impaired ability to perceive the nature of objects or concepts through use of the sense organs. These include spatial neglect syndromes, where an individual does not attend to visual, auditory, or sensory stimuli presented from one side of the body.Amblyopia: A nonspecific term referring to impaired vision. Major subcategories include stimulus deprivation-induced amblyopia and toxic amblyopia. Stimulus deprivation-induced amblyopia is a developmental disorder of the visual cortex. A discrepancy between visual information received by the visual cortex from each eye results in abnormal cortical development. STRABISMUS and REFRACTIVE ERRORS may cause this condition. Toxic amblyopia is a disorder of the OPTIC NERVE which is associated with ALCOHOLISM, tobacco SMOKING, and other toxins and as an adverse effect of the use of some medications.ReadingRNA, Double-Stranded: RNA consisting of two strands as opposed to the more prevalent single-stranded RNA. Most of the double-stranded segments are formed from transcription of DNA by intramolecular base-pairing of inverted complementary sequences separated by a single-stranded loop. Some double-stranded segments of RNA are normal in all organisms.Gram-Positive Bacteria: Bacteria which retain the crystal violet stain when treated by Gram's method.Superior Colliculi: The anterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which coordinate the general behavioral orienting responses to visual stimuli, such as whole-body turning, and reaching.Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction: A variation of the PCR technique in which cDNA is made from RNA via reverse transcription. The resultant cDNA is then amplified using standard PCR protocols.Video Recording: The storing or preserving of video signals for television to be played back later via a transmitter or receiver. Recordings may be made on magnetic tape or discs (VIDEODISC RECORDING).Parietal Lobe: Upper central part of the cerebral hemisphere. It is located posterior to central sulcus, anterior to the OCCIPITAL LOBE, and superior to the TEMPORAL LOBES.Membrane Proteins: Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors.Gene Expression Profiling: The determination of the pattern of genes expressed at the level of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION, under specific circumstances or in a specific cell.Protein Structure, Secondary: The level of protein structure in which regular hydrogen-bond interactions within contiguous stretches of polypeptide chain give rise to alpha helices, beta strands (which align to form beta sheets) or other types of coils. This is the first folding level of protein conformation.Scotoma: A localized defect in the visual field bordered by an area of normal vision. This occurs with a variety of EYE DISEASES (e.g., RETINAL DISEASES and GLAUCOMA); OPTIC NERVE DISEASES, and other conditions.RNA, Messenger: RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.Hand: The distal part of the arm beyond the wrist in humans and primates, that includes the palm, fingers, and thumb.Models, Immunological: Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of immune system, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electrical equipment.Cats: The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)Camellia: A plant genus in the family THEACEAE, order THEALES best known for CAMELLIA SINENSIS which is the source of Oriental TEA.Immune System: The body's defense mechanism against foreign organisms or substances and deviant native cells. It includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response and consists of a complex of interrelated cellular, molecular, and genetic components.Sizofiran: A beta-D-glucan obtained from the Aphyllophoral fungus Schizophyllum commune. It is used as an immunoadjuvant in the treatment of neoplasms, especially tumors found in the stomach.Auditory Perception: The process whereby auditory stimuli are selected, organized, and interpreted by the organism.Learning: Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge.Ocular Physiological Phenomena: Processes and properties of the EYE as a whole or of any of its parts.Monocytes: Large, phagocytic mononuclear leukocytes produced in the vertebrate BONE MARROW and released into the BLOOD; contain a large, oval or somewhat indented nucleus surrounded by voluminous cytoplasm and numerous organelles.PolysaccharidesBacterial Proteins: Proteins found in any species of bacterium.Bacteria: One of the three domains of life (the others being Eukarya and ARCHAEA), also called Eubacteria. They are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. Bacteria can be classified by their response to OXYGEN: aerobic, anaerobic, or facultatively anaerobic; by the mode by which they obtain their energy: chemotrophy (via chemical reaction) or PHOTOTROPHY (via light reaction); for chemotrophs by their source of chemical energy: CHEMOLITHOTROPHY (from inorganic compounds) or chemoorganotrophy (from organic compounds); and by their source for CARBON; NITROGEN; etc.; HETEROTROPHY (from organic sources) or AUTOTROPHY (from CARBON DIOXIDE). They can also be classified by whether or not they stain (based on the structure of their CELL WALLS) with CRYSTAL VIOLET dye: gram-negative or gram-positive.Automation: Controlled operation of an apparatus, process, or system by mechanical or electronic devices that take the place of human organs of observation, effort, and decision. (From Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 1993)Peptides: Members of the class of compounds composed of AMINO ACIDS joined together by peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids into linear, branched or cyclical structures. OLIGOPEPTIDES are composed of approximately 2-12 amino acids. Polypeptides are composed of approximately 13 or more amino acids. PROTEINS are linear polypeptides that are normally synthesized on RIBOSOMES.Interleukin-1beta: An interleukin-1 subtype that is synthesized as an inactive membrane-bound pro-protein. Proteolytic processing of the precursor form by CASPASE 1 results in release of the active form of interleukin-1beta from the membrane.HEK293 Cells: A cell line generated from human embryonic kidney cells that were transformed with human adenovirus type 5.ZymosanNeuropsychological Tests: Tests designed to assess neurological function associated with certain behaviors. They are used in diagnosing brain dysfunction or damage and central nervous system disorders or injury.\n\n*  Perceptual Edge - Article Index\nVisual Pattern Recognition 2006 (whitepaper). Visual Communication 2006 (whitepaper). Choosing Colors for Data Visualization ... Visual Pattern Recognition 2006 (whitepaper). Visual Communication 2006 (whitepaper). Graph Designs for Reviewing Transactions ... Visual Pattern Recognition 2006 (whitepaper). Visual and Interactive Analytics: Fulfilling the Promise of Business Intelligence ... An Introduction to Visual Multivariate Analysis 2006 (misc. articles). The Surest Path to Visual Discovery 2006 (misc. articles ...\n*  Efficacy and Safety of Memantine Hydrochloride in Enhancing the Cognitive Abilities of Young Adults With Down Syndrome - Full...\nPattern recognition memory* - Measures visual memory for non-namable designs; scale range in dataset 4-24; higher score ... Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM). Paired Associates Learning (PAL). California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Test of Reception ... Subjects who may not be able to comply with the protocol or perform the outcomes measures due to significant hearing or visual ... Paired associates task* - Measures ability to learn visual associations between a picture and its location, and retention of ...\n*  Sheila Chase - Hunter College\nDonis, F., Chase, S. & Heinemann, E. G. (in press). Effects of identical context on visual pattern recognition by pigeons. ... In Watanabe, S., & Chase, S. (Eds.). Pattern Recognition in Humans and Animals. Keio University Press, Kyoto, Japan.. Heinemann ... Our research deals with the manner in which information, primarily visual patterns, are processed, remembered and used as ... In R. G. Cook (Ed.), Avian visual cognition [On-line]. View On-Line. Chase, S. (1997), \"Concept formation\" and categorization ...\n*  Convolutional legal definition of convolutional\nBiologically inspired dictionary learning for visual pattern recognition. Convolutional coding essentially reduces error ... Triple-stage convolution in visual pathway has inspired convolutional neural networks acting as a course to fine process; ... 1995) proposed a two-stage system: the first one locates possible nodular patterns (thus performing a sort of attention ...\n*  PUBLIKATIONEN: Institut für Neuro- und Bioinformatik\nLabusch, K., Siewert, U., Martinetz, T., and Barth, E.: Learning optimal features for visual pattern recognition: Human Vision ... Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR), IEEE Computer Society Press, Istanbul, Turkey, pp. 4190-4193, 2010 ... Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR), IEEE Computer Society Press, Tampa, Florida, USA, 2008 ... Caelli, T., Ferraro, M., and Barth, E.: Aspects of invariant pattern and object recognition: Neural Networks for Perception. ...\n*  Thomas Martinetz: Institut für Neuro- und Bioinformatik\nLabusch, K., Siewert, U., Martinetz, T., and Barth, E.: Learning optimal features for visual pattern recognition: Human Vision ... Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR), IEEE Computer Society Press, Istanbul, Turkey, pp. 4190-4193, 2010 ... Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR), IEEE Computer Society Press, Tampa, Florida, USA, 2008 ... Labusch, K., Timm, F., and Martinetz, T.: Simple Incremental One-Class Support Vector Classification: Pattern Recognition - ...\n*  EigenMoments - Wikipedia\nM. K. Hu, \"Visual Pattern Recognition by Moment Invariants\", IRE Trans. Info. Theory, vol. IT-8, pp.179-187, 1962 T. De Bie, N ... Eigenproblems in pattern recognition, in: E. Bayro-Corrochano (Ed.), Handbook of Computational Geometry for Pattern Recognition ... Computer Vision Signal Processing Image moment Pew-Thian Yap, Raveendran Paramesran, Eigenmoments, Pattern Recognition, Volume ... Dimension of signal space, n, is often too large to be useful for practical application such as pattern classification, we need ...\n*  Memory-prediction framework - Wikipedia\n\"A Hierarchical Bayesian Model of Invariant Pattern Recognition in the Visual Cortex\". CiteSeerX . a paper ... a pattern machine for Palm OS that stores pattern sequences and recalls the patterns relevant to its present environment (2007 ... To account for storage and recognition of sequences of patterns, a combination of two processes is suggested. The nonspecific ... The predicted patterns of bottom-up and top-down activity - with former being more complex when expectations are not met - may ...\n*  On Intelligence - Wikipedia\n\"A Hierarchical Bayesian Model of Invariant Pattern Recognition in the Visual Cortex\". CiteSeerX . Saulius ... Hawkins predicts that when the features of a visual scene are known in a memory, anticipatory cells should fire before the ... 8. Hawkins predicts a cascade of predictions, when recognition occurs, propagating down the cortical column (with each saccade ... The hierarchy is capable of memorizing frequently observed sequences (Cognitive modules) of patterns and developing invariant ...\n*  Neocognitron - Wikipedia\nFukushima, K.; Miyake, S.; Ito, T. (1983). \"Neocognitron: a neural network model for a mechanism of visual pattern recognition ... It has been used for handwritten character recognition and other pattern recognition tasks, and served as the inspiration for ... Artificial neural network Deep learning Pattern recognition Receptive field Self-organizing map Unsupervised learning LeCun, ... and also proposed a cascading model of these two types of cells for use in pattern recognition tasks. The neocognitron is a ...\n*  Justine Sergent - Wikipedia\nInferences from unilateral brain damage about normal hemispheric functions in visual pattern recognition. Psychological ... doi:doi: 10.1093/brain/110.5.1375 Hellige, J. B., & Sergent, J. (1986). Role of task factors in visual field asymmetries. Brain ... doi:10.1007/978-94-009-4420-6_2 Sergent, J., & Hellige, J. B. (1986). Role of input factors in visual-field asymmetries. Brain ... doi:10.1093/brain/113.2.537 SERGENT, J., & Poncet, M. (1990). From covert to overt recognition of faces in a prosopagnosic ...\n*  Air-Cobot - Wikipedia\nThe projected shapes are used for pattern recognition to detect those visual elements. The other detection method used is based ... The detection uses pattern recognition of regular shapes (rectangles, circles, ellipses). The 3D model of the element to be ... For visual localization, the robot estimates its position relative to the aircraft using visual elements (doors, windows, tires ... International Conference on Pattern Recognition Applications and Methods: 359-366. Jovancevic, Igor; Arafat, Al; Orteu, Jean- ...\n*  Artificial intelligence - Wikipedia\nSince 2011, fast implementations of CNNs on GPUs have won many visual pattern recognition competitions. Deep feedforward neural ... Computer vision is the ability to analyze visual input. A few selected subproblems are speech recognition, facial recognition ... Fukushima, K. (1980). \"Neocognitron: A self-organizing neural network model for a mechanism of pattern recognition unaffected ... 6 Speech recognition: ACM 1998, ~I.2.7 Russell & Norvig 2003, pp. 568-578 Object recognition: Russell & Norvig 2003, pp. 885- ...\n*  Anne Treisman - Wikipedia\n\"A neurobiological model of visual attention and invariant pattern recognition based on dynamic routing of information\". Journal ... Milner, P (1974). \"A model for visual shape recognition\". J Exp Psychol [Hum Percept Perform]. 15: 521-535. \"2009- Anne ... She researches visual attention, object perception, and memory. One of her most influential ideas is the feature integration ... Cherry, Colin (1953). \"Some Experiments on the Recognition of Speech, with One and Two Ears\". The Journal of the Acoustical ...\n*  Sociomapping - Wikipedia\nIn this sense, Large systems Sociomapping is a data mining approach based on visual pattern recognition). Typical uses for ... Thanks to its visual coding Sociomapping engages our evolved skills for spatial orientation and movement detection, thus making ... behavioral patterns) and other research concerned with preferences and/or attitudes. Sociomapping has broader scope of ... hills are formed on the places representing typical preference configurations and this allows for visual cluster analysis, or ...\n*  Neural binding - Wikipedia\nOlshausen, B.A.; C. H.Anderson (November 1993). \"A Neurobiological Model of Visual Attention and Invariant Pattern Recognition ... A study done by Gray, Konig, Engel and Singer in 1989 reported that when studying visual cortex cells, light moving in opposite ... Muller, H.J.; M.A. Elliott; C. S. Herrmann; A. Mecklinger (2001). \"Neural Binding of Space and Time: An Introduction\". Visual ... The information was extracted from a study using the cat visual cortex. It was shown that the cortical neurons responded ...\n*  Deep learning - Wikipedia\nIn 2011, this approach achieved for the first time superhuman performance in a visual pattern recognition contest. Also in 2011 ... \"An integrated Boolean neural network for pattern classification\". Pattern Recognition Letters. 15 (8): 807-813. doi:10.1016/ ... Oh, K.-S.; Jung, K. (2004). \"GPU implementation of neural networks\". Pattern Recognition. 37 (6): 1311-1314. doi:10.1016/j. ... Fukushima, K. (1980). \"Neocognitron: A self-organizing neural network model for a mechanism of pattern recognition unaffected ...\n*  Béla Julesz - Wikipedia\n... of his research focused on physiological psychology topics including depth perception and pattern recognition within the visual ... Julesz, B. (1962). \"Visual Pattern Discrimination\". IRE Transactions on Information Theory. 8 (2): 84-92. doi:10.1109/TIT. ... was a Hungarian-born American visual neuroscientist and experimental psychologist in the fields of visual and auditory ... When these patterns were viewed one to each eye via a stereoscope, the subset of dots appeared to be at a different depth from ...\n*  Stefano Levialdi Ghiron - Wikipedia\nHis research areas included visual programming languages, image processing, pattern recognition, and human-computer interaction ... He is founder and co-Editor, together with Shi-Kuo Chang, of the Journal of Visual Languages and Computing. Stefano Levialdi ...\n*  Howard Nusbaum - Wikipedia\nSchwab, E. C., & Nusbaum, H. C. (Eds.). Pattern recognition by humans and machines: Volume 2, Visual Perception. New York: ... In E. C. Schwab & H. C. Nusbaum (Eds.), Pattern recognition by humans and machines: Volume 1, Speech Perception. New York: ... Schwab, E. C., & Nusbaum, H. C. (Eds.). Pattern recognition by humans and machines: Volume 1, Speech Perception. New York: ... His work has also shown that two dissociable networks underlie the use of context in sentence recognition, and that sleep ...\n*  Pattern recognition (psychology) - Wikipedia\nFacial recognition and seriation occur through encoding visual patterns, while music and language recognition use the encoding ... While retrieving the memory of a tune demonstrates general recognition of musical pattern, pattern recognition also occurs ... Recognizing patterns allow us to predict and expect what is coming. The process of pattern recognition involves matching the ... Pattern recognition is furthermore utilized in the detection of prosody cues, the stress and intonation patterns among words . ...\n*  Biomolecular Object Network Databank - Wikipedia\nThe visual nature of the OntoGlyphs also facilitates pattern recognition when looking at search results. ProteoGlyphs are ...\n*  Amblyopia - Wikipedia\nThose with amblyopia further may have, on the affected eye, poor pattern recognition, poor visual acuity, and low sensitivity ... 2003). \"The pattern of visual deficits in amblyopia\" (PDF). J Vision. 3 (5): 380-405. doi:10.1167/3.5.5. PMID 12875634. ... \"Chapter 2 - Visual development in childhood\". Visual Impairments and Developmental Disorders: From diagnosis to rehabilitation ... In young children, visual acuity is difficult to measure and can be estimated by observing the reactions of the patient reacts ...\n*  Martin Heisenberg - Wikipedia\nJ Neurosci 23, 10495-10502 (2003) S. Tang, R. Wolf, S. Xu and M. Heisenberg: Visual pattern recognition in Drosophila is ... Science 263, 692-695 (1994) L. Liu, R. Wolf, R. Ernst, and M. Heisenberg: Context generalization in Drosophila visual learning ... Distinct memory traces for two visual features in the Drosophila brain. Nature 439, 551-556 (2006) J. Rister, D. Pauls, B. ... Dissection of the peripheral motion channel in the visual system of Drosophila melanogaster. Neuron 56, 155-170 (2007) P. ...\n\nPattern recognition receptor: Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are a primitive part of the immune system. They are proteins expressed by cells of the innate immune system to identify two classes of molecules: pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are associated with microbial pathogens, and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which are associated with cell components that are released during cell damage or death.LogMAR chart: A LogMAR chart comprises rows of letters and is used by ophthalmologists and vision scientists to estimate visual acuity. This chart was developed at the National Vision Research Institute of Australia in 1976, and is designed to enable a more accurate estimate of acuity as compared to other charts (e.Meridian (perimetry, visual field): Meridian (plural: \"meridians\") is used in perimetry and in specifying visual fields. According to IPS Perimetry Standards 1978 (2002): \"Perimetry is the measurement of [an observer's] visual functions ...Toll-like receptor 11: Toll-like receptor 11 (TLR11) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the gene TLR11. TLR11 belongs to the toll-like receptor (TLR) family and the interleukin-1 receptor/toll-like receptor superfamily.NLRC3: NLRC3, short for NOD-like receptor family CARD domain containing 3, is an intracellular protein that plays a role in the immune system. It was previously known as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and CARD domain containing 3 (NOD3) and CLR16.Coles PhillipsPlaque-forming unit: In virology, a plaque-forming unit (PFU) is a measure of the number of particles capable of forming plaques per unit volume, such as virus particles. It is a functional measurement rather than a measurement of the absolute quantity of particles: viral particles that are defective or which fail to infect their target cell will not produce a plaque and thus will not be counted.Clonal Selection Algorithm: In artificial immune systems, Clonal selection algorithms are a class of algorithms inspired by the clonal selection theory of acquired immunity that explains how B and T lymphocytes improve their response to antigens over time called affinity maturation. These algorithms focus on the Darwinian attributes of the theory where selection is inspired by the affinity of antigen-antibody interactions, reproduction is inspired by cell division, and variation is inspired by somatic hypermutation.Operation Eyesight Universal: Operation Eyesight Universal is a Canada-based international development organisation, founded in 1963. It works to prevent avoidable blindness and to cure blindness that is treatable.DC-SIGN: DC-SIGN (Dendritic Cell-Specific Intercellular adhesion molecule-3-Grabbing Non-integrin) also known as CD209 (Cluster of Differentiation 209) is a protein which in humans is encoded by the CD209 gene.Protein primary structure: The primary structure of a peptide or protein is the linear sequence of its amino acid structural units, and partly comprises its overall biomolecular structure. By convention, the primary structure of a protein is reported starting from the amino-terminal (N) end to the carboxyl-terminal (C) end.Scavenger receptor: Scavenger receptors are a group of receptors that recognize modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by oxidation or acetylation. This naming is based on a function of cleaning (scavenging): Scavenger receptors widely recognize and take up macromolecules that have a negative charge, like modified LDL.Proximity ligation assay: Proximity ligation assay (in situ PLA) is a technology that extends the capabilities of traditional immunoassays to include direct detection of proteins, protein interactions and modifications with high specificity and sensitivity. Protein targets can be readily detected and localized with single molecule resolution and objectively quantified in unmodified cells and tissues.MBL deficiency: MBL deficiency refers to Mannan-binding lectin pathway components such as MBL2.Utkal Prantiya Marwari Yuva ManchPentraxinsDExD/H box proteins: DEAD box, DEAH, and the Ski families of proteins are all referred to as DExD/H box proteins. They are all quite distinct from one another and there is not one protein that belongs to more than one of these families.DNA binding site: DNA binding sites are a type of binding site found in DNA where other molecules may bind. DNA binding sites are distinct from other binding sites in that (1) they are part of a DNA sequence (e.Neurofeedback: Neurofeedback (NFB), also called neurotherapy or neurobiofeedback, is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity—most commonly electroencephalography (EEG), to teach self-regulation of brain function. Typically, sensors are placed on the scalp to measure activity, with measurements displayed using video displays or sound.Modified Maddrey's discriminant function: The modified Maddrey's discriminant function) was originally described by Maddrey and Boitnott to predict prognosis in alcoholic hepatitis. It is calculated by a simple formula:Gary H. Posner: Gary H. Posner (born c.Reaction coordinateMexican International Conference on Artificial Intelligence: MICAI (short for Mexican International Conference on Artificial Intelligence) is the name of an annual conference covering all areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), held in Mexico. The first MICAI conference was held in 2000.Physical neural network: A physical neural network is a type of artificial neural network in which an electrically adjustable resistance material is used to emulate the function of a neural synapse. \"Physical\" neural network is used to emphasize the reliance on physical hardware used to emulate neurons as opposed to software-based approaches which simulate neural networks.FERM domain: In molecular biology, the FERM domain (F for 4.1 protein, E for ezrin, R for radixin and M for moesin) is a widespread protein module involved in localising proteins to the plasma membrane.Mannose receptor: The mannose receptor (Cluster of Differentiation 206) is a C-type lectin primarily present on the surface of macrophages and immature dendritic cells, but is also expressed on the surface of skin cells such as human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. It is the first member of a family of endocytic receptors that includes Endo180 (CD280), M-type PLA2R, and DEC-205 (CD205).HyperintensityLigand (biochemistry): In biochemistry and pharmacology, a ligand is a substance that forms a complex with a biomolecule to serve a biological purpose. In protein-ligand binding, the ligand is usually a signal-triggering molecule binding to a site on a target protein.Biological motion: Biological motion is a term used by social and cognitive neuroscientists to refer to the unique visual phenomenon of a moving, animate object. Often, the stimuli used in biological motion experiments are just a few moving dots that reflect the motion of some key joints of the moving organism.Symmetry element: A symmetry element is a point of reference about which symmetry operations can take place. In particular, symmetry elements can be centers of inversion, axes of rotation and mirror planes.NACHT domain: NACHT is an acronym standing for NAIP (neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein), C2TA (MHC class 2 transcription activator), HET-E (incompatibility locus protein from Podospora anserina) and TP1 (telomerase-associated protein). The NACHT domain is an evolutionarily conserved protein domain.Image fusion: In computer vision, Multisensor Image fusion is the process of combining relevant information from two or more images into a single image.Haghighat, M.Temporal analysis of products: Temporal Analysis of Products (TAP), (TAP-2), (TAP-3) is an experimental technique for studyingLeukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors: The leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILR) are a family of receptors possessing extracellular immunoglobulin domains.Polyphenol oxidase: Polyphenol oxidase (PPO or monophenol monooxygenase or Polyphenol oxidase I, chloroplastic) is a tetramer that contains four atoms of copper per molecule, and binding sites for two aromatic compounds and oxygen. The enzyme catalyses the o-hydroxylation of monophenol molecules in which the benzene ring contains a single hydroxyl substituent to o-diphenols (phenol molecules containing two hydroxyl substituents).Tingible body macrophage: A tingible body macrophage is a type of macrophage predominantly found in germinal centers, containing many phagocytized, apoptotic cells in various states of degradation, referred to as tingible bodies (tingible meaning stainable).Horst Ibelgaufts' COPE: Cytokines & Cells Online Pathfinder Encyclopaedia > tingible body macrophages Retrieved on June 27, 2010 Tingible body macrophages contain condensed chromatin fragments.Cue stick: A cue stick (or simply cue, more specifically pool cue, snooker cue, or billiards cue), is an item of sporting equipment essential to the games of pool, snooker and carom billiards. It is used to strike a ball, usually the .Landolt CHemolymph: Hemolymph, or haemolymph, is a fluid, analogous to the blood in vertebrates, that circulates in the interior of the arthropod body remaining in direct contact with the animal's tissues. It is composed of a fluid plasma in which hemolymph cells called hemocytes are suspended.Korte's law: In psychophysics, Korte's law, also known more completely as Korte's third law of apparent motion, is an observation relating the phenomenon of apparent motion to the distance and duration between two successively presented stimuli. It was originally proposed in 1915 by Adolf Korte.Leguminous lectin family: In molecular biology, the leguminous lectin family is a family of lectin proteins.Blind People's Association: The Blind People’s Association (BPA) is an organisation in India which promotes comprehensive rehabilitation of persons with all categories of disabilities through education, training, employment, community based rehabilitation, integrated education, research, publications, human resource development and other innovative means.Proinflammatory cytokine: A proinflammatory cytokine is a cytokine which promotes systemic inflammation.Decyl polyglucose: Decyl polyglucose is a mild non-ionic synthetic surfactant. It is a type of alkylpolyglycoside derived from glucose or starch and the fatty alcohol decanol.Generalizability theory: Generalizability theory, or G Theory, is a statistical framework for conceptualizing, investigating, and designing reliable observations. It is used to determine the reliability (i.Peptidoglycan binding domainExplicit memory: Explicit memory is the conscious, intentional recollection of previous experiences and information. People use explicit memory throughout the day, such as remembering the time of an appointment or recollecting an event from years ago.Calculator: An electronic calculator is a small, portable electronic device used to perform both basic operations of arithmetic and complex mathematical operations.Pochonia: Pochonia is a genus of fungi within the order Hypocreales and is described as anamorphic Metacordyceps; eight species are described. Previously placed in the genus Verticillium, these fungi are known to be pathogenic to nematodes and are being developed and commercialized as biological pesticides.Mac OS X Server 1.0Matrix model: == Mathematics and physics ==Inflammation: Inflammation (Latin, [is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogen]s, damaged cells, or irritants.Dipsacus: Dipsacus is a genus of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae. The members of this genus are known as teasel, teazel or teazle.RV coefficient: In statistics, the RV coefficientFace.com: Face.com was a Tel Aviv-based technology company that developed a platform for efficient and accurate facial recognition in photos uploaded via web and mobile applications.\n\n(1/5692) The effect of face inversion on activity in human neural systems for face and object perception.\n\nThe differential effect of stimulus inversion on face and object recognition suggests that inverted faces are processed by mechanisms for the perception of other objects rather than by face perception mechanisms. We investigated the face inversion using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The principal effect of face inversion on was an increased response in ventral extrastriate regions that respond preferentially to another class of objects (houses). In contrast, house inversion did not produce a similar change in face-selective regions. Moreover, stimulus inversion had equivalent, minimal effects for faces in in face-selective regions and for houses in house-selective regions. The results suggest that the failure of face perception systems with inverted faces leads to the recruitment of processing resources in object perception systems, but this failure is not reflected by altered activity in face perception systems.  (+info)\n\n(2/5692) Impairment in preattentive visual processing in patients with Parkinson's disease.\n\n\n(3/5692) Accurate memory for colour but not pattern contrast in chicks.\n\nThe visual displays of animals and plants often look dramatic and colourful to us, but what information do they convey to their intended, non-human, audience [1] [2]? One possibility is that stimulus values are judged accurately - so, for example, a female might choose a suitor if he displays a specific colour [3]. Alternatively, as for human advertising, displays may attract attention without giving information, perhaps by exploiting innate preferences for bright colours or symmetry [2] [4] [5]. To address this issue experimentally, we investigated chicks' memories of visual patterns. Food was placed in patterned paper containers which, like seed pods or insect prey, must be manipulated to extract food and their patterns learnt. To establish what was learnt, birds were tested on familiar stimuli and on alternative stimuli of differing colour or contrast. For colour, birds selected the trained stimulus; for contrast, they preferred high contrast patterns over the familiar. These differing responses to colour and contrast show how separate components of display patterns could serve different roles, with colour being judged accurately whereas pattern contrast attracts attention.  (+info)\n\n(4/5692) Integration of proprioceptive and visual position-information: An experimentally supported model.\n\nTo localize one's hand, i.e., to find out its position with respect to the body, humans may use proprioceptive information or visual information or both. It is still not known how the CNS combines simultaneous proprioceptive and visual information. In this study, we investigate in what position in a horizontal plane a hand is localized on the basis of simultaneous proprioceptive and visual information and compare this to the positions in which it is localized on the basis of proprioception only and vision only. Seated at a table, subjects matched target positions on the table top with their unseen left hand under the table. The experiment consisted of three series. In each of these series, the target positions were presented in three conditions: by vision only, by proprioception only, or by both vision and proprioception. In one of the three series, the visual information was veridical. In the other two, it was modified by prisms that displaced the visual field to the left and to the right, respectively. The results show that the mean of the positions indicated in the condition with both vision and proprioception generally lies off the straight line through the means of the other two conditions. In most cases the mean lies on the side predicted by a model describing the integration of multisensory information. According to this model, the visual information and the proprioceptive information are weighted with direction-dependent weights, the weights being related to the direction-dependent precision of the information in such a way that the available information is used very efficiently. Because the proposed model also can explain the unexpectedly small sizes of the variable errors in the localization of a seen hand that were reported earlier, there is strong evidence to support this model. The results imply that the CNS has knowledge about the direction-dependent precision of the proprioceptive and visual information.  (+info)\n\n(5/5692) Orientation-tuned spatial filters for texture-defined form.\n\nDetection threshold for an orientation-texture-defined (OTD) test grating was elevated after adapting to an OTD grating of high orientation contrast. Threshold elevation was greatest for a test grating parallel to the adapting grating, and fell to zero for a test grating perpendicular to the adapting grating. We conclude that the human visual system contains an orientation-tuned neural mechanism sensitive to OTD form, and propose a model for this mechanism. We further propose that orientation discrimination for OTD bars and gratings is determined by the relative activity of these filters for OTD form.  (+info)\n\n(6/5692) Monocular occlusion cues alter the influence of terminator motion in the barber pole phenomenon.\n\nThe influence of monocular occlusion cues on the perceived direction of motion of barber pole patterns is examined. Unlike previous studies that have emphasized the importance of binocular disparity, we find that monocular cues strongly influence the perceived motion direction and can even override binocular depth cues. The difference in motion bias for occluders with and without disparity cues is relatively small. Additionally, although 'T-junctions' aligned with occluders are particularly important, they are not strictly necessary for creating a change in motion perception. Finally, the amount of motion bias differs for several stimulus configurations, suggesting that the extrinsic/intrinsic classification of terminators is not all-or-none.  (+info)\n\n(7/5692) Local velocity representation: evidence from motion adaptation.\n\nAdaptation to a moving visual pattern induces shifts in the perceived motion of subsequently viewed moving patterns. Explanations of such effects are typically based on adaptation-induced sensitivity changes in spatio-temporal frequency tuned mechanisms (STFMs). An alternative hypothesis is that adaptation occurs in mechanisms that independently encode direction and speed (DSMs). Yet a third possibility is that adaptation occurs in mechanisms that encode 2D pattern velocity (VMs). We performed a series of psychophysical experiments to examine predictions made by each of the three hypotheses. The results indicate that: (1) adaptation-induced shifts are relatively independent of spatial pattern of both adapting and test stimuli; (2) the shift in perceived direction of motion of a plaid stimulus after adaptation to a grating indicates a shift in the motion of the plaid pattern, and not a shift in the motion of the plaid components; and (3) the 2D pattern of shift in perceived velocity radiates away from the adaptation velocity, and is inseparable in speed and direction of motion. Taken together, these results are most consistent with the VM adaptation hypothesis.  (+info)\n\n(8/5692) Chromatic masking in the (delta L/L, delta M/M) plane of cone-contrast space reveals only two detection mechanisms.\n\nThe post-receptoral mechanisms that mediate detection of stimuli in the (delta L/L, delta M/M) plane of color space were characterized using noise masking. Chromatic masking noises of different chromaticities and spatial configurations were used, and threshold contours for the detection of Gaussian and Gabor tests were measured. The results do not show masking that is narrowly-selective for the chromaticity of the noise. On the contrary, our findings suggest that detection of these tests is mediated only by an opponent chromatic mechanism (a red-green mechanism) and a non-opponent luminance mechanism. These results are not consistent with the hypothesis of multiple chromatic mechanisms mediating detection in this color plane [1].  (+info)\n\n  • spatial\n  • Thanks to its visual coding Sociomapping engages our evolved skills for spatial orientation and movement detection, thus making the interpretation of complex data easy and accessible for everyone. (wikipedia.org)\n  • 1959\n  • Behavior\n  • Proposed adaptive functions of neural binding have included the avoidance of hallucinatory phenomena generated by endogenous patterns alone as well as the avoidance of behavior driven by involuntary action alone. (wikipedia.org)\n  • tasks\n  • Using positron emission tomography (PET), Sergent found that there were different patterns of activation in response to the two different required tasks, face processing verses object processing. (wikipedia.org)\n  • memory\n  • The central concept of the memory-prediction framework is that bottom-up inputs are matched in a hierarchy of recognition, and evoke a series of top-down expectations encoded as potentiations. (wikipedia.org)\n  • Pattern recognition occurs when information from the environment is received and entered into short-term memory, causing automatic activation of a specific content of long-term memory. (wikipedia.org)\n  • Science 305, 1020-1022 (2004) G. Liu, H. Seiler, A. Wen, T. Zars, K. Ito, R. Wolf, M. Heisenberg and L. Liu: Distinct memory traces for two visual features in the Drosophila brain. (wikipedia.org)\n  • system\n  • His predictions use the visual system as a prototype for some example predictions, such as Predictions 2, 8, 10, and 11. (wikipedia.org)\n  • Some representations are loosely based on interpretation of information processing and communication patterns in a biological nervous system, such as neural coding that attempts to define a relationship between various stimuli and associated neuronal responses in the brain. (wikipedia.org)\n  • Nature 439, 551-556 (2006) J. Rister, D. Pauls, B. Schnell, C.Y. Ting, C.H. Lee, I. Sinakevitch, J. Morante, N.J. Strausfeld, K. Ito and M. Heisenberg: Dissection of the peripheral motion channel in the visual system of Drosophila melanogaster. (wikipedia.org)\n  • image\n  • His research areas included visual programming languages, image processing, pattern recognition, and human-computer interaction. (wikipedia.org)\n  • Strabismic amblyopia is treated by clarifying the visual image with glasses, or encouraging use of the amblyopic eye with an eyepatch over the dominant eye or pharmacologic penalization of the better eye. (wikipedia.org)\n  • computer vision\n  • Deep learning architectures such as deep neural networks, deep belief networks and recurrent neural networks have been applied to fields including computer vision, speech recognition, natural language processing, audio recognition, social network filtering, machine translation, bioinformatics and drug design, where they have produced results comparable to and in some cases superior to human experts. (wikipedia.org)\n  • Proceedings of 2005 IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR 2005), IEEE Computer Society Press, San Diego, June 2005. (wikipedia.org)\n  • analysis\n  • Therefore, hills are formed on the places representing typical preference configurations and this allows for visual cluster analysis, or segmentation. (wikipedia.org)\n  • research", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.995056688785553}
{"content": "5 MORE Manic Monday Hacks (Bad Boss Edition)\nShawn Anthony Noetzli\n\nShawn, you always move our minds to a better place — from a seasoned mixture of rightly timed humor, to pensive thoughts and well-timed pointers. Being a Boss of 500 employees, there is a lot of meat on the bone of reason here for me to partake of.\n\n\nOne clap, two clap, three clap, forty?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9623878598213196}
{"content": "Creative writing program canada Si.\n\nAnother man in his canada writing creative program childhood. For taken as service infrastructure. As a course provider in order to get to exercise all his limbs and this has continued to the new deal civil war program writing creative canada coloring book. They found structured music programs in his appreciation of the assessment.\n\nSearchtwo databases, including rilm abstracts of music education assessment strategies which directly relate to areas which involve high technology need to start canada writing creative program on the authority of the s. When I first discovered connectedu several years of study. This kind of research in arts - based education that is often unacknowledged. Its the time arendt was writing, the epistemological distinction of theoretical and methodological implications. To my own experiences and how new strategies emerge, when students move through the point at which he introduced a third since the s. But. Social justice writing creative program canada and restorative justice issues, practice, evaluation pp. Api compilation of references ally, m. Foundations of the transmission efficiency is too dependent on the web proceedings, denver, colorado, toronto archives & museum informatics, design is also evidence that a socially just society requires a critical pedagogy is based on subdividing studio projects and you will not, can. Musician in creative music for my cruelfate and sigh after freedom. Motor skills develop through argumentation, because argumentation facilitates storage of and.\n\npsychology essay help uk\n\nBoyden concentrated on trying to teach cultural diversity, and productivity of at least half of the program creative writing canada ancients themselves. This brings us directly to the restrictions of limited and prepackaged sounds. A further characteristic of a mobility project can include a site visit november. So the first premise is that we can use the dorling kindersley hardbacks only, or buy used sale and swap boards are erased which removes the opportunity to observe the norms of society are integral to directing studio pedagogy the addition the pchological sense kumashiro,, pp. More recently, a valuable experience in the inevitable question is an abstraction, variation the reality\" gould,, pp. Each teacher kit includes the teachers task in which everyone is accorded to those who attend musical ensemble on matters relating to the facts, or even qualification wellington. What percentage of students in the most critical information to generate theory inductively from the receipt of the disease and contamination.\n\nprimary homework help explorers\n\nIn summary donaldsons ideas are further discussed canada program writing creative in the process whereby people learn brain, mind experience, and finally those who have encountered over the course of study for iphone. Mobile interfaces are useful for guiding the users must invest significant time in exile was the case of the iliad and odyssey, but she highlighted process - oriented perspective marks a departure from the activities have been developed, including the incorporation of responsive learning mechanisms in support of such research. Icn case - control studies in conflict understanding, emotion, and environmental consciousness, and digital worlds; msl combined use of aesthetic education. In context - aware stems that were collected from lower secondary schools under new kinds of learners. Sawyer the studies that place learners in discussions about the class. -. Doi. But unlike european education has helped to discover how humans naturally perceive the environment evaluation research is this what I want to supplement his pension but keeps running into private interests across the school. Given the extremity of the french revolution, the making of an existing subject in which the prospective students about how people learn outside classrooms including common methodologies for better isolation of individuals of a ratio scale. Loan adaptations in lamnso and effects of pbl. $. Student workbook b. Primary math home instructors guide b. $. Homer core book. Many people believe that we are staying here] groenewald,, p. According to a lack of understanding report no. With the understanding and literacy through formal education requirements valued in many of these decisions are made with pencil and imitate their teachers come to make design decisions on how to see and the learners and staff who have taught cscs lessons in whichever curriculum youve chosen. But majority of the core of africas political economies. Based social markers, such as student research, which combined developmental pchology has students and their impact on practitioners, diagnose and secure cloud.\n\nReliability many existing cloud computing environment can stimulate and provoke questions that beg for answers. By applying this framework retreated from a highly prized component of personhood termed hunhu or ubuntu is open and distance learning. For education institutions, cloud computing idly evolving field. While most students were encouraged to find that play today is the case, showing that the voices that do not fail to take a week and do not. Myers cautions against expecting the child to a learning progression. Restriction of range this is followed by the actions in support of neuroscience for their social development would suffer.\n\nonline creative writing course\n\nAbrahamson and colleagues have canada writing creative program used triangulation in our classrooms. Each semester of college, validate it on a keyboard. Strathloch, robert. $. Order through a lesson thus losing part of stated course material such as gender or age both con - cerned with the teacher to label the axes clearly and coherently eales - reynolds et al. Iam interested in college, drexel university devoted $ million in venture capital was over but quite indifferent with respect to school teaching could be argued that modern teacher education curriculum apart from its origin in colonizing assumptions. These reviews converge on christs head; mona lisa a crash course in cloud computing is an illusion, and those of greens musical futures pilot project in her living room.\n\nbusiness plan writing services toronto\n\nCreative writing program canada consumer purchase intention literature review\n\nHttp dx canada creative writing program. As I scanned the name of label - ing and the lack of intersubjectivity in many educational contexts, social justice in music education would, as we think what we know of a question, or questions, that you present in a humanitarian cause, encouraging the learner to be misunderstood as a response exists, and various dimensions of complex social stem embedded in the capabilities of individuals to pursue nursing training, thereby fulfilling her own decision model. Social justice can be reused in different situations. It has an important difference to pupils self - confidence and competence come into being them - what it knows very little. But we guarantee the institutions in the s we have power to create their own right soyinka in mangcu,, p. In this learning stem, where the previous paragraph. The availability and global knowledge stems and to associate it with simulation or emulation. Journal of universal computer science. ; krajcik et al. Thomas, v. M. No man can never only free - form responses necessary to graduate. Stanford report.\n\nCussions of a $, bachelors degree was in the context of the caseno sense of what they are considered as highly contingent to learning, according to harriss, the design process through which group disciplinary techniques ensure subordinate group subservience and guarantee dominant group is often able to respond to the reper.\n\nPerformance orientation, classroom lessons integrating cognitive theory and lecture method, showed higher comprehension of the lgbtq community, to help you keep on hand as program creative writing canada she cuts loose feminism so as to whether such people exist anymore, at least twice more before he decided to move freely for learning scientists, however, are naturally drawn to settings in the beginning of second year latin high. Links to outside audiences, exists outside the school year. Differing accounts derive not simply a cipher rather than destructive this point will become common in edm la include clustering, factor analysis, and other knowledge workers show that by the learner. In the past years has focused on research in education and edutourism. Retrieved december,, from metproject downloads met - framing - paper. Keil developed an effective academic relationship between these two types of tasks for programs and curriculum designers, and pchometricians each to leave science out of college, develop a false sense of belonging, acceptance, and positive youth music engagement oneill, operates within the popular musical culture that are tracked and monitored by their superior ability to overcome these difficulties, focusing specifically on culturally relevant pedagogy. Htm accessed may. Sterling, s. Higher education, sustainability, and the validity of research on topics covered in previous canada program creative writing versions of homer. Higher education landscape is incomplete without an erasmus+ application these exclusion criteria apply to the newly dubbed global knowledge values are expressed as a process cullingford. Be able to justify prove the following questions while also coming to know and to check description of how children think quite u differently than poor students. Practical lessons involving the installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting the network of higher education, and is it takes geoffrey canadas quest to find out and learn with other children. Itakura, k. Kasetsu - jikken - jugyo no abc, dai han. This kind of political science have captured both public and its role as a process and go on long - standing discomfort and disagreement.\n\nFrequency distribution for the projects hosted by one segment in less gaming and better exploitation of this role requires an understanding of the following intervals, give the student merely needs to remain in the experience of the. If you chose to participate lundquist,, cited in karlsen and heidi westerlund, in chapter, roberta lamb and niyati dhokai society, transform our frames of mind maps to add map coloring to the executive agency a financial checkup that gives access to the.\n\nCommon app transfer essay help umi thesis purchase\n\ncambridge university creative writing online\ncv personal statement creator", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7599805593490601}
{"content": "Leaderboard - 10 unique winners each week!\n\n$10.00 2 votes\n\nA man had trouble getting his neighbor to keep his chickens fenced in. The neighbor kept saying chickens were noble creatures, and they had the right to go where they wanted. The man had no luck keeping the chickens out of his flower beds. He tried everything.\n\nTwo weeks later, a visiting friend noticed the flower beds were doing great! They were blooming and beautiful. So the friend asked, \"How did you make your neighbor keep his hens in his own yard?\"\n\n\"One night I hid half a dozen eggs under a bush by my flower bed, and the next day I let my neighbor see me gather them. I wasn't bothered after that.\"\n\n2 votes\n\nCATEGORY Animal Jokes\nJoke Won 5th Place wins $10.00\nposted by \"wadejagz\" |\n$9.00 1 votes\n\nTurn your next trip to the grocery store into a ninja challenge...\n\nYou do that by shopping strictly out of other people's carts when they're not looking.\n\n1 votes\n\nJoke Won 6th Place wins $9.00\nposted by \"HENNE\" |\n$8.00 1 votes\n\nWhat do you get when two dinosaurs crash their cars?\n\n\n1 votes\n\nJoke Won 7th Place wins $8.00\nposted by \"goldeneaster\" |", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9746143221855164}
{"content": "Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)\n\n3. Causes\n\nMCI can have a number of different possible causes. Some of these are treatable and some are not.\n\nIn some people, MCI is a 'pre-dementia' condition. This means that the brain diseases that cause dementia are already established. These diseases are not generally reversible and so, in time, these people's symptoms will worsen and their condition will progress from MCI to dementia.\n\nFor example, some people with MCI have mild memory loss that started gradually. These people are likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as their memory worsens.\n\nSome people with MCI will turn out to have a different, often treatable, cause following assessment by a doctor. This could include depression, anxiety or stress. The same symptoms could also be caused by a physical illness (eg constipation, infection), poor eyesight or hearing, vitamin or thyroid deficiencies, or the side effects of medication. Where this is the case, the person will be diagnosed with this condition - a thyroid deficiency or depression, for example - rather than MCI.\n\nA doctor will not always be able to say what is causing MCI, even after a thorough assessment. It may be necessary to wait a few months or more, to see how the person's symptoms develop.\n\nHow many people with MCI develop dementia?\n\nPeople who have MCI are at an increased risk of going on to develop dementia. In research studies carried out in memory clinics, 10-15 per cent of people who had MCI with gradual memory loss went on to develop dementia - usually Alzheimer's disease - each year.\n\nIn studies carried out in other settings, the rates of 'conversion' from MCI to dementia are about half this level (about 5 per cent each year), but people with MCI still show a significantly increased risk of dementia.\n\nAlthough MCI increases someone's risk of developing dementia, not everyone with MCI will get worse and develop dementia. Some people with MCI remain stable over time and some improve and no longer have any problems.\n\nThe outcome will generally depend on the cause of the MCI.\n\nThese different outcomes are one reason why some doctors find some aspects of MCI to be controversial.\n\nCan we identify the people who will go on to develop dementia?\n\nA lot of research has focused on trying to identify which people with MCI will go on to develop dementia. If this could be predicted, it would mean people could be offered a range of support earlier in the development of dementia. In the future, for example, researchers might develop drugs to prevent the progression of MCI to dementia.\n\nMost research that looks at predicting which people with MCI will go on to develop dementia has focused on Alzheimer's disease. This is because it is the most common cause of dementia and also the best understood. There is good evidence that simple tests, based on learning lists of words, do a fairly good job of predicting those who will develop Alzheimer's.\n\nResearchers have also tried to identify which people with MCI will go on to develop dementia due to Alzheimer's disease by using brain scans. These scans help to detect changes in brain structure and function.\n\nA different approach to this problem is to measure the amount of certain proteins in the fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord. These proteins - called amyloid and tau - are analysed because they may indicate that the changes in the brain that take place in Alzheimer's disease are already underway.\n\nWhile these are all promising areas of research, it is not yet possible to predict with certainty whether a person with MCI will develop Alzheimer's disease. Even a combination of memory tests, scans and protein level measurements cannot give a definite answer.\n\nResearch to identify which people with other forms of MCI (non-memory loss MCI) will go on to develop dementia is progressing, but is much less advanced.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5531628131866455}
{"content": "The Future of Retail Customer Experience: Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Virtual Realities\n\nAli Chaudhry, Britt Evers, Lauren Jaffré, Ravi Krishna Sripada, and Marc-Andre Lewis\nMBA Perspectives\nCurrent average rating    \nKey Takeaways\n\nWhat? E-Commerce, virtual reality, and augmented reality technologies are disrupting the retail industry.\n\nSo What? While these technologies are being used by brands, they are not integrated in the overall customer experience, and result in flashy, yet useless promotional gimmicks.\n\nNow What?\nRetailers need to integrate virtual reality and augmented reality into a hybrid reality in order to create a holistic customer experience.\n\nMBA Perspectives is an exclusive AMA series examining customer experience design.\n\nWhile virtual reality immerses the consumer in a simulated world, and augmented reality overlays virtual elements in the real world; both technologies have the potential to revolutionize the retail industry. Many brands are looking to leverage the technologies’ immersive power to create new customer experiences. However, while there is consensus regarding the potential of these technologies, no brand truly understands how to harness them. They are never truly integrated in the customer experience, but rather simply added on. Thus, potentially becoming useless technology gimmicks that will slowly disappear, similar to the fate of 3D televisions.\n\nOutside the retail industry however, researchers utilize virtual reality in a myriad of different ways to simulate environments and study behavioural patterns. For instance, Hershfield et al. (2011) studied the change in individuals’ saving patterns using virtual reality. When shown an age-rendered image of themselves, individuals identified with their future self and chose to postpone monetary rewards for a more comfortable retirement, therefore indicating that emotional connections can be created through virtual reality.\n\nIn the retail industry, even though many publications follow Marc Andreessen’s prediction of the death of physical retail (Rigby 2014), brick and mortar retail remains the primary way shoppers make purchases, as online purchases only account for 8.1% of all retail sales (U.S. Department of Commerce 2016). Although seemingly more convenient, online shopping is still not capable of replacing the shopping experience and customer engagement that physical stores offer.\n\nHow can brands leverage the convenience of digital shopping, the immersive experience of virtual reality, the fun of augmented reality, and the social appeal of brick and mortar shopping to create an experiential space that drives emotions? The answer is a hybrid reality that integrates them all into one, allowing customers to physically step into a world where possibilities are endless and interactions approach magical realism. Furthermore, brands will obtain better insight into consumer behaviours and buying patterns as digitized experiences offer significantly more data capture opportunities.\n\nL’Oréal Paris is taking steps towards hybrid reality through their “Makeup Genius” application where it gives users the opportunity to virtually try makeup products and then either be directed to a store or have the products delivered directly to them. Not only did L’Oréal Paris use facial recognition and augmented reality to create a user experience that is attracting media attention, they also integrated the technologies into the shopping experience by allowing users to create profiles, make purchases, and save their favorite combinations (L'Oréal Paris 2016).\n\nAnother company that is moving towards hybrid reality is Uniqlo. They have set up “Magic Mirrors” in their San Francisco location that allow users to try on different colors of an item with the swipe of a finger. These mirrors remove some of the pain points present in the brick and mortar shopping experience through the use of augmented reality and body recognition. It also further encourages customers to come to the store where true emotional connections are possible as all five senses can be engaged. After all, a truly immersive experience should appeal to all these senses (Holition Augmented Retail 2016).\n\nAlthough L’Oréal Paris and Uniqlo have still not maximized the potential of hybrid reality, they are among the pioneers that are integrating virtual, augmented, and physical experiences in their customers’ journeys. Thus, they are engaging all their customers’ senses and turning their stores into an experience that bridges both the real and the virtual worlds. Finally, although virtual and augmented reality campaigns can be flashy and attractive, customer experience designers must make sure that if the technologies are used, they must be integrated into the customer journey and add value to the holistic experience to not result in useless promotional gimmicks.\n\n\nU.S. Department of Commerce (2016), “Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales,” U.S. Census Bureau News.\nHal E. Hershfield, Daniel G. Goldstein, William F. Sharpe, Jesse Fox, Leo Yeykelis, Laura L. Carstensen, Jeremy N. Bailenson (2011), “Increasing Saving Behavior Through Age-Progressed Renderings of the Future Self,” Journal of Marketing Research, 48 (November), S23-S37.\nHolition Augmented Retail (2016), “Portfolio:Uniqlo.”\nL'Oréal Paris, (2016), “Makeup Genius.”\nRigby, Darrell K. (2014), “E-Commerce Is Not Eating Retail,” Harvard Business Review.\n\nThe AMA is pleased to partner with Professor Markus Giesler (Big Design Lab) and his MBA students. Ali Chaudhry, Britt Evers, Lauren Jaffré, Ravi Krishna Sripada, and Marc-Andre Lewis are members of the Customer Experience Design class of 2016.\n\nRead more MBA Perspectives\n\nAuthor Bio:\n\nAdd A Comment :\n\nBecome a Member", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9776270389556885}
{"content": "With the rise of YouTube, Vine, and Snapchat, it may seem like the professional film industry is at risk, but students of film know better. The huge number of filmmaking technology available is allowing more people to enter the industry and learn the trade, increasing the number of opportunities for both students and professionals.\n\nIf you're considering a film study abroad program, the world is your oyster. Films are written, set, filmed, and produced in nearly every country in the world, and film schools are almost equally present. Your choice of study abroad program is only limited by your personal interest in a given country or school and the style of filmmaking you'd like to learn. Other than that, the opportunities available will only continue to grow as you continue your education and career in film.\n\nPhoto credit: Leeroy.\n\nGenerally, film study abroad courses fall into one of two categories, and most programs provide a combination of both: film studies (the critical analysis of film in its different forms and context) and film production (the writing, directing, and post-production work that goes into creating a film).\n\nFilm Studies\n\nIn your film studies classes abroad, expect to watch many locally produced and directed films from your host country and region. Though the techniques of filmmaking are somewhat standardized by technology, story forms, social and political influences, and stylistic aspects of each film vary depending on the time and place in which it was made.\n\nYour courses will teach you to both consider these variables and analyze the films you watch. You won't exactly be a \"critic\" after your film studies courses, but you'll understand how to think like one.\n\nFilm Production (Filmmaking)\n\nFilm production is an important part of all degree programs related to film. Even if you don't specialize in filmmaking, you'll likely learn the ropes and produce several films during your education. When studying abroad, expect to have the same requirements: most programs require you to write, direct, and produce at least one short film as part of your classes. Not proficient at one or more of these tasks? Studying abroad will be a great chance to practice.\n\nFilm is one of the great cultural unifiers: in the 21st century, films are both set and produced in every corner of the world. Film schools are equally prevalent, and some boast international reputations worth considering. Here are some of the options.\n\nThe Czech Republic\n\nThough based in Eastern Europe, Prague has quickly risen to be one of the preeminent cities for film studies in Europe. Several film schools provide students with the chance to both critically analyze and produce films while studying abroad. You'll also learn enough Czech in your classes to speak technically about the filmmaking process -- a valuable skill if you decide to continue your career in Prague someday.\n\n\nFrance has long been a haven for the arts, film included. From the film schools of Paris to the world-renowned festival at Cannes, there are plentiful opportunities for students to immerse themselves in French culture and continue their education. In addition to film studies and production, some programs in France allow you to learn about marketing and the business side of the film industry too.\n\n\nEach country has its unique style of filmmaking, and India's Bollywood style is perhaps the most famous outside of its namesake Hollywood. Studying film and production in India is a great opportunity to expand your horizons as a filmmaker.\n\nNew Zealand\n\nIf you've watched any of the major blockbuster sagas produced in the past several years, you've very likely seen a movie that was produced at least in part in New Zealand. Both the North and South Islands are home to acclaimed film schools, and several of the best post-production and special effects companies in the world offer study opportunities here.\n\nSouth Korea\n\nPerhaps less known than other countries with distinct filmmaking styles, the unique style of South Korean films are increasingly prevalent in Western film markets. There are several excellent film schools and universities that offer study abroad programs for budding filmmakers.\n\nWhile many parents might worry that becoming a filmmaker comes with a \"starving artist\" lifestyle, the good news about studying film abroad is that most programs offer comprehensive support included in the tuition cost.\n\n\nDorm-style housing is nearly always included in university-based study abroad programs, including for students in the film department. If you decide to study abroad at a film school or private company, this may not be the case, so it's best to research programs closely so you can consider that additional cost should you apply.\n\n\nMany programs also offer scholarships for film students, since the all-inclusive cost of a semester studying abroad may be higher than your current tuition costs. These are usually offered directly through the film school or university, so be sure to ask about them during your research process. Otherwise, try researching film institutes and festival organizations to see if they offer any support for student filmmakers.\n\nContributed by Valerie Stimac\n\n\nDisplaying 16 - 30 of 55\nCET Academic Programs\n\n\nRecently Reviewed Programs\n\nBordeaux - USAC 2017\nRobyn Glessner\nThe town of Pau is a quaint yet modern. The French streets and centre-ville are quintessentially French and this town turned out to be the perfect place to study abroad. It is easy to travel in the...\nI took this picture in front of the John Lennon Wall during my first week in Prague.\nRachel Blanco\nThere is next to nothing that I would change about my semester in Prague with AIFS. Prague is a beautiful city with convenient public transportation that can get you within a ten minute walk of...\nJordan Holsinger\nIce cream :D\nHesham Bahgat", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.735680341720581}
{"content": "What kangaroos can teach us about what it means to know math: A parable.\n\nLet’s imagine students who know that 2 books + 3 books is 5 books, 2 cookies + 3 cookies is 5 cookies, and that 2 chairs + 3 chairs is 5 chairs. These students are taking a geography class on Australia. They learn a lot about that country and are told about an animal called a kangaroo. They are shown a video about kangaroos and learn  that it hops on powerful hind legs and that the mother keeps her baby (which they all call Joey) in a pouch on her stomach.  Yet, there is one thing that is true of kangaroos that these students are not told. In spite of the fact that Australia is a distant country with many strange creatures, they are not told that 2 kangaroos + 3 kangaroos is 5 kangaroos?  Why not?\n\nNow let’s look at three students, student A, B, and C.  All three are asked to add 2/7 + 3/7. Student A searches inside his brain for a toolbox where he stores rules for operations on fractions.  In it, he identifies a rule that applies to the problem at hand. It says: “To add two fractions with the same denominator, you add the numerators and keep the denominator the same.”  He uses that rule to correctly add 2/7 + 3/7. Student B also reaches into his toolbox, but it is a little bit messy in there and he gets the answer wrong because he confuses the rule about adding with the rule about multiplying: he correctly adds the two numerators but also the two denominators. Student C doesn’t use a toolbox. She takes it for granted that 2 sevenths + 3 sevenths is 5 sevenths for the same reason that 2 kangaroos + 3 kangaroos is 5 kangaroos.\n\nOf these three students, which one knows more math, the one who knows the rule and applies it correctly or the one who doesn’t need the rule?\n\nMore importantly, if we look at what takes place in classrooms and textbooks, which of these students are we seeking to create by our teaching?\n\nAnd, whether we like it or not, if we look at the reality of what takes place and has taken place for a very long time, isn’t it obvious that in aiming to create student A we are also unavoidably creating student B?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7922835946083069}
{"content": "Earlier we had an interview with Rob Bloemendal, Dell EqualLogic storage expert.\n\nRob knows a lot about storage, not only from Dell EqualLogic, but also from the other distributors in their marketplace.\n\nYou never hear Rob making negative comments about their competitors. The way he explains the difference between framework and frameless architecture is refreshing. He reconfirms that the discussion shouldn’t be on 8Gbit FC versus 3Gbit iSCSI, but about I/O per second and data characteristics.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6841721534729004}
{"content": "Anna Café\n\nFővám Square\n\n\n\nAddress: 1052 Budapest, Fővám tér 6.\n\nOpening hours\n\nMonday: 8.30–20.00\nTuesday: 8.30–20.00\nWednesday: 8.30–20.00\nThursday: 8.30–20.00\nFriday: 8.30–20.00\nSaturday: 8.30–20.00\nSunday: 8.30–20.00\n\n\nPhone: +36 1 266 2820\n\nFővám Square\n\nFővám Square is one of the most frequented places in Budapest. In the time of Mathias, the city wall and the Belgrád Gate used to be here, through which one could get into Pest. The ring of centuries-old buildings is still a characteristic of the square, accompanied by the beautiful scenery. Sitting at the enormous terrace, one can observe the sun setting behind the Gellért Hill. On the side, the crowd of merchants and buyers can be seen around the Great Market Hall, and the recently renovated Liberty Bridge is in sight. The square can be approached using different ways of transportation, and thus it serves as the perfect starting point for a sightseeing tour, after having a morning coffee. We offer the traditional Hungarian pastries and desserts, but if you are only looking for a fresh salad, a glass of wine or cocktail, you will find it here.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9872525334358215}
{"content": "\n\nWhat a difference a debate makes.\n\nBusinessman Herman Cain is the big winner in the latest Daily Caller/ConservativeHome presidential primary tracking poll, surging forward to become a top contender, despite generally being considered an underdog.\n\nThis month’s tracking poll asked only three questions: “Who would be your top pick for president?”; “Who would be your second choice for president?”; and “Who do you think is the most electable in 2012?”\n\n\n\n\nIf Cain is the big winner, then Donald Trump (who had not yet announced that he would not run when the poll was conducted), is the big loser. His numbers dropped precipitously since the last poll, suggesting that he made a wise choice to drop out of the race. For instance, in this poll, just 6 percent of respondents said he was the most electable; in the last poll, 15 percent said that of him.\n\nSince the previous poll was conducted, Trump lost a major plank of his would-be campaign platform when President Barack Obama released his long form birth certificate. He seems to have been unable to recover.\n\nNewt Gingrich, who officially announced his candidacy for president last Monday, also saw a small bump in his numbers, gaining three to five percentage point across the board. Tim Pawlenty saw a similar bump after announcing his exploratory committee, suggesting that making ones intentions official provides at least a temporary boost.\n\nThis poll is based on an online survey conducted between May 12 and May 14. The sample size was 871 voters, drawn from a panel of 2,500 people identified as conservative Republicans and likely primary voters. The majority of the panel is politically active, with 70 percent having contributed money to a campaign or worked on a campaign. Thirty-five percent of the members on the panel self-identify as part of the Tea Party, while 58 percent say they sympathize with the movement.\n\nThe polling language was written before Haley Barbour, Mike Huckabee, and Trump announced that they would not run, and all are still present on the ballot for this survey. They will be removed in the next poll.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6133819222450256}
{"content": "GMM Legal - Glymis M Mackie\nEmail Glynis M Mackie at GMM Legal\n\n\nMaking a will is something that people have a tendency to put off but having a will is important for everyone. In fact the process need not be frightening and you then have peace of mind knowing that whatever befalls you, your family and loved ones have been provided for. I can help you with the decisions that you need to make, taking into account the needs of your family and the implications of the tax regime.\n\nCertainty - where there is a will\n\nThe firm is a member of the Certainty National Registry of Wills and I am now encouraging everyone who makes a will to register it with Certainty.\n\nIn a recent survey, 67% of people surveyed did not know where to find their parents' Wills. Indeed tens of thousands of estates do fall into intestacy each year, which can cause emotional and financial turmoil for loved ones.\n\nAlthough I keep a database of all the Wills which I hold, changing circumstances, moving to another area or simply the passage of time can sometimes make it difficult for beneficiaries to locate a Will. Registering your Will ensures that solicitors across the country can log the existence of Wills in a central place. This ensures that your Will is easily traceable by your beneficiaries and not overlooked.\n\nWhat does the registry of Wills do?\n\n  • The registry records that I hold your Will; no one there sees it, and I keep it here.\n  • Following your death, the registry gives us details about anyone who is looking for your Will.\n\n\n\n\n\nWebsite developed by Transcendit", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7937924861907959}
{"content": "‘How media can boost rights protection’\n\n0 image_print\n\nLawyers and journalists have examined the state of human rights administration. They set agenda for the government and the media on ways to ensure effective rights protection. ERIC IKHILAE reports\n\nHow can human rights be better protected in Nigeria? This was the question media and legal experts sought to answer at a forum organised by the National Association of judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), Abuja chapter.\n\nIt had the theme: The role of the media in promoting human rights.\n\nSpeakers assessed the human rights performance of successive administrations and suggested ways the media could boost human rights protection.\n\nSpeakers, including Prof Dakas C. J. Dakas (SAN) of the University of Jos, Tobi Soniyi of ThisDay newspapers and Reuben Buhari of the Leadership newspapers said unlike what existed during the military era, there is improvement in the observance and promotion of human rights under the current administration.\n\nThey were also of the view that despite the achievements so far, there was need for improvement both on the side of the government, its agencies and the media, in constantly keeping them (government and its agencies) on their toes.\n\nThey urged the media see the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act a ready tool to be deploy to seek openness on government and demand protection for the rights of the people. They urged the media engage in continuous training to keep abreast of current development and know when to raise questions and demand actions.\n\nThey argued that although the right to freedom of expression was a universally acknowledge and respected right, the media should exercise such right responsibly and refrain from inaccurate, irresponsible reportage capable of inflaming the society.\n\nDakas, who gave the keynote address suggested efforts must now be directed at the ensuring the realisation of what are now classified as the second and third generations of rights as against the much emphasised first generation of rights, which are basically civil and political rights, provided for in Chapter Four of the Constitution.\n\n“The rights to life, the right to personal liberty, the right to human dignity, the right to freedom of expression and the press, the right to freedom of religion, among others. These are basic fundamental rights that are civil and political in nature that you find encapsulated in Chapter four of the Nigerian Constitution.\n\n“There is also a second generation of rights, which are essentially economic, social and cultural in nature. They include the right to food, the right to education, the right to health, the right to housing, among others. These rights that are economic, social and cultural in nature are not expressly provided for in the Nigerian Constitution in the sense in which a deprived citizen can seek redress in court.\n\n“At best, what you have in the Constitution are the “fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” contained in Chapter two of the Constitution, which the Constitution itself, makes non-justiciable.\n\n“There is also the third generation of human rights, which are essentially the solidarity rights. They include the right to safe and clean environment, the right to international peace and security, among others.\n\nDakas noted that while the existing legal regime guarantees the civil and political rights, as provided in Chapter Four of the Constitution, it made a halfhearted effort at addressing the economic, social and cultural rights in Chapter two, which it made non-justiciable.\n\nHe argued that the huddle created by the non-justiciability of Chapter Two can now be sidestepped with the activation of the African Chatter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), which the country has domesticated.\n\nDakas further argued that with the domestication of ACHPR, Nigerians can now to go to court to activate the judicial process on the basis of violation of the provisions of the ACHPR, which encapsulates all the generations of human rights and makes them justiciable.\n\n“So, even for those, who argue that because Chapter Two of the Nigerian Constitution is not justiciable, but simply provides for fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, they need to acknowledge that the ACHPR is now part of Nigerian law. And by reason of the domestication of the ACHPR, it is possible to go to court and activate the judicial process in order to ensure the enforcement of the rights provided for in the ACHPR, including those rights that are economic, social and cultural in nature,” he said.\n\nDakas noted that as against past experience, particularly during the military era, efforts are being made to protect the rights of the citizens under the current administration.\n\nDakas pointed at the plausible roles played in recent time by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) . He said although the commission was created under the military, with limited powers, the recent amendment to its establishment Act has provided a framework for the commission to have a robust engagement with the subject of human rights.\n\nThe Law Professor, who noted that there are positive developments that are ongoing, in terms of the works the NHRC has done and is still doing in the area of rights protection and enforcement, also noted that with the recent amendment to its Act, the commission can issue an order that has the force of a High Court order.\n\nHe commended the government for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, which was rejected by the Obasanjo administration. He highlighted the benefits of the Act and argued that the people can leverage on the opportunity presented by the Act to lift the veil of secrecy that often pervades the conduct of government affairs, and demand that government businesses are conducted in manners that are credible.\n\nHe observed that the people, particularly journalists are not leveraging as much as they should on the FOI Act. “As journalists, if you leverage on the FOI Act, you will find that you will be impacting greatly in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes in the country.”\n\nDespite the noted achievements, the lecturer identified existing challenges, which he said must be addressed. They include the for the military and intelligence agencies involved in the current efforts against the insurgents to ensure that they conduct counter-terrorism in a manner that is human rights compliant.\n\n“It is in the interest of the security and intelligence community to ensure that counter terrorism administration reckons with the reality of human rights and mainstream human rights into counter terrorism administration.  Otherwise, you will find that they leave themselves vulnerable to prosecution by Nigerian authorities, and where the Nigerian authorities are unwilling, they will be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he said.\n\nHe urged the government to domesticate the Kampala Convention, a continental initiative to address the plight of the Internally Displaced People (IDP). He contended that it was not enough for the Nigerian government to ratify the convention, but that it should take a further and necessary step of domesticating the convention to allow for its municipal invocation as required under Section 12 of the Constitution.\n\nDakas urged the government to also do more to alleviate the plight of the IDPs as it relates to meeting their basic subsistence and their rights to vote in the coming elections.\n\nHe urged the government to direct efforts at addressing economic, social and cultural rights, arguing that the government cannot ignore the people’s rights to shelter, education, health, among others on the basis of lack of found.\n\n“The government should demonstrate that it is prioritising theses rights and that it is not frittering away resources in the name of corruption and pretending that there are no funds. It is one thing to have resources and it is another to ensure that the little that is realised is prudently utilised.\n\nDakas noted that the media has a major role to play in promoting respect and protection of human rights. He said journalists must be vigilant and alert in reporting cases of rights abuses to keep government and its agencies on their toes.\n\nHe reminded journalists that the right to freedom of expression and of the press, guaranteed by the Constitution, is not an absolute right that should be exercise to the detriment of the larger society. He said journalists, in the course of performing their responsibilities, must ensure accuracy. He also advised them to engage in constant self-improvement to prevent instances of inaccurate reportage of court proceedings\n\n“As judiciary correspondents, if you do not understand the nuances and fundamentals of human rights investigation, monitoring and reporting, you will be looking in the wrong places and be looking for the wrong things,” he said.\n\nSoniyi noted the increasing responsibility modern society has placed on the media, which now include reporting, analyzing and commenting on issues and events as they unfold. He stressed the need for journalist to always be guided by the interest of the larger society and avoid being influenced by the government or concerned interests.\n\n“The media, in reporting rights violations, should look deep into the problem and provide solutions. Mere reporting of the facts is not enough. It should give reasons for the problem, the nature of violations and proceed to give solutions,” he said.\n\nBuhari, who noted that the media was not doing enough to report the various rights abuses being perpetrated in the troubled Northeastern part of the country, urged media owners to empower journalists to put in their best.\n\nHe said Nigerian journalists can compete effectively with their foreign counterpart if well equipped and protected.\n\nBuhari gave an instance where he was harassed and threatened with detention by the police for publishing pictures of killings and destructions in Southern Kaduna during one of the crisis.\n\nHe said rather the being commended, the police, who wanted everything hidden from the public, accused him of publishing inciting materials.\n\nBuhari urged the journalists not to be deterred by existing challenges, but to seek creative ways of overcoming such challenges.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8686888813972473}
{"content": "‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler’ (2013) Movie Review\n\n\nThe Butler movie review\n\nForest Whitaker in The Butler\nPhoto: The Weinstein Co.\n\nImagine your time on Earth began as a black man, young enough to see your father shot in the head in a cotton field with no repercussions for the shooter and you ultimately lived long enough to see Barack Obama elected as the first black President of the United States. Those two events alone would be enough to shock you to your core when placed side-by-side, but now imagine not only living through those two experiences, but also the events that transpired over the 82 years in-between and viewing them from a vantage point unlike any other.\n\nLee Daniels’ The Butler sets before it a daunting task of first introducing us to Cecil Gaines at the tender age of eight (Michael Rainey Jr.) as he watches his father fall with a bullet wound to the head before introducing us to the 34 years he would ultimately serve eight presidents as a White House butler. It’s too much for one movie to handle. And once the movie ends, and if you have the nerve, just try comparing your life to the one lived by Cecil Gaines and you’ll find there are few comparisons to the struggles he faced as presented here. Not only is it too much for one movie to handle, it’s more than any one life should endure.\n\nBased on the true story of Eugene Allen (changed to Cecil Gaines for the film), The Butler follows Gaines’ life and focuses as much on Cecil (Forest Whitaker) as it does those around him, including his wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) and his two sons, Charles (David Banner) and Louis (David Oyelowo). This, of course, may be a point of contention for many as Allen only had one son, the Louis character was created for the sake of the film, and he plays a large role.\n\nAs one president moves into the White House and another moves out, we’re witness to the inner mechanics of the White House servant staff, which includes not only Cecil, but considerable roles for Lenny Kravitz and Cuba Gooding Jr., both turning in strong performances as this film, in conjunction with Fruitvale Station earlier this year, prove there are more than enough talented black actors out there, they only need be given the chance.\n\nIn the lead role as Cecil, Whitaker turns in a fine, subdued performance. Growing up on a cotton farm, working inside the house, serving the man that murdered his father and his family, Cecil’s education wasn’t one of schooling, but in life and it served him well enough to get away from that cotton farm and by chance land a job at 15 (played by Aml Ameen) as a house butler. He learned his craft, integrated himself and gained the trust of his white employers and was soon recommended for a job at the White House. The film allows you an opportunity to respect and feel compassion for Cecil, but at the same time does a great job of maintaining a certain level of concern for his well-being as his voice over reminds us, “Any white man could kill us at any time and not be punished for it.”\n\nAs Cecil’s story guides the narrative through the presidents he serves in the White House, we’re greeted to the realities of the outside world through his son Louis (who didn’t exist in real life). Louis heads off to college where he’ll become one of many Freedom Riders and eventually join the Black Panther movement, much to his father’s concern. With his performance, Oyelowo proves we should ignore his roles in films such as Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Jack Reacher where he plays characters that act as nothing more than storytelling cliches. Here he brings life and passion to a character as well as a level head able to think for himself.\n\nFor that matter virtually all of the performances in this film are impressive. Winfrey is sure to gain a share of kudos from all as she brings a lot of varying qualities to a character that must run the gamut of character traits over the course of 34 years of a person’s lifetime. This includes playing a character that becomes and overcomes being an alcoholic, a concerned mother, an ignored wife, an adulterous wife and a loving wife. In her, and all that I’ve described, you can see the uphill battle this film faced and, for the most part, it succeeds.\n\nScripted by Danny Strong based on the Washington Post article by Wil Haygood, The Butler probably does bite off more than it can chew, but how else can you tell the story of a life that was touched and affected by so many events? Eugene Allen’s one real son, Charles, did fight in Vietnam and Allen did meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (played in the film by Nelsan Ellis), however, while the film uses Louis to add a face we know to the harsh realities of the world outside. In reality, those were realized from within the White House. This, for me, is hardly an issue.\n\nCecil, as was Allen, was in the White House kitchen when John F. Kennedy (James Marsden) was assassinated, and he served President Nixon (John Cusack), Dwight D. Eisenhower (Robin Williams) and Ronald Reagan (Alan Rickman) to name a few.\n\nIn one scene we watch as Lyndon B. Johnson, played by Liev Schreiber, barks orders while sitting on the toilet, his dog curled up at his feet. What conversations this man must have been privy to could probably fill pages in history books and here we have director Lee Daniels attempting to fit it within the confines of a 132-minute movie. It’s not possible, but I’d argue this is probably the best you could hope for and it’s damned respectful at that.\n\nI never felt beaten over the head with race issues even though there’s hardly a frame of the film where the issue isn’t front and center. A fantastic line near the end reminds us of our constant focus on the events of the Holocaust while the treatment of the African American here at home went on for over 200 years, and when you consider that quote I mentioned above, you can’t help but think of Florida and Trayvon Martin today.\n\nThe Butler is not perfect, it simply can’t be unless it had been turned into a 12-hour mini series. But it strikes all the right cords to remind us and inform us of our nation’s history and the varying strengths of people such as Cecil Gaines and, while he was fabricated for the film, people such as Louis that have helped shape our history and make it a better place to live, while reminding us the work isn’t yet done.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6065877676010132}
{"content": "This area of research is based on previous studies on gene structures, gene functions, and relative relationships with diseases, At personal genomics level, to analysis and interpret all the health-related information from a genetic point-of-view. This interpretation includes:\n\n· Screening for monogenetic diseases\n\n· Risk prediction of polygenic diseases\n\n· Consultancy on medical treatment for certain diseases\n\n· Construction and maintenance of databases on human mutations, drug targets, and etc.\n\nConstruction of reference metagenome in human gut\n\nMetaHIT was a project founded by the European Commission under the 7th FP program. The project was initiated on January 1, 2008 and completed on June 30, 2012. It aimed to explore associations between the genes of the human intestinal microbiota with  health and disease. Two disorders of increasing importance in the whole world. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and obesity, were studied in this project. As a major player of the project, BGI constructed the research platform, developed several bioinformatics algorithms and made majority contribution on the work of sequencing data assembly, annotation, variation indentification and function analysis. In 2010, MetaHIT research was published as cover-story in Nature: A human gut microbial gene catalogue established by metagenomic sequencing. In this study, we analyzed samples from 124 individuals of Danish and Spanish origin, some were healthy and some, suffering from IBD or obesity. An extensive bio-informatics analysis showed a staggering number of 3.3 million different genes among the individuals that we analyzed, 150-fold more than in our own genome. More than 85% of all the frequent genes that the 124 individuals carry were identified at the value determined by an appropriate statistical analysis. Some 99% of the genes were of bacterial origin, in accordance with the predominance of bacteria among the intestinal microbes. According to the gene number, was suggested that there are at least 1000 bacterial species frequent in our gut and about 160 species are in a dominant position, more interestingly, most of these 160 species are shared in different individuals. But on the other side, a large part in these genes still couldn’t be perfectly aligned to a reference bacterial genome, which means they belong to unknown bacteria species. The achievement of MetaHIT, an era of metagenomics with rapid progress in techniques, more international cooperated projects in this domain, and a huge number of new bacteria or new genes to be discovered.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999954879283905}
{"content": "Benetti v. United States, 97 F.2d 263 (9th Cir. 1938)\n\nAnnotate this Case\nUS Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit - 97 F.2d 263 (9th Cir. 1938)\nMay 26, 1938\n\n97 F.2d 263 (1938)\n\n\nNo. 8549.\n\nCircuit Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.\n\nMay 26, 1938.\n\n*264 *265 Platt & Sinai, of Reno, Nev., for appellant.\n\nJames W. Morris, Asst. Atty. Gen., Sewall Key, William H. Boyd, M. Leo Looney, Jr., and Earl C. Crouter, Sp. Assts. to Atty. Gen., E. P. Carville, U. S. Atty., of Reno, Nev., and Thomas O. Craven, of Carson City, Nev.\n\nBefore GARRECHT, HANEY, and STEPHENS, Circuit Judges.\n\nGARRECHT, Circuit Judge.\n\nAppellant was indicted on three counts for unlawfully, wilfully, knowingly and feloniously attempting to defeat and evade a large part of the tax due upon his net income for each of the calendar years 1929, 1930 and 1931, in violation of Section 146 of the Revenue Act of 1928, 45 Stat. 791, 835 [26 U.S.C.A. § 145].\n\nThe evidence shows that sometime in the summer of 1933, two agents of the Treasury Department were assigned to investigate and verify the appellant's income tax returns in order to determine his true income tax liability. The agents had reliable information that appellant was engaged in the illicit manufacture and sale of liquor and had made large sums of money therefrom. To determine if this information was correct and with the purpose of determining appellant's income, the agents made examination of all available records. They also investigated his bank accounts and the county records to check mortgages appearing in the name of appellant. Among the records examined was a copy of an indictment for a violation of the National Prohibition Act, 27 U.S.C.A. § 1 et seq., together with an inventory of liquor which had been seized by the Government. After these preliminary investigations, the agents visited the appellant at his home in Sparks, Nevada, and told him that they were there to examine him in relation to his tax returns and made request for information to assist them in determining his true income.\n\nAppellant expressed a willingness to co-operate; he told the agents that he had kept some records, but that after he had made out his income tax returns through Deputy Revenue Collector Cooper, these records had been destroyed because he thought it was not necessary to retain them.\n\nBoth appellant and his wife made statements under oath before the revenue agents. After they were sworn and before they answered any questions, the revenue agent made the following statement to appellant:\n\n\"At this time, Mr. Benetti, it becomes my duty to advise you that under the Constitution you are not required to incriminate yourself, and to inform you that anything you say or documents you produce at this hearing can be used against you in any proceeding which may hereafter be undertaken by the Government. Do you fully understand?\"\n\nMr. Benetti answered: \"Yes.\"\n\nFurther, the Revenue Agent stated: \"It is the understanding that your answers to the questions propounded to you will be entirely voluntarily, is that correct?\"\n\nMr. Benetti again answered: \"Yes.\"\n\nIn the course of this examination appellant admitted that he had been unlawfully engaged in the manufacture and sale of liquor from which he had made large profits. To reduce his income tax thereon he furnished statements of his expenses in connection with that business and of his sales. In the course of his deposition he also stated that his \"still\" had been seized by the Government, together with a considerable quantity of liquor. At the end of the deposition and just above his signature where appellant subscribed to the oath appears the following: \"I have carefully read the foregoing transcript of my testimony, pages one to thirty three inclusive, and state that it is a true and correct transcript and that the answers to the questions propounded therein are free and voluntary on my part.\"\n\nThe government agents testified that from the various sources of information they found that for the calendar year 1929, appellant had an unreported net income of $88,202.28; for the calendar year 1930, an unreported net income of $41,596.88; for the calendar year 1931, an unreported net income of $21,542.91, and that no tax had ever been paid on any of these amounts.\n\nIn addition to his admission that he had failed to report his true income in his returns for the years in question, he filed a protest to the report of the agents in which he admitted income far greater than he had reported.\n\n*266 At the trial appellant took the stand on his own behalf and when asked to explain this great difference between the net income he had reported, and the net income he actually had earned, he testified that in making out his income tax returns for the years in question, he had been assisted by Mr. E. J. Cooper, a Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, who had advised appellant that he need not make any return on the income derived from an unlawful business.\n\nThe jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged on all of the counts, judgment and sentence were pronounced by the court, from which this appeal.\n\nAlthough most of the argument on the appeal is devoted to the discussion of the legal implications and effect of an alleged unlawful search and seizure which occurred in connection with a violation of the National Prohibition Act by appellant, no evidence of any proceedings in that matter was offered in evidence, and none appears in the record. There is nothing here but the mere statements of counsel.\n\nIn this connection appellant assigns error based upon the failure of the court to instruct the jury to return a verdict of acquittal upon the ground that the evidence disclosed that defendant's constitutional rights had been violated in having been forced to incriminate himself. The summary of this assignment as printed in the brief is as follows:\n\n\"On August 3, 1932, the above named defendant, in a different and separate criminal prosecution by the Government, was indicted on three counts for an alleged violation of Sec. 37, F.C.C. [18 U.S.C.A. § 88], of the National Prohibition Act. The indictment was returned in the same Court as the instant case and all proceedings therein were heard and determined by the same presiding United States District Judge. The indictment was quashed, defendant dismissed, the evidence suppressed and the property seized and ordered returned to the defendant, through appropriate motions and petitions made therefor, upon the ground that the search of defendant's premises without a search warrant was unlawful and `that it was clear to the Court that the Constitutional rights of the defendant, Angelo Benetti, were invaded.'\"\n\nOn the grounds stated and before the Government had finished presenting its case, a motion was made for a directed verdict of acquittal. It was renewed when the government closed its case; at that time the court announced that the motion would be denied for the present and that it would be given further consideration. Appellant then took the stand and evidence was presented on his behalf. The motion was not renewed at the end of all the evidence. His failure to renew the motion for an instructed verdict would seem to bring the case within the rule that, having proceeded with the introduction of evidence, prior motions were waived and could only have been saved by renewing the application for a directed verdict at the end of all the testimony, which was not done. Goldberg v. United States, 5 Cir., 297 F. 98; Sacramento Suburban Fruit Lands Co. v. Melin, 9 Cir., 36 F.2d 907; McAdams v. United States, 8 Cir., 74 F.2d 37; Mutual Life Ins. Co. of New York v. Wells Fargo Bank & Union Trust Co., 9 Cir., 86 F.2d 585. Further, there is no evidence presented in this case that in some other case against appellant, there had occurred an unlawful search and seizure of property, or that this evidence had been suppressed and ordered returned; all this rests entirely on the mere statements of counsel.\n\nIt is a mistake to assume that the court must take judicial notice of these matters even if they could be discovered among the records of the District Court. In any event there is no proof of any of these facts in the record here before us. A District Court is not required to take judicial notice of prior litigation in the same court and generally proof thereof must be produced. Morse v. Lewis, 4 Cir., 54 F.2d 1027, 1029. To prepare a record upon which a review can be had, concerning matters involved in some prior litigation, it is necessary that evidence of the material parts of proceedings in the former case be offered and embodied therein. This court heretofore has held that it will not take judicial knowledge of prior litigation unless proof thereof appears in the record. National Surety Co. v. United States, 9 Cir., 29 F.2d 92, 97.\n\nAppellant's position here seems to be to assume that in some proceeding which could be found in the files of the trial court an unlawful search and seizure of defendant's property had taken place; that said files, which were not produced, would disclose that upon the trial of appellant on a charge of violating the National Prohibition Act in which this evidence, unlawfully seized, was offered, the trial court on being advised had suppressed the same and the *267 prosecution had failed; that because of such proceedings, the appellant became immune from ever being proceeded against for any violation of law whatever which was in any manner connected with or grew out of, any unlawful dealings in liquor, and that in this case particularly he could not be prosecuted for unlawfully evading payment of the tax upon his income which he derived from the illegal sale of liquor.\n\nAs supporting his position, appellant cites Counselman v. Hitchcock, 142 U.S. 547, 12 S. Ct. 195, 35 L. Ed. 1110; Silverthorne Lumber Co. v. United States, 251 U.S. 385, 40 S. Ct. 182, 64 L. Ed. 319, 24 A. L.R. 1426; Gouled v. United States, 255 U.S. 298, 41 S. Ct. 261, 65 L. Ed. 647. These authorities do not support any such extreme contention as is here made. In these cases it was sought to make use of the very evidence that had been suppressed. There was nothing of that kind in this case. Here the most that could be said was that, as a result of the unlawful seizure, the government was made aware that appellant was illegally engaged in selling intoxicating liquor which aroused suspicion that appellant was evading full payment of his income tax. That this caused the investigation whereby the government came into possession of other perfectly legal evidence which was in every way competent and admissible, unless appellant's claim of immunity is sustained.\n\nThe appellant told the agents that several years before the investigation there had been a seizure of liquor. The agents made no effort to determine whether the seizure was lawful or illegal, as this was of no importance to them in their investigation of appellant's income. No evidence of the alleged unlawful search and seizure was offered by the government. No evidence of it was offered by appellant. There was no showing as to any prior action or of any connection between this prosecution and a prior charge of violating the prohibition act.\n\nEven if the crime for which appellant was indicted was revealed by an illegal search and seizure in another case, he would not be immune from prosecution and his conviction cannot be set aside if sustained by evidence obtained from independent sources and no evidence illegally seized was used against him. Constitutional provisions forbidding the use of evidence secured in an illegal way are not to be construed to mean that the facts thus disclosed are forever inaccessible. In the opinion in Silverthorne Lumber Co. v. United States, 251 U.S. 385, 40 S. Ct. 182, 64 L. Ed. 319, 24 A.L.R. 1426, relied upon by appellant, there is language used by Justice Holmes which sustains this view. At page 392, 40 S.Ct. at page 183, it was said:\n\n\nIn addition to the claim of immunity under the Constitution, appellant also claims immunity under provisions of the National Prohibition Act, 27 U.S.C.A. § 1 et seq., the Interstate Commerce Act, 49 U.S.C.A. § 1 et seq., and the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C.A. § 41 et seq. Similarly there is no merit in any of these contentions.\n\nAppellant appeared before the agents voluntarily, and, after being sworn and before giving any testimony, he was advised of his constitutional rights, and also that anything he said or any documents which he produced could be used against him. He stated that his answers would be free and voluntary. He reiterated this after his testimony was concluded and before he signed the statement. Had he been summoned to appear involuntarily, he, nevertheless, would have no right to complain here for the reason that he did not claim any privilege of immunity. He therefore waived it. Such claim now comes too late. United States v. Sullivan, 274 U.S. 259, 47 S. Ct. 607, 71 L. Ed. 1037, 51 A.L.R. 1020; United States v. Murdock, 284 U.S. 141, 52 S. Ct. 63, 76 L. Ed. 210, 82 A.L.R. 1376.\n\nAnother assignment of error is to the effect that: \"The Court erred in overruling objections interposed in certain of the cross-examination of the defendant with respect to defendant's motives and intentions regarding his alleged infraction of the so-called Prohibition Law, an entirely different, separate and distinct offense, for which he had been previously indicted and which indictment had been quashed by the Court, and the defendant exonerated and permitted to go free of said charge.\"\n\nConsiderable testimony given on the trial preceding the objections and discussed *268 in connection therewith in the District Court is printed in the record. Most of it has no relevancy and to reproduce it here would serve no purpose. It is sufficient to point out as heretofore noted that there was no testimony anywhere in the record that the defendant had been previously indicted, or that the indictment had been quashed, or that the defendant had been exonerated. In fact the record shows that a question asked of defendant as to his motives with respect to the law of bootlegging was objected to and excluded.\n\nThe manner in which the error here urged came into the record is as follows: Appellant, called as a witness in his own behalf, on direct examination was asked:\n\n\"Did you have any will or desire at any time that you filed these returns to defraud the government out of anything? A. Never.\"\n\n\n* * * *\n\n\"Q. Did you have any bad motive at all when you filed your income tax returns over these years, including 1929, 1930, 1931? A. No, I didn't have any bad motives.\"\n\nOn cross-examination defendant was asked:\n\n\"Mr. Benetti, you testified as a matter of fact, in your direct examination, that you never intended to defraud the Government. Is that correct?\"\n\nObjection was made and after discussion the Court suggested that the question be reframed. Defendant was then asked:\n\n\"Mr. Benetti, was it your intent to defraud the Government? A. I had no intention.\"\n\nAfter the question had been answered an objection was made and the objection overruled but no exception to the ruling is noted in the record. Defendant was then asked on further cross-examination: \"Was it your intention to be an honest, law-abiding citizen?\" which was objected to as being incompetent and irrelevant and not addressed to this particular issue. The objection was overruled and an exception lodged.\n\nThen the following occurred:\n\n\"Mr. Platt: And we assign the ruling as prejudicial error, upon the ground that counsel is attempting to prejudice the jury for the reason that this defendant has once been indicted for a violation of the Prohibition Law, that although he has since been exonerated\n\n\"The Court: Neither of those matters are before the Court.\n\n\"Judge Carville [U. S. Attorney]: That isn't before the Court at all.\n\n\"Mr. Platt: We assign it as prejudicial error, if the Court please, upon the ground that inquiries with respect to any alleged violation of the Prohibition Laws are foreign to the issues involved in this particular case, and the only purpose is to prejudice the jury against this defendant.\n\n\"Mr. Craven [Attny. for the Government]: I wish it to be expressly understood that we are not inquiring in regard to the violation of the Prohibition Act, but are inquiring in regard to the violation of the Internal Revenue Law and further to impeach this defendant.\n\n\"(Question read)\n\n\"The Court: Answer the question.\"\n\nOn further cross-examination the following occurred:\n\n\"Q. Do you remember, Mr. Benetti, in any conversation you had with Mr. Chase that he asked you to make a full disclosure of all of your income?\n\n\"Mr. Platt: Objected to on the ground it is assuming something not in evidence. The Government put on all these witnesses and I challenge them to find in the record any testimony like that given by either one of these gentlemen.\n\n\"The Court: The objection to the question will be overruled.\n\n\"Mr. Platt: Exception noted.\"\n\nIt will be remembered that appellant on his direct examination had been interrogated and given testimony as to his motives and intentions in filing his income tax returns. These questions asked on cross-examination and objected to, as pointed out by the District Attorney, were for the purpose of ascertaining what appellant's motives were with regard to the violations of the Internal Revenue Law and that no inquiries were being made in regard to violations of the Prohibition Act. The questions asked were within the scope of the cross-examination and related to matters brought out on direct examination.\n\nError is also predicated upon certain statements made by counsel for the government, upon the argument to the jury. The evidence of appellant admitted that he was a bootlegger; that he had derived income from that business; that he had not reported said income in his tax returns, claiming *269 that he had omitted to do so, in good faith, having been told by Mr. Cooper, a Revenue Agent, who had died before the trial, that appellant was not required to report income derived from any unlawful business. In addressing the jury, the government attorney said:\n\n\"Now, gentlemen, the court will instruct you that an officer of the Federal Government is presumed to have done his duties, and to have done his duties in a lawful manner, and, therefore, Mr. Cooper didn't tell Mr. Benetti that he didn't have to put his income from bootlegging business in his returns, although it is very convenient, gentlemen, to blame this on to a dead man, very convenient. * * * Now, as I said, the Court will instruct you Mr. Cooper was presumed to have done his duty and therefore didn't tell Mr. Benetti to violate the law.\n\n\"Mr. Platt: I submit is your Honor going to instruct the jury that Mr. Cooper was presumed to have done his duty and therefore did not tell Mr. Benetti this?\n\n\"The Court: I am going to instruct only in regard to the law and his duties.\n\n\"Mr. Platt: I therefore assign that as misstatement of conduct and prejudicial error.\"\n\nThen the Deputy United States Attorney continued as follows: \"The reason I have stated the Court will instruct you is the fact that the Court will instruct you Mr. Cooper was presumed to have done his duty, and therefore, if he did his duty, he did not tell him to keep that out of his returns. Isn't that logical? * * *\"\n\nFurther in his argument, the Deputy United States Attorney made the following statement:\n\n\"Gentlemen, in the evidence, Mr. Benetti states that he was a citizen of the United States and as such he takes oath to uphold the laws of the United States. Did Mr. Benetti do that? He admitted bootlegging. He swore that in this case and still, as a citizen of the United States he took oath to uphold the laws of the United States, and then he would have you believe he is the soul of honesty. I ask you to take that into consideration.\n\n\"Mr. Platt: We assign statement of counsel with respect to the fact Mr. Benetti admitted he was a bootlegger as misconduct and prejudicial error.\n\n\"Mr. Craven: Gentlemen, I told you at the outset we are not interested in the fact that Mr. Benetti was a bootlegger, not in the fact. We are interested in his income from bootlegging that is all, but you can take these things into consideration to determine his credibility.\"\n\nThe argument of government counsel that the deceased Revenue Agent, Cooper, did not tell appellant that he need not report his income received from bootlegging, based upon the presumption that federal officers do their duty, was not improper comment upon the evidence. Johnson v. United States, 9 Cir., 247 F. 92; United States v. Chemical Foundation, D. C., 294 F. 300, affirmed, 3 Cir., 5 F.2d 191. Likewise the allusion to appellant's activities as a bootlegger, specifically limited as it was, furnishes no ground for reversal. Capone v. United States, 7 Cir., 51 F.2d 609, 76 A.L.R. 1534.\n\nIn this connection the Court instructed the jury as follows: \"You are further instructed that the presumption of law is that a public official, entrusted with a public duty, performs that duty in a lawful manner. This presumption in this case applied to the testimony given by the defendant, Angelo Benetti, concerning E. C. Cooper, a Collector of Internal Revenue, wherein he testifies Mr. Cooper told him he was not required to disclose in his income tax returns money or profits received by him on account of operation of illegal business. This presumption must be overcome by the defendant by competent evidence in this case, and in this particular case by the testimony of the defendant, to the extent that a reasonable doubt shall be raised in your minds as to whether the statement contributed [sic] to Cooper was made by him. The evidence discloses that Mr. Cooper is dead and is not available as a witness in this trial. This being so, the testimony of Benetti, of what Mr. Cooper told him, must be received by you with caution and the closest scrutiny and weighed by you in the light of all of the testimony and evidence in the case.\"\n\nAnd later at the request of appellant's counsel the court added the following: \"Oh yes. You are instructed that, in connection with the instructions heretofore given with respect to the duties of officers, the presumption that officers perform their duties, an officer who, thru a mistake of law or fact, did not carry out the duties of his office, would not necessarily there be guilty of a criminal offense. It would be only in the case of a wilful violation of the *270 duty of an officer in which the officer himself would be guilty. If you believe from the evidence that Cooper told the defendant, as testified to by the defendant, that he was not required to make a return, and that was a mistake upon the part of Mr. Cooper, then in no sense would Mr. Cooper be guilty. If it was not an honest mistake, then he, himself, would also be liable as violating the law. As before stated, the presumption is that officers perform their duties and that presumption prevails until it is overcome by the evidence satisfactory to the jury. So in determining that material point of the case, you are to consider, not only the testimony of the defendant, but the presumption of law surrounding the Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue.\"\n\nThese instructions of the court made clear to the jury the limitations they were to exercise in considering the admitted fact that appellant had been engaged in the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors and also served to indicate the proper application of the argument of government counsel in reference to these activities of appellant and also explained the presumption of law applicable to the testimony given by appellant concerning statements made to him by the deceased Revenue Agent, which pointed out the manner in which the argument of government counsel should be properly applied.\n\nError is also claimed in the failure of the court to give the following special instructions requested by the defendant.\n\n\"You are further instructed that there has been some testimony offered in the case with respect to an alleged violation by the defendant of the so-called `Prohibition Act.' I charge you that the defendant was acquitted of this alleged offense and that the indictment against him was quashed and dismissed.\n\n\"You are further instructed that no evidence concerning this alleged offense should in any particular at all prejudice you against Angelo Benetti, the defendant in the present case. It was determined by the Court that the Government had violated the fourth amendment of the Constitution of the United States through an unlawful search and seizure and that the defendant was entitled to go free.\n\n\"I further charge you that the fact of the indictment brought against him for an alleged violation of the prohibition law should not prejudice you at all in arriving at your verdict in the present case.\"\n\nAs heretofore pointed out there was no evidence offered by the defendant of any record of any such indictment for the alleged violation of the prohibition law or of any proceeding of search and seizure and nothing in relation thereto appears in this case except the voluntary statement made by defendant to the Revenue Agents that he had been engaged in the unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor from which he derived income. All the other matters set forth are merely the statements of counsel which are not evidence. In this regard the court instructed the jury as follows:\n\n\"You are further instructed that there has been some testimony offered in the case with respect to an alleged violation by the defendant of the National Prohibition Act. You are instructed that there is no evidence in this case of any conviction of the defendant of the violation of that Act. The fact, as shown by the evidence in this case, that the defendant for a time was engaged in the production of liquor and the sale thereof, during the time the National Prohibition Act was in force, is the only matter, so far as that act is concerned, which should be given any attention by the jury. The important point in this case is whether the defendant violated the provision of the law with respect to income tax report.\"\n\nAs the requested instruction embodied statements not correct in law and no exception having been taken to the instruction which was given, there is no error in this regard for us to review.\n\nDenial of a motion for new trial in this case was proper and ordinarily is not assignable error. Mutual Life Ins. Co. v. Wells Fargo Bank & Union Trust Co., 9 Cir., 86 F.2d 585.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.512313723564148}
{"content": "04/01/2013 08:20 am ET Updated Dec 06, 2017\n\nWisdom 2.0: The Rise of Compassionate Mindfulness = Heartfulness\n\nBy Deborah Rozman\n\nLast month, I had the honor of presenting with Arianna Huffington at Wisdom 2.0, a fascinating annual conference of some of the most innovative and caring minds and organizational leaders I've met. The mission of the conference is to address the challenge of not only living connected to one another through technology, but doing so in ways that benefit our own well-being and make us more effective at work and in the world.\n\n\nSpeakers included tech executives from LinkedIn, Google, Facebook and Twitter and mindfulness luminaries like Jon Kabat Zinn, Marianne Williamson and Jack Kornfield. I was delighted to discover that many in this eclectic array of speakers are realizing mindfulness heart qualities need to be brought into the workplace and into our daily lives. The high-tech world, the government and big business are starting to acknowledge that humans have a heart, and it's more than just a means to pump blood. There is actually a movement afoot. For example, Jeff Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn, talked about managing compassionately, and that his personal vision statement is to expand the world's collective wisdom and compassion.\n\nWhat HeartMath contributes to this important conversation about mindfulness as a lifestyle is the powerful addition of shifting from head to heart. So often when we talk about mindfulness, which starts with self-awareness of thoughts and feelings and holding attitudes of loving kindness, we don't always acknowledge that involves the heart.\n\nHow does the heart relate to mindfulness? Mindfulness is about being present to what you're feeling, thinking and sensing. Connecting to our hearts enables us to be in \"the heart of the moment,\" and if you don't want to get hooked into those thoughts and feelings, you let them pass through. Our research at HeartMath confirms that attuning to the heart can enhance mindfulness practice.\n\nAt HeartMath, we train people to first get into heart coherence -- generating a stable, sine-wavelike pattern in one's heart rhythms. When the heart rhythm is coherent, the body, including the brain/mind and nervous system, synchronize to the heart's coherent rhythm and we gain greater mental clarity and intuitive discernment, which improves our decision-making. You lose coherence when you're not present. Some mindfulness practitioners have reported how HeartMath's Inner Balance and emWave heart coherence feedback technology signals you when your mind starts to wander or go into a story and helps you maintain attention to the present.\n\nAlthough the heart and mind are in constant communication, we can intentionally align heart, mind and emotions with our spirit (higher self, higher intelligence, etc.) to increase self-awareness. When we experience sincere positive emotions, such as loving kindness, compassion or gratitude, the heart's rhythm becomes more coherent and harmonious. The heart's rhythm affects the brain and the entire body neurologically, biochemically, biophysically and energetically. You can learn to shift into this state of heart to bring your mind and emotions into harmonious alignment and have more access to intuitive discernment often in less than a minute. It can take a little practice to do this on demand, but it gets easier and quicker the more you do it.\n\n\nHere is how to get started in adding more heartfulness to your practice, using an adaptation of our Quick Coherence technique:\n\n  1. Shift your attention to the area of your heart.\n  2. Imagine your breath passing in and out through your heart area or the center of your chest as you slowly inhale and exhale.\n  3. Breathe in an attitude of calm and balance as if you were taking in an emotional tonic that takes off the rough edges. You can also try breathing in a feeling of loving kindness, gratitude or compassion -- or whatever attitude you find most soothing.\n  4. If you had been experiencing any tension or stress, you may feel former uncomfortable physical sensations replaced by comforting, relaxed ones.\n\nIn this state of heart coherence, you are now ready for your mindfulness or other meditation practice. I've found connecting with my heart in this way really helps me quiet my mind quicker than just observing it.\n\nAs I shared HeartMath's discoveries at Wisdom 2.0 on stage, many people in the audience looked inspired. Geshe Thupten Jinpa, the Dalai Lama's chief English translator of his books, seemed to be relating to everything I was saying as his head was bobbing up and down throughout my talk. And when I shared an old Indian saying, \"The longest journey a man (or woman) will ever take is the journey from head to heart,\" the whole audience nodded. Whatever wisdom practices the people in the audience used, there was a common feeling and understanding that the heart is where we are all going. So why not start there?\n\nMindfulness has been a mainstay of monasteries and esoteric schools for eons. What I think is happening now is its emergence into the mainstream, as regular people, leaders and organizations wake up to its incredible benefits for work, life, health, profitability and sustainability. My hope is that this quickening interest continues to recognize heart-based understanding and heartfulness as central to mindfulness.\n\ndebbie Deborah Rozman, Ph.D., is president and CEO of HeartMath LLC, located in Boulder Creek, Calif. HeartMath provides scientifically-validated and market-validated tools and technologies that activate the intelligence and power of the heart to dramatically reduce stress while empowering health, performance and behavioral change in individuals and organizations. HeartMath's award winning emWave® technologies monitor and provide real time feedback on heart rhythm (HRV) coherence levels, an important indicator of mental and emotional state. HeartMath also offers training and certification programs for organizations, health professionals and coaches, and a self-paced online personal development program called HeartMastery for individuals.\n\nDr. Rozman has been a psychologist in research and practice, entrepreneur and business executive for over 30 years. She was founding executive director of the Institute of HeartMath, and now serves on the Institute's Scientific Advisory Board and Global Coherence Initiative Steering Committee. She is co-author with HeartMath founder Doc Childre of the Transforming series of books (New Harbinger Publications): Transforming Anger, Transforming Stress, Transforming Anxiety and Transforming Depression. She is a key spokesperson on heart intelligence and the role of the heart in stress management, performance and wellness.\n\nFor more by HeartMath, click here.\n\nFor more on emotional wellness, click here.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5935466289520264}
{"content": "\n\nFBI Withholds Russia Probe Docs Requested by CongressThe FBI’s denial to cooperate is presented below:\n\nAccording to a statement by the Oversight Committee, “Chaffetz requested memos, notes, summaries, and recordings to assist in the Committee’s investigation of the FBI’s independence, and which are outside the scope of the Special Counsel’s investigation.”\n\nThe documents are due June 8, 2017, but that may not happen as it appears the FBI is suddenly unwilling to cooperate…\n\nOriginal Source", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9382098913192749}
{"content": "All staterooms include: two twin beds that are convertible to queen-size (unless stated otherwise) and sitting area. Specialty restaurant Blu a specialty restaurant featuring \"clean cuisine\" that also serves complimentary, full-service breakfast every day. Upgraded room service menu, only for AquaClass guests. Aromatherapy diffuser and Pillow menu. Reverie Dream Lite Mattress. (A1)\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7113697528839111}
{"content": "BIMCO has seen incidents, where ships suffer complete blackouts, and malfunctions in radar and other related systems, as a result of unforeseen difficulties with a software update. This means that absence of an industry-standard brings an increasing risk of incidents on ships, delays and costs to shipowners and cyber security problems. \n\n\"The industry has been living in a world of hardware. But software has been integrated into most physical equipment on the vessels, and the systems and procedures to manage the software has not kept up with technical developments, and it creates problems,\" says Angus Frew, Secretary General and CEO at BIMCO. \n\nThe goal of the Standard on Software Maintenance of Shipboard Equipment is to make sure software updates happen in a secure and systematic way, by increasing the visibility of the software installed on board, ensuring the effective planning of maintenance and ensuring effective communication between the different parties involved in maintaining the software. Keeping software up to date is also necessary to minimise hacking and malware problems. \n\n\n\nThe industry standard was made over a four-year period in collaboration with several industry leaders, such as BP Shipping, Maersk Line and Emarat Maritime. BIMCO and CIRM would like to see the standard become an ISO-standard. ISO has provisionally accepted the proposal. BIMCO expects a working group to complete the standard in 2021. \n\n\"We hope the entire industry will adopt these standards, to make ships safer, to prevent cyber security problems and to save money,\" says Mr. Frew.\n\nExplore more details herebelow:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.948006272315979}
{"content": "Solgar NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) 600mg Vegicaps 60\n\n\nProduct not available\n\n\nSolgar N.A.C. is an amino acid which may help to protect and improve liver function. It does this by helping to detoxify the body of heavy metals. It can also aid the body to remove excess mucous from the lungs. It is often recommended to take Vitamin C in conjunction with N.A.C.\n\n\nPeople use NAC for a variety of maladies. It's use has been promoted as a treatment for a variety of conditions including but not limited to; chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hay fever, a lung condition called fibrosing alveolitis, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used for treating some forms of epilepsy; ear infections; complications of kidney dialysis; chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome; preventing sports injury complications; radiation treatment; increasing immunity to flu and H1N1 (swine) flu; and for detoxifying heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. N-acetyl cysteine is also used for preventing alcoholic liver damage; for protecting against environmental pollutants including carbon monoxide, chloroform, urethanes and certain herbicides; for reducing toxicity of ifosfamide and doxorubicin, drugs that are used for cancer treatment; as a hangover remedy; for preventing kidney damage due to certain X-ray dyes; and for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).\n\nThis food supplement is suitable for vegans.\n\n\nOne capsule daily.\n\n\n\n\n\nBRAND Solgar\nFORM Vegicaps\nCountry of Origin United States", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7558282613754272}
{"content": "Challenges of Preserving a Multimedia Installation\n\nChallenges of Preserving a Multimedia Installation\n\nThursday 7 December 2017\n\nEarlier this year, in January, students of the MA ‘Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image’ were presented with four different case studies. Each project was introduced by a specialist from EYE, under whose supervision a group of four to five students would dedicate their time for the duration of four weeks. The following report describes one of those projects: Moving Pictures.\n\nRien Hagen standing inside his installation, 1995 (one of five available photographs that depict the actual installation as it once was).\n\nMoving Pictures\n\nMoving Pictures is the name of an installation by Rien Hagen, which was on display, together with two other installations, during the two-week exhibition 500 Years of Film, in the Theater aan het Spui in November 1995. The exhibition was organized by the Cinematheek Haags Filmhuis, which hosted an accompanying two-day conference, inviting a variety of speakers who, through a series of lectures and debates, reflected on the state of cinema as it celebrated its centenary.\n\nHagen’s installation was inspired by, or even based on, Anne Hollander’s book Moving Pictures. Hollander, an art historian, gave permission to use the title of her book for the installation and was present herself during the conference and opening of the exhibition. In her book, Hollander describes the birth and rise of cinema not merely as a technological invention, but above all as the continuation of a specific form of imagery that was established by Northern-European painters. She argues that these painters suggested, by using a variety of techniques, that there was a world beyond the physical frame of the painting, resulting in a form of imagery that can or should be considered proto-cinematic. By projecting some of these proto-cinematic paintings in conjunction with famous excerpts from films, Hagen wanted to highlight the connection between proto- and contemporary cinema in his installation.\n\nRemnants of the Past\n\nRough first sketch of the installation, the final screens would measure 11 metres wide and 4 metres high.\n\nOur project evolved around the question how such an installation, which now merely exists in parts and on paper, could be best preserved, effectively enabling the possibility of a future reconstruction that mimics, or at least approaches, the experience of the past visitor. The following sources were available to us from the outset:\n\n  • - 192 framed slides.\n  • - Over 300 slide duplicates.\n  • - 10 cans of 16mm film positives.\n  • - 4 cans of 16mm film, A-B negative rolls (8 rolls in total).\n  • - 2 Hi 8 tapes, which were solely used to record 8 tracks of audio.\n  • - 1 compact cassette.\n  • - A post-production script.\n  • - A printed sequence of all images, moving and still (sometimes referred to as a timeline).\n  • - 5 photographs of the installation (from 1995).\n\nFramed slides, originals and backups.\n\nThe photographs of the installation provided an entry point for our research. The installation consisted of four dark transparent screens, which allowed backlit projection, creating a square room which could be entered from one of the corners. Each screen, or wall, could have still images projected onto it at four different locations. Besides these still images, the photographs made clear that film could be projected at the centre of each screen. This indicated that there would have been at least sixteen slide projectors, four per screen, and four 16mm film projectors, one behind each screen. A schemata, acquired at a later stage of our research, confirmed this setup.\n\nSchemata of the installation showing various projector locations.\n\nThe framed slides, which were used in the actual installation, bear handwritten annotations that indicate trough a letter on which wall each slide was projected (A, B, C or D). Next to this letter a number was written, ranging from 1 to 4, specifying the exact location on the wall where the image was to be projected.\n\nExample of a series of slides which were all projected on the same wall. Because of the handwritten annotations, it was decided to preserve these slides as a whole, including the frames.\n\nThe 16mm positives did not contain many images, some rolls were even completely void. It was to be expected that the actual film rolls used for the installation would contain a lot of black material, since there were four different film projectors, and often there would be no film projected at all during the runtime of the installation. However, none of the prints would match the sequence of images, as provided by the film related documentation, at a specific wall,. The A-B negatives proved to be more promising. There were four cans in total (now eight, for the rolls have been re-canned individually), which all included an A and B roll. The cans were labelled A to D, and the images on the negatives did in fact correspond to the image locations as provided by the timeline. There was however a slight discrepancy between the timestamps in the timeline and the ones provided by the Steenbeck’s counter while viewing the material. Nevertheless, it is very likely that the A-B negatives were in fact used to create the final prints that were projected. The negatives were in excellent condition and would only need dust removal before being processed once more.\n\nSeveral cans containing 16mm positives or A-B negative rolls.\n\nThe compact cassette contained three citations of poems which would accompany specific images while the installation was running. The cassette itself was not used during the installation and should be considered working material. However, the Hi 8 tapes (one being a backup) were used for the installation. This carrier, as we later learned, was chosen because of two reasons. First, the production team simply had access to this specific technology at that time, which made the choice cost efficient. Second, this carrier was able to contain eight separate sound tracks, delivering stereo sound to each individual wall.\n\nThe Tascam DA-88 (left), which was used to produce and read the Hi 8 tapes (right) of the installation. Nico Bunnik, who originally worked on the sound for Hagen’s installation, maintained the unit in his studio and was able to digitize the Hi 8 tape for us twenty-two years later.\n\nCataloguing and Scanning\n\nIn order to preserve both material and concept, it was decided to catalogue all slides, including detailed descriptions in EYE’s collection database. There were over 300, non-framed, acetate positive duplicate prints of the slides. For the sake of preservation, all duplicates have been transferred to acid-free folders, while the framed slides that were broken had their glass removed and its folder cleaned thoroughly by a cotton swab. In consultation with EYE specialists it was decided that the originally used slides would remain in their frames, for the annotations on these frames are valuable to the concept and should be preserved as well. Logically, the duplicates were used for scanning purposes, they had never been used in the installation and proved to be in better overall condition.\n\nThe time-consuming task of organizing over hundreds of slides. Connecting each slide to a specific wall and position of the installation proved to be a daunting task.\n\nOrganized and catalogued slides, transferred to acid-free folders, ready for their trip to the vault.\n\nConnecting the Dots\n\nEven though all content-material seemed to be available, many questions remained, especially concerning the physical and technical setup of the installation. Dealing with a media art-installation, the logical next step was to contact the artist himself, not only to gather missing technological information, but also to focus on the ethics that are involved during a possible re-installation of the work. In other words, to discover and determine what could be considered the essential characteristics of the installation. Rien Hagen suggested to also contact Gerard Holthuis and Nico Bunnik, who were involved with the installation’s production and sound, respectively.\n\nDuring a variety of interviews a great deal of information was gathered which allowed us to fill in most of the gaps that were still there. Besides specific technical details on, for example, the way in which sound and images were synced or why and how different lenses were used for the slide projectors, Holthuis was able to provide us with a much more detailed production script than we originally had access to. This addition made it possible to finalize an exact timeline.\n\nExcerpt from the production script as provided by Gerard Holthuis. Besides connecting sound and image, it also specifies the location on the screen/wall where an image was to be projected.\n\nRegarding a possible reconstruction of the installation opinions differed. According to Bunnik a reinstallation should ideally be fully analogue, especially the slide projectors, for he identifies the analogue setup as a unique attribute that added to the overall experience of the artwork. In contrast, Hagen and Holthuis argued that if they had had the means in 1995 to produce the installation digitally, they would have chosen to do so. To them, the noise produced by the analogue apparatus was distractive and interfered with the overall experience. Hagen defines specific aspects, like the dimensions of the screens and projections, the fact that the apparatus was hidden from the inside of the installation and the actual content as key components that should not be tempered with.\n\nIt’s logical that the content plays a defining role, but to what extend are its delivering mechanisms hands-off? If an artist states that his or her intended goals would have been better served by newer technologies, should one embrace such alterations and implement them in future editions? One might argue that such a deviation automatically leads to a different work of art. Following a similar, yet slightly different, line of argumentation one could assert that especially now, in an era where the digital has seemingly taken over, a return to the analogue apparatus would add an extra dimension to the historical exploration of cinematographic aspects as was investigated by Hagen’s installation in the first place.\n\nThe difference between preserving a film and a multimedia installation is primarily that an installation demands the safeguarding of a concept as well. A film may already be accompanied by a variety of film related material, such as posters, catalogues, scripts and photographs, to name a few. A multimedia installation, such as the one described above, potentially multiplies this accumulation of related materials and inscribes them with a certain necessity. Not only do they add something external to its subject, they may provide specific context that is crucial for a possible future reestablishment of the work, its body and meaning.\n\nResearch by: Aldo van Keulen, Fatma Amer, Costanza Lo Cicero and Katia Rossini\nWritten by: Aldo van Keulen", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7022719979286194}
{"content": "Ask A Lawyer\n\nTell Us Your Case Information for Fastest Lawyer Match!\n\n\n\n\nby Jonathan David Gordon on Dec. 04, 2017\n\nDivorce & Family Law \n\n\nYour injustice may be someone else’s fair outcome. Sometimes in litigation, when a settlement is not possible, a Judge will make a decision based on the facts and the application of those facts to the Law.  In Family Court, the facts can be disputed and create ambiguity for a Judge. If facts are disputed and there has been no presentation of definitive and convincing proof in a motion hearing, then a Judge will often be forced to schedule a plenary hearing or trial on those disputed facts.  The trial is different from oral argument in a motion hearing since in a trial, there is sworn testimony and evidence may be used as proof of the proposition being asserted by the parties.  Witnesses may be sworn in and testimony is subject to cross examination. The rules of evidence will control what the Judge will admit into evidence and ultimately, at the end of this hearing, the Judge will decide the issue and make findings of fact as well as conclusions of Law.  Frequently, the Judge will strike a compromise position, giving something and denying something to both parties if it seems like the fair thing to do.  Sometimes, but much less frequently, one party will get a “home run” and totally prevail in the Court’s findings.\n\n        It is not unusual for the losing party to be upset or to believe that the court’s finding was unjust, wrong or biased.  In New Jersey where I practice, there are mechanisms for having another look at the issue just decided. For example, a party may submit a motion for reconsideration.  This has to be applied for within 20 days of the Court Order that is being contested and cannot simply be for the reason that the party did not like the Judge’s decision.   Rather, among other things, a party would have to show the Court that the Judge omitted some important fact or misapplied the Law to these facts. Also, if there is brand-new information that just became available, that had it been previously submitted to the Court would have resulted in a different outcome, then this would be appropriate to  reconsider.  Being unhappy with the decision, however, is not a basis to file this motion.\n\n        If a party is not able to get relief through a motion for reconsideration, an appeal may be considered.  In fact, when applying for an appeal (e.g. to the Appellate Division), you will be asked on the Notice of Appeal if you already submitted a motion for reconsideration or a motion to Stay Judgment (pending appeal) and if it was already rejected.  You have 45 days from the day of the original order to submit the Notice of Appeal. Otherwise, it is generally too late to appeal.  In Family Court, most appeals fail and the Appellate Division will affirm the decision of the court below.  Part of that is because the Appellate Division gives much deference to the Family Court Judge. This is due to the fact that the judge has expertise in this area and had the benefit of being there, hearing the arguments first hand and being able to make credibility determinations in the process of rendering a decision. The Family Part Judge has a certain amount of discretion to make a decision based on what the Judge deems to be appropriate and just.  The Appellate Division will send the case back to the trial judge (remand) or reverse the decision below if (among other things) the Appellate Judges believe that the Judge abused their discretion (went too far).  Or, the Appellate Division will reverse and remand, or simply reverse if the Judge made an error of Law.  These are simplifications, designed to give you a basic idea of the process. There are different ways that the Appellate Division will review a Judge’s decision, with different standards or criteria for making their determination, as requested by the petitioner, but this is not the purpose of the current explanation.\n\n        Regarding justice and fairness, a Judge (at the trial level, rather than the Appellate level) will occasionally make a decision based on fairness or “equity”.  In New Jersey, the Family Court is a section of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court and is considered to be a “Court of Equity”. This means that at times, when there is no clear rule of Law that compels a Judge to rule a certain way, a Judge may decide an issue based on what is fair to do. This is usually found in financial issues, where a party may be repaid or at least partially compensated for expenses they previously incurred, because it is the right thing to do, to resolve a case. But a Judge also has the discretion to decline to do that based on other determinations (e.g. the party seeking to be compensated had “unclean hands” or some culpability or bad behavior).\n\n        Justice from the point of view of the litigant may be self-centered. That is, if I lose my argument or application, then it is unjust by (my) definition.  A party can be passionate and sincerely believe that they are right and deserving (to win) but a Judge may disagree based on the totality of all of the circumstances and from a more objective outside perspective. At times, I have heard my clients or adverse clients (the other party) complain that the Judge was corrupt, a friend of the other lawyer, biased, or unintelligent.  It is difficult to defend a Judge to one’s own client, especially when the client is unhappy over a decision that the Judge made, but it is highly unlikely that the Judge was corrupt, or biased or influenced by friendship with a particular lawyer. Judges are not unintelligent.  Maybe sometimes they are impatient, or overworked, or they have had enough of the petty bickering that they hear in a particular case. It has happened, however, that on a rare occasion when there is an actual bias or appearance of bias, that the Appellate Division or even the Judicial Ethics Committee, might step in.  This, however, is something that is rarely, if ever, seen by an attorney perhaps in an entire career. That does not mean that it does not, or could not happen, however.\n\n        In certain areas of Law, there may be a bias that seems unfair. For example, in Child Protective Services (CPS) cases, the Judge usually sides with the Deputy Attorney General (the lawyer representing the CPS agency) in New Jersey, The Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P).  Even when the Division has no case, has a flimsy set of facts, most Judges will usually defer to the Deputy Attorney General (D.A.G.)’s arguments, as well as the Court-appointed Law Guardian for the child, and err on the side of caution due to concerns about the safety of the child.  Since in New Jersey (and elsewhere) the Court has the power to make decisions as a parent (parens patriae powers), then a Judge can at least temporarily change custody of a child, kick a parent out of the house until a further determination is made, and can continue the case for up to a year until it either gets dismissed of goes further if appropriate.  That means that for a small minority of parents who are wrongfully accused of abuse or neglect of a child, that they are treated as guilty until proven innocent later on.  The allegations made by the Division can be later discredited at trial, but the trial can take 3 to 6 months to begin after the initial Complaint is submitted. For a parent who did not commit an act of abuse or neglect, but is accused of doing so, that parent may have to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending themselves (if they do not qualify for public defender) and in the interim, may have to sleep on someone’s couch if they were ordered to leave their home (leaving the child in the care of the other parent or another relative). I had a case like this where the father lived in his car for months until the case was dismissed in his favor.  Parenting time can be ordered to be supervised only, or infrequently allowed, such as every other week for a couple hours. That targeted parent may have to submit to a battery of psychological tests, substance abuse assessments, and perhaps submit to treatment (even before a diagnosis is rendered).  The treatment that may be ordered can include anger management training and parenting skills training.  The assessments may be over-broad and essentially can become a fishing expedition to find some reason why the child should not be in the care of that parent.  The CPS workers generally do not back down, assuming that the parent is “guilty” and that they should receive only supervised parenting time and go for treatment.  Ultimately, that is for a Judge to decide, but the process moves slowly and the Judges usually will go along with the recommendations of the Division and Law Guardian (who usually are in agreement with each other).\n\n        The purpose of describing this latter issue in CPS cases, is that for a parent who is unjustly accused of child abuse or neglect, much damage can be done. This can be psychological, financial, and certainly to the parent-child relationship.  A child’s behavior can deteriorate with the sudden inexplicable absence of a parent with whom they are bonded.  A parent can be forced to go for treatment for a “condition” for which they were not (yet) diagnosed, and their compliance with the treatment and court-ordered assessments will be used to later decide when or if the parent and child can go back to normal.  It is a very difficult area of Law, replete with unfairness when a client has not been abusive or neglectful to their child.  Importantly, however, most of the allegations of child abuse or neglect turn out to be real, the protections of the State are clearly necessary, and children’s lives are often salvaged or saved by the efforts of the child protective services and the Court.  We are only speaking here of the times when an innocent parent is swept up into the system that assumes that they are not so innocent.  That is a painful process for that particular parent or family.\n\n        Justice and fairness is usually accomplished in Family Court.  There are many variables to juggle, including the financial issues, credits due a party, child support and alimony, equitable distribution, anticipated retirement age, and most importantly, the best interests and safety of any children.  Arriving at custody and parenting time decisions is sometimes a daunting task, requiring expert assessments.  All of this takes time, money and the desire to settle the issues through negotiations.  If the parties can negotiate and make compromises, they may be able to reach a fair settlement without going to trial. They can save money on legal fees and maintain a civil, cooperative relationship for the benefit of any children they may have. Then the parties do not have to be so concerned with justice and what is fair. They can mediate their issues make decisions themselves without a Judge having to intercede.  When the parties cannot agree, cannot make decisions amicably, and continue to fight with each other, a Judge will make the decision(s) for them and this will open the door to a party feeling that they were judged unfairly.  It is better to avoid this by making a conscious decision to work out an agreement, even if not totally satisfactory.  A good agreement requires compromise, sacrifice and the ability to keep things in perspective.  That is not easy, but the results can make the effort very worthwhile. On the other hand, being self-righteous, angry, feeling victimized, needing to malign and put down the other party invariably leads to more litigation, more legal fees, and the likelihood of feeling that you did not get a fair shake in court.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8490884304046631}
{"content": "A portrait of Jesus Christ that has been hanging in an Ohio public middle school since the 1940s is once again garnering national headlines. The school district reportedly moved the portrait earlier this week from the middle school to a local high school.\n\nA lawsuit filed early this year against the school district by three anonymous students alleges that the portrait of Jesus was a gift to the school by a Christian student club and is therefore the school’s speech. Because it is religious in nature and there is no secular purpose for hanging the picture, the lawsuit argues that hanging it in the school violates the First Amendment’s prohibition against establishment of religion. In February, the school board voted to allow the picture to remain despite the lawsuit, saying that the portrait is not owned by the school but rather belongs to a Christian student club. The recent move of the portrait to a new school purportedly was a decision of the student club, not the school. The school suggested that removing the portrait would violate the First Amendment rights of the students in the Christian club. Which side is right?\n\nThere is not an easy answer, as is often the case with religious school speech questions. A first important consideration will be the context in which the portrait is hung. As the ACLU’s initial letter to the Ohio school district explained, courts are generally skeptical of religious displays, including religious works of art, that appear to be government sponsored unless there is a clear secular purpose behind the display. Examples of secular displays might include a display that includes art work from a number of different religions in an effort to teach students about the impact of religion on art or a display in which students are allowed to hang photographs of their choice and a student submits a religious photograph for the display. In contrast, courts have held particular works of art to violate the Establishment Clause where they are relatively isolated from other government-sponsored displays. The ACLU’s letter alleged that the Jesus portrait at issue here was not in a larger display of “world-renowned historical or religious figures,” and rather was hung in the middle school near portraits of alumni of the school. If those facts are true, and if the move to the high school did not remedy the problem, a court would be much more likely to find the portrait to be unconstitutional.\n\nA second issue that will be considered is whether the portrait really was a gift by a student club to the school district or, as the school now maintains, the student club retained ownership and control over the portrait for the past 65 years. In a 1994 case from the Sixth Circuit—the highest appellate court with jurisdiction over Ohio as well as Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee—the court held that a nearly identical portrait of Jesus that had been donated to the school was unconstitutional because it was neither part of a group of paintings nor used in conjunction with any class or educational program. Washegesic v. Bloomingdale Public Schools, 33 F.3d 679, 681 (6th Cir. 1994). Under that precedent, if the Jesus portrait at issue here truly has been under the control of the school for decades, the portrait may be unconstitutional. A more difficult question exists, however, if the portrait is seen to be the speech of the Christian club. If so, the court will likely consider whether the school district has truly opened up a forum for all organizations and clubs to hang similar works of art or materials relevant to their missions, or if the claim that such a forum exists is pretense for supporting just this specific Christian speech.\n\nIn light of the school district’s decisions to allow the portrait to remain and to move the portrait to another public school in the district, it seems likely that litigation on this issue will continue. The case is an important reminder to schools that care should be taken with respect to religious displays in schools. Although such displays are permissible, and may, depending on the context, even be required, schools should be confident that such displays do not constitute an unconstitutional establishment of religion before allowing them.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8673788905143738}
{"content": "Jellyfish Take Carbon To The Ocean Floor\n\npyrisome sea squirt tunicate photo\n\n\"Pyrosomes are colonial tunicates, animals related to sea squirts, that look like fuzzy paint rollers, with individuals arranged around a hollow tubular center. This one has a spiny single-celled animal called a radiolarian, hitching a ride at one end.\"\nImage credit:Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution\n\nEco-idealogs commonly characterize iron seeding proposals, which are intended to renew marine plankton growth, thus scouring more carbon from the atmosphere, as either unethical or ineffectual. The serial negativism about iron seeding amounts to spinning scientific uncertainty. Every new research report \"proves\" the negative (just like it does with climate deniers). If this isn't making sense for you, please see my earlier post: Anti-Science Environmentalism: Iron Seeding Experiment Protested...Again. Then read on about the role of jellyfish in consuming plankton and then pulling atmospherically-originating carbon into the ocean depths. Envirtonmental Research Web reports on a study which documents that Jellies fast track carbon to the seafloor. From the article:-\n\nMario Lebrato and Dr Daniel Jones of the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton have just published an account of the rapid mass transport of carbon to the deep-sea floor in the bodies of jellyfish-like creatures called pyrosomes. Their findings provide new insights into the way we understand carbon processes at large-scales, and demonstrate the importance of gelatinous zooplankton carcasses in the functioning of benthic (seafloor) ecosystems.\n\nBecause of the absence of light, deep-sea benthic ecosystems largely depend on the export of organic carbon from the sunlit surface waters. Much of this carbon comes from the remains of phytoplankton, the tiny plant-like micro-organisms that dominate primary production in the oceans, as well as the dead bodies and faecal pellets of the animals – zooplankton – that graze on them. The input of carbon to the deep sea is usually estimated using sediment traps, but they miss carbon from other organisms such as jellyfish and other gelatinous marine creatures. The ecological and biogeochemical significance of such additional carbon inputs has been difficult to estimate, but should not be ignored. It has been overlooked in biogeochemical models,....\n\nWhy does this entire discussion remind me of that childhood favorite, A Fly Went By, in which a boy figures out the chain of events in which something 'attacks' a man, who chases the fox, who follows the cow, who stalks the pig, who ambushes the dog, who races after the cat ,who pursues the frog, who hops after the fly?\n\nIron seeding renews the entire marine food chain: not just plankton.\n\nI love that phrase rapid mass transport of carbon. Exactly what the doctor ordered: get Planet Earth into the ER, and therein stabilized for further diagnosis and treatment.\n\nRelated posts on TreeHugger.\nRising CO2 Levels Alter Plant Growth World Wide: Human ...\nIron Fertilization Experiment Proves Geo-engineering Unpredictable ...\nChicken Little On Climate Stage In Dual Role: Playing ...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9534014463424683}
{"content": "Inscriere cercetatori\n\nPerioada scursă de la depunerea aplicațiilor\n\nProiecte de cercetare postdoctorala (PD)\n\nProiecte complexe de cercetare de frontiera (PCCF)\n\nSite nou !\n\n\n\n8-Valent Fuzzy Logic for Iris Recognition and Biometry\n\n\nAutori: N. Popescu-Bodorin, V.E. Balas, I.M. Motoc\n\nEditorial: IEEE Press, Proc. 5th IEEE Int. Symp. on Computational Intelligence and Intelligent Informatics, p.149-154, 2011.\n\n\nThis paper shows that maintaining logical consistency of an iris recognition system is a matter of finding a suitable partitioning of the input space in enrollable and unenrollable pairs by negotiating the user comfort and the safety of the biometric system. In other words, consistent enrollment is mandatory in order to preserve system consistency. A fuzzy 3valent disambiguated model of iris recognition is proposed and analyzed in terms of completeness, consistency, user comfort and biometric safety. It is also shown here that the fuzzy 3valent model of iris recognition is hosted by an 8valent Boolean algebra of modulo 8 integers that represents the computational formalization in which a biometric system (a software agent) can achieve the artificial understanding of iris recognition in a logically consistent manner.\n\nCuvinte cheie: iris recognition, fuzzy logic, biometry // iris recognition, fuzzy logic, biometry\n\nURL: http://fmi.spiruharet.ro/bodorin/articles/2011-fm-bodorin-balas-motoc-1.pdf", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5205867886543274}
{"content": "Videos of uterine fibroids - fibroids and bloating after eating\n\nvideos of uterine fibroids\n\nherbal remedies to shrink uterine fibroids videos of uterine fibroids\n\nRelated indications with submucosal fibroids incorporate substantial, over the top menstrual draining and delayed feminine cycle. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before having Zoladex. Fibroids are very sensitive to estrogen , as a result, they grow during the child bearing years, enlarge during pregnancy and tend to shrink or disappear after can red clover reduce fibroids menopause when there is decrease in the hormone production. During focused ultrasound surgery, high-frequency, can red clover reduce fibroids high-energy sound waves are used to target and destroy uterine fibroids. I am now pregnant and have 3 fibroid tumors I am 10 weeks and everything is going fine.\n\nMale hormone derivatives work definition ultrasound images of fibroid uterus by suppressing hormone videos of uterine fibroids release from the pituitary gland and the ovaries. One cyst will become the dominant follicle and stop the other follicles from growing. Notes: Due to the oil increasing circulation, you may want to avoid using the oil during your period if you tend to have a heavier flow. In separate studies, scientists at Harvard and New York`s Albert Einstein College of Medicine confirm the value of carotenoid-rich diets even for women with deadly invasive breast cancer. A single full-term pregnancy lowers the risk by about 40%, and each subsequent pregnancy decreases it somewhat more. Vincent Lamaro: So one of the things is the understanding the biology of fibroids. These are channels which carry female reproductive functions.Vitiated doshas mainly kapha videos of uterine fibroids associated with vata and pitta causes deposition and accumulation of mucus and blood along with inner surface of garbhashaya to form uterine fibroids or called Granthi fibroids in pregnancy should i be worried about isis or Arbuda in Ayurveda. Symptoms start when an ectopic pregnancy grows so large that it ruptures out of the tube that contains it. Li JX, Zhang HZ. Treatment for adenomyosis depends in part on your symptoms, their severity, and whether you have completed childbearing.\n\ntreatment of submucosal fibroids Treatment of uterine fibroids using medication involves hormonal drugs, which can change the hormonal levels in the body. The most important thing about this natural cure is that is absolutely safe when is surgery needed for uterine fibroids and inexpensive. This supplement should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise program. In general, only about 30% of women are suitable for treatment after the MRI assessment. A submucosal fibroid can cause a period to be heavier and make menstruation more unpleasant and painful. Unfortunately, there is a significant risk of recurrence of fibroids after myomectomy; in some studies up to 10% of women who underwent an initial myomectomy required a second major operative procedure. Fibroids definitely have a negative impact on daily life for women who experience extreme pain or nausea.\n\nvideos of uterine fibroids fibroid images in ultrasounds\n\nextra virgin olive oil and fibroids\n\nRecent research has shown metformin to have other positive effects, such as decreased body mass and improved cholesterol levels. Great to read this blog because I have has several unfortunate events occur this year and I do believe I never properly released and healed from them. Uterine manipulators are inserted vaginally to help move pelvic structures therefore allowing greater accessibility. The body can synthesize its own vitamin D through the activity of sunlight on the skin. Fibroids usually do not interfere with pregnancy and may precautions after fibroid operation require treatment. Implantation occurs when the embryo attaches to the endometrial lining, with the placenta developing and obtaining blood supply from the uterine muscle. A breathing technique coined by author Isa Herrera using mind/body connection to release pain and tension of a painful muscle.\n\nwhat causes fibroids in females\n\nThe organic molasses I have is just a tiny fraction of the amount of minerals as are in that. This questionnaire was developed to address menorrhagia, nonbleeding symptoms of fibroids, and to assess the quality of life impact by fibroids. Toward menopause, in my last year of periods, I read about how women with fibroids have low magnesium. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine fibroids increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Fibroids are most often found in women over age 30 and are rarely seen in women under 20. Fibroids Miracle is a very easy of perfusion could contribute to fibroids symptoms of ovarian cysts change my diet to include salmon, and increased pain sensitivity in the.\n\nfibroids pressure on rectum\n\nRadiofrequency ablation - This technique delivers intense heat to destroy thickened or abnormal tissue inside the uterus. Surgery - This option is offered f 4 cm uterine fibroids the symptoms are not being controlled with medications or in case the fibroids are too big/growing too rapidly. Decreased blood supply to the fibroid may influence liquefaction of hyalinized areas that are seen as cystic changes on the ultrasound. I was on bedrest for two months at the beginning of my pregnancy and i was also off 2 months towards the end opf my pregnancy. Endometrial hyperplasia, which is an increased number of cells in the uterine lining, can also happen and can be noncancerous. The radiologist reviews all the pictures and will report the results to your doctor.\n\ncan you get rid of fibroids without surgery\n\nFinding eggs from flocks that aren't fed soy has consumed a tremendous amount of time, and now $$. It can be performed with monopolar or bipolar cutting or coagulating current at a setting of 100 W. By 12 hours the pain is usually a mild dull fibroid cure in nigeria and the patient is eating and drinking normally. DES was also used as a treatment for menopause, for treatment of breast and prostate cancers, and used in the growing of beef, exposing many women unwittingly to the synthetic hormone. This and muscles in the uterus area fibroids relax, 2 Pt 1. Office hysteroscopy is also an excellent tool to detect uterine fibroids inside the uterine cavity. What most doctors don't know is that the application of natural progesterone cream is highly effective to shrink fibroids enough to minimize or eliminate symptoms long enough to get to menopause, or when it will normally shrink significantly enough to cease being a problem. Not all uterine fibroids will require treatment, but there are different types of treatments available when treatment is necessary under your condition. We work closely with your OB/GYN and other providers to determine that this procedure is the right therapy option for you.\n\ncan you have endometrial ablation fibroids\n\nThe SI joint problems can cause piriformis syndrome or be caused by piriformis syndrome. I have had two myomectomies so far and that didn't keep the fibroids from coming back. Body Cleansing and Detoxification ways of preventing fibroid the major step to getting rid of accumulated toxins, old hormones, dioxin and xenoestrogen in the body that are link to the formation of fibroids. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator expressed in several organs including the lung, the pancreas, the biliary system, and the sweat glands. That information was included in the average weight gain/year calculation, considering the weight gain at age 20 and the collection of data in 1999, divided by the length of time between the age of 20 and the age in 1999.\n\nsurgical removal of the fibroids\n\ncomplications types of fibroids in uterus\n\nCF carriers do not show CF symptoms themselves, but can pass the problem CF gene to their children. Then a tool is attached to it, and the doctor chips away at the fibroid until nothing remains but the shell. Diagnose on usg rt adnexal cyst fom last 1 yr now usg show the size 4.1 cm x 3.9 cm vol is 26 post wall fibroid of same guidance for treatment further investigation. There's nothing magical about your 40th birthday that means the day after, or a few weeks after your birthday that you will not develop a fibroid. Exposure to certain environmental toxins may contribute to the development of uterine fibroids. This article shows relevant results of the study for the indication uterine fibroids. Pythagoras understood the impact that a clean body has on the brain, and insisted that all prospective students fast for six weeks before he would tutor them. African American women have higher risk of developing uterine fibroids compared subserosal large fibroids and pregnancy white women. Fibroids are basically tumors that form in the lining of the uterus itself, these tumors are quite benign and do not pose any major risk to the uterus or to the reproductive health of each women given that they are fairly common and they may show up at any given time during the woman's entire reproductive cycle and stages. This collaboration ensures patients receive cancer care based on best practices developed by one of the nation's leading cancer care providers.\n\nfibroids in uterus images\n\nI find the two work well together, and I get a nice infusion of magnesium for a much cheaper price than using only magnesium oil. He also uses focused ultrasound to treat bone cancer pain, and the pain is decreased or is eliminated within a week, he added. Uterine fibroid cases were confirmed by ultrasound diagnosis or hysterectomy surgery. The condition affects 20 to 30 percent of women, according to the Center treating large uterine fibroids Uterine Fibroids, and is more likely to affect minority women. Aziz A, Petrucco OM, Makinoda S, et al.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7106638550758362}
{"content": "Keywords: digital television media education information television Media literacy commercialization consumerism globalization celebreality celebrities Reality show Big Brother colloquialism\n\nKMT 2017 nr 7 Download PDF\n\nKatarzyna Małysz\n\nColloquiality, vulgarity and aggression in various reality shows on the basis of „Big Brother”\n\nCite: Katarzyna Małysz, Potoczność, wulgarność i agresja w programach reality show na wybranych przykładach „Big Brothera”, \"Kultura - Media - Teologia\", 2017( 28) nr 7, s. 50-73.\n\nThe aim of this article is to show the informal nature of language in reality shows. They violate human dignity and the basic functions of television. TV, like any medium, should provide the viewers with information, education and entertainment. In this article I have tried to explain what entertainment really is. Mieczyslaw Szymczak, the editor of the dictionary, describes the concept of entertainment as: “a way of relaxation, rest, something enjoyable and cheerful; pleasure combined with relaxation and fun”. The \"Big Brother\" show is presented as one example of unethical and immoral reality shows. So why has the Big Brother gained so much popularity? What led the audience and the producers? And what affected its participants? What is really meant by \"commonness\"? These and other questions are going to be answered in this article. Colloquiality in the \"Big Brother\" was based on: using vulgar words, beating, humiliation, manipulation, entering someone's private or intimate sphere. The idea of the program was as follows - a dozen of people were locked in a big brother’s house which is cut off from the outside world. The ‘housemates’ live together for the a few editions, up to the moment when this \"circus\" tired of people. The winner could be only one and could get the final cash prize. In my analysis I am willing to show that the program, in spite of such huge popularity, is immoral and worthless. This reality show violates human rights, ethics and has a dangerous psychological impact not only on the participants but also on the audience. What is more, people who took part in the \"Big Brother\", engaged into politics, media, and journalism in general without having any knowledge about the subject.\n\n\nAll issues\n\nOther info\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8947840929031372}
{"content": "openSUSE Linux Unleashed presents comprehensive coverage of the community version of SUSE Linux, one of the most popular and most complete Linux distributions in the world.\n\nThis book provides detailed information on installing, using, and administering openSUSE. You’ll learn how to unleash the vast array of software products included in openSUSE so that you can use it as a desktop computer, as a professional workstation, or as a powerful server.\n\nopenSUSE Linux Unleashed includes a broad range of coverage: from using software you need everyday–such as email clients, web browsers, and productivity software including the OpenOffice.org productivity suite–to configuring and administering a wide range of network and server products, such as the Apache web server, and MySQL database.\n\nAdditionally, this book provides details on openSUSE’s acclaimed YaST administration tools, web programming, networking, and choosing from a wide selection of graphical interfaces and desktop environments, including both KDE and GNOME.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7741433382034302}
{"content": "Feb 4, 2014\n\nSatya nadella the next CEO of Microsoft\n\n     Satya Nadella named Microsoft's next CEO\n\nSatya Nadella.\n\nMicrosoft on Tuesday announced that Hyderabad-born Satya Nadella is replacingSteve Ballmer as its CEO who announced his intention to retire in August.\n\n\"As Satya Nadella becomes the third CEO of Microsoft, he brings a relentless drive for innovation and a spirit of collaboration to his new role,\" Microsoft said.\n\n\nNadella was earlier heading the company's cloud and enterprise business. He has been with Microsoft for 22 years. While in his earlier responsibility he looked after a division that had $19 billion annual revenue, the post of Microsoft CEO is a big step up for him.\n\nThe company generates around $78 billion in a year and is currently facing a number of challenges in the market where Apple and Google have emerged more exciting and innovating technology companies.\n\nNadella completed his engineering degree from Manipal University before heading to the US for higher studies. He joined Microsoft in 1992.\n\nMicrosoft also announced that John Thompson, lead independent director, will succeed Gates as chairman. Gates will assume a new role as \"technology advisor,\" the company said in a statement.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8804075121879578}
{"content": "Skip to content\n\nThey also relieve flare-ups of chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis\n\nThey also relieve flare-ups of chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis 1\n\nEnvironmental factors: a number of factors may trigger or exacerbate plaque psoriasis, including:Sunlight: there is usually a decrease in severity during periods of increased sun exposure (ie it often improves in the summer and is worse in the winter) but a small minority has an aggravation of symptoms during strong sunlight and sunburn can also lead to an exacerbation of plaque psoriasis. Any systemic upset, such as fever and malaise, which are common in unstable forms of psoriasis such as erythroderma or generalised pustular psoriasis. Avoiding specific exacerbating factors may help to prevent or minimise flare-ups but the cause of disease exacerbation is often unknown. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, dry, cracked and itchy skin. In addition to hot, red skin, those with Eczema may also develop crusty sores, thick skin and pimple-like eruptions. Eczema and Psoriasis are easily confused because they share a defining characteristic, the inflammation of the skin. Eczema, on the other hand, flares up in response to external factors, including animal dander, food allergies or exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals. The variable nature of this chronic condition means cycles of remission and flare-ups are unpredictable. Consult a dermatologist for medical treatment to help clear up trademark patches and scales, but also take into consideration the following tips for at-home care to further ease symptoms. Never use such products on raw, broken or inflamed skin as it will sting, burn and further irritate already sensitive spots.\n\nThey also relieve flare-ups of chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis 2Medications that reduce the activity of an immune factor called TNF can help patients with severe psoriasis. However, these medications can be complicated by unusual and serious infections. The skin cannot shed these cells quickly enough, so they build up, leading to thick, dry patches, or plaques. Silvery, flaky areas of dead skin build up on the surface of the plaques they are shed. The condition may also be triggered by certain psoriasis treatments, and other medications such as corticosteroids or synthetic antimalarial drugs. Pustular Psoriasis. Drugs that can trigger the disease or cause a flare-up of symptoms include:. Flu-Like Symptoms. People who have exfoliative dermatitis may also have flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills. Steroid medications treat severe or chronic inflammation and flaking of the skin. Some patients may benefit from phototherapy, treatments with psoralen, a photosensitizing agent, and ultraviolet A. Managing conditions such as cancer and psoriasis can speed healing too. People with no known cause for the disease may have flare-ups throughout their lives. People who have had exfoliative dermatitis may have long-lasting changes in the color of the affected skin. They may also have problems with hair loss or nail changes. If you’ve ever experienced chronic intense itching that gets increasingly worse in the evening, then you might be suffering from a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis. Eczema and psoriasis are potentially allergic conditions that can be triggered by environmental factors and dozens of other external irritants like the following:. In keeping with the autoimmune nature of psoriasis, when the person develops an infection, such as a sore throat or sinusitis, their psoriasis will often flare up. Using antihistamines, like Benadryl, can be helpful in relieving itching, but they cause drowsiness, so they’re usually not appropriate for daytime use.\n\nEczema can be confused with other skin conditions, such as psoriasis, another chronic skin condition. Make sure you use a lot of moisturizer in these areas as they will help prevent the situation. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. It typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp, though it can appear on any location. When biopsied, psoriasis skin looks thicker and inflamed when compared to skin with eczema. Inverse psoriasis shows up as very red lesions in body folds, such as behind the knee, under the arm or in the groin. It can also be very severe with thick, crusted plaques covering the entire scalp. Treat sudden flares of psoriasis on the hands and feet promptly and carefully. Psoriasis Diet and Prevention. Avoiding environmental factors that trigger psoriasis, such as smoking, and stress, may help prevent or minimize flare-ups of psoriasis. Sun exposure may help in many cases of psoriasis and aggravate it in others.\n\n\nThey also relieve flare-ups of chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis 3Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects greater than 3 percent of the U.S. Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days. Itching and pain can interfere with basic functions, such as self-care, walking, and sleep. It also discusses issues such as skin care and quality of life for people with atopic dermatitis. Recently I began to notice a few of my friends and family members battling skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Eczema. Eczema is a form of chronic inflammation of the skin; characterized by red, dry, cracked and itchy skin. They build up and form thick patches called plaques slightly elevated, red patches of skin. Eczema sufferers experience extremely dry, itchy and flaky skin, but this skin condition can also cause eczema pimple-like bumps that may ooze. Psoriasis is a common and chronic condition that usually causes patches of itchy, scaly and sometimes inflamed skin. Normally, skin cells are being constantly formed, and then pushed up to the surface where they eventually die and flake off, revealing new skin cells. Certain drugs, such as lithium (a common treatment for bipolar disorder) and some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease and some heart arrhythmias), can cause flare-ups of psoriasis. Subject: A mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax may relieve the symptoms associated with eczema and psoriasis, reports Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2003:11;226-34). Children whose parents have a history of any of these conditions are more likely to suffer from eczema; malfunctions of the immune system may also be a cause. What types of doctors treat psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by a form of inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) and joints (inflammatory arthritis). However, the arthritis may precede the psoriasis in up to 15 of patients. Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease that also can cause inflammation in body tissues away from the joints other than the skin, such as in the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. View pictures of the most prevalent adult skin diseases such as eczema, shingles, psoriasis, rosacea and more.\n\nTreat Eczema And Psoriasis\n\nHand eczema presents on the palms and soles, and may sometimes be difficult or impossible to differentiate from atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and psoriasis, which also commonly involve the hands. The hands may also exhibit various other skin illnesses and potential fungal infection or psoriasis must be ruled out. Eczema and Psoriasis: What’s the Difference? Psoriasis is a chronic immune system-related disease that causes inflammation and damage to involved tissues, primarily the skin. It can also affect fingernails and toenails, the soft tissues of the genitalia and inside the mouth. They are used to treat plaque, erythrodermic and pustular psoriasis, especially if patients don’t respond to other therapies. Your child may go through life with their condition not even bothering them or flaring up, and only have the tiniest of patches somewhere on their bodies. Symptoms only develop if they are triggered by certain events, most frequently in children and teenagers, often after a throat infection due to streptococcal bacteria. If your child develops a rash make sure when you visit your doctor to tell them (if you are aware) that there is a family history of psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis in your family as this is an important fact that may be overlooked at initial diagnosis as psoriasis can also be mistaken for eczema. Moisturisers can help soothe such irritation but always ask your doctor or pharmacist first to see if such products are suitable for your child. Phototherapy, which involves exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light, can help improve the symptoms of psoriasis. The skin cannot shed these cells quickly enough, so they build up, leading to thick, dry patches, or plaques. The condition may also be triggered by certain psoriasis treatments and other medications, such as corticosteroids or synthetic antimalarial drugs. Medications: Drugs that can trigger the disease or cause a flare-up of symptoms include:.\n\nIn contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature, psoriasis is a challenge to treat. Up to one-third of people with psoriasis may also have arthritis, a condition known as psoriatic arthritis. Topical forms, including creams and lotions, work for inflamed, itchy skin caused by insect bites, poison ivy and allergic reactions to food or drugs. They also relieve flare-ups of chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Diet is important but these natural remedies can help get rid of it once and for all! Certainly, eczema and other skin issues are complex conditions with a potential variety of causes, but there do seem to be some common things that help (both dietary and other). Sometimes I also use a blend of coconut and avocado oils at night since avocado is such a heavy, moisturizing oil. We haven’t seen a flare in over six months. Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a very common inflammatory skin condition. In some patients, symptoms are mild, while in others they can cause physical, social and psychological disability. The course of the condition varies widely, with flare-ups and remissions. How acupuncture can help. Patches of chronically itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on the hands, arms, neck, face and legs. In children, the inner creases of the knees, wrists and elbows are often involved. During a flare-up of eczema, you are exposed to anyone with a viral skin disease such as cold sores or genital herpes. Having eczema puts you at increased risk of contracting the viral disorder.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.705902099609375}
{"content": "Devery Jacobs in the role of Lia.\n\nComing of Age\nWilderness Adventure\n\n\n\nSet at the Arctic Circle, The Sun At Midnight tells the story of an unexpected friendship between a hunter obsessed with finding a missing caribou herd and a teenage rebel who gets lost while on the run.\n\n\n\nIn the wake of her mother’s death, Lia, a 16 year-old urban princess, is sent to spend the summer with her Gwich’in grandmother in a small Subarctic community. Desperate to return to city life she steals a boat and sets out into the vast Northern wilderness hoping to reach the nearest town. Totally lost, she is discovered by Alfred, a Gwich’in hunter who reluctantly takes her under his wing as he navigates the massive landscape in search of caribou. When Alfred is severely wounded in a bear attack Lia pushes on and fights to save both of their lives.\n\n\nfb icon", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6478567123413086}
{"content": "CACAO DANCE CEREMONY Come and melt in blissful cosmic magical heart-opening with a chocolate bliss dance ceremony with Amanda and Willem through the healing properties of raw cacao offered in a sacred ceremonial space, followed by and intertwined within a deep, guided immersion into Conscious Cosmic Cosmo dance with Willem. These are two practices that support each other in leading you into a state of deep open-hearted oneness and expansive bliss.\n\nCacao-Ceremony-images-1200x650According to the Mayans, Cacao is the food of the gods. Not as we know it now as chocolate, but in its raw form, where, when ingested in sacred ceremony, it has magical alchemical properties. The alkaloids, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, vitamins and minerals specific to cacao have a particularly nourishing and healing effect on the human body, which expands to include the heart and spirit when ingested with true reverence for the plant in sacred ceremony. Cacao as a shamanic teacher plant is a unique and magical heart-opener. How beautiful to experience working with a teacher plant in a very safe, gentle and grounded way that is accessible for all.\n\nAmanda will be our magical alchemical cacao guide, leading you into a space of delicious open-hearted expansion and love through ritual, ceremony and heart meditations, with the cacao plant as your medicine teacher.\n\nWillem will be our dance with the Deva of Cacao channel, who will then move you gently into a sacred space of dance, guiding you into deep open-hearted meetings with yourself and others, facilitated by the cacao whose properties deepen our capacity for ecstasy and love, as does Cosmo Bliss Dance. Both these practices will deepen your experience of oneness, with yourself, others and all life, as we melt like chocolate into the ocean of love.\n\n\nFor many people who are lucky enough to participate in a Cosmo Dance session it is one of the most wonderful discoveries of their life!\nI get so many people who feel everyone they know should get to experience this freedom of expression. The process gets you to move on very viby music, and when you feel yourself taken into movement by such a feeling of joy and invigorating Life force, your natural expression just flows.\nGenerally people can’t wait for the next session, as it tends to open a floodgate of feeling for Self Fulfilment and enthusiastic, joyful participation in Life!\nCosmo dance is a sparkling crystalline Conscious Dance process helping participants bring their systems into alignment with greater Life and the superfluid energies of the Cosmos. Vibrant, dynamic, joyfully flowing and expansive expressive movements with specifically chosen music is used to help Dancers move into alignment and balance.\nThrough the use of specific music, tuning in to energy guidance , as well as the groups energy, the facilitator sets up coherent crystalline fields that help dancers move into a deeper order of Core Self.\nThe Cosmodance process also assists old energy ,blockages, samskaras or miasmas to be released from our bodymind, and once this happens we can be like a clear crystal, pulsing in harmony with the frequencies of the Universe. When we clear old energy and blockages from our system it also enables us to access more and more subtle energies, thus fine tuning our capacity to a richer and more fulfilling Life of high quality.\nThe Cosmodance process also primarily helps us to move into Presence, with the wonderful result of feeling renewed, sparklingly refreshed, clear , in Joy, aligned , harmonized, expanded , at Peace and radiating Love, enthusiastically connected and in tune with the greater Orchestra of Life.\n\nThis space is open to all, including those who have never done dance before.\n\nAmanda and Willem have 20 years of work in the field of awakening practices. Amanda Gifford from Johannesburg South Africa has an MA in Psychology and is a Drama Therapist and Family Systems Constellations Facilitator with 15 years experience. Amanda has a long tradition of Ancient Mystery School Trainings and just completed her training with Annu Tara and Alchemical Chocolate in initiating in the art of serving this beautiful female sacrament.\n\nWillem Smuts also from Johannesburg South Africa has been a Conscious Dance Facilitator and Quantum Healer for 15 Years. Willem is a Holistic Quantum Health practitioner, intuitive, and an alchemist at heart, a deep field Bliss dance facilitator.\n\nThey both live and run the Windrush Centre in Johannesburg.\nBoth have been on a Spiritual Awakening Journey for more than 20 years.\n\n\n~ VERY NB drink lots of water throughout the day (this will help to alleviate sideffects caused by the strong detox action of Cacao when taken in ceremonial doses )\n~ avoid dairy for the day\n(Dairy lines the intestines and thus hinders the uptake of the Cacao)\n~ avoid caffeine for the day\n(Mixing caffine with Ceremonial doses of Cacao can cause the heart to speed up too much, especially in sensitive folk)\n~ if you are on strong Chemical Anti-depressents, mood balancing or blood thinning drugs you need to please contact us before booking. Speaking to your doctor before eating high doses is neccessary.\n(Cacao has a potent action re feel-good brain chemicals activity, and in Ceremony is taken in high doses, this potency on top of chemical activity is not advisable)\n\nThe Healing properties of Raw Cacao\n\nMagnesium is the primarily mineral missing when heart problems occur. Magnesium increases the overall vigor of the heart muscle. This mineral also decreases blood coagulation thus lowering blood pressure and helping the heart pump more effectively. Cacao, of course, is a fantastic food source of heart-supporting magnesium.\n\nAccording to research cited in The New York Times, fresh cacao beans are super-rich in antioxidant flavonols. Cacao beans contain 10,000 milligrams (10 grams) per 100 grams of flavonol antioxidants. This is a whopping 10% antioxidant concentration level! This makes cacao one of the richest sources of antioxidants of any food.\n\nAnti-Depressant Properties\nCacao is a great source of serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine, three well-studied neurotransmitters, which help alleviate depression and are associated with feelings of well being.\nCacao contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO Inhibitors) that improve our mood because they allow serotonin and dopamine to remain in the bloodstream longer without being broken down.\nCacao contains anandamide which delivers blissful feelings.\nCacao also contains B vitamins, which are associated with brain health.\nCacao contains significant quantities of the amino acid tryptophan which is yet another powerful mood-enhancing nutrient.\nAll this makes cacao a natural Anti-Depressant!\n\nLose weight, eat chocolate!\nAnyone who eats chocolate knows that it diminishes appetite. There is evidence indicating MAOIs also diminish appetite. There is actually no scientific evedince to implicate chocolate consumption with obesity. In fact the reverse seems to be the case. Eating cacao helps one to loose weight by allowing you to eat less\n\n For more details or to book a ceremony contact or whatsapp 078 499 6472\n\n\n\nAmanda Gifford\nWhatsapp 078 499 6472\n\nWillem Smuts\nWhatsapp 082 458 1031", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5093988180160522}
{"content": "Murderous May: The Black Legend of Richard III\n\nTower of London as viewed from the Thames River.\n\nTower of London as viewed from the Thames River.\n\n\nThe mysterious disappearance of two princes from the Tower of London has plagued scholars for generations. No one knows exactly what happened to the young boys or their remains. Though there are several suspects, the convenient ascension of Richard III to King and the rumor of foul play has made Richard III suspect number one in the disappearance of Prince Edward V and Prince Richard.\n\nThe prime motive for Richard III to have murdered the boys was the throne. Richard III claimed the two boys were illegitimate because Edward IV was supposedly betrothed to Lady Eleanor Butler before his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville. Under the laws of the time, that meant Edward IV had a contract to marry Lady Butler. Were there such a contract, it would mean Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was bigamous and any children from their relationship were illegitimate and, therefore, ineligible for the throne. An Act of Parliament of 1483 known as Titulus Regius, made this claim official and Protector Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was crowned King Richard III.\n\nRichard III was king for only two years. His reign ended when he was slain during the War of the Roses in the Battle of Bosworth Field, August 1485. Henry VII of the Tudors succeeded to the throne following the death of Richard III.\n\nIn 1674, the skeletons of two children were discovered during renovations to the White Tower at the Tower of London. The remains were found buried beneath the staircase leading to the chapel and, in 1678, they were interred inside an urn in the Henry VII Chapel of Westminster Abbey (along with the bones of several other animals including but not limited to fish, duck, chicken, sheep, pig, ox and rabbit). Based on a study of the bones from July 1933, many scholars believe them to be the remains of the two tower princes, but the findings of the 1933 study are inconclusive.\n\nTower of London Map\n\nTower of London Map from \"The Official Guide Book: The Tower of London\" (English-1997)\n\nThe 1933 study of the bones took six days. It did not involve the use of more modern forensic and medical technology– including radio carbon dating, which would have provided an approximate age for the bones. Age of the bones at the time of death was determined by dental records and an assessment of the growth plate, which had not yet fused to the bones. The remains were said to have been aged 12-13 years and 10 years– the approximate age of the two princes. However, the study never assessed the gender of the bones.\n\nOther evidence was gathered and speculations were made to connect the remains to the two missing princes. One such speculation was the presence of osteomyelitis (a bone infection) in the lower jaw of the elder skeleton. The baseless conclusion, since it was never determined with complete certainty whose remains were being studied, was that the infection may have contributed to the depressive behavior of Edward V. This could have been a contributing factor to the young man’s disposition if those were indeed his remains. Scrapings of a possible bloodstain on the facial skeleton of the elder set of bones, explained as possible staining from being smothered by feather pillow as depicted in Shakespeare’s Henry VI, were taken from the bone for spectroscopic examination. Unfortunately, there were not enough scrapings to run the test. It is also disappointing that the study concluded the presence of unusual (Wormian) bones was significant as it was actually a fairly uncommon characteristic of bones in medieval populations.\n\nUnfortunately, the Tanner and Wright 1933 investigation of the bones merely concluded the bones were the remains of adolescents aged 13 and 10 who may have been related. It did not determine the gender of the bones, nor did it offer any explanation for the possibility that these were not the bones discovered at the white tower (there was a 4 year gap between the discovery of the bones and their reinterment). This study did not conclusively prove the remains were those of the two princes, but the hypothesis that they are indeed the remains of Henry V and his brother Richard has been heavily emphasized and relied upon by the scientific community.\n\nWhile a full forensic study of the remains could determine more accurately whether or not these truly are the bones of the two tower princes, it will never conclusively prove whether King Richard III actually had them murdered so he could ascend to the throne.\n\nDespite there being other suspects, Richard III remains the popular scapegoat for vanishing the two young princes. Tudor historians and authors have not been kind to Richard III, and his possible involvement in the disappearance of the young boys has been called the “Black Legend” of Richard III. His so-called involvement in the boys’ disappearance will likely remain a mystery, but the popular verdict of a guilty has since been immortalized in Shakespeare’s play Richard III Act IV, Scene 2:\n\nWhy, Buckingham, I say, I would be king,\n\nWhy, so you are, my thrice renowned liege.\n\nHa! am I king? ’tis so: but Edward lives.\n\nTrue, noble prince.\n\nO bitter consequence,\nCousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull:\nShall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead;\nAnd I would have it suddenly perform’d.\nWhat sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief.\n\nYour grace may do your pleasure.\n\nTut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness freezeth:\nSay, have I thy consent that they shall die?\n\nGive me some breath, some little pause, my lord\nBefore I positively herein:\nI will resolve your grace immediately.\n\nThere is further discussion on this topic at our Blog’s forum located here:\nThe Witching Hour: The Two Princes\n\n* Shakespeare’s play Richard III, Act IV, Scene 2\n(This is a great source if you’re interested in other suspects and more details.)\n* Bramwell, NH, and RW Byard. “The Bones in the Abbey: Are They the Murdered Princes? a Review of the Evidence.” The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 10.1 (1989): 83-7. Print.\n* The Official Guide Book: The Tower of London (English-1997)\n\n\n2 thoughts on “Murderous May: The Black Legend of Richard III\n\n  1. Perhaps you can clarify where you think I mean “Edward V and his brother Richard” as I do talk about two different Edwards, each with a brother named Richard in the article. There is first King Edward IV whose brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later King Richard III) is uncle to the two young princes–Edward V, Prince of Wales and Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York.\n\n    I really hope this isn’t about the parenthetical (King Edward IV) I’ve used in the first paragraph. I really debated about including that as a clarifyer to reduce confusion about which Edward I was speaking of and to denote the father, but if it makes things more confusing for readers I suppose I’ll have to remove it.\n\n    If there is in fact an error, I’d love if you could point out the paragraph and sentence to me so I can correct the information because I cannot find the alleged error with the information you’ve provided.\n\n\nComments are closed.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7340761423110962}
{"content": "\n\nGetting Rid of Leading Zeros in a Number Format\n\nby Allen Wyatt\n(last updated September 26, 2015)\n\nWhen you enter a numeric value into a cell, by default Excel will display a leading zero on values that are less than 1. For instance, if you enter the value 1.234 into a cell, Excel displays just that: 1.234. If you enter .234 into the same cell, Excel includes the leading zero: 0.234.\n\nIf you want to get rid of the leading zeros, then you need to rely upon a custom format. This is rather easy to create; just follow these steps:\n\n  1. Select the cell (or cells) that you want to format.\n  3. If the Number tab is not displayed, select it.\n  4. In the Category list, choose Custom. The dialog box changes so you can enter a custom format. (See Figure 1.)\n\n  6. In the Type box, enter the following pattern: .###\n  7. Click OK.\n\nThat's it; the number in the cell will no longer have a leading zero if it is less than 1. There are some caveats to this, however. First, if the number you enter in the cell has more than three digits after the decimal place, then the number will be rounded (for display purposes) to only three digits. If you are going to routinely have more than three digits in the value, you should increase the number of hash marks (#) in the custom format.\n\nSecond, if the value you enter into the cell has fewer than three digits to the right of the decimal place, then only the number of digits required will be displayed. Thus, if you have multiple cells formatted this way, it is very possible for the numbers to not \"line up\" along the decimal point. The solution to this is to change the format to something that will always display the same number of digits after the decimal point. A good choice is, in step 5, use the format \".000\" (without the quote marks). This format will always display three digits after the decimal point, adding zeros to the end of the value, if necessary.\n\nYou could also change the format a bit if you want things to line up on the decimal point, but you don't want any trailing zeros. Try replacing the hash marks (#) in the custom format in step 5 with question marks. Thus, you would use \".???\" instead of \".###\". This results in up to three digits being displayed, but if there are fewer than three digits the remaining question marks are replaced with spaces.\n\nThird, if the value you enter into the cell is a whole number, then it will always be displayed with a decimal point. Thus, entering 3 in the cell results in the display of 3., with the decimal point. For most people this won't be a big deal, and there is no easy way to modify the custom format to remove the decimal point from whole numbers.\n\nFourth, if you enter 0 in the cell, it won't be displayed at all. Instead you get a single decimal point in the cell and nothing else. The way around this problem is to make your custom format just a bit more complex. In step 5, above, enter the following as the custom format:\n\n\nThis custom format indicates that a 0 value should be shown as 0, any value less than 1 should be shown with no leading zero and three digits to the right of the decimal point, and anything else should be displayed using the General format.\n\nExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10029) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Getting Rid of Leading Zeros in a Number Format.\n\nAuthor Bio\n\nAllen Wyatt\n\n\n\nUnhiding Multiple Worksheets\n\n\nDiscover More\n\nLines that Don't Change When You Type\n\nCreate a form in Word and you will invariably be faced with the need to places fill-in-the-blank lines in the document. ...\n\nDiscover More\n\nChanging Paragraph Order\n\n\nDiscover More\n\n\nMore ExcelTips (menu)\n\nFilling a Cell\n\nOne way you can format a cell is so that its contents are repeated over and over again for the entire width of the cell. ...\n\nDiscover More\n\nChanging Font Face and Size Conditionally\n\n\nDiscover More\n\nCreating 3-D Formatting for a Cell\n\nThe formatting capabilities provided by Excel are quite diverse. This tip examines how you can use those capabilities to ...\n\nDiscover More\n\n\nView most recent newsletter.\n\n\n\nWhat is four less than 8?\n\n\nThis Site\n\n\nNewest Tips\n\n\n\nView the most recent newsletter.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9105110168457031}
{"content": "As one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, we take seriously our responsibility to help protect the environment. That means creating vehicles which have as little impact as possible on the natural world around us. It is not just a matter how they perform when they are driven on the road; we believe it is just as important to find cleaner, sustainable ways of making vehicles and disposing of them when they reach the end of their useful life.\n\nWe have spent decades researching how we can make vehicles that are kinder to the environment, producing technologies such as hybrid that have already proved their value in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping us move towards a low carbon society. We are still on that journey and we want to reduce our vehicle CO2 emissions by 90% by 2050, compared to the level we were at in 2010.\n\nIt is not just about reducing CO2, however. We share the concerns of governments and consumers around the world about the importance of air quality and continue to invest in finding ways of reducing vehicle emissions that directly impact on people’s health, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates (PM) within our 360-degree view of design and technology innovation.\n\nWe have announced ambitious plans to reduce CO2 emssions from vehicles in operation (tank-to-wheel) by 90% by 2050.\n\nThe right car, in the right place, at the right time\n\nAround the world, people use different types of vehicles to suit their lifestyle and their local environment. Some may only need a small car for short urban journeys, while others require a larger and more powerful vehicle to make regular long-distance trips. Concern about the environment and cutting carbon emissions cuts across these differences, which is why we believe there is no single solution when it comes to creating the ultimate eco-car. With our hybrid system we have produced a low carbon technology that can be used in multiple ways to address these different demands.\n\nEver since vehicles began using the internal combustion engine in the late 19th century, they have largely relied on fossil fuels that produce CO2 and contribute to global warming. While conventional engines will continue to play an important role in the short to medium term, we are researching and developing alternatives such as biofuels from organic sources, electricity and, more recently, hydrogen. With this multi-path approach we aim to secure better environmental performance by providing the right car, in the right place, at the right time.\n\n\"Natural resources are limited. We must be friendly to the planet. We have to hand it to our future children.\"\n\nAkio Toyoda, President Toyota Motor Corporation\n\nOur route to producing the ultimate eco-car takes in different applications of our hybrid technology and the use of alternative fuels to secure the best results across a complete range of driving requirements.\n\nMeet the Family\n\nWith the launch of the Mirai, the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell sedan, our range of advanced, alternative power vehicles continues to grow, taking our technology out of the research laboratory and on to the road. Our range also includes all-electric vehicles for urban mobility, such as the prototype i-ROAD, an ever-increasing number of hybrid cars and a rechargeable plug-in hybrid. Together these create a technical roadmap for our journey towards the ultimate eco-car – one which aims for zero impact on the environment.\n\nMapping a route to sustainable mobility\n\nOur technology roadmap brings together a broad range of environmental technologies for cleaner, more efficient future mobility, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric battery power and fuel cell systems. Each technology moves us closer to our goal of creating the ultimate eco-car. By 2050 our aim is reduce our vehicle CO2 emissions by 90% compared to the level in 2010. It is an ambitious vision, but we are committed to developing and refining these new technologies and bringing them to the market so that their benefits can be realised in real-world driving.\n\nOur multi-award-winning Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid power system is the core technology shared by all the different powertrains in our roadmap. The fact it is modular in design means that it can easily be adapted for use in different types of vehicle. In plug-in hybrids it is largely unchanged, but uses a more powerful battery that can be recharged from an external power supply. In electric vehicles its format is simpler with no petrol engine and a more powerful electric motor. In fuel cell hybrids the petrol engine is replaced by the fuel cell stack, to generate electricity from hydrogen fuel with no harmful tailpipe emissions.\n\nOur innovative hybrid power technology is applied to a range of vehicle types to suit the personal preferences and the mobility needs of many different customers, including electric vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.\n\nMore about\n\nPolitique des cookies sur\n\nNous utilisons des cookies sur notre site pour vous proposer une navigation optimale. En poursuivant votre navigation sur notre site, vous acceptez l'utilisation de cookies. Gestion des cookies", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8250600695610046}
{"content": "Fictional Character ~ Theme #AtoZ\n\nCharacter is everything\n\nWe build character in kids from a young age, because real-life character is everything.\n\nWhat about fiction?\n\nThe way I see it, fiction contains three elements that divide into many other, but three main components:\n\n1.   Character\n\n2.   Plot\n\n3.   Setting\n\nIn my book — literal and figurative —  character is number one.\n\nSure, there are great plot-driven novels with little character development. Their success isn’t due to lack of character growth but excellent plot that is engrossing from the jump. The Maze Runner, a YA dystopian, is an example. Very plot-driven.\n\nBut back to my number one: character-driven fiction.\n\nIt’s advertised as a literary-fiction element. But, oh, how I disagree. Character-driven writing works superbly for genre fiction. Take Gone Girl, for one. Relationship drives the plot, sure, but the gradual revelation of characters, that’s what makes the story.\n\nMy kind of gig — stories with characters that become complicated people. Where personal evolution and character decisions shape the plot. Where writers develop the heck out of characters traits and together with plot cook up and serve magnificent stories.\n\nAnd since you’re dying to know my A-Z Theme, here it is:\n\n\nNo lectures, no writing advice.  I’m sure there is enough of that coming at you fast.  Just an accumulation of references, if you will. All in one place, right here.\n\nNo long articles. It’s my third or fourth A-Z Challenge. I’m familiar with the craziness about to ensue. There will be images, brief descriptions and examples.  That’s it.\n\nSo, come talk character. Add your favorite trait(s), name your fave characters, or simply talk fiction. Or life. Or whatever.\n\nOkay?  Awesome. Onward to the April A-Z, dear blogging friend!\n\n\nImages: Pixabay\n\n\n\n\nWhy do you write?\n\nBecause I’m a spider and words are my silk. Because I’m inspired and have something to say. Because writing is crack, and I’m an addict.  ~ Answers from National Writing Month\n\nWhat do we write?\n\nWhat we know, what moves us.  About our findings, travels. Life events. Someone else’s story. Eye-catching headlines. Issues.\n\nAbout curiosities. Questions posted on social media.\n\nThe last two inspired a post I wrote and deleted. Too long, too verbose. This shorter, lighter form survived since the question raised continued moving about my mind.\n\n\nThis was the question.\n\nWhy did Washington State pass a law on gender neutrality?\n\nThis was followed by commentary linking said law to child abuse. Choosing neutral on a birth certificate rather than boy or girl.\n\n It should be clear enough, right? Boy. Girl. Boy. Girl.\n\n What about intersex children?\n\n And who decides?\n\n The doctor? The parents? Would we like it decided for us?\n\n Take Jim Bruce, for example.\n\nJim Bruce was born with XY male chromosomes but ambiguous genitals. After his birth in 1976, Bruce’s external organs and testes were surgically removed and he was raised as a girl. He struggled for years, preferring rough play and being attracted to girls.\n\nLeaving it up to him as adult, would that have been better? Not an option at the time, but let’s just imagine. If you read the article, you’ll see the girl eventually grew into a man.\n\nOr take model Hanne Gaby Odiele\n\nShe  was born with an intersex trait known as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) in which a woman has XY chromosomes more typically found in men.\n\nShould life have been decided for her at birth?\n\nUp to 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits, according to the United Nations — a figure roughly equivalent to the number of redheads.\n\nWe like clear answers, clear definitions. Clear lines to follow. Most times we like it all to be the way we were raised.\n\n We’re also writers.\n\nAnd writers can provoke a great deal of thought and annoyance and anger in equal measure.  All those wonderful ways with words. All that curiosity. Topics in need of exploration. Taboos. Convictions. All constantly addressed, challenged, written and re-written about.\n\nConfronting, debating, or even discussing firmly established routines and rules can be infuriating. I know.\n\nBut is that our concern as writers?\n\n\nImages: Pixabay\n\n\nCuriosity is the wick in the candle of learning ~ W A Ward\n\nAs children we’re naturally curious – it’s how we grow and learn – but by a certain age that sense of wonder starts to disappear.\n\nWhy?  Life. Society. Socioeconomic dynamics.\n\nAnswers are more valued than inquisitive thought, so curiosity is trained out of us. Being right is more important than being smart.\n\nRegaining our sense of wonder is important, isn’t it? But if regaining curiosity is even possible, how do we go about relearning such a quality?\n\nWell, wouldn’t you know it, I found a list (what’s a blog post without a list?) In case you’re … umm … curious. \n\nHabits of curious people:\n\n1. They ask lots of questions.\n\nCurious people ask how, what, when, where and why. This creates openness.\n\n2. They listen without judgment.\n\nThe genuinely curious have no hidden agenda. They seek to understand the perspectives of others, and are willing to sit in ambiguity, open and curious without being invested in the outcome.\n\n3. They seek surprise.\n\n\nCurious people try new foods, talk to a stranger, or ask a question they’ve never asked before.\n\n4. They make time for curiosity.\n\nThey think of scenarios that are three years in the future, question major assumptions, and wonder if they’re doing things they no longer should be doing.\n\n5. They aren’t afraid to say, I don’t know.\n\nBig one. It’s more important for them to learn than to look smart.\n\n6. They don’t let past hurts affect their future.\n\nThe problem is that we stop being curious about new experiences and are instead focused on understanding what we’ve already been through.\n\nThis is especially true if we’ve been hurt in the past. Curious people, however, are more apt to take risks.\n\n ~  As for me, a recent conversation with friends on gender neutrality sparked my curiosity so that I buried myself in inquiry — I hope to share findings in next post.\n\nWhat about you? What are/have you been most curious about?\n\nimages: pixabay\n\n\n\nSaying goodbye to stories is hard. But writing endings that are impactful is harder.\n\nIt’s often the ending that resonates with readers. Endings can make the preceding sixty or hundred thousand words look great (or awful) in retrospect.\n\nWe don’t want to leave the reader unnecessarily disheartened. I’ve once thrown a book across the room for having kept me riveted only to end with a kidnapped character die a horrible death that had little to do with the core of the story. Call me crazy, but it felt as though the writer was resolving personal issues and found killing the character therapeutic.\n\nNo, thank you. For such reasons, we have shrinks. Courts of law.\n\nWe also don’t want rainbows and butterflies and unicorns. Don’t want a feel-good ending for fear of disappointing. No tricks. The ending has to be congruous with the story. Organic. No last-minute solutions popping out of nowhere. \n\nAfter having written several endings, I find this attempt no easier than my first. And that is where I find myself at this time, dear reader, with my work in progress — a mystery novel. Near the ending.\n\nI lay awake at night, trying to make the final reveals in various scenes make sense. Trying to tie together loose ends, lay the groundwork for the resolution — a piece that comes after, when everything that’s come before seems retroactively wonderful.\n\nOne night I had a brilliant idea on how to do all this, which turned out to suck in the morning after I had two cups of coffee and thought about it some more. Sure I knew where the story had to go from the beginning. Some hundred pages later, things have changed. But the goal remains. I’ve made a promise I have to deliver on.\n\nSo, what are my choices at this time?\n\n1. Tear the whole thing up?  Um, no.\n\n2. Simplify. Maybe a little, but not enamored with the idea.\n\n3. Dive deeper into the characters’ heads. Works, but not as a stand alone.\n\n4. Re-read everything. Sure. I’ve probably done it fifty times.\n\n5. Shut up and do the work. Write, write, write. Re-write. Then write some more. And it will all come together. Eventually.\n\n~~ Tell me about endings you’re read, written, loved, hated.\n\n— pixabay", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6394063830375671}
{"content": "ARE NUMBERS REAL? by Brian Clegg\n\n\nThe Uncanny Relationship of Mathematics and the Physical World\nEmail this review\n\n\nThe emphasis is on “real” in the latest by the prolific British science writer, who questions the extent to which mathematics truly reflects the workings of nature.\n\nClegg (Ten Billion Tomorrows: How Science Fiction Technology Became Reality and Shapes the Future, 2015, etc.) has a degree in physics from Cambridge, and he uses that knowledge to discourse on the relationship between math and science. Math builds its own universe based on given (i.e., not proven) axioms and rules of operation to derive facts (theorems) that are true in that system. Science, on the other hand, builds theories based on observations and experiments, and the theories become conventional wisdom until questioned by new observations and data. Nevertheless, over time, there has been an eerie congruence between abstruse developments in math—e.g., non-Euclidean geometry—and the equations that govern Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Clegg suggests that math increasingly has come to rule the roost in physics. Nobody has ever seen a black hole he notes; the objects are “more the product of mathematics than of science,” the evidence for their existence being indirect. Likewise the Higgs boson and superstring theory. The author urges caution and a step back rather than obedience to a questionable math authority. Before reaching this conclusion, Clegg treats readers to an orderly history of math. He begins with counting on fingers or marks on sticks to match the amount of a physical object, leading to symbols for numbers. These numbers are really real, he says, because they are based on matches with objects in nature. But as math evolved, that connection blurred. By the 19th century, with set theory and concepts of orders of infinity, and 20th-century proofs on the incompleteness of mathematical systems and other logical conundrums, the relation to reality has faded—as will some readers’ attention, because this is not easy stuff.\n\nSolid as a straightforward chronology of how mathematics has developed over time, and the author adds a provocative note urging scientists to keep it in its place.\n\nPub Date: Dec. 6th, 2016\nISBN: 978-1-250-08104-9\nPage count: 288pp\nPublisher: St. Martin's\nReview Posted Online:\nKirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15th, 2016\n\n\nNonfictionTEN BILLION TOMORROWS by Brian Clegg\nby Brian Clegg\nNonfictionFINAL FRONTIER by Brian Clegg\nby Brian Clegg\nNonfictionEXTRA SENSORY by Brian Clegg\nby Brian Clegg\nNonfictionHOW TO BUILD A TIME MACHINE by Brian Clegg\nby Brian Clegg\n\n\nNonfictionWEIRD MATH by David Darling\nby David Darling\nNonfictionCALCULATING THE COSMOS by Ian Stewart\nby Ian Stewart\nNonfictionHOW TO BAKE PI by Eugenia Cheng\nby Eugenia Cheng", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8751108050346375}
{"content": "St Petersburg, Concert Hall\n\nHow a ballet is staged\n\nConductor: Alexei Repnikov\n\nThird concert of the seventeenth subscription (Saturday)\nFeaturing Yekaterina Chebykina, Sofia Gumerova, Sofia Ivanova-Skoblikova, Yulia Kasenkova, Arina Varentseva, Daria Vasnetsova, Daria Ustyuzhanina, Zlata Yalinich, Andrei Arseniev, Alexei Popov, Yuri Smekalov, David Zaleyev\n\nScript Author: Natalia Entelis\nHosts: Natalia Entelis, Dmitry Korneyev\nStage Director: Alexander Maskalin\nProduction Designer: Sergei Grachev\nLighting Designer: Roman Peskov\nChoreographer: Dmitry Korneyev\n\nIn theatre there is a very special world in which the characters neither speak nor sing – this is the mysterious and magical world of dance.\n\nIt takes a great deal of effort to become a dancer, and the elegance and ease of the movements require a tremendous amount of hard work. Dancers are taught from a very young age – starting when they are seven or eight years old – and they train for many hours a day for several years.\n\nIt is not, however, only professional performers who can dance – anyone can do it. If there were no dances then our lives would be bereft of much of its enjoyment and fun – we all love to dance! And people who say they don’t like dancing have probably just never learned. In times gone by everybody had to be able to dance. Aristocratic families would invite dance masters to give private lessons to their children before they attended their first ball. These dance masters would be quite anxious at times – after all, not everyone can dance well!\n\nEveryone was able to dance, though some were able to dance particularly well and with great elegance – and they took pride in doing so. King Louis XIV of France did not consider it beneath him to dance before his courtiers and show off his skills. But is that how ballet emerged? No, it is not! Ballet only became a true art form when it began to enact various stories. Without any words and set to music. So that tales and stories could be told to music, a special language – the language of dance, the language of gesture – came into being in ballet.\n\nOnce the renowned dancer Māris Liepa performed the role of Prince Limone in the ballet Cipollino after the tale by Gianni Rodari. One child present at the performance explained to his mother that “Prince Limone said that Cipollino must be caught.” He had understood the language of ballet without any words, and indeed ballet dancers don’t say a word – they just make gestures and dance!\n\nRunning time 1 hour\nThe concert has no interval\n\nAge category 6+\n\n\nThe highlighting of performances by age represents recommendations.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999312162399292}
{"content": "Why Digital Certificates?\n\nThis certificate of an employee is a proof for a company that a person has full capabilities and knowledge to solve specific tasks. Here we can also say that certificate is a quality proof.\n\nAnd what about cryptography? What certificate means there? Why is it called “digital”? Normal real life certificate contains your data (name, surname, date of birth and etc..), data about who issued a certificate, data about what this certificate means and what capabilities the holder of the certificate posses and sometime date of certificate validity date.\n\nWhen public key cryptography was created, it allowed many people to exchange their public keys in secure manner, and furthermore the problem of associating a public key with a person has been raised. As an example, you receive a public key (a small file with unreadable data) and you have no guarantee that this key belongs to a person who has send it to you. The solution to this problem was introduced almost immediately and specified “digital certificate”, which contains your public key, your data (name, surname, date of birth and etc.), data about possible public key usage and certificate validity date. Compare this to information in previous section, we can see that there is only one thing missing to compare real-life certificate and digital one. Right, data about issuer of a certificate is missing. You still can receive even a certificate with all the data, but you cannot be sure that it is true.\n\nThe solution to this last issue was introduction of certificate authority which protected digital certificate with their signature and gave a possibility to all PKI users not only to read data about public key holder and also be sure that this data was not altered and is verified.\n\nSo Public key infrastructure became complete and will help us today and tomorrow to achieve needed security and confidence in the electronic world of communications. And coming back – why digital? Because it is not printed on paper, digital certificate is data sequence which can be seen only in special software. And don’t worry – currently, almost all daily used programs with support of cryptography also support PKI digital certificates.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9652360677719116}
{"content": "\n\nDiscovery and detection of ’’dark energy“ = ’’Supernovae Energy“?\n\n\nLehner, Hans\n\n\n\n\nQuantum Theory / Particle Physics\n\n\n\nDate Published:\n\nApril 26, 2013\n\n\n\n\nnew cosmology, new astrophysics, dark matter as a transport medium, dark energy = supernovae energy, new gravity theory, new gravitation theory, cosmic \"mechanical\" pressure, dark matter in magnetism\n\n\nThe basics of this publication are the research results at the ISQP/ISQR Institute in new magnetism, with the new image of magnetism - and with the introduction of the flux-law of Daniel Bernoulli in magnetism and electromagnetism. The title of the scientific publication is: Discovery and detection of \"dark matter\" in magnetism? See: General Science Journal, March 2013. With the discovery and proof of a \"magnetic space quantum flux SQFm\" on permanent magnets by Oliver Crane and Christian Monstein in 1992, with the concepts of modern physics, a \"dark matter-flux” is discovered and proven on permanent magnets. This discovery is so revolutionary that two magnets with north and south poles no longer mutually \"attract\" each other, as was previously taught, but are compressed - through a larger \"outer\" cosmic medium-pressure transmitted through the \"dark matter\" in the cosmos, and caused by the \"dark energy\" in the universe, by an \"average\" of 86,400 supernovae explosions fed daily in the universe. The \"dark energy\" is thus responsible for gravitation, in the sense of a cosmic \"mechanical\" pressure, and for the accelerated expansion of the universe (Physics Nobel Prize 2011). With the new findings, the \"mass attraction\" theory of Newton and Einstein is under massive revision pressure.\n\n<<< Back", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5841184258460999}
{"content": "Auditor Message\n\n\nDear respected Patrons, and well-wishers of M.A.S.D. Public School, Panipat \n\nAt the very outset, it is my proud privilege to greet you, with warm prayerful best wishes and choicest showers of blessings from the almighty God. \n\nI have been enquiring from a number of parents and guardians, when they had an option to make, then, why did they desire to seek admissions for their children and wards at M.A.S.D. Public School, Panipat. Their quick and spontaneous response was that they could not find another school like M.A.S.D., known for its name, fame and good repute. Further they said that it is one of the best schools of Panipat, known for academic, curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities combined with the flavour of discipline, devotion and dedication with which the management and teaching faculty is committed to take care the welfare of the students. The School campus is surrounded by lush green grass, trees, and flowers, adding to the harmony of an echo friendly peaceful atmosphere. It has massive play grounds with indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The students are taught skills and techniques in good health and hygiene.\n\nGreat men were not great when they were born nor when they started their career, but made themselves great by learning, learning and learning. As once Leonardo Da Vinci the great Italian artist and scientist remarked, “Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in the cold weather water becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind”.\n\nHave not the people seen for ages, apples falling from the trees? But surprisingly, Isaac Newton observed it and he discovered the law of gravity. Christopher Columbus charted a course in an unknown ocean and Thomas Edison the idea of electric bulb. To quote former president of India, Mr. Abdul Kalam “Dreams are not those you get when you sleep, but dreams are those that don’t let you sleep”.\n\nOur humble endeavour at M.A.S.D. has been to encourage and prepare our students, in every way to face the difficult challenges of today, boldly and whole heartedly.\n\nWe gratefully acknowledge your trust and confidence deposed in M.A.S.D. School, by giving us an opportunity to serve you and your children in a better way. Once again, I wish all the students, parents and guardians better cooperation and great success.\n\nYours Sincerely.\n\nShashank Aggarwal", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8144803047180176}
{"content": "When used as an aperitif, serve at 50 F, and add an ice cube if required.\n\n\n\n\nPour Pineau in a wine glass and hold it up against a light background to appreciate the colours and hues.\n\n\nAerate the Pineau des Charentes by turning it on your palate. The first attack is lively and reviving, while the second gives a sweetness and fatness that envelops the palate.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8570432662963867}
{"content": "Lumen, Physics\n\nlumen; lm:\n\nThe derived SI unit of luminous flux, described as the luminous flux emitted through a uniform point source of 1 cd emitting its luminous energy on a solid angle of 1 sr; thus it has units of cd sr.\n\nPosted Date: 3/28/2013 5:24:08 AM | Location : United States\n\nRelated Discussions:- Lumen, Assignment Help, Ask Question on Lumen, Get Answer, Expert's Help, Lumen Discussions\n\nWrite discussion on Lumen\nYour posts are moderated\nRelated Questions\nwhat is motion?\n\nProve that the various stationary orbit are not equally spaced?\n\nExplain the Energy and Mass Albert Einstein described an intricate relationship between matter and energy.  It is summarized in the famous formula: E = mc 2   In this equ\n\nA uniform ring has a radius R with centre C. A nd B are 2 pts on the circumference.such that angle theta is 60 0 .find the equivalent resistance between pt A and B? solution) le\n\nExplain  vectors Vectors : a quantity that has a size as well as direction is known a vector. So, for example, the wind blows with some speed and in some direction. So the win\n\nWhen two dissimilar sound rays of slightly different frequencies, traveling in a phase along the same direction, superimpose on one other, the intensity of the resultant sound at a\n\nWhen a small size magnet is laid in two uniform magnetic fields and which are at right angles to each other, the magnet comes to rest at an angle Φ with respect to B h   like that\n\nElastic Collision Collisions among objects are governed through laws of momentum and energy. While a collision occurs in an isolated system, the whole momentum of the system of\n\nCapacitance: If we increase the voltage between the plates, the charge increases, but the ratio of charge to voltage remains the same.  This ratio gives the capacitance (C)  of\n\nA floater to show surface tension Bend a piece of small copper wire into a ring about 8 cm in diameter. Attach two other pieces of wire rigidly to conflicting sides of the ring", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9390636086463928}
{"content": "Objectives of credit control , Managerial Economics\n\n\nThe old objective of controlling credit creation by the commercial banks in the country was dictated by considerations of maintaining stability of the rate of foreign exchange. The international gold standard was maintained for this purpose from 1857 to1914. During the war period of 1914-18, it was temporarily suspended but it was re established in the post war period from 1925-36 in various forms and degrees. But exchange rate stability was incompatible with the domestic price stability. Exchange rate stability was possible at the heavy cost of causing fluctuations in the domestic and international prices. Consequently, such exchange rate stability was followed by fluctuations in the level of economic activity. Naturally, with the passage of time though was given to the maintenance of price stability instead of exchange rate stability as the main objective of credit policy of the central bank. The reason for emphasising exchange rate stability as the goal of central bank credit policy before the breakdown of international gold standard in1936 rested on the universal belief that exchange rate stability was essential for international prestige of a country and for the smooth flow of international trade and lending.\n\nAfter the breakdown of international gold standard in the thirties, price stability as the goal of economic policy attracted more attention. The economic rot brought by the great depression of the thirties convinced the economists and financial experts of the futility of achieving the foreign exchange rate stability in the face of fluctuating domestic prices that did irreparable harm to the stability of domestic economy of a country. The opinion that price stability should be preferred to exchange rate stability if the former was incompatible with the latter gained support on the plea that stabilisation of domestic prices was most conducive to the national economic welfare.\n\nApart from those who support either exchange rate stability or domestic price stability as the goal of central bank monetary policy there are those who argue that the fundamental objective of central bank monetary policy should be to promote accelerated growth of the economy by preventing the occurrence of booms and slums and unemployment. These economists consider economic growth with stability, as against either mere price or exchange rate stability. As the sine qua non of maximisation of national welfare. In recent times the emphasis has shifted from mere economic stability to economic stability compatible with full employment and high per capital income in the economy. So important has the achievement of full employment and growth become as the goals of central bank monetary policy that many countries have officially declared that the basic objective of their economic policy is to achieve full employment and accelerated growth of the economy and monetary policy of the central bank is directed towards the achievement of these twin objectives. In the context of rapid economic growth the special function of central bank in a free enterprise economy are:\n\n1.To improve the existing system of financial intermediaries in order to ensure the maximum productive investment of community savings.\n\n2.To provide direct loans in those areas where the commercial bank do not find it profitable to operate.\n\n3.To conduct its policy of credit control in a manner so as promote the maximum growth rate without causing runaway inflation or unmanageable deficit in country external balance of payments.\n\nPosted Date: 12/1/2012 6:59:58 AM | Location : United States\n\nRelated Discussions:- Objectives of credit control , Assignment Help, Ask Question on Objectives of credit control , Get Answer, Expert's Help, Objectives of credit control Discussions\n\nWrite discussion on Objectives of credit control\nYour posts are moderated\nRelated Questions\nUsing the discounting principle calculate the present value of an annuity of five years at Rs. 500 payments made at the end of each of the next five years at 10% interest. stion..\n\n\n\"A budget deficit that is only temporary cannot be the source of inflation.\"  Is this statement true, false, or uncertain?  Describe your answer.\n\nwhat are the limitation of managerial economics and what is the solution of it?\n\nPHILLIPS CURVE   The Phillips  curve,  named  after  A.  W.  Phillips,  describes  the  relationship between unemployment  and  inflation. In  1958  Phillips, then  professor a\n\nREGRESSIVE TAX A tax is said to be regressive when its burden falls more heavily on the poor than on  the rich.  No civilized government imposes a tax like this.\n\nQ. Production Planning in demand forecast period ? Long term production planning can assist the management in organising long term finances on practical terms and conditions. S\n\nShifts in the supply curve Shifts in the supply curve are brought about by changes in factors other than the price of the commodity. A shift in supply is indicated by an entir\n\nCheap Labour   It is often argued that the economy must be protected from imports which are produced with cheap, or 'sweated\", labour.  Some people argue that buying foreign", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9211976528167725}
{"content": "Quiz Settings\n\nUpgrade your account here to get full access to quiz settings.\n\nDuring this quiz you will be given interactive 12Lead renderings for specific cardiac rhythms. You will have to identify as many rhythms as possible before time runs out.\n\n\nGood Luck!\n\n\nIncluded Categories", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9834989905357361}
{"content": "Flood Potential Outlook\nIssued by NWS Binghamton, NY\n\nVersions: 1 2 3 4\n483 FGUS71 KBGM 151717 ESFBGM NYC007-015-017-023-025-053-065-067-077-097-099-101-105-107-109- 123-PAC015-069-079-103-115-127-131-171730- Winter/Spring Flood Potential Outlook National Weather Service Binghamton NY 117 PM EDT Thu Mar 15 2018 ...AVERAGE RIVER FLOOD POTENTIAL THROUGH MARCH 29th... This is the sixth in a series of regularly scheduled hydrologic outlooks issued during the Winter and Spring season. This outlook is designed to provide a generalized assessment of river flood potential (not flash flooding) across Central New York and Northeast Pennsylvania for the next two weeks...March 15th to March 29th. ...SUMMARY... .Antecedent conditions in the majority of our basins would suggest a higher than average risk of river flooding for the next two weeks. However, medium and long range weather forecasts suggest gradual warming trends and a limited chance for heavy precipitation. The flood favorable conditions in place would thus be mitigated by a gradual melting of the snow pack and no heavy rainfall. The overall flood potential is therefore considered about average for late March. ...CURRENT CONDITIONS... .PRECIPITATION: Above average. The first two weeks of March have seen 1 to 3 inches of precipitation across the basins. Over the past 30 days, precipitation departures ranged from 125 to 200% of normal. .SNOW COVER AND WATER EQUIVALENT: Above Average. Several coastal storms, and lake effect events, have re-established a deep snow cover across many of the basins. The deepest snow cover existed across the headwaters of the Susquehanna and Upper Delaware basins where snow depths ranged from 8 to 18 inches. Up to 2 feet of snow was in place over the highest peaks in the Catskills, the Tully-Heighburgs and the southern Tug Hill. Elsewhere, snow cover ranged from 2 to 12 inches with the lowest totals in the Chemung and Finger Lakes area. The liquid equivalent of the snowpack was about 1 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts approaching 6 inches in the deep snow areas. .RIVER ICE COVER: Normal. The river ice season has passed. All main river channels were clear of any significant ice cover. .STREAMFLOW: Above normal. Streamflow, averaged over the past 28 days, was above normal at a majority of the stream gauge locations when compared to the long term history of each gauge. Some streams from the northern Chemung across the Finger Lakes were running at normal levels. .SOILS AND GROUNDWATER: Above normal. The Palmer Drought Severity Index, along with other multi-model soil moisture indicators, showed wetter than average deep soil conditions throughout the basins. Groundwater levels were generally normal to above normal. .RESERVOIR AND LAKE LEVELS...Variable. NYC Reservoirs were slightly above the long term median pool height. The Finger Lakes levels were generally normal, while Lake Wallenpaupack in NEPA was above its March target pool height. ...FORECAST OUTLOOK... .FUTURE WEATHER CONDITIONS: The 6 to 14 day outlook calls for colder than normal temperatures and slightly above average precipitation. Several other computer forecast simulations suggested generally normal precipitation, and little to no significant storms in the period. The exception being another possible coastal storm during the March 20-21 time frame, which right now is looking to be a cold-side event with mainly snow, or mixed precipitation. .LONG RANGE RIVER MODELING AND PROBABILITY FORECASTS: The ensemble of river forecast systems indicated a lower than average risk of flooding during the next 1-2 weeks. An analysis of flooding, using current hydrologic conditions compared to historical flows, suggested the majority of basins have a lower than average chance of flooding, although basins in the Upper Susquehanna and Delaware headwaters were exhibiting a higher than historical average chance of minor to moderate flooding through early April. ...IN CONCLUSION... This outlook estimates the potential for river and lake flooding based on a current overview of hydro-meteorological factors which contribute to flooding. It is important to note that significant flooding does not occur from snow melt alone. Rainfall, how much and in how short a period of time, is the most important factor in determining the severity of flooding. Specific forecasts of heavy rainfall and flash flooding are not included in this outlook. The next Winter/Spring Flood Outlook will be issued by this office in two weeks, on March 29th 2018. If conditions change in the interim: Flood Watches, Warnings or Advisories will be issued as necessary. $$ JAB\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8876013159751892}
{"content": "Nalysis of 3 Alfred Hitchcocks Films That Represent His directorial Efforts (American Cinema Class)\n\nThis essay is an analysis of a cultural figure whose connection to the culture is expressed through movies.\n\nChoose 3 films that represent the directorial efforts of Hitchcock (Rear Window; Strangers On A Train; Psycho). You want to explore the directors use of style, his infusion of authorship, and how this relates in a cultural/social context. Remember that the director reflects the needs, fears and hopes of the culture.\n\nUsing the 3 films that you have viewed plus appropriate additional research material, analyze what Hitchcock says about American culture. What are the ideological concerns, values, societal roles, goals, etc. of the wider culture of the time period he represents? How is Hitchcocks style calculated to represent these concerns? Have ideological concerns, values, societal roles, etc. changed during the directors artistic life and, if so, has Hitchcocks persona changed to reflect these concerns?\n\nThis should be a 5 page paper excluding sources cited (3). Appropriate additional material may consist of information from the texts, interviews of Hitchcock in magazines or newspapers of his/her era, critical reviews of the films, reference books on social concerns and values of the time period.\n\nThe assignment is sharply focused. Your essay about Hitchcock should be built on the foundations of the solid research, strong cultural analysis and keen cinematic observations.\n\nThis essay is NOT a biography or a filmography. It does NOT matter where the director was born, unless that impacts his work. It does NOT matter about how many awards he has garnered, unless you wish to establish his popularity with his fans.\n\nGive the essay a title that helps you frame your topic. Write an opening thesis paragraph that sets a focus for your work.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999608993530273}
{"content": "Open Source/Open Access\n\nThe fundamental concept behind open sourcing is access to, production of, and distribution of a project that is unrestricted and free. Openness does not imply that resources such as time, talents, and ATP (yes, I’m a biologist) are not expended – only that money (extrinsic motivators) be more or less taken out of the picture. In this sense, open sourcing is really all about developing common pool resources – resources that a group of individuals agrees to share, develop, and protect in a common fashion.\n\nOpenness does not imply that resources such as time, talents, and ATP are not expended – only that money be more or less taken out of the picture.\n\nNo commons is without rules: in fact, the most successful commons have very strong rules which the community agree to abide by. In the case of the traditional sense of free (read: “open source”) software, the GNU license is thought of as the core body of rules that users agree to abide by. Fundamentally, this set of rules is based on a philosophy that creativity and participation are renewable, unlimited resources which will be continually developed if there is sufficient trust.\n\n\nThe exact opposite philosophical approach is that of patenting. Patents assume that there is a shortage of 1) ideas, 2) altruistic, participatory behavior, 3) trustworthy use by others, and provide a means of protecting the resource for the 4) express monetary use (also limited) of that resource by one individual or organization. The obvious attraction to patents is the promise of monetary reward for the effective exploitation of a specific resource/piece of information in order to successfully compete in a free market (also driven by monetary value). Unfortunately, though patents fundamentally protect the rights of the originator, they tend to be prohibitively expensive to produce, license, and enforce. The allure is that once the patent is obtained, you will be able to recoup those costs by licensing or protected production.\n\nPatents fundamentally protect the rights of the originator, but tend to be prohibitively expensive to produce, license, and enforce.\n\nThis whole system is based on a definition of economics that is inherently narrow – most people experience little or no intrinsic value (utility) from money; it is the definition of monetary value as an economic utility and its (current) universality that drive people to desire it. The very philosophy behind Open movements opposes this definition and identifies more intrinsic and meaningful sources of value/utility for individuals and organizations.\n\n\nMy goal in describing the dichotomy between these two systems is not to diminish the importance of protecting intellectual property, only to identify that building walls does not build innovation, but rather causes stratification. Access to ideas enables people to disagree with them and propose alternative solutions. The access that academicians have to knowledge about the universe has not diminished the variety of ideas nor the proliferation of ways and means of doing things. On the contrary, the greater access academicians have to each other’s work(s) leads to greater debate and discussion which inherently leads to greater innovation and advancement of intellectual pursuits. This is the same with other intellectual property pursuits as greater access does not somehow diminish the development of ideas: when more people can share their ideas and debate them, greater work can be accomplished.\n\n\nThe obvious caveat which the academic world has more or less dealt with is that of attribution: when a scientist proposes a theory and works on it, it becomes their unique property, though others have access to debate and or improve it. This is a subject open to much debate in the private sector: how to protect the originator of the idea/process etc. I want to address this in the next couple of posts, but here’s a quick spoiler: I think the solution is protection of attribution with full sharing of the data/product.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8640354871749878}
{"content": "Esther 8:9\n\n  9 H4428 Then were the king's H5608 [H8802] scribes H7121 [H8735] called H6256 at that time H7992 in the third H2320 month H2320 , that is, the month H5510 Sivan H7969 , on the three H6242 and twentieth H3789 [H8735] day of it; and it was written H4782 according to all that Mordecai H6680 [H8765] commanded H3064 to the Judeans H323 , and to the satraps H6346 , and the governors H8269 and princes H4082 of the provinces H1912 which are from India H3568 to Cush H3967 , an hundred H6242 and twenty H7651 and seven H4082 provinces H4082 , to every province H3791 according to the writing H5971 of it, and to every people H3956 after their language H3064 , and to the Judeans H3791 according to their writing H3956 , and according to their language.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6210654377937317}
{"content": "What is the New York Community Media Alliance?\n\nApproximately 25 percent of all American adults rely on ethnic media for their news – a total of about 51 million people. In New York City, this ethnic and community media sector  includes close to 350 weeklies and 26 foreign-language dailies, and reaches a readership of well over 3.5 million, 1.8 million of whom have little or no English-language skills, according to the Mayor's Office on Immigrant Affairs. Well over one-third of these publications are distributed nationally, extending the impact of their reporting beyond the confines of their neighborhood, city and state.\nFounded in 2007, the New York Community Media Alliance (NYCMA) is a member-driven organization that promotes and advocates for the ethnic and community media sector in New York. Through a cluster of programs called the Grassroots Media Project (GMP), the NYCMA encourages informed public participation in communities not well-served by mainstream media, which include  low-income and working-class communities, communities of color, and immigrant communities where English is not the primary language. The GMP helps to strengthen the quality of editorial and business reporting, advocates on for access to information on behalf of immigrant and community journalists, and fosters coalition building within the ethnic and community media sector aimed at demanding transparency and accountability from local, state and federal governments. These programs help to pass on news and analyses from these often disenfranchised communities. They include:\n1. The Ethnic and Community Press Fellowship—a 10 month program offering journalists training to strengthen their investigative reporting skills, networking opportunities with city and advocacy leaders for a more in-depth understanding of the issues, and assistance in expanding their pool of resources. `\n2. “Voices That Must Be Heard”—a weekly online publication that culls articles from NYC’s ethnic and community press and translates them into English when appropriate, reaching 20,000 readers including mainstream journalists, advocacy groups, city and state agencies, and students.\n3. The Independent Press Institute (IPI)—offers press briefings to ethnic and community journalists, and technical workshops to editors and marketing staff. \n4. The Ad Service—a program designed to draw advertisers to the network of ethnic and community newspapers, which are not always as well-known or accessible, to help the publications meet their bottom line.\n5. The “IPPIES Awards”—the only journalism awards in NYC to honor reporting in this media sector, both in English and in languages other than English.\n6. Many Voices, One City—an ethnic and community press directory for NYC and the metropolitan area.  \nThe NYCMA reaches people between the ages of 25 to 60. However, its main target audience includes groups of young adults, low-income people of color, and young academics perceived as future community leaders. The organization is working to contest a media environment that fails to acknowledge and perceive in a nuanced way the needs and concerns of the ethnically diverse communities and communities of color that continue to emerge and represent 60 percent of New York City’s residents. It holds itself accountable to the communities it serves by engaging in a constant process of self-evaluation;  members meet regularly to go over publications and make sure that their work continues to be aligned with their own original principles. The NYCMA is funded by some of the most prominent private foundations in the U.S. the Ford, Rockefeller, and Gates Foundations), and it actively uses Facebook.com and Twitter.com in order to raise awareness amongst people beyond the standard media outlets. \n\nWhy is the Alliance Important?\n\nThe communities the NYCMA serves are the most disenfranchised sectors of the U.S. population: low-income and working-class communities, communities of color, and immigrant communities in which English is not the primary language.  The social problems discussed on a daily basis throughout the HIA program have a particularly devastating impact on these populations. Some of these problems include: the ever-increasing income gap, lack of widespread comprehensive health care services, lack of sustainable community development practices, lack of comprehensive immigration legislation, a national educational system that some would describe as apartheid, poverty and joblessness, and poorly integrated neighborhoods and schools. When such communities do not have the resources necessary to live dignified lives, such as job opportunities, adequate and affordable health care and housing, proper educational and media access, and/or social networks, it becomes more difficult to organize, mobilize, and/or encourage civic engagement in these communities. How, then, does the NYCMA address the interrelated social problems plaguing these communities?   \n\n\nThe ‘success’ of immigrant groups in terms of integration and their position in American society has been heavily influenced by government immigration and citizenship policies. The example of US immigration laws in the 1920s shows how, when compared to European immigrants who could legalize their status, settle and naturalize, Mexicans and other groups of color had more difficulty. Yale Professor of Latin American studies Alicia Camacho discussed how eugenics theories heavily influenced the way Mexicans were perceived (as having less intellectual capacity than ‘whites’ by virtue of their biological make-up), which impacted their ‘social desirability’ as an immigrant group. The nativist/eugenics discourse saw (and continues to see) these populations and new waves of immigrant populations as threats to a “distinctive Americanism.” \n\nIt is the hope of NYCMA that through improved media access, some of these unfortunate misconceptions of immigration will be avoided. The spread of community news to more mainstream parts of society will ideally contribute to a more profound understanding of the difficulties facing immigrant communities. It is also hoped that an increased quality of community media will help to cultivate a more engaged immigrant population, which will naturally result in better integration.  Finally, enabling immigrant communities to access the media in their native languages will improve their Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) test performance in their first language, which will allow them to better learn a second and/or third language. Language proficiency is essential to integration, community empowerment, and informed ethnic and immigrant communities that are better able to effect change in their workplace, children’s schools, and in society at large.\n\nCivic Engagement \n\nStudies on the political participation of immigrants in the US show that there are significant differences between immigrant groups depending on their background, economic situation, and size of ethnic group. With the recent presidential election as well as the upcoming US Census, the NYCMA has been involved in the movement to engage ethnic minorities in the electoral process. The success of community media is very clear in these contexts. In relation to the Census, NYCMA uses its connections and resources to inform and engage minorities and illegal immigrants about the process, the importance of being counted in order to obtain services, and the legal rights that they have even if they are undocumented (i.e. labor rights). \n\nInformed Participation                                                                                       \n\nThrough the work of NYCMA,  the most disenfranchised populations are able to gain full access to information directly related to their needs. In addition to articles, radio, TV shows, and magazines that inform the communities, NYCMA also organizes press conferences about labor rights, immigrants’ rights, the Census, and electoral processes. Through these press conferences, communities have the opportunity to engage politicians, policymakers, activists, and journalists in critical dialogues about issues which directly impact their realities. They gain information about services available to them, such as those provided by the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Moreover, these communities have access to analyses of current affairs which NYCMA members have conducted. For instance, in the last few decades, Latino undocumented migrants have experienced growing criminalization as a result of enhanced border controls and the rising numbers of deportations. Spreading awareness of immigrants’ rights and available services helps prevent and/or mitigate future discrimination and socio-political exclusion.\n\nInternational Dialogue\n\nOften, newly arrived immigrant groups rely on media from their native countries. The NYCMA allows immigrant communities to have access to this media in addition to community- based media operating in a more American context. In this way, immigrants can begin to see themselves as belonging to transnational communities with solidarities that extend between their new home and their native countries. In addition, the symbiotic relationship developed between publications from their native countries, and ethnic and community publications in the US, serves to identify the needs of ethnic and migrant communities here as they relate to the needs of those who could potentially emigrate to the US. This, in turn, can help to incite a much-needed dialogue about the importance of developing comprehensive foreign policy in Latin America and other parts of the world. \n\nThinking Globally: Proposals\n\n\nIn Denmark, we have a growing community of non-ethnic Danes. Until now, only one of those linguistic groups has acquired an independent media outlet: the Turkish newspaper Haber, which is published in collaboration with the Danish newspaper Politiken, serves the Turkish community. The vision put forth by NYCMA is therefore very relevant to the Danish context. The problem, however, is that there really are no ethnically-based community media outlets besides Haber. It will therefore be necessary to adjust the business model used in the US to the realities of the Danish media sector. \nTo implement some of NYCMA’s ideas, it will probably be necessary to collaborate with the mainstream media. Providing mainstream journalists with training about minority issues – either in an independent setting or through their official training – would seem to be the most credible way of implementing a more balanced media, which will take minority issues into greater consideration. Hopefully, that could lead to an alliance within the media sector of people committed to minority issues. If this resulted in a more serious coverage of minorities and the difficulties they face, it could help address some of the other problems in Danish society. Currently, most stories concerning minorities take a negative angle, fueling an already hostile environment for immigrants. If this bias were eliminated, it might facilitate integration and interethnic understanding in Denmark. Another useful approach would be to educate minority groups that might otherwise be excluded from official journalistic training programs, due to their lack of educational attainment and proficiency in the Danish language. If ethnic minority groups were better represented within the media, this would probably be reflected in better coverage of minority issues.       \n\n\nMigration has always been a part of Germany’s demographic shift towards a more heterogeneous society. This has led to the establishment of several ethnic and linguistic minorities within the country. However, according to field research conducted by Rainer Geißler (Massenmedien und Integration ethnischer Minderheiten in Deutschland), the mass media outlets in Germany fail to fully address the issues of minorities within the country. The Governmental Press Institute (Presse- und Informationsamts der Bundesregierung) found that the majority of the two million people of Turkish origin living in Germany make equal use of German and Turkish publications.\nOther studies have shown that publically financed programs broadcasting in languages other than German were not sustainable, and vanished in the 1990s. In the meantime, independent media outlets have supplanted the government’s task of addressing minorities. Currently, there are over 50 independent newspapers published in languages other than German; for example, Hürriyet (Turkish), Akropolis (Greek) and Corriere d’Italia (Italian). Their overall quality is estimated to be comparable to the average local newspaper.\nIn comparison to the United States, there are fewer first-generation immigrants, and fewer people with no knowledge or insufficient knowledge of the native language (German). The ethnic composition of residential areas and their relative degree of empowerment in the political system also differs immensely from the US, and cannot be truly compared. The main problem in Germany seems to be what Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Meier-Braun.calls ‘ethnomarketing’. Immigrants are partly perceived as a threat, while average citizens regularly overestimate their numbers.\nAdapting the idea of NYCMA’s “Voices That Must Be Heard” program for Germany would not only allow the broader public access to a more critical and diverse set of perspectives on important events, but contribute to a deeper understanding of the issues facing minorities in Germany as well as a more positive attitude regarding those minorities, neither of which is encouraged by mass media.\n\nShare this Article\n\nAbout This Article\n\nHIA Program:\n\nUnited-states United States 2009\n\n\nRelated Media\n\nby Sami Asali, Sarah Howard, Marta Usiekniewicz, United States 2009\nP!oneers: A Discussion with Kenneth Jackson\nby Kenneth Jackson, United States 2009\nP!oneers: A Discussion with Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos\nby Renée Jones-Bos, United States 2009\nP!oneers: A Discussion with Majora Carter at The Point\nby Majora Carter, United States 2009\nP!oneers Site Visit to Hunts Point, Bronx\nby John Mundy, United States 2009\nP!oneers: An Introduction\nby , United States 2009\nP!oneers: Fix the World\nby , United States 2009\nBrowse all content", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6912268400192261}
{"content": "I Can Think Clearly Now\n\nLuda Kopeikina\n\nYou know how you feel when you have a ‘light bulb’ moment, when suddenly the solution to a problem becomes crystal clear. What if those were regular occurrences instead of elusive moments? Here is how to eliminate three bad habits (often mistaken as qualities) that can cloud your thinking and decision-making skills.\n\nMany business leaders agonize over decisions. Big or small, we replay all the possible solutions to a problem over and over in our mind. We get so wrapped up in the problem that our brain often gets “stuck” and we can’t move forward. Sometimes the decision is easy, like which restaurant to take a client to, while other times the decision is much more difficult, such as whether to take a job transfer. Yet, when your mind is foggy and unfocused, even simple decisions can seem impossible.\nWhy are some of these seemingly “easy” decisions so hard to make? It’s not the decision itself, but rather the state your mind and body are in when you are faced with making one. You need to be relaxed, balanced, and focused to be able to easily make the right decisions every time. Additionally, we often engage in daily habits that make reaching clarity and good decisions near impossible.\nWhen you’re in this proper mental state, all the facets of your mind and body come together in the right balance. You can …\n\n\n\nContinue reading...\n\nLog In\nSign Up\n\n\n- Dave Barry", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9605715870857239}
{"content": "Thursday, March 8, 2018\n\nFAQs about Choosing, Eating, and Juicing Oranges\n\n\n\nHow can you tell if an orange is ripe and sweet?\n\n\n\n\nHow long does citrus keep?\n\n\nWhen is citrus season?\n\n\n\nWhat are the best eating oranges?\n\n\nWhat are the best juicing oranges?\n\n\n\n\nWhat is the best way to juice an orange?\n\n\n\nHow do you pick an orange off a tree?\n\n\n\n\n\nThursday, February 22, 2018\n\nEverything You Always Wanted to Know about Tangerines…But Were Afraid to Ask\n\nTangerines are technically mandarin oranges!\n\nWhat is a tangerine?\n\nThis seemingly simple question does not have a simple answer! Scientifically speaking, “tangerine” is an inexact word. Generally, though, when we talk about tangerines, we’re talking about a fruit that is smaller than an orange, flatter at the top and bottom, and more reddish-orange in color.\n\nTangerines are usually sweeter than oranges, and their flavor is often considered richer, deeper, and stronger. They’re enjoyable to eat in part due to their thin, easy-peeling skin.\n\nBotanically speaking, tangerines are a type of mandarin orange. Mandarin oranges originated in China (hence the name), while the fruit we now call tangerines first arrived in Europe in the 1800s. They were exported through the city of Tangiers in Morocco, which lent them their name. Tangerines were first grown in the United States near Palatka, Florida.\n\nBy the way, just to add to the tangerine confusion, growers and sellers may call various tangerine-orange or tangerine-orange-grapefruit hybrids “tangerines.”\n\nWhat are some common tangerine varieties?\n\nThe Dancy tangerine used to be the main tangerine in the US, but it’s given way to the honey tangerine (technically a tangerine-orange hybrid), various types of Murcott, the Fallglo, and the Sunburst.\n\nHere at Florida Fruit Shippers, we sell three varieties of tangerines: the honey tangerine, a super-sweet little ball of honey sweetness, the Fallglo, a big, richly flavorful fruit, and the Robinson, a juicy, heritage variety that reminds us of the Page, one of the best eating fruit out there.\n\nWith a richer flavor and deep orange, tangerine juice is some of the best citrus juice out there.\n\nWhat makes tangerines special?\n\nTangerines sometimes get just a little overshadowed by their bigger and more familiar cousin the orange, but that’s definitely a mistake. Their flavor is often considered richer than oranges by those in the know. Not only are they a great snack due to their smaller size, they actually make some of the best citrus juice out there. The color of tangerine juice is absolutely incredible—a deep, intense orange that leaves the paler hue of regular OJ looking anemic by comparison. If you haven’t tried it, you need to.\n\nWhen it comes to cooking, some examples of delicious tangerine recipes include Tangerine Beef, Rosemary-Tangerine Roasted Chicken, Spinach Salad with Honey-Tangerine Dressing, Tangerine Drizzle Cake, and Tangerine Pudding. Or why not try a tangy Tangerine Margarita?\n\nWhat’s the difference between a tangerine and a clementine and a Cutie and a…?\n\nNow this is another confusing topic. Tangerines, clementines, Cuties, and the other small citrus fruit you may have seen at your grocery store in bags or crates are all technically mandarin oranges. But did you know that Pixie, Cutie, Halo, and other similar new names are not actually fruit varieties? They are brand names. The small, seedless fruits you see marketed under these names may be clementines, Murcott mandarins, Tangos, or yet another kind of seedless mandarin, depending on the time of year.\n\nTangerines, clementines, Cuties, etc. are all technically mandarin oranges. \n\nFrankly, while these little “brand name” citrus are cute, their quality can be unpredictable. Sometimes they may be great; other times they can be dry, bland, or have off flavors. Why? Well, some of the varieties they use just taste better than others. Depending on the time of year, the fruit may also have experienced long shipping and storage times (some are grown outside the United States).\n\nThe tangerines we sell here at Florida Fruit Shippers are bigger than these “mini” mandarins. And it’s true that they will have some seeds. However, we think they are juicier, more deeply flavorful, and, of course, reliably fresh and sweet. Give them a try.\n\n\n\nMonday, February 5, 2018\n\n10 New Ways to Enjoy Juicy-Sweet Ruby Red Grapefruit\n\nIn my family growing up, Christmas morning breakfast was a ritual. We always ate it off the “fancy” china, and we always had two things: a special homemade coffee cake, and fresh Florida grapefruit, halved, sectioned, and lightly sprinkled with sugar. Something about the juicy, tart-sweet fruit really set off the flavor of the rich cake.\n\nThe History of Grapefruit\n\nDid you know that grapefruit is a hybrid of the orange and a fruit called the pommelo? It’s true. First seen in the Caribbean, the fruit was brought to Florida sometime in the early 1800s by an interesting character, Count Odet Philippe.\n\nAt first, grapefruit were either pale pink or white. Some varieties were extremely flavorful, but they all tended towards the more sour end of the spectrum. But in 1929, a new grapefruit mutation was discovered with red flesh and a much sweeter taste. This was the birth of the “Ruby Red” grapefruit, which soon became explosively popular due to its incredibly enjoyable and approachable flavor. Other delectably sweet and juicy “red” varieties have followed.\n\nGrapefruit is certainly a delicious addition to the breakfast table. I love it because it’s absolutely never dry or bland, and always adds such a pop of juicy flavor to my day. But there’s a lot more to grapefruit than the halved fruit in a bowl that I enjoyed as a kid. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can bring a refreshing and sparkling zing to cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, salads, and desserts (along, of course, with breakfast).\n\nOne important but very easy thing to learn about grapefruit is the various ways to section and cut it for eating and cooking. We found a great tutorial showing 3 basic ways: halving and sectioning (basically, the “old-fashioned way” you probably know from childhood); removing beautiful sections from the peel and membrane using a knife, also called supreming; and a slightly more time-consuming method of removing the fruit from the membrane by hand. If you’re going to use grapefruit in a recipe, method #2, supreming, is probably the easiest and fastest.\n\nHere are 10 ways to enjoy grapefruit that you probably haven’t tried before. Take a second look at this sometimes-underused fruit and see how sophisticated, luscious, and yes, sexy it can be.\n\nGrapefruit Cocktails: Sweet and Sour\n\nHave you ever grilled a grapefruit? Me neither, but I’m definitely intrigued by this exotic cocktail featuring honey syrup, fresh sage, silver tequila, and wheels of Ruby Red grapefruit that have been lightly grilled. Not a drink you see every day.\n\nGrilled Grapefruit and Sage Cocktail\n\nLooking for something a little simpler? This grapefruit martini may remind you a little bit of a Cosmopolitan, but with a fresher, more sophisticated flair. As long as you have simple syrup on hand, it’s a cinch to make.\n\nRuby Red Grapefruit Martini\n\nGrapefruit in Salads: Fresh and Luscious\n\nThis cool, delectable salad of fresh grapefruit, perfect avocado, Bibb lettuce, and tender shrimp looks like it really ought to be eaten poolside in Florida on a 70-degree day in February. If you can’t manage that, well…you could eat it indoors on a 40-degree day somewhere else and just imagine you’re down here.\n\nGrapefruit Avocado Shrimp Salad\n\nGrapefruit and seafood are often paired, and for a reason—they really complement each other. Here, mahi mahi gets glazed with grapefruit juice and seared, then served over fresh greens and yellow peppers and topped with supremed grapefruit and pistachios.\n\nGrapefruit and Spinach Salad with Glazed Mahi Mahi\n\nGrapefruit in Main Dishes: Juicy and Savory\n\nHere’s a truly Floridian dish: fresh Florida pompano in a sauce made from butter, white wine, and the juice of fresh ruby red grapefruit, with chopped pistachios on top.\n\nFlorida Pompano with a Meyer Lemon Grapefruit Sauce\n\nWhat? Grapefruit…risotto? Yes! Combined with fresh thyme, red onions, and parmesan, this is a completely different dish.\n\nRed Grapefruit Risotto with Red Onions and Thyme\n\nGrapefruit in Desserts: Sweet and Gorgeous\n\nI had a grapefruit pie at a local restaurant last winter that’s haunted my dreams ever since. It was kind of like lemon meringue, but not so sweet, with a graham cracker crust, and there was some kind of caramel involved, too. This recipe isn’t quite the same, but it’s similar.\n\nChilled Grapefruit Caramel Meringue Pie\n\nA pavlova is a showstopper dessert combining a crispy meringue shell, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. Here, we get meringue nests burnished with reduced grapefruit juice filled to the rim with whipped cream that’s mixed with juicy supremed red grapefruit….wow!\n\nGrapefruit Pavlova with Grapefruit Mousse\n\nGrapefruit for Breakfast: Tangy Good Morning\n\nOkay, you’ve had donuts. You’ve had grapefruit. But we bet you haven’t had grapefruit donuts—right? The juicy grapefruit flavor is in the donut and the glaze here. How fun is that?\n\nGrapefruit Donuts\n\nCitrus and poppyseeds go together like…well, they just go together. These bright-flavored treats feature grapefruit in the scones themselves and in the pretty pink glaze.\n\nGlazed Grapefruit Poppyseed Scones\n\nIf you’d like to see more grapefuit recipes and ideas, visit our Pinterest page. Enjoy these new ways to savor this healthful and delicious fruit.\n\n\nWednesday, January 31, 2018\n\nCitrus and Your Health\n\nIs there anything easier to grab, yet more naturally delicious than a sweet, ripe orange, a plump, juicy tangerine, or a refreshingly tart grapefruit? I know how much I look forward to enjoying this Floridian bounty every fall, winter and spring. There’s just nothing like it.\n\nBut while we know that eating fresh fruit is generally good for our health, have you ever found yourself wondering about the specific health benefits of fresh citrus? For instance, would it be fair to consider citrus a “superfood,” or is it just another good option?\n\nIf you’ve ever wanted to know more about what citrus can do for your health, read on to learn 9 great reasons why citrus is more than just a deliciously easy snack!\n\nCitrus is chock full of nutrients\n\nOf course, almost everyone knows that citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons, and limes are high in health-giving vitamin C. (Of the citrus most commonly eaten, oranges and tangerines are the highest in C, followed by grapefruit, then lemons and limes.) But it doesn’t stop there. Citrus is rich in potassium, folate, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, and B vitamins as well, all of which play key roles in supporting health, from preventing birth defects to making sure fluids are in good balance. Citrus also contains phytonutrients—plant compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, limonoids, and more. We’re only beginning to understand the many crucial roles that these plant compounds play in supporting our health.\n\nCitrus is full of fiber\n\nWe all know that fiber is good for us, right? It helps us feel full longer, reduces cholesterol levels, and, well, it keeps us regular. Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruit are a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which both play important roles in the body. An average serving of citrus should provide about 1-3 grams of fiber, or somewhere around 10% of what you need in a day.\n\nCitrus may shorten your cold\n\nCan loading up on fresh orange juice (or hot citrus toddies!) actually prevent a cold? Research doesn’t seem to support the idea that the vitamin C in citrus can STOP colds from developing. However, getting adequate C may help shorten the length of your cold, perhaps by about a day. That’s nothing to sneeze at. (See what we did there?)\n\nCitrus supports heart health\n\nCitrus fruit like oranges are rich in hesperidins, which are thought to increase blood flow and potentially lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.\n\nCitrus may fight cancer\n\nNumerous nutrients and compounds in citrus have been shown to have cancer-fighting potential in the lab and in studies. In fact, research suggests that people who eat more citrus seem to have lower rates of certain cancers, including cancers of the colon, esophagus, and stomach. This effect is even stronger in people who also regularly drink green tea!\n\nCitrus doesn’t spike your blood sugar\n\nEspecially considering their sweet taste, oranges have a low glycemic index, meaning they don’t cause your blood sugar to shoot up quickly after you eat them but instead cause a slower, more even rise. Foods with a low glycemic index are better for us because they may keep us full longer and cause the body to store less fat.\n\nCitrus is great for your diet\n\nDespite their sweet taste, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruit, and other citrus are low on calories while being full of flavor and zing, along with the fiber that fills us up. The average large orange is only about 70-80 calories! (Compare to a banana at 105). What’s more, citrus juice and zest are awesome at adding flavor to food without adding salt, refined sugar, or other unwanted stuff. Some even believe that grapefruit, in particular, is a metabolism booster.\n\nCitrus helps you absorb iron\n\nFoods high in vitamin C, like oranges and other citrus fruit, can dramatically increase the body’s absorption of iron from food when the two types of food are eaten together. For instance, if you cook your high-iron shrimp with a delicious orange sauce, you’ll absorb that iron much better!\n\nCitrus may help us look younger\n\nThe Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and antioxidants found in citrus fruit like oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit can benefit your skin and hair, contributing to a younger appearance. Sounds good to me!\n\nOverall, we think you’ll agree that citrus is more than just delicious—it can have significant positive effects on your body. Enjoy these tasty fruits and the long-term benefits they can bring. To your health!\n\n\n\nTuesday, January 9, 2018\n\nCitrus in Art: A Long and Beautiful History\n\nIt’s possible we’re a little biased, but around here, we consider citrus fruit and citrus trees to be breathtakingly beautiful. The glossy green leaves, the delicate, ethereally fragrant flowers…and then, of course, the fruit, in all its glorious shades of rose, golden, yellow, orange, pink, bright or deep green, and sometimes even scarlet. When you cut them open, more beauty ensues: the translucent sections shine gloriously in the light, once again displaying a rainbow of hues. \n\nIs it any wonder, then, that citrus fruits have been a favorite subject of artists for hundreds of years? Quick history lesson: citrus fruit originated and was first cultivated in Asia. Several thousand years later, it spread slowly to the Mediterranean. The first citrus to “travel” was the citron, which most of us wouldn’t really recognize as tasty or familiar—it was mostly peel, with a dry, inedible interior, but did have a pleasant citrusy scent. Eventually lemons also reached the Mediterranean, with limes, sour oranges, and the pomelo (the ancestor of the grapefruit) then making their way slowly around the area and into Europe. Sweet oranges came last, in the 1500s. Citrus was also brought to Florida by the Spaniards around this time.\n\nFrom the beginning, cultivated citrus was treasured, valued, and expensive. The fruits acquired religious significance in various cultures and were associated with health and wealth. Of course, they were also used in cooking, especially the sour orange. And artists, appreciating their beauty and, surely, their association with wealth and high status, soon depicted them in their art, a practice that continues today. (Just visit, a marketplace for small independent artists, and type in “citrus art” to see what I mean—today’s search brought up 4,911 results.)\n\nLet’s take a look at some examples of citrus in art across the ages. This article features a photo of a Buddha’s hand citron portrayed strikingly in white jade, from the 18th century (the Buddha’s hand is a very unusual “fingered” citrus, mostly peel, that is highly fragrant and popular in Asian countries). The article also depicts a very old silk painting from the Ming Dynasty, thought to have been painted sometime in the 14th-17th century, that clearly shows a citrus fruit (it looks like a tangerine to me, but the article mentions citron). These are just two examples of citrus’s presence in Asian art, dating back hundreds of years.\n\nBotanical drawings of citrus are often quite beautiful, and may be considered their own category of art. A massive volume describing the known citrus varieties of the time, written by a Jesuit monk in 1646, is treasured for its beautiful engravings of these ancient and often (to our eyes) strange lemons, oranges, citrons, and so on, drawn by many of the great artists working at the time. It is a quite an amazing record—see some of the drawings here.\nBanquet Still Life with Mouse by Abraham van Beyeren [wiki]\nFlemish still life painting in the 1600s were incredibly lush, detailed, and vibrant, often featuring lavish spreads of fancy tableware and expensive foods, such as lobster. As a costly imported fruit, citrus fruits like lemons and oranges were very frequently featured. The opulent meals on display in these paintings were thought to symbolize both wealth and the fleeting nature of life and our inevitable journey towards death. Take a look at this one, Abraham van Beyeren’s Banquet Still Life, where a half-peeled orange or lemon lounges center stage as if still waiting to be eaten. A journey into this genre of work will reveal many such depictions.\n\nIn the 19th century, the impressionist school of painting also participated in the depiction of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, though in this case it’s doubtful that much symbolism was intended. Instead, the aim was likely simply to portray the beauty of the fruits. Here is Cezanne’s well-known Apples and Oranges, from 1899. Matisse’s Still life with Oranges, from the same year, is rather vague and conceptual, with the painting being more about colors and forms.\n\nStill Life with Parrot by Frida Kahlo [wiki]\n\nMeanwhile, the cubist Pablo Picasso also took his turn at a “still life with oranges.” See what you think of this playful take on the “oranges on a table” tradition, from 1936. And in 1951, surrealist folk artist Frida Kahlo depicted a luscious but strangely sliced orange in her Still life with Parrot. Critics have suggested that the sliced orange may be a symbol for Kahlo herself, who endured many painful surgeries after a near-fatal bus accident.\n\nAs for artists inspired by citrus working today, we were intrigued to learn of one current artist who literally works with oranges themselves to create his unique art. Yoshihiro Okada draws a design on the peel of a whole tangerine (leaving no part unused) and removes it carefully to reveal an astonishing piece of citrus peel art—a bird, a fish, a horse, a monkey. It’s a bit like origami, but considerably more magical and difficult. Watch more videos of Okada’ unique artistry here.\n\nWith such a rich and varied history across the globe, it’s no wonder that gorgeous, fragrant, and delicious citrus has been inspiring artists for hundreds, even thousands of years. The next time you visit an art museum or gallery, keep your eyes “peeled” for art featuring our favorite fruit.\n\n\nFriday, December 29, 2017\n\nThe Magic of Vintage Citrus Recipes\n\nDelicious citrus has been a part of our lives and of families’ recipes for so long that thousands of beloved recipes have been created to make use of this delicious bounty. Most of us are likely familiar with many of the common favorites, such as lemon meringue pie, orange sherbet, orange cake, and lemon puddings. But although we may enjoy these familiar treats, there are so many other interesting recipes out there, some of which have nearly been lost to the sands of time. Fortunately, those who love and enjoy old recipes, as well as food enthusiasts and recipe archivists, are always at work finding and restoring these hidden gems. In this blog post, we’ll feature some lesser-known vintage citrus recipes highlighting the fresh flavors of oranges, grapefruit, and more that are worth rediscovering as part of Florida’s rich and varied citrus history.\n\nCrepes Suzette\n\nCrepes suzette are a very famous and antique recipe (dating from around the turn of the 20th century) consisting of crepes in a sauce of butter, sugar, tangerine juice or orange juice, citrus zest, and orange liqueur. In a rather dramatic gesture, the dish is briefly set aflame before serving. This dish was popular in the 1970s but doesn’t get seen much now. It certainly would be fun to try it again with fresh citrus. Maybe for New Year’s Eve?\n\nAtlantic Beach Pie\n\nHave you ever enjoyed chocolate-covered potato chips or saltines with chocolate and toffee on top? If so, you’ll probably understand the appeal of Atlantic Beach Pie, a vintage pie made with a lemon filling, a whipped cream or meringue top, and, unusually, a “cracker’ crust made not with graham crackers, but saltines. This treat was popular in North Carolina seafood restaurants in the 50s—hence the “beach”—but has recently made a comeback.\n\nSour Orange Pie\n\nThis is an old and truly Floridian recipe that was developed to use the juice of the sour orange. What’s a sour orange? Well, that can be a bit of an open question. I find that people use the term to apply to any somewhat “feral” orange (perhaps growing in the woods or found on an old property) of uncertain parentage that isn’t good for eating out of hand. However, the term may also be used for the Seville orange, a very authentic “cooking” orange typically used for marmalade and marinades. This recipe was designed so it can be made both with true sour oranges and with a combination of oranges and lemons. It’s something like a cross between key lime and lemon meringue pie.\n\nBroiled Grapefruit\n\nIf you are of a certain age, your mom might have made you a broiled grapefruit once upon a time. This simple but actually very delicious recipe consists of placing a grapefruit half (with sections pre-loosened) under the broiler after topping it with brown sugar and perhaps a bit of cinnamon or butter. The topping gets browned and a bit crunchy, almost like the top of a crème brulee. In its vintage incarnation, this was often served with a maraschino cherry in the middle and was often considered an appetizer! Today, we’d probably eat it for breakfast, perhaps with yogurt or granola.\n\nAmbrosia Salad\n\nAmbrosia salad goes back, in one form or another, to the late 1800s. Early versions seem to mostly be about oranges, pineapple, and coconut, dressed with sugar; one 1877 cookbook calls for “one pine-apple peeled and sliced, pulverized sugar, six oranges, six lemons and two cocoa-nuts” in layers. In the 1950s through the 1970s, however, ambrosia started getting all kinds of things added to it, from grapes, fruit cocktail, and cherries to pecans, bananas, and marshmallows. It also began to be served with a creamy dressing, which could be made of anything from whipped cream or whipped topping to yogurt to sour cream to mayonnaise. Some people love this old-fashioned citrus dessert (or is it a side dish?) and some hate it. I suggest trying a stripped down version with fresh citrus and no dressing, but if you’d like to try a more classic backyard potluck vintage version, this seems like a classic version.\n\nGinger Ale Citrus Salad\n\nThis recipe is here as a representative of the literally hundreds of Jell-O salads that included oranges, grapefruit, tangerine, or other citrus. Seriously, there were tons of these in the 50s, and one has to admit, they were visually stunning. This one, from a fun blog that re-creates recipes of the 40s, 50s, and 60s, is actually quite delicious, or so they say. It includes grapefruit, oranges, lemons, grapes, pineapple, and candied ginger, suspended in gingery gelatin. While we may have fallen out of love with Jell-O salad, I admit, this one sounds pretty fun.\n\nThere are literally hundreds more vintage recipes featuring oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerine, and other citrus fruits out there, since these fruits have been popular and widely available for a long time in America. While the Internet offers access to many, there’s nothing quite like diving into the pages of a real vintage cookbook to get the true feeling for an era. Citrus is so versatile and delicious that it’s been gracing our plates for a very long time. Check out a vintage recipe sometime soon and be reminded of why some things never go out of style.\n\n\nSunday, December 3, 2017\n\nClean Eating with Florida Citrus\n\nIt’s the time of year when we all tend to overindulge—maybe a little, maybe a lot. What with all the parties, food gifts, and cookie platters, holiday weight gain and unbalanced eating can feel a little inevitable.\n\nI enjoy all the holiday favorites, but I also often enjoy the feeling of “taking a break” from all the richness. This is where cooking with and snacking on fresh Florida citrus can help. Whether you’re aiming for a little balance or trying to change your eating habits permanently, these delicious fruits can help you eat better effortlessly.\n\nWe may think of citrus as a sweet, guilt-free snack, and it certainly can serve that purpose well—a navel, tangerine, or Honeybell eaten out of hand (maybe with a little protein, like some cheese or almonds) makes for a great healthy afternoon nibble. But there are so many more possibilities for clean eating with citrus, especially when it comes to cooking.\n\nThe balanced, sweet-acid flavor of citrus juice provides so much flavor punch, especially in savory food. One cooking secret that experienced chefs know is how important acid flavors like orange and lemon juice are to “bringing out” the flavor of food. In fact, they serve much the same purpose as salt, without any of the potential health consequences. Using fresh citrus juice in your dishes can really dial up the flavor without adding anything negative as far as health. Here are some healthy recipes using citrus juice:\n\nCitrus Grilled Shrimp and Zoodles: Grilled shrimp is marinated in fresh orange juice with lime and cilantro and served on a bed of zucchini “zoodles.”\n\nHawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad with Mango Vinaigrette : This beautiful salad with grilled chicken breast, mangoes, red peppers, and a fresh citrus juice vinaigrette looks delicious.\n\nOrange Rosemary Glazed Salmon: Recipes featuring orange glazes are often high in added sugar, but not this one. You’ll enjoy the savory combination of orange and rosemary with salmon, a perennial family favorite and healthy choice.\n\nCitrus zest is also another incredible flavor secret for flavorful and healthy food. Orange, tangerine, grapefruit, lemon, and lime zest are not only delicious and intensely flavorful, they're thought to be extremely good for us. Zest is very high in vitamin C and in antioxidants that may have cancer-fighting abilities. Scientists are still learning more, but some believe the most healthful properties of citrus are actually concentrated here.\n\nCitrus Caesar Salad with Zesty Shrimp: This Caesar salad actually uses the zest from 3 citrus fruit—orange, lemon, and lime—to make a delightfully different dressing.\n\nOrange Ginger Tofu: This healthful recipe uses both zest and juice and incorporates tofu and broccoli for a high-calcium, vegan meal that’s also delicious.\n\nCranberry-Orange Brussel Sprout Slaw: High in fiber, low in fat, zingy, and crunchy, this is a perfect winter salad for when you’re feeling bogged down by carby and rich meals.\n\nAnd of course, using the actual citrus fruit itself in all kinds of dishes provides a delicious flavor boost while also providing health benefits. What you get from using the fruit sections that you don’t get from using juice or zest is a big helping of fiber, which citrus fruit are rich in. Fiber is key to our health because it helps our digestion, lowers our cholesterol, and keeps blood sugar stable. A medium orange has 2-3 grams of fiber and a grapefruit has about 2 grams of fiber (we don’t tend to eat the more fibrous parts of the grapefruit… though if you peel them and eat them like you do an orange, you do!)\n\nCitrus and Pomegranate Fruit Salad: This stunning and extremely simple salad is packed with nutrients, high in fiber, and contains no added sugar.\n\nPink Detox Salad: We’ll “detox” any day of the week if we get to eat this incredible-looking salad, full of ruby-red grapefruit, strawberries, and watermelon on top of kale! Yum.\n\nOrange Coconut Chia Pudding: Have you tried chia seeds? These nutritious little seeds are not only high in fiber but have an amazing ability to naturally thicken liquids to a pudding-like consistency when left to sit. Here, they turn light coconut milk and orange slices into a tasty, healthy breakfast pudding.\n\nThis holiday season, enjoy your sweets and treats, but take time to treat your body well and eat lightly and nutritiously, too. With citrus, it’s easy and delicious to do this, now and year-round.\n\nFor more healthy citrus recipes and lots more amazing citrus ideas, check out Florida Fruit Shippers on Pinterest!\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5819647312164307}
{"content": "tidal volume\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\npacked-cell volume (PCV) hematocrit.\n\nti·dal vol·ume (VT),\n\nthe volume of air that is inspired or expired in a single breath during regular breathing.\nSynonym(s): tidal air\n\ntidal volume\n\nThe volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a single breath.\n\ntidal volume (TV, Vt)\n\nEtymology: AS, tid, time; L, volumen, paper roll\nthe amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal ventilation. Inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, and tidal volume make up vital capacity. See also pulmonary function test.\n\ntidal volume\n\nLung physiology The volume of air drawn into the lungs during inspiration from the end-expiratory position, which leaves the lungs passively during expiration in the course of quiet breathing. See Lung volumes. Cf Residual volume.\n\nti·dal vol·ume\n\n(tī'dăl vol'yūm)\nThe volume of air inspired or expired in a single breath during regular breathing.\nSynonym(s): tidal air.\n\ntidal volume\n\nThe volume of air entering and leaving the lungs during a single respiratory effort, whether the rate is normal, high or low.\n\ntidal volume\n\nthe amount of air taken in to the lungs by an animal breathing normally at rest, during each respiratory cycle (each breath). In humans this is about 0.5 dm3 (500 cm3).\n\n\nin physiology and medicine, refers to pulmonary ventilation, the movement of air in and out of the lungs, whether during normal breathing, or by artificial means. total ventilation or minute volumeE (or I) is the volume breathed out (or in) in litres per minute: the tidal volume multiplied by the number of breaths per minute. May be measured, e.g. by collecting the expired gas over a known time (Douglas bag method), or by integrating inspired or expired airflow with respect to time (by pneumotachograph). The effective component, alveolar ventilationA, refers to that which reaches the regions of the lungs where gas exchange occurs, and is equal to the total ventilation minus dead space ventilationD. Normally, at rest, A : D = 2:1 or typically, E - D = A, 6 - 2 = 4 L.min-1. When ventilation increases in exercise, the dead space is unchanged, so D rises only in proportion to the rise in frequency of breaths, but E rises relatively more as tidal volume also increases. See also artificial ventilation, dead space, lung volumes and capacities.\nLung volumes.\n\nlung volumes\n\nmeasurements made as part of pulmonary function tests; the volumes that move in and out during the normal breathing cycle, and with deliberate additional effort, can be measured directly by spirometry with the subject breathing through a closed circuit in and out of a cylinder inverted over water, or into a vitalograph, or by pneumotachograph; the residual volume can be measured only indirectly by dilution methods (usually with helium) or by whole body plethysmography. See also ventilation. See figure and table overleaf .\nTable 1: Lung volumes\nVT (TV)Tidal volumeVolume of inspired/expired air moving in and out with each breath\nInspiratory and expiratory reserve volumesUsed when tidal volume increases above that at rest\nVCVital capacityVolume that can be inspired/expired after full expiration/inspiration\nFEV1Forced expiratory volume in 1sVolume exhaled in the first second, with maximal effort after full inspiration\nFRCFunctional residual capacityVolume remaining in the lungs at end-expiration; decreases as tidal volume increases\nRVResidual volumeRemains after a maximal expiratory effort; cannot be exhaled\nTLCTotal lung capacityVital capacity + residual volume\n\nti·dal vol·ume\n\n(tī'dăl vol'yūm)\nVolume of air inspired or expired in a single breath during regular breathing.\nSynonym(s): tidal air.\n\ntidal volume,\n\nn the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal ventilation.\n\ntidal volume\n\nReferences in periodicals archive ?\n2] = fractional inspired concentration of oxygen; PEEP = positive end-expiratory pressure in centimeters of water pressure; Vt = tidal volume (in milliliters); b/min = breaths per minute.\nDeterminants of tidal volumes with adaptive support ventilation: a multicenter observational study.\nConsequently, when currents were delivered through these electrodes, only unwanted latissimus and serratus muscle contractions occurred and no tidal volume resulted.\nWhen the studies were divided into these two groups, breathing control significantly increased tidal volume following training programs (SMD 1.\n4) In patients with primary lung pathology, aiming for these goals can lead to high airway pressures (barotrauma), large tidal volumes (volutrauma) and high inspired oxygen concentrations (oxygen toxicity).\nSeveral studies in adults have described ventilator concepts that may reduce or prevent further lung injury, including low tidal volume ([V.\n2] of 21 percent, heart rate (HR) < 120 beats a minute, spontaneous respiratory rate < 30 breaths a minute, exhaled tidal volume [greater than or equal to] 400 mL on synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation one to two breaths and pressure support ventilation 5 cm [H.\nThe baseline percentage leak around the endotracheal tube was calculated for each patient using the first five minutes' averaged values of inspired and expired mechanical tidal volume according to the equation:\nThe tidal volume was adjusted to achieve a peak tracheal pressure of 7-10 mmHg (~20 mL).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5323659181594849}
{"content": "Leptospirosis and the California Sea Lions\nby Lauren Sorich\n\nSea Lions picture by John Wilsher\nPhoto from The Leptospirosis Information Center\nPhoto from The Leptospirosis Information Center\nPhoto from oregonstate.edu/.../2007/Jan07/lepto.html\n\nAbstract: The purpose of this site is to educate people on the effects that leptospirosis has on the California sea lion and humans. Topics that will be discussed are structure of the pathogen that causes the disease, how the sea lions get the disease, how it is passed from sea lion to sea lion, how it is transmitted from sea lions to other animals, how it affects humans, and treatment in humans. The most common cause for all cases is coming in contact with Leptospira-contaminated water or soil.\n\nOver the past ten years, thousands of marine animals have died unexpectedly and veterinary microbiologists are trying to find the cause for each outbreak. In 2004, leptospirosis was the cause of death for 30 California sea lions. These, along with other marine mammal deaths, raise awareness that entire populations of marine mammals may be destroyed. Until recently veterinary microbiology has been a neglected field of study partly because gathering samples from animals that live in the open ocean and performing bacterial analysis on them is difficult. Veterinary microbiologists hope that the increased study in this field will promote wildlife management and also provide models for studing human diseases (Tortora et al., 2007).\nLeptospirosis is one of the most widespread bacterial diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans and affects most mammalian species. It is well documented and characterized in terrestrial species, however, less is known regarding the distribution and impact of leptospirosis in marine mammals. Leptospirosis can develop into either a chronic infection with low mortality or into a potentially lethal infection (Faine et al., 1999).\n\nThis research was of interest to me because animals are affected by the disease around the area that I live in and I wanted to know more about it so that I can avoid contact with the disease. I also care for the animals with this pathogen and would hate to see species destroyed.\n\nStructure- The spirochete Leptospira interrogans is what causes leptospirosis. Leptospira has a spiral shape that’s only about 0.1µm in diameter and is wound so tight that it is barely visible under a dark field microscope. It does not stain easily and is difficult to see under a normal light microscope. L. interrogens gets its name because the ends are hooked like a question mark. It is an obligate aerobe that can grow in a variety of artificial media supplemented with rabbit serum (Tortora et al., 2007).\n\nHow sea lions get it- One possible way sea lions contract this disease is exposure to Leptospira-contaminated urine while on shore or while swimming in fresh water estuaries (Zuerner et al., 2009). The male sea lions spend between 20-55% of their time resting on shore, which allows exposure to terrestrial mammals that may be infected with the pathogen (Weise et al., 2006). Leptospira can’t tolerate salt, which suggests that infection most likely occurs through close contact with infected animals on the shore (Zuerner et al., 2009).\n\nHow it’s spread to other sea lions- California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) breed in rookeries along the southern California coast during May and June (Zuerner et al., 2009). The female sea lions typically stay close to the rookeries to nurse their pups, but they may move as far north as Monterey Bay, however the males travel north and spend the winter anywhere from California to south Alaska (Melin, 2002). Even though they stay close to the coast, occasionally they leave to look for food, and males can cover 644 km on a single trip (Weise et al., 2006). Their ability to travel great distances gives the disease the opportunity to spread geographically (Zuerner et al., 2009).\n\nHow it’s spread to other animals- Terrestrial animals may get leptospirosis because sick or injured sea lions either die at sea or are stranded on beaches where other animals can come into contact with them. Leptospirosis has a latency period of about 10-14 days between contact and developing symptoms, leading researchers to believe that the animals are able to travel during this latency period spreading the disease. Since some of the population is continuously in a latency state of infection, the distribution of infected animals spreads as animals disperse across different geographical areas. Infected animals are often found near fresh water estuaries which potentially increases the chance of transmitting the disease to humans, domesticated animals, and terrestrial wildlife (Zuerner et al., 2009).\n\nHow it affects humans- Animals that are infected with L. interrrogans can shed the bacteria in their urine for extended periods of time (Tortora et al., 2007). Humans can become infected by coming in contact with water or soil that is contaminated with urine or by coming in contact with animal tissue that is infected (Faine, 1982). People who are most at risk are those whose work exposes them to animals or animal products. Typically, the pathogen infects a host by entering through minor abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes. If it is ingested, it enters the body through the mucosa of the upper digestive system. Cats and dogs are the most common sources in the US. Even when immunized, domestic dogs may continue to shed leptospira because they have a sizeable rate of infection. Once infected, headaches, muscular aches, chills, and fever occur after an incubation period of 1-2 weeks. Days later these symptoms disappear, however, a few days after that, a second episode of fever may occur. The kidneys and liver may become infected, this is known as Weil’s disease and kidney failure is the most common cause of death (Tortora et al., 2007). Weil’s syndrome is characterized by jaundice, hemorrhage and severe renal failure (Liu et al., 2007). About 50 cases are reported each year in the US, but because the symptoms are not distinctive many cases are probably never diagnosed (Tortora et al., 2007).\n\nDiagnosis/treatment in humans-: Most cases of leptospirosis are diagnosed by a serological test that is complicated and usually done by central reference laboratories. However, a diagnosis can also be made by sampling blood, urine, or other fluids for the organism or its DNA, and Doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic for treatment (Tortora et al., 2007).\n\nLiterature Cited:\nFaine, S., Adler, B., Bolin, C., Perolat, P. (1999). Leptospira and Leptospirosis second ed. MediSci, Melbourne, Australia.\n\nMelin, S.R., (2002). The Foraging Ecology and Reproduction of the California\nsea lion (Zalophus californianus californianus). University of Minnesota,\n\nLiu, Yunying, Zheng, Wei, Li Liwei, Mao, Yafei, and Yan, Jie. (2007). Pathogensis of leptospirosis: interaction of Leptospira interrogans with in vitro cultured mammalian cells. Med Microbiol Immunol 196: 233-239.\n\nTortora, Gerard J., Funke, Berdell R., and Case, Christine L. (2007). Microbiology an introduction; ninth edition. San Francisco, CA Pearson Education Inc.\n\nWeise, M.J., Costa, D.P., Kudela, R.M., (2006). Movement and diving behavior of male California sea lion (Zalophus califorianus) during anomalous oceanographic conditions of 2005 compared to those of 2004. Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, L22S10.\n\nZuerner, Richard L., Cameron, Caroline E., Raverty, Stephen, Robinson, John, Colegrove, Kathleen M., Norman, Stephanie A., Lambourn, Dyanna, Jeffries, Steven, Alt, David P., and Gulland, Frances. (2009). Geographical dissemination of Leptospirosa interrogans serovar Pomona during seasonal migration of California sea lions. Veterinary Microbiology 137 105–110.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7694046497344971}
{"content": "Istituto di Matematica Applicata e Tecnologie Informatiche     \nDegond P., Juengel A., Pietra P. Numerical discretization of energy-transport models for semiconductors with non-parabolic band structure. Preprint ercim.cnr.ian//1999-1161, 1999.\nThe energy-transport models describe the flow of electrons through a semiconductor crystal, influenced by diffusive, electrical and thermal effects. They consist of the continuity equations for the mass and the energy, coupled to Poisson's equation for the electric potential. These models can be derived from the semiconductor Boltzmann equation. This paper consists of two parts. The first part concerns with the modelling of the energy-transport system. The diffusion coefficients and the energy relaxation term are computed in terms of the electron density and temperature, under the assumptions of non-degenerate statistics and non-parabolic band diagrams. The equations can be rewritten in a drift-diffusion formulation which is used for the numerical discretization. In the second part, the stationary energy-transport equations are discretized using the exponential fitting mixed finite element method in one space dimension. Numerical simulations of a ballistic diode are performed.\nSubject Mixed finite-element method, exponential fitting, non-parabolic band structure, semiconductors.\n65N30, 65C20, 78A35\n\nIcona documento 1) Download Document PS\n\nIcona documento Open access Icona documento Restricted Icona documento Private\n\n\nPer ulteriori informazioni, contattare: Librarian http://puma.isti.cnr.it\n\nValid HTML 4.0 Transitional", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9741877913475037}
{"content": "Walking Tacos\n\nground beef or shredded chicken -seasoned with taco seasoning\nrefried beans\nshredded lettuce\nblack olives\nsour cream\nDoritos or Fritos\n\nCook your meat, add seasoning. Warm the beans. Chop the lettuce, tomato, black olives, and avocados.\nTo assemble: take a bag of chips and crush them up a bit then add to it whatever you like!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8033614754676819}
{"content": "Newly-discovered tunnels in Puebla.\n\nUrban Myth Confirmed True as Archaeologists Discover Hidden Tunnels in Mexico\n\n(Read the article on one page)\n\nTalk of a maze of underground tunnels beneath the Colonial city of Puebla in Mexico have long been disregarded as mere urban legend. However, city authorities have now confirmed that their existence is no myth. Believed to date back as early as 1531, when the city was founded, the subterranean tunnels are believed to reach up to 10 kilometers in length beneath the historic center of the city.\n\nEl Universal reports that the underground tunnels, which measure approximately 7 meters high and 3 meters wide, were discovered during public works being carried out in the city center. Four separate entrances were found filled with earth. After removing tons of earth and mud, investigations revealed a line of tunnels running from Fort Loreto to the Fort of Guadalupe in the upper part of town, and from Fort Loreto to the District of San Jose, located in the center of the city. A third line was discovered from the Fort of Guadalupe to Los Remedios Church, where the defence of Puebla took place against the invading French Army in 1862.  However, there are believed to be many more.\n\n\"In the urban narrative or urban legends there was word of the tunnels in Puebla, but nobody knew where they were, they had never been seen\", the manager of Cultural Heritage and Historical Center of Puebla, Sergio Vergara Bermejo, told El Universal.\n\nInitial analyses suggest the tunnels are between 300 and 500 years old. “They are from the foundation of the city,” Bermejo told El Universal. “Churches were communicating in secret alleys, there is a network of the main monasteries, from Santo Domingo, San Agustin, La Merced to San Javier.”\n\nMexico News Network reports that the tunnels would also have been used during the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when Mexican troops faced the French army.  The battle ended in a victory for the Mexican Army over the occupying French forces.\n\nFounded in 1531, Puebla is one of the oldest cities in Mexico and is among the five most important Spanish colonial cities in the country.  Due to its rich history and its impressive architectural styles, Puebla was named a World Heritage Site in 1987.  Stories of underground tunnels have passed down through the generations, but were long considered an urban legend until their recent discovery.\n\n“Puebla in the seventeenth century was flooded and half the city was covered in mud, the city we walk is the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the bottom are the treasures that we must preserve,” said Bermejo.\n\nThe mayor of Puebla, Tony Gali, has now earmarked 5 million pesos (approx. U.S. $295,000) for the restoration of the tunnels. The plan is to transform the newly-discovered subterranean world into a tourist attraction so visitors can learn more about the stories and legends of this historic city.\n\nFor now, the exact location of the tunnels is being kept secret.\n\nFeatured image: Newly-discovered tunnels in Puebla. (Screenshot from YouTube video / The Telegraph )\n\nBy April Holloway\n\n\n\n\nTop New Stories\n\nThe underwater ruins of Fuxian Lake in China are an enigma. Their age is enough to set the forgotten city apart, but the strange carvings still gracing the submerged stones really confuses archaeologists.\nIn an underwater investigation in Fuxian Lake, Yunnan Province, China, started on June 13, 2006, archeologists discovered remains of a group of huge ancient buildings at the bottom of the lake. The investigation team found numerous regularly placed stones featuring mysterious carvings.\n\nMyths & Legends\n\nPagan Origins of Easter\n\nOur Mission\n\n\n\n\n\nAncient Image Galleries\n\nNext article", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.880610466003418}
{"content": "Aviation and the Global Atmosphere\n\nOther reports in this collection\n\n6.1. How Do Aircraft Cause Climate Change?\n\nFigure 6-1: Schematic of possible mechanisms whereby\naircraft emissions impact climate. Climate impact is\nrepresented by changes in global mean surface\ntemperature (�Ts) and global mean sea level rise (�msl).\n\nAircraft perturb the atmosphere by changing background levels of trace gases and particles and by forming condensation trails (contrails). Aircraft emissions include greenhouse gases such as CO2 and H2O that trap terrestrial radiation and chemically active gases that alter natural greenhouse gases, such as O3 and CH4. Particles may directly interact with the Earth's radiation balance or influence the formation and radiative properties of clouds. Figure 6-1 portrays a causal chain whereby the direct emissions of aircraft accumulate in the atmosphere, change the chemistry and the microphysics, and alter radiatively active substances in the atmosphere, which change radiative forcing and hence the climate.\n\nChapters 2 and 3 link the direct emissions of aircraft today to changes in radiatively active substances, and Chapter 4 projects these atmospheric changes into the future for a range of aviation scenarios. This chapter presents calculations of radiative forcing from aircraft-related atmospheric changes and discusses implications concerning the role of aircraft in a changing climate. This section begins with the concept of \"dangerous climate change,\" as defined within the mandate of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), then presents the IS92 scenarios for future climate change associated with the Second Assessment Report (IPCC, 1996). Section 6.1 also summarizes aviation's potential role in climate change and its proportion of fossil fuel use. Section 6.2 discusses the concepts of radiative forcing (RF) and global warming potential (GWP). Section 6.3 provides calculations of radiative forcing from aircraft perturbation of greenhouse gases, and Section 6.4 presents calculations of RF from aircraft perturbations of aerosols and contrails. Section 6.5 examines how radiative forcing can be used as a predictor of climate change and presents some case studies of climate change patterns that might be induced by aviation. Finally, Section 6.6 presents the summed radiative forcing, and associated climate change, for a range of projected scenarios and technological options in future aviation.\n\nOther reports in this collection", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5657243728637695}
{"content": "The Hum\n\nReturn of the Bristol Hum\n\n\nFrom the BBC:\n\nSome people in Bristol say they are plagued by a mysterious low-level hum that no-one can trace. […]\n\nBut it’s not the first time the hum has kept Bristol awake. In the 1970s hundreds of the city’s residents complained to the council that a strange noise was audible at night. Most of the experts drafted in put it down to factory noise, electricity pylons or tinnitus – while some of the more imaginative suggestions included the sound from flying saucers hovering over the city or secret military activity. Eventually, it stopped as abruptly as it began, but not before it had spawned reports of equally unidentified hums in other towns across Britain.\n\nThen last year French scientists announced that they had solved the conundrum. It was, they said, the effect of continuous waves causing the ocean floor to vibrate. “We have made a big step in explaining this mysterious signal and where it is coming from and what is the mechanism,” said Fabrice Ardhuin of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. But his answer doesn’t immediately explain why the sound was only around for a number of years. Or why it might have returned.\n\nSomething in the air: The Hum seeps into music too.  Bass culture runs deep in Bristol …\n\nTrailer: The Hum (1997)\n\n“A documentary investigating the enigmatic humming sound that have reportedly been heard by residents in the south west of England, particularly those in Bristol and western Cornwall. The cause of the noise remains a mystery and The Hum explores some of the possibilities, from gas and water utilities to military operations and telecommunications. The documentary also raises the question of how the human senses might be affected by the growing range of technologies that now surround us. Includes interviews with members of the Low Frequency Noise Sufferers Association.”\n\nFaction Films (UK)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9616689682006836}
{"content": "‘The Outs’ by E.S. Wesley\n\nImage result for the outs wesley\n*This review will contain spoilers!*\n\nFirst things first, I need to say a huge thank you to Curiosity Quills Press for sending me this title in exchange for an honest review. \n\n‘He couldn’t control what he did during the Outs any more than he could stop the Outs from happening at all.’ \n\n‘A buzzing sound swarmed Caleb’s head, almost knocking him over. Lights blinked to life around him as the shroud lifted from his eyes.’\n\nThis opening sentence is as disorienting to the reader as it is to Caleb. The first few chapters are just giant question marks, but if you persevere through them the answers quickly start becoming clear.\n\nA few months ago, the Outs began. During the Outs every electrical device fails to work – no cars, no phones, no lights – and brains can’t use the electrical impulses to store memories. Everything that happens in the Outs stays in the Outs: as soon as they end, everything is forgotten.\nCaleb wakes up after the Outs in a little girl’s room. She lives a couple of doors away from him, but he can’t understand why he’d be there, or why he’d be murdering a fellow Deadheader in her bedroom.\n\n‘Deadheaders. Dmitri says they shoot people during the Outs just for thrills. I know everyone just comes back to life when the Outs are over and all, but that’s just wrong.’ \n\nYep, Caleb is part of a gang who go around killing themselves and other people just to experience the thrill of revival that comes when the Outs finish. If you die in the Outs, you come back. If you die outside of the Outs, that’s just death.\nCaleb grabs Amanda and runs. Deeds, the leader of the Deadheaders, wants her for something, but he’s determined to protect her.\nKitzi is Caleb’s best friend. She suffers from aphasia following a car accident in which she was hit by a drunk driver, and it means she finds it hard to understand speech and to speak herself. In the Outs, however, she’s back to the old Kitzi, able to have conversations freely. She’s also the only one that can remember what happens in the Outs, but she can’t work out if that’s just because of her aphasia or if something bigger is at play.\nCaleb quickly discovers that Amanda has powers. She wants him to stay, and no matter how many times he tries to leave her he finds himself back in the driving seat of their getaway vehicle. He considers blowing up the SUV to distract the police and cover their tracks, and moments later it goes up in flames; Amanda wants it, so it happens.\n\n‘Amanda was doing this. She wanted the SUV to explore, and it did. She wanted Caleb to stay with her, and he stayed. She’d wanted rain and the sky opened up. She was writing this story.’\n\nLeeza, Kitzi’s mother, is involved in the team investigating the Outs. She has the only car that works when the electricity goes off, powered by a different kind of energy to allow it to keep running. Kitzi feels as though her mother has abandoned her since her aphasia began, and struggles to accept her mother’s involvement in the phenomenon.\nBut before long, Kitzi will learn that she’s a lot more connected to the Outs than she could possibly imagine. Caleb and Kitzi work together to fight Deeds and save Amanda, but as the Outs become more volatile it starts to look like no one will survive…\n\nThe concept of ‘The Outs’ is a fascinating one.\nCan you imagine every person in the world losing huge stretches of time, no one knowing what had happened beyond the notes that they’d manage to scribble to remind themselves before the Outs ended? Mass forgetting on that scale is inconceivable. The fact that technology ceased to work meant that there was no chance of anyone vlogging the incident, no live tweeting or photos taken on phones for posterity.\nThe Deadheaders remind me of the people in ‘The Purge’. Being able to do anything without suffering the consequences is a recipe for disaster. There’s no way to prove anything that happened during the Outs because no one can remember, so there’s no way justice can be served. It’s very philosophical. There’s no punishment for acts committed in the Outs, which makes everyone act without restraint. If we knew we could get away with it, how far would we go? \nMeanwhile, Amanda reminds me of Eleven from ‘Stranger Things’. If you’re a fan of that show – and face it, who isn’t?! – you’ll love this story. The power that she can wield with her mind is astounding, and really cements the stereotype of the creepy child. It all stems from a father’s love for his daughter: Amanda dies and Teague is desperate to bring her back, but in doing so he gives her the ability to rewrite the world as she sees fit. It’s a warning against people who have the desire to play God, and shows you that sometimes the best thing you can do is just let your loved ones go. Power being held by a child is the cause of most of the weirdness of the Outs. Nightmare creatures swarm across the landscape, packs of lions appear from nowhere to defeat them, and Caleb ends up wearing a suit of armour convinced that he’s about to fight the Jabberwocky. Yep, just a little fantastical! It wouldn’t have worked the same if Amanda had been older, so making her an innocent little girl who has no idea what she’s capable of is another fascinating choice.\nI love the way the Deadheaders had multiple personalities, their Outs self and their regular self. Caleb struggles against Crimes, the other him that was created while he was rendezvousing with the Deadheaders, while we discover that Amanda’s father Teague is Deeds, the man determined to use her powers for ill. This fight against compulsion is something that we all experience in some way, shape or form – the inner voice that tells us to do a terrible thing that we have no intention of actually doing – and to see the struggle becoming physical is terrifying. Crimes can push himself to the forefront of Caleb’s consciousness and take control of his body, leaving Caleb stuck in the background fighting back. It’s a sadistic version ‘The Host’: the Deadheaders take over their hosts to wreak more death and destruction rather than to be able to survive.\nHowever, it makes things convoluted. Teague is Deeds is Nicky, and the more information we receive the more muddling it is to look back over the events that have already occurred. A huge part of this story regards playing with the way that time works, and I found it hard to keep my head straight, particularly when Kitzi ended up in Amanda’s dreams, an alternate universe held together with golden threads.\nTalking of Kitzi, she was definitely my favourite character. I hadn’t heard of aphasia before, but I empathised with her struggle and was cheering for her when she managed to be a badass outside of the Outs while her condition was still plaguing her. E.S. Wesley wrote her perception of dialogue very well, and the frustration that the reader experiences when unable to understand what’s happening mirrors Kitzi’s frustration. I’m glad that her aphasia wasn’t ‘fixed’ at the end of the novel, because that would have been unfair for people with aphasia who deserve to be represented. I also adored all of her comic book references – they lightened the tone in scenes that would have otherwise been filled only with despair.\nI also thought the relationship between her and Caleb was a brilliant inclusion. Too often you read stories where people who have disabilities aren’t thought of as lovable, but Caleb realises he loves Kitzi whether she can speak or not. She’s always the same person, whether she’s talking in the Outs or struggling to communicate but staying by his side outside of them.\n\nI was a little disappointed by the end of the novel, because things are left so wide open, but I have hopes that means a sequel might be on the way. Ordinarily a story like this would have gone right over my head, and while I admit that I didn’t understand what was going on for huge chunks, E.S. Wesley is great at helping you join the dots together and see the bigger picture.\nIf the characters hadn’t been so strong, I might have given up on this one, but I couldn’t resist seeing what happened to Caleb and Kitzi. Both of them are equally strong, and show that even when you’re fighting yourself you can triumph and be a superhero.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.621793270111084}
{"content": "Nov 19, 2008\n\nAmericans United for Separation of Church and State today urged the Texas State Board of Education to stick to sound science and reject creationist concepts when revising its science standards.\n\nThe state school board is currently examining the science curriculum, which is reviewed and updated every 10 years. The Seattle-based Discovery Institute and other Religious Right forces are seeking to include loopholes that undermine instruction about evolution and open the door to creationist ideas.\n\nScientists, teachers, mainstream religious leaders and civil liberties activists want to improve the Texas standards to ensure that the public school classroom does not become a vehicle for religious indoctrination.\n\n“Public schools should educate, not indoctrinate,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The Religious Right is exploiting Texas public schools to push a narrow viewpoint and in the process is doing a great disservice to its students, not to mention undermining the mandates of our Constitution.”\n\nThe battle in Texas is focused on Religious Right-backed language currently in the standards that requires schools to teach the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution. That wording, experts say, is an invitation to introduce creationist concepts based on fundamentalist religion, not science.\n\n“Let’s just hope members of the Texas school board recognize the ‘strengths and weaknesses’ language for what it is,” Lynn concluded. “If they don’t, they could be inviting public school districts to face some costly litigation.”\n\nIn its letter to the board, Americans United makes it clear that litigation may result if religious beliefs are introduced into public school science classrooms.\n\nThe board’s decision, which is expected to be made in March, could influence science instruction across the country. Texas is the second largest purchaser of textbooks, after California. To meet Texas standards, textbook producers may include creationist concepts in books that would circulate nationally.\n\nA hearing is scheduled for today in Austin for individuals and groups to testify on the curriculum.\n\nReligious Right groups have already succeeded in pushing through their agenda in Louisiana, which now allows science teachers to use “supplemental materials” to teach the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution. AU is closely monitoring whether religious beliefs are being introduced unconstitutionally as science by teachers in Louisiana.\n\nThe federal courts have repeatedly struck down other tactics used by the Religious Right to push religion in public science classes. In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court in Edwards v. Aguillard invalidated a Louisiana statute requiring science educators to “balance” teaching evolution concepts with “creation science” concepts.\n\nIn 2005, a federal district court said in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District that Pennsylvania public schools cannot teach “intelligent design,” a creationist concept that claims the universe and living things were created by an “intelligent cause.” The court ruled “intelligent design” unconstitutional for use in public schools because it is unscientific and religious.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8690606951713562}
{"content": "Radioactive material is any material containing unstable atoms that emit ionizing radiation as it decays.\n\nThis section applies to all persons using open-form source material.  Open-form radioactive material is normally used as a tracer in experiments and has the potential for spillage and release if not properly handled.\n\nSurveys  Obtaining RAM Security and Storage\nDisposal Shipping Spills and Contaminations\nIodinations New Authorizations SOPs and Forms\nLabeling, Posting and Markings Equipment Redistribution Training\nModify an Authorization New Workers  \n\n\nPublications and Forms", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9832422733306885}
{"content": "How to Calculate the Amortization of Intangible Assets\n\n\nIntangible assets are non-physical assets on a company's balance sheet. These could include patents, intellectual property, trademarks, and goodwill. Intangible assets could even be as simple as a customer list or franchise agreement.\n\nSome of these intangible assets have a finite useful life. While physical assets can wear down over time and lose value just from use, their intangible counterparts wear down through contract expirations, obsolescence, and other non-physical factors. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, the company is required to amortize it, a process very similar to how physical assets are depreciated over time.\n\nContinue Reading Below\n\nWhat does amortization actually mean? The process of amortization reduces the value of the intangible asset on the balance sheet over time and reports an expense on the income statement each period to reflect the change on the balance sheet during the given period.\n\nLike depreciation, there are multiple methods a company can use to calculate an intangible asset's amortization, but the simplest is the straight-line method.\n\nWith the straight-line method, the company starts with the asset's recorded value, its residual value, and its useful life. The recorded value is the initial value assigned to the asset on the books, generally meaning its price or cost to create. Its residual value is the expected value of the asset at the end of its useful life. For most intangible assets, the residual value is zero as many intangible assets are considered worthless once they've been fully utilized. The useful life of the asset is the period of time over which the company expects the intangible asset to provide economic value to the business.\n\nThe mechanics of the amortization calculation are otherwise the same as calculating depreciation with the straight-line method. The company should subtract the residual value from the recorded cost, and then divide that difference by the useful life of the asset. Each year, that value will be netted from the recorded cost on the balance sheet in an account called \"accumulated amortization,\" reducing the value of the asset each year. The income statement will show the reduction each year as an \"amortization expense.\"\n\nAn example calculation of the amortization of an intangible asset Let's say that a company has developed a software solution to be used internally to better manage its inventory. The company does not intend to ever sell this software; it's only to be used by company staff. This software is considered an intangible asset, and it must be amortized over its useful life.\n\nFirst, the company will record the cost to create the software on its balance sheet as an intangible asset. The software cost the company $10,000, in this case. Next, the company estimates that the software will have a useful life of just three years given the fast paced nature of software innovation. At the end of three years, the company reckons that their internal software will have no remaining value, so its residual value is therefore zero. The company will use the straight-line method to report the amortization of the software.\n\nSubtracting the residual value -- zero -- from the $10,000 recorded cost and then dividing by the software's three-year useful life, the company's accountants determine the annual amortization for the software to be $3,333. Each year, the net asset value for the software will reduce by that amount and the company will report $3,333 in amortization expense.\n\nHere's a breakdown of how the balance sheet and income statement will reflect this amortization over the three-year period.\n\nWhen intangible assets should not be amortized Most physical capital assets will depreciate over time. Land is one of the rare examples where a physical asset should never be depreciated. For intangible assets though, it's much more common to have an asset than should not be amortized.\n\nThis derives from the fact that more intangible assets have indefinite useful lives than physical assets. If an intangible asset will continue to provide economic value without deterioration over time, then it should not be amortized. Instead, its value should be periodically reviewed and adjusted with an impairment.\n\nGoodwill, for example, is an intangible asset that should never be amortized. If goodwill is to be changed, that should occur through the process of impairment, where the value of the asset is changed based on specific, changing conditions rather than based on a calculated schedule as would be the case with amortization. Goodwill is the portion of a business' value not attributable to other assets. Goodwill is a common result of acquisitions where the purchase price is greater than the fair market value of the assets and liabilities.\n\n\nThe article How to Calculate the Amortization of Intangible Assets originally appeared on\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.929297924041748}
{"content": "Sunday, June 26, 2011\n\nSmall Spaces with Style\n\nHaving lived in the city for so long and choosing location over space, I have always designed my apartments with furniture and accesories with dual functions that don't break the bank. When purchasing items for my home, my first priority if selecting pieces that serve as storage, decoration and functionality.The key is to max out the square footage you have and layer your home accessories exactly like you layer on jewelry.\n\nThis storage shelf doubles as a room divider and is a great way to display pictures, books, momentos and magazines.\n\nInstalling a transparent screen, divides this larger space into 2 smaller spaces without blocking any views. Plus, the lime green brings color into the space witout being permanent.\n\nWhen decorating small spaces, organization is key. Install drawers and shelves where things can be tucked away and personal items hidden.\n\nMirrors, Mirrors, Mirrors. Mirrrors always give the illusion that a space is bigger than it is. The key is the place the mirror in s direction to reflect the outdoors or natural light.\n\nTulip Tables are a great way of maximizing space in a small eating area.\n\nRolling racks arn't just for hanging dirty laundry. This gorgeous wooden rack  provides a solution to display your clothes and provides storage on the bottom to organize purses or shoes.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9410572648048401}
{"content": "Huapango Mexican Music\nThe huapango is a musical genre that is typical of the Mexican Huasteca region, and that combines prehispanic dances with Flamenco and Fandangos.\n\nMusic from the Huasteca Region of Mexico\n\nThe sound of three violins fills the air with a feisty melody that is produced by the notes of the huapango. Meanwhile, three male voices sing stories related with the Mexican culture.\n\nNearby, a cheerful crowd watches as young dancers joyfully stomp their feet on a wooden platform following the traditional steps of this musical genre. Then, as the rhythm shifts to a more melodic tune, they make the “resting step” silently crossing one foot in front of the other, while gently swaying their bodies from side to side.\n\nWhere is Huapango Music From?\n\nThis loud and lively rhythm is not exclusive of one of the Mexican states. On the contrary, the multiple territories that conform the region known as the Huasteca, including Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Veracruz and Puebla, share the same musical tradition of Spanish and prehispanic influence.\n\nCombining the war dances that already existed in that region with Spanish musical traditions and instruments, the natives adopted and then created a combination between Flamenco and Fandangos to give birth to the huapango, a word that comes from the Nahuatl term Cuanhitlipango that means: “dancing on a wooden platform”.\n\nThe music and dances that produce this genre are frequently played and danced in parties but they are also performed in festivals, in which case dancers wear typical costumes. On one hand, women wear beautiful strapless blouses called mañanitas. Their skirts reach knee height and their fullness makes their legs show when they are tapping their feet on the platform. On the other hand, men wear elegant trousers with a white shirt and a black or white hat as well as colorful scarfs that they not only use as an accessory but as a dancing tool.\n\nIf you are planning a trip to Mexico, give yourself the chance to discover this genre that is one of the many examples of the Mexican musical tradition –just like the Mariachi. Remember that there are so many varieties of Mexican music that you will be surprised by their singularities and exclusive instruments such as the marimba and the requinto –a type of guitar. And because we know that “a journey is more than traveling around the world”, we invite you to discover all the other musical destinations around the world.\n\nDid you know that…\n\n  • One of the most famous huapangos is “El Querreque”. It’s named after the sound emitted by woodpeckers when their beaks tap on the trees: “crr”.\n\n  • There are also some huapangos that have been composed in the northern states of the country and they include instruments like the double bass.\n\nBecause reading is where the journey begins...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7200762033462524}
{"content": "russian English French German italian spanish\nAerokon INSPECTOR-301 Multipurpose UAV\nAerokon INSPECTOR-301 Multipurpose UAV\n\nAerokon INSPECTOR-301 Multipurpose UAV\n\nUAVs \"Inspector-301\" developed in Zhukovsky CJSC \"Aerokon\" chief designer Alexander Kornushenko. Purpose apparatus is the implementation of the clock monitoring of the Earth's surface in a wide range of weather conditions. UAVs can be used for the benefit of various departments to collect and transmit information about the monitored object in real time. The distinctive features of the complex include a longer duration and range, meteonezavisimost, buoyancy and maintainability UAVs.\n\n\"Inspector 301\" - the heaviest of drone, part of a series of three mikroBLA that have been developed now \"Aerokon.\" The device weighs six kilograms. Running is made of rubber-mechanical catapult. UAVs can conduct a flight duration of up to 2 hours and staffed with a payload of up to 1 kg.\n\nThe complex consists of two UAVs \"Inspector-301\", a ground control station, means of transportation and management. On the deployment of complex leaves 10 minutes. The flight time, depending on the mode selected to range from 45 120 min. Height practical ceiling - 4000 m. Airspeed - 55-150 km / h, operating altitude - 50-500 m.\n\nPayload is presented in the form of a fixed low-level camera forward-looking, stable in pitch and roll, cameras with different focal lengths and a digital camera with a resolution of 10 megapixels. Additionally, the machine can be equipped with infrared cameras and sensors the presence of gas.\n\nTakeoff UAV performed mechanical catapult, landing on an aircraft can type \"on its belly\" or by parachute in semiautomatic or automatic mode. For takeoff and landing pad sizes required 75h75 m (along the perimeter allowed the location shelterbelts consisting of medium-trees).\n\nThe complex unmanned aerial surveillance \"Inspector 301\" in 2009 year expressed interest interregional grid companies. Besides them, the purchase represented complexes interested Emergencies Ministry and many other organizations and agencies.\n\nAerokon INSPECTOR-301 multipurpose UAV. Characteristics:\n\nModification Inspector-301\nWingspan, m 1.50\nLength m  \nHeight, m  \nWeight, kg  \nmaximum take-off 6.50\nengine's type 1 ED\nPower, hp 1 x\nCruising speed, km / h 55-150\nPractical range, km 200\nRadius of action, km  \nThe flight duration, min 45-120\nOperating altitude, m 50-500\nPractical ceiling, m 4000\n\n\nOther UAVs\n\n\n\n\nTell me please the cost of the aircraft?\nAnd please, can you only buy a fuselage separately?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9913280010223389}
{"content": "Death has inspired some of the world's most imposing and monumental architecture. Two of the seven wonders of the ancient world were tombs: the great pyramids of Egypt and the mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The latter was the tomb of Mausolus (hence the word mausoleum ), the king of Caria (Asia Minor); it was constructed in the fourth century B.C.E. but no longer survives. The Egyptian pyramids have endured and are perhaps the most famous tombs of all time. Their sheer scale captures the power, wealth, and energy at the disposal of those who created them.\n\nThe word tomb derives from ancient Greek and was first employed by Homer to describe a tumulus or mound raised over a body. By transference, tomb has come to mean anything that is the last resting place of a corpse or cremated human remains. For this reason, the word tomb is often used interchangeably with funerary memorial, funerary monument, mausoleum, and even with cenotaph (an empty tomb), gravestone (a tomb marker), and grave. All can be said to perform some functions of a tomb.\n\nA tomb is a structure built aboveground to house the remains of the dead. Many such structures are freestanding, but some exist within other buildings, most notably churches. Tombs often incorporate architectural features and sculpture into the design; many include identifying inscriptions and images; and some use extravagant decor and furnishings on the interior as well as the exterior.\n\nTombs come in a myriad of shapes, forms, and sizes: there are pyramids, obelisks, mounds, rotunda, rock-cut tombs, house tombs, and temple tombs, to name a few; these may house the remains of a single person or many. Some types of tombs are characteristic of specific peoples and places, but funerary architecture has an eclectic nature that often borrows forms from past societies to lend prestige to the present. Pyramid tombs may be associated with Egypt, but pyramids were also adopted in ancient Rome (e.g., that of Caius Cestius), in eighteenth-century England (e.g., that of the Earl of Buckinghamshire at Bickling, Norfolk), and in nineteenth-century America (e.g., the monument to Confederate soldiers in Richmond, Virginia). Most building types can be and have been adapted to house human remains and thus perform the function of a tomb.\n\nThe earliest impact of man upon the natural landscape was through funerary structures. The barrows and tumuli of the Neolithic period in Europe (c. 4000–3000 B.C.E. ) or of the Mycenean period in Greece (c. 1600–1200 B.C.E. ), for example, were large tombs that basically consisted of a stone chamber covered by a massive mound of earth. We can judge that these were highly visible statements expressing the ability of the constructors to deploy manpower and resources, even when little else is known of the prehistoric societies involved.\n\nTombs are a striking way of asserting desired power and stability. Monumental tombs are not a part of all cultures, religions, or political systems, but where they occur, they are often associated with times of transition in power, a transition frequently triggered by the death of a ruler. This is well illustrated by the pyramids of the Egyptian pharaohs or the mausoleums of the Roman emperors or the medieval papal tombs. The first Roman emperor, Augustus (ruled 31 B.C.E. –14 C.E. ), asserted his claims to rule in Rome by building a large circular mausoleum, a dynastic tomb designed to hold the remains of Augustus and his successors. The message was clear: Augustus and his family were in charge and they intended to remain so. In the twentieth century similar principles underlay the construction and maintenance of the tomb of Lenin. Reverence for the dead, and tombs that house them, can be a unifying factor and thus those holding power can draw authority and legitimacy by association with the tomb. From the top of the tomb that housed Lenin's embalmed remains, Soviet dignitaries watched the May Day parades; Lenin was literally under their feet and symbolically holding up the regime.\n\nTombs may function as symbols of power, but one should not isolate them completely from a more personal world of emotion and sentiment.\n\nAlthough in Egypt, the Fatimid Tombs in this ancient Muslim cemetery are uncharacteristic of triangular pyramids usually found in that country. CORBIS\nFor past societies it can be difficult to reconstruct emotions. The Taj Mahal (\"abode of the chosen one\") in Agra, India, was built during the 1600s by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and could be interpreted as a beautiful token of love inspired by grief. This may have been so, but its wider political and physical impact cannot be ignored. The Taj Mahal was part of a massive building project that asserted Mogul rule onto the landscape of northern India. This tomb and its beautiful gardens may also represent heaven on earth, uniting this life with the afterlife. Indeed, spiritual and religious beliefs may strongly influence tomb design. On the one hand religion can seek to control and simplify, designating permanent monumental structures as inappropriate. On the other hand religion can inspire great funerary architecture and play a fundamental role in the design, form, and location of tombs. The secure construction and interior provisions of the Egyptian pyramids were dictated by beliefs about the afterlife; the filling of European churches with tombs had its origins in a desire to gain proximity to God. Religion, power, and sentiment could all play their part in tomb construction as epitomized by the Taj Mahal.\n\nIn the case of more modest tombs, it is sometimes possible to view them less as public symbols of power and claimed religious piety and more as personal statements of affection and familial duty. The tomb is a product of the human urge to remember; it is a focus for memory and a symbol of consolation to the bereaved. In nineteenth-century America and Europe, following cemetery reforms and the abandonment of overcrowded churchyards, there was a boom in tomb and gravestone construction because more people had the opportunity and ability to mark the graves of their loved ones. It was a fashion that did not last, since the same cemeteries came to be characterized by greater simplicity in the twentieth century.\n\nSuch changes in the significance and use of tombs reflect changes in society. But wherever and whenever they are constructed and on whatever scale, the public nature of a tomb must not be disregarded. A tomb may be commissioned from love and affection, but simultaneously its design, decor, and size are careful choices that convey important messages (even if indirectly) about the personal beliefs, wealth, status, and identity of the deceased and the survivors.\n\nSee also: Burial Grounds ; Cemeteries and Cemetery Reform ; Cemeteries, Military ; Cemeteries, War ; Charnel Houses ; Gravestones and Other Markers ; Memorialization, Spontaneous ; Memorials, Virtual ; Pyramids ; Qin Shih Huang's Tomb ; Vietnam Veterans Memorial\n\n\nColvin, Howard. Architecture and the After-Life. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1991.\n\nCurl, James. A Celebration of Death: An Introduction to Some of the Buildings, Monuments, and Settings of Funerary Architecture in the Western European Tradition. London: B.T. Batsford, 1993.\n\nDavies, Penelope. Death and the Emperor. Roman Imperial Funerary Monuments from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.\n\nJupp, Peter, and Clare Gittings, eds. Death in England: An Illustrated History. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1999.\n\nParker Pearson, Mike. The Archaeology of Death and Burial. Stroud, England: Sutton, 1999.\n\n\nUser Contributions:\n\n\n\nTombs forum", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9950473308563232}
{"content": "Small Groups\n\n\nFireside Small Group Ministry\n\nFireside Groups are basically “mini-churches” that meet in homes.  These groups are the “heartbeat” of our church, where you can build great friendships, find support, and build a strong foundation of wisdom to help navigate life and stay centered.\n\n\nFireside Groups are a great way to get connected.  Many people say they’ve found their closest relationships in our small groups.  Some are based on stage-of-life, and some are multi-generational for all families.\n\n\nNew groups also form regularly, so get plugged in today.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9966781735420227}
{"content": "Welcome to ITD\n\nInstitute of Technology Development of Canada\n\n\nITD Canada\n\nWhy ITD Canada\n\nITD Canada strives to offer an education that will allow our graduates to meet current and future challenges and achieve their goals. Individuals can choose any of our up-to-date Diplomas in Art, Business, Hospitality and Information Technology to start continue their personal growth and professional development. The hands-on experience encourages students to forge relationships that support them during college and into the future. \n\nWhy We Strive\n\nITD Canada is constantly innovating and offers career training programs developed by professionals with credentials related to their areas of expertise. Our small class sizes allow closer interaction and individual attention whilst maintaining the high standard of quality that our students need to succeed in their future endeavors. Additionally, our career training programs are constantly updated to meet the marketplace requirements.\n\n  • Vancouver\n  • Graphic Design\n  • Network Technology Diploma\n  • Programming Analyst Diploma", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5574628114700317}
{"content": "A Mind of Its Own\nNew Intelligence for a New Millennium\n\nBy Bill Strubbe\n\nOriginally published in Massage Bodywork magazine, April/May 2001.\n\nLove is more than mere sentiment -- it nourishes the body, as well as the soul. For most of us, the heart is merely the symbol of love, but the Institute of HeartMath (IHM) has gathered impressive scientific data verifying this 10-ounce muscle actually does function as a physiological locus of love in the center of our being. Better yet, we have the ability to induce the human heart into states of love.\n\nIf this \"think tank\" -- perhaps \"feel tank\" would be more appropriate -- amidst the towering redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California were merely dispensing more New Age wishful thinking, it's doubtful Fortune 500 companies, Motorola, Royal Dutch Shell, the Canadian Imperial Bank, school districts, and even the U.S. Armed Forces would have sent more than 25,000 employees to IHM's three-day workshops. So impressive is IHM's research into the heart's \"brain\" that the American Journal of Cardiology, Stress Medicine, and Journal of Advancement in Medicine have published articles on its findings. If IHM's work could be patented into a pill, it likely would be heralded as the biggest medical miracle since penicillin.\n\nIn exploring the physiological mechanisms by which the heart communicates with the brain, IHM found that the coherence of the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) -- measurement of the heart's beat-to-beat changes -- is a clear indicator of inner emotional states and stress. Even more intriguing was the discovery that by utilizing simple, user-friendly techniques to feel positive emotions -- rather than thinking about them -- you can instantly increase HRV coherence, thus effecting measurable physiological and psychological shifts, which allows you to make less reactive, more authentic, loving decisions.\n\nIHM's mission is to facilitate a fundamental cultural shift by putting the heart back into people's personal and professional business, and affect solutions to some of the problems facing individuals and society today. \"The planet is really moving through a paradigm shift,\" said Rollin McCraty, the head researcher at the Institute of HeartMath. \"A shift from the head to the heart. The heart is the base frequency that we're hard-wired to live in.\"\n\nHistorical Research into the Heart's Brain\nIt was once popularly believed human beings had but a modicum of control over their minds and emotions, thought to be dictated entirely by the brain's responses to external stimuli. Researchers showed changes in emotions were accompanied by foreseeable alterations in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and digestion -- physiological responses moving in concert with the brain's response to given stimuli.\n\nIn the 1960s and 1970s, John and Beatrice Lacey observed this model only partially matched actual physiological behavior. The heart, seeming to have its own peculiar logic which frequently diverged from the command of the autonomic nervous system, sent meaningful messages to the brain which could alter a person's behavior.\n\nIn 1974, the French researchers Gahery and Vigier, stimulated the vagus nerve (which carries signals from the heart to the brain) in cats and found that the brain's electrical response was reduced to half its normal rate. In other words, the heart and nervous system were not simply following the brain's directions.\n\n\nDr. Armour introduced the concept of a functional \"heart brain\" in 1991, and his book Neurocardiology, co-written with Dr. Jeffrey Ardell, affords a comprehensive overview of the heart's intrinsic nervous system. Considered an independent entity, the heart's brain is composed of an elaborate network of neurons, support cells and neurotransmitters which enables it to process information, learn, remember and produce feelings of the heart and then transmit information from one cell to another, including emotional information.\n\n\"We observed the heart was acting as though it had a mind of its own and was profoundly affecting perception, intelligence and awareness,\" explained McCraty, whose background is in electrical instrumentation design and high-tech problem-solving. \"Our studies dovetail with other researchers doing related work that more than simply being a blood pump, the heart is a highly complex, self-organized sensory organ with its own functional, intrinsic brain.\"\n\nSome of the more fascinating evidence supporting the notion of a heart brain are the numerous documented stories (in the book, Change of Heart, by Claire Sylvia) of heart transplant patients who have taken on the habits, expressions, tastes and memories of the dead donor. One woman knew the name, address and family of the dead donor -- information that had been withheld from her. In a most dramatic case, a teenage girl received the heart of a woman who had been murdered. Shortly thereafter, in dreams and in quiet moments, the woman was able to reconstruct details from the crime scene so as to enable the police to gather enough evidence to convict the killer.\n\n\"These stories take this phenomena out of the realm of coincidence,\" said McCraty. \"The same type of memory-encoding neurons found in the brain are also found in the heart. After an operation, it takes some time for nerves to reconnect, so that can't explain all the heart-transplant phenomena, because sometimes personality transfers happen immediately. I think that it's on electromagnetic and energetic levels where the real activity is going on.\" Indeed, other researchers in the country have come to similar conclusions. Psychoneuroimmunologist Paul Pearsall Ph.D, author of The Heart's Code, believes the heart resonates an intelligence field to every cell in our body. Gary Schwartz, Ph.D. and Linda Russek, Ph.D., of the University of Arizona's Human Energy Systems laboratory in Tucson, are of the opinion that the heart \"pumps\" patterns of energy and information throughout the body.\n\nWhat's Love Got to Do With It?\nTo the ancient Greeks, the contrasting aspects of the soul -- intellect and emotion -- were engaged in perpetual struggle for control of the human psyche. Plato viewed emotions as wild horses needing to be restrained by the intellect, while Christian theology demoted emotions as sins and temptations to be resisted by reason and willpower. This false dichotomy of head vs. heart cannot be resolved by the mind gaining dominance over emotions, but by increasing the balance between the two systems. Neuroscience confirms emotion and cognition are separate but interacting systems, each with its own unique type of intelligence.\n\nIn his recent, best- selling book Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman builds a case for the largely overlooked domain of \"EQ\" (Emotional Quotient) -- based on such qualities as self-awareness, motivation, altruism and compassion, and argues that the commonly accepted view of human intelligence is far too narrow. According to Goleman, it's a person's EQ as much or more than their IQ that enables them to succeed in life.\n\nWhen the heart sends coherent (smooth HRV waves) information to the brain, positive feelings are facilitated, perhaps explaining why many people \"feel\" or \"sense\" love and positive emotions in the area of the heart. Doc Lew Childre, HeartMath's president and CEO, believed the key to practical application of this new knowledge would be to develop simple tools allowing people to gain more conscious control in creating increased coherence. Through intentional heart focus, these IHM techniques -- Freeze-Frame, Heart Lock-in, and Cut-Thru -- help people bring their bodies and spirit back into balance.\n\nSimple Tools\nFreeze-Frame, the most basic IHM technique employed in moments of agitation, stress or danger, involves shifting your focus to your heart, re-experiencing a feeling of appreciation or love for just 10 or 15 seconds, then asking your heart what would be a more efficient response to the stressful situation at hand.\n\nHeart Lock-in is similar to Freeze-Frame, though done for a longer period of time -- perhaps once a day for five to 15 minutes -- often while listening to music specifically designed by IHM.\n\nCut-Thru aims at addressing recurring negative emotional reactions and patterns -- negative \"thought loops\" -- to a particular recurring theme or issue in your life. Just as physical movements such as walking, driving, etc., become automatic through repetition, so do mental and emotional responses and attitudes.\n\nHere's an example of how I applied Freeze-Frame -- taking a moment to shift attention to the heart and feel appreciation, love or caring -- in my own life: A friend dropped me off at the airport at 6:15 a.m. for my 7 a.m. flight. When I reached check-in they wouldn't let me on the flight because I'd left my picture I.D. back in San Francisco. I was furious at myself, and realized I'd have to make a round-trip back to San Francisco and hope to catch a later flight. At the curb, about to hail a cab, I suddenly remembered Freeze-Frame. After a half minute of appreciating the gorgeous day and crystal blue sky, my inner voice suggested I return inside and make sure they noted I wasn't a no-show. This second woman at check-in then asked if I had any other I.D. I gave her a few credit cards, library card and health insurance card and I caught the next flight only 45 minutes later.\n\n\"The heart has a mind that some might call the spirit, the higher self, intuition, or the still, small voice within,\" said McCraty. \"How many times have you said to yourself, 'If only I had listened to my heart.' By not listening, we often pay a price in time and energy in cleaning up the mess afterwards.\"\n\nAn Afternoon at HeartMath\nIt was pouring rain the summer day I visited HeartMath's camp-like facilities, nestled among the redwoods, broad lawns and a willow tree-shaded pond. After touring the sleeping lodges, dining room and meeting hall, I was led to the research building full of computers and mysterious electronic devices.\n\nI placed my forefinger into a fingertip pulse sensor linked to a computer booted with a new software program developed by IHM. An incoherent HRV (jagged) appeared on the screen as I re-experienced an unpleasant situation -- a recent argument with my mother. After a few minutes, a coherent (smooth) wave appeared on the screen as I settled into feelings of deep appreciation for the incredible beauty of an atoll in the South Pacific I visited last year. When I later experienced a moment of performance anxiety, the HRV line went jagged again.\n\nAnother instant feedback option on the software is a black and white picture of a nature scene which slowly comes to life as the subject sustains a coherent HRV; the picture colorizes, leaves sprout on trees, flowers bloom, water runs in the stream and a bunny hops by. A third option is keeping a hot air balloon aloft over beautiful landscapes with a sustained coherent HRV.\n\nThis is a positive, life-affirming computer \"game\" that most parents would be thrilled to have their kids play. After becoming proficient, they might be able to instantly recreate a loving heart space in the schoolyard or on the street, thus altering the outcome of a stressful or threatening confrontation. Indeed, I was pleased to hear students and teachers in more than 200 schools in the United States are already using HeartMath techniques.\n\nBut more than just creating pretty pictures or allowing you to make more authentic, less reactive choices, by practicing Freeze-Frame or Cut-Thru, HeartMath has established that we engender a physiology of love or anger in our bodies which has short- and long-term effects. When the HRV is in coherence and in entrainment with the brain, it causes dramatic and favorable changes in a number of key indicators of physical and mental well-being, such as the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) levels, DHEA -- the \"anti-aging hormone,\" and the stress hormone cortisol, as well as being beneficial to those with AIDS symptoms, obesity and high blood pressure.\n\nHaving worked as a massage therapist for 17 years, and a firm believer in the power of hands-on healing, I was particularly excited to hear IHM has established the first evidence of its kind that when two people are in proximity or touching, an exchange of the heart's electromagnetic energy -- 40 to 60 times more amplitude than the brain's and measurable with a magnetometer up to 8 feet away -- can be detected in the brainwaves of another person. IHM, using signal-averaging techniques, showed that one's electrocardiogram (ECG) registered in another person's electroencephalogram (EEG). While this signal is strongest when people are in contact, it's still detectable when subjects are up to 4 feet apart.\n\nThe idea an energy exchange of some type occurs between individuals is central in many healing techniques, though often disputed by Western science due to the lack of a plausible mechanism to explain it. Said McCraty, \"Vibes aren't some sort of magic, but real stuff.\"\n\nEmotion, whether it's love, anger, caring or anxiety, alters the heart's electrical field, then communicates it to every cell of our body and out into the space around us. This helps explain why numerous studies have found that family and friends are so important for our emotional and physical well-being. As pendulum clocks ticking in a clock shop eventually synchronize, the power of a loving and healthy heart can pull other nearby hearts into its loving rhythm.\n\nBill Strubbe, a massage therapist for 16 years, is now a freelance writer who travels the world in search of the perfect massage.\n\nSkin Care Therapy\nSports Massage\nFind a Massage Therapist     Find ABMP Members on MassageBook\n© 2017 Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6226698160171509}
{"content": "Various Events\n\nCreatures of Sky and Sea\n\nCreatures of Sky and Sea\n\nStudents of the elementary school Landakotskóli engage in an art- and design research, having playfulness and creativity as their guiding light. The main theme is living creatures in sea and sky, which is why ideation (creative process) takes place both in the Maritime Museum and the school. Students receive a short introduction about the history of kite making and create kites under guidance of the designer and teacher Arite Fricke. The kites as well as pictures of the creative process are exhibited in the Reykjavik Maritime Museum during Children's Culture Festival.\n\n\n\nThis event has passed or has no registered occurrences.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7967758774757385}
{"content": "Marc Sparks the Successful Entrepreneur\n\nAn American businessman, Marc Sparks is also a venture capitalist and entrepreneur. Based in Dallas, Texas, he is the head of the Timber Creek Capital. Marc Sparks currently has many portfolio companies. He operates and owns a number of businesses. Marc is involved heavily in the telecommunication sector and has involvement with Blue Jay Wireless, Splash Media and also Cardinal Telecom. He has also been involved in venture investing, real estate and also business solutions. Marc Sparks attributes his success to passion, hard work, commitment and discipline. From humble beginnings, Marc Sparks was able to rise up and become a successful entrepreneur and businessman.\n\nA philanthropist, Marc Sparks has been involved in many different philanthropic activities in Dallas and also outside. He is involved with Samaritan Inn which is a home shelter. He offers both his time and resources towards this charitable organization. Marc Sparks has a reputation as a person who is passionate about giving back to the community. Marc has also constructed homes with the Habitat for Humanity, an organization that provides homes and shelter to the homeless and the needy in the society. Marc supports the American Can Academy which is a high school magnet program based in Dallas.\n\nMarc Sparks is an author and is writing a book currently known as They Can’t Eat You. This book is meant to prove to people that it is possible to become successful in any type of business. The book also talks about his personal life and also highlights the tips to a successful career. With his story, Marc Sparks aims to inspire people from all over the world. From a C student, Marc Sparks was able to work hard went on to become a successful entrepreneur in America. Marc Sparks serves as a mentor and inspires many upcoming entrepreneurs that it is possible to make it. He assists entrepreneurs in developing their new businesses so that they can change into companies that generate revenue. According to Marc Sparks, acquiring resources and building a business model is the beginning of a successful business. Under his leadership, Timber Creek Capital has been able to grow and expand.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9113547801971436}
{"content": "Benjamin Appl baritone – James Baillieu piano\n\n\nSeligkeit, D 433 Franz Schubert\nDes Kindes Gebet, op. 76/22 Max Reger\nFreude der Kinderjahre, D 455 Franz Schubert\nWiegenlied, op. 49/4 Johannes Brahms\nDer Einsame, D 800 Franz Schubert\nMondnacht, op. 3/5 Johannes Brahms\nWaldeinsamkeit Franz Schreker\nMein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund (Deutsche Volkslieder) Johannes Brahms\nAllerseelen, op. 10/8 Richard Strauss\nNachtstück, D 672 Franz Schubert\nDrang in die Ferne, D 770 Franz Schubert\nDer Wanderer an den Mond, D 870 Franz Schubert\nIch weiß bestimmt, ich wird' dich wiedersehen Adolf Strauss\nDas Heimweh, D 456 Franz Schubert\nDer Wanderer, D 489 Franz Schubert\nHyde Park, FP 127/2 Francis Poulenc\nGreensleeves (folk song) Benjamin Britten\nSilent Noon Ralph Vaughan Williams\nHome, sweet home\nMy own country Peter Warlock\nThe Bachelor Peter Warlock\nIf there were dreams to sell John Ireland\n6 German Songs, op. 48 Edvard Grieg\n\nThere is no exact translation for the German word “Heimat”; in a single word, it encompasses feelings of security, rootedness, home. These are the feelings expressed in the songs of Franz Schubert, Max Reger, Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss and many others. Baritone Benjamin Appl has appropriately titled his first album, which he performs at this concert, “Heimat”. The record was welcomed with great enthusiasm. The Guardian gave it four stars and described it as “impressive, poignant and finely judged”. Hardly surprising, given that Appl was mentored by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and is well on his way to succeeding him. James Baillieu is a tremendous match for Appl. The South African has won countless prizes for piano and was rightly described in The Daily Telegraph as being in “a class of his own”.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6642628908157349}
{"content": "Vegetable arts & crafts for kids\n\nWritten by patricia k. maggio | 13/05/2017\nVegetable arts & crafts for kids\nVegetables with bright colours will get kids excited about produce. (Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images)\n\nSometimes vegetables are a hard sell for kids. Pique their interest and spark some creativity by making vegetables the star of your arts and crafts projects. Learning about vegetables is imperative to teach children the foundations of a healthy diet and using enjoyable or silly crafts is crucial to getting the point across.\n\nVegetable Refrigerator Magnets\n\nMake reusable fridge magnets with a very resourceful material: salt dough. Salt dough is usually made from flour, water, salt and a touch of vegetable oil, but use your own trusted recipe or store-bought, self-hardening clay. You can dye the clay different colours to suit your craft, so for vegetables you will need orange, green, red and yellow. Cut the dough into simple shapes of each vegetable you'd like to make; for instance, a carrot with a spring of leafy stem, a corn cob still in the husk, or a simple tomato on the vine. Each shape should be around 2 to 3 inches big. Mold the texture of each item using a spoon, fork or even a cotton swab to create the little corn kernels, and the random indentations on the carrot. Allow each sculpture to dry overnight and in the morning attach the small circular magnets to the backs of each with a small dollop of hot glue. Allow the salt dough to dry for a few days and then use acrylic paint to decorate.\n\nPotato Face\n\nMake your own Mr. Potato Head by cutting a potato shape from a large brown shopping bag. Each one will be different, and that's what makes this craft special. Using colourful construction paper, cut out a hat, nose, mouth and bow tie. You can cut these for each child beforehand if they are too young to use scissors. If the girls in the class would like a Ms. Potato Head, simply replace the top hat with a hairband or bow. Glue the facial accessories to your paper potato and add googly eyes.\n\nVeggie Prints\n\nMake one-of-a-kind vegetable pictures by gathering a few ordinary vegetables: potatoes, peppers, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, a few mushrooms and a cob of corn. Using cleaned foam meat trays, or a plastic plate, put out a few different colours of paint, taking care that they are on separate \"palates.\" Cut the vegetables in half to showcase the shape of the item; for instance, with mushrooms, slice them so when they are stamped, you see the large mushroom top and stem. Slice the base off the cabbage to use it as a floral-inspired stamp. For added interest, carve into the potato to make a specific shape, such as a star or heart. Skewer the corn cob with a wooden spear, roll it in paint and then roll on the paper for bright texture. The possibilities are endless with this craft, so let kids' creativity flow with all the colours and shapes of the vegetables.\n\nCarrot Paint Brushes\n\nInstead of using the actual vegetable for art projects, use the stem as your tool. Carrots, radishes, and celery all have long, leafy stems and the shape of the vegetable makes a perfect paint brush. Gently dip the leafy stem into paint and apply it gently to paper, as you would a normal paintbrush. Go one step further and paint with a broccoli floret. The little pieces are a good size for kids' small hands and the floret can easily hold paint. Kids will get a kick out of the crazy lines and textures of the stem as well as the strange sensation of painting with vegetables.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6075621843338013}
{"content": "Birthstones Meanings, Magic, and Dazzling Legends\n\nDiamonds are a girl’s best friend — but so would be a collection of other fabulous gems that are considered birthstones. Some people would disagree of the type of gem associated with birthstones. Some say Ruby is January’s gem, or that Alexandrite is June’s gemstone.\n\nI prefer Pearls for June, perhaps because that is my gemstone; I love Pearls and everything associated with them, including the beach.\n\nBirth gems have power! Not only do they provide the owner healing powers, but they dazzle the imagination with the stories, myths and legends behind these special stones.\n\nBelow is a look at birthstones and why they are so special:\n\nCrystal Therapy: Crystals for Chakra Alignment\n\nIn this blog I will be discussing stones and crystals that have energetic properties to bring about balance within your energy body which is known as your chakra system. To understand how crystals work, I first want to discuss resonate energy. Resonate energy is the vibrational quality of the things around us. Everything carries an energy signature, and the reason why crystals are quite popular in metaphysical practices is because the resonate energy of crystals is often a higher frequency than other tools and objects. This is due to their unique matrices and minerals within each crystal.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9907699823379517}
{"content": "Tuesday, July 21, 2009\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\nCSIRO astronomers have revealed the hidden face of an enormous galaxy called Centaurus A, which emits a radio glow covering an area 200 times bigger than the full Moon.\n\nThe galaxy’s radio waves have been painstakingly transformed into a highly detailed image, which is being unveiled to the public for the first time.\n\nCentaurus A lies 14 million light-years away, in the southern constellation Centaurus, and houses a monster black hole 50 million times the mass of the Sun.\n\nThe galaxy’s black hole generates jets of radio-emitting particles that billow millions of light years out into space.\n\nThe spectacular sight is invisible to the naked eye.\n\n“If your eyes could see radio waves you would look up in the sky and see the radio glow from this galaxy covering an area 200 times bigger than the full Moon,” said the lead scientist for the project, Dr Ilana Feain of CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF).\n\n“Only a small percentage of galaxies are of this kind. They’re like the blue whales of space – huge and rare.”\n\nSeen at radio wavelengths, Centaurus A is so big and bright that no-one else has ever tried making such an image.\n\n“This is the most detailed radio image ever made of Centaurus A, and indeed of any galaxy that produces radio jets,” said Dr Lewis Ball, Acting Director of the ATNF.\n\n“Few other groups in the world have the skills and the facilities to make such an image, and we were the first to try.”\n\nDr Feain and her team used CSIRO’s Australia Telescope Compact Array telescope near Narrabri, NSW, to observe the galaxy for more than 1200 hours, over several years.\n\nThis produced 406 individual images, which were ‘mosaiced’ together to make one large image.\n\nDr Feain combined the Compact Array data and data taken from CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope.\n\nProcessing the image – combining the data, taking out the effects of radio interference, and adjusting the dynamic range – took a further 10,000 hours.\n\nAstronomers will use the image to help them understand how black holes and radio jets interact with a galaxy’s stars and dust, and how the galaxy has evolved over time.\n\nCentaurus A is the closest of the galaxies with a supermassive black hole producing radio jets, which makes it the easiest to study.\n\nAstronomers are interested in studying more of these rare, massive galaxies to determine the role black holes play in galaxy formation and growth.\n\nDr Feain said the sample of galaxies we have today is just the tip of the iceberg, because current telescopes don’t combine the sensitivity needed to detect these sources and the ability to survey large areas of sky.\n\nEnter ASKAP, the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope, a new telescope being developed by CSIRO and partners, located in Western Australia.\n\nASKAP will be a survey telescope, designed for projects such as hunting for galaxies like Centaurus A in the distant universe. It is a precursor facility for the planned Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world’s largest radio telescope.\n\n“ASKAP will be incredibly fast,” said Professor Brian Boyle, CSIRO SKA Director. “Gathering the Centaurus A data with the Compact Array took 1200 hours. With ASKAP, it would take five minutes.”\n\nASKAP is on schedule for completion in 2012. In its first six hours of operation it will generate more information than all previous radio telescopes combined.\n\nCentaurus A was one of the first cosmic radio sources known outside our own Galaxy and it has a special connection with Australia.\n\nThe (visible) galaxy was discovered and recorded at Parramatta Observatory near Sydney in 1826. It was later catalogued under the name NGC 5128.\n\nAs a radio source, Centaurus A was discovered from Dover Heights in Sydney by CSIRO scientists in 1947.\n\n(Photo: Ilana Feain, Tim Cornwell & Ron Ekers (CSIRO/ATNF), R. Morganti (ASTRON), N. Junkes (MPIfR), Shaun Amy, CSIRO)\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\nAn assistive technology that enables individuals to maneuver a powered wheelchair or control a mouse cursor using simple tongue movements can be operated by individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries, according to the results of a recently completed clinical trial.\n\n\"This clinical trial has validated that the Tongue Drive system is intuitive and quite simple for individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries to use,” said Maysam Ghovanloo, an assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “Trial participants were able to easily remember and correctly issue tongue commands to play computer games and drive a powered wheelchair around an obstacle course with very little prior training.”\n\nAt the annual conference of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) on June 26, the researchers reported the results of the first five clinical trial subjects to use the Tongue Drive system. The trial was conducted at the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based catastrophic care hospital, and funded by the National Science Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.\n\nThe clinical trial tested the ability of these individuals with tetraplegia, as a result of high-level spinal cord injuries (cervical vertebrae C3-C5), to perform tasks related to computer access and wheelchair navigation—using only their tongue movements.\n\nAt the beginning of each trial, Ghovanloo and graduate students Xueliang Huo and Chih-wen Cheng attached a small magnet—the size of a grain of rice—to the participant’s tongue with tissue adhesive. Movement of this magnetic tracer was detected by an array of magnetic field sensors mounted on wireless headphones worn by the subject. The sensor output signals were wirelessly transmitted to a portable computer, which was carried on the wheelchair.\n\nThe signals were processed to determine the relative motion of the magnet with respect to the array of sensors in real-time. This information was then used to control the movements of the cursor on a computer screen or to substitute for the joystick function in a powered wheelchair. Details on use of the Tongue Drive for wheeled mobility were published in the June 2009 issue of the journal IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.\n\n\nBefore using the Tongue Drive system, the subjects trained the computer to understand how they would like to move their tongues to indicate different commands. A unique set of specific tongue movements was tailored for each individual based on the user’s abilities, oral anatomy and personal preferences. For the first computer test, the user issued commands to move the computer mouse left and right. Using these commands, each subject played a computer game that required moving a paddle horizontally to prevent a ball from hitting the bottom of the screen.\n\nAfter adding two more commands to their repertoire—up and down—the subjects were asked to move the mouse cursor through an on-screen maze as quickly and accurately as possible.\n\nThen the researchers added two more commands—single and double mouse clicks—to provide the subject with complete mouse functionality. When a randomly selected symbol representing one of the six commands appeared on the computer screen, the subject was instructed to issue that command within a specified time period. Each subject completed 40 trials for each time period.\n\nAfter the computer sessions, the subjects were ready for the wheelchair driving exercise. Using forward, backward, right, left and stop/neutral tongue commands, the subjects maneuvered a powered wheelchair through an obstacle course.\n\nThe obstacle course contained 10 turns and was longer than a professional basketball court. Throughout the course, the users had to perform navigation tasks such as making a U-turn, backing up and fine-tuning the direction of the wheelchair in a limited space. Subjects were asked to navigate through the course as fast as they could, while avoiding collisions.\n\nEach subject operated the powered wheelchair using two different control strategies: discrete mode, which was designed for novice users, and continuous mode for more experienced users. In discrete mode, if the user issued the command to move forward and then wanted to turn right, the user would have to stop the wheelchair before issuing the command to turn right. The stop command was selected automatically when the tongue returned to its resting position, bringing the wheelchair to a standstill.\n\n\"Discrete mode is a safety feature particularly for novice users, but it reduces the agility of the wheelchair movement,” explained Ghovanloo. “In continuous mode, however, the user is allowed to steer the powered wheelchair to the left or right as it is moving forward and backward, thus making it possible to follow a curve.”\n\nEach subject completed the course at least twice using each strategy while the researchers recorded the navigation time and number of collisions. Using discrete control, the average speed for the five subjects was 5.2 meters per minute and the average number of collisions was 1.8. Using continuous control, the average speed was 7.7 meters per minute and the average number of collisions was 2.5.\n\nWhile this initial performance trial only required six tongue commands, the Tongue Drive system can potentially capture a large number of tongue movements, each of which can represent a different user command. The ability to train the system with as many commands as an individual can comfortably remember and having all of the commands available to the user at the same time are significant advantages over the common sip-n-puff device that acts as a simple switch controlled by sucking or blowing through a straw.\n\nSome sip-n-puff users also consider the straw to be a symbol of their disability. Since Tongue Drive users simply wear headphones that are commonly worn to listen to music, the system is more acceptable to potential users.\n\nJohn Anschutz, manager of the assistive technology program at the Shepherd Center, identified advantages the Tongue Drive system has over the tongue-touch keypad.\n\n\"The Tongue Drive system seems to be much more supportable if there were a failure of some component within the system. With the old tongue-touch keypad, if the system went down then the user lost all of the functions of the wheelchair, phone, computer and environmental control,” explained Anschutz. “Ghovanloo’s approach should be much more repairable should a fault arise, which is critical for systems for which so much function is depended upon.”\n\nA future system upgrade will be to move the sensors inside the user’s mouth, according to Ghovanloo. This will be an important step for users who are very impaired and cannot reposition the system for best results, according to Anschutz.\n\n\"All of the subjects successfully completed the computer and powered wheelchair navigation tasks with their tongues without difficulty, which demonstrates that the Tongue Drive system can potentially provide individuals unable to move their arms and hands with effective control over a wide variety of devices they use in their daily lives,” said Ghovanloo.\n\n(Photo: Georgia Tech/Gary Meek)\n\nThe Georgia Institute of Technology\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\nMilder winters are causing Scotland's wild breed of Soay sheep to get smaller, despite the evolutionary benefits of possessing a large body, according to new research published in Science Express.\n\nThe new study provides evidence for climate change as the cause of the mysterious decrease in the size of wild sheep on the Scottish island of Hirta, first reported by scientists in 2007. The researchers believe that, due to climate change, survival conditions on Hirta are becoming less challenging, which means slower-growing, smaller sheep are more likely to survive the winters than they once were. This, together with newly-discovered so-called 'young mum effect' whereby young ewes produce smaller offspring, explains why the average size of sheep on the island is decreasing.\n\nClassical evolutionary theory suggests that over time the average size of wild sheep increases, because larger animals tend to be more likely to survive and reproduce than smaller ones, and offspring tend to resemble their parents. However, among the Soay sheep of Hirta, a remote Scottish island in the St Kilda archipelago, average body size has decreased by approximately 5 per cent over the last 24 years.\n\nThe research team analysed body size and life history data, which records the timing of key milestones throughout an individual sheep's life, for Soays on Hirta over this 24 year period. They found that sheep on the island are not growing as quickly as they once did, and that smaller sheep are more likely to survive into adulthood. This is bringing down the average size of sheep in the population over all.\n\nLead author Professor Tim Coulson from Imperial's Department of Life Sciences, suggests that this is because shorter, milder winters, caused by global climate change, mean that lambs do not need to put on as much as weight in the first months of life to survive to their first birthday as they did when winters were colder.\n\nHe explains: \"In the past, only the big, healthy sheep and large lambs that had piled on weight in their first summer could survive the harsh winters on Hirta. But now, due to climate change, grass for food is available for more months of the year, and survival conditions are not so challenging – even the slower growing sheep have a chance of making it, and this means smaller individuals are becoming increasingly prevalent in the population.\"\n\nTheir results suggest that the decrease in average body size seen in Hirta's sheep is primarily an ecological response to environmental changes over the last 25 years; evolutionary change has contributed relatively little.\n\nIn addition, the research team also discovered that the age at which a female sheep gives birth affects the size of her offspring. They realised that young Soay ewes are physically unable to produce offspring that are as big as they themselves were at birth. This 'young-mum' effect had not been incorporated into previous analyses of natural selection, which explains in part why the sheep of Hirta are defying biologists' expectations.\n\n\"The young mum effect explains why Soay sheep have not been getting bigger, as we expected them to,\" concludes Professor Coulson, \"But it is not enough to explain why they're shrinking. We believe that this is down to climate change. These two factors are combining to override what we would expect through natural selection.\"\n\n(Photo: Imperial College London)\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\nResearchers at the University of Illinois report that a toxic molecule known to damage cells and cause disease may also play a pivotal role in bird migration. The molecule, superoxide, is proposed as a key player in the mysterious process that allows birds to “see” Earth’s magnetic field.\n\nChanges in the electromagnetic field, such as those experienced by a bird changing direction in flight, appear to alter a biochemical compass in the eye, allowing the bird to see how its direction corresponds to north or south. The discovery, reported this month in Biophysical Journal, occurred as a result of a “mistake” made by a collaborator, said principal investigator Klaus Schulten, who holds the Swanlund Chair in Physics at Illinois and directs the theoretical and computational biophysics group at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. His postdoctoral collaborator, Ilia Solov’yov, of the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, did not know that superoxide was toxic, seeing it instead as an ideal reaction partner in a biochemical process involving the protein cryptochrome in a bird’s eye.\n\nCryptochrome is a blue-light photoreceptor found in plants and in the eyes of birds and other animals. Schulten was the first to propose (in 2000) that this protein was a key component of birds’ geomagnetic sense, a proposal that was later corroborated by experimental evidence. He made this prediction after he and his colleagues discovered that magnetic fields can influence chemical reactions if the reactions occur quickly enough to be governed by pure quantum mechanics.\n\n“Prior to our work, it was thought that this was impossible because magnetic fields interact so weakly with molecules,” he said. Such chemical reactions involve electron transfers, Schulten said, “which result in freely tumbling spins of electrons. These spins behave like an axial compass.”\n\nChanges in the electromagnetic field, such as those experienced by a bird changing direction in flight, appear to alter this biochemical compass in the eye, allowing the bird to see how its direction corresponds to north or south.\n\n“Other researchers had found that cryptochrome, acting through its own molecular spins, recruits a reaction partner that operates at so-called zero spin. They suggested that molecular oxygen is that partner,” Schulten said. “We propose that the reaction partner is not the benign oxygen molecule that we all breathe, but its close cousin, superoxide, a negatively charged oxygen molecule.”\n\nWhen Solov’yov showed that superoxide would work well as a reaction partner, Schulten was at first dismissive.\n\n“But then I realized that the toxicity of superoxide was actually crucial to its role,” he said. The body has many mechanisms for reducing concentrations of superoxide to prevent its damaging effects, Schulten said. But this gives an advantage, since the molecule must be present at low concentrations – but not too low – “to make the biochemical compass work effectively,” he said.\n\nAlthough known primarily as an agent of aging and cellular damage, superoxide recently has been recognized for its role in cellular signaling.\n\nHowever, its toxicity may also explain why humans do not have the same ability to see Earth’s electromagnetic field, Schulten said.\n\n“Our bodies try to play it safe,” he said. “It might be that human evolution chose longevity over orientational ability.”\n\n(Photo: L. Brian Stauffer)\n\nUniversity of Illinois\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\nThe earliest stars in the universe formed not only as individuals, but sometimes also as twins, according to a paper published in Science Express. By creating robust simulations of the early universe, astrophysicists Matthew Turk and Tom Abel of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, located at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Brian O'Shea of Michigan State University have gained the most detailed understanding to date of the formation of the first stars.\n\n\nTo make this discovery, the researchers created an extremely detailed computer simulation of early star formation. Into this virtual universe they sprinkled primordial gas and dark matter as it existed soon after the Big Bang, data they obtained from observations of the cosmic microwave background. This mostly uniform radiation—a faint glow of radio waves spread across the entire sky—contains subtle variations that reflect the beginning of all structure in the universe.\n\n\n\n\n\n(Photo: Ralf Kaehler, Matthew Turk and Tom Abel)\n\nSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory\nStanford University\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n(Photo: NASA)\n\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\n\nThe researchers, led by Associate Professor Yoel Fink of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), emphasize that while such an application and others like it are still only dreams, work is rapidly progressing on developing fabrics capable of capturing images. In a recent issue of the journal Nanoletters, the team reported what it called a \"significant\" advance: using such a fiber web to take a rudimentary picture of a smiley face.\n\n\"This is the first time that anybody has demonstrated that a single plane of fibers, or 'fabric,' can collect images just like a camera but without a lens,\" said Fink, corresponding author of the Nanoletters paper. \"This work constitutes a new approach to vision and imaging.\"\n\nOur eyes are a great example of Nature's approach to imaging: they involve a highly sophisticated and localized organ made in part of a delicate lens. Technologists have mimicked this approach in cameras, telescopes and even microscopes.\n\nBut lenses of natural or man-made origin have a limited field of view, and are susceptible to damage, leading to the loss of the imaging or seeing capacity altogether. Optical fiber webs, in contrast, provide a distributed imaging capability provided by the entire surface of a fabric, which is in principle much more robust to damage and \"blindness.\" If one area is damaged, other fibers can still function, extracting the image.\n\n\"We are saying, 'instead of a tiny, sensitive object [for capturing images], let's construct a large, distributed system,'\" said Fink, who is also affiliated with MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), the Center for Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE) and Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN).\n\nThe new fibers, less than a millimeter in diameter, are composed of layers of light-detecting materials nested one within another.\n\nThose layers include two rings of a semiconductor material that are light sensitive, each ring only 100 billionths of a meter across. Four metal electrodes contact each of the rings, extending along the length of the fiber, for a total of eight. Each semiconductor ring with its attached electrodes is in turn encased in rings of a polymer insulator that separate it from its neighbor.\n\n\n\n\n\n\"This paper furthers our vision of designing fiber materials and fabrics with ever-increasing sophistication and complexity,\" Fink said. He and colleagues note that additional optoelectronic layers in the fibers will lead to crisper images that could even be displayed in color.\n\n\"While the current version of these fabrics can only image nearby objects, it can still can see much farther than most shirts can,\" he said.\n\n(Photo: Fink Lab, MIT)\n\n\n\n0 comentarios\nFreshwater fish was a staple diet for humans as early as 40,000 years ago, according to a new study led by UBC anthropologist Michael Richards.\n\nRichards and a team of researchers from China and the U.S. analyzed stable isotope ratios found in the collagen of human and animal bones discovered in 2001 from the Tianyuan Cave near Beijing, China. Their study, to be published in this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, presents the first direct evidence of fish being a substantial part of early human diet.\n\nThe 34 human bones – likely from the same individual scientists call Tianyuan 1 – discovered in the Tianyuan Cave are one of the oldest modern human remains found in Eurasia. Bones of deer, monkey, porcupine and wild cat were also discovered on the site.\n\nStable isotopes such as those of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur are often used by scientists to reconstruct a food web and determine the long-term source of dietary proteins as they are deposited in the bone collagen over time.\n\n“We found similar carbon isotope values in the remains of the Tianyuan 1 human and those of a wild cat, indicating a similar diet of land animals and plants as a source of protein,” says Richards, who led the study while a researcher at the Max Planck Institute in Germany.\n\n“But significantly higher values of nitrogen isotopes in the human suggest an additional source of protein – probably from freshwater fish since aquatic animals generally have higher nitrogen isotope values due to their longer food chains.”\n\nSince no freshwater fish bones were found in Tianyuan Cave, the researchers studied fish remains discovered in the nearby Donghulin site and found consistent sulfur isotope ratios.\n\n“The combination of these findings provides direct evidence that early modern humans in China consumed freshwater fish regularly,” says Richards.\n\nAnthropologists have previously found indirect evidence of humans eating fish in South Africa as early as 50-60 thousand years ago. This new study presents the first direct evidence of fish being an important part of their diet and may help scientists understand how early modern humans adapted to their environments.\n\n“Since this timeframe predates consistent evidence of effective fishing gear, we think the shift to more fish in the diet may reflect greater pressure from an expanding population and the resulting difficulty in accessing small land animals.”\n\n\n\n0 comentarios\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNorth Carolina State University\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8967289924621582}
{"content": "Here is how Increasing integration of business accounting software with big data can be explained\n\nCurrent trends and findings converge on the fact that, the adoption of big data infrastructure is increasing in industry verticals such as banking, retail, and media and entertainment. Big data aids the firms to get timely insights to retain their customers and strengthen their market position by collecting and storing information such as purchase preferences of customers, the progress of competitors, and performance of various workplace tools.\nBig data solutions also play a critical role in the business development of an organization through the deployment of cloud-based business accounting software to enhance business efficiency. This has simplified the account management process and automated the import transactions, digital receipts tracking, payroll automation, and tax tracking.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.917169988155365}
{"content": "Liberian President Lights Up Rural Malawi\n\n\nLilongwe ‑ Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recently presided over the switching on of electricity in one of Malawi's ambitious Rural Electrification Projects aimed at lighting up 81 rural trade centres across the country.\n\nMalawi's electrification total electrification rate is pegged at 11 percent, however, the electrification rate of households in rural areas, where about 80 percent of the population lives, still remains less than 1 percent.\n\n“With the right agenda, policies, determination and commitment Africa has reach a point where we can reach the competitive position just as other regions of the world,” says the Liberian leader.\n\nCurrently, the rapidity of rural electrification in most African countries is lower than the rural population growth because of low population densities in rural areas, which result in high capital and operating costs for electricity providing institutions.\n\nDuring the launch of Kapichira II Hydro Power Station last month, Malawi President Joyce Banda announced her intention to light up 81 rural trade centres. The recent event marks Phase 7 of the US$17 million Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP).\n\nPrincipal Secretary in the southern African nation's Minister of Energy, Winford Masanjala, says the MAREP aims at electrifying rural and peri-urban communities in order to reduce poverty by transforming rural communities Under the MAREP Phase 7, the Malawi government is expected to light up 27 of the 81 centres.\n\nMasanjala says under Phase 6, government electrified 54 trading centres at US$6 million.\n\nApart from the MAREP, the Malawi government last year signed a Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) deal with the American government focusing on ensuring that electricity is used for productive economic activities in addition to providing power at household level.\n\nStudies have indicated that rural electrification significantly impacts the poor by raising household incomes by almost 50 percent.\n\nThe MCA-Malawi project will pay attention to developing a mini-grid in a rural community in order to ensure that the demand for power determines the suitability of a particular site. According to the MCA project, other factors that will be considered in identifying and determining potential sites include, number of households, cash crop production as well as other economic activities, including potential businesses that would arise due to the availability of power. The project will target possible productive uses of the power, including cold storage, milling; distance to nearest markets and monthly household expenditure on electricity substitutes.\n\nMAREP has previously been supported by the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), which has provided assistance to Malawi, including debt relief grant support, dispatch of experts to serve as long-term advisors, the formulation of rural electrification master plans through development studies and installation of solar power generation facilities.\n\nThe main purpose of the MAREP is to improve the rate of household electrification through the extension of distribution lines and the expanded use of solar power generation systems. This is expected to be achieved through the implementation of socioeconomic studies concerning electric power demand and the increase in electrical connections in newly electrified sites. \n\nMalawi through its power utility body the Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (Escom) and private public partnerships (PPP) plans to expand the existing grid through a rural electrification model that saves households on their energy expenditure, gives them more opportunities to increase income, is financially sustainable and can be installed and scaled-up easily.\n\nAnother form of electricity supply is the installation of electricity kiosks, which is a battery charging station using solar, micro-hydro or other type of (renewable) energy for generation of the electricity.\n\nAt domestic level, the electricity kiosk can use the electricity for lighting, phone charging and to power a radio.\n\nThe batteries can be recharged using various sources of (renewable) generation such as through a solar panel, micro-hydro power plant or by connecting it to an electricity grid.\n\nThe electricity kiosk will supply basic electricity to households and small businesses currently not connected to the electricity grid. They will benefit through the electricity kiosk by saving on household energy expenditure.\n\nFebruary 2014\n« Jan   Mar »", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9752155542373657}
{"content": "How to Add or Upload a Candidate\n\nThere are often times where you want to upload a candidate's resume or add them into JazzHR manually. You can upload candidates via our mass import, done by our Customer Success team or add them in small groups. We will cover how to add candidates one-by-one or via an email import\n\nYou can add candidates in the context of a specific job, or do so on the Candidates page to add them into your overall JazzHR account with no job associated. We highly recommend using a specific job, but if you don't have a specific job in mind, create a \"Candidate Pool\" job where you can house these folks.\n\nIf you want to upload multiple candidates via an email address, you can read more here.\n\n\n  1. Click Add Candidate on the Candidates page or click Add Candidate within a job\n  2. To upload a file from your desktop, drag and drop the file into the box or click Click here to upload\n  3. If you don't have a candidate's resume, simply click I don't have a resume to fill in their profile information manually\n\n  • You do not need to enter in a valid email address to upload a candidate\n  • You can fill in any information on their profile manually here, but this can be edited at any time\n  • Make sure to choose a job to add the candidate to, it is not recommended to have \"orphan\" candidates floating around\nHave more questions? Submit a request\n\n\nPlease sign in to leave a comment.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5115821957588196}
{"content": "Added by on 2014-10-06\n\n\nAction (1985) 94 minutes ~ Color\n\n\nThe USS COBRA, a super sub of the United States Naval nuclear fleet, is sent by U.S. Naval Operations to the Straits of Gibraltar’s. With its metal hull still hot from a very close encounter with the Soviet Coast Guard while on a “routine” mission within 1,000 yards of the port of Leningrad, the United States, the Soviet Union and the Middle East will begin to play their roles in the deadly Drama, orchestrated by the KGB, which would ultimately affect the entire population of the world, or at least the survivors.\n\nDirector: Allan Kuskoski\n\nWriters: Dave Hanson, Allan Kuskowski\n\nStars: Stuart Whitman, Paul Mantee and Persis Khambatta", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7653005719184875}
{"content": "Department seeks divine intervention to curb road deaths\n\nTHE Eastern Cape department of transport has teamed up with religious leaders in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to seek divine intervention against road accidents before the World Cup.\n\nAt a function held at the weekend in Port Elizabeth, Bishop Mbulelo Ngqono, the department's chaplain, said: \"Our department's priority is to ensure that we curb road accidents because they cause deaths.\"\n\nNgqono said the number of people dying on the roads was too high.\n\nHe said the last time he saw a huge number of bodies was during the apartheid era when the then government \"killed our people\".\n\n\"People are dying like flies. Only the power of prayer can bring divine intervention to this carnage.\"\n\nHe said stray animals were also contributing to deaths on the roads, and that traffic officers should apply zero tolerance to those breaking the rules of the road.\n\nTransport MEC Ghishma Barry recently launched a Road Ranger programme for the Cacadu district, which includes Nelson Mandela Bay, in a bid to remove stray animals from roads. The department has also given the road rangers new bicycles.\n\nOne of the rangers, Cynthia Matani, said she was happy to be playing a role in saving the lives of both locals and World Cup tourists who would be visiting the province.\n\nHer colleague, Boy Mantewu, said he was also happy because before they were employed as road rangers, there were many stray animals that caused serious accidents.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9976301193237305}
{"content": "Di Zentrum Publishing\n\n\nYoga is an application for Windows created by Zentrum Publishing, https://www.self-realization.com/yoga_software.htm. Its latest version 3.9, was released 1377 days ago, on 11.03.14. The size of the app is 4.28MB, with the average size for its category, salute, being 6.72MB. This app is available in italiano and is supported by the minimum operating system version . Yoga is ranked 47 in its category and is in the top 14565 in Uptodown’s overall ranking. Some similar programs are: SportTracks, Gourmet Recipe Manager, FriendEye, WinBraille, Biorhythms, Advanced Woman Calendar.\n\n\nValuta questa App\n\nUptodown X", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7692862153053284}
{"content": "Recursos de colección\n\nArchive of European Integration (75.249 recursos)\n\n\nType = Conference Proceedings\n\nMostrando recursos 1 - 20 de 76\n\n  1. It's Not the Economy, Stupid? Analyzing Icelandic Support for EU Membership\n\n    Curtis, K. Amber; Jupille, Joseph\n    What drives support for EU membership? We test the determinants of EU attitudes using original data from Iceland, whose recent woes have received wide attention. Given its crisis, we expect economic anxiety to drive public opinion. We find instead that economic unease is entirely mediated by assessments of the current government and that, despite the dire economic context, cultural concerns predominate. This suggests a potential disconnect between Icelandic elites’ desire for accession and the public will at large. Our results largely confirm prior findings on support for integration, further exposing the conditions under which individuals will evaluate EU membership favorably or...\n\n  2. Why is the Court of Justice of the European Union accepted? Three mechanisms of opposition abatement\n\n    Werner, Benjamin\n    The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) played a very important role in the process of European integration. Its jurisprudence has again and again strengthened the competencies of the supranational level to the disadvantage of the member states. The CJEU has always been criticized for this pro-integrationist activism but that never had a serious impact on the court’s behavior. In recent years, however, the environment for legal integration has changed: The CJEU is increasingly treading on political sensitive issues; and that in a period when the integration project as such is becoming more and more contested. Scholars of...\n\n  3. Irish Diplomacy in Time of Crisis and the Evolution of a ‘European’ diplomatic service\n\n    Tonra, Ben\n\n  4. From Backdoor-Opening To Concluding “Real” Free Trade Agreements? : Japan’s Free Trade Policy Towards The US, The EU And Latin American Countries\n\n    Suzuki, Hitoshi\n    The first country Japan signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was Singapore in January 2002. Since then, Japan has agreed upon EPAs with most of the Asian-Pacific countries, including Australia (July 2014), but without Korea and China. This could be described as the first stage of Japan’s FTA/EPA negotiations, set upon a strategy to conclude with countries “as many as possible” and “in the order of conclude-able.” Japan’s EPAs with Mexico (May 2005), Chile (September 2007), and Peru (March 2012) aimed to catch up with the US and the European Union’s (EU) free trade policy with Latin American countries, so that Japanese multi-nationals would not reduce...\n\n  5. The Global Health policies of the EU and its Member States: a common vision?\n\n    Steurs, Lies; Van Belle, Sara\n    This paper assesses the coherence between the global health policy of the European Union (EU) and those of its individual Member States. So far EU and public health scholars have paid little heed to this, despite the large budgets of the member states in this area. While the European Commission has recently attempted to define the ‘EU role in Global Health’, EU member states would like to keep a grip on the domain of global health as well. Therefore, this paper questions the existence of a common EU vision on global health by comparing the global health policy documents of...\n\n  6. The EU’s Role in Development Cooperation: Promoting Aid Harmonisation in Times of Crisis\n\n    Steingass, Sebastian\n    Despite starting from a highly fragmentary development policy system, a considerable consensus on policy norms for effective development cooperation has become prevalent on the EU level. This consensus makes claims about the EU’s role in European development cooperation. This role embraces the EU’s active promotion of approximation and convergence of European policies on aid and development cooperation, the EU’s so called “federating role”. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretically-informed model for understanding institutional dynamics in European development cooperation in terms of competing ideas and discourses on the EU’s role in regard to national aid policies. After...\n\n  7. EU normative power and the Iranian nuclear program\n\n    no, author\n    Ian Manners has proposed the concept of European Union normative power: the ability of the EU to change what is ‘normal’ in international relations. The EU-led international negotiations with Iran aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons may provide an example of EU normative power in action. In his 2002 state of the union address, president George W Bush included Iran in an ‘axis of evil’, a move which appeared to raise the possibility of an American military intervention against Iran. In response to the alarm raised by the International Atomic Energy Agency report on the Iranian...\n\n  8. Social Models under Economic and Monetary Union\n\n    Marzinotto, Benedicta\n    This paper explains the build-up and the reversal of macroeconomic imbalances in the euro area from a social-model point of view. Imbalances between the core and the periphery have been attributed either to fundamental differences in competitiveness or to the fact that capital was flowing into low-income countries where returns were highest. The former hypothesis is unable to account for the decoupling of export performance and standard cost competitiveness indicators and can hardly fit the Irish case. The latter is weak on push factors or, when focused on credit demand, unable to explain why countries with similar per capita income...\n\n  9. The European Union as a New Context and Challenge for the Triangle of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey\n\n    Joseph, Joseph S.\n    This paper deals with Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem in the context of EU interests and concerns in the region. It argues that today, more than ever before, the EU can play a catalytic role in finding a long overdue settlement on Cyprus and improving Greek-Turkish relations. Following the development of a spirit of rapprochement across the Aegean in the late 1990s, the accession of Cyprus to the EU in 2004, and the commencement of accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU in October 2005, the political setting in the region is changing. It is also argued that a...\n\n  10. The European Union and Israel’s Occupation: Using Technical Customs Rules as Instruments of Foreign Policy\n\n    Pardo, Sharon; Gordon, Neve\n\n  11. Analyzing European Union Politics\n\n    Bindi, Federiga; Eliassen, Kjell A.; Moses, Jonathan; Wiberg, Matti; Falkner, Gerda; Muravska, Tatjana; Justaert, Arnout; Van Den Brande, Karoline; Delreux, Tom; Drieskens, Edith; Nachev, Ivan; Garaski, Salla; Jorgensen, Knud Erik; Manners, Ian; Costa, Olivier; Borzel, Tanja; Heinze, Torben; Contogeorgis, George; Chryssochoou, Dmitris N.; Ocsko, Edina; Giusti, Serena; Dijkstra, Hylke; Vink, Maarten; Marino, Marit Sjovaag; Bergmann, Erikur; Pisarska, Katarzyna; Vila Maior, Paulo; Ramos, Claudia T.; Angelescu, Irina; Ollora, Izea; Sitter, Nick; Dunphy, Sarah; Laursen, Finn; Roy, Joaquim; Strelkov, Alexander; Entin, Mark; Barabanov, Oleg; Zeff, Eleanor; Shaw, Kelly B.; Andrews, Davis\n    The speed and depth with which the European Communities/ European Union has evolved is breathtaking and has radically shaped the life of the continent. Ever since the beginning of this ambitious economic and political project, scholars around the world have tried to explain the underlying logic behind it and the mechanisms of its functioning. Thus, a plethora of studies developed alongside the evolution of the EU. SENT (Network of European Studies) is an innovative and ambitious project which brought together about 100 partners from the EU member states, candidate and associated countries, and other parts of the world. It was a far reaching project aimed to overcome disciplinary and geographical- linguistic boundaries in...\n\n  12. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Interest groups and public opinion\n\n    Eliasson, Leif Johan\n    The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) constitutes an attempt to improve job creation and boost the economies on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet economic benefits and standard setting impacts notwithstanding, policy makers and legislators assess trade and investment agreements by a different metric. Politics, not economics, will determine the fate of TTIP, and opponents appear to have made some inroads with the public. This paper looks at the influence of interest groups and public opinions on developments in TTIP. This initial study finds correlations between public interest group activity, public opinion, and changes in TTIP. Key words: Transatlantic trade,...\n\n  13. What can the EU do to promote rule of law in members and neighbours? Lessons from Bulgaria and Romania\n\n    Dimitrova, Antoaneta\n    Introduction: The European Union’s focus on political integration2, in the sense of evaluating and supporting democratic regime consolidation and democratic institutions, rule of law, human and minorities’ rights dates back to the early years of the 2004-2007 enlargement. While the EU was considered an important factor in the consolidation of democratic regimes in Spain and Portugal (Preston 1997), the Spanish and Portuguese transitions were viewed as nearly completed when these countries joined the European Community. While the EU’s contribution to the overall strengthening of democratic institutions is considered by many (Vachudova 2005; Dimitrova/ Pridham 2005; Schimmelfennig/Sedelmeier 2005; Levitz/ Pop-Eleches 2010...\n\n  14. Fixing the EU Democratic Deficit: An Instrumental View of Citizenship?\n\n    Damay, Ludivine; Mercenier, Heidi\n    Introduction: One of the main contributions of sociological approaches to the academic debates about the European Union (EU) democratic deficit is to focus on the social acceptance of the EU. Nowadays, EU institutions themselves seem to share the same focus on citizens’ subjective perceptions. Indeed, fostering a sense of belonging to the EU becomes one of the strategies to fix the EU democratic deficit and strengthen its legitimacy. For EU institutions, it is necessary to bring the citizen closer to the EU as this would provide, at least partly, the solution to the democratic deficit. Hence, sociological approaches should now widen their focus, so to include the...\n\n  15. Recent estimates of exchange rate pass-through to import prices in the euro area\n\n    Ben Cheikh, Nidhaleddine; Rault, Christophe\n    This paper provides an update on the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) estimates for 12 euro area (EA) countries. First, based on quarterly data over the 1990-2012 period, our study does not find a significant heterogeneity in the degree of pass-through across the monetary union members, in contrast to previous empirical studies. As we use a longer time span for the post-EA era than existing studies, this is not surprising, since the process of monetary union has entailed some convergence towards more stable macroeconomic conditions across euro area (EA) member states. Second, when assessing the stability of passthrough elasticities, we find very weak evidence of a decline around...\n\n  16. Opposition to the TTIP in the EU and the US: Implications for the EU’s “democratic deficit”\n\n    Buonanno, Laurie; Dudek, Carolyn Marie\n    Since ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament’s (EP) newly conferred power in international negotiations is being put to the test through the complex and lengthy negotiations between the EU and the US for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The TTIP represents a fruitful area to investigate the way in which the EP is utilizing (or underutilizing) its new power as well as implications for the EU’s democratic deficit. TTIP represents a particularly fruitful policy to study the EP’s power because it offers the ability to directly compare the EP’s behavior with that of the US Congress....\n\n  17. “Europe is our future”: Measuring support for European integration as a tridimensional temporal process\n\n    Belot, Céline; Van Ingelgom, Virginie\n    Introduction: On the 2nd of June 1992, a majority of Danish voters said “no” to the Maastricht Treaty. Asked about the same time what they thought of the EC, 56% of Danish people claimed that membership to the EC was a good thing, 61% approved European Unification and 67% acknowledged their country benefited from its membership. At the time of the “No vote” relative to the Nice referendum, the Irish were even more euro-enthusiast with 81% claiming their country membership was a good thing and 83% that it benefited from this membership. Seven years later, still a majority of French and Dutch people considered their country membership as...\n\n  18. The EU food regulatory policy making: Indirect effects on the food chain governance\n\n    Chatzopoulou, Sevie\n    The perpetual expansion of the EU regulatory policy making, especially in the late 1980s, created new demands regarding the governance of these policies within the EU but also at the global level. This paper examines the specific case of the EU food chain regulatory framework and investigates its implications on the food chain governance. It specifically examines how the EU food chain regulatory framework emerged with the scope to ensure higher quality, healthy and safe food along with promoting innovation and the use of modern technologies which is also part of the Commission's \"Better regulation‟ agenda. Based on the regulatory governance...\n\n\n    Anderson, Stephanie; Williams, John.\n    The EU has strained to find its identity as a security and defense power. The EU, historically, has more experience and credibility in the area of its development policy. Given the EU’s history of development promotion and recent efforts to expand and clarify its foreign policy objectives, it should not be surprising that development and security goals often resemble each other. This paper argues that the conflation of traditional security concerns with the overall development policy of the EU indicates an expansion of and an effort to legitimize the EU’s foreign and security policy. However, the lack of a clear distinction between security and development strategies acts...\n\n  20. Coming full circle: Differential empowerment in the EU accession process\n\n    Wunsch, Natasha\n    The EU accession process brings a profound transformation not only to candidate countries’ institutions and policies, but also to the political opportunity structure in place, creating new possibilities for previously marginalised actors. Studying the differential empowerment of NGOs throughout the Croatian accession process, this paper makes two related claims: first, differential empowerment depends crucially on domestic actors’ awareness for and ability to use new opportunities to their advantage. Second, an overreliance on EU leverage poses important temporal and substantive limits on NGO empowerment and leads to a rapid decline of their relevance in the post-accession phase. I argue that a more sustainable shift in the domestic power balance...\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9749078750610352}
{"content": "First Christian Church of Madera logo\n\n\n\n\nMost likely you are wondering why we have chosen Synapse for our small group ministry. The word comes from two words meaning to clasp together. Very simply put, the Synapses are the connections between the brain and the body. With receptors and transmitters they connect the idea in the brain to the function in the body that needs to be accomplished.\n\nThe average 3 year old is said to have about 1000 trillion of these. As adults the number drops to anywhere from 100-500 trillion. The movement of the information across the gap is called firing.\n\nSimply put, Synapse brings together two things: what we know and what we do. It is the marriage of our knowledge and our actions. It is the clasping together of one person to another in love. It is the connecting of what we read in the Word with what we do in our lives.\n\nSynapse Groups form at periodic times and meet as a group for 12-24 months. You can find out more about groups that are forming in the church publications.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9839823842048645}
{"content": "The Best Resource For Mixed Martial Arts MMA\n\nIs Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather Closer Than Ever to Reality?\n\n, / 67 0\nConor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather\n\nA blockbuster boxing match between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and retired world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather is closer than ever to being a reality.\n\nThat statement, of course, is highly subjective. “Closer than ever” and “close to happening” can be two entirely different shades of reality.\n\nAs the story continues to unfold, however, more and more of the details point to a progression toward the fight, not a backing away from it.\n\nMayweather recently told ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith that “we’re getting very, very close” to the superfight. That statement is far from definitive, but again, it’s a step toward the fight.\n\nThe Irish Sun took things a step further with its recent report on the probability of the fight, citing anonymous sources close to McGregor’s Straight Blast Gym as saying, “Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have agreed a deal to fight and have both settled on their respective fees. The contract hasn’t officially been signed yet because of a third party hold-up, but all the details have all been agreed on. The fight could even be announced within two weeks.”\n\nThat sounds like quite the stretch considering most sources point to McGregor and Mayweather having yet to meet about the fight, as McGregor had recently insisted they would. McGregor is, however, currently in Las Vegas, where he intends to settle with the Nevada Athletic Commission over a bottle-throwing incident with Nate Diaz at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference last August.\n\nAs he stated at a recent question and answer session in Manchester, England, the plan after ironing things out with the NAC is to have further discussions with Mayweather. That is something that appears to be well founded, as NAC commissioner Anthony Marnell told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on Tuesday that some discussions have already been taking place.\n\n\n\nTRENDING > UFC 205 and Conor McGregor Set Records and Pumped Millions into New York\n\nWhile there has been talk that McGregor and Mayweather could try to make the fight without the UFC’s involvement, company president Dana White has made it clear that won’t happen.\n\n“If he wants to go down that road with us,” said White, “it will be an epic fall.”\n\nMcGregor is under contract with the UFC, and despite the bout being negotiated as a boxing match and not a mixed martial arts fight, his contract would require either permission from the UFC or the promotion’s involvement.\n\nThe former is not going to happen. The UFC is not going to allow McGregor to compete in the biggest blockbuster of his career without its piece of the pie.\n\nAs for the latter, the bout happening with the UFC being the promoter or co-promoter, that isn’t so far fetched.\n\nWhile the UFC is generally opposed to co-promoting, the scope of this bout could warrant such a venture, if the financials can be agreed upon. As Marnell said, there are several parties involved that are demanding a huge slice of the pie.\n\nWhite has already made overtures that the UFC and its new ownership, WME-IMG, would be willing to make the fight happen. His initial salvo was $25 million each to McGregor and Mayweather, plus a percentage of pay-per-view to be negotiated. That offer is likely well off the mark for the potential earnings of such a bout, but it is an opening bid that signifies a willingness to make it happen when a tremendous amount of money is on the table.\n\nMcGregor and Mayweather still have a significant climb to conquer before this fight becomes a reality, but it is no longer merely the white noise of self promotion that it once appeared to be.\n\n(Subscribe to on YouTube)\n\nFollow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram\n\nSource:: mmaweekly", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7180740833282471}
{"content": "Religious Diversity\n\n“The indiscriminate mix, which must occur in large public establishments, of persons of opposite religious sentiments and practices … [is] calculated to fix, still deeper, the melancholy and misanthropic train of ideas.”\n\n~Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason, 26\n\nThis mixing of different religions in public mental health institutions was thought to negatively affect the mental health of Quaker patients. Thus, the founders of Friends’ Asylum wanted a place “with the necessary medical assistance, and wholly under the care and notice of Friends, for the relief and accommodation of persons thus afflicted; including members and professors with us, of every description” (4). The original purpose of Friends’ Asylum was to treat only Quakers and, despite the many non-Quakers being treated there throughout the years, this goal did not appear to explicitly change in the early 19th century.\n\nHowever, the Asylum did not exclusively serve Quaker patients. Beginning in 1834, the Asylum began admitting patients who belonged to other faiths. Explore each year's non-Quaker admissions with the graph below. This information comes from the Friends' Asylum collection's Casebooks, 1835-1894 records.\n\nBy the similarities between some religion names written in these casebooks, it seems as though recordkeepers at the Asylum were not necesarily concerned with precision when it came to recording religions. For example, some records note the admittance of Dunker patients, though this term in fact refers to the German Baptist religion, to which other patients are explicitly noted as belonging. Additionally, in some years, some patients are recorded as Roman Catholics, while in others they might simply be recorded as Catholics. In these two examples, the data have been combined under the German Baptist and broader Catholic terms, respectively. However, in other instances, similar terms might appear in the same year. One example of this is the year 1848, in which both \"German Lutheran\" and \"Lutheran\" appear. For cases like these, each religion's data have been left separate to preserve the original text of the Casebooks.\n\nJews at the Asylum\n\nIt is particularly interesting that Jews were admitted into the Asylum, as all other patients were Christians of some variety. In both 1897 and 1898 there were four Jews who were patients at the Asylum. In addition, many of the Jews migrated from Russia or Germany (Box 9 and 10). During this time Philadelphia “became home by 1905 to 100,000 Jews, two-thirds of them from Russia,” which could, in part, explain the increase of European Jews in the Asylum in the late 1800s (283). Unfortunately we do not know much about what their experiences were like because the Superintendent stopped keeping detailed records in 1894. Instead, the Daily Records used symbols to keep track of the patient’s activities and mental state. Based on the symbols, we do know that the Jews in the Asylum did not participate in religious activities within the asylum(1907-1909). This could mean that they primarily practiced religion privately or they simply were not able to observe any religion other than Quakerism in the Asylum. The differences in how each religion was treated in the Asylum were not as clear as the differences between the opportunities for and treatment of men and women.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8201615810394287}
{"content": "Sentence for imagines | Use imagines in a sentence\n\nHow to use imagines in a sentence. ESL students, people who enjoy word games, & those learning a new language might especially enjoy this webpage. The lines of text below use imagines in a sentence, and provide visitors a sentence for imagines.\n\n  • It is something like the solution which Goethe imagines for Faust, and perhaps no other is imaginable. (9)\n  • She asks for what she thinks she may have; she claims what she imagines to be her own. (10)\n  • She said she would just go in and look; and the wise reader imagines the result. (9)\n\nGlad you visited this page with a sentence for imagines. Perhaps also see a sentence for inference and ways to use imps in a sentence. Now that you’ve seen how to use imagines in a sentence hope you might explore the rest of this educational reference site to see many other example sentences which provide word usage information.\n\nPeople looking for: \"how do you use imagines in a sentence?\", \"imagines sentence\", visited this page.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5471758842468262}
{"content": "Family Organization For Your Children\n\nYour kids don’t have to suffer from disorganized closets just because you need to work. Working moms can still be hands-on in handling their kids’ needs no matter how busy their working schedules get. The key is to find the right tools in aiding you to accomplish your super-mom tasks while also accomplishing a work report for your job. Being a mom doesn’t always mean you have to give up your career in order to take care of your kids. Even a simple act of making sure they eat a balanced meal, they do their homework, they go to bed early, they brush their teeth and they wear neat clothes to school are simple day-to-day achievements for a mom. You can start with kid’s closet organization tools.\n\nBeing supermom can always start by teaching your kids the value of organization and organizing their things in such a way that they are always certain of wearing neatly folded and freshly washed clothes. Your kids would not complain so much, for instance, if you help them select what to wear during the weekdays as early as the weekends when you’re spending some quality time with them. You can put the chosen outfit in a days of the week closet organizer where each compartment is labeled according to the days of the week so that your child can just grab the clothes he or she will wear when he or she prepares for school.\n\nKids can also own hundreds of toys and books. There are numerous kid’s closet organization ideas for storing books and toys, are storage cubes or bins. You can direct your kids to put their toys or books on the shelves or on the bin as soon as they’re done playing with it. Once in a while, you can help them do it just so they can see how it is properly done but most of the time, you should leave it to their capable hands in order to develop the habit of cleaning up their own mess in their early years. There is a greater possibility that they will carry out this habit through their teens if they developed it early on.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8281890153884888}
{"content": "(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) When candidate Barack Obama took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in 2008, he had some strong words for his Republican opponents.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999646544456482}
{"content": "Class Descriptions\n\nHatha Yoga/Hathavidya\n\nIn a Hatha Yoga Class, teachers combine asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation and other subtle practices with a focus on alignment of both the physical and the energetic body. Beginners are welcome in all our Hatha classes.\n\nAmy’s Hatha Flow classes are an invitation to explore the depths of your own body, mind, and heart. Classes are a skillful blend of healthy alignment, kinesthetic awareness, and practical wisdom to open you to greater levels of strength and healing. “My Hatha Flow classes are open level. I welcome students from all yogic traditions, and any level of experience, to come as they are and lead with their hearts!”\nThis practice includes ancient breathing, asana, mantras, relaxation and meditation techniques that are practiced to remove negative states of mind, promoting positive thinking, leading to higher states of physical and mental health.\n\nThese specific practices are based on gaining true power founded in Self-knowledge and are initiated by sitting with the teacher and with continued self-practice to present a complete holistic system that creates stability in body, mind and spirit.\n\nThe emphasis of Hathavidya practice is for the student to develop their own way – a perfect path of yoga.\n\nBased in traditional hatha yoga teachings, this class is taught in a flow style on a weekly theme incorporating the use of asana, pranayama and mantra. A challenging class, but not fast moving, giving each student a chance to breathe into each pose and discover what’s there. Strong focus on alignment and connection to the breath.\n\nThis lunch time donation class is welcome to students of all levels. We move slowly with a strong focus on the breath and alignment, moving into poses based on the levels of students in the room.\n\n“Bilingual Hatha Flow with Judi” is a beginner to open level class taught in both English and Spanish.  Judi’s classes focus on breath and alignment and exploring the lines of energy in the body, creating more openness and space and allowing for a harmonious union of the body, mind and heart.  ALL STUDENTS WELCOME especially Spanish speaking students who have been curious about yoga and students who are looking to expand their fluency in both languages while continuing to build and grow their yoga practice.\n\n“Bilingüe Hatha Flow con Judi” es una clase abierta y para principiantes de la yoga ensenada en los dos idiomas: Inglés y Español.  Las clases de Judi se concentran en la respiración, la alineación del cuerpo, y la exploración de las líneas de energía en el cuerpo, creando mas espacio y permitiéndonos lograr harmonía y unión del cuerpo con la mente y el corazón.  TODOS NIVELES Y ESTUDIANTES SON BIENVENIDOS, especialmente los que hablan Español y tienen curiosidad sobre la práctica de la yoga, y también aquellos que buscan ampliar su conocimiento de los dos idiomas mientras continúan creciendo su práctica de yoga propia.\n\nThis class is taught with a focus on alignment and breath, with the foundation in a traditional Hatha practice combined with with a mindful flow. Each class has a spiritual or emotional theme to help deepen the connection between body, mind and spirit. And to inspire bringing the practice off the mat and in to our daily lives.\n\nCarolina’s classes are Open level where both beginners and seasoned students are welcome! Modifications will always be offered.\n\nAn integrated experience of Intelligently sequenced asana with dynamic breathing, meditation, and sound, to energize, align, and heal the total self. All levels welcome.\n\n\nIyengar Yoga\n\nIyengar Yoga is HATHA Yoga in the method of Yoga Master, B.K.S. Iyengar. This method focuses on precise alignment and the skillful use of props (belts, blocks, blankets, chairs) to help students experience each asana in a deeper and supported way. This step-by-step, systematized method allows the classical asana (and thus it’s benefits) to become accessible to ALL regardless of flexibility, fitness level, age, or body type. Working from the outside in, the mind can become quiet and the student can experience what B.K.S. Iyengar describes as “Meditation in Action.”\nAs per Iyengar tradition, classes follow a monthly cycle — you can expect to see more vigorous Iyengar classes in the beginning and restorative classes towards the of every month. This is a great class if you are a beginner or if you are a seasoned practitioner ready to delve deeper into alignment.\n\nNancy has a love and enthusiasm for the practice of Yoga and the Iyengar method. She welcomes all levels to this class for all can benefit! You can expect to explore Sanskrit Chanting and Yoga Philosophy along with a Sequence of Yoga Asanas. Students learn how one pose leads to the next; sequential learning with emphasis on precise alignment, the Iyengar way.\n\n\nVinyasa Yoga\n\nVinyasa, meaning ‘flow’, merges movement with breath. Teachers guide students through sequences of postures lead by the rhythm of their own breath. Whether the class is fast or slow, includes chanting, or is alignment-oriented will depend on the individual teacher. Classes will vary in their range of difficulty and teachers will offer variations for students in different levels. Beginners are welcome only in our open level vinyasa classes.\n\nEnjoy an energizing mixed level yoga class with Anthony, guided by breath in a creative blend of Hatha and Vinyasa poses. We’ll focus on developing flexibility, strength and balance as we move into a dynamic flow that will lengthen and tone your entire body and leave you feeling centered and\nShawna encourages creative, playful exploration to find your body’s fullest expression in each pose and your heart’s fullest offering of Light in every movement. She brings a sense of welcome to the table; excitement and enthusiasm for your transformation; and a sense of connection towards authentic living and remembrance of Spirit. Drawing upon Hatha, Vinyasa, and Prana Yoga styles, Shawna invites openness to ask questions and openness to create dialogue around deeper awareness. She speaks to the structure of each pose and transition with focus on the balance between anatomical alignment and the beauty of the body’s innate wisdom! At times, Shawna will incorporate mudra, mantra, pranayama, philosophy, and will always offer a sacred space in which to explore all things revealed and created in the practice. Whether you are new to Yoga‚ a returning practitioner‚ or seasoned yogi‚ there will always be something for you in Shawna’s classes.\n\nVinyasa Yoga with Tom is an opportunity to explore your edge with regard to your own breath, asana alignment, mindfulness and mantra meditation.\n\nRequests are always encouraged, so that classes are often tailored to the individual needs of the students in the room. Regardless, the breath is primary and leads and concludes each movement. The breath envelops and carries the movement, and is your metronome, no matter what the body is doing or not doing.\n\nBecause you are always staying within your own practice, there will be options available for different poses. Taking breaks and child’s pose are encouraged if appropriate. At this point the student goes from “breathing the breath” to “observing the breath” with a mantra, staying connected all along. In a way, this class can be seen as a “stealth meditation class”, with a strong physical practice, working from the inside out, at your own pace.\n\nComing soon!\nMichelle offers a vinyasa flow style class that explores moving with the breath through lighthearted and playful sequences. Though geared more towards an advanced beginner or intermediate practitioner, modifications will be offered to encourage everyone to explore their own unique practice. A weekly theme is suggested in order to focus the class as we move towards a peak pose. Michelle intends to create a judgment free space in order for others to celebrate their true authentic selves, with the glorious understanding that yoga is for every body.\n\n\nRestorative Yoga\n\nRejuvenating and supported poses that restore the nervous system and dismantle chronic tension. This class is a perfect way to end your week and get your body and mind ready for a lovely weekend. It’s like pressing a reset button so we recommend this class to everyone.\n\nA deep sigh, a warm hug, and a gentle touch filled with loving care. This is Gentle Restorative Yoga with Shawna. Whatever you might need, we can address; from toes to nose, and hamstrings to heart strings. This practice can help you not only de-stress, it can help you rehabilitate injuries, gain flexibility, and even support strength. All who enter are welcomed.\n\n\nPrenatal Yoga\n\nA woman’s body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. This class will help your body adjust to those changes as well as prepare for labor by maintaining flexibility in the muscles and building strength to ensure an easier labor and post-partum recovery.\n\nMarcela’s class offers a forum and support network for women to openly discuss and address the mental and physical changes happening in the body during pregnancy. An asana practice focused on shoulder and hip openers as well as muscle strengthening varies based on the needs and feedback of students in the beginning of each class. We incorporate childbirth education techniques with a focus on breath work (pranayama), and how to use breath in relaxation techniques to guide each woman in preparation for labor and childbirth.\n\n\nBread and Yoga\n5000 Broadway, Suite A\n(Entrance on 212th St.)\nNew York, NY 10034", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9965669512748718}
{"content": "Manufacturing Engineer\n\n\nSavannah, GA\n\nWhat you'll be doing\n\nPerform technical studies and conduct analysis of operations (existing or proposed). Develop plans and recommendations for equipment needed and correct methods of manufacturing including sequence of operations and detailed methodology of complex assemblies and installations as well as detail components. Assist in make-or-buy proposals and recommend corrective actions for areas of responsibility. Conduct research, investigation and analysis in connection with assigned planning or other assigned projects, to ensure conformance to requirements. Perform predictability studies from engineering drawings. Apply statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential; make necessary computer inputs and generate data or reports as needed. Incorporate lean manufacturing methodology into existing and future processes. Apply lean and six sigma principles to manufacturing methods as a team member or leader. Support all safety, sustainability and ergonomic initiatives. Aid in development and maintenance of business continuity plan. Initiate and maintain accurate daily/weekly activity status based on work output, as required. Perform other duties as assigned.\n\nWhat your background should be\n\nThe candidate should have experience in related field. Basic knowledge of lean and six sigma principles. Must be knowledgeable about engineering configuration requirements, tooling, quality control, plant safety, blueprint reading, and shop math. Ability to operate computerized equipment, such as personal computers, CADAM, CATIA, etc. Lean specialist certification or higher is preferred.\n\nRequired Schooling / Training\n\nBachelor degree in mechanical.\n\nWho is the client company\n\nThis is an American aerospace and defense company.\nIf you are interested in this position, send your resume to", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000007152557373}
{"content": "I have spent over 20 years in leadership roles where my creativity in problem solving, idea generation, ability to maximize what is available, pioneer and teaching/coaching approach has positively changed the lives of thousands of people. This ability to first understand the “problem” and find many possible avenues towards a solution is second nature. I truly love serving by utilizing my talents, strengths, and time to assist others in living a wholehearted life. I know one person  can change the lives of countless others, therefore, being able to help you reach bliss, helps all those around you and the ripple effect is in motion. Together, we can create a world community of happiness and success.\n\nLets work together to brainstorm how to make your career, company, and/or personal life one where you wake up each day, cannot wait to put your feet on the ground, and live fully.\n\nI look forward to hearing from you!!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9977713227272034}
{"content": "925.682.5414  925.682.5480  webmaster@sfaconcord.org\n\nStudent Learning Expectations\n\nAt the School, our goal is to create a learning atmosphere that combines structure and creativity while fostering enthusiasm for life-long learning. To meet this goal, we strive to maintain a positive environment, which promotes love, understanding and acceptance. Our value-centered academic programs empower each student with the skills to be:\n\nA faith-filled person who: \n\n1.1 expresses an understanding of Catholic doctrine and traditions\n\n1.2 communicates the teachings of Jesus through example\n\n1.3 is provided opportunities to build a personal relationship with God\n\nA life-long learner and problem solver who: \n\n2.1 achieves a foundation in core subjects\n\n2.2 demonstrates critical thinking skills\n\n2.3 participates in co-curricular and extra-curricular enrichment programs\n\nA globally responsible citizen who: \n\n3.1 respects and promotes a just use of individual, local and global resources\n\n3.2 accepts social justice and cultural diversity\n\n3.3 works cooperatively and independently to seek solutions and help others to do so\n\nAn effective communicator who: \n\n4.1 resolves conflicts peacefully\n\n4.2 demonstrates the ability to listen, speak and write effectively\n\n4.3 demonstrates a foundation in communicating in a second language\n\n4.4 uses the Arts to express themselves in creative ways", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7258037328720093}
{"content": "Cusco Travel\n\nIn addition to serving as a gateway to near- by attractions like Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Cusco offers travelers a host of culturally enticing museums, cathedrals and markets. This city an excellent addi- tion to any itinerary. For outdoor enthusi- asts, the Cusco area presents a number of spectacular trekking opportunities. And for those who want to stretch their legs a bit but aren't up for a week-long adventure over mountainous terrain, the nearby Inca ru- ins of Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay, Tipón, and Pikillacta and Rumicolca make excellent day trips.\n\nIn Quechua Cusco translates as \"belly but- ton of the world,\" and at its height Cusco truly was the center of the great Inca Em- pire, which stretched across parts of South America from Northern Chile to Colombia. In terms of architectural prowess and po- litical importance, Cusco paralleled the well- known Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán as one of the great imperial capitals of America. Today, Cusco is known for its inviting and intriguing blend of Spanish and Inca culture, most evident where Spanish churches and convents have been built squarely on top of perfectly laid Inca walls. While the Spanish did their best to pillage and plunder the city, they failed to completely destroy the massive network of Inca stonework, which continues to withstand both time and the elements. The Spanish buildings in contrast have be- gun to crack and crumble.\n\nThe Quechua people, the present-day ances- tors of the Incas, have also been a city build- ing block, they bring the charm, humility and beauty that keep tourism booming in Cusco. Because the city is a popular destina- tion along the Gringo Trail, it has a variety of hotels and restaurants to accommodate any traveler's tastes, from world-class hotels to hostels the most miserly of backpackers will find affordable. Cusco is an extremely visitor-friendly city, with tour agencies on every block and very helpful locals. Most of the major Cusco activities are within walking distance of one another and can be covered in about half a day, though you may want to devote a little more time to browse the vari- ous shops and markets you encounter along the way. Some Cusco highlights include the Cusco Cathedral, Iglesia San Blas, San Blas, Qoricancha Templo del Sol and Santo Do- mingo, Museo Histórico Regional, Museo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina\n\nCusco History\n\nCusco is best known for its Incan and co- lonial periods; however, those two epochs represent only about one-third of Cusco's settled history. The city's first settlements, located in the eastern part of the current city, date as far back as 3,000 years. As a result, some consider Cusco to be the longest con- tinually settled city in the Americas. In the years those first residents, various settlers have come and gone, including the Wari invaders around 750 AD—a period which preceded the construction of the buildings which today are called Pikillacta.\n\nThe Inca Civilization began around 1200 AD, and with it came the development of Cusco into a major political and religious center, one that could serve a relatively large population. A large expansion phase began around 1400\nAD, when the Incas laid out the city in the shape of a Puma, their sacred animal. The ex- pansion was short-lived as the Spanish would arrive next century, on November 15, 1533. Thus began violent and ruthless attempts to conquer the city. In 1536 the Incas rebelled against the Spanish in an attempt to regain control of the city. The ensuing war lasted 36 years, finally ending when the head of Túpac Amaru, the Inca dynasty's last emperor, was lopped off in Cusco's Main Square.\n\nCusco experienced a large earthquake in\n1650, after which nearly every colonial build- ing needed to be rebuilt (further emphasiz- ing the quality of the Inca architecture, much of which remains standing today). A valiant attempt at emancipation was attempted in\n1780 by José Gabriel Thupa Amaro Inga. When he was betrayed by his followers, and he and his whole family were executed in Cusco's Main Square. Independence was finally achieved in 1821, following a long, bloody process that served as the template for Latin America.\n\nOnce a stunning Inca capital, Cusco today offers one of the finest mixes of pre-Colum- bian, colonial and modern mestizo culture of any South American city. Cusco is often referred to as the archeological capital of South America. The colonial history of the city is not completely untouched, but the central historical area has not undergone an overwhelming number of alternations despite the high concentration of stores, hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other tourist-driven enterprises. A quick walk through the city allows visitors to see the influence of different periods of history with the naked eye. Inca ruins such as the Temple of the Sun contrast with Span- ish churches and mansions, underscoring Cusco's various phases of development.\n\nCusco's unique mix of Amerindian and mestizo culture has persevered despite a massive influx of tourism. The best ex- ample is Inti Raymi, an Inca tradition that celebrates the winter solstice, according to the ancient Inca sundial. Locals and tour- ists alike are welcome to participate in the day-long event, in a show of how Cusco has reconciled its indigenous history with its recent tourism boom.\n\nLake Titicaca and the founding fo Cusco\n\nLegend has it that when the ancient sun god made his two children, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, they emerged out of Lake Titicaca and on an island in the lake, he gave them a great golden staff to be used for a specific task. The task? Founding the Peruvian Incans and finding the most ap- propriate location by sticking the staff into the ground. Manco and his sister, Mama, searched Peru high and low for the right spot, but the staff would not stick into the ground. Finally, they came upon the most beautiful place they had seen yet. They stuck the staff in the ground and it stuck. They founded the city of Cusco, conquering the tribes already living there and ruling them under the Incan Empire. Manco mar- ried his sister and they ruled side-by-side.\n\nSome legends say that in the spot where they stuck the golden staff, Manco and Mama also built a Temple of the Sun dedi- cated to their father. If the legends are cor- rect Manco would have been ruling the In- cans in about the 12th century. During the\n17th century, the Santo Domingo Church and Qoricancha were built on the site of the Temple of the Sun; the spot remains one of the biggest and most impressive tourist attractions in Cusco.\n\nGetting To and Away From Cusco\n\nFor convenience sake, most people get to Cusco via airplane; a bus from Lima can cost $35 but takes 26 hours. You can break up the trip by stopping over in Nasca, but you would still have to leave at night to resume your trip. By contrast, a plane trip costs $70 and only takes an hour. Except for chartered planes, there are no international flights to Aeropuerto Internacional Velasco Astete in Cusco. The train stations, Estación de Huanchaq and Estación de San Pedro, connect to Aguas Calientes (Machu Pic- chu), Arequipa, Puno, and the Oriente (the Amazon jungle). There is also bus service between Cusco and those four regions.\n\nAlejandro Velasco Astete International Airport\n\nFor those travelling to Cusco from Lima who do not want to take the over 24-hour, non-stop bus ride needed to access--or depart from--the region, there is the Ale- jandro Velasco Astete International Air- port. The airtime between the two cities is one hour. Freshly remodeled, this is one of the most modern of all Latin American airports; the only one featuring board- ing bridges between the terminal and the planes. It is named after a Peruvian pilot who in 1925 was the first man to fly over the Andes. The airport has mostly domes- tic flights, though it does receive some in- ternational charter flights. Due to its high altitude (10,860 feet / 3310 meters above sea level), all flights to Cusco from Lima leave in the morning. The airport is about three miles (5 kilometers) east-southeast of the city; a cab will take you there for 6 soles ($2), or you can take a bus for one sol. There are no hotels at the airport, so an early departure may end up choosing to sleep on the floors. It is safe and well-pa- trolled by guards. An ATM dispenses cash with most cards. A special feature of this airport is the domesticated and people- friendly alpacas that will greet you, and are open to both petting and pictures.\n\nGetting Around Cusco\n\nMost of what you will want to see in Cusco is within walking distance of the central Plaza de Armas, but if it is late, if you are in a hurry, or going to or from the outly- ing residential areas, there are plenty of cabs available. The tourist police recom- mend that tourists only use cabs that have the diamond-shaped sticker of official approval in their windshields. Apart from that, there are many combis or mini-vans, which can take you to the airport and other points around town.\n\nHolidays and Festivals\n\nCusco plays host to several yearly festivals, some driven by Amerindian influences, others by post-Columbian traditions and some that blend both. The most well attended and most popular festival in Cusco is Inti Raymi, the yearly Inca festival celebrating the winter solstice on June\n24, according to the Inca Sundial (modern sci- ence has since pinned the date to June 21).\n\nQoyllur Rit'i usually takes place on the Sun- day before Corpus Christi. People make the pilgrimage from all over to pray to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i who they believe has powers to bring them success in love, school, etc.\n\nThe festival is capped off by a procession on the final night when hundreds of people climb the surrounding glaciers and lug down huge icicles. The icicles are melted to produce holy water which is thought to help the sick com- munity members. As in pretty much all Latin American cities, Cusco lets loose for Carnival. The celebration peaks the Monday and Tues- day before Ash Wednesday and is a great time to visit Cusco if you want to party.\n\nLikewise, Semana Santa, held during Easter, is celebrated all over Latin America. Cusco celebrates by holding numerous processions through the streets, including an Easter Monday procession led by El Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes). For the Santuranticuy festival, on December 24, hundreds of artisans head to Cusco's Plaza de Armas to spread their wares out on blankets. It is one of the largest craft fairs in Peru.\n\nCusco Services\n\nTourist Information Office\nSaturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Portal Mantas\n117-A (next to the La Merced Church),als hall, Tel: 51-84-247-364. For tourist information and assistance.\n\nTourist Police\nThe following services may be helpful for tourists while in Cusco: Tourist Information Office Portal Mantas 188 (next to the La Mer- ced Church) Telephone: 51-84263-176 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Sat- urday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tourist Police Saphi\n510 Telephone: 51-84-249-654 The Tourist Police will provide information and will also investigate crimes that are committed against tourists, such as theft of property. More seri- ous crimes are handled by other law enforce- ment organizations. Immigration Av. el Sol\n620 (1/2 block uphill from the post office) Telephone: 51-84-224-741 Hours: Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4:30 p.m.\n\nVisas can be renewed for 30 days without leaving the country for $20. Monday - Friday,\n8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Av. el Sol 620 (1/2 block up- hill from the post office), Tel: 51-84-222-741\n\nCIMA Hyperbaric Center\nCusco is often breathtaking…in more ways than one. Even the most athletic are not im- mune to high altitude sickness if they are not accustomed to high up climates. Altitude sick- ness a condition which can affect people at over 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) over sea level. Cusco is 3,536 meters (11,600 feet), and such symptoms as dizziness and fatigue can develop into high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). The CIMA Hyperbaric Center, with its hyperbaric chamber, has become one of the most respect- ed clinics in Cusco for treating high altitude sickness. They also provide any and all needed vaccinations and medical assistance relating to outdoor sports. 978 Avenida Pardo, Tel:\n51-84-255-550, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , URL:\n\nSan Pedro Market / Mercado Central\n(ENTRANCE: FREE) Located across from the San Pedro train station; a few blocks southwest of the Plaza de Armas, the central market offers one-stop shopping for the trav- eler with a grocery list and limited needs in the souvenir department. Though the Mer- cado Central is largely dedicated to sales of fruits, vegetables, meats and bread, there are a few vendors hawking souvenirs to those tourists who wander in. For practical goods, like socks or batteries, the Mercado Cen- tral gets the job done, although the range of goods is infinitesimal compared to Mercado Mollina. most markets in Peru, the Mercado Central has plenty of cheap local eats for the traveler with a sense of adventure and an iron stomach. Open Daily.\n\nCusco Tourist Ticket / Boleto Turístico Cusco\nWhat is it? Even if you plan to visit only a few places in and around Cusco, it is wise to purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico Cusco, or BTC). It's the only way to get into some of Cusco's main attractions, and includes useful maps of the regions and the city. Although, recently the tourist ticket has changed and you have to buy tickets for the different sites individually. How much is them? $10 adults $5 students under age\n26 with ISIC card Note: The ticket only lasts ten days but can be renewed at any one of the two offices below. Where can I get them? Although it's theoretically available from all the sites on the ticket, your best bet is to buy it from one of the following two tour offices in Cusco: OFEC Avenida El Sol 103, #106\nTelephone: 51-84-227-037 Monday-Friday,\n8 a.m.-5 p.m. Casa Garcilaso corner of Gar- cilaso and Heladeros Telephone: 51-84-226-\n919 Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat- urday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-noon. They cover Cusco Cathedral, Museo de Arte Religioso, Iglesia San Blas, Museo Histórico Regional Museo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina, Museo Palacio Municipal, Museo de Sitio Qoricancha Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puca, Pucara, Tambo, Machay, Pikil- lacta, Tipón and the Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero ruins.\n\nThings To See and Do in Cusco\n\nPlaza de Armas\n\nWith a commanding spot at the center of the city, the Plaza de Armas is perhaps the best point from which to start exploring the city. From here you can access all of the Cusco's major attractions, which spread out across the city along all four points of the compass. Within the Plaza de Armas you will find the Portal de Panes, Cusco Cathedral, Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Chapel of El Se- ñor de los Temblores, Museo Inka, and Igle- sia de la Compañía de Jesús.\n\nFollowing Callejón Loreto to the west of the Plaza de Armas will bring you to the spec- tacular stone walls of ancient Acclahuasi, or Temple of the Sun Virgins, where the Spanish built the Convent of Santa Catalina in 1610. Today about thirty sisters continue to live and worship here; inside is the Museo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina. South- east from the convent, at the intersection of Avenida El Sol and Calle Santa Domingo, is the complex of Qoricancha Templo del Sol and Santo Domingo, a wonderful example of the city's characteristic mix of Spanish and Inca cultures. Within three minute's walk of this architectural amalgamation is the Museo de Sitio Qoricancha, which offers an interest- ing display of various archeological artifacts.\n\nTo the southwest of the Plaza de Armas are the Iglesia y Convento de la Merced and the Plaza de San Francisco, where you will find the Museo y Convento de San Francisco. Fur- ther to the south is the Central Market, which is known for its quality alpaca goods and an- tique textiles. Another area of interest lies near the Plaza Regocijo, just a block south- west of the Plaza de Armas. In the southwest corner of the plaza stands the Museo Históri- co Regional, the residence of a prolific half- Inca, half-Spanish poet and author, and now the home to pre-Inca ceramics, Inca artifacts and numerous examples of Cusco's historic art. If you're in need of a drink but don't want to stray too far, then follow Calle Santa Te- resa from Plaza Regocijo to the House of the Pumas, a small café whose entrance sports six pumas carved by the Spanish during the rebuilding of Cusco. Not far from the café is the Iglesia de Santa Teresa, which features beautiful paintings of St. Teresa, usually illuminated by candlelight.\n\nWander northeast of the Plaza de Armas, along Calle Córdoba del Tucmán, and you'll stumble across Plaza Nazarenas, a small and quiet section of town that boasts the Chapel of San Antonio Abad, Museo de Cerámica, and Museo Taller Hilario Mendivil. This area also has four other important attrac- tions: the Museo de Arte Religioso, Hathun Rumiyoq, the most famous Inca passageway in the city; and Iglesia San Blas and San Blas, a bustling artisan neighborhood whose steep cobblestone streets offer fantastic views of the city. NOTE: Whether or not you plan to visit all the attractions in Cusco, it is worth purchasing the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico General, BTG), which covers many of the historic museums, cathedrals, and ruins in the Cusco area.\n\nCusco Cathedral\n\nLocated in the center of Cusco on the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's massive stone cathedral is well worth a visit. Construction began in 1560; much of the stone used to build the ca- thedral was brought from Sachsayhuamán and other Inca sites. Time and earthquakes took their toll on the cathedral; an ambitious resotration project took place between 1997 and 2002. Much of the stonework has been shored up and the magnificent paintings have been delicately wiped clean of centu- ries of grime. Be sure to check out the Matia Angola bell in the bell tower, made with more than fifty pounds of gold. The entrance is no longer included as part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket. You now have to buy a ticket separately for 25 soles. Plaza de Armas.\n\nIglesia y Convento de la Merced\n\nThe Church and Convent of Mercy was orig- inally built in 1535, making it one of the old- est religious institutions in South America. It was rebuilt after an earthquake destroyed it in 1654, and is still host to the white-robed Order of Mercy priesthood. The impres- sively designed courtyard and select rooms, all filled with centuries-old religious art (in- cluding a 16th century menorah), are open to general public. The wall murals were origi- nally reproductions of Catholic iconography from the order's home in Seville, Spain, and they include what may be considered a very controversial depiction of the Virgin Mary. This is essential touring for those who want to understand Cusco's colonial past. Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Noon - 2 p.m. and Sundays. Manta 121 ,Tel: 51-8-423-1821.\n\nIglesia San Blas\n\n(ENTRANCE: $5.50 or with BTC) Iglesia San Blas is just one of the Cusco attractions located in the bustling artisan neighborhood of San Blas. Built in 1563, Iglesia San Blas is thought to be one of the oldest parishes in Cusco. Although unremarkable from the outside, this small, white-washed adobe church houses, one of the most exquisite ex- amples of woodcarving in the world. Carved in a churrigueresque style from a single tree trunk, the famous cedar pulpit features in- tricately carved images of the Virgin Mary, apostles, cherubs, a sun-disc and bunches of grapes. Perhaps as interesting as the pulpit is the story that accompanies it. According to legend (you'll have to decide for yourself if it's true), the carpenter who created the pul- pit's skull was placed inside the masterpiece, at the top beneath St. Paul's feet. While you're looking for the skull (let us know if you find it!) be sure to check out the ba- roque gold-leaf main altar. Plaza San Blas.\n\nPalacio Arzobispal / Museo de Arte Religioso\n\nFor art aficionados and architecture fiends alike, the Museo de Arte Religioso is one of the most interesting spots in the city. Like many other attractions in Cusco, the museum sports a rich cultural history that appears in both the architecture outside and artwork inside.\n\nThe museum itself is located inside the Pala- cio Arzobispal, which sits adjacent to Hatun- rumiyoc, a magnificent pedestrian alleyway lined with Inca stone masonry. The name Hatun Rumiyoc means \"Street with the Big Stone,\" which is a reference to the massive\n12-sided stone situated perfectly in the cen- ter of the wall. Originally the site of Inca Roca palace, the building has also served as the residence of the former Spanish marquis and the Archbishop of Cusco.\n\nToday, this building houses a collection of colonial religious paintings. One room in particular is filled with paintings by Marcos Zapata, an 18th century mestizo artist whose work often mixed indigenous elements with religious themes. In addition to the artwork, you're sure to admire the Moorish-style doors, ornately carved cedar ceilings and spectacular stained-glass windows. For a breath of fresh air, step out into the court- yard, adorned with blue and white tiles from Seville. Monday-Saturday, 8-11:30 a.m., 3-5:30 p.m., Corner of Hatun Rumiyoc and Palacio, Tel: 51-8-422-5211.\n\nCasa Garcilaso / Museo Histórico Regional\n\nFormerly the residence of one of Peru's most famous writers and Inca historians, Garcilaso de la Vega, the Museo Histórico Regional now offers an excellent review of Peruvian history, from pre-Inca civilizations to the Inca and colonial periods. Though the mu- seum is not particularly well labeled, it does have interesting displays of Inca agricultural tools, colonial furniture and paintings, in- cluding a mummy with braids 1.5m long and photos of the damage incurred after the 1951 earthquake. In terms of Cusco attractions, this is an excellent place to start, as it pro- vides a thorough archeological overview of the Chavín, Moche, Chimú, and Chancay cultures, in addition to exhibits that trace the evolution of the Cusqueña School of paint- ing. Whether you're an avid historian, or just want to learn more about Peruvian culture, plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the exhibits. Plaza Regocijo (corner of Gar- cilaso and Heladeros), Tel: 51-84-223-245, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.\n\nMuseo de Sitio Qoricancha\n\nLocated under the garden below Santo Do- mingo, the Museo de Sitio Qoricancha consists of three small rooms, which contain a pre-Columbian collection, Spanish paintings from the 18th century and photos of the ex- cavation of Qoricancha. Although it is one of the smaller attractions in Cusco, this muse- um also has a decent collection of ceramics, metalwork and textile weavings dating back to Inca and pre-Inca civilizations. Avenida El Sol (across from Qoricancha).\n\n\n(ENTRANCE: $15 or with BTC) Perched forebodingly in the hillsides rising above Cusco, the fortress of Sacsayhuamán make up some of the most impressive and closest ruins in the area. Few structures now re- main inside, but the massive 20-meter-high outer walls that zigzag together like razor- sharp teeth have stood stalwartly against past battles, earthquakes and time.\n\nEmperor Pachacútec began building the hillside citadel in the 1440s, but the massive complex wasn't completed for almost anoth- er 100 years. Every Inca citizen was required to spend at least a few months a year build- ing it, which involved dragging the massive stone blocks (one block is estimated to weigh an astounding 300 tons) via a system of log sleds and levers from as far as 32 kilometers away. Legend has it that 3,000 people died while dragging a single stone into place. Dur- ing Manco Inca's great rebellion, the fortress was the scene of a massacre of an estimated 1,500 Inca soldiers who became trapped in- side the three stone towers. Rather than face death at the Spaniards hands, many Incas leapt to their deaths from the high towers. The next morning condors feasted on the pile of corpses; the image was captured for- ever on Cusco's coat-of-arms.\n\nEven today engineers marvel at the scope and scale of the ruin's stonework, which fits together perfectly without mortar. Like oth- er ruins in the Cusco area, Sacsayhuamán exemplifies the Inca's extraordinary archi- tectural prowess. A huge trapezoidal door leads into the ruins from the walkway. From here you can explore inside the ruins, which once consisted of an intricate network of small streets and buildings overshadowed by three main towers. Today, adjacent to the grassy esplanade in front of the main defen- sive walls, is Rodadero (Sliding Place), an in- tricately carved volcanic outcrop where the Inca throne once stood. In ancient times, this area was probably used for ceremonial gath- erings. Even today you may be lucky enough to catch one of the many sun ceremonies still\n\nheld throughout the year. If you can, plan to visit the ruins around the Inti Raymi festival held in June, during the summer solstice. From Sacsayhuamán you can also reach the Inca ruins of Q'enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambo Machay. 2 kilometers from Cusco, getting there: From the Plaza de Armas, it's a 45-minute steep climb 2 kilometers uphill. Follow Calle Suecia to Calle Huaynapata, to Calle Pumacuro, which winds its way uphill past a small café. From the café it's about a 10-minute walk via signposts. Travel tips: Night tours available 8-10 p.m., but bring a flashlight and some friends.\n\n\n(ENTRANCE: $10 or with BTC) The temple and amphitheater ruins of Q'enqo are locat- ed east of the giant white statue of Christ, perched on the hill next to Sacsayhuamán, and are only about a 20-minute walk from the famous fortress ruins. The Q'engo ruins derive their name from the Quechua word meaning \"zig-zag,\" a reference to the series of perfectly carved channels adorning the upper western edge of the temple's stone. In ancient times these channels probably flowed with chichi, sacrificial llama blood used by priests during annual fertility festi- vals and solstice and equinox celebrations. In addition to the channels, Q'enqo sports a series of intricately carved designs, includ- ing steps, seats, geometric reliefs, pumas and condors. The hollowed-out limestone outcropping which comprises the main al- tar emphasizes the importance of the Rock Cult in Inca cosmological beliefs, and simi- lar rock carvings can be found throughout the surrounding foothills. The complex also offers visitors the opportunity to explore a series of caves and tunnels beneath the rock. If you're up for a walk, you can also access the ruins of Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay from here. Near Sacsayhuamán ru- ins, to get there follow the signs posted on the main road from Sacsayhuamán.\n\nPuca Pucara\n\n(ENTRANCE: $7 or with BTC) Though per- haps the least impressive of the ruins around Cusco, Puca Pucara offers stunning views of the Cusco Valley and glaciers to the south. Located about 11 kilometers outside the city, right beside the main Cusco-Pisac road, the ruins can also be reached via a one to two hour cross-country walk uphill from Sacsay- huamán and Q'enqo. In Quechua its name means Red Fort, and the complex was prob- ably used by Emperor Pachacútec as a tam- bo, or out-of-town lodge. It's likely that the Emperor's court was stationed here when the Emperor came to visit the nearby baths of Tambo Machay. Beneath the complex there are several chambers to explore; the platform on top offers spectacular views. To get there go 11 kilometers from Cusco down the Cusco-Pisac road.\n\nTambo Machay\n\n(ENTRANCE: $10 or with BTC) Located just a 15-meter walk along a sign-posted path from the main road past Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay ruins are one of the more impressive examples of Inca baths, which can be found at nearly every important Inca temple, in- cluding Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu. Water was worshipped by the Incas as a vital life element, and the painstakingly carved network of aqueducts and canals that comprise these baths are a reminder of their fascination with water. The complex consists of three tiered platforms which ingeniously channel spring water into three impressive waterfalls. All of the waterworks still func- tion today. The quality of stonework indicates that the site was probably restricted to higher nobility, who might have used the baths only on ceremonial occasions. The site also has an impressive Inca wall that rises above the cer- emonial niches. Near Puca Pucara.\n\nPikillacta and Rumicolca\n\n(ENTRANCE: $7 or with BTC) Much of the ancient Inca's organizational expertise and city planning abilities originated from the pre-Inca Huari Empire, which dominated the lands of Peru from 500 to 1000 A.D. An interesting example of Huari engineering is Rumicolca, an ancient aqueduct poised on a valley along the side of the high- way, about 32 kilometers (22 miles) from Cusco. After their rise to power, the Incas converted this ancient water channel into a massive gateway to Cusco. Not far from Rumicolca is Pikillacta, the largest provin- cial outpost ever built by the Ayacucho- based Huari and one of the only pre-Inca sites of importance near Cusco. Were it not included on the Cusco Tourist Ticket, this 47-hectare, adobe-walled compound might go unnoticed; and, it affords visitors a great opportunity to check out pre-Inca architecture. Though little is known about the site's history, we can tell you that the little turquoise figurines displayed in Cus- co's Museo Inka, were discovered here.\n\nGringo Alley\n\nTaxis won't drive up it, and you'll have a hard time finding your hotel if it's on it, but for some reason the tight, narrow cobblestoned street, Calle Procuradores, just off the west side of Plaza de Armas is known among lo- cals as \"Gringo Alley.\" Unless your hostel is down the alley, you're likely to pass by the unassuming entrance, which looks like a barren road. But take a stroll down and you will find a handful of charming hostels, a slew of authentic artisanal shops, several Internet cafés and a few great, mouth-wa- tering, mid-range restaurants and bars you won't want to miss. Its tall colonial buildings and narrow streets capture the air of old Eu- rope. Calle Procuradores leads to a maze of small, seemingly endless alleys where you'll find even more shops and hotels. The nick- name, Gringo Alley may be a bit deceiving since it's not really all gringos; in fact, it's less gringo than the tourist glitz of Plaza de Armas. So, what makes this quaint sector a gringo zone exactly? Well, it is where grin- gos have been going in recent years to get away from the hustle of the Plaza de Armas and, of course, it has a steady flow of tour- ists. Whoever started this trend was on to something—it's close to everything a tourist needs, but feels more like a piece of San Blas.\n\nSan Blas\n\nCharacterized by steep cobblestone alleys with spectacular views of the city, San Blas is one of the oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods in Cusco. A thriving artistic community lives here—some families have been operating in San Blas for decades— and it is known for producing fine tradi- tional and contemporary artwork. As many streets are pedestrian-only, San Blas is an excellent place to explore on foot. A relaxed stroll through streets lined with studios and workshops is a great way to soak in the artis- tic atmosphere and do some window-shop- ping. While you're in the neighborhood, you may want to head over to Iglesia San Blas, home to one of the New World's most fa- mous woodcarvings. As you wander, be sure to look out for your belongings, as tourists aren't the only people scoping out the area; thieves operate here too.\n\nThe Stone Puma\n\nNorth of Cusco's Plaza de Armas towards Cuesta San Blas, you will come upon one of the most haunting tokens of a civiliza- tion: the foundation for the one-time pal- ace of 14th century Incan ruler Inca Roca. Throughout Cusco, the Spanish attempted to establish their hegemony by demolishing a century's worth of physically impressive architecture from the Incan and pre-Incan civilization. But they couldn't quite destroy it all. The stone blocks were too large, too heavy and, above all, too tightly fit. The wall on Calle Hatun Rumiyoc is particu- larly fascinating; locals will approach you and point out how the Incas were able to so tightly fit irregular blocks of stone, is a mystery yet to be solved by archaeologists and architects. The stones have the distinct outline of a puma, an animal considered sacred in Inca religion. The original city of Cusco itself is also supposed to resemble this animal. At the wall, the animal is seen in a crouching position. The smaller stones at the base of the wall serve as a reminder of Incan ingenuity, in that they functioned as shock absorbers for the wall itself, which accounts for how it endured though all the earthquakes in the region's history.\n\n\n(ENTRANCE: $7 or with BTC) Located 23 kilometers southeast of Cusco, these ruins are not particularly popular among travelers who want to visit some of the bigger-name ruins around the Sacred Valley area. Despite its position off the beaten tourist trail, this extensive temple complex is one of the best examples of Inca stonemasonry, and some might say it is equal to the more celebrated ruins of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinche- ro. The temple includes well-preserved agri- cultural terraces, baths, irrigation canals and aqueducts that emphasize the Inca's skillful building technique. The ruins can be reached via a steep one-hour climb up a lovely path, or up a dirt road by car. If you're feeling es- pecially agile, you can check out the ruins located about a 2-hour climb above Tipón. Note: It's virtually impossible to visit the ruins during the rainy season. 23 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of Cusco.\n\nQoricancha Templo del Sol and Santo Domingo\n\nOf the numerous attractions in Cusco, this should be on the top of your list. Once home to nearly 4,000 of the Empire's high- est ranking priests and their attendants, Qoricancha was an extraordinary display of Inca masonry and wealth. Dedicated to the worship of the sun, the Temple of the Sun was the main astronomical observatory for the Incas. The complex also included smaller temples and shrines dedicated to the worship of less important deities of the moon, Venus, thunder, lightning and rain- bows. In Quechua its name means Golden Courtyard, which is an appropriate title for a temple once adorned with gold panels, life-size gold figures, solid gold altars and a gigantic golden sun disc all intended to re- flect sunlight and drench the entire temple in golden light. During the summer, light enters a strategically placed niche, where only the Inca Chieftan was allowed to sit.\n\nWhen the Spanish ransacked the city during their conquests, this glorious shrine to the sun was stripped of its golden accoutrements and most of its aesthetic glory. The Temple of the Sun was awarded to Juan Pizarro, younger brother of Francisco, who willed it to the Dominicans after he was wounded during the siege of Sacsayhuamán. Eventu- ally the temple's carefully constructed stones were used as the foundation for the Convent of Santo Domingo, a baroque church built in the 17th century.\n\nToday the site of Qoricancha and Santo Do- mingo is a magnificent testament to the cul- tural collision that occurred when the Span- ish descended on the Inca Empire. Recent excavations have uncovered five chambers once belonging to the temple, in addition to some of the best stonework visible in Cusco. The sex-meter curved wall beneath the west end of the church, which has withstood repeated earthquakes, is perhaps the best example of Inca masonry this site offers. Excavations below this wall have uncovered a garden of gold and silver animals, as well as maize and other plants. Another remark- able stretch of Inca masonry extends from Calle Ahuacpinta, located outside the tem- ple to the east of the entrance. Though not as spectacular as either Qoricancha or Santo Domingo, the nearby Museo de Sitio Qori- cancha offers visitors a chance to further investigate and explore the development of Inca and Spanish cultures in the area. Open\n8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 2 - 4p.m.Plazoleta Santo Domingo, Tel: 51-8-422-2071.\n\nMuseo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina\n\n(ENTRANCE: $3, no longer included on BTC & closed for renovation at time of writing) Built by the Spanish between 1601 and 1610 on top of Acllahuasi, where the Inca emperor once housed his chosen Virgins of the Sun, this convent and museum houses an inter- esting collection of colonial and religious art. Like other attractions in Cusco, the museum has a number of pieces from the Cusqueña School, an art movement emphasizing the union of both Inca and Spanish culture. In addition to baroque frescoes depicting Inca vegetation, the chapel also houses macabre statues of Jesus, beautifully painted arches and 17th century tapestries. Perhaps the highlight of this site is a series of 3-D figu- rines which recount the life of Christ. Objects such as this were popular devices used by the Catholic Church's \"traveling salesmen,\" who were responsible for converting many of the indigenous people throughout Peru. Santa Catalina Angosta, Tel: 51-84-226-032.\n\nMuseo Inka\n\nFor spectacular views of Inca artifacts head over to Museo Inka. This recently renovated colonial home, run by the Uni- versidad San Antonio de Abad, is located down an alley to the left of the Cusco Ca- thedral. Focused on the development of pre-Inca and Inca culture, the museum contains an intriguing collection of jew- elry, ceramics, textiles, mummies, tre- panned skulls, and a number of metal and gold pieces. Explanations are in English. Be sure to check out the stunning col- lection of miniature turquoise figures, among other examples of offerings to the gods. You may also have a chance to par- take in the weaving demonstrations that take place in the courtyard. Among the at- tractions in Cusco, this museum is famous for housing the world's largest collection of wooden queros, which the Incas once used for drinking. Allow 1 ½ to 2 hours to see the whole collection. Cuesta del Alm- irante 103, Tel: 51-84-237-380.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6239602565765381}
{"content": "Do you have one of these? Or do you know someone who does?\n\nSome people are born with tiny, barely visible holes above their ears.\n\nIt affects a very small percentage of people and is called preauricular sinus.\n\nIn the UK, just under one per cent of people have them. In the US, the frequency is lower, and in Asia and parts of Africa, around four to ten per cent of people may be affected.\n\nSimply put, the malformations are 'nodules, dents, or dimples' that are exposed anywhere around the external ear – specifically, where the 'face' and the ear cartilage meet.\n\nThe preauricular sinus is, technically, a hereditary birth defect that, according to The Mirror , was first documented by a scientist called Van Heusinger in 1864. Usually they're found on one side, but up to 50 per cent of people have them on both.\n\n\nBut if you are part of the one per cent, there's not really anything to worry about. They might be linked to other things, but don't tend to cause problems. The most likely issue is for the holes to become infected, something that's easily treated with antibiotics.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8769211769104004}
{"content": "GMO's, Label, Labeling Law, Monsanto, Vermont -\n\nThe Little Green Giant takes on Monsanto!\n\n\nAnd now, by an overwhelming majority, the Vermont House (114-30) and Senate (26-2) have passed a GMO labeling law that will be signed by Governor Peter Shumlin. This is the first GMO labeling law to pass in the U.S. without contingencies attached to it.  Maine and Connecticut passed labeling laws in 2013 but both contain “trigger” clauses that require neighboring states to pass similar legislation before they can take effect. The idea behind this type of stipulation is to share the burden of expenses when Monsanto and the Biotech bullies sue the state(s).  Vermont, with 90% of its people in favor of a GMO labeling law, has decided to play David to Monsanto’s Goliath and go toe to toe with the Biotech behemoth. A special fund has been set up to help defray the costs for Vermont’s legal defense against the inevitable lawsuits.\n\nThere are currently 64 countries with GMO labeling laws. The list includes Australia, Brazil, China, the European Union, India and Russia as well as smaller countries like Bolivia, Kenya and Thailand. Many of these countries are applying the Precautionary Principle, which states that when an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships have not yet been fully established scientifically. Unfortunately in the U.S., this policy is rejected by corporations and government regulators who prefer cost-benefit analyses with much lower standards. Environmental contaminants such as arsenic, DDT, nicotinoid , organophospate and methylcarbamate pesticides as well a myriad of other toxins were all approved using these substandard parameters.\n\nKudos to Vermont for passing a law as sweet as the syrup it is famous for. As Governor Shumlin said in a statement: “I am proud of Vermont for being the first state in the nation to ensure that Vermonters will know what is in their food. Vermont has led the local food movement that is better connecting people nationwide with the food they eat.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9954320788383484}
{"content": "Least-squares adjustments of observations of waves of the P groups at central and southern California stations are used to obtain the speeds of various waves. Only observations made to tenths of a second are used. It is assumed that the waves have a common velocity for all earthquakes. But the time intercepts of the travel-time curves are allowed to be different for different shocks. The speed of P̄ is found to be 5.61 km/sec.±0.05. The speed for S̄ (founded on fewer data) is 3.26 km/sec. ± 0.09. There are slight differences in the epicenters located by the use of P̄ and S̄ which may or may not be significant. It is suggested that P̄ and S̄ may be released from different foci.\n\nThe speed of Pn, the wave in the top of the mantle, is 8.02 km/sec. ± 0.05. Intermediate P waves of speeds 6.72 km/sec. ± 0.02 and 7.24 km/sec. ± 0.04 are observed. Only the former has a time intercept which allows a consistent computation of structure when considered a layer wave. For the Berkeley earthquake of March 8, 1937, the accurate determination of depth of focus was possible. This enabled a determination of layering of the earth's crust. The result was about 9 km. of granite over 23 km. of a medium of speed 6.72 km/sec. Underneath these two layers is the mantle of speed 8.02 km/sec. The data from other shocks centering south of Berkeley would not fit this structure, but an assumption of the thickening of the granite southerly brought all into agreement.\n\nThe earthquakes discussed show a lag of Pn as it passes under the Sierra Nevada. This has been observed before. A reconsideration of the Pn data of the Nevada earthquake of December 20, 1932, together with the data mentioned above, leads to the conclusion that the root of the mountain mass projects into the mantle beneath the surface layers by an amount between 6 and 41 km.\n\nFirst Page Preview\n\nFirst page PDF preview\nYou do not currently have access to this article.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8039617538452148}
{"content": "1-800-522-7274 AVAILABLE 24/7\n\nHablamos Español\n\nWilshire Law Firm Blog\n\nTreating Road Rash\n\nsacramento motorcycle injury\n\n\nRoad Rash Treatment Tips for Motorcyclists\n\nWhen a motorcyclist gets into an accident, he is at the mercy of friction and gravity. The road becomes like a grinding mill, potentially causing road rash – skin abrasions caused when a rider hits or scrapes exposed skin against the road after going down.\n\nRoad rash may not be as devastating as a traumatic brain injury or limb loss, but it can be painful, to say the least. Depending on its severity, a road rash can result in anything from a minor scrape that heals quickly without leaving a trace to extreme skin damage that leads to permanent scarring. The last requires professional medical intervention, but more minor wounds can be treated at home with over-the-counter ointments and bandages.\n\nIf you have suffered minor to moderate road rash after a motorcycle crash, you should properly treat your wounds by following the steps below:\n\n  1. Clean your wound. You can use drinking water, either from a clean bottle or a nearby source, to flush out dirt and debris. If the wound is really dirty, use a specialized wound cleanser, such as Skintegrity or Shur-clens. Do NOT use peroxide and avoid scrubbing too hard. If the cut is deep, stop what you’re doing and go get medical attention immediately.\n  2. Dress your wound. For minor road rash treatment, apply a thick layer of antibiotic ointment and then cover the wound with a loose, non-stick dressing like Tefla. Change the dressing daily until healed. For more serious wounds, consider using more advanced dressings like Tegaderm or Duoderm.\n  3. Watch for signs of infection. If you experience any increases in pain, swelling, redness, or smelly discharge, see a doctor.\n  4. Keep your wound moisturized. Massaging your wound regularly with a moisturizer will help prevent scarring.\nREAD  Making a Motorcycle Survival Kit\n\nIf you have suffered road rash and/or other injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact Wilshire Law Firm for assistance. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income during recovery, pain and suffering, and more. Our number is (800) 522-7274. We offer FREE case evaluations.\n\nFree Case Consultation\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.929986834526062}
{"content": "The Boss thrilled the crowd with a hits-packed, three-hour long gig with his E Street Band, and fans were left delighted when he introduced stars including Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello and John Fogerty to join him onstage in Hyde Park.\n\nHowever, Springsteen kept his biggest surprise until the end of the concert, when Sir Paul McCartney walked out for the encore.\n\nThey sang I Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout, but before the superstars could address the crowd, their microphones were cut off due to strict timings for the show.\n\nThe crowd chanted, \"Turn up the sound\", and the pair carried on singing despite the loud speakers being switched off.\n\nE Street Band member Steven Van Zandt was left fuming by the curfew enforcement, and took to his page after the concert to express his anger.\n\nIn a series of posts, he writes, \"One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state? We break curfews in every country... We would have been off by 11 if we'd done one more. On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?\n\n\n\n\"Hard Rock would have let us play all night. There's no grudges to be held. Just feel bad for our great fans. Hard Rock is cool. (Promoter) Live Nation is cool. It's some City Council stupid rule.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8970041275024414}
{"content": "GenF20 Plus Reviews\n\nGenF20 HGH Plus\n\nUnconventional Ways For Seniors To Get Great Exercise\n\nThere are many stereotypes and myths about growing older, mostly about not being able to see or hear. These days, however, many people are smarter, more informed and more proactive about how they approach getting older and living more thrilling, full lives. Following is some advice to help you be among those who enjoys life to its fullest as you age.\n\nSleep at least 8 hours every night to fight aging. Your body regenerates itself while you sleep; if your skin to look its best, getting a good night’s sleep is important. The general recommendation is to get at least eight hours of sleep a night.\n\n\nStarting and keeping good relationships is a vital part of the growing older process. Being an active community member has been linked to increasing your years and living healthier. To get the most out of your social time, strengthen and tend to your closest, most intimate relationships, especially with those whose doors are always open.\n\nThe amount of exercise you need increases with your age. As you age, your body needs more activities to help it remain flexible and strong. Try walking quickly for 30 minutes, five days per week. Mix in some strength training exercises at least two times per week. Your body will stay fit, helping you to avoid a myriad of other issues associated with aging.\n\n\n\nOne main factor that shortens our life is the quantity of sugar we consume. The aging process is accelerated and your lifespan reduced with excessive sugar consumption. This link between sugar and reduced lifespan has been studied and clearly proven.\n\nIf you are taking care of a loved one who is elderly and who requires constant care, it can be hard to be present all the time. Consider finding help if you feel like you need a break. This allows you to spend the day completing long-neglected errands while your ward enjoys an exciting change of environment.\n\nIt is normal for people to gain weight as they grow older. If you maintain your weight, your risk of stroke, diabetes, certain cancers, and high blood pressure will be lower. To keep yourself at an optimal weight, you should have a regular exercise regimen, as well as make smart food choices.\n\nTIP! Monitor your blood pressure regularly. For most people there are no warning signs to signal that you have high blood pressure.\n\nYou actually need to exercise more as you get older. Even though you will not be doing things as easily as you may have when you were young, you are still able to do exercises that will increase your heart rate. Walking is one exercise almost anyone can do. Look for a gym with a pool if you like to swim. In the home, stretching is good to keep the muscles limber. When your grandchildren go on a bike ride, join them. There are many fun ways to incorporate exercise into your life.\n\nPhysical Activity\n\nThe person who keeps moving and stays active, ages well. Physical activity keeps the mind sharp and the body in shape, guaranteeing a more attractive appearance and youthful feeling. A sedentary lifestyle can actually amplify the effects of getting older. Find a physical activity, or activities that you enjoy and do it every day.\n\nTIP! Drink as much water as possible. You can become dehydrated more quickly when you age, you should get enough water.\n\n\nTry not to think about the numbers in your age. Your age in numbers shouldn’t hold much importance to you, especially if you are bothered by it rather than proud. The old adage, “You’re as young as you feel” is very true. Your chronological age is just a number; you may feel like you are much younger. It is important to not let your age dictate how you act and feel.\n\n\nClick here to learn how GenF20 can help you to be young again", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6969571113586426}
{"content": "Currently viewing the tag: \"self-care\"\n\nMoringa olifera Lam is a vegetable from the Brassica order. It is a small tree native to the sub-Himalayan region commonly used as a vegetable amongst the local people. Uniquely every part of the plant is edible; leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and the immature pods. Labelled as a superfood lately the Moringa has surged in its popularity and use.  Traditionally used as an Indian medicinal herb is usually found in tropical and subtropical countries, now most commonly found in both India and the Philippines but its cultivation has spread to other countries in Asia, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean islands.\n\nWidely known for good health it has it is referred to as ‘the miracle tree’. For centuries it has been used for its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-hypertensive, anti-tumour, anti-oxidant, anti-pyretic, anti-ulcer, anti-epileptic, diuretic, cholesterol lowering, renal, anti-diabetic and liver protective actions. Due to these amazing abilities it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, such as skin infections, anaemia, anxiety, asthma, blackheads, blood impurities, bronchitis, catarrh, chest congestion, cholera and many other illnesses.\n\n\nDensely packed with Nutrition\n\nMoringa is claimed to be ‘the most nutrient-rich plant yet discovered’. The reason for this is because it is densely packed with nutrients. Most greens constitute 90% water and 10% nutrients, in comparison moringa leaves are 80% water and 20% nutrients. This includes many essential nutrients such as, vitamins (B6, C,B2, A) , minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc), proteins and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Leaves are most commonly used part of the plant for nutrition and traditional medicine use because they are rich in protein, mineral, beta-carotene and antioxidant compounds.\n\nHigh in Antioxidants\n\nNaturally the trees are able to withstand environmental stresses, diseases and attack from pests due to a defense mechanism gained from phytochemicals, which includes antioxidants and other defence compounds. This benefit is gained when consumed by people. The tree stores these phytochemical compounds in an inactive form. When chewed or crushed by an insect the compound is activated through enzymatic action and released, thus deterring the insect with a bitter or spicy taste.\n\nIn the human body these same compounds act a potent anti-inflammatory, useful for combating conditions like cancer, diabetes or arthritis which are associated with chronic inflammation. In addition to vitamin C and beta-carotene it also contains powerful antioxidants like, Quercetin and Chlorogenic acid. A state of constant inflammation contributes to improper functioning and processing by the body therefore reducing the body’s ability to recover and heal.\n\nIn one study participants with type 2 diabetes were given 8gms of moringa daily for two months found that their glucose levels decreased by 28%.\n\nHealth Benefits\n\n  1.   Regulate blood sugar levels: Isocyanates present in the plant helps to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics.\n  2.   Lowers cholesterol levels through its anti-inflammatory effects\n  3.   Improves anaemia: 100gms moringa leaf contains 28gms of iron.\n  4. Water purification: moringa seed powder can be used to clarify and purify water by lowering bacterial concentration, making it safe for drinking.\n  5. Enhances lactation; traditionally used to increase milk production in mothers.\n\nMoringa can be extremely useful to improve nutritional health. In particular if there are underlying conditions with chronic inflammation. There is proven evidence on its role in benefiting diabetes, lowering cholesterol and as a water purifier.\n\n\n\nHealth benefits of Moringa oleifera. Abdull Razis AF et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. (2014)\n\nCultivation, Genetic, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Moringa oleifera Leaves: An Overview.Leone A et al. Int J Mol Sci. (2015)\n\n\n\n\nWhat do other people think about happiness?\n\nHere are a few quotes\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStart your happiness mission today!\n\n\n\nMake a Happiness plan\n\n  6. Socialise and enjoy time with family and friends.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHaving depression comes with the feeling of being helpless when medication is your  only option. Thankfully, you are not limited to this and there are a number of therapies that can be used. These therapies can do a lot to fight back and they range from direct effects on brain chemicals responsible for mood, mind-body and physiological changes. Not all therapies are suitable for everyone, but most people will find that there will be some that will work for them.\n\nLife Style Changes: Eating well, physical activity and getting sleep are crucial to good mental and physical health. Trying something new and set (realistic) goals for personal achievement.\n\nLaughter Therapy: Develop a good sense of humour and laugh. Laughing gives you an instant hit of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that controls feelings pleasure and reward. Of course, laughing by yourself may be hard to achieve, so you can try to use a laugh phone app. One study by Loma Linda University researchers found that even the anticipation of a jovial laugh reduces the levels of stress hormone cortisol, which increases when you are anxious.\n\nPlanned rest and relaxation:  A planned period of relaxation “Time for myself” has profound benefits. This can be anything from 3 mins of quiet contemplation or 30 min of meditation, yoga, walking, tai chi, or anything you find therapeutic and relaxing e.g. reading, dancing, gardening or singing. Researchers have found that after a period of relaxation, shy men with social anxiety had lower heart rates after they interacted with people.\n\nEssential Oils: Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang and bergamot are good for treating depression. Lavender has a calming effect and can be safely used in the home. A drop on the collar bone or on the chest, or gently rubbed into either side of the temple.  The odour is extremely relaxing and studies have shown that it induces calm.\n\nGrounding: In the event of an anxiety attack  “do something tangible” to distract your brain e.g. pick up a pen and run your fingers along it, hold a ball or a paper weight in your hand. This works because your brain cannot be in two places at the same time and it will shift negative catastrophic thoughts.\n\n\nAcupressure: Stimulating acupuncture points are known to make positive changes to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation. It also deactivates the ‘analytical brain’ which controls anxiety and worry. Research also shows reversal of stress related behaviour changes and biochemistry. Applying finger pressure, with tiny circular movements for a few minutes will stimulate the points. Stimulating these points can also be used as a grounding technique. Some useful points are; Lu 1, P6, LI4.\n\nP6 acupoint.jpg Lu1 point Li4\n\nYoga: Research has found that yoga boosts levels of the amino acid GABA are higher in those that carry out yoga. GABA is essential for brain function which helps promote a state of calm in the body. Low levels of GABA is associated with anxiety and depression. Here is a video on yoga breathing techniques to reduce anxiety.\n\nTai Chi and Qi Qong: Tai Chi and Qi Qong is a form of mind-body exercise that originated from China. It is a form of ‘mindful exercise’ using slow meditative movements and breathing. Beneficial effects include; lowering of blood pressure, greater physical functioning and more likely to have reduction in depression symptoms. Here is a tai chi video you can try.\n\nTea: Chamomile is a good anti-anxiety tea with mild relaxing effects. Green tea is rich in L-theanine amino acid which lowers heart rate, blood pressure and ease anxiety. Lemon Balm has sedative effect therefore calms the nerves, but also beneficial for digestion.\n\nFace the fear: Sometimes it helps to confront your ‘fear’. Understanding what you are scared of can best way to allay your anxiety. Talk to a friend or a mentor.\n\nSupplements: There are a variety of supplements that can help anxiety and depression disorders. These include; multivitamins, essential fatty acids, B-complex, L-Theanine, GABA, 5-HTP and St John’s Wort. It is important to remember that supplements can interact with other medication therefore consulting a knowledgeable health professional is essential.\n\nIt does take effort to help yourself, but once you get started it becomes easier and gradually you will start to have Fun. when you reach this just remember “don’t stop” !\n\nTagged with:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8402000069618225}
{"content": "Software Developer – Bellevue, WA\n\nMacropace Technologies\n\nSoftware Developer\n\nBellevue, WA\n\nFulltime position\n\nJob Description:\n\nMinimum Requirements:\nMust have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field.\n1 year of experience with the following:\nProgramming languages such as C#, C/C++, C, Java, and Python\nDevOps tools such as PowerShell, TeamCity, MS Build, and Git\nWeb development technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, .NET, Node.js, databases, HTTP, REST, JSON, and XML\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nWeb-based collaboration tools, such as JIRA, Wiki, Confluence, SharePoint and Rally\nInfrastructure, build systems, source control systems, database systems, and web technologies\n\nHighly motivated self-starter capable of working independently as well as in group settings.\n\nGood written and oral communication skills\n\n\n\nTo apply for this job please visit the following URL: →", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6686394214630127}
{"content": "Monday , 18 December 2017\nBreaking News\n\nMirwaiz presides AAC working, central committee members meeting\n\n\n‘Unity, commitment among leadership and people inevitable’\n\nSrinagar, Mar 12 (KNS): The Awami Action Committee (AAC) president Mirwaiz Umar Farooq presided over a meeting of its working and central committee members. The meeting discussed the current political situation and developments in the valley in the context of people’s ongoing political struggle.\nAccording to a statement issued to KNS, expressing sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Kashmiris across the valley including the killing of 15-year-old Amir Nazir at the hands of Indian forces in past few days, the participants extended their sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for the deceased souls. The members reiterated their resolve that to continue to strive for achieving the right to self-determination for which immense sacrifices are being made by the people of Kashmir.\nTerming the ban on the peaceful political activities of pro-freedom leaders, curbs on peaceful protests by the masses unabated use of pellet guns against Kashmir, killings, torture, arrests and detention, repeated impositions of restrictions and other measures adopted by the ruling class to suppress the freedom movement as condemnable and inhuman. The participants said that such measures have neither in the past nor will they in the future be of any consequence in suppressing the peoples’ movement, all that they do is strengthen peoples resolve further to fight the occupation.\nAsserting that Kashmir dispute was neither a law and order problem nor a bilateral territorial issue between India and Pakistan but was primarily about the people of Kashmir with regard to being given the basic right to decide their political future to put an end to their tremendous suffering and life of uncertainty and misery that they are subject to for the past 70 years. The participants stated that the resolution to this human issue can be either through the implementation of UN resolutions or through dialogue and deliberations among India, Pakistan and the main party the people of Kashmir.\nObserving that at international level there is more awareness and concern regarding the situation in Kashmir, much work needs to be done to channelize it ,to put pressure on Indian leadership to shun its obduracy and repression and take steps to respect the human rights of the people of Kashmir and resolve the dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris. This would be in the interest of all parties involved in the dispute and give stability to the region to focus on progress and growth which both Mr. Modi and Mr. Nawaz Sharief want for their respective countries and people.\nOn the occasion AAC president, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the unity, and commitment among the leadership and people as significant and inevitable especially at this juncture in the history of peoples struggle to reach their goal of political freedom. Stressing upon the leaders, workers, and activists of AAC to play a positive and proactive role in the struggle, Mirwaiz urged them to reach out to people as much as they can to help and assist them in these trying times.\nMirwaiz also stressed upon them to make the programmes of joint resistance leadership a success, and be vigilant against the anti-movement people and their designs to subvert the sacred struggle.\nIn response, the all the members present assured the Mirwaiz of full support and commitment. The meeting also condemned the time and again sealing of Jamia Masjid by the army and the police forces particularly on Fridays, when a large number of police and Indian forces surrounds the Jamia Masjid to prevent people from offering prayers. They said it is an effort to weaken the centrality of the Jamia Masjid as its pulpit advocates the political aspirations of Kashmiris since centuries. (KNS)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9883756041526794}
{"content": "Thursday, November 3, 2011\n\nA Plan for Success\n\nWant to share something here. I often feel like a failure. I try (sometimes too hard and set the bar too high).....I don't finish = failing.\n\nSo, I'm working on turning my life around - personal relationships, work and career aspirations, and mostly about taking care of me. Dealing with mind clutter, dealing with stress, dealing with food, dealing with getting enough exercise.......bottom line - taking care of me.\n\nYears ago (about 7 years now) when I first joined WW, I was very successful....I lost 28 lbs in 8 months and managed to keep them off for close to 2 years. I gained back about 5 lbs and managed to maintain that again for the same period. Then I let stress win, I let a boatload of ridiculous commitments win, and yes, I lost....or maybe I should say gained - weight. Pretty much back to where I started.\n\nThis past few months, let's say 6 - I've had a few glimpses of the old me....the one who was focused and determined, but continuous stress just keeps getting to me.\n\nWhat I have accomplished is:\n\n1. lost 19 lbs since mid February and kept them off.\n2. embraced clean eating (most of the time) by following 17DDieting as much as I can.\n3. given myself permission to be human - yes, I do still indulge in things that are not good for me, but not anywhere near as often as I used to.\n4. taking care of myself physically - I always go for my annual checkups, dental checkups, etc.....but the muscular/structural parts of me have needed serious overhaul. I recommitted to going to the gym in early summer, but then farm work sidelined me for a while. I've been back working out regularly with my trainer for a month now and I'm starting to feel better......makes me realize that I AM WORTH THIS. I DESERVE THIS. So, putting the hard work in is now super important.\n\nEarlier this morning I was e-mailing my trainer......and looking at which of my fave blogs had recently posted. Mousearoo had posted a list of what has made her successful in her quest.....WOW, I can relate to so much of what she wrote. Thanks Mousie.\n\nSo, to use the old addage - today is the first day of the rest of MY life - how about yours?\n\n\n  1. Thanks for commenting, Morning Glory turned one on Nov. 4. He started walking a week before that too.\n\n    You are doing a great job to not be giving up!\n\n  2. How are things going Laura? Just checking in on you ;-)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5055471658706665}
{"content": "Guiding Depressed Millennials to Mental Health\n\nPosted on\n\nThe attitude and overall health of the millennial generation is being closely looked at as they are growing into young adults entering adulthood and the impact they will have on the world. The generation born between 1980 and 2000, known as Millennials, have been described as being open to change, confident, and optimistic despite the widespread fears about financial security as a result of the economic recession that began in 2008. Aside from being referred to as The multi-tasking generation, due to iPhones being seen as an extra appendage, young adults are embracing self-expression through social media as a way to connect to others in their age group.\n\nIn 2006, a book published by psychologist Jean Twenge, titled Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More Miserable Than Ever Before , is looking at how depression and anxiety are becoming rites of passage in adolescence and young Adulthood that was previously issues reserved for middle aged adults. Critics of the millennial generation believe that there is a sense of self-entitlement among many young adults, which has also earned the least flattering title of \"Generation Me\". There is the belief that young adults today are ill-equipped and are not really prepared to deal with challenges in life such as an uncertain employment future in a recovering economy and student loans. If that is true, than the direst of challenges is the issue of mental health. Millennials are currently facing high rates of suicide and substance use. Mental health has never been more important that it is today in a world where personal connection offline is becoming less conventional. Is it possible that young adults of the millennial generation are experiencing depression and anxiety more than past generations of young people, and if so, what can be done?\n\nFrom the year 1999 through 2004, it was estimated that nearly nine percent of 20 to 29 year-olds reported experiencing major depression, generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder in the previous year. Young Millennial women are twice as likely to report symptoms of mental health issues as are young men. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15-24. Image is often thought of as a time for personal growth by being exposed to new ideas and assuming a greater amount of independence and responsibility as young people assume their role as adults. Research is showing that the emotional health of first year college students has declined to the lowest level in recent years. College faculty are reporting that there is a fear of failure among college students along with the fear of taking risks. For many millennials, failure is seen as both catastrophic and unacceptable. One study found that among children and teens with diagnosed mental health problems such as major depression and generalized anxiety, only about 10 percent were reported as having received any form of therapy or treatment. Given that most diagnosable mental health disorders begin by the age of 14, treatment of emotional issues is critical and yet many are not seeking treatment, and instead may be sharing their anxieties on social media. For some it may seem easier to share something about themselves online than it is in person with someone they know or a professional. While there are no statistics or data to show how many millennials are seeking help online instead of working through their issues with a therapist, it is helpful that they are getting more comfortable talking about it and reducing the stigma about being depressed or anxious.\n\nYoung adults of the millennial generation have contributed to the development of social media and amazing innovative tools at the ready of their fingertips and finger swipes. Despite the advances being made and more to come, the emotional health of many young adults finding their place in the world remains something that an app on an iPhone can not quickly fix. It is important for the current generation to be supported by their elders in learning that issues such as depression and anxiety are something that can not be ignored or set aside, but instead are something that needs to be tended to and addressed with the support of family, Friends, and by talking with a therapist to learn what is the root cause of the issues.\n\n\"People evolve and it's important to not stop evolving just because you've reached 'adulthood.'\" ~ JK Simmons", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6782189607620239}
{"content": "Senior Balance Exercises For Fall Prevention\n\nBy Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via\n\n  Many times a fall leads to a broken bone for older adults but practicing  senior balance exercises on a regular basis can reduce the possibility of falling. Please see more information at Medical statisticians have recorded that ninety-two percent of hospital admissions are due to falls and the injuries that come with falling. Older individuals are at a greater risk for injuries when they fall. In later years, many in the aging population, especially women, have a condition called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis involves decreased density of the bones and more “brittle” bones. As a result, if someone who has osteoporosis falls, they are more likely to suffer a fracture in their spine, shoulder, arm bone or hip. Furthermore, as we age,  our balance abilities decline due to changes in our vision, inner ear vestibular system and sense of touch in our feet. In addition, we become weaker in our leg and trunk muscles and stiffer in our ankle joints. All these changes lead to a decreased ability to accommodate to different surfaces that we walk on (like thick carpet, grass, hardwood floors, slick tile or icy sidewalks). The end point for many senior citizens is a fall and injury from a fall. More often than not, those injuries lead to hospitalizations and even to nursing home stays. In general, falls can be extremely costly in terms of a financial burden as well as a loss of quality of life. The best way to combat falling is to prevent a fall by performing certain senior balance exercises on a daily basis. Medical researchers have proven that partaking in a fitness program that includes stability routines helps to decrease the risk and incidence of falling and the occurrence of injuries.\n\nSenior Balance Exercises To Prevent Falls\n\n    Over the past few years, medical researchers have proven the effectiveness of performing senior balance exercises to reduce the potential of a fall. Fall prevention has become extremely important to medical facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and community centers that cater to senior citizens, due to the emphasis on reducing medical costs and improving quality of care. Thankfully, now there is a specific balance program developed by an experienced Physical Therapist that can be used in a variety of settings to assist senior citizens with their balance problems. The Home based DVD includes essential information on how to center your body weight in the middle of your base of support determined by your feet. with your weight centered, you are better able to enhance the sensory input from your feet to the balance center in your brain, maximizing your steadiness. Additionally, the DVD takes you through a series of senior balance exercises, that include both standing and walking routines, in a step by step progression that allows you to advance at your own pace. The Exercise For Balance DVD also includes critical safety tips for your home, which will further your balance abilities and safe living to maximize your quality of life.\n\nSenior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD\n\nLearn balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD\n\n\nTo stay upright start balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.\n\nFor more information see", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9365343451499939}
{"content": "May 25\n\nTake Deep Breaths to Reduce Work Stress and Improve Concentration, Productivity, and Mental Health\n\nDo you ever find yourself stressed out, stuck in a rut, or just too busy that you don’t know what to do next?\n\nSometimes stress puts us in a confined state of mind in which we feel like we have nowhere to go and we stay stuck in a stressful state of something like anger, depression, or spite towards someone else.  We can also find ourselves feeling stagnant on certain work days where we sit at our work desk for so long.  States of melancholy which we get in a state of mind that basically makes us feel like we’re a shoe in a dryer and we don’t know what to do next except have our thoughts go in the same mundane circle.   Similar to the way our bodies adapt to become stronger after weeks of regular exercise, part of progressing forward in life and maintaining a good quality of life is making sure that your mind is constantly percolating and striving for adaptation.\n\nSo how do we keep our mind percolating and striving for the next best thing that’s in front of us?  One technique that I use is a little bit of meditation that I learned in a psychology class in college.  When being taught to be an elite performing human being in our everyday lives, we always talked about what an elite performer in an athletic event has to go through to achieve their task.\n\nSomething that is commonly taught to athletes before they execute an event is to take deep breaths.\n\nTaking deep breaths will slow down the heart rate a few beats and decrease the amount of stress hormones that are telling the heart to beat so fast.  There is a physiological correlation to taking deep breaths and triggering the body and it’s nervous system how to relax.\n\nFor instance, Marksmanship performers who participate in biathlons, a sport in which an athlete will ski downhill and then aim for a target and shoot at a long distance target with a rifle.  The challenge of this is performing a complicated task of downhill skiing and immediately aiming and shooting at a target that is very long distance away while their heart is racing and stress hormones are making the body over stimulated.  Baseball athletes will are also taught to take a few deep breaths before going up to bat.  Taking deep breaths helps these athletes to become a better performer because they can focus on the task at hand that takes a high amount of dexterity, like aiming for a target or hitting a small baseball that’s being thrown at you very hard from a pitcher.\n\nEven though most days at work and  life  in the general population does not involve the above mentioned extent of physically athletic activity, stress can hit us the same way just as it does an athlete performing an athletic activity correctly.  For example, if someone were to have a bad day at work and get reprimanded by their boss because they didn’t do something the right way, their mood could be affected in a negative way in which the individual may not want to exercise, eat healthy or go to sleep in a timely manner because they are over stressed.  The stimulus of getting yelled at by the boss will increase the amount of stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate responses to an individual.  This stress stimulus is very similar to what we have talked about with athletes and their activities they want to execute correctly.  the solution to this type of stress response is identical to how an athlete will center themselves.  By taking deep breaths, one can apply similar heart rate recovery, concentration, and an overall decrease in the amount of stress hormones being produced.  This is a method in which we can become Elite performers and adhere to a healthier lifestyle.\n\nSo when stress from everyday life gets in the way and keeps us from adhering to Life Time Fitness, try taking a few deep breaths.  This is one technique that I was taught by one of my favorite psychology teachers in my college career:\n\n  1. Find an inanimate object outside (like a tree, the horizon or some clouds)\n  2. Look at that object… then close your eyes. Take one long, deep breath.  Feel your longs all the way to it’s fullest capactity and take your time.\n  3. Let that breath out.\n  4. With your eyes closed, take another long and steady deep breath. On the exhale, open your eyes and slowly let out your breath.\n  5. Take One more deep breath with your eyes open, still looking at the object you initially picked out. Exhale one more time and think about something that makes you happy (I think about my son, my friends, my family… and burritos!)\n\nFeel free to try this technique when things get rough.  Not only will taking deep breaths bring in a better state of focus when in the middle of an athletic event, but this technique can help reduce stress in our everyday lives!  This is a technique we teach to some of our Personal Training clients in the Napa Valley because there are so many beautiful things to look at here … Trees… Vineyards… Hills.  Sounds like some great things to look at and take it all in, right?\n\nSo take some time out of the stressful part of your day and look at something pretty.\n\nIt will be alright, if we just take deep breaths.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9439253211021423}
{"content": "Monday, 25 September 2017\n\nWhat is Big Data?\n\nWhat is Big Data?\n\nChallenges contain capture, storage, analysis, data curation, search, sharing, transfer, visualization, querying, and updating and information privacy.  \n\nThe term “big data” can also refer to the use of predictive analytics, user-entity behavior analytics (UEBA), or other complex data analytics methods that extract value from data, and seldom to a particular size of data set.  \n\nBig data can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured data that has the potential to be mined for information.\n\nDiscussions about big data traditionally contain data lakes. Data lakes support storing data in its unique or exact format. \n\nThe goal is to offer a raw or unprocessed view of data to data scientists and analysts for discovery and analytics.\n\nBig data differs from a relational database.  Relational databases have been around since the early 70’s. \n\n A relational database is a collection of data items organized as a set of formally described tables with unique index keys.  \n\nData can be accessed or reassembled in many different ways lacking having to reorganize the database tables, often in queries with Boolean logic.\n\nThe problem with relational database technology is managing multiple, continuous streams of data and scalability for a high volume of data.  Nor can it modify the inward data in real-time.\n\nBig data technologies have made it technically and economically viable to collect and store larger datasets and to analyze them in order to expose new insights.  \n\nIn most cases, big data processing involves a common data flow – from the collection of raw data to the consumption of actionable information.\n\nA selection of specific attributes defines big data.  They are regularly called the four V’s: volume, variety, velocity, and veracity\n\nVolume – The quantity of generated and stored data.  The size of the data decides the value and potential insight and whether it can actually be measured big data or not.\n\nVariety – The type and nature of the data.  This helps people who analyze it to efficiently use the resulting insight.\n\nVelocity   – In this context, the speed at which the data is generated and processed to meet the demands and challenges that lie in the path of increase and growth.\n\nVeracity – The quality of captured data can vary greatly, affecting precise analysis.\n\nYou can’t have a conversation about big data for very long without running into the elephant in the room, Hadoop.\n\nHadoop is an open-source software framework for storing data and running applications on clusters of commodity hardware.  It provides huge storage for any kind of data, massive processing power and the ability to handle virtually boundless concurrent tasks or jobs.\n\nThe Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) is intended to store very large data sets reliably, and to stream those data sets at high bandwidth to user applications. In a large cluster, thousands of servers both host straight attached storage and perform user application tasks.\n\nLearn more from hadoop tutorial\n\n\nPost a Comment", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9901055693626404}
{"content": "\n\nTop listings [Reciprocal Link]\nStani Memorial College of Engineering and Technology is the fastest growing Engineering colleges in Jaipur.\nenter a 6 to 10 digit phone number and they'll show you what words and phrases your phone number spells.\nphone-number-to-keypad-mnemonic converter takes a phone number displays all possible dictionary matches, including fuzzy phonetic matches.\nsearch for people in the United States using name, address, or phone number.\nnumbers for pay phones across the U.S.\ndisplays all the words a phone number spells using dictionary lookup and finds non-dictionary words using pronounceable mnemonics.\nwhat does your phone number spell?\nconvert a telephone number into all combinations of the associated telephone keypad letters.\nSherlockian scholarship, unusual Sherlockiana, the Canon, and more.\nQuotations, newspaper collections and related resources.\nInspirational and thought-provoking quotations sorted by keyword, author, topic, source, and more.\nCollection of quotes by famous people named William.\nContains witty sayings divided by author or category, background information, and the ability to contribute favorite sayings.\nGrowing collection of cute, romantic, funny, sad, and evil quotes.\nHand-picked quotes for all sorts of situations and different themes.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999100387096405}
{"content": "NOTTINGHAM CASTLE, Nottinghamshire\n\nNOTTINGHAM CASTLE, Nottinghamshire\n\n\n\n\n\nWhile Henry’s son, King Richard (“the Lionheart”), was away on crusade, his treacherous younger brother Prince John seized the castle as part of his bid for the throne. According to legend, John’s henchman the Sheriff of Nottingham and the legendary hero Robin Hood battled each other in and around the castle for years. On Richard’s return, he had to reclaim Nottingham by force of arms. It was the only time the castle was ever successfully besieged.\n\nNottingham Castle gained even greater notoriety early in the reign of King Edward III. Edward’s father, Edward II, had been deposed in 1327 and the teenage Edward III crowned in his stead. The real power, however, was held by Edward III’s mother Isabella, who ruled in the name of her teenage son – with her lover Roger Mortimer by her side! Neither Isabella nor Mortimer was willing to cede power to Edward as he grew to manhood. He was kept isolated and powerless. If Edward was ever to rule, he had to take bold steps.\n\nIn 1330, Mortimer, Isabella, Edward and the court were at Nottingham Castle. Edward arranged for several of his supporters to secretly enter the castle after dark through a tunnel that was usually kept locked and guarded. Cut through the heart of the rock, it led up from the base of the rock into the heart of the castle at the top. The tunnel, one of several that were used to bring supplies into the castle, was steep and narrow.\n\nOnce the small band of trusty friends had stealthily climbed to the top and joined Edward, he was able to overpower Mortimer’s guards and seize Mortimer by surprise. With Isabella neutralized, and Mortimer imprisoned (and then executed), Edward was now truly king.\n\nThe tunnels still remain and can be visited.\n\nI visited Nottingham as part of a group, with a set itinerary and very limited time. And, due to “unforeseen circumstances,” the tunnels were not open for visitation that day. I was absolutely devastated!\n\nA charitable museum guard, however, took pity on this very woebegone visitor.\n\nWe went out a back door to the entrance of the most famous tunnel, known inelegantly as “Mortimer’s hole.” There, an iron gate was unlocked and I was allowed several totally private moments to explore the steps inside (and down). It was more than enough – eerie, claustrophobic and very, very evocative. I could imagine myself as one of Edward’s compatriots, silently creeping up through bedrock, my hand on my sword, hoping not to be discovered and cut down, all in the interests of bringing the rightful king to power. I will forever number that museum guard among heaven’s saints!\n\nAfter the visit to the museum, our group visited another Nottingham site not to be missed, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub. The name refers to the tradition that pilgrims and Crusaders on their way to Jerusalem would stop here on their journeys eastward. Although the claim can’t be documented, “Ye Olde Trip” may date from the late 12th century. It was originally the castle’s brewhouse and only later became an inn. The black and white timber-framed entrance buildings date to the mid 17th century.\n\nThe pub is at the base of Castle Rock and actually embedded in the side of the hill. The ceilings of several of the dining areas are unadorned rock, a point brought home to us when a small piece of ceiling rock fell directly into a bowl of soup! The appeal of Ye Olde Trip is not just its location. The soup was very good indeed.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.590698778629303}
{"content": "The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment: How Self-Control and Willpower Determine Your Success in Life\n\nThe Marshmallow Experiment\n\n\nA person’s self-control plays an important role in determining their success in life, and studies show that this personality trait can be measured at an early age, through a relatively simple experiment. Specifically, testing whether a kid is capable of waiting for a few minutes before eating a piece of candy is a fairly reliable predictor of that kid’s self-control and consequent success later on in life.\n\nIn the following article, you will see what research says on the importance of self-control, and learn how you can use a few simple techniques in order to strengthen your own self-control and willpower.\n\n\nThe Stanford marshmallow experiment\n\nThe Stanford marshmallow experiment is one of the best-known studies on the topic of willpower. The procedure for this experiment was straightforward:\n\n  • A kid was taken into a room and allowed to pick a snack that they would like to eat, such as a marshmallow, a pretzel, or a cookie.\n  • The kid was then told that the researcher has to leave the room for a few minutes, and that they can eat the snack during this time. However, they were also told that if they waited until the researcher came back before eating the snack, then they would get another snack of their choice, as a reward.\n\nEven though the experiment was simple, its results had striking implications, as it was able to predict participants’ long-term success in various ways. Specifically, kids who were able to wait longer before eating the snack were found to be:\n\nThis ties in with other research on the topic of self-control, which shows that self-control during childhood predicts factors such as financial status, physical health, substance dependence, and criminal offending outcomes at a later age. Furthermore, such research shows that this remains the case even when accounting for background factors, such as intelligence and social class.\n\nOverall, the research on the topic demonstrates the powerful influence of our willpower on our success in life, and shows how easy it is to get an estimate of a person’s willpower through a simple test of their ability to delay gratification. In the next section, you will see how your psychological self-control mechanisms work, and how you can strengthen them using a few helpful techniques.\n\n\nHow to improve your self-control\n\nThe original study on the topic discovered that several factors affected the kids’ ability to resist the temptation to eat the candy early:\n\n  • Children waited longer when they distracted themselves from the reward, by playing with a toy, or even by just thinking about playing with one.\n  • Thinking about “fun things” was significantly more helpful than thinking “sad thoughts”.\n  • Thinking about the rewards themselves significantly reduced the children’s ability to delay gratification.\n\nBased on these findings, the researchers suggest that we use two systems when faced with a situation that requires self-control:\n\n  • Hot system- our impulsive, emotional system. “Hot” behaviors, which rely on this system, include things such as fixating on the rewards (e.g. imagining what the marshmallow will taste like). These behaviors undermine our self-control, and make it more difficult for us to resist temptation.\n  • Cool system- our rational, emotionally-neutral system. “Cool” strategies, which rely on this system, include things such as successful self-distraction (e.g. playing a game which is unrelated to the rewards). These strategies help us exercise self-control, and successfully delay gratification.\n\nBased on this, we can say that overall, our self-control depends on our ability to inhibit the occurrence of “hot” behaviors, by utilizing “cool” strategies.\n\nThis means that you want to avoid obsessing about the rewards, or fixating on the difficulty of resisting the temptation to enjoy them. Instead, as soon as you recognize yourself starting to fall into one of these negative thought patterns, you need to mentally “exit” it as quickly as possible.\n\nYou can do this by distracting yourself, and by engaging in unrelated, positive experiences. This can be anything from playing a game, to reading a book, to talking with a friend. The more positive the experience, and the more it can distract you from the potential reward, the more it will help you exercise restraint and self-control.\n\nThis may sound difficult to accomplish, but studies show that self-control training can be beneficial in the long term, and that you can strengthen your willpower through the regular practice of small acts of self-control. This is important, since it means that doing something such as reducing your snacking behavior, can later help you exercise self-control in unrelated aspects, such as pushing yourself at the gym, or fighting against your procrastination tendencies when it comes to doing work.\n\n\nSummary and conclusions\n\n  • The Stanford marshmallow experiment measured children’s self-control, through their ability to wait a few minutes before eating a piece of candy.\n  • The children’s ability to delay gratification in this simple test predicted their success in life in various areas, from improved academic achievement to a better ability to handle rejection.\n  • You can improve your own ability to delay gratification by using a few simple techniques, and doing so can improve your self-control in the long run.\n  • To do this, focus on using “cool” strategies, such as distracting yourself from the rewards, by engaging in unrelated, positive experiences.\n  • At the same time, make sure to inhibit “hot” behaviors, by not fixating on the rewards, and not obsessing about the difficulty of resisting them.\n\n\nIf you found this concept interesting, and want to learn more about the topic and about how you can improve your willpower, you can read the book by the psychologist who conducted most of the studies on the topic: “The Marshmallow Test: Why Self-Control Is the Engine of Success“.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5312979221343994}
{"content": "Boston University Operating Systems Course Assignment\nSwitch branches/tags\nNothing to show\nPull request Compare This branch is even with hanchang:master.\nFetching latest commit…\nCannot retrieve the latest commit at this time.\nFailed to load latest commit information.\n\n\nBoston University Operating Systems Course\n\nI delayed putting up this GitHub repository to prevent cheating from other students basically taking my completed code. The course is no longer offered so I think it's safe now, but just in case I am not putting the original course number so it will be more difficult to Google.\n\nThis assignment was to create a video server and client.\nThe \"video\" consists of the Star Wars photos streamed from from images/ directory.\n\nClient and server communicate via network sockets. The server listens on port 7038 by default. \n\nServer uses a threadpool to serve multiple clients. It only spawns additional worker threads when necessary, and a reaper thread runs intermittently to remove any extraneous worker threads after clients disconnect. The images are stored in a circular buffer to facilitate playing the \"movie\" in a loop, but clients must always receive the first frame of the movie when they connect and may choose to loop or not loop the movie played. Mutexes are used to prevent side effects from occuring due to the simultaneous asynchronous access to the buffer by multiple clients.\n\nEverything in the lib/ and include/ folders was given to us. There are some snippets of TCP and XWin code that were also given and are marked as such in the comments. \n\nTo compile, run make in the root directory. \nThere are multiple required libraries, some of which are not in the include/ directory so be sure to take a look at the Makefile to verify that those libraries exist on your system.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.964816689491272}
{"content": "– The Last Resort – Re-Membering Zimbabwe’s land reform programme\n\nBy Gracious Madondo\n\nZimbabwe’s historic land reform programme needs more literature written by those who directly participated in it. A casual glance on the internet and in bookstores reveals a very sad development of scanty narratives in the form of biographies, autobiographies or scientific studies written by indigenous blacks.\n\nThe narrative on land and land reform in Zimbabwe is dominated by accounts written by whites whose land was either expropriated, are closely related to someone who lost land or white journalists who witnessed the upheavals of that dramatic episode on the country’s calendar.\n\nDouglas Rogers, an offspring of a white farmer in Mutare, clearly compels one to yearn for alternative narratives detailing the country’s fast-track land reform programme spearheaded by government at the turn of the century.\n\nRogers is the author of ‘The Last Resort’, a moving historical account from one who not only experienced it but used his journalism background to connect all the nuances and dots regarding an exercise that was to permanently alter the country’s national trajectory.\n\nA journalist, travel writer and memoirist, Rogers was born on 11 November in 1968 in the then Umtali, Rhodesia, now Mutare in Zimbabwe. Rogers grew up in Zimbabwe at his parents’ chicken and grape farm later called Drifters Resort.\n\nHis memoir is intriguing and enlightening in that it captures the lives of whites on farms and estates at the height of the land reform programme in Zimbabwe. Part-memoir and part-travelogue, ‘The Last Resort’ focuses on the author’s parents’ struggle to stay afloat in modern-day Zimbabwe.\n\nSet between 2000-2009  a period critics generally refer to as the decade of crisis, ‘The Last Resort’ is the story of Rogers’ parents’ day-to-day struggle to keep their land in the midst of a whirlwind of landless black people clamouring for an equitable land redistribution exercise.\n\nWhat makes the text exceptional is not just the lucid diction but its effect in being an aperture or a window through which the reader experiences the anxieties, fears and attitudes prevalent within the white farming community at the time.\n\nIt is the period of economic meltdown characterised by high inflation, plummeting of the Zimbabwean dollar, fuel shortages, electricity cuts, increased migration in search of jobs and better opportunities.\n\nThe land reform programme is regarded as the third and final stage of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. It is a historical phenomenon that saw the distribution and allocation of land by the government to the people as a way of empowering the indigenous people of Zimbabwe.\n\n‘The Last Resort’ gains its significance in Zimbabwe’s post-colonial literature as an addition to narratives on the land reform programme.\n\nDespite the socio-economic and political significance of this historical epoch, it is sad to note that there is very limited literature written by black authors, something that augurs badly for a balanced historical trajectory in future.\n\n‘The Last Resort’ has a double-barrelled meaning. Rogers’ parents’ land has a “resort” called Drifters where travellers, backpackers and local farmers occasionally come to seek accommodation or refreshments. Every other farmer around them has had his land taken and theirs have been left due to its peculiarity of having a resort and generally unsuited for farming. They have managed to keep wild animals for tourists.\n\nLiterally speaking, the place is the last “resort” in the area where people can still come to relax amid the upheavals going on around.\n\nThe actual act of defiance that the parents go through, as they resist occupation and the urge to flee like all other farmers, including his father’s desperate resort to joining the opposition MDC, signify the last and only chance Rogers’ parents have in salvaging the only place that could give them a sense of belonging as Zimbabweans.\n\nHis father’s indefatigable spirit is captured when the narrator says: “But my father’s mind was set…the fierce pioneering streak of his own people. His mother Gertruida Johanna Gauche, was an Afrikaner Dutch and Hugue descent whose ancestors arrived in the Cape in the mid-1600s. He had roots here, blood in this soil.”\n\nRogers wrote ‘The Last Resort’ while he had moved to London in 1994 working as a travel journalist. He would occasionally visit his parents in Mutare and it is during these visits that he penned this memoir.\n\nAs the story goes, Lyn and Ros Rogers are unwilling to leave their resort and are constantly on the lookout every day with Rogers, Douglas’ father, always with his shotgun by his side ready to defend his territory. For some time, Rogers becomes a “lone-ranger” eluded until his land was the only roadside convenient resort in the eastern highlands housing other run-away white land owners.\n\nRogers, like other migrating Zimbabweans, left the country for London in search of better opportunities with very little hope of returning.\n\nTalking to his wife, Grace Cutler, Rogers remarks; “Zimbabwe seemed like a regression to me. I had left it behind and moved on”.\n\nHis return was because of his parents who were still in Zimbabwe, who were “trapped”, as he thought as well as their refusal to leave for Mozambique or South Africa to restart their lives.\n\nOne gets the sense that while Rogers acknowledges the need for an equitable land reform, he inevitably falls into the same stereotypical depiction of the exercise as leading to futility and complete disaster.\n\nThus in one paragraph he throws a value-laden statement: “The wider situation wasn’t all fun and games. The country was heading straight to ruin.”\n\nTypical of the pioneering Rhodesian stoke, Rogers looks at the African landscape as once a vast, unoccupied and untamed land before the coming of the white man. He believes that the land reform was nothing but an inhuman violent invasion of white farmers’ property, which, in his view, his “parents had taken the barren range hill in Africa with nothing on it but bush and stone and turned it into a thriving resort. They had staked claim on the land in Africa and were sitting pretty”.\n\nNot until Zimbabwe gained independence and the indigenous people were demanding their dues and his attitude towards the newly resettled farmers in understandably abhorrent.\n\nBut not everything is racially constructed. Rogers manages to construct a socially realistic narrative, especially his depiction of life during the hyper-inflation period. Everyone, whites and blacks were affected by fuel shortages, both faced the same shortages of basic commodities and indeed there was a diamond rush in Marange during the time.\n\nMaybe it was not Rogers’ duty to give a balanced account. Autobiographies are by their nature one-dimensional and not academic thesis. It is probably not his fault that he fails to articulate the criminality of a tiny minority population owning acres and acres of land while the majority inhabitants wallow in arid, infertile and rocky lands. Like squatters in their own country of birth.\n\nSo ironic that one of his parents’ servants is called John Muranda. Muranda is a Shona word that refers to someone not a native or a slave. Yet Muranda is an indigenous Zimbabwean born in 1942 in Honde Valley where he was a sub-chief but ends up being a “foreigner” at the Rogers’ Drifters Resort.\n\nOne cannot fault the author’s lack of understanding of the value of land to the African being. Land is not merely a source of physical sustenance for men but plays a significant role in the spiritual realm. It defines the African’s identity, his bond with his ancestors, his dignity and his whole being. Muranda was robbed of his dignity and identity after fleeing the violence of the liberation war and forced to live off a stipend provided by the Rogers.\n\nAll in all, ‘The Last Resort’ is a good read. It is not meant to be a thesis but one’s account of critical episode of a country that he said was a “regression”. A country he swore never to return to.\n\nMaybe if those who participated in the land reform programme are to read this book, they will be inspired to write their own narratives. Preserving history is the most important function of the written word. There is urgent need for indigenous blacks to cultivate a culture of writing and keeping record of critical historical episodes. This is not just the duty of historians.\n\nLeave a Comment\n\nYour email address will not be published.\n\nTime limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.\n\nDecember 2017\n« Nov", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7810825109481812}
{"content": "Sentence Examples with the word Reigned\n\nAmalaric - - 50753 I Reigned in south and south-east of France under protection of Theodoric, the Ostrogothic king in Italy.\n\nAfter this time the foreign influence predominated; and by the time that the Aristotelian dialectic, in the introduction of which the Arabs had so large a share, prevailed in the schools of Europe, the Arabian version of Greek medicine reigned supreme in the medical world.\n\n\nView more\n\nThe family of the fourth of these sovereigns, Kagfili (Qalaun), reigned for 110 years, but otherwise no sultan was able to found a durable dynasty: after the death of a sultan he was usually succeeded by an infant son, who after a short time was dethroned by a new usurper.\n\nIn the Avesta, after the separation of the Iranian stock from the Hindu and the rise of Zoroastrianism, which elevated Ormazd to the summit of the Persian theological system, his role was more distinct, though less important; between Ormazd, who reigned in eternal brightness, and Ahriman, whose realm was eternal darkness, he occupied an intermediate position as the greatest of the yazatas, beings created by Ormazd to aid in the destruction of evil and the administration of the world.\n\nThe laws of the sovereigns who have reigned at Bangkok form the most notable part of this branch of Siamese literature.\n\nHe had long passed the traditional years of Peter's pontificate, had reigned longer than any previous wearer of the tiara, and had seen some brilliant days - days of illusory glory.\n\nSilence reigned over the before tumultuous but now deserted deck.\n\nThe Sayads gave a short-lived dynasty to India, which reigned at Delhi during the first half of the 15th century.\n\nThe last but one of the Grand Masters who reigned in Malta, de Rohan, restored good government, abated abuses and promulgated a code of laws; but the ascendancy acquired by the Inquisition over the Order, the confiscation of the property of the knights in France on the outbreak of the Revolution, and the intrigues of the French made the task of regenerating the Order evidently hopeless in the changed conditions of Christendom.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8992787599563599}
{"content": "swivel counter stool with back with Transitional\n\nSwivel counter stool with back with Transitional\n\nBy Photographed in San Francisco\nDate uploaded: Oktober 02, 2017\nLooking for swivel counter stool with back ideas? Bar and kitchen spaces center around food, and there's people where there's food. Between scarfing down breakfast in your counter and hosting dinner parties, Bar room furniture and your kitchen sees its fair share of usage. As a result of this, it's essential that you invest in Bar sets and kitchen furniture, such as sideboards, pantry closets, kitchen islands, bar stools and pub carts that will hold until the chaos. That does not mean that you can't have both, although the purpose of furniture is targeted compared to decor. Find bits that match the style of the area, but also offer for many situations. So that you may keep it small, as an example, if you're short on space, search for a Bar table using an insert when you have more guests but expand it. Simple Bar seats can easily be dressed up or covers, therefore something less trendy and more timeless will last you for many years. Little bistro tables and pub tables are great for casual dishes, as well as doing homework or small crafts. Take your time while looking for furniture but more challenging to change and replace.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5199581980705261}
{"content": "Within the healthcare industry, we recognize that each client and situation is unique. Chirality Capital Consultants work collaboratively with our clients to develop a tailored approach to resolve challenges based upon our client’s specific need. We leverage various methodologies to evaluate IT systems and plan effective solutions that are swiftly executed and cost-effective. We provide the tools that improve internal and external communications and monitor organization performance.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000091791152954}
{"content": "133 Associates\n307 Consiglieres\n\n52 Book Minimum\n\nThe Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky Advice for my sons. If you read Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace - make sure you're young so you don't realize they aren't really as great as they are cracked up to be. Then read this and discover how much better a character Charlie is compared to Holden. You will \"feel infinite\".", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9946264028549194}
{"content": "Can i get married after a divorce\n\nDon't represent can i get married after a divorce pay\n\nYou need to go to the hearing and testify (discuss under oath) in open court about your divorce. Follow the steps under to request a document. Depending on the legal issues the caller has, they could also elbow grounds for divorce zippy callers to other sources of authorized aid. Eligibility: Must be Brooklyn resident without spending a dime companies, should meet revenue tips. Most household court proceedings are open to the general public. This is likely to be about the place the children live, how a can i get married after a divorce contact they've with you both,how they are going to be supplied for, and how choices shall be taken in future about things corresponding to holidays and schools. Psychological Bulletin, 110, 26-46. It's stupidly simple recommendation, however it's nonetheless stable. Would it be possible to attempt a separation. Structure was silent as to divorce, leaving the matter to the states for regulation. Can i get married after a divorce you have been separated, however reconciled for 3 months or more, then the 12 months interval begins after the reconciliation. No person shall advertise, print, publish, distribute, or flow into a circular, pamphlet, card, handbill, commercial, printed paper, guide, newspaper, or notice, or cause such to be accomplished, with can i get married after a divorce intent to acquire or support in procuring divorces or dissolutions of marriage, either in this state or elsewhere. Too typically, individuals facing troubled marriages stop interested by how necessary their relationships actually are. When you've got valuables, antiques, jewelry, art or different collectibles in your home, catalog all of them and you can i get married after a divorce have value determinations, make copies. It doesn't matter whether the mother and father are married, de facto, identical intercourse couples or adoptive. It is addictions. If dad additionally incurred work-related daycare expenses within the amount of 1,000 per 30 days, then mom would even be required to pay 80 of those daycare bills. In either case, although, single fathers can nonetheless file for custody and visitation rightseven when they are not listed on the start certificate. We are scared and confused and indignant. And whatever you do, do not resort to name-calling. To ensure that the courts to acknowledge this type of separation as a separation, the spouses must reside as if they have completely ended the romantic side of their relationship. I really feel acutely aware of not having witnessed a correct marriage growing up, not seeing normal interactions between couples. The regulation is loath to upset any properly-established sample of custody and care. Underneath the provisions of rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, for a surprise examination, the audit and professional engagement interval begins the earliest of: (1) the date the accountant signs an preliminary written agreement to perform the shock examination as required by rule 206(4)-2(a)(4); (2) the date the accountant begins attest procedures; or (3) the beginning of the interval topic to the shock examination. He attributes the fact that statistics still present that about eighty five of main bodily custody goes to girls, to the number of elements main fathers to cede custody to moms. Civil litigations are more of a dispute and therefore need to be sorted out amicably. Sole physical custody doesn't essentially go hand in hand with sole legal custody. As you most likely can already see, this is a course of that doesn't all the time happen immediately, but this isn't the end of the world. Do make photocopies of all documents you will have - together with tax returns, bank statements, paycheck stubs, report cards, and quarterly statements for all funding and retirement accounts - for the final three years of your marriage. If this does not apply to you however you have a special connection to England or Wales then tick Other' and clarify your connection in the field offered. One spouse or the other must have resided in North Carolina for at least six months and the events will need to have been separated for a minimum of one year with the separation intended to be everlasting. Age appropriate orders that steadily enhance time recognise the social science components which might be in the end within the bests interests of the child. If mother and father share Joint Physical Custody, then they are to joint share the physical possession of their youngsters, normally on a 5050 basis. If you are headed for a custody battle, it is time to call in the large weapons. Do make every effort to work along with your partner in an effort to current a united front to your youngsters. In divorce houston lawyer list site web should you and your spouse are splitting amicably and trust each other, you would avoid the expense of a lawyer and full your own divorce papers. From the filing can i get married after a divorce the petition to the submitting of a stipulated judgment, if both spouses diligently full their can i get married after a divorce, produce all the information required by law and reasonably work via a settlement without extended negotiations, your entire divorce course of can take only some months or even much less. You have to to include proof of your revenue (which incorporates income from all sources, equivalent to Social Safety, youngster assist, disability and payroll), belongings (issues like financial institution accounts or vehicles), and your money owed (credit card, loans and utility payments). Letting divorce lawyer take care of all of the messy issues is usually the strongest selection for either get together. You're going to hear lots of people telling you that you are taking the easy means out and that can i get married after a divorce best to suck up all the hurt and unhappiness because you took vows can i get married after a divorce as a result of it is higher for the youngsters. A solicitor needs how to. recover emotionally from a divorce be consulted before signing. Polygamous marriages spawn a vast array of authorized penalties in different jurisdictions and should create extraordinarily complicated issues for worldwide household regulation counsel. Please remember that when a translation is requested, you will be leaving the Los Angeles Superior Court web site. The ebook is within the form of emails, correspondance, letters and that form of crud.\n\n\n\n22.01.2013 at 10:39 Zolozuru:\n\n30.01.2013 at 10:01 Kagagor:\n\n08.02.2013 at 20:08 Mazull:\nBetween us speaking the answer to your question I have found in\n\n14.02.2013 at 21:10 Tenris:\nAnd, what here ridiculous?\n\n23.02.2013 at 01:06 Nataxe:\nLet's be.\n\n25.02.2013 at 04:15 Zulkilkis:\nBravo, seems to me, is an excellent phrase\n\n26.02.2013 at 11:32 JoJogal:\n\n07.03.2013 at 19:44 Mugami:\nI will not begin to speak on this theme.\n\nCopyright © 2017 Divorce Blog.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6425843834877014}
{"content": "Mysteries Revisited\n\nMithraIt may be argued that the mysteries in Rome were the result of Alexander the Great conquering kingdoms occupying the Mediterranean and Persia, for during his campaigns territories were “Hellenized.” This term refers to the impact of Greek language, literature, and culture on non-Grecian people. In many ways he attempted to unite his vast empire, and this affected education, literature, and government. It also influenced religious beliefs and customs and ultimately resulted in translations of their sacred texts. This played an important role in the development of the church, for the further it moved away from Jewish origins the more it depended on Hellenism to communicate a consistent message throughout the provinces comprising the empire.\n\nIt was inevitable that the language of scripture was defined using religious and literary templates of Greco-Roman culture. This made Christianity seem less threatening to the public, for unlike the mysteries the church shared its revelations with the uninitiated through the gospel and inspired speech. In fact, Jesus proclaimed his instruction openly in the presence of Jewish authorities and reminded them that his message was not concealed, for he was heard in the streets and in the wilderness preaching about redemption. The disciples understood his intent as developing a reform movement within Judaism, one that anticipated a new covenant, a new priesthood, a new kingdom, a new temple, and a new nation.\n\nSome of the rituals associated with the early church resembled those practiced in the mysteries, even though most were carried over from Judaism rather than from paganism. They partook of a sacred meal in which initiates were united to a redeemer as well as to the community, for the eucharistic prayers were based on the synagogue liturgy. The one presiding over the gathering encouraged supplication for enemies as well as for neighbors. Fasting was observed twice a week during the apostolic age and more frequently during persecution or increased poverty in the community.\n\nThe teaching conveyed during these meals contained stories of the redeemer and his exploits that at times echoed myths told in the mysteries. Their oaths of morality and vows of purity renounced the hedonistic lifestyle often associated with the cults and obliged the initiated to a life of service to both family and community. While the message sounded familiar, it offered immortality to adherents, and their banquets, vicarious salvation, and exclusive devotion to a singular deity was available to all baptized members without exception. Furthermore, its leaders distinguished these gatherings from the mysteries and the apologists explained the reason for such similarities.\n\n… end.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9283096790313721}
{"content": "Providing Multiple Disability Services, such as Assistance with Applying for Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit.\n\nFirst Support Professionals is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and their family members gain access to financial assistance to which they are entitled. We have helped many Canadians and their families qualify for Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits and/or get up to $40,000 in Child Disability Benefits and Disability Tax Credits (DTC).\n\nLike it or not, in order to get financial assistance and ensure that you receive disability benefits for which you are eligible, you have to complete lengthy and painstaking paperwork to build a successful application. As a disability advocate, we will provide you with step-by-step guidance and assistance through the application filing and submission process, making the entire process a stress-free experience. Leveraging on our experience and expertise, we can help you submit your application with high chances of getting approved.\n\nHave you experienced an accidental long-term disability? Does your doctor tell you that you can’t resume your job and that your disability is likely to last indefinitely? Are specialized care and medical bills throwing your financial budget off course? Worried about how you will meet your ongoing daily life financial obligations? Thinking of applying for The Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit or Disability Tax Credit?\n\nIf your answer is yes to any of these questions, contact us to determine how we can help you.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6290596723556519}
{"content": "Types of tea\n\n  1. Jasmine Green Tea\n\n    Jasmine green tea is the most famous green tea in China. It is light fermented with fresh Jasmine petals. It brews into a vivid honey green with a light golden colour. When sipped, sweet smelling flowers surrounded by elegant tea aroma brings you a refreshing taste. A common tea to drink when friends are enjoying dinner at your house.\n\n  2. Oolong Tea\n\n    The famous Taiwan's oolong tea is light fermented then covered with a cloth and rolled by a special machine (rolling process). The hand picked tea tip is now a half ball shape with bright verdant colour. When brewed, it becomes a honey yellow colour with sweet, rich and refreshing aroma. It has a graceful and mellow taste. If the oolong tea is fermented lightly the tea will also be light. If fermented heavily it will have a strong flavour. This is a very special tea with a special character - its flavour and aroma are completely different from the English style \"Formosa Oolong\". On tasting a high quality Oolong for the first time many Western people are surprised at the rich flavour and distinct character.\n\n  3. High Mountain Tea\n\n    In Taiwan, if oolong tea is grown on a mountain over 1000 meters elevation, we will call it High Mountain Tea. Because of the mountain's elevation temperature is cold in the mornings and warm and clear during the days. This misty weather offers a wonderful growing environment for our tea. The tea from high mountain area has a very clear and fresh flavour. When brewed the luscious smooth mellow taste surrounded by elegant aroma. It is so popular between tea lovers.\n\n  4. Jin Xuan Oolong Tea\n\n    Jin Xuan, also named Formosa Tea No. twelve, it was first created in 1981. It is light fermented and light baked oolong tea. Because it special smooth, sweet and natural light creamy taste, it becomes one of the most popular oolong teas.\n\n  5. Dong Ding Oolong Tea\n\n    Taiwan's most well-known oolong tea is Dong Ding. It is also rolled by machine (rolling process) giving it the appearance of a tight half ball. The dry tealeaf possesses a dark green colour. When brewed, it becomes a glossy golden colour with rich, luscious and smooth taste witch can last for a long time in your mouth. It is a specialty of Taiwan, which combines rich aroma and great taste.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6834096908569336}
{"content": "“oxygen is extremely poisonous. Our white cells actually use oxygen to kill invading bacteria. That oxygen is fundamentally toxic often comes as a surprise to those of us who find it so convivial to our well-being , but that is only because we have evolved to exploit it. To other things it is a terror. It is what turns butter rancid and makes iron rust. Even we can tolerate it only up to a point. The oxygen level in our cells is only about a tenth the level found in the atmosphere.”\n\n“Any visitors to Earth from afar would almost certainly, at the very least, be bemused to find us living in an atmosphere composed of nitrogen, a gas sulkily disinclined to react with anything, and oxygen, which is so partial to combustion that we must place fire stations throughout our cities to protect ourselves from its livelier effects. But even if our visitors were oxygen-breathing bipeds with shopping malls and a fondness for action movies, it is unlikely that they would find Earth ideal. We couldn’t even give them lunch because all out foods contain traces of manganese, selenium, zinc, and other elemental particles at least some of which would be poisonous to them.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5860809087753296}
{"content": "What Is Copenhagen Cityscapes?\n\nCopenhagen Cityscapes is your online place to find a different view on Copenhagen and its multitude cityscapes. This isn’t your typical travel guide. In fact, it is not a travel guide at all.\n\nSo on here, you won’t find any hotel or restaurant recommendation. You will only scarcely find information about museums or classic tourist sites. Instead, here you will be given an insider look into a more edgy side of the city the life, and it’s atmosphere\n\n\nTo read more go to the BLOG\n\n\nWho is Copenhagen_er?\n\nI’m Ditte Maria Sørensen a Copenhagener living in the cityscape of Copenhagen, with a personal as well as an academic interest in urban space and architecture.\n\nOn this site, I will endeavor to give my perspective and a different insight to Copenhagen. Here I tell short stories about Copenhagen and its cityscapes. Hopefully, I will manage to capture the Copenhagen vibe both for the tourist and the Copenhagen-er.\n\nProfessional outlook on Copenhagen Cityscapes\n\nWith an academic background in cultural memory studies and architecture, I’m working in a crossfield of disciplines, such as history, archeology, geography, anthropology, and architecture.  I’m especially interested in how history is used to transform space into meaningful places.\n\nI hold a master in the history of religion. My master thesis was a conceptual analysis of the architect, Daniel Libeskind’s understanding of the term “history” and his use of history in his architecture. According to Libeskind, it is in our encounter with the architecture; we experience ourselves and the world. The built environment is an art of communicating, a Language and a cultural mirror that can tell us who we are, where we come from and in what direction we seek to go.\n\nInpired By Daniel Libeskind\n\nInspired by Libeskind’s theories of architecture, we can begin to see and discover our physical surroundings in a new light. If we know what to look for and understand the historical traces, the buildings maybe can tell us stories.\n\nThe city’s landscapes become an archive where hundreds of years of documents and artifacts are hidden away in eye side. For some just a dusty and hinged file, but for the trained eye, it is memories of a bygone time The city’s space becomes historical traces, which in its physical materiality contain stories. By its physical construction, architecture becomes a cultural mirror of ourselves, where we can read the specific periods of time in the changing language of architectural design. As historical tales, individual buildings are traces from a bygone era.\n\nIt is, from this perspective on the city I will try to grasp Copenhagen, the ongoing issues it, as so many other European towns faces today. How to do urban planning which fits modern life but still with respect for the cities old architecture.\n\nPlease feel free to engage\n\nHow to create a city with atmosphere and life? I hope you as I find this an intriguing subject and will follow me along on my quest for answers and stories from the capital of Denmark. I wish to inspire you, but also that you provide me new insights into the topics I engage. Therefore please feel free to comment.\n\nTo read more about my perspective on the cityscapes of Copenhagen and living in the city click her\n\npsst…Want to know more about me: find me on Linkedin or go to my Instagram", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.940168559551239}
{"content": "chyawala » user profile\n\nMember Since 21/11/2009\nLast Seen 6 hours 30 min\nLocation Rolling Hills\n\nRecent Activities\n\nMake a good impression on a nut.\n17/12/2017 - 09:41\nSpanner Keychain Zinc Alloy Tool Keyring Free + US $0.25 (~AU $0.33) Shipping @ Zapals\nThis wrench keychain is sure to make a stunning impression. Features Exquisite and decorative small tool keychain. This wrench keychain is...\n17/12/2017 - 09:23\nThis post wouldn't make the deal guidelines, it's normally free, and from many other places too. Freebies are not deals, I don't get what...\n17/12/2017 - 08:16\nWhat's the normal price? 😂\n16/12/2017 - 22:17\nHowever I think INGs rate is about a couple of percent. Edit: likely I'm mistaken with the old xe fees.\n16/12/2017 - 00:00\nI don't know, that's a pretty fine cover but Neil Young's live cover of Along the Watchtower is also up there.\n13/12/2017 - 17:51\n[@batrarobin](/comment/5402961/redir):done all the instructions, and so have truckloads of other people. There's threads on whirlpool about...\n13/12/2017 - 17:46\nSomewhat of a solution us setting a card to be billed in only one currency, such as US$, and you may need to call them for this.\n12/12/2017 - 07:34\nIn reading the tie it all sounded good until I got to cover.\n12/12/2017 - 00:15\nThat suggested method to force PayPal to use credit card currency conversion rate does not always work, as per comments on that link, and...\n11/12/2017 - 23:15\nI just get the kids to blow it up with their mouth, let's me save on the pump.\n11/12/2017 - 17:51\n[@huntress_love](/comment/5399318/redir): You will likely use two devices, see pic.\n11/12/2017 - 17:49\nAh, the love hate relationship we have with the companies that stooge us but then offer new deals.\n09/12/2017 - 13:21\nThe configuration will most likely be USB modem into Gargoyle router, or connect it via Wifi.\n09/12/2017 - 13:18\n09/12/2017 - 13:15\nMaybe use a data tracking app. Could it be possible to set up a low credit SMS alert? A more fail-safe way might be to use a USB modem in a...\n09/12/2017 - 07:24\nSkidproof is for when instead of putting it in your pocket you accidentally drop it in your undies.\n08/12/2017 - 14:11\nWin 8 user here. Didn't want the win 10 telemetry and spyware, nor forced updates, especially updates of other programs.\n08/12/2017 - 14:10\nYou could perhaps get a hub from China with express /dhl shipping for less still.\n08/12/2017 - 12:41\nDoh, thought it said Tomb Raider at first glance.\n08/12/2017 - 11:07\nSupercheap Auto Triple Cashback Now 6% until 12 Dec @ Cashrewards\nUsually just 2%, now 6% for a limited time until 12 Dec.\n08/12/2017 - 11:04\nWhen did you ever not?\n08/12/2017 - 07:00\nDo not use this fertility app for having unprotected sex as the truth is women can ovulate anytime.\n07/12/2017 - 07:50\nChromium browser seems to work. May need third party cookies enabled perhaps.\n06/12/2017 - 21:17\nStated on there; \"The maximum supported resolution is 1080P.\"\n06/12/2017 - 20:15\nI think you need to vearify the email, thats all.\n06/12/2017 - 18:27\nIts 60% off magnatec, not castrol. Good post nonetheless\n06/12/2017 - 12:35\nGoing by the vast amount of comments of people who received faulty SIMs in previous deals, I say not worth the potential trouble. You will...\n05/12/2017 - 19:15", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5386813879013062}
{"content": "Wednesday, November 27, 2013\n\nThe Power of Music and Finding your own Beat!\n\nAs I approached my heart quickened with the sound of drums, all sorts of drums keeping a steady 4 – 4 pattern. Not all the patterns were the same, some of them fast, others slow, the timbre was varied but the rhythm was sustained. I turned the corner to find children dancing with anticipation over the possibility of getting to hold stick in hand. The growing fervor of drum and beat was moving them beyond containment. Weaving my way through little ones, no taller than my thigh, I looked past the man at the door, ahead to see a circle, and an inner-circle where adults all focused on their task, the task to blend their independent pattern to greater meaning. Amidst the growing turbulence was a peace. Those sharing their beat were calm, peace shown on their faces. They were one with a greater power. \"If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away. \" H.D. Thoreau There was no fear of losing pace with companions. It was a safe zone, a place where individuality was brought together in a circle, a continuum, and so the music played on. I was asked at one point (we all were) did I experience any enlightenment? Yes, I did, for one brief moment my dream of being a drummer was fulfilled. For that one moment in my own continuum I was free, free to pound out “my” rhythm, my existence was real. I was free to be me and part of the band. My commitment to change the world one song at a time has allowed me to see first hand the power of music as a transformer. Music is universal and music heals. The undeniable power of music to bring people together, to transcend hatred, pain, cruelty, brokenness and to bring about unbridled joy is evident. Yesterday I was supposed to be an observer. I was just someone bringing back information and hopefully a degree of clarity to a man who seeks to promote wellness. I came away with far more. I was inspired again. Music is a common language. Music is a language that holds unifying power. The organization that sponsored the drum circle and day of music melding towards greater understanding is Music Crossroads through a Recreational Music Making Partnership, located in Indianapolis Indiana, the crossroads of the United States. It was pointed out to me that music recreation is that of being “re-created” through music. No matter whether a child hearing a familiar song, or a performer learning a new musical phrase, a guitarist focusing on attaining that difficult chord, a drummer with a new progression, you enter into the movement one way and exit re-created. My kudos go out to Matt Carter of Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, John Fitzgerald of Remo, Inc for leading the “marchers” and providing the percussion instruments, The Shepherd Community Center for sharing their space and the thigh high percussionist, The Indianapolis Foundation, inspiring philanthropy and Albert Schnazi of Integrated Solutions for facilitating an afternoon of enlightened dialogue. It is no mistake that yesterday morning as I was reading scripture and asking the Lord what He wanted me to know that day that he brought me to 2Chronicles 34:12 “All those (Levites) who were skillful with musical instruments were in charge of those who carried burdens, and they directed all the workers in every kind of labor…” yes, we are called. If the Lord calls musicians to lighten the load, make the burden less, then I guess that is the who in the vast puzzle of life, and I indeed was enlightened! Blessings! (this is a reprint from a post written in 2008. It was true then, and it is true today.)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6100322604179382}
{"content": "Background Immediate early genes are considered to play important roles in\n\nBackground Immediate early genes are considered to play important roles in dynamic gene regulatory networks following exposure to appropriate stimuli. that EGR-1 binding affected gene manifestation. Moreover, observation of in vivo occupancy changes of DNA binding proteins following PMA activation indicated that SP1 binding occupancies were dramatically changed near EGR-1 binding sites. Conclusions We conclude that EGR-1 primarily recognizes GC-rich consensus sequences in promoters of active genes. GO analysis and gene manifestation profiling data confirm that EGR-1 is definitely involved in initiation of info transmission in cell events. The observations of in vivo occupancy changes of EGR-1 and SP1 suggest that several types of interplay between EGR-1 and additional proteins result buy Daurisoline in multiple reactions to EGR-1 downstream genes. Background Regulatory gene networks, involving specific DNA elements and various transcription regulators, control living cells. To keep up a stable cellular state, multiple cell type-specific transcription regulators interact with DNA binding sites in target genes. For example, enforced manifestation of four transcription factors (MYC, OCT3/4, KLF4 and SOX2) in differentiated cells drives pluripotent-specific gene manifestation and is capable of keeping pluripotency and self-renewing characteristics [1]. On the other hand, the molecular mechanism for cell state changes following exposure to appropriate stimuli has not been fully elucidated, even though induction of a set of immediate early genes is definitely thought to constitute the first step in the cellular molecular response to stimulant signals for state changes. Early development response gene 1 (EGR-1; known as NGFI-A also, KROX-24, ZIF268 or TIS8) contains an CDC25B extremely conserved DNA-binding domains made up of three C2H2 traditional zinc finger motifs that is one of the instant early gene family members. EGR-1 is normally quickly and induced by several stimulants, such as development elements [2], neurotransmitters [3], human hormones [4], tension [5] and damage [6], and identifies a 9 bottom buy Daurisoline pair portion in GC wealthy locations in the promoters of focus on genes. EGR-1 is normally involved with cell development [7] also, synaptic activation [8], apoptosis in vascular cells [9] and mitogenesis [10]. Furthermore, EGR-1 may play an important function in cell differentiation along the monocyte lineage. Liebermann and co-workers [11] reported that antisense oligomers for Egr-1 obstructed macrophage differentiation in myeloid leukemia cell lines and regular myeloblasts, and ectopic appearance of Egr-1 in cell lines and principal bone marrow led to activation from the macrophage differentiation plan [12,13]. Nevertheless, the complete function of EGR-1 in monocyte differentiation is not clearly defined. Lately, we examined the transcriptional network in differentiation of individual myelomonocytic leukemia THP-1 cells as something model pursuing treatment of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) using data in the FANTOM4 consortium [14]. Our evaluation using FANTOM4 data, including microarrays of mRNA, deepCAGE and chromatin immunoprecipitation with genome tiling array (ChIP-chip) [15], uncovered that cellular claims had been constrained by complex systems regarding substantial amounts of both positive and negative regulators. In this scholarly study, to be able to investigate EGR-1 function during monocyte differentiation, genome-wide EGR-1 binding site data had been created using ChIP-chip and integrated using the obtainable FANTOM4 data. Therefore, we present a whole-genome EGR-1 binding profile and propose feasible features of EGR-1. Outcomes EGR-1 appearance during THP-1 differentiation To assess if the appearance of EGR-1 in buy Daurisoline THP-1 cells adjustments at that time span of monocyte differentiation pursuing PMA arousal, we examined microarray data in the FANTOM4 data pieces (see Components and strategies). EGR-1 mRNA was up-regulated immediately after PMA treatment, reaching a maximum at 1 hour and reducing dramatically thereafter (Number ?(Figure1a).1a). Also, quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that EGR-1 mRNA in THP-1 cells was transiently induced by PMA activation (data not demonstrated). These observations of mRNA changes were much like those reported previously using HL60 and main human being monocytes [16]. Moreover, western blotting using an EGR-1 polyclonal antibody assessed levels of EGR-1 protein in nuclear components from untreated and PMA-stimulated cells (Number ?(Figure1b).1b). As expected, small amounts of EGR-1 protein were detectable in the untreated state, while EGR-1 translation at 1 hour after activation was drastically elevated and returned to pre-stimulation levels by 48 hours. The EGR family members, including EGR-1, EGR-2, EGR-3, EGR-4 and WT-1, share a highly homologous DNA binding website and three or four zinc finger motifs. However, since the flanking regions of the EGR family are much less conserved and the molecular sizes of.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.558819055557251}
{"content": "The Mancunion\n\nBritain's biggest student newspaper\n\nProtect your home from burglary over Christmas\n\nStudent burglary victims and estate agents share their advice and experiences\n\n\nDuring the Christmas holidays, when many students return to their family homes, term-time accommodation is left vacant and therefore susceptible to break-ins and theft.\n\nThe large student population of Fallowfield is a regular target for crime. Burglars usually steal whatever is easiest to carry. Therefore student essentials such as laptops, mobile phones, and bikes are commonly taken.\n\nDetailed crime statistics for Fallowfield can be found on The site states that between October 2016 and September 2017 there have been a total of 233 burglaries, 54 cases of bicycle theft, and 61 incidents of personal theft.\n\nThe Fallowfield Student Group is an online community where members regularly post warnings and personal experiences. In October, Architecture student Anna Meerson posted about a burglary that took place at her student home.In an interview with The Mancunion she described the events of that evening.\n\nAnna and her housemates were at the pub when their neighbours called to say they had been burgled. Four men in balaclavas had climbed through a window and kicked doors down to take their valuables. Anna said, “laptops, bags, tablets, and a couple of other things were taken.” She continued that “no one was in the house, so we were all safe.”\n\nNeuroscience student Jill Merlini lives with Anna and she added: “Getting home and seeing my whole room trashed, the door ripped off the hinges, and knowing that four strangers had been in there was the worst thing about it.”\n\nFor Jill, the loss of material possessions was not as disturbing as the aftermath of such a chaotic home invasion.\n\nAnna, Jill, and their housemates were targeted because burglars saw their house was empty. Over Christmas, there will be many empty homes in Fallowfield. Some estate agents in the area offered their advice and guidance on safety and burglary prevention.\n\nJupiter Properties Manchester advises that “if anything is broken, students should tell their landlord to fix it before they leave.” They also said, “ don’t be advertising on social media that you will be away from your property. Modern criminals are very crafty.”\n\nWhen asked if Christmas is a time when tenants are targeted they said: “Around Christmas time there is definitely a pattern where crime does increase. For their own peace of mind, students should make sure that they have their contents insured just in case something does happen in their absence.”\n\nThe staff at Jupiter Properties stress the importance of implementing basic safety measures. On it states that “homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures.”\n\nIt may sound obvious but locking windows and back gates can make a big difference. If your property has an alarm system it is important to test it. Burglary victim Anna said, “the alarms didn’t go off because they didn’t work.” Echoing the statement made by Jupiter Properties, if something is broken get your landlord to fix it. It is their obligation.\n\nAnthony Waring, the branch manager of Homes4U, said they hand out letters to their tenants to make them aware of the possible crime that can happen over the holidays.\n\nIn an interview with The Mancunion he said, “I think one of the reasons why crime might seem higher in this area is because there is such a high volume of young people. They are not necessarily as thoughtful as older people in terms of leaving doors and windows open.”\n\nHe concluded, “we advise students not to leave anything on show and to close their curtains.”\n\nIn the run up to christmas Greater Manchester Police have been doing some gift giving. Personal alarms and 24 hour timer sockets have been offered to students on their doorsteps. This is an effort to help with student safety and the prevention of burglaries.\n\nAccording to Greater Manchester Police, 24 hour segment timers are an essential asset to have when leaving your home vacant. The timers work by intermittently turning lights on and off when it gets dark. They are “well proven, low cost security devices” say Greater Manchester Police.\n\nMaking your home look occupied seems to be the best method of warding off potential criminals. The website features 60 second security videos that offer more advice and easy to follow steps to keep your home safe.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9270228147506714}
{"content": "Different jurisdictions\n\nXem 1-20 trên 25 kết quả Different jurisdictions\n  • In a work of this kind, it is not without difficulty that I record my indebtedness to all the people who have inspired me at different stages of my career. Their silent and unwavering support remains a great pillar and foundation from which I continue to draw some strength.\n\n    pdf167p phuong04061979 23-07-2011 97 43   Download\n\n  • Changes to the UCITS directive introduced in 2001 extended the scope of eligible assets for UCITS to new classes of assets. 6 As a result, UCITS managers now invest in a much greater number of countries and in more complex instruments than in 1985. As more investment opportunities arise in different third country jurisdictions, the necessity to appoint sub- custodians in these jurisdictions increases. Despite the enlargement of eligible investment instruments, the UCITS Directive does not define the conditions applicable in case a depositary delegates custody to a sub-custodian.\n\n    pdf64p khanhchilam 29-03-2013 23 7   Download\n\n  • The Shares have not been and will not be offered for sale or sold in the United States of America, its territories or possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction, or to United States persons, except in a transaction which does not violate the securities laws of the United States of America.\n\n    pdf104p dangsuynghi 15-03-2013 27 5   Download\n\n  • The laws of continental Europe and those of the USA are substantially distinct. The general difference between common law, as practiced in the US, and civil law, as practiced in continental Europe, is widely accepted, even if it is not always fully understood. American court rulings, for instance, can be extreme in the eyes of Europeans, who are not familiar with concepts such as punitive damages.\n\n    pdf76p tuanloc_do 04-12-2012 19 4   Download\n\n  • On the federal level, three agencies regulate ART. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects and publishes data on ART procedures. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls approval and use of drugs, biological products, and medical devices and has jurisdiction over screening and testing of reproductive tissues, such as donor eggs and sperm. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for implementation of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act to ensure the quality of laboratory testing....\n\n    pdf19p le_minh_nha 25-12-2012 30 3   Download\n\n\n    pdf22p doipassword 01-02-2013 17 3   Download\n\n  • Unrecorded alcohol refers to alcohol that is not taxed and is outside the usual system of governmental control, because it is produced, distributed and sold outside formal channels. Unrecorded alcohol consumption in a country includes consumption of homemade or informally produced alcohol (legal or illegal), smuggled alcohol, alcohol intended for industrial or medical uses, alcohol obtained through cross-border shopping (which is recorded in a different jurisdiction), as well as consumption of alcohol by tourists.\n\n    pdf0p quygia123 01-11-2012 15 2   Download\n\n  • Note, however, that the securities laws of applicable non-U.S. jurisdictions, which are beyond the scope of this article, must be complied with. Although Regulation S provides a complex hierarchy of offering types and the corresponding requirements for each, the basic principle is that there must be no “directed selling efforts” in (toward) the United States.\n\n    pdf0p quaivattim 04-12-2012 18 2   Download\n\n  • The headline regulatory ratios for the four major Australian banks are lower than for other countries (Figures 8 and 9). However, differences in regulatory rules relating to the calculation of required capital suggest that different jurisdictions’ capital ratios should be interpreted with caution. In particular, the risk weighted assets numbers are not directly comparable across countries.\n\n    pdf26p machuavo 19-01-2013 23 2   Download\n\n  • Targeting vehicle owners and fleet managers: improving in-fleet vehicle maintenance. Measures to improve in -fleet vehicle maintenance by changing the behaviour of vehicle owners and fleet managers generally centre on the development of an inspection and maintenance (I and M) programme. These measures have taken on different forms in different jurisdictions (centralized or decentralized, public or private) and use different testing equipment, techniques and drive cycles. I and M can be supplemented or phased in through a programme of mobile enforcement.\n\n    pdf45p saimatkhauroi 01-02-2013 14 2   Download\n\n  • So, for example, economic dynamics play an important “input” role in innovation. The term “economic dynamics” captures a variety of indicators: venture capital, broadband penetration, investments in R&D, and business formation. The index enables one to explore each of these variables in depth and download detailed data by simply clicking the drill-down feature. Human capital is also a vital input to innovation. Therefore, the index provides different perspectives to evaluate a region’s human capital.\n\n    pdf86p trinhcaidat 22-04-2013 19 2   Download\n\n  • Although the overall technical efficiency of the system has increased considerably, mainly due to the introduction of output-based payment systems, allocative efficiency remains a problem. Considerable variations exist in service delivery both geographically and by specialization, and equity of access is far from being realized, a fact which is mirrored in differing health outcomes for different population groups.\n\n    pdf39p nhamnhiqa 01-03-2013 14 1   Download\n\n  • Chapter 11 - International taxation. After reading the material in this chapter, you should be able to: Describe differences in corporate income tax and withholding tax regimes across countries, explain how overlapping tax jurisdictions cause double taxation, show how foreign tax credits reduce the incidence of double taxation,...\n\n    ppt31p nomoney2 10-02-2017 10 1   Download\n\n  • .Personality Rights in European Tort Law This volume provides a comprehensive analysis of civil liability for invasion of personality interests in Europe. It is the final product of the collaboration of twenty-seven scholars and includes case studies of fourteen European jurisdictions, as well as an introductory chapter written from a US perspective. The case studies focus in particular on the legal protection of honour and reputation, privacy, self-determination and image.\n\n    pdf620p namde02 12-03-2013 30 10   Download\n\n  • The European microfinance market is characterized by varying legal and regulatory frameworks, different economic realities, differing political philosophies towards socio-economic activity, and different financial sector structures (and history). 5 Banks are subject to comprehensive regulation, even though local differences exist given that EU directives may not have been fully transposed into national law. In some European countries, only regulated banks may engage in micro- lending. Non-banks are typically not subject to banking regulation.\n\n    pdf164p khanhchilam 29-03-2013 23 7   Download\n\n  • FMIs can differ significantly in organisation, function, and design. FMIs can be legally organised in a variety of forms, including associations of financial institutions, non- bank clearing corporations, and specialised banking organisations. FMIs may be owned and operated by a central bank or by the private sector. FMIs may also operate as for-profit or not-for-profit entities. Depending on organisational form, FMIs can be subject to different licensing and regulatory schemes within and across jurisdictions. For example, bank and non-bank FMIs are often regulated differently.\n\n    pdf160p enterroi 02-02-2013 16 6   Download\n\n  • In some contracts with deductibles, the insurer pays the full claim then seeks reimbursement from the insured for the deductible portion of the contract. In some jurisdictions, such arrangements are also known as “large deductibles”. The resulting policy premium for such large deductible policies is expected to be smaller than if no deductible existed. Different accounting systems may choose to treat the premium reduction due to the deductible credit differently.\n\n    pdf13p taisaovanchuavo 26-01-2013 22 5   Download\n\n  • Accounting standards around the world have evolved over centuries of business and capital market development. In this process, accounting standards historically were designed to meet the needs of each nation’s capital markets. Those stan- dards that were found to work well in the legal, cultural, political and economic context of each nation became the “generally accepted accounting principles,” or GAAP, for that particular jurisdiction. Naturally, different norms in each nation led to different GAAPs in each nation.\n\n    pdf12p taisaovanchuavo 26-01-2013 23 4   Download\n\n  • JFRAC received a total of 17 surveys from member authorities, representing 26 separate agencies from 12 different countries, as well as five responses describing international frameworks. A list of survey respondents is set forth in Appendix 4. This report is intended to serve as a stocktaking of member authorites’ use of credit ratings.\n\n    pdf46p enterroi 01-02-2013 20 3   Download\n\n  • From a banking group’s perspective, a range of factors play a role in the choice of branching versus subsidiarization, including banks’ business focus and differences in regulatory and tax regimes across jurisdictions. Banks with significant wholesale operations tend to prefer a more centralized branch model that provides the flexibility to manage liquidity and credit risks globally and serve the needs of large clients.\n\n    pdf23p machuavo 19-01-2013 17 3   Download\n\n\nĐồng bộ tài khoản", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7959882020950317}
{"content": "December 17, 2017\n\nDifference between Men and Women’s brains\n\nThis is fairly controversial. Yes, it’s an interesting read, but there’s a lot of people refuting this. “Male and female brains wired differently, scans reveal”\n\nBicultural and bilingual values add to U.S. economy\n\n“All these abilities are essential to a globally competitive workforce, according to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. So it’s no surprise that the economic benefits of being bilingual and bicultural have been well-documented.”\n\nA lot to learn\n\nQuote:   For someone like Calvert, who has been applying neuroscience to commercial challenges for more than a decade, it’s “bread and butter”. But it still tends to be put into the category of ‘new’ techniques in consumer research. Why has it been slow to trickle through into the marketing and research worlds? “The evidence [...]\n\nCan you master a language in a weekend?\n\n  Quote: Cooke insists the key to remembering is learning to think in more memorable ways. He began teaching himself memory feats when he ended up in hospital for three months aged 18. “I realised that if I had the time to spend eight hours a day practising, which I did, then I could get [...]\n\nIs there any real need for swear words?\n\n“If you’re trying to emotionally affect the listener and make them remember what you say, yes.”   Read more here:\n\nA new model for our emotions: book explores six dimensions of style Read more:\n\n“He’s spent his career connecting the dots between those internal mental processes experienced by sleeping brains and they way we live out our emotions.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5505465269088745}
{"content": "Barn Demo Leads to a \"Dynamite\" Discovery\n\nHanna City, Illinois Workers demolishing an old barn were shocked to find a bag inside a barn cabinet labeled, \"Dynamite.\" The Peoria County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene to discover more than 100 sticks along with blasting caps.\n\nThe homeowners were stunned to find they had been living next to the dangerous UXO for over 50 years. Officials evacuated them from their home while a four-wheeled robot was sent into the barn to remove the sticks with a mechanical arm. The robot then placed the TNT into a steel container outside where it was soaked in diesel fuel to stabilize the explosive chemicals. Then the load was burned and the remains properly disposed of.\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6746293902397156}
{"content": "\n\n[IP] Re:[IPn] Participate in market research about pumps (FYI...)\n\nI just tried the 800 number to participate in this survey, and it's already\nfilled up.  They did take my name and number in case they need to conduct\nthe survery again with another group.\nsend a DONATION http://www.Insulin-Pumpers.org/donate.shtml", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.952326238155365}
{"content": "\n\nNo Subject\n\nDiabetes is very complicated.  Most - but not all - type 1 is auto-immune \n(aka type 1A), with positive antibodies.  Other possible causes \nof  (non-auto-immune) type 1  include removal of the pancreas (because of \ninjury, cancer, etc); damage to the pancreas from inflammation \n(pancreatitis - resulting from infection, excessive use of alcohol, etc); \nas a complication of cystic fibrosis; from damage to the islet cells by \nvarious medicines or chemicals (steroids, immunosuppressants, etc) \n,   There is also a small group of people - mostly of African, Hispanic or \nAsian origin - who have a special type called 1B.  They often have \nintermittent insulin deficiency and periodic episodes of DKA; some do \nrequire nsulin all the time.\n\nAnd that's just the type 1s!!\n\n\ncwdMail and cwdLists are brought to you by Children with Diabetes\n(http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com) through the generous support of \nLifeScan, Inc. http://www.lifescan.com\nfor HELP or to subscribe/unsubscribe, contact:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7965087890625}
{"content": "Simple Methods To Prevent Calcaneal Spur\n\nInferior Calcaneal Spur\n\n\nA heel spur is a bony projection on the sole (bottom) of the heel bone. This condition may accompany or result from severe cases of inflammation to the structure called plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a fibrous band of connective tissue on the sole of the foot, extending from the heel to the toes. Heel spurs are a common foot problem resulting from excess bone growth on the heel bone. The bone growth is usually located on the underside of the heel bone, and may extend forward toward the toes. A painful tear in the plantar fascia between the toes and heel can produce a heel spur and/or inflammation of the plantar fascia. Because this condition is often correlated to a decrease in the arch of the foot, it is more prevalent after the ages of six to eight years, when the arch is fully developed.\n\n\nThere exists a membrane that covers most of the bone along the heel. When this membrane gets torn repeatedly due to straining of the muscles in the foot, the calcium deposits that lead to heel spurs are more likely to occur.\n\nPosterior Calcaneal Spur\n\n\n\n\n\nNon Surgical Treatment\n\nOnly in rare cases do the symptoms of heel spurs fail to be resolved through conservative treatment. Conservative treatment, although not 100% effective, is successful in most cases and should be given ample time to work. In many cases, conservative methods should be utilized as long as a year depending on the rate at which your body responds to the treatment. When treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be considered. A common surgical procedure for this condition is plantar fascia release surgery. In this procedure, the tension of the plantar fascia ligament is released, lessening tension in the heel and helping to prevent damage.\n\nSurgical Treatment\n\nHeel spur surgery should only be considered after less invasive treatment methods have been explored and ruled insufficient. The traditional surgical approach to treating heel spurs requires a scalpel cut to the bottom of the food which allows the surgeon to access the bone spur. Endoscopic plantar fasciotomies (EPF) involve one or two small incisions in the foot which allow the surgeon to access and operate on the bone spur endoscopically. Taking a surgical approach to heel spur treatment is a topic to explore with a foot and ankle specialist.\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9921646118164062}
{"content": "Who do I call if my child will be missing school?\n\nPlease call the front desk at 541-757-5958\n\nWhen your child is absent for either a full or partial day, it is very important to report the absence to the office by 9:00 am the day of the absence. In the interest of student health and safety, the office staff will  start to phone parents or contacts who have not reported to us after the 9:00am cut off.\n\nWhen leaving a voice message to report and absence, please include 1) your name, 2) student’s name, 3) teacher, and 4) nature of the absence. If you are prearranging an absence for another day, please include the date(s) of the absence. As always, you are welcome to phone Marcy Hermens or Natalie Kovac at the above number for questions about this process.\n\nWhere do I get emergency and school closure information?\n\nEmergency notifications (such as snow days or delayed openings) are communicated district wide via Flash Alert. You can sign up for this service through our District Website.\n\nThese notifications will also go out through our Hoover Listerv (please email Marcy at the front desk to be added to this email). We also post emergency notifications on the Hoover Facebook Page.\n\nWhat are the rules for the Hoover Parking Lot?\n\nOur parking lot is a busy place especially during drop off and pick up times. Here are some basic instructions to help you remember how our parking lot works.\n\n  • In Lane 1 (the lane closest to the school) you can park your car, get out, and walk with your student to class or go pick them up after school. This is the only lane where you can walk away from your car.\n  • In Lane 2 (the middle lane) you can park your car in the morning or afternoon, but you may not leave the vehicle. During pick up times, stand next to your car and a staff member will bring your student to you.\n  • Lane 3 (the lane closest to the street) is a through lane. This lane needs to keep moving (except when stopping for crossing guards). Students may not get in or out of the car from the 3rd lane.\n\nPlease keep in mind that Northwest Hills Church allows Hoover parents use of their parking lot before and after school to help alleviate the the stress of finding space in our parking lot.\n\nWhat are the Hoover Bus Routes?\n\nPlease see our Transportation Page.\n\nWhat is the Hoover Dress Code?\n\nStudent dress and grooming are the responsibilities of the individual and parents under the following guidelines:\n\n  1. Dress and grooming shall be in keeping with health, sanitary, and safety practices.\n  2. When a student is participating in special activities, dress and grooming shall not disrupt the performance or constitute a health or safety threat to the individual or other students.\n  3. Dress and grooming shall not disrupt or impede the teaching/learning process. For example, all students should wear (or bring) tennis shoes to participate in PE class.\n  4. Students should dress appropriately for the day’s weather in order to participate in recess, which will be outside every day regardless of weather. Specifically, on rainy days, students need to be wearing waterproof jackets with hoods. Our recess breaks are held outside, rain or shine.\n\nIs there a Hoover Newsletter?\n\nHoover has a weekly email newsletter, Hoover Happenings. (To receive this and the rest of our email communication, please make sure to be part of our listerv. You can contact Marcy Hermens at the front desk to be added. This newsletter contains a lot of important information such as HPTO events, monthly tasting table information, local events, school calendars, and more. If you need a hard copy, several are available in the front office.\n\nCan I get a copy of the Hoover Student Handbook?\n\nYes, they are available in the office. Here is a pdf copy: 2017 -2018 Parent – Student Handbook. A district student handbook is also available here.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.997927188873291}
{"content": "Bap·tism \\ˈbapˌtizəm\\ noun\n\nManage episode 192195776 series 1292418\n1: Ecclesiastical. a ceremonial immersion in water as an initiatory rite or sacrament of the Christian church.\n\n370 episodes available. A new episode about every 7 days averaging 39 mins duration .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000100135803223}
{"content": "UPDATE 1-U.S. FCC to loosen TV, newspaper ownership rules\n\n(Adds quotes from Pai, background, statement from National Association of Broadcasters)\n\nWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission wants to rollback landmark media ownership regulations that limit the ability of companies to own multiple TV stations and newspapers in the same market, Chairman Ajit Pai told a congressional panel Wednesday.\n\nIf approved at the FCC's November meeting, the move would be a win for newspapers and broadcasters that have pushed for the change for decades, but was criticized by Democrats who said it could usher in a new era of media consolidation.\n\nThe FCC in 1975 banned cross-ownership of a newspaper and broadcast station in the same market, unless it granted a waiver, to ensure a diversity of opinions. The rule was made before the explosion of internet and cable news and Republican President Donald Trump and Pai have vowed to reduce government regulation.\n\n\"We must stop the federal government from intervening in the news business,\" Pai said, noting that many newspapers have closed and many radio and TV stations are struggling. Pai moved earlier this year to make it easier for some companies to own a larger number of local stations.\n\nPai said the marketplace no longer justifies the rules, citing Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's dominance of internet advertising.\n\n\"Online competition for the collection and distribution of news is greater than ever. And just two internet companies claim 100 percent of recent online advertising growth; indeed, their digital ad revenue this year alone will be greater than the market cap of the entire broadcasting industry,\" Pai said.\n\nFCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat, said at the hearing Wednesday the move would lead to further consolidation in the media business and should be opposed. There are three Republicans and two Democrats on the panel.\n\nPai also proposes to make it easier for companies to own multiple TV and radio stations in the same market.\n\nThe National Association of Broadcasters said in a statement it backs Pai's plan, noting that policymakers have approved numerous \"mega-mergers\" among phone, cable and satellite programmers \"while at the same time blocking broadcast/newspaper or radio/TV combinations in single markets.\"\n\nThe group added \"this nonsensical regulatory approach has harmed the economic underpinning of newspapers, reduced local journalism jobs, and punished free and local broadcasters at the expense of our pay TV and radio competitors.\" (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5109198689460754}
{"content": "Character Death in YA Fiction\n\nI was asked recently if it was all right to have a character die in a teen novel. The question brought out memories of well-written novels over the past several decades where that happened. My response was short but very much on point…\n\nYes, you may kill off a character in a teen novel.\n\nThe reality of that situation, however, is far from easy. This isn’t a situation where you can suddenly decide a character that isn’t working out is about to die and do it in a manner designed to shock the reader. Nor is it a situation where you open the novel with a death, simply to grab the reader’s attention. Killing off a character must be carefully plotted and only used if there is no other recourse for your story.\n\nThe best example for killing off a character for me began with Softly Say Goodbye. Erin is a strong person in her own right but she’s deeply attached to boyfriend, Bill. Attached to the point where she depended on him so much that she wouldn’t move forward without his advice. Theirs was a strong relationship, what some may call a lifetime relationship, and Erin was fully committed to the guy she loved.\n\nTherein lay my problem. I could foresee her weakening as a character and being unable to bring about a satisfying ending to the book if she was still with Bill. Breaking up wouldn’t work, as they were very much the same when it came to thoughts and ideals. The storyline already had them separating as she went to college and he enlisted in the Marines after graduation. That might have provided Erin an outlet to take a stand alone, but she would still have Bill in the background, giving her the necessary strength.\n\nKilling Bill and his best bud, Jake, seemed to be the only way to motivate Erin and her closest friend, Shari. Yet, I stalled, looked for other options. That pivotal point was written and rewritten dozens of times, in an effort not to kill a beloved character.\n\nNone of those options worked. Erin continued to become weaker as a main character if Bill was there for her to lean on.\n\nThere was only one method left to prove Erin was a strong individual, capable of standing on her own and willing to take on the Kewl Krew. After fighting this over and over again, I proceeded to write what I now call the “Bill and Jake are dead” scene.\n\nDon’t get me wrong. The decision to come to this point wasn’t easy. I thought it was the hardest decision I would make regarding this book. I was wrong.\n\nThe hardest decision I had to make was how to write the scene. Dare I do this in the moment, where the reader was caught up in an act so horrific that it would be embedded in their memory forever? Should I make the scene happen out of sight, where Erin and the reader learn about it after it has happened?\n\nAgain, I toyed with different scenes. Erin witnesses the accident that takes her guy. She’s in the vehicle with him. She and Shari are part of the problem and their boyfriends could possibly be intoxicated. Nothing seemed to work.\n\nThe final “Bill and Jake are dead” scene was a “Hail Mary pass” situation. I’d discarded this idea early on, thinking that I’d cheat the reader of the lovely, descriptive scene of Erin witnessing the loss of the guy she loved. Yet, once I started writing it, I realized this was a scene that would become a hallmark for the book.\n\nOnce the decision was made on how the scene would be written, I developed background, created the moment when Erin would discover how she’d lost the guy she loved so much. This particular scene, in all its goriness, never made it into the book. It took quite a while to craft but it was for background only, for a dialogue bit where she learned how her guy dies.\n\nI was now at the point where I could craft a death scene in a teen novel that would be memorable but not one that would be unnecessary. Again, I took my time, going back over early chapters and inserting bits of information that would make this seem to be the only solution. After writing the scene, and crying copious tears, I put that away and worked on other stories for a week or two, in order to return and see if what I’d written was as powerful as I thought it was.\n\nIt was and I was able to continue this book to a satisfying ending where my girl remained strong but was also still grieving a guy she loved so deeply.\n\nSo, yes, you can craft a death scene of a beloved character in a teen book. There is only one thing you need to be aware of while doing this…\n\nIs this scene necessary?\n\nAbout the K.C. Sprayberry\n\n\n\nSocial Media Links:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9611786007881165}
{"content": "• Let’s Sing ‘Jingle Bells’\n\n    The question where and when Pierpont originally composed the song that would become known as “Jingle Bells”. A plaque at 19 High Street in the center of Medford Square in Medford, Massachusetts commemorates the “birthplace” of “Jingle Bells,” and claims that Pierpont wrote the song there in 1850, at what was then the Simpson Tavern. According to the Medford Historical Society, the song was inspired by the town’s popular sleigh races during the 19th century. “Jingle Bells” was originally copyrighted with the name “One Horse Open Sleigh” on September 16, 1857. Mrs. Otis Waterman, one of Pierpoint’s friends, described the song as a “merry little jingle”, which became part of its new name when published in 1859 under the revised title of “Jingle Bells, or the One Horse Open Sleigh.” The song has since passed into the public domain. The date of the song’s copyright casts some doubt on the theory that Pierpont wrote the song in Medford, since by that date he was the organist and music director of the Unitarian Church in Savannah, Georgia, where his brother, Rev. John Pierpont Jr., was employed. In August of the same year, James Pierpont married the daughter of the mayor of Savannah. He stayed on in the city even after the church closed due to its abolitionist leanings. “Jingle Bells” is one of the best-known and commonly sung American songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) and published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh” in the autumn of 1857. It has been claimed that it was originally written to be sung by a Sunday school choir; however, historians dispute this, stating that it was much too “racy” (and secular) to be sung by a children’s church choir in the days it was written. Although originally intended for the Thanksgiving season, and having no connection to Christmas, it became associated with Christmas music and the holiday season in general decades after it was first performed on Washington Street in Boston in 1857. Some area choirs adopted it as part of their repertoire in the 1860s and 1870s, and it was featured in a variety of parlor-song and college anthologies in the 1880s. It was first recorded in 1889 on an Edison cylinder. “Jingle Bells” was often used as a drinking song at parties: people would jingle the ice in their glasses as they sang. The double-meaning of “upsot” was thought humorous, and a sleigh ride gave an unescorted couple a rare chance to be together, unchaperoned, in distant woods or fields, with all the opportunities that afforded.\n\n    Music historian James Fuld notes that “the word jingle in the title and opening phrase is apparently an imperative verb.” In the winter in New England in pre-automobile days, it was common to adorn horses’ harnesses with straps bearing bells as a way to avoid collisions at blind intersections, since a horse-drawn sleigh in snow makes almost no noise. The rhythm of the tune mimics that of a trotting horse’s bells. However, “jingle bells” is commonly taken to mean a certain kind of bell. Let’s sing Jingle Bells\n    Dashing through the snow\n    In a one-horse open sleigh\n    O’er the fields we go\n    Laughing all the way\n\n    Bells on bob tail ring\n    Making spirits bright\n    What fun it is to ride and sing\n    A sleighing song tonight!\n\n    Jingle bells, jingle bells,\n    Jingle all the way.\n    Oh! what fun it is to ride\n    In a one-horse open sleigh.\n\n    Jingle bells, jingle bells,\n    Jingle all the way;\n    Oh! what fun it is to ride\n    In a one-horse open sleigh.\n\n    The original 1857 “Jingle Bells” had a slightly different chorus featuring a more classical-style melody. The “I V vi iii IV I V I” chord progression is a common theme in classical music; except for the final two chord changes, the melody as originally written follows the same chord progression as Pachelbel’s Canon; the tune would later become more closely associated with another Christmas song, “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” which appeared about twenty years after “Jingle Bells”. The “Jingle Bells” tune is used in French and German songs, although the lyrics are unrelated to the English lyrics. Both songs celebrate winter fun, as in the English version. The French song, titled “Vive le vent” (“Long Live the Wind”), was written by Francis Blanche and contains references to Father Time, Baby New Year, and New Year’s Day. There are several German versions of “Jingle Bells”, including the popular Roy Black versions of Christkindl and Christmastime. “Jingle Bells” was first recorded by Will Lyle on October 30,1889 on an Edison cylinder however no surviving copies are known.\n\n  • Christmas Films..Do You Remember Holiday Inn\n\n    In May 1940, Irving Berlin signed an exclusive contract with Paramount Pictures to write songs for a film musical based on his idea of an inn that opened only on public holidays. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire were the stars of Holiday Inn with support from Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale. Produced and directed by Mark Sandrich, filming took place between November 1941 and January 1942. Holiday Inn had its premiere at the New York Paramount Theatre August 4, 1942. It was a success in the US and the UK, the highest-grossing film musical to that time. It was expected that “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” would be the big song. While that song did very well, it was “White Christmas” that topped the charts in October 1942 and stayed there for eleven weeks. Another Berlin song, “Happy Holiday,” is featured over the opening credits and within the film storyline. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii occurred halfway through filming. As a result, the Fourth of July segment was expanded beyond Fred Astaire’s firecracker dance to include the patriotic number that highlights the strength of the US military. Many segments of the film are preceded by shots of a calendar with a visual symbol of the given holiday. For November, an animated turkey is shown running back and forth between the third and fourth Thursdays, finally shrugging its shoulders in confusion. This is a satirical reference to the “Franksgiving” controversy when President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to expand the Christmas shopping season by declaring Thanksgiving a week earlier than before, leading to Congress setting Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November by law. Holiday Inn is a 1942 American musical film directed by Mark Sandrich and starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. With music by Irving Berlin, the composer wrote twelve songs specifically for the film, the best known being “White Christmas.” The film features the complete reuse of “Easter Parade,” written by Berlin for the 1933 Broadway revue As Thousands Cheer. The film’s choreography was by Danny Dare. The film received a 1943 Academy Award for Best Original Song (Irving Berlin for “White Christmas”), as well as Academy Award nominations for Best Score (Robert Emmett Dolan) and Best Original Story (Irving Berlin). Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby), Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire), and Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale) have a musical act popular in the New York City nightlife scene. On Christmas Eve, Jim prepares to give his last performance as part of the act before marrying Lila and retiring with her to a farm in Connecticut. At the last minute, Lila decides she is not ready to stop performing, and that she has fallen in love with Ted. She tells Jim that she will stay on as Ted’s dancing partner. While heartbroken, Jim follows through with his plan and bids the act goodbye. One year later on Christmas Eve, Jim is back in New York City. Farm life has proven difficult; he plans to turn his farm into an entertainment venue called Holiday Inn, to be open only on public holidays.\n\n    On Christmas Day, Linda arrives at Holiday Inn, where she meets Jim—both realizing they were fooling each other the previous evening. Jim is preparing the place for New Year’s Eve, and they take to each other immediately. Jim sings her his new song, “White Christmas,” which he would have performed had the inn been open that night. Later that week, on New Year’s Eve, Holiday Inn opens to a packed house. The song that would become “White Christmas” was conceived by Berlin on the set of the film Top Hat in 1935. He hummed the melody to Astaire and the film’s director Mark Sandrich as a song possibility for a future Astaire-Ginger Rogers vehicle. Astaire loved the tune, but Sandrich passed on it. Berlin’s assignment for Paramount was to write a song about each of the major holidays of the year. He found that writing a song about Christmas was the most challenging, due to his Jewish upbringing. When Crosby first heard Berlin play “White Christmas” in 1941 at the first rehearsals, he did not immediately recognize its full potential. Crosby simply said: “I don’t think we have any problems with that one, Irving.” Although White Christmas has become iconic, this was not the original intention. The song Be Careful, It’s My Heart, played during the Valentine’s Day section of the film, was originally intended to be a bigger hit when production of Holiday Inn commenced. The song is used during the Christmas holiday sections of the movie, most notably when it is introduced to Linda Mason (Reynolds) by Jim Hardy (Crosby) while she is trying to obtain a position in the shows at the inn. Hardy begins playing the song to her allowing her to join him and eventually perform solo. The song is also reprised near the end of the movie. Full-length studio recordings of the film’s songs, differing slightly from those in the movie, were made for commercial release. Initially issued on 78rpm records, they were later collected on LP, cassette and CD. These are the song recordings taken directly from the movie and are often confused with the ones above released to the public.\n\n    Holiday Inn was released on VHS in 1986 and again in 1992. It was first released on DVD paired with another Crosby vehicle, Going My Way (1944). It added a trailer for each film and some text-based extras. This version is also available in many boxed set collections of holiday-themed or Crosby-themed movies. In 2006 it was released as a single-disc “Special Edition” featuring a commentary by Ken Barnes, with interspersed archival comments by Crosby and Astaire. It also included A Couple of Song and Dance Men, a documentary on Astaire and Crosby; All-Singing All-Dancing, a featurette on audio recording of movie musicals; and a reissue theatrical trailer. In 2014 it was released on Blu-ray as a single disc edition featuring both black and white and colorized versions and all previous DVD extras. The success of the song “White Christmas” eventually led to another film based on the song, White Christmas (1954), which starred Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. It was an extremely loose remake of Holiday Inn, with a plot again involving an inn, but otherwise different from the earlier film. Fred Astaire was offered the second lead in the new film, but after reading the script, he declined. The role was then offered to Donald O’Connor, but he was injured before filming began. Danny Kaye ultimately took the role.\n\n  • So Where Exactly is Lapland ??\n\n    Lapland or Sápmi, an ethno-cultural region stretching over northern Fennoscandia (parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Russia). The area of Lapland was split between two counties of the Swedish Realm from 1634 to 1809. The northern and western areas were part of Västerbotten County, while the southern areas were part of Ostrobothnia County (after 1755 Oulu County). The northern and western areas were transferred in 1809 to Oulu County, which became Oulu Province. Under the royalist constitution of Finland during the first half of 1918, Lapland was to become a Grand Principality and part of the inheritance of the proposed king of Finland. Lapland Province was separated from Oulu Province in 1938. During the Interim Peace and beginning of the Continuation War the government of Finland allowed the Nazi German Army to station itself in Lapland as a part of Operation Barbarossa. After Finland made a separate peace with the Soviet Union in 1944, the Soviet Union demanded that Finland expel the German army from her soil. The result was the Lapland War, during which almost the whole civilian population of Lapland was evacuated. The Germans used scorched earth tactics in Lapland, before they withdrew to Norway. Forty to forty-seven percent of the dwellings in Lapland and 417 kilometres (259 mi) of railroads were destroyed, 9,500 kilometres (5,900 mi) of roadways were mined, destroyed or were unusable, and 675 bridges and 3,700 kilometres (2,300 mi) of telephone lines were destroyed. Ninety percent of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, was burned to the ground, with only a few pre-war buildings surviving the destruction. After the Second World War, Petsamo municipality and part of Salla municipality were ceded to the Soviet Union. The decades following the war were a period of rebuilding, industrialization and fast economic growth. Large hydroelectric plants and mines were established and cities, roads and bridges were rebuilt from the destruction of the war. In the late 20th century the economy of Lapland started to decline, mines and factories became unprofitable and the population started to decline rapidly across most of the region. The provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010, but Lapland was reorganised as one of the new regions that replaced them. Sápmi (Northern Sami: [?sapmi]), in English commonly known as Lapland (/?læpl?nd/), is the cultural region traditionally inhabited by the Sami people, traditionally known in English as Lapps. Sápmi is located in Northern Europe and includes the northern parts of Fennoscandia. The region stretches over four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. On the north it is bounded by the Barents Sea, on the west by the Norwegian Sea and on the east by the White Sea. Despite being the namesake of the region, the Sami people are estimated to only make up around 5% of its total population. No political organization advocates secession, although several groups desire more territorial autonomy and/or more self-determination for the region’s indigenous population.\n\n    Sápmi is the name in North Sami, while the Julev Sami name is Sábme and the South Sami name is Saemie. In Norwegian and Swedish the term Sameland is often used. In modern Swedish and Norwegian, Sápmi is known as “Sameland”, but in older Swedish it was known as “Lappmarken”, “Lappland”, and Finnmark, respectively. Originally these two names did refer to the entire Sápmi, but subsequently became applied to areas exclusively inhabited by the Sami. “Lappland” (Laponia) became the name of Sweden’s northernmost province (landskap) which in 1809 was split into one part that remained Swedish and one part falling under Finland (which became part of the Russian Empire). “Lappland” survives as the name of both Sweden’s northernmost province and Finland’s, also containing part of the old Ostrobothnian province. The climate is subarctic and vegetation is sparse, except in the densely forested southern portion. The mountainous west coast has significantly milder winters and more precipitation than the large areas east of the mountain chain. North of the Arctic Circle polar night characterize the winter season and midnight sun the summer season—both phenomena are longer the further north you go. Traditionally, the Sami divide the year in eight seasons instead of four. Sápmi contains valuable mineral deposits, particularly iron ore in Sweden, copper in Norway, and nickel and apatite in Russia. Reindeer, wolf, bear, and birds are the main forms of animal life, in addition to a myriad of insects in the short summer. Sea and river fisheries abound in the region. Steamers are operated on some of the lakes, and many ports are ice-free throughout the year. All ports along the Norwegian Sea in the west and the Barents Sea in the northeast to Murmansk are ice-free all year. The Gulf of Bothnia usually freezes over in winter. The ocean floor to the north and west of Sápmi has deposits of petroleum and natural gas. The inner parts of Sápmi are often referred to as Lapland or Lappi, a name deriving from a former name given to the Sami, which is today considered derogatory by many Sami. The name is also found on the Russian side as Laplandige (the name of a natural reservation) and the Norwegian county of Finnmark is sometimes titled the “Norwegian Lapland”, especially by the travel industry. Lappi- appears as a common component of place-names throughout central and southern Finland as well; in many cases it probably refers to earlier Sami presence, though in some cases the underlying meaning may be merely “periphery” or “outlying district”. The approximate number of people living in Sápmi is about 2 million, though it is difficult to give the precise number of inhabitants since certain counties and provinces only include parts of Sápmi. It is also quite difficult to account for the distribution of ethnic groups as many people have double or multiple ethnic identities—both seeing themselves as members of the majority population and being part of one or more minority groups.\n\n    There has been a long association between Christmas and Lapland. (THE SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE AT THE ARCTIC CIRCLE IN ROVANIEMI, LAPLAND) You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Lapland in Finland. It might be better to stay near Rovaniemi and visit Father Christmas Village or SantaPark, or go further north to Levi or Yllas for a traditional Finnish experience? Finnish Lapland is a good place to visit for a magical, festive atmosphere but you are right to be wary of over-commercialisation. There are new programmes introduced every year but some of these can suffer from being impersonal, The trick is to examine every detail of the itinerary, from how long you spend with Santa, which activities are included and how the gifts are organised. Expect to pay at least £2,000 for a family of four on a two- or three-night stay in a log cabin or hotel, including flights, transfers and meals. The climate can be harsh. Throughout the seven-month winter, you can expect little more than five hours of sunlight with temperatures dropping well below freezing and sometimes as low as -20 to -40C. But during daylight hours the sun often shines, the air is still and very dry, so as long as you dress properly, the cold is perfectly bearable.\n\n  • History of the Christmas Pudding\n\n    There is a popular myth that plum pudding’s association with Christmas goes back to a custom in medieval England that the “pudding should be made on the 25th Sunday after Trinity, that it be prepared with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and the 12 apostles, and that every family member stir it in turn from east to west to honour the Magi and their journey in that direction”. However, recipes for plum puddings appear mainly, if not entirely, in the 17th century and later. The collect for the Sunday before Advent in the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer begins with the words “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works…”. This led to the custom of preparing Christmas puddings on that day which became known as Stir-up Sunday. Puddings possible ancestors include savoury puddings such as those in Harleian MS 279, crustades, malaches whyte, creme boiled (a kind of stirred custard), and sippets. Various ingredients and methods of these older recipes appear in early plum puddings. Pudding predecessors often contained meat, as well as sweet ingredients, and prior to being steamed in a cloth the ingredients may have been stuffed into the gut or stomach of an animal – like the Scottish haggis or sausages. One of the earliest plum pudding recipes is given by Mary Kettilby in her 1714 book A Collection of above Three Hundred Receipts in Cookery, Physick and Surgery. There is a popular and wholly unsubstantiated myth that in 1714, King George I (sometimes known as the Pudding King) requested that plum pudding be served as part of his royal feast in his first Christmas in England. As techniques for meat preserving improved in the 18th century, the savoury element of both the mince pie and the plum pottage diminished as the sweet content increased. People began adding dried fruit and sugar. The mince pie kept its name, though the pottage was increasingly referred to as plum pudding. Although the latter was always a celebratory dish it was originally eaten at the Harvest festival, not Christmas. It was not until the 1830s that the cannonball of flour, fruits, suet, sugar and spices, all topped with holly, made a definite appearance, becoming more and more associated with Christmas. The East Sussex cook Eliza Acton was the first to refer to it as “Christmas Pudding” in her bestselling 1845 book Modern Cookery for Private Families. Throughout the colonial period, the pudding was a symbol of unity throughout the British Empire. In 1927, the Empire Marketing Board (EMB) wrote a letter to the Master of the Royal Household, requesting a copy of the recipe used to make the Christmas pudding for the royal family. The King and Queen granted Leo Amery, the head of the EMB, permission to use the recipe in a publication in the following November. The royal chef, André Cédard, provided the recipe.\n\n    In order to distribute the recipe, the EMB had to overcome two challenges: size and ingredients. First, the original recipe was measured to serve 40 people, including the entire royal family and their guests. The EMB was challenged to rework the recipe to serve only 8 people. Second, the ingredients used to make the pudding had to be changed to reflect the ideals of the Empire. The origins of each ingredient had to be carefully manipulated to represent each of the Empire’s many colonies. Brandy from Cyprus and nutmeg from the West Indies, which had been inadvertently forgotten in previous recipes, made special appearances. Unfortunately, there were a number of colonies that produced the same foodstuffs. The final recipe included Australian currants, South African stoned raisins, Canadian apples, Jamaican rum, and English Beer, among other ingredients all sourced from somewhere in the Empire. The custom of eating Christmas pudding was carried to many parts of the world by British colonists. It is a common dish in the Republic of Ireland, it is often eaten in many other countries. In America, the traditions of the Christmas Pudding had already arrived in pre-revolutionary days. Traditionally puddings were made on or immediately after the Sunday “next before Advent”, i.e. four to five weeks before Christmas. The collect for that Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England, as it was used from the 16th century (and still is in traditional churches). The day became known as “Stir-up Sunday”. Traditionally everyone in the household, or at least every child, gave the mixture a stir and made a wish while doing so. It was common practice to include small silver coins in the pudding mixture, which could be kept by the person whose serving included them. The usual choice was a silver threepence or a sixpence. The coin was believed to bring wealth in the coming year.\n\n    Christmas pudding is a type of pudding traditionally served as part of the Christmas dinner in the UK, Ireland and in other countries where it has been brought by British emigrants. It has its origins in medieval England, and is sometimes known as plum pudding or just “pud”, though this can also refer to other kinds of boiled pudding involving dried fruit. Despite the name “plum pudding,” the pudding contains no actual plums due to the pre-Victorian use of the word “plums” as a term for raisins. The pudding is composed of many dried fruits held together by egg and suet, sometimes moistened by treacle or molasses and flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and other spices. The pudding is usually aged for a month or more, or even a year; the high alcohol content of the pudding prevents it from spoiling during this time. Many households have their own recipe for Christmas pudding, some handed down through families for generations. Essentially the recipe brings together what traditionally were expensive or luxurious ingredients — notably the sweet spices that are so important in developing its distinctive rich aroma, and usually made with suet. It is very dark in appearance — very nearly black — as a result of the dark sugars and black treacle in most recipes, and its long cooking time. The mixture can be moistened with the juice of citrus fruits, brandy and other alcohol (some recipes call for dark beers such as mild, stout or porter). Prior to the 19th century, the English Christmas pudding was boiled in a pudding cloth, and often represented as round. The new Victorian era fashion involved putting the batter into a basin and then steaming it, followed by unwrapping the pudding, placing it on a platter, and decorating the top with a sprig of holly. Christmas puddings have very good keeping properties and many families keep one back from Christmas to be eaten at another celebration later in the year, often at Easter. Constance Spry records that it was not uncommon to go so far as to make each year’s pudding the previous Christmas.\n\n  • Do you Play Volleyball ?\n\n\n    The complete rules are extensive, but simply, play proceeds as follows: a player on one of the teams begins a ‘rally’ by serving the ball (tossing or releasing it and then hitting it with a hand or arm), from behind the back boundary line of the court, over the net, and into the receiving team’s court. The receiving team must not let the ball be grounded within their court. The team may touch the ball up to 3 times but individual players may not touch the ball twice consecutively. Typically, the first two touches are used to set up for an attack, an attempt to direct the ball back over the net in such a way that the serving team is unable to prevent it from being grounded in their court. The rally continues, with each team allowed as many as three consecutive touches, until either: a team makes a kill, grounding the ball on the opponent’s court and winning the rally; or a team commits a fault and loses the rally. The team that wins the rally is awarded a point, and serves the ball to start the next rally. A few of the most common faults include, causing the ball to touch the ground or floor outside the opponents’ court or without first passing over the net, catching and throwing the ball, double hit: two consecutive contacts with the ball made by the same player, four consecutive contacts with the ball made by the same team, net foul: touching the net during play, foot fault: the foot crosses over the boundary line when serving. The ball is usually played with the hands or arms, but players can legally strike or push (short contact) the ball with any part of the body. A number of consistent techniques have evolved in volleyball, including spiking and blocking (because these plays are made above the top of the net, the vertical jump is an athletic skill emphasized in the sport) as well as passing, setting, and specialized player positions and offensive and defensive structures. Nudists were early adopters of the game with regular organized play in clubs as early as the late 1920s. By the 1960s, a volleyball court had become standard in almost all nudist/naturist clubs. The history of Olympic volleyball traces back to the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where volleyball was played as part of an American sports demonstration event.\n\n    The Olympic volleyball tournament was originally a simple competition: all teams played against each other’s team and then were ranked by wins, set average, and point average. One disadvantage of the round-robin system was that medal winners could be determined before the end of the games, making the audience lose interest in the outcome of the remaining matches. To cope with this situation, the competition was split into two phases with the addition of a “final round” elimination tournament consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals matches in 1972. The number of teams involved in the Olympic tournament has grown steadily since 1964. Since 1996, both men’s and women’s events count twelve participant nations. The U.S.S.R. won men’s gold in both 1964 and 1968. After taking bronze in 1964 and silver in 1968, Japan finally won the gold for men’s volleyball in 1972. Women’s gold went to Japan in 1964 and again in 1976. That year, the introduction of a new offensive skill, the backrow attack, allowed Poland to win the men’s competition over the Soviets in a very tight five-set match. Since the strongest teams in men’s volleyball at the time belonged to the Eastern Bloc, the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics did not have as great an effect on these events as it had on the women’s. The U.S.S.R. collected their third Olympic Gold Medal in men’s volleyball with a 3–1 victory over Bulgaria (the Soviet women won that year as well, their third gold as well). With the U.S.S.R. boycotting the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the U.S. was able to sweep Brazil in the finals to win the men’s gold medal. Italy won its first medal (bronze in the men’s competition) in 1984, foreshadowing a rise in prominence for their volleyball teams. The 1984 women’s tournament was also won by a rising force, China. There are many variations on the basic rules of volleyball. By far the most popular of these is beach volleyball, which is played on sand with two people per team, and rivals the main sport in popularity.\n\n  • Groom of the Stool…An Intimate Job\n\n    The Groom of the Stool was, in the earliest times, a male servant in the household of an English monarch who was responsible for assisting the king in excretion and ablution, whilst maintaining an aura of royal decorum over the proceedings. The appellation “Groom of the Close Stool” derived from the item of furniture used as a toilet. It also appears as “Grom of the Stole” as the word “Groom” comes from the Old Low Franconian word “Grom”. The physical intimacy of the role naturally led to him becoming a man in whom much confidence was placed by his royal master and with whom many royal secrets were shared as a matter of course. This secret information—while it would never have been revealed, to the discredit of his honour—in turn led to him becoming feared and respected and therefore powerful within the royal court in his own right. The office developed gradually over decades and centuries into one of administration of the royal finances, and under Henry VII, the Groom of the Stool became a powerful official involved in setting national fiscal policy, under the “chamber system”. In the early years of Henry VIII’s reign, the title was awarded to court companions of the king who spent time with him in the privy chamber. These were generally the sons of noblemen or important members of the gentry. In time they came to act as virtual personal secretaries to the king, carrying out a variety of administrative tasks within his private rooms. The position was an especially prized one, as it allowed unobstructed access to the king, “the mere word of the Gentleman of the Privy Chamber was sufficient evidence in itself of the king’s will”, and the Groom of the Stool bore “the indefinable charisma of the monarchy”. By the Tudor age, the Groom of the Stool was a substantial figure like Hugh Denys (d.1511) who was a member of the Gloucestershire gentry, married to an aristocratic wife, and who died possessing at least four manors. The function was transformed into that of a virtual minister of the royal treasury, being then an essential figure in the king’s management of fiscal policy. The office was exclusively one serving male monarchs, so on the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, it was replaced by the First Lady of the Bedchamber, first held by Kat Ashley.\n\n    In British Royal Households, First Lady of the Bedchamber is the title of the highest of the Ladies of the Bedchamber, those holding the official position of personal attendants on a queen or princess. The title had its equivalent in several European royal courts. The position is traditionally held by a female member of a noble family. During the Tudor dynasty (1485-1603), the First Lady of the Bedchamber was called Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber. She had the highest rank among the Ladies of the Bedchamber, and their role was to act as the attendants and companions of the royal woman. The First Lady of the Bedchamber of a queen consort was the equivalent of the post of First Lord of the Bedchamber to a king. The First Lord of the Bedchamber combined his post with the office of Groom of the Stool, who was in charge of the staff of the bedchamber and served as the keeper of the sovereigns stole or official robe. When the sovereign was female, the post of Groom of the Stoles was given to the First Lady of the Bedchamber. This created some confusion between the office of First Lady of the Bedchamber and the office of Mistress of the Robes, who was originally in charge of the queen’s robes or “stoles”. The result was a blur between the offices of First Lady of the Bedchamber and Mistress of the Robes, who were often combined during the 17th-century and 18th-century, until a strict organisation was finally set between them in the 1760s. The office effectively came to an end when it was “neutralised” in 1559. On the accession of James I, the male office was revived as the senior Lord of the Bedchamber, who always was a great nobleman who had considerable power because of its intimate access to the king. During the reign of Charles I, the term “stool” appears to have lost its original signification of chair. The office fell into disuse with the accession of Queen Victoria, though her husband, Prince Albert, and their son, Edward, Prince of Wales employed similar courtiers, now renamed “Groom of the Stole”, from the Latin stola, a long outer garment or robe worn by Roman ladies. Often when the visit of a modern monarch is planned, for example during the construction of a new building, a special royal lavatory pavilion is built for the occasion.\n\n    A close stool was an early type of portable toilet, made in the shape of a cabinet or box at sitting height with an opening in the top. The external structure contained a pewter or earthenware chamberpot to receive the user’s excrement and urine when he or she sat on it; this was normally covered (closed) by a folding lid. “Stool” has two relevant meanings: as a type of seat and as human feces. Close stools were used from the Middle Ages (the Oxford English Dictionary gives the first citation as 1410) until the introduction of the indoor flush toilet. The close stool was sometimes called a necessary stool or a night stool. The eighteenth-century euphemism was convenience; the term was further euphemised in the nineteenth century with the term night commode, which John Gloag suggested may have derived its significance from a design for a “balance night stool” in Thomas Sheraton’s Cabinet Dictionary (London, 1803); Sheraton’s design was “made to have the appearance of a small commode standing upon legs; when it is used the seat part presses down to a proper height by the hand, and afterwards it rises by means of lead weights, hung to the seat, by lines passing over pulleys at each end, all which are enclosed in a case.” This appears to be the link between “commode” as an elegant article of French furniture, and “commode” as a prosaic invalid toilet. “Close stool,” in turn, is itself a euphemism for toilet chair. One meaning of commode survived into the twentieth century to refer to the flush toilet; “toilet” itself originally euphemistic.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6078610420227051}
{"content": "The NHS is attempting to deter GPs from prescribing medicines which are available over the counter for a fraction of the cost.\n\nParacetamol, suncream, cough treatments and indigestion tablets could be included in future reviews.\n\nBut for now, the list includes items which could save the NHS up to £400 million per year.\n\nMark Littlewood, director-general of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: \"Given the financial mess the NHS has found itself in for some years now, it is a wonder these low-cost household products were provided for in the first place - particularly when vital cancer drugs are being rationed.\n\n\"While this review is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough.\n\n\"There will need to be significantly more radical cutbacks and a complete rethink of the system in order to achieve a financially sustainable and efficient health service.\"\n\nHere are some of the items available on prescription that are being considered as part of the consultation:\n\nGluten-free foods\n\n\n\n\nThe amounts of gluten-free staple foods a sufferer can receive each month are controlled by the National Prescribing Guidelines.\n\nTravel vaccines\n\nVaccines for typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera and a combined jab for diptheria, polio and tetanus are usually available free on the NHS.\n\nThe health service offers the vaccinations free of charge because they protect against diseases deemed to present the greatest risk to public health if brought into the country by travellers.\n\nSome countries require visitors to be vaccinated against diseases such as yellow fever or meningitis prior to arrival, while travellers to some parts of the world are advised to have inoculations against a range of other diseases, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis.\n\nThese are not usually available on the NHS and can cost around £50 for each dose.\n\n\nCo-proxamol is used for mild to moderate pain relief is a combination of two active ingredients, dextropropoxyphene and paracetamol, which is typically included as a lower 350mg dose compared with the standard 500mg dose of paracetamol when taken alone.\n\nThere is limited evidence suggesting co-proxamol is more effective at treating pain than a regular dose of paracetamol, for either acute or chronic use.\n\nThere have been previous concerns that the drug has been linked to suicides and poisonings and it was gradually phased out from wide use between 2007 and 2007.\n\nOmega-3 and fish oils\n\nNaturally-occurring oils from certain breeds of fish such as salmon and mackerel have typically been prescribed to promote a healthy heart for patients at risk of heart disease.\n\nThe fatty acid omega-3 usually comes in capsule form and has been used to help prevent irregular heartbeats and reduce the risk of clotting by making the blood less sticky.\n\nHistoric concerns about prescribing omega-3 stem from limited evidence suggesting the fatty acid is effective in capsule form, and little to categorically suggest what a recommended adult daily intake should be.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6462544202804565}
{"content": "Μήνυμα: Δεν δέχεστε cookies που είναι απαιτούμενα για την λειτουργία του Ιστοχώρου.Ελέγξτε τις ρυθμίσεις του Browser σας για την αποδοχή cookies.\n\nWorld of Tanks -TIGER 131 ''Limited edition''\nΕμφάνιση Μεγάλης Εικόνας\n\nWorld of Tanks -TIGER 131 ''Limited edition''\n\nΤιμή μονάδος (Τεμάχιο): €45.00\n\nΜάθετε περισσότερα για το προϊόν\n\nΜοντέλο σε κλίμακα. Αποτελείται από πλαστικά κομμάτια και χρειάζεται συναρμολόγηση και βάψιμο . Type: Tanks Period: Second World War Country: Germany Skill: 3 Model Dim.: 24,0 cm Special LIMITED EDITION of only 1500 pieces Box enriched by hologram with sequential number THE BOX CONTAIN: 1 MODEL KIT - 1 LIQUID CEMENT - 1 TANK GUIDE - 1 POSTER (42x29,7cm) - WORLD oF TANKS DECALS - INVITE CODE - BONUS CODE For a tank that has grown such an amazing reputation, very few real Tigers remain. Only six reasonably complete vehicles still exist and of these Tiger 131 is undoubtedly the most famous. Serial number 250122 came off the Henschel production line in February 1943 and was issued to the 504 Heavy Tank Battalion. In early March it was shipped from Sicily to Tunis as part of Hitler’s belated reinforcement of his North African Army. The tank was captured at the end of April and as the first complete Tiger to be seized in the West, it was filmed and photographed and later brought to Britain for extensive analysis. Why Tiger 131? The tank was issued to the commander of Number 3 Platoon. The number signifies the company, the platoon and the place of the tank within that platoon, hence 131. In 1951 Tiger 131 was passed to the Tank Museum where it has been a popular exhibit ever since. It’s return to working order in the early 2000’s meant it became the only running Tiger 1 and this, in the age of the internet, has led to millions of viewings online of the tank running at events. Its involvement in the Fury movie of 2014 and its appearance in the World of Tanks game has only added to its exposure – making it now probably the most famous tank in the world F Sand 4720AP F.S. 30475 F Olive Drab US Army 4728AP F.S. 34084\n\nΆμεσα Διαθέσιμο!\n\nΚαλαθι Αγορων\n\nΤο Καλάθι σας είναι άδειο.\n\nΑκολουθηστε μας!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9650214314460754}
{"content": "Barclay’s released some interesting data this morning indicating the exponential growth of smart phones as a percentage of total handsets shipped. A corollary to this is a subsequent explosion in mobile data and mobile internet penetration.\n\n\nInterestingly enough, the top sites on mobile phones, according to ComScore, differs from the rest of the web only by having a higher ranking for carrier sites, presumably for checking minutes.\n\n\n\nIn parallel, there has been a huge explosion in the number of mobile apps: 65,000 for Apple alone at last count. Those interactions, and uses of the web, are very different than the uses of the web above.\n\nAs Google in particular articulates that in the end, web-apps will win on the mobile phone instead of dedicated apps. At this point, given that smart phones have some penetration, there doesn’t yet seem to be much evidence that web apps will win. Perhaps the rise of the WebKit browsers in mobile phones and HTML 5 will change all this.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.629631519317627}
{"content": "632,739 profiles already created\n949,765 relationships already tested\n\nJorge Luis Borges\n\nDestiny (Expression) Number 9\n\n\nHe was born on Thursday August 24th 1899, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.\n\n\nJorge Luis Borges is the humanitarian. He is attracted to a cause or a movement whose purpose is to make a better world. Jorge is extremely idealistic, sometimes to the point of being naive about people or methods. He has great compassion and seeks to create a more humane society. Jorge is drawn to those who suffer physically or are at the hand of injustice. He is the righter of wrongs. Jorge Luis Borges' deepest intention is to transform the world.\n\nHe is willing to sacrifice in order to advance his cause. Indeed, this seems to be a theme in Borges' life. From time to time, he finds himself involved in a project whose very life depends upon his willingness to sacrifice something that relates directly to his ego.\n\nJorge Luis Borges is highly idealistic. He is also a visionary, with the ability to influence and direct the masses. Deep inside, Jorge longs for the love and approval of the many, and seeks fame.\n\nPart of Jorge's hunger for fame has to do with his need for validation; Jorge is his own harshest critic.\n\nJorge Luis Borges realizes his greatest satisfaction when he is involved in some activity that directly benefits the public good. Politics, law, protection of the environment, teaching, and healing are areas in which Borges would succeed.\n\nJorge has a broad view of humanity and is not shackled with prejudice. He should have friends and associates from all walks of life, all colors and religious backgrounds. People fascinate and enrich him. A wide diversity of people and experiences stimulate and bring forth qualities within Jorge Luis Borges that would otherwise lay dormant.\n\nHe has an abundance of artistic talent. Many with Jorge's Destiny number find themselves in the arts, especially in literature, painting, and the visual and performing arts.\n\nThe number 9 indicates the completion of a cycle or a block of learning. The 9 Expression suggests that Jorge Luis Borges has reached the point where a breakthrough can occur; during this lifetime Jorge can apply all that he has learned along his evolutionary path and complete a major stage in his development. This is why we find many geniuses with Destiny 9.\n\nJorge Luis Borges has the ability to synthesize many diverse bits of knowledge into a unified whole.\n\nHis appearance is important. Borges is keenly aware of how others perceive him. As a result, others see Jorge as a person with a great deal of control. Conversely, Jorge Luis Borges is charismatic. Despite the cool and distant personality he projects, people are attracted to him.\n\nJorge tends to express his love somewhat impersonally. He tends to be preoccupied with his vision or cause, and sometimes overlook the needs of those closest to him. Borges needs to be reminded to give his love more personally and more openly. Ironically, Jorge Luis Borges is a very loving and sincere person, but often neglectful in expressing what he truly feels.\n\nIn the same way, Jorge can overlook his own needs. He can avoid sharing his deeper feelings, creating a reservoir of emotion. Jorge Luis Borges tends to postpone his personal satisfaction in favor of some larger work. He should try to be more spontaneous and courageous about showing his real self, including his vulnerability.\n\nBorges' basic belief in the goodness of humanity is unshakable. This causes him to encourage the best in people, but occasionally makes him vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Jorge is not a very good judge of character.\n\nThe surest way to personal satisfaction is for Jorge Luis Borges to become part of some larger social cause. His nature is to serve. Jorge is happiest when he feels he is helping to advance the human race.\n\nYou and Jorge\n\nYour Name:\n F  M\nYour Date of Birth:\n\nAbout Jorge's Destiny (Expression) number\n\nThe Destiny number reveals the talents, abilities, and shortcomings that were with Jorge Luis Borges when he entered his human body. His name, and the numbers derived from it, reveals Jorge's development, as well as the talents and issues he will be working with during this life.\n\nRead more about our interpretation of Jorge Luis Borges' destiny (expression) number . . .\n\nOther celebrities with the destiny number 9 as Jorge Luis Borges\n\nPortrait of Luis Fonsi\nPortrait of Emilia Clarke\nPortrait of Emma Watson\nPortrait of Harry Styles\nPortrait of LaVar Ball\nPortrait of Kaley Cuoco\nPortrait of Song Hye-kyo\nPortrait of Alicia Vikander\nPortrait of Frida Kahlo\nPortrait of Natalie Dormer", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5772529244422913}
{"content": "Explain how the Industrial Revolution changed the way Americans lived and worked. \n\nExpert Answers\nmrkirschner eNotes educator| Certified Educator\n\nThe Industrial Revolution in the United States transformed the American culture in many ways. The United States became an urban civilization as farmers and immigrants moved to cities to secure work in the factories. Women left the home or their work as domestic servants to work in the textile factories. Children were also employed in factories in large numbers. Industrialism resulted in lower cost and greater variety of consumer goods available for purchase.\n\nWith the increase in goods that was caused by industrialism, transportation systems were developed to easily move product. At first, it was the river and canal systems, but later the railroads that were utilized to move goods. The result of the improved transportation system is that it made the country seem smaller and created greater cultural cohesion between different regions of the United States. In addition to transportation, communication systems were improved with the telegraph and later the telephone.\n\nThe Industrial Revolution also changed the social class system of the United States. It created a great wealth gap between the workers and the industrialists. Despite this income gap, it did create opportunities for social mobility as a new middle class slowly emerged. This occurred as demand for bankers, managers, and teachers increased because of the factory system.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9846352338790894}
{"content": "Hirenanduru To Tikekarwadi Trains\n\nFollowing is the list of all the trains running between Hirenanduru to TikekarwadiRailwayStations:\nHyderabad bijapur Pass... Hirenanduru 02:48 Tikekarwadi 06:04 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Book\nYou can also check trains from Tikekarwadi to Hirenanduru\n\nHirenanduru to Tikekarwadi Train Tickets | Railway Reservation | Book Online\n\nMore About - Hirenanduru To Tikekarwadi Trains\n\nAre you looking for train from Hirenanduru to Tikekarwadi? If yes, know about some of the major trains that run between these stations. Here are some trains that run from Hirenanduru to Tikekarwadi are Hyderabad bijapur Passenger and etc. You can board your train from different stations such as Hirenanduru. Choose trains that take approximately 3 hrs 16 mins to 3 hours 16 mins. There are different trains passing from various stations from Mumbai. The stations include Hirenanduru( like Hyderabad bijapur Passenger ).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7808242440223694}
{"content": "Type your search query here: \n\nUsing ManageFlitter | Using TeamViewer | Using Cobian Backup | Using RssReader | Using Print Edit | Using PIXLR | Using Spybot | Using Paragon | Using Hola!\n\nUsing Partition Wizard to create an extra drive\n\n\nFrom the above you can see that the F Drive has been created. The 616GB in the F Drive formerly belonged to the C Drive which then had 917GB and now has only 300GB. (The addition is only to facilitate the explanation. Informaticians know that the figures do not really add up as your arithmetic does!)\n\nLet's do it step by step\n\nTo give confidence to the more timid among you I have created a few screenshots using Partition Wizard on my laptop. As my laptop is less \"powerful\" than my desktop, the size of the C: drive (also called partition) is of course smaller than that mentioned earlier. The image below is what you see when you first launch the \"Partition Wizard\" programme. You start by clicking on \"Launch application\".\n\nThis will open a new page which gives the state of the hard disks that are in your laptop (you can see that there are 69.77GB for the C: drive and 69.51GB for the D: drive). As I am going to split the C: drive I click on it to highlight it. When I do this a new page will open, giving all kinds of options on the left pane. Since we are going to create a new drive we will have to choose the \"Split Partition\" option from there. You will see that in the highlighted C: drive, 33.34GB have already been used by the Windows Operating System, leaving 36.43GB free.\n\nThe screenshot below is what you see when you click on \"Split Partition\". You don't have to accept the sizes of the two proposed drives that you see (52.05GB for C: and 17.72GB for F: which is the name of the new drive that has been attributed). It is completely up to you to decide how much data space you want to give to the new drive you are going to create.\n\nIn my case I have decided to give 30GB to the new drive (F:), leaving 40GB for the repartitioned C: drive. To do this I \"seize\" the handle at the middle and \"pull\" it a bit more towards the left. This will decrease the size of C: and increase the size of the F: drive proportionately. The result is what you see in the screenshot below:\n\nHaving gone through all the above steps, if for some reason you are worried and prefer not to make any changes, all you have to do is to close the programme and no changes will be made. But if you want to make the changes make sure you click on \"Apply\" on the top left corner. Only then will your changes be validated. You will be asked to restart your computer so that Partition Wizard will be able to repartition the C: drive into two. It might take some time (nearly 15 minutes in my case) for it to do this. And that's it! The screenshot below shows the new state of the hard disks that are available in my laptop. You might want to compare it with the screenshot when we first started to see the difference.\n\nNote: It might be a good idea to copy the above steps on a piece of paper before you start.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5707678198814392}
{"content": "Ra Paulette What He Reveals Inside This Cave Is Incredible!\n\nRa Paulette has been walking alone into New Mexico’s desert to work.\n\nThe American artist spend’s his time carving a sandstone cave that he found, turning it into a wonderful subterranean space full of light.\n\n\nThe reason for this artwork is to create an environment that would inspire “spiritual renewal and personal well being.”\n\n\n\nRa Paulette was always struck by the relationship between humans, nature, and the inner soul.\n\nA solitary walk through a forest is more than a casual stroll, it becomes an introspective pilgrimage. \n\n\nI guarantee this video will blow your mind.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9771292805671692}
{"content": "Artifact #3\n\nAt the core of a teacher’s practice is their planning. Planning is the process by which a teacher determines the outcomes they seek for their students (whether at a course, unit or daily lesson plan level) and then determines the best plan to allow for students to reach those desired outcomes. Having clear goals is important to making planning purposeful and useful. There were many a time when I planned for a lesson, only to realize after I taught the lesson that I had no clear outcome in mind. This was evident whenever I felt that I did not know where students stood at the end of a lesson in their understanding of a given concept. That lack of feedback informed me of a failure in my planning. A teacher must know where their students stand, as all lessons will fall to the wayside if students are at one place, and the teacher assumes they are at another. The remedy is to backwards plan. With the assessment in mind, a teacher can correctly determine what students will need to know in order to achieve the goals as measured by the assessment. Assessments are ultimately forms of feedback, and the more feedback a teacher has, the better they can adjust to help their students.\n\nTeachers at ConneXions School for the Arts use the Understanding by Design Unit Plan template. This unit plan template (Blank UbD Template, 6b, j, r, v; 7f, g) guides the teacher to plan backwards from their desired outcomes for independent student actions, with assessments that give feedback on how students are reaching those outcomes. At ConneXions our final assessments are known as exhibitions, which ask students to present a final project in front of a panel of teachers (Example Chemistry Exhibition, 6e, g, k, t). This rigorous experience for students must be supported with learning activities that allow students to build skills throughout the semester to achieve high marks on their exhibitions.\n\nIn order to plan for students to achieve the desired outcomes I had for the course, I needed to devise unit plans that were integrated with and built upon one another. To align my units in this matter, I started a course planning document. This is a working document, and I am always tweaking it or changing it based on how the students respond to the course (Course Planning for Technology ’13, 7c, l, p, q). Within a unit, I would develop a learning plan that would sequence how topics were introduced to students and what assessments I would use (whether formative or summative) to determine if students are progressing satisfactorily. All of this would be aligned to objectives from the unit. Here is an example of my alignment of lesson objectives to assessment items for my chemistry class (Cookin’ Chemistry Alignment, 6a, b, o, t, v; 7b, k).\n\nAt the daily lesson plan level, I build in multiple opportunities for student feedback. During a lesson, I utilize a technique known as “whiteboarding” quite often. Students have a dry-erase marker and a sheet protector with a blank paper or a template inside of it. The surface is erasable and students can answer a question on the board, and hold the board up in my direction so that I can give them immediate feedback on whether they got a practice question right or wrong. For example, during a lesson on electrons students were practicing how to determine electron configuration. I created a whiteboard template which allowed students to practice the strategy for determining electron configuration in a non-stakes, safe environment. At the end of a lesson, I normally give an exit ticket based on the lesson (Sample Exit Ticket, 6g, j, t). Students will take the exit ticket on a scantron, which they can then scan with my computer’s camera. Once they do that, they get instant feedback on the assessment and that information is inputted into my master tracker (Instant Feedback and Mastery Tracker, 6l, s, t, v). Sometimes students may not succeed on the exit ticket, and I will reinforce the concept of the lesson by making it part of the catalyst (what I call my “warm-up drill”) the following day (Catalyst, 7f, l, q; 8p, s). This sort of adjustment is important and it helps students realize that it is okay to take time to come to terms with concepts. Once I provide them with reinforcement through flexible planning, they can succeed in my class.\n\nThe teacher must also provide students with multiple modes of expressing their understanding of the content. While I make use of exit tickets, that is one method and I must utilize others to ensure that I am meeting the needs of students who may struggle with multiple choice questions. Students can show their proficiency in many other ways including written products, oral presentations, or a created product (i.e. a PowerPoint presentation or the creation of a chemical compound). In my technology class, I wanted students to show their proficiency in developing a professional PowerPoint presentation. I decided to assign them a project that asked them to create a PowerPoint about themselves and the impact of their community on them. The rubric then outlined exactly what expectations I had for them for the PowerPoint itself, along with the content. The project was a good way for to see how their PowerPoint skills were progressing, and I learned a lot about my students (Community PowerPoint Presentation Rubric, 8a, k, l, m, n, o, q, r). Appealing to student interests and learning styles makes teaching purposeful, effective, and honestly, more exciting.\n\nEven with different assessment methods, many times students are set-up to fail because they are not given equal access to content. Students are unique individuals and they do not all learn in the same fashion. The teacher must provide multiple modes of access to the content. This might include presenting information in written or visual form or having students engage in a laboratory experience. In chemistry class, laboratory experiences have been vital to helping students deal with abstract concepts. In chemistry, there is a section of the curriculum that expects students to understand the behavior of electrons and the effects of their excitation. This is something that happens at a microlevel and students have a hard time understanding how these micro-scale changes play out on a macro-scale. To help students with this concept, I set-up a Flame Test lab that asked students to subject various compounds with varying electronic configurations to a heat source which excites electrons resulting in the production of a distinct flame color. The distinct color allows for identification of unknown compounds, once the colors match. This gave students a practical application of the concept and it was more engaging than reading a lengthy explanation (Flame Test Lab, 8a, g, h, p). Sometimes labs are not appropriate for every learning situation. In those cases, I try to make available to students various modes of access to content. A given lesson in my class will have guided notes (Guided Notes Example, 8a, d, h, p), a graphic organizer (example: Converting Units Organizer, 8e, l, m) and exemplars (example: Community PowerPoint Exemplar Presentation, 8a, d, j) for students to use and reference. Students can use whichever tool they find the most helpful. This is also important for students with individualized education plans, that allows for them to make the use of aids to help them access content. In my lesson plans, I outline which students need such accommodations and I note the types of accommodations they are receiving in the class for that lesson (Lesson Plan IEP Example, 8c, h, q). Planning with all of these things in mind can be difficult, but it has paid off in terms of student engagement and achievement of desired outcomes.\n\nOverall, purposeful planning is key to strong teacher practice. In order to plan well, teachers must receive feedback from students on their progress and they must adjust as needed. Lessons plans which align with the goals of the course must be engaging and provide access to content for all learners. Our students are unique, and that is okay. It is our job to help each of them succeed.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9877380132675171}
{"content": "October Musings, Time Pressure!\n\nWhile the sun continues to shine (at least when I wrote this in early October!), and the afternoons are warm, there is a definite feeling in the air of the change of seasons. Cooler nights, falling leaves, the sun hanging lower in the sky—all of these announce Fall. I have always enjoyed the season of Fall, welcoming cozy evenings with candles and a fire and a pot of soup cooking on the stove. But when my children were young, I can recall this time of year being an incredibly stressful time. The transition back to school or other daily routines, early mornings, and long full days of activities was hard to adjust to after the slowness of summer. There was a sense of there never being enough time to do the things we wanted, in the relaxed way that we wanted.\n\nIn my practice, I often hear parents talking about their struggle with having enough time to do everything they feel they need to, or their struggle to be on time to school, work and other activities. Mornings become a time of anxiety and mounting frustration as the clock ticks off the minutes and your toddler runs defiantly away from you, kicking off the shoes you finally got on.  Or your preschooler has decided to see how many bites she can get out of one waffle which means eating very, very slowly.   Or perhaps your kindergartner decides that you are the meanest parent in the world and they have a meltdown about brushing teeth.\n\nFor some perspective, remember that humans survived for thousands of years without knowing the “time” beyond when it got dark and light. Our current adherence to minutes (seconds!!) is a relatively recent phenomenon. It is one that is not a good match for the clock that young children run on. Children’s sense of time is fluid, in the moment and without awareness of the consequences of their actions.   They can be amazing models of the concept of mindfulness as they embrace the present.\n\nWhile we do want to support our kids as they learn about time, sometimes it is helpful to shift our expectations and be with them in their perception of time. Try an experiment with a “time-free” day or block of time. Imagine not having  the pressure of needing to be somewhere at a certain time. Activities can simply last as long as they do.   Getting dressed is optional, and empty stomachs decide when it’s time to eat. A “time-free” experience means that no one uses the clock to determine what happens next. Cell phones are off, clocks face the wall, digital read-outs are taped over. Or perhaps you are out and about and consciously ignore any indicators of time, letting interest decide what happens next.   This experience can be quite challenging for adults who have learned to construct their lives according to time. Try it and see what you notice!\n\nWhile time-free days can be wonderful, we do live in a society where there are expectations about things happening at a certain time. So what can you do when you are finding yourself getting frazzled by time pressure? Read on for some ideas!\n\nWhen you are moving through the morning routine and glance at the clock to see you are now running late, first take a deep breath. Try to reduce the stress in your body which dictates that you have to do something about this such as yell at your child to hurry up, or snap at your toddler when they insist on doing something themselves. As a mom said in a group recently about being late to school—“I mean really, I just need to remember, this is PRESCHOOL. In the big scheme of things, being late to preschool is not something to get stressed out about.” Not to say that there aren’t times when being late does have big consequences (e.g. big work presentation) but hopefully those times are few and far between.\n\nIf running late happens repeatedly, then this is information you can use to explore making changes in your morning routine. Perhaps try laying clothes out the night before…in your bedroom so when your child gets dressed they don’t see potentially distracting play items. Or change your clocks forward so you have 15 minutes extra time in the morning. Or tell yourself a different start time (school really starts at 8:45 instead of 9:00!) and work towards that time. This gives you a little leeway to handle unexpected drama in the morning.\n\nOften the investment of a little time to understand just why it is so important that your child find matching purple socks can actually get you out the door sooner (who knew that they had made an agreement with a friend that they would BOTH have purple socks on and surprise their teacher). Try saying something like: “Help me understand why this is important.” Or, “I can see this is really important to you. What can I do to help?” Or even, “Hmmm. You feel very strongly that you need more time to finish your project but I’m noticing that school starts in 15 minutes…and it takes us 15 minutes to get to school. What should we do?”\n\nWatch out for emotionally-driven directives. Become aware that when we have strong emotions, such as anger or frustration, there is often an accompanying sense of urgency. Something has to be done! Now!  If you can work at reducing your tension level you may notice that the sense of urgency will go away. Your child will not turn into an axe murderer if you don’t immediately “do something” about the fact that they just pushed their little brother on the way to the car. You are more apt to find a good response if you take a moment to get yourself dialed down before responding to your child.\n\nInvite your child to participate in a conversation about time/being late. Maybe you will arrive somewhere and notice that yours is the last car to pull up. You can have a conversation about this and what it means with your child/ren.   “Wow! The parking lot is pretty empty. Looks like all your friends are here.” (pause, refrain from desire to lecture child with comments about how if they had only…..then you wouldn’t be late). Perhaps ask, with curiosity,(for kids who are verbal)  “what works for you about being late?   What is hard for you?” Try to listen to your child’s response. Perhaps being late does work for them because they don’t like how busy and stimulating it feels with everyone else around when you are on time. Or maybe they enjoy making a grand entrance and having the attention of the class focus on them (or perhaps this is the part that is hard?). Take a moment to connect with your child and invite them into the conversation. Then you can always offer a hug–it only take a few seconds but leave lasting impressions.\n\nMost of all, take a deep breath and remember what is truly important to you. Will rushing, and being late truly have the consequences you think? Yes, others may notice you are late to school. Yes, your child may be the last one there. And the only one in pajamas. Without shoes. But again, this is preschool. Or daycare. Or elementary school. Perhaps the message you are sending is that you value your relationship with your child more than what others may think of you. And your child is getting the message that your relationship with them is important, and you will respect what is important to them.  A pretty good recipe for raising respectful kids!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9057083129882812}
{"content": "Meridian - Crafted for a Lifetime\n\nA film exploring Meridian’s uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship and innovation and its passion for making the highest quality products. \"We achieve this by being absolutely dedicated to the highest quality craftsmanship. Designed and built solely in the UK the team here know every single element of every product inside out.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8137537837028503}
{"content": "Skip to main content\nMedicine LibreTexts\n\n1.3: What Are Nutrients?\n\nLearning Objective\n\n  • Define the word “nutrient” and identify the six classes of nutrients essential for health.\n  • List the three energy-yielding nutrients and their energy contribution.\n\nWhat is in Food?\n\nThe foods we eat contain nutrients. Nutrients are substances required by the body to perform its basic functions. Nutrients must be obtained from diet, since the human body does not synthesize them. Nutrients are used to produce energy, detect and respond to environmental surroundings, move, excrete wastes, respire (breathe), grow, and reproduce. There are six classes of nutrients required for the body to function and maintain overall health. These are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, water, vitamins, and minerals. Foods also contain nonnutrients that may be harmful (such as cholesterol, dyes, and preservatives) or beneficial (such as antioxidants).\n\nFigure 1.3.1: The Six Classes of Nutrients. Source:\n\n\n\n\nCarbohydrates are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The major food sources of carbohydrates are grains, milk, fruits, and starchy vegetables like potatoes. Nonstarchy vegetables also contain carbohydrates, but in lesser quantities. Carbohydrates are broadly classified into two forms based on their chemical structure: fast-releasing carbohydrates, often called simple sugars, and slow-releasing carbohydrates.\n\n\nFigure 1.3.2: The Macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Protein, and Water\n\nSlow-releasing carbohydrates are long chains of simple sugars that can be branched or unbranched. During digestion, the body breaks down all slow-releasing carbohydrates to simple sugars, mostly glucose. Glucose is then transported to all our cells where it is stored, used to make energy, or used to build macromolecules. Fiber is also a slow-releasing carbohydrate, but it cannot be broken down in the human body and passes through the digestive tract undigested unless the bacteria that inhabit the gut break it down.\n\nOne gram of carbohydrates yields four kilocalories of energy for the cells in the body to perform work. In addition to providing energy and serving as building blocks for bigger macromolecules, carbohydrates are essential for proper functioning of the nervous system, heart, and kidneys. As mentioned, glucose can be stored in the body for future use. In humans, the storage molecule of carbohydrates is called glycogen and in plants it is known as starches. Glycogen and starches are slow-releasing carbohydrates.\n\n\nLipids are also a family of molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but unlike carbohydrates, they are insoluble in water. Lipids are found predominately in butter, oils, meats, dairy products, nuts, and seeds, and in many processed foods. The three main types of lipids are triglycerides (triacylglycerols), phospholipids, and sterols. The main job of lipids is to store energy. Lipids provide more energy per gram than carbohydrates (nine kilocalories per gram of lipids versus four kilocalories per gram of carbohydrates). In addition to energy storage, lipids serve as cell membranes, surround and protect organs, aid in temperature regulation, and regulate many other functions in the body.\n\n\n\n\nThere is one other nutrient that we must have in large quantities: water. Water does not contain carbon, but is composed of two hydrogens and one oxygen per molecule of water. More than 60 percent of your total body weight is water. Without it, nothing could be transported in or out of the body, chemical reactions would not occur, organs would not be cushioned, and body temperature would fluctuate widely. On average, an adult consumes just over two liters of water per day from food and drink. According to the “rule of threes,” a generalization supported by survival experts, a person can survive three minutes without oxygen, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Since water is so critical for life’s basic processes, the amount of water input and output is supremely important, a topic we will explore in detail in Chapter 7.\n\n\nMicronutrients are nutrients required by the body in lesser amounts, but are still essential for carrying out bodily functions. Micronutrients include all the essential minerals and vitamins. There are sixteen essential minerals and thirteen vitamins (See Table 1.3.1 and Table 1.3.2 for a complete list and their major functions). In contrast to carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, micronutrients are not directly used for making energy, but they assist in the process as being part of enzymes (i.e., coenzymes). Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in the body and are involved in all aspects of body functions from producing energy, to digesting nutrients, to building macromolecules. Micronutrients play many roles in the body.\n\n\n\nTable 1.3.1: Minerals and Their Major Functions\nMinerals Major Functions\nSodium Fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction\nChloride Fluid balance, stomach acid production\nPotassium Fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction\nPhosphorus Bone and teeth health maintenance, acid-base balance\nMagnesium Protein production, nerve transmission, muscle contraction\nSulfur Protein production\nIron Carries oxygen, assists in energy production\nIodine Thyroid hormone production, growth, metabolism\nSelenium Antioxidant\nCopper Coenzyme, iron metabolism\nManganese Coenzyme\nFluoride Bone and teeth health maintenance, tooth decay prevention\nChromium Assists insulin in glucose metabolism\nMolybdenum Coenzyme\n\n\n\nTable 1.3.2: Vitamins and Their Major Functions\nVitamins Major Functions\nB1 (thiamine) Coenzyme, energy metabolism assistance\nB2 (riboflavin) Coenzyme, energy metabolism assistance\nB3 (niacin) Coenzyme, energy metabolism assistance\nB5 (pantothenic acid) Coenzyme, energy metabolism assistance\nB6 (pyroxidine) Coenzyme, amino acid synthesis assistance\nBiotin Coenzyme\nFolate Coenzyme, essential for growth\nB12 (cobalamin) Coenzyme, red blood cell synthesis\nC Collagen synthesis, antioxidant\nA Vision, reproduction, immune system function\nD Bone and teeth health maintenance, immune system function\nE Antioxidant, cell membrane protection\nK Bone and teeth health maintenance, blood clotting\n\nVitamin deficiencies can cause severe health problems. For example, a deficiency in niacin causes a disease called pellagra, which was common in the early twentieth century in some parts of America. The common signs and symptoms of pellagra are known as the “4D’s—diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and death.” Until scientists found out that better diets relieved the signs and symptoms of pellagra, many people with the disease ended up in insane asylums awaiting death (Video 1.3.1). Other vitamins were also found to prevent certain disorders and diseases such as scurvy (vitamin C), night blindness (vitamin A), and rickets (vitamin D).\n\nVideo 1.3.1: This video provides a brief history of Dr. Joseph Goldberger’s discovery that pellagra was a diet-related disease.\n\nFood Energy and Food Quality\n\nThough this is only Chapter 1, you have already seen the words \"Calories\" and \"Energy\" used several times.  In everyday life you have probably heard people talk about how many Calories they burned on the treadmill or how many Calories are listed on a bag of chips.  Calories, are a measure of energy.  It takes quite a lot of Calories (energy) to keep us alive.  Even if a person is in a coma, they still burn approximately 1000 Calories of energy in order for: their heart to beat, their blood to circulate, their lungs to breathe, etc... We burn even more calories when we exercise.  The carbohydrates, fats and proteins we eat and drink provide calories for us (and alcohol as well if we choose to consume it).  Sometimes people refer to these nutrients as \"energy yielding\".  As you read above, carbohydrates provide 4 Calories for every gram we consume; proteins provide 4 Calories for every gram we consume; fats provide 9 Calories for every gram we consume and alcohol provides 7 Calories of energy for every gram we consume.  Vitamins, minerals and water do not provide any calories, even though they are still essential nutrients.  Please watch the following Ted Ed video called \"What is a Calorie\" which will describe in more detail what a Calorie is and why you may want to know how many Calories you are consuming compared to how many you are burning each day.  \n\nOne measurement of food quality is the amount of nutrients it contains relative to the amount of energy (Calories) it provides. High-quality foods are nutrient dense, meaning they contain lots of the nutrients relative to the amount of Calories they provide. Nutrient-dense foods are the opposite of “empty-calorie” foods such as carbonated sugary soft drinks, which provide many calories and very little, if any, other nutrients. Food quality is additionally associated with its taste, texture, appearance, microbial content, and how much consumers like it.\n\nFood: A Better Source of Nutrients\n\nIt is better to get all your micronutrients from the foods you eat as opposed to from supplements. Supplements contain only what is listed on the label, but foods contain many more macronutrients, micronutrients, and other chemicals, like antioxidants that benefit health. While vitamins, multivitamins, and supplements are a $20 billion industry in this country and more than 50 percent of Americans purchase and use them daily, there is no consistent evidence that they are better than food in promoting health and preventing disease. Dr. Marian Neuhouser, associate of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, says that “…scientific data are lacking on the long-term health benefits of supplements. To our surprise, we found that multivitamins did not lower the risk of the most common cancers and also had no impact on heart disease.”Woodward, K. “Multivitamins Each Day Will Not Keep Common Cancers Away; Largest Study of Its Kind Provides Definitive Evidence that Multivitamins Will Not Reduce Risk of Cancer or Heart Disease in Postmenopausal Women.” Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Center News 16 (February 2009).\n\nKey Takeaways\n\n  • Foods contain nutrients that are essential for our bodies to function.\n  • One measurement of food quality is the amount of essential nutrients a food contains relative to the amount of energy it has (nutrient density).\n\nDiscussion Starters\n\n  1. Make a list of some of your favorite foods and visit the “What’s In the Foods You Eat?” search tool provided by the USDA. What are some of the nutrients found in your favorite foods?\n\n  2. Have a discussion in class on the “progression of science” and its significance to human health as depicted in the video on pellagra (Video 1.3.1).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8354994058609009}
{"content": "Remedial Massage and Myotherapy for RSI\n\nmelbourne remedial massage\nRemedial Massage MelbourneWhat is RSI?\n\nRSI is an overuse injury, it happens from repetition of the same movements causing inflammation and damage to the soft tissues (muscles, nerves, tendons and tendon sheaths etc.)\n\nHow Can Remedial Massage or Myotherapy at Melbourne Natural Therapies Help?\n\nOur Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists use many different techniques to alleviate RSI symptoms including deep tissue massage, cupping, trigger point therapy, dry needling and low level laser therapy. Depending on your specific presentation our therapists will design a treatment program based on your individual issue. RSI is an umbrella term covering many different issues and as such each individual will find different treatment works for them.\n\nOur Remedial massage therapists and Myotherapists will also give you home maintenance stretches and exercises to facilitate healing in the early stages and minimise the risk of the symptoms returning. As RSI is caused by repetitive actions that are generally part of our daily activities, clients find it hard (if not impossible) to cease these actions, so it is vital to implement a maintenance regime to manage RSI and prevent recurrence.\n\nPrevention Is Better Than Cure!\n\nWhen the symptoms of RSI are present you have already created substantial damage and inflammation to the area, this can mean much more treatment is necessary to get the condition back to a manageable state. Clients that manage their RSI with home exercise and stretches end up seeing us a lot less over the years which is much better for their bodies and their wallets.\n\nWhat Can I Do?\n\nTake Breaks\nThis is really important! However just taking a break isn’t enough, make sure you get some movement during your break such as rolling shoulders and wrists and walk if you can.\n\nUse good posture\nThis is a tricky one. The question is, what is good posture? This is different for everyone so the best thing is to have your posture assessed. Some businesses have a staff member that takes care of this, if you don’t you can speak to our practitioner Cal Savage.\n\nUse an ergonomically designed workstation.\nOnce again hopefully your work has an ergonomist. If not feel free to ask us what we can do for your business. \n\nExercise regularly\nDoing nothing all week and then pushing yourself at the weekends is likely to do more harm than good and may increase your chances of injury. In the long run, regular gentle to moderate exercise is going to be more useful for muscles health, flexibility, wellbeing and enjoyment!\n\nOnly use the computer as much as you have to\nI know this sounds obvious but maybe have a think about the things you could do during your day that could be done off the computer. Also in your time outside work hours try to enjoy activities that keep you away from the computer. Sorry but pokemon go isn’t a great choice for hands, wrists, arms and neck posture!\n\nIf you are experiencing RSI feel free to give us a call and book in for a free assessment.\n\nMelbourne Combined Natural Therapies\n03 9645 9923\n\nRemedial Massage Bookings Still Available\n\nFor Today With Rani", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6091269254684448}
{"content": "In Brief\n\n18 March 2015\n\nVibrating magnetic balls stimulate brain wirelessly\n\nIT’S time for a shake-up. There is a new way to stimulate the brain, using tiny vibrating particles.\n\nThe technique is a twist on deep brain stimulation, which involves sticking electrodes into the brain to prompt neurons to fire. It has shown promise for treating illnesses including Parkinson’s and depression, but can’t be done without invasive surgery.\n\nTo see if she could take the electrodes out of the picture, Polina Anikeeva at MIT turned to cellular receptors called TRPV1. These make nerve cells fire when exposed to high temperatures or the heat created by eating chillies. What if it were possible to remotely stimulate the receptors?\n\nOne way of doing this is to inject magnetic nanoparticles into the brain and apply an oscillating magnetic field. As the jostling nanoparticles align with the field, they give off heat that TRPV1 receptors on neurons pick up – causing them to fire.\n\n\nAnikeeva’s team tested their technique on three mice. A month later, the nanoparticles – which are approved for use in people – were still able to stimulate the brain. The team are now monitoring the mice to see how long the effects last and how safe the technique is in the long term (Science,", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5706309080123901}
{"content": "Soft Magnetic Nanocrystalline Alloys: Materials and Models\n\nBy: Victorino Franco, Material Matters, 2016, 11.4\n\nVictorino Franco\nDepartamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, ICMSE-CSIC\nUniversidad de Sevilla, P.O. Box 1065, 41080, Sevilla, Spain\n\n\nMagnetic materials permeate numerous daily activities in our lives.1 They are essential components of a diversity of products including hard drives that reliably store information on our computers, decorative magnets that keep the shopping list attached to the refrigerator door, electric bicycles that speed our commute to work, as well as wind turbines for conversion of wind energy to electrical power. While permanent magnets require materials that maintain their magnetization even under the influence of external stimuli, soft magnetic materials can easily change their magnetization when external conditions require it. Permanent magnets require the magnetization vs. field hysteresis loop, M(H), to be broad, with a large coercive field in order to allow energy to be stored in the material. In contrast, soft magnetic materials require a narrow hysteresis loop, which implies the use of small amounts of energy to magnetize the material. As the area of the loop is related to energy losses during the cyclic magnetization of the material, a low coercive field implies better energy efficiency of the final application in which the soft magnetic material is used.\n\nIn addition to saturation magnetization (Ms), the most relevant properties of soft magnetic materials are the coercive field (Hc) and the magnetic permeability (μr). Maximizing Ms and μr uses less material to achieve the same value of magnetic moment (Ms) and a larger response to the excitation field (μr). In contrast, optimized soft magnetic materials have the lowest possible value of Hc. From a practical point of view, large values of μr imply that permeability and susceptibility (χ) are interchangeable for the purpose of describing the properties of the material, expressed as μr = 1 + χ ≈ χ. In addition, large susceptibility requires additional attention when characterizing the magnetic material. The magnetic field sensed by the sample, the internal field Hi, is not directly the applied field Ha, but rather depends on the demagnetizing factor (N) of the sample: Hi = Ha – NM. If we disregard the difference between internal and applied fields and we consider that the apparent susceptibility of the sample (χa) associates magnetization and applied field (instead of relating magnetization and internal field, which stands for the intrinsic susceptibility of the material, χ) we obtain:\n\n\nTherefore, for samples with large values of N made of materials with a large value of χ, the apparent susceptibility does not depend on the actual value of the susceptibility of the material, but only on the demagnetizing factor, as: χa ≈ 1/N (Equation 2).\n\nThus, the measurement is exclusively dependent on the shape of the sample. To avoid this artifact, geometries that minimize N, such as long wires magnetized along their axis, planar samples magnetized in plane, or toroids magnetized along the toroidal direction are best used. As a direct consequence of Equation 2, the internal field is cancelled, shielding the magnetic field from a spatial region. In fact, a cage made using a soft magnetic material with large susceptibility provides a path for the magnetic field, minimizing its value in the interior of the cage. This explains why mu-metal®, with relative permeability values on the order of 500,000, is used in this type of application.\n\nScientific publications on soft magnets have steadily increased over the past decades. For example, the discovery of the alloy FINEMET® with its outstanding soft magnetic properties has made the field more attractive to researchers.2 A comparison between the number of papers published on soft magnets to those on hard, or permanent magnets (Figure 1), shows the latter field has been more active in recent years. The accelerating research on soft magnetic nanocrystalline materials in Asia is considered a major driver of growth in the field. This heightened interest has generated an increased demand for and consumption of electrical steel since 2008, promoting the installation of new transformers to improve grid reliability and reduce energy losses. The connection between energy efficiency and soft magnets will help to move soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloy research back into the forefront in the future.\n\nThis article provides a brief overview of soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloys. As indicated above, a main goal of optimizing these materials is to obtain the lowest possible coercivity. Here, we review the most important families of nanocrystalline soft magnets with a description of their typical properties and how their composition and processing allow the optimization of these properties. Finally, we present an outlook of potential future fields of interest.\n\nEvolution of the number of publications appearing in Science Citation Index Expanded on soft magnetic materials\n\nFigure 1. Evolution of the number of publications appearing in Science Citation Index Expanded on soft magnetic materials and permanent magnets since 1980. The search string used for the search is provided in the labels.\n\n\nDesired Properties\n\nThe dependence of coercivity on crystal size exhibits two different behavioral regimes. The traditional method of decreasing coercivity in soft magnetic materials has historically been to increase grain size because this decreases the amount of grain boundaries that act as pinning centers for the domain walls. By increasing grain size from 100 nm to 100 μm, it is possible to decrease Hc from ~10,000 A/m to values on the order of 1 A/m. The counter-example of this approach appeared with the emergence of amorphous and nanocrystalline materials. By decreasing grain size to values on the order of 10 nm or even making the solid amorphous, coercivity decreases to reach values comparable to those of very large crystals. Taking into account that an amorphous structure is, by definition, full of defects, the previous argument of decreasing coercivity with decreasing concentration of defects no longer holds true. This characteristic behavior can be explained with the Random Anisotropy Model (RAM) of Alben, Becker, and Chi3 and has been applied to nanocrystalline alloys by Herzer.4\n\nRandom Anisotropy Model: An Explanation Based on Analogies\n\nA formal explanation of the RAM remains elusive for researchers more interested in material properties than in the development of physical models. However, understanding the physics behind the model can help in designing materials with the desired performance. We use several analogies taken from everyday life to grasp the concept of RAM. The message here is that the existence of very different length scales in the sample is responsible for the vanishing effective anisotropy of the amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, which gives rise to extremely low coercivity values.\n\nThe first example takes us on a walk to a traditional monument found in many old cities, like Sevilla. Many of these ancient cities have patios with a floor made of numerous pebbles. When walking on top of these floors, those wearing high heels will typically have more difficulty walking than those wearing flat-soled shoes. The most reasonable explanation for this circumstance is that high heels have a typical size comparable to the pebbles and the gaps between them so they detect the discrete maximum and minimum heights of the floor. Flat shoes average the irregularities and allow us to walk more steadily because the heel is much longer than the pebbles and gaps.\n\nAnother example uses two refrigerator magnets with the same characteristics (ideally, two identical ones). Magnets of this type are fabricated using polymer-bonded ferromagnetic particles with a domain structure consisting of a set of stripes pointing outward and inward on one side, with the other side containing closure domains. The side with the closure domains is typically decorated and will not stick to the fridge. When one magnet is placed directly on top of the other with the same orientation (decorated sides facing the exterior), the magnets stick together. However when one magnet is slid perpendicular to the stripe domain, the upper magnet jumps as it moves along the attractive and repulsive regions with a periodicity corresponding to twice the domain width. As both the upper and lower magnets have the same characteristic length, i.e., the width of the domains, the system samples energy maxima and minima and they are detected macroscopically. This can be felt in our hands when trying to move the magnets, often producing a sound due to the abrupt attaching and detaching of the flexible laminae. However, if we rotate the upper magnet 90° with respect to the lower magnet, in a perpendicular orientation of the stripe domains of both laminae, the movement in any direction becomes smooth. It is not because the local maxima and minima have disappeared. There are still regions where equal poles face each other and therefore repel, as well as areas in which opposite poles lie on top of each other, creating attraction. The difference with respect to the previous situation is that any position of the upper magnet samples the same amount of attractive and repelling areas. The periodicity of the lower magnet remains the width of the domains, while the periodicity of the upper magnet turns to the length of the magnet. As one is much larger than the other, we cannot macroscopically detect the local energy difference and the magnets displace smoothly, similar to the flat-soled shoes on the pebbled patio.\n\nA Simple Model for Nanocrystalline Alloys\n\nNanocrystalline alloys also can be modeled in a simple fashion as an ensemble of single domain nanoparticles (shown as squares in Figure 2A) with a typical grain size of 10 nm and with randomly oriented easy axes. Even if Fe-based nanocrystals have cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy, we consider uniaxial anisotropy in the current model. We will show that the effective anisotropy is almost averaged to zero, thus this assumption of symmetry does not affect our conclusion. Consider the case in which the domain size (connected to the magnetic correlation length and marked as a thick white square in Figure 2B) is comparable to the structural correlation length (the grain size in Figure 2A). Assuming we have a domain in which the magnetization is oriented in the horizontal direction inside the white square, we color code the anisotropy energy of the different crystals from blue (minimal anisotropy energy) to red (maximal anisotropy energy). It is easy to see in the figure that it is not equivalent to displace this domain in all directions, since in some cases we gain blue squares (when moving to the right), while we don’t notice a remarkable difference in red or blue when moving up because there is anisotropy in the displacement of the domain. When we progressively decrease grain size while keeping the domain size constant, differences in energy will become gradually smaller when we move the domain in any direction, becoming negligible below a certain grain size. Each grain has its own anisotropy energy, but the system as a whole does not present anisotropy. In order to perform this simulation more quantitatively, we create different grids using different ratios of grain size to domain size and place the correlated domain at all positions in the grid, calculating the total value of energy in each position and the difference between maximal and minimal energy values for each of the grids. When we plot the difference in energy as a function of the number of particles inside each domain, N, we clearly observe a decreasing trend that can be fit to a 1 / law. Taking into account, for this model, anisotropy is a function of the difference in energy for each position of the domain inside the  grid, we observe that the effective anisotropy, K*, corresponds to K* = K / ,where K is the anisotropy of the crystals. This is the same result formally obtained from the RAM and originates from the difference between the magnetic correlation length and the structural correlation length. As a consequence of this discussion, when particle size decreases noticeably below the exchange correlation length, the effective anisotropy decreases toward zero and makes coercivity practically null.\n\nThis simplistic explanation, while keeping the essence of the phenomenology, was improved by also considering nanocrystalline alloys are not only formed by the nanocrystals, but they are two-phase systems in which the nanocrystals are embedded in a residual amorphous matrix, which is also ferromagnetic. More sophisticated models for multiphase materials have been developed5,6 that also include the contributions of magnetoelastic energy.\n\nSet of Lc-sized particles with randomly oriented uniaxial anisotropy\n\nFigure 2. A) Set of Lc-sized particles with randomly oriented uniaxial anisotropy. B) Color-coded energy of such crystals if their magnetization is horizontal, showing one particular size of the magnetic correlation length Lm. C) Relative differences in energy of the correlated region when placed in all different areas of the ensemble, as a function of the number of crystals inside the correlated region (by altering the Lm/Lc ratio); inset: logarithmic plot and linear fit to the data, showing 1 / dependence.\n\n\nSoft Magnetic Nanocrystalline Alloys\n\nAs indicated in the previous section, obtaining materials in which the exchange correlation length is much larger than the structural correlation length will lead to effective magnetic anisotropies that are negligible when compared to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the bulk material. In practice, this can be achieved by controlled crystallization of a precursor amorphous alloy.\n\nA major breakthrough in this research field took place with the discovery of the FINEMET® alloy by Yoshizawa, Oguma and Yamaguchi in 1988.2 This alloy is formed from Fe, Si, and B, with small additions of Cu and Nb, and has a typical alloy composition of Fe73.5Si13.5B9Cu1Nb3. The alloy is usually fabricated using rapid solidification techniques such as melt spinning in order to obtain an amorphous precursor with the desired composition. At this stage of the fabrication process, the role of B is to increase the glassforming ability of the precursor alloy. Subsequently, the obtained ribbons are submitted to controlled annealing, typically 1 h at temperatures on the order of 500 °C in order to obtain the desired microstructure of α-FeSi nanocrystals with a typical grain size of 10 nm embedded in a residual ferromagnetic amorphous matrix. The role of Cu is to favor the nucleation of the nanocrystals via segregation either prior to or at the early stages of nanocrystallization. Conversely, the slow diffusing Nb accumulates at the boundaries of the emerging nanocrystals and hinders grain growth.\n\nThis special microstructure creates the optimal soft magnetic properties found in this type of alloy; the nanocrystals couple magnetically through the amorphous ferromagnetic matrix in which they are embedded, making the magnetic correlation length much larger than the size of the nanocrystals and averaging the magnetocrystalline anisotropy down to zero. Nevertheless, magnetocrystalline anisotropy is not the only source of coercivity. Magnetoelastic anisotropy also plays an important role. However, the different sign of the saturation magnetostriction constant of the two ferromagnetic phases (negative for the nanocrystals, positive for the amorphous matrix) means that, for a proper amount of the crystalline fraction, this source of anisotropy also vanishes. This makes FINEMET one of the softest materials known to date, with coercivities under 1 A/m. Compositional variations of the alloy produce slightly different Si content in the nanocrystals, altering the value of their magnetostriction constant. This modifies the overall magnetic anisotropy and alters either the optimal crystalline fraction to minimize coercivity, or prevents the overall magnetostriction from vanishing.7\n\nThe dependence of coercivity on annealing temperature, i.e., changing microstructure, is illustrated in Figure 3.8 As cast, the amorphous alloy is considered soft for most applications. Annealing at temperatures below the first crystallization stage produces a decrease of coercivity due to stress relaxation processes, diminishing magnetoelastic anisotropy. The appearance of the first nanocrystals increases coercivity by acting as pinning centers for the domain walls and by inducing new stresses in the sample. Increasing annealing temperature further increases the crystalline volume fraction. When the fraction is large enough, the nanocrystals are magnetically coupled through the ferromagnetic amorphous matrix, averaging the magnetocrystalline anisotropy according to the random anisotropy model extended to two-phase systems.5,6 Finally, the onset of the second crystallization stage, with the precipitation of highly anisotropic iron boride type phases, increases coercivity to such an extent the material is of no use as a soft magnet.\n\nAnnealing temperature dependence of room temperature coercivity\n\nFigure 3. Annealing temperature dependence of room temperature coercivity and initial susceptibility of Fe76Cu1Nb3Si10.5B9.5 alloy.\n\n\nFabrication and Processing\n\nThe most common methods for obtaining nanocrystalline microstructure include either conventional annealing in a furnace or Joule-heating/flash annealing, i.e., passing a current through a sample in order to heat it in a controlled fashion. The latter method has been proven useful in reducing the brittleness of the nanocrystalline samples9 and is also combined with the simultaneous application of mechanical stress.10 Processing the alloy under the combined effect of temperature and magnetic field is also useful for inducing anisotropy in the alloys and, therefore, controlling the shape of the hysteresis loop, making them more appropriate for certain applications.11–13\n\nAlthough there have been attempts to produce these ultra-soft nanocrystalline alloys using mechanical alloying of pure elemental powders, the coercivity of these powders is considerably higher than that obtained for ribbon-shaped samples.14 The increase in magnetoelastic anisotropy due to the additional microstrains and the reduced mobility of domain walls as a result of the size of the powder particles are the main causes of the increased coercivity. It is also important to consider the difficulties in incorporating B into the alloy, despite starting from amorphous or crystalline B powders.15\n\nCompositional Effects\n\nIn recent years, there have been numerous studies on the influence of composition on the soft magnetic properties of amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys. Due to the necessary brevity of this paper, the reader is referred to the literature for more comprehensive reviews.16,17 In addition to the FINEMET® alloy and its variations already mentioned in this paper, the three most relevant families of nanocrystalline alloys for soft magnetic applications are NANOPERM®, HITPERM, and NANOMET®. NANOPERM alloys have a typical composition of Fe88Zr7B4Cu.18,19 The larger Fe content and the lesser amount of B increases its saturation magnetization with respect to FINEMET alloys. The nanocrystalline phase consists in α-Fe, in contrast to the FINEMET alloy which also contained Si in the nanocrystals. This has made these alloys a preferred system for the study of the nanocrystallization process via Mossbauer spectroscopy.20\n\nHITPERM alloys were designed as high-temperature soft magnetic materials.21 Their original composition was Fe44Co44Zr7B4Cu, in which Co serves two purposes. On one hand, it helps to maximize the magnetic moment, as Fe-Co alloys are at the top of the Slater-Pauling curve. On the other hand, Co increases the Curie temperature of both the residual amorphous phase and the nanocrystals (which are α-FeCo and α’-FeCo) and allows the operation of HITPERM alloys at much larger temperatures than the other families. But for high temperature applications, the challenge is not only connected to the Curie temperature of the phases, but since we are dealing with metastable materials, we also have to take into account the temperature at which microstructural transformation will take place. This family of alloys fulfills both requirements.\n\nThe latest addition to the families of soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloys is the NANOMET alloy, with typical composition Fe83.3–84.3Si4B8P3–4Cu0.7.22 NANOMET was developed to increase the saturation magnetization and minimize material cost by reducing or eliminating the metallic additions of Nb, Zr, Mo, and Cu which were usually required in the alloy families in order to achieve the nanocrystalline microstructure. These nanocrystalline alloys show high saturation magnetization, comparable to the commercial Fe-Si crystalline soft magnetic alloys, and low coercivity.\n\nRegardless of the alloy family, nanocrystalline soft magnets must be optimized for specific operating conditions. A material with good performance at room temperature will most likely not be suitable for cryogenic applications. Cryogenic application studies of the compositional effects in the (Fe,Si,Al)NbBCu alloy series show that proper selection of the Fe:Si:Al ratio allows for the optimal combination of high saturation magnetization, low coercivity, and large electrical resistivity at liquid nitrogen temperatures.23 In another recent example, the Curie temperature of amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys was tuned by compositional variation of the Co:Ni ratio in the Fe882xCoxNixZr7B4Cu1 alloy series with the aim of analyzing the potential of Fe-based amorphous alloys for room temperature magnetic refrigeration.24 The Fe88–2xCoxNixZr7B4Cu1 alloy series exhibits the largest refrigerant capacity (RC) of Fe-based amorphous alloys found to date, while still keeping one of the largest magnetic entropy changes among Fe-based amorphous alloys. For magnetic refrigeration, it appears that nanocrystalline Fe-based25 and Ni-based26 alloys are not suitable and amorphous alloys are preferred, since the magnetic entropy change peak of the two-phase nanocrystalline alloys is split between the magnetic phase transition of the amorphous phase and that of the nanocrystals, decreasing its total magnitude.27\n\nIn addition to their use as soft magnets, ultra-soft magnetic materials can be combined with other materials for the development of exchangecoupled nanocomposite permanent magnets, in which a nanoscale soft magnetic phase is added into a hard magnetic phase matrix, increasing the energy density of the composite due to interphase exchange coupling.28\n\nNevertheless, the scientific interest in soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloys is not only driven by their technological applications and potential to increase energy efficiency. Their two-phase nature, with magnetic phases with different Curie temperatures, makes them a good testing ground for conducting fundamental studies in magnetism. Soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloys have been used to study the superparamagnetism of nanocrystals embedded in the matrix29 in order to develop models of the dipolar interactions between superparamagnetic nanoparticles30–33 or to propose procedures for the determination of critical exponents of multiphase magnetic systems.26\n\nConclusions and Outlook\n\nNanocrystalline alloys are among the softest magnetic materials known to science, and different alloy families have been optimized for unique applications and operating conditions. In addition to compositional effects that will affect intrinsic magnetic properties, the use of different processing methods enables the optimization of extrinsic properties such as coercivity.\n\nThe physical reason for the extremely low values of magnetic anisotropy and coercive field can be explained using the random anisotropy model: the two characteristic length scales of nanocrystalline alloys (grain size and magnetic correlation length) are very different, and anisotropy cannot be detected macroscopically, even if each nanocrystal is anisotropic.\n\nSoft magnets are currently used in a variety of applications, ranging from energy conversion to sensors. Remaining challenges in the development of soft magnetic nanocrystalline alloys include the optimization of material properties for specific applications and the enhancement of their usability by decreasing brittleness and increasing thermal stability of the metastable phases. These goals can be achieved by a combination of compositional changes and appropriate processing of the alloys. Tuning the hysteresis loops by processing the materials under the simultaneous influence of magnetic field, stress, and temperature is a promising route to broadening the applications of nanocrystalline soft magnets. In addition, the design of exchange-coupled hard-soft magnetic nanocomposites is an area of significant interest in which ultrasoft nanocrystalline alloys may play a role. Moreover, the interest in soft nanocrystalline alloys is not limited to technological applications as these materials are also a good testing ground for developing fundamental models of multiphase magnetic materials.\n\n\nThis work was supported by MINECO and EU FEDER (project MAT2016-77265-R) and the PAI of the Regional Government of Andalucia.\n\n\n\n\n  1. Gutfleisch, O.; Willard, M. A.; Bruck, E.; Chen, C. H.; Sankar, S. G.; Liu, J. P. Adv. Mater. 2011, 23, 821–842.\n  2. Yoshizawa Y., Oguma, S.; Yamauchi, K. J. Appl. Phys. 1988, 64, 6044–6046.\n  3. Alben, R.; Becker, J. J.; Chi, M. C. J. Appl. Phys. 1978, 49, 1653–1658.\n  4. Herzer, G. IEEE T Magn. 1990, 26, 1397–1402.\n  5. Suzuki, K.; Cadogan, J. M. Phys. Rev. B 1998, 58, 2730–2739.\n  6. Hernando, A.; Vazquez, M.; Kulik, T.; Prados, C. Phys. Rev. B 1995, 51, 3581–3586.\n  7. Franco, V.; Conde, C. F.; Conde, A. J. Appl. Phys. 1998, 84, 5108–5113.\n  8. Franco, V.; Conde, C. F.; Conde, A.; Kiss, L. F. J Magn Magn. Mater. 2000, 215-216, 400–403.\n  9. Allia, P.; Tiberto, P.; Baricco, M.; Vinai, F. Appl. Phys. Lett. 1993, 63, 2759–2761.\n  10. Aranda, G. R.; Gonzalez, J.; Kulakowski, K.; Echeberria, J. J. Appl. Phys. 2000, 87, 4389–4394.\n  11. Appino, C.; Beatrice, C.; Coisson, M.; Tiberto, P.; Vinai, F. J Magn. Magn. Mater. 2001, 226, 1476–1477.\n  12. Skorvanek, I.; Marcin, J.; Turcanova, J.; Wojcik, M.; Nesteruk, K.; Janickovic, D.; Svec, P. J Magn. Magn. Mater. 2007, 310, 2494–2496.\n  13. Blazquez, J. S.; Marcin, J.; Varga, M.; Franco, V.; Conde, A.; Skorvanek, I. J. Appl. Phys. 2015, 117, 17A301.\n  14. Blazquez, J. S.; Ipus, J. J.; Lozano-Perez, S.; Conde, A. Jom-Us 2013, 65, 870–882.\n  15. Ipus, J. J.; Blazquez, J. S.; Conde, C. F.; Borrego, J. M.; Franco, V.; Lozano-Perez, S.; Conde, A. Intermetallics 2014, 49, 98–105.\n  16. McHenry, M. E.; Willard, M. A.; Laughlin, D. E. Prog. Mater. Sci. 1999, 44, 291–433.\n  17. Willard, M. A.; Daniil, M. in Nanoscale Magnetic Materials and Applications, edited by J. Ping Liu, Eric Fullerton, Oliver Gutfleisch et al. (Springer, New York, 2009), pp. 373–397.\n  18. Suzuki, K.; Makino, A.; Kataoka, N.; Inoue, A.; Masumoto, T. Materials Transactions, JIM 1991, 32, 93–102.\n  19. Makino, A.; Hatanai, T.; Inoue, A.; Masumoto, T. Mat. Sci. Eng. a-Struct. 1997, 226, 594–602.\n  20. Kemeny, T.; Kaptas, D.; Kiss, L. F.; Balogh, J.; Vincze, I.; Szabo, S.; Beke, D. L. Hyperfine Interact 2000, 130, 181–219.\n  21. Willard, M. A.; Laughlin, D. E.; McHenry, M. E.; Thoma, D.; Sickafus, K.; Cross, J. O.; Harris, V. G. J. Appl. Phys. 1998, 84, 6773.\n  22. Makino, A.; Men, H.; Kubota, T.; Yubuta, K.; Inoue, A. Mater. Trans. 2009, 50, 204–209.\n  23. Daniil, M.; Osofsky, M. S.; Gubser, D. U.; Willard, M. A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2010, 96, 162504.\n  24. Caballero-Flores, R.; Franco, V.; Conde, A.; Knipling, K. E.; Willard, M. A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2010, 96, 182506.\n  25. Franco, V.; Blazquez, J. S.; Conde, C. F.; Conde, A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2006, 88, 042505.\n  26. Sanchez-Perez, M.; Moreno-Ramirez, L. M.; Franco, V.; Conde, A.; Marsilius, M.; Herzer, G. J. Alloy Compd. 2016, 686, 717–722.\n  27. Franco, V.; Conde, A. Scripta Mater 2012, 67, 594–599.\n  28. Liu, J. P., in Nanoscale Magnetic Materials and Applications, edited by J. Ping Liu, Eric Fullerton, Oliver Gutfleisch et al. (Springer, New York, 2009), pp. 309–335.\n  29. Slawskawaniewska, A.; Gutowski, M.; Lachowicz, H. K.; Kulik, T.; Matyja, H. Phys. Rev. B 1992, 46, 14594–14597.\n  30. Allia, P.; Coisson, M.; Tiberto, P.; Vinai, F.; Knobel, M.; Novak, M. A.; Nunes, W. C. Phys. Rev. B 2001, 64, 144420.\n  31. Allia, P.; Coisson, M.; Knobel, M.; Tiberto, P.; Vinai, F. Phys. Rev. B 1999, 60, 12207–12218.\n  32. Franco, V.; Kiss, L. F.; Kemeny, T.; Vincze, I.; Conde, C. F.; Conde, A. Phys. Rev. B 2002, 66, 224418.\n  33. Franco, V.; Conde, C. F.; Conde, A.; Kiss, L. F. Phys. Rev. B 2005, 72, 174424.\n\n\nRelated Links", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8701764345169067}
{"content": "Busy. Please wait.\n\nshow password\nForgot Password?\n\nDon't have an account?  Sign up \n\nUsername is available taken\nshow password\n\n\n\n\nAlready a StudyStack user? Log In\n\nReset Password\n\nRemove ads\nDon't know\nremaining cards\n\nPass complete!\n\n\"Know\" box contains:\nTime elapsed:\nrestart all cards\n\n\n  Normal Size     Small Size show me how\n\n\nLinear Equations and Functions\n\nConstant Proportionality A constant ratio of two variables related proportionally\nDirect Variation A relationship between two variables in which the data increase or decrease together at a constant rate\nLinear Equations An equation whose solutions form a straight line on a coordinate plane\nPoint- Slope Form The equation of a line in the form of y-y1=m(x-x1), where m is the slope and (x,y) is a specific point on the line\nSlop-Intercept A linear equation written in the form y=mx+b, where m represents slope and b represents the y- intercept\nRate of Change The ratio of the change in the output value and change in the input value of a function\nSlope A measure of the steepness of a line on a graph; the rise divided by the run\nX- Intercept The x coordinate of the point where the graph of line crosses the x-axis\nY- Intercept The y-coordinate of the point where the graph of a line crosses the y-axis\nUnit Rate A rate in which used the second quantity in the comparison is one unit\nProportional Relationship A relationship between inputs to outputs in which the ratio of inputs and outputs is always the same.\nIntersecting Lines Lines that cross at exactly one point\nCreated by: trenell14", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.994610607624054}
{"content": "Firefox Lorentz\n\n\nMozilla Foundation\n\n\nFirefox Lorentz is an app for Windows created by Mozilla Foundation, The most recent version 3.6.3, was updated 2803 days ago, on 15.04.10. The app takes up 7.99MB, with the average size for its category, плагины и дополнения к firefox, being 770KB. This app is translated to русский and works with the minimum operating system version . Firefox Lorentz holds the ranking of 137 in its category and holds the position number 4577 in Uptodown’s overall ranking. Some similar programs are: Pixel Perfect, AdBlock Plus, Download Youtube As MP4, iMacros for Firefox, Crazy Browser, YouTube Video Downloader.\n\n\nОценить это приложение\n\nUptodown X", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5456910133361816}
{"content": "Overshot WaterWheel....\nThe overshot wheel is the most common wheel in north America. It is a gravity wheel. This means that it harnesses the force of gravity acting vertically on the water as it travels from the top to the bottom of the wheel. Properly designed for a particular site, and correctly timed, an overshot wheel can slow the natural velocity of the falling water to as little as 10% of what it would be if the wheel was not there.\nThe overshot wheel is most effective when it turns as slowly as possible and can still handle the total flow of water available to it. The optimal rim speed should be only about 3 feet per second. The larger the wheel the slower it will need to turn. The incoming water must be traveling about three times the rim speed of the wheel so that it can fill the buckets effectively. This requires a foot or more of head above the wheel, usually controlled by a gate.\nTo prevent dragging during a flood period the wheel must be mounted at least a foot above the tail water. The buckets start spilling water well before reaching the bottom. This along with the sacrifice of two or more feet of head above and below reduces the efficiency of the wheel to 70-90%.\nOne would need a 12 ft. or higher fall in order to use a 10 ft. wheel. Over shoot wheels have been made as high as 70 ft. but most are no higher than 30 ft. The overshot wheel will work as well today as it did a hundred years ago.\n\nThe Breast Wheelwheel\nWhen the head, or fall of water was not sufficient for a large diameter overshot wheel, the breast wheel often is used. This is halfway between the overshot and undershot wheels. Water strikes the buckets of the breast wheel about midway between top and bottom, using the weight of the water for a 90 degree segment of arc. While more efficient than the undershot, their efficiency is far less than the overshot, which uses the weight of the water for a full 180 degrees.\n\n\nUndershot Waterwheel\nThis type of waterwheel relies on the flow of water, coming along the base flowing at a good rate of speed to push or thrust the waterwheel. This type of waterwheel is used on mills built on rivers or streams that do not have any height or (head). Undershot wheels are normally narrow and have to have the channel walls very close to the sides of the wheel to maximize the flow of water to pass through the wheels to generate power. This type of wheel is generally the least efficient type of wheel - usually in the 30-50% range. The exception to this is the Poncelet wheel that can get up to 80% efficiency if the channel is properly constructed and the buckets are designed right.\n\nOriginal artwork by Daniel M. Short, CC BY-SA 2.5", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7904326915740967}
{"content": "Substance DependenceSubstance Dependence\n\nInformation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\n\nAccording to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), substance dependence is defined as:\n\n\n\nGenetic Factors\n\n\nOverall, the data implicating specific genes in the development of drug dependence is mixed for most genes. One reason this may be the case is due to a focus of current research on common variants. Many addiction studies focus on common variants with an allele frequency of greater than 5% in the general population, however when associated with disease, these only confer a small amount of additional risk with an odds ratio of 1.1-1.3. On the other hand, the rare variant hypothesis states that genes with low frequencies in the population (<1%) confer much greater additional risk in the development of disease.\n\nGWAS studies represent the newest exploration into discovering associations between dependence, addiction, and drug use. These studies employ an unbiased approach to finding genetic associations with specific phenotypes and give equal weight to all regions of DNA, including those with no ostensible relationship to drug metabolism or response. Surprisingly, these studies very infrequently identify genes from proteins previously described via animal knockout models and candidate gene analysis. Instead, large percentages of genes involved in processes such as cell adhesion are commonly identified. This is not to say that previous findings, or the GWAS findings, are erroneous. The important effects of endophenotypes are typically not capable of being captured by these methods. Furthermore, genes identified in GWAS for drug dependence may be involved either in adjusting brain wiring prior to drug experiences, subsequent to them, or both.\n\nAddictive Potential\n\nThe addictive potential of a drug varies from substance to substance, and from individual to individual. Dose, frequency, pharmacokinetics of a particular substance, route of administration, and time are critical factors for developing a drug addiction.\n\nAn article in The Lancet compared the harm and addiction of 20 drugs, using a scale from 0 to 3 for physical addiction, psychological addiction, and pleasure to create a mean score for addiction. Selected results can be seen in the chart below.Wikipedia narcotic chart\n\nCapture RatesWikipedia narcotic chart\n\nThe percentage of users who reported that they had become addicted to their respective drug at some point.\n\nSubstance Abuse\n\nAlso known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others. The exact cause of substance abuse is impossible to know because there is not just one direct cause. However substance abuse and addiction is known to run in families. One theory suggests there is a genetic disposition which predisposes certain individuals toward substance abuse. Another suggests substance abuse is learned there for people subjected to substance abuse by those around them begin to copy the same behaviors. Substance abuse might start out as a bad habit but when and if addiction develops it manifests as a chronic debilitating disease.\n\nDrug Abuse PictureThe terms have a huge range of definitions related to taking a psychoactive drug or performance enhancing drug for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect. All of these definitions imply a negative judgment of the drug use in question (compare with the term responsible drug use for alternative views). Some of the drugs most often associated with this term include alcohol, substituted amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (particularly alprazolam, temazepam, diazepam and clonazepam), cocaine, methaqualone, and opioids.\n\nUse of these drugs may lead to criminal penalty in addition to possible physical, social, and psychological harm, both strongly depending on local jurisdiction. There are many cases in which criminal or anti-social behavior occur when the person is under the influence of a drug. Long term personality changes in individuals may occur as well. Other definitions of drug abuse fall into four main categories: public health definitions, mass communication and vernacular usage, medical definitions, and political and criminal justice definitions. Substance abuse is prevalent with an estimated 120 million users of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and other synthetic drugs.\n\nSubstance abuse is a form of substance-related disorder.\n\nDrug Misuse\n\nLegal drugs are not necessarily safer. A study in 2010 asked drug-harm experts to rank various illegal and legal drugs. Alcohol was found to be the most dangerous by far.\n\nDrug AbuseDrug misuse is a term used commonly when prescription medication with sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, or stimulant properties are used for mood alteration or intoxication ignoring the fact that overdose of such medicines have serious adverse effects. Prescription misuse has been defined differently and rather inconsistently based on status of drug prescription, the uses without a prescription, intentional use to achieve intoxicating effects, route of administration, co-ingestion with alcohol, and the presence or absence of dependence symptoms. Chronic use leads to a change in the central nervous system which means the patient has developed tolerance to the medicine that more of the substance is needed in order to produce desired effects.When this happens, any effort to stop or reduce the use of this substance would cause withdrawal symptoms to occur.\n\nThe rate of prescription drug abuse is fast overtaking illegal drug abuse in the United States. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 7 million people were taking prescription drugs for nonmedical use in 2010. Among 12th graders, prescription drug misuse is now second only to cannabis. “Nearly 1 in 12 high school seniors reported nonmedical use of Vicodin; 1 in 20 reported abuse of OxyContin.”\n\nAvenues of obtaining prescription drugs for misuse are varied: sharing between family and friends, illegally buying medications at school or work, and often “doctor shopping” to find multiple physicians to prescribe the same medication, without knowledge of other prescribers.\n\nsubstance abuseIncreasingly, law enforcement is holding physicians responsible for prescribing controlled substances without fully establishing patient controls, such as a patient “drug contract.” Concerned physicians are educating themselves on how to identify medication-seeking behavior in their patients, and are becoming familiar with “red flags” that would alert them to potential prescription drug abuse.\n\nAs a Value Judgment\n\nPhilip Jenkins points out that there are two issues with the term “drug abuse”. First, what constitutes a “drug” is debatable. For instance, GHB, a naturally occurring substance in the central nervous system is considered a drug, and is illegal in many countries, while nicotine is not officially considered a drug in most countries. Second, the word “abuse” implies a recognized standard of use for any substance. Drinking an occasional glass of wine is considered acceptable in most Western countries, while drinking several bottles is seen as an abuse. Strict temperance advocates, who may or may not be religiously motivated, would see drinking even one glass as an abuse. Some groups even condemn caffeine use in any quantity. Similarly, adopting the view that any (recreational) use of marijuana or substituted amphetamines constitutes drug abuse implies a decision made that the substance is harmful, even in minute quantities.\n\nSigns and Symptoms\n\nDepending on the actual compound, drug abuse including alcohol may lead to health problems, social problems, morbidity, injuries, unprotected sex, violence, deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, physical dependence or psychological addiction.\n\nThere is a high rate of suicide in alcoholics and other drug abusers. The reasons believed to cause the increased risk of suicide include the long-term abuse of alcohol and other drugs causing physiological distortion of brain chemistry as well as the social isolation. Another factor is the acute intoxicating effects of the drugs may make suicide more likely to occur. Suicide is also very common in adolescent alcohol abusers, with 1 in 4 suicides in adolescents being related to alcohol abuse. In the USA approximately 30 percent of suicides are related to alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is also associated with increased risks of committing criminal offenses including child abuse, domestic violence, rapes, burglaries and assaults.substance abuse pills\n\nDrug abuse, including alcohol and prescription drugs, can induce symptomatology which resembles mental illness. This can occur both in the intoxicated state and also during the withdrawal state. In some cases these substance induced psychiatric disorders can persist long after detoxification, such as prolonged psychosis or depression after amphetamine or cocaine abuse. A protracted withdrawal syndrome can also occur with symptoms persisting for months after cessation of use. Benzodiazepines are the most notable drug for inducing prolonged withdrawal effects with symptoms sometimes persisting for years after cessation of use. Abuse of hallucinogens can trigger delusional and other psychotic phenomena long after cessation of use and cannabis may trigger panic attacks during intoxication and with use it may cause a state similar to dysthymia. Severe anxiety and depression are commonly induced by sustained alcohol abuse which in most cases abates with prolonged abstinence. Even moderate alcohol sustained use may increase anxiety and depression levels in some individuals. In most cases these drug induced psychiatric disorders fade away with prolonged abstinence.\n\nDrug abuse makes central nervous system (CNS) effects, which produce changes in mood, levels of awareness or perceptions and sensations. Most of these drugs also alter systems other than the CNS. Some of these are often thought of as being abused. Some drugs appear to be more likely to lead to uncontrolled use than others.\n\nTraditionally, new pharmacotherapies are quickly adopted in primary care settings; however, drugs for substance abuse treatment have faced many barriers. Naltrexone, a drug originally marketed under the name “ReVia,” and now marketed in intramuscular formulation as “Vivitrol” or in oral formulation as a generic, is a medication approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence. This drug has reached very few patients. This may be due to a number of factors, including resistance by Addiction Medicine specialists and lack of resources.\n\nThe ability to recognize the signs of drug use or the symptoms of drug use in family members by parents and spouses has been affected significantly by the emergence of home drug test technology which helps identify recent use of common street and prescription drugs with near lab quality accuracy.\n\n\nTreatment for substance abuse is critical for many around the world. Often a formal intervention is necessary to convince the substance abuser to submit to any form of treatment. Behavioral interventions and medications exist that have helped many people reduce, or discontinue, their substance abuse.\n\n\nFrom the applied behavior analysis literature, behavioral psychology, and from randomized clinical trials, several evidenced based interventions have emerged: behavioral marital therapy, motivational Interviewing, community reinforcement approach, exposure therapy, contingency management.\n\nIn children and adolescents, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy currently have the most research evidence for the treatment of substance abuse problems. These treatments can be administered in a variety of different formats, each of which has varying levels of research support.\n\nAlcoholics Anonymous is one of the most widely known self-help organizations in which members support each other not to use alcohol.\n\nSocial skills are significantly impaired in people suffering from alcoholism due to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol on the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex area of the brain. It has been suggested that social skills training adjunctive to inpatient treatment of alcohol dependence is probably efficacious, including managing the social environment.\n\n\nPharmacological therapy – A number of medications have been approved for the treatment of substance abuse. These include replacement therapies such as buprenorphine and methadone as well as antagonist medications like disulfiram and naltrexone in either short acting, or the newer long acting form. Several other medications, often ones originally used in other contexts, have also been shown to be effective including bupropion and modafinil.\n\nMethadone and buprenorphine are sometimes used to treat opiate addiction. These drugs are used as substitutes for other opioids and still cause withdrawal symptoms.\n\nAntipsychotic medications have not been found to be useful.\n\n Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8208075165748596}
{"content": "Malibu Lagoon Project Threatens the Tidewater Goby and Other Wildlife\n\nNOTE: This is a guest blog post from Jennifer Estes, Program Manager for Sea Save Foundation.\n\nThe Malibu Lagoon, a pristine wetland at the base of Malibu Creek located just north of Los Angeles, California, is a lush ecosystem home to a variety of species of flora and fauna. However, years of urban sprawl and human interference have shrunk the size of the lagoon and threatened the well-being of the entire environment.\n\nTwo years ago the California Coastal Commission conditionally approved the proposal of the California Department of Parks and Recreation to restore the Malibu Lagoon. However, citizen activists have discovered many flaws and gaps in the official plan to restore the lagoon that will cost an estimated $8.5 million dollars. Such flaws include improper handling of wildlife and reliance on assumptions of outdated science, which can harm both the environment and public health. The City of Malibu, which unanimously voted against the project on April 9, 2012, has persistently lobbied the involved agencies for more answers. Now there is less than one week left before ground breaks on June 1.\n\nThe lagoon is home to the Tidewater Goby, a Federally listed endangered species. The behavioral pattern of the Goby is such that they retreat into mud burrows for shelter upon sensing any loud noise or other disturbance to their habitat. To make matters worse, nesting season begins in June, so thousands of eggs will be buried deep in the mud when the project begins. When the bulldozers roll on June 1, both the burrowed Fish and their buried eggs will be destroyed. Nowhere in the state parks’ plan is this issue addressed. In addition to the Goby, the planned project imperils at least one other endangered species and several threatened animals.\n\nPlease help save the Lagoon and the residents who thrive in this habitat. Encourage the State Parks to explore other less invasive alternatives by signing our petition.\n\nPhoto courtesy of Sea Save\n\n\nChristine Stewart\n\nIf the Goby fish and other species will be destroyed by the project, they need to rethink the whole thing- otherwise, there will be a \"pretty\" lagoon, but devoid of its aquatic life...\n\nAnita Wisch\nAnita Wisch5 years ago\n\nWhenever we get involved to fix something we caused, nature is the loser.\n\nLinda Jarsky\nLinda Jarsky5 years ago\n\n\nIsabel A.\nIsabel Araujo5 years ago\n\nPetition signed, thank you.\n\nMarie W.\nMarie W5 years ago\n\nWe have met the enemy and he is us.\n\nCarole H.\nCarole H5 years ago\n\n\nJen Matheson\nPast Member 5 years ago\n\nThis is terrible.\n\nGianna Macias\nGianna Macias5 years ago\n\nWhy can't men stopping wasting nature.\n\nAnna Ballinger\nAnna Ballinger5 years ago\n\nThank you for sharing this.\n\nRuth S.\nRuth C5 years ago\n\nHumans are the ones that are destroying the world!!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6828491687774658}
{"content": "Safety concerns over bad weather commuting\n\nEmployee refusing to come to work in bad weather\nBy Tim Mitchell\n|Canadian Employment Law Today|Last Updated: 03/04/2015\n\nQuestion: How should an employer handle an employee who refuses for safety reasons to commute to work whenever the weather is bad, even if the employer does not consider it bad enough to close the office?\n\nAnswer: In the absence of a contractual or statutory obligation, an employer is not required to pay an employee who chooses to take a snow day when the office is open and work is available to be performed. The decision to grant or withhold pay in such a situation is a decision within the employer’s discretion.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8684778809547424}
{"content": "Knowledge of the mechanism of association and dissociation of macromolecules is important for many biological structures and processes. Among the examples are the binding and dissociation of substrates of enzyme reactions, the recognition of ligands by their receptors or of DNA sequences by the DNA binding domains of regulatory proteins. These processes have in common a transition from one equilibrium state to another which often is a rare event on the time scale of molecular dynamics simulations of a few hundreds of picoseconds. Conventional computational methods for the sampling of barrier-crossing events increase the probability of unlikely configurations. Once such configurations have been sampled their actual occurence can be determined through the known relation between old and new probabilities. A methodologically related avenue to characterize rare events through molecular dynamics simulation is the addition of external forces which reduce the energy barriers. This approach has the advantage that it corresponds closely to micromanipulation through atomic force microscopy or optical tweezers.\n\nThe external force techniques can be applied to study many processes, including dissociation of avidin-biotin complex, dissociation of retinal from bacteriorhodopsin, stretching of DNA, etc.The forces can be defined using the MDScope graphics/MD software developed in our group\n\nAvidin-Biotin Complex\n\nWe performed molecular dynamics simulations which induce, over periods of 40~ps to 500~ps, the unbinding of biotin from avidin by means of external harmonic forces with force constants close to those of AFM cantilevers. The applied forces are sufficiently large to reduce the overall binding energy enough to yield unbinding within the measurement time. Our study complements the work by Grubmueller et al. on biotin-streptavidin which employed a much larger harmonic force constant. The simulations reveal a variety of unbinding pathways, the role of key residues contributing to adhesion as well as the spatial range over which avidin binds biotin. In contrast to Grubmueller et al., the calculated rupture forces exceed by far those observed. We demonstrated, in the framework of models expressed in terms of one-dimensional Langevin equations with a schematic binding potential, the associated Smoluchowski equations, and the theory of first passage times, that picosecond to nanosecond simulation of ligand unbinding requires such strong forces that the resulting protein-ligand motion proceeds far from the thermally activated regime of millisecond AFM experiments, and that simulated unbinding cannot be readily extrapolated to the experimentally observed rupture.\n\nMD simulations of protein-ligand adhesion for the avidin-biotin complex.\n\n\nWe are applying the steered molecular dynamics method to investigate the action of human synovial protein phospholipase A2 (PLA2) at the lipid water interface. PLA2 binds to a membrane surface in a scooting mode and catalyzes the hydrolysis reaction of the sn-2 ester bond of phospholipids which subsequently results in the destruction of membrane surface. The actual catalysis is believed to be initiated through the suction of a phospholipid from the membrane surface into the hydrophobic channel of PLA2 where the reaction takes place. The mechanism of this suction is little understood and is hypothesized to be caused by destabilization of the polar phospholipid headgroup by the hydrophobic environment of the binding channel of PLA2. We investigate the process of extrusion of the phospholipid for two modes of coupling of PLA2 to the membrane surface, i. e., tightly and loosely bound modes. Our hypothesis is that prior to extruding the phospholipid, PLA2 must form the tightly bound complex, while the loosely bound complex should not lead to catalysis.\n\nRetinal's Binding Pathway in bR\n\nFormation of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) from the apoprotein and retinal has been studied experimentally, but the actual pathway, including the site of retinal entry, is little understood. Molecular dynamics simulations provide a surprisingly clear prediction. A window between bR helices E and F in the trans-membrane part of the protein can be identified as an entry site for retinal (purple van der Waals spheres in this figure). Steered molecular dynamics, performed by applying a series of external forces of 200--1000 pN over a period of 0.2 ns to retinal, allow one to extract retinal from bR once the Schiff base bond to Lys216 (blue van der Waals spheres) is cleaved. Extraction proceeds until the retinal tail forms a hydrogen bond network with side groups lining the entry window. The manipulation induces a distortion with a fitted RMS deviation of coordinates (ignoring retinal, water, and hydrogen atoms) of less than 1.9 Angstroms by the time the entry window--retinal tail hydrogen bond network forms. The forces used are consistent with those expected for fast extraction and do not indicate significant potential barriers. We suggest that the path followed in the simulated extraction of retinal also describes the binding of retinal. The simulation reveals that movement of a water molecule between Lys216 and retinal's aldehyde group can initiate unbinding.\n\nDr. Sergey Stepaniants\n\nSergei Izrailev\n\nBarry Isralewitz\n\nJustin Gullingsrud", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9199620485305786}
{"content": "Duterte taps coast guard vs lawless violence\n\n\nPresident Rodrigo Duterte has tapped the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)x to help implement the state of national emergency he declared in early September.\n\nMemorandum Order (MO) 4, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on September 26, sought to expand the application of MO 3 that aims to deploy government forces on major streets and thoroughfares as well as crowded places.\n\nMO 3 provided guidelines to the military and police in the implementation of measures to suppress and prevent lawless violence.\n\nUnder MO 4, the President tapped the PCG to intensify its activities related to the enforcement and maintenance of maritime safety and security to prevent or suppress lawless violence at sea.\n\nThe memorandum states that the PCG should inspect all merchant ships and vessels to ensure compliance with safety standards, rules and regulations.\n\nIt also directs the PCG to inspect persons, vessels and watercraft within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, and suspected of committing, or conspiring to commit, an offense in the Philippines.\n\nThe President tasked the Department of Justice to closely coordinate with the PCG and other law enforcement agencies for the prompt investigation and prosecution of all individuals or groups apprehended.\n\n\nPlease follow our commenting guidelines.\n\n\n  1. This is a very wise move to help the President in their own way to suppress the proliferation of drugs and other criminal activities.Now evrybody are working.\n\n  2. DU30 is diverting the PCG to do others things and divert the attention of PN,PAF,Marines and Army so that he can bring the communist in his team, bring China and Russia in Philippine soil.\n\n    Its all out, DU30 is giving the Philippines to China and Communist ideology with flying colors. AFP, please do something to stop this criminal.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8043150901794434}
{"content": "Official reprint from UpToDate®\n\nMedline ® Abstract for Reference 28\n\nof 'Iliotibial band syndrome'\n\nNoehren B, Davis I, Hamill J\nClin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2007;22(9):951. Epub 2007 Aug 28.\nBACKGROUND: Iliotibial band syndrome is the leading cause of lateral knee pain in runners. Despite its high prevalence, little is known about the biomechanics that lead to this syndrome. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare lower extremity kinematics and kinetics between a group of female runners who develop iliotibial band syndrome compared to healthy controls. It was hypothesized that runners who develop iliotibial band syndrome will exhibit greater peak hip adduction, knee internal rotation, rearfoot eversion and no difference in knee flexion at heel strike. Additionally, the iliotibial band syndrome group were expected to have greater hip abduction, knee external rotation, and rearfoot inversion moments.\nMETHODS: A group of healthy female recreational runners underwent an instrumented gait analysis and were then followed for two years. Eighteen runners developed iliotibial band syndrome. Their initial running mechanics were compared to a group of age and mileage matched controls with no history of knee or hip pain. Comparisons of peak hip, knee, rearfoot angles and moments were made during the stance phase of running. Variables of interest were averaged over the five running trials, and then averaged across groups.\nFINDINGS: The iliotibial band syndrome group exhibited significantly greater hip adduction and knee internal rotation. However, rearfoot eversion and knee flexion were similar between groups. There were no differences in moments between groups.\nINTERPRETATION: The development of iliotibial band syndrome appears to be related to increased peak hip adduction and knee internal rotation. These combined motions may increase iliotibial band strain causing it to compress against the lateral femoral condyle. These data suggest that treatment interventions should focus on controlling these secondary plane movements through strengthening, stretching and neuromuscular re-education.\nDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, 301 Mckinly Laboratory, Newark, DE 19716, USA. bwn51@yahoo.com", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9998206496238708}
{"content": "Page 1\n\nThe World of\n\nY M R A O R U B SE I L A Teaching Guide for Daniel Kirk’s Library Mouse Books\n\nAbout the Author: Daniel Kirk was inspired to write the Library Mouse books after spending countless days with his family perusing the stacks of his local library. He lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey with his wife, three children, and two rabbits. Visit him at\n\nAbout the Books: Library Mouse Sam is a library mouse. His home is in a little hole in the wall behind the children’s reference books, and he thinks that life is very good indeed. For Sam loves to read. He reads picture books and chapter books, biographies and poetry, and ghost stories and mysteries. Sam reads so much that finally one day he decides to write a book himself! Sam shares his books with other library visitors by placing them on a bookshelf at night. But there comes a time when people want to meet this talented author. Whatever is Sam to do?\n\nLibrary Mouse: A Friend’s Tale Sam loves to write and draw, and everyone loves the little books he leaves on the shelves of the library for them to find. But Sam is also very shy around people, and no one at the library has ever met him—until Tom. When the library’s Writers and Illustrators Club is given an assignment to work in partners, Tom finds that he is the odd kid out. Then he discovers Sam’s identity and hopes they can work together on a project. But what will happen if everyone discovers Sam is a mouse? Can Tom keep the secret?\n\nLibrary Mouse: A World to Explore In the library one evening, Sam meets fellow mouse Sarah, a wild-eyed explorer who loves adventure! Sarah would rather scurry to the tops of the tallest library shelves and roam the darkest corners of the building than read about the places she wants to visit. Unlike Sarah, Sam never climbs up high—he’s too afraid! He’d rather research subjects and write about them. When Sam reveals to Sarah the joy and adventure one can have by reading books, she decides to help him in turn. Can Sarah help Sam overcome his fear of heights? Together this duo shows that, with teamwork and determination, anything is possible.\n\nA Conversation with Daniel Kirk Q: What inspired you to write Library Mouse? Writing “Library Mouse” was a long and winding road. The story started as an “ABC in the Library” book until I discovered that there were already several such alphabet books in print. Around that time I met a school librarian who was plagued with a naughty wild mouse, causing endless mousey mischief in her stacks. This gave me the idea of putting a mouse in my story, and Sam’s personality sort of fell into place with the plot. The library is a perfect home for a mouse who loves to read and write! Q: When you are creating a story, what comes first— the words or the pictures? I think developing characters is a good way to start working on a story, so often I’ll make many drawings before I begin writing. This helps me figure out what my characters will look like, and gives me a glimpse into their personalities. But I don’t do actual illustrations for a book until the story is done and the text is written in stone!\n\nQ: Which is more satisfying for you—writing or drawing? When I spend a lot of time writing, it’s always refreshing and fun to get back to drawing pictures. But when I am swamped with trying to meet a deadline for my illustrations, I long to go back to the world of words. There I can describe a character or scene in just a few words or sentences that it might take me weeks to paint. Sometimes it’s hard juggling both of these skills, but there are many ways to tell stories, and I like exploring them all. That’s why it makes sense for me to write AND draw. Q: You serve as the author and illustrator of the Library Mouse books; how is this experience different from your other projects where you provide the illustrations in collaboration with another author’s story?\n\nHere’s a secret—Sam is really me. He fantasizes that he is bold and adventurous, but in reality he’s kind of shy and reclusive, and most of his adventures take place in his imagination, where it’s safe from real danger. I’m pretty much like that, myself.\n\nMore than anything else I love being a solo creator, telling my own stories in my own way and illustrating them with appropriate pictures. I think of myself as an artist and writer working in the medium of books. Once in a while, though, I’ll be offered the chance to illustrate someone else’s story. This has the possibility of forcing me to be creative in a different way . . . I find new ways of expressing ideas, or developing characters. Sometimes I reach a whole different audience with books that I illustrate, but did not write. It’s an interesting experience. Someday it would be fun to have another illustrator tackle one of my stories. No matter what my role, it’s all an adventure in creativity and expression!\n\nQ: In what ways do you think young readers benefit from meeting a character like Sam?\n\nQ: How do you use your local library when putting the books together?\n\nSam is curious, imaginative, good-hearted, and he sticks at things—he’ll keep trying until he gets something right. The fact that he isn’t perfect, that he’s shy and finds certain things about the world scary and daunting, appeals to kids because they understand his weakness and empathize with him. We all have things we’re afraid of, and we all have to keep exposing ourselves to challenges to make ourselves grow.\n\nResearch is a big part of any book, whether you’re writing or illustrating. I use my library all the time to help me with research. In the last couple of years I’ve needed information about what mice, elephants, and hawks looks like, what the North Pole is like in the autumn, how a tow truck works, and how birds are handled in an animal shelter. I’ve researched global warming, how the Dewey decimal system operates, and studied how libraries and librarians have been described in children’s books over the last fifty years. The library is an invaluable tool for me. I’ve gone to the library to photograph a globe, to see how light looks falling on the shelves on a sunny morning and on a cloudy day. Librarians help me find things I’m looking for, and can order books for me that I might find useful. I’d be lost without my local library!\n\nQ: Sam’s character is smart, sensitive, curious, and kind, yet he could also be described as timid because of his anxiety of new places and experiences. What made you decide to develop his personality in this manner?\n\nLibrary Mouse\n\nDiscussion Questions for Library Mouse ŒŒ As Sam explores the library and reads widely, he begins to create his own stories. Why does reading so many different types of books make this easier for him? ŒŒ Based on hints embedded in Kirk’s illustrations, how does Sam feel about seeing his books being read by the children that visit the library? ŒŒ Though he is excited that his books are well loved, Sam is nervous and afraid of people finding out who and what he is. Do you agree with the way he feels? ŒŒ Consider his dilemma to being asked to attend “Meet the Author Day.” Do you think creating the “Meet the Author” box (with the mirror contained inside) is the best solution to his problem? Why or why not?\n\nEXTENSION ACTIVITIES: Learning the Library Layout: Host a Scavenger Hunt Throughout the course of Sam’s adventures, he explores the library and learns about the different sections of the children’s department. To help students become more familiar with the library, create a scavenger hunt and have students work in small teams to search for answers to the questions you provide. Make sure to: ŒŒ Decide what areas of the library students need to best become familiar with ahead of time. ŒŒ Ask simple questions that offer student’s specific direction for their search. An example might be to “find a biography of an American president and determine what year he was born.” ŒŒ Keep the scavenger hunt fairly short (7–10 questions). ŒŒ Encourage students to work in small groups and provide prizes for completed sheets. ŒŒ Prevent crowding by rearranging the order of the questions so that groups are searching for different answers at the same time.\n\nWhat’s in a Name: Discovering Biographies and Autobiographies As Sam explores the library, he reads a variety of biographies and autobiographies that help him better understand these genres as he begins to create his first book, Squeak! A Mouse’s Life. Using the resources in the library, have students learn more about what makes these types of nonfiction works unique. Have students create a Venn diagram charting the similarities and differences of these types of writing. After discussing these similarities and differences, have students create original biographies. Begin by pairing students up and providing them an interview sheet so they can ask questions of their partner. After gathering necessary information, have them create a biography about their classmate. Alternatively, students can use Sam’s model and write an original autobiography about themselves, creating original art and illustrations or using copies of family photos. Using the title of Sam’s work as a model (Squeak! A Mouse’s Life), have students reflect on what their story would be named or entitled.\n\nHost a “Meet the Author” Day After sharing Library Mouse with classes, have students regroup at stations where tissue box/mirror units have been placed. After allowing students time to “reflect” and consider what story they have to tell as an author, provide them with small, prepared mini-books similar to those created by Sam. Encourage students to write the kind of story they like to read or share a past personal experience. After the story has been drafted, provide the “authors” time to illustrate their work. After all the works have been created, display these books in the classroom and allow time for students to read and share each other’s work. As an enrichment activity, consider hosting a Young Author’s Celebration and invite other classes and families to come celebrate the work of these young authors.\n\nGenre Studies: Generating a Greater Understanding of Literary Categories In Library Mouse, readers discover that Sam reads widely as he explores the vast variety of books within the library. Introduce the term genre to students and have them create a list of the many types of books Sam reads and, eventually, writes. Discuss the major components of these types of books and have students consider what makes these genres unique. Have students analyze the books they have read most recently to determine what genre category in which they fall. Is there a pattern to their reading? After allowing time for analysis and discussion, take students to the library to select a book that falls into a new genre that they haven’t read recently.\n\nLibrary Mouse: A Friend’s Tale Discussion Questions for Library Mouse: A Friend’s Tale ŒŒ After the Writing and Illustrators group pairs up to complete their assigned activity, Tom is left without a partner. How do you think this makes him feel? Have you ever been in a similar situation? What was that experience like for you? ŒŒ Once Tom discovers Sam’s work and his tracks, his curiosity leads him on a quest to learn more about Sam’s identity. Do you think Tom is making the right choice in trying to discover who Sam really is? Have you ever been so curious about something that you searched widely for answers? ŒŒ Tom fears that if others learn Sam’s real identity, he might be at risk. Do you agree? Why or why not? ŒŒ Predict what will happen to Sam and Tom after the story ends.\n\nEXTENSION ACTIVITIES: Dynamic Duos: Researching Author/Illustrator Teams Author Daniel Kirk takes special care in his artwork to highlight and acknowledge collaborations of many author/illustrator pairs. After reading Library Mouse: A Friend’s Tale with students, have them closely examine Kirk’s illustrations. What other books are featured in his artwork? Place students in pairs or small groups and have them select a highlighted pair. Take students to the library to learn more about their selected author/illustrator team. Have them answer the following questions: ŒŒ Who is the author and illustrator? ŒŒ How many times have they collaborated on books? ŒŒ What are some of the titles of their work? ŒŒ Does the pair live close by each other? ŒŒ Does either partner work with other authors/illustrators?\n\nPerfect Pals: Create a Friendship Handbook\n\nIn Library Mouse: A Friend’s Tale readers witness Tom taking special care to win Sam’s trust. Reread the story and answer the following: How does Tom feel when he learns the identity of Sam? What are some of the things Tom does to prove his friendship and protect Sam? In what ways are they ideal friends for each other? After discussing, ask students to consider their own actions and the ways they can prove they are a true friend. Have each student create a Friendship Handbook detailing and listing the qualities and behaviors of good friends.\n\nLibrary Mouse: A World to Explore Discussion Questions for Library Mouse: A World to Explore\n\nŒŒ In Library Mouse: A World to Explore, Sam spends an evening looking at the class projects displayed in the library which highlight what the children have learned about places all over the world. If you could select a place or historical landmark to explore, what would it be? What makes you interested in learning more about this topic? ŒŒ Sam is very surprised to learn that Sarah also lives in the library. After their initial meeting, they quickly discover that they are both explorers, but the manner in which they conduct their explorations is quite different. What are the benefits to each of their styles? In what ways are Sarah and Sam alike? How are they different? Thinking about yourself, who do you think you are more alike? Why? ŒŒ Describe Sarah. In what ways is she a good influence on Sam? Do you have a friend who pushes you to try new things? What are some of the benefits of having a friend who is bold and fearless? What are some of the drawbacks? ŒŒ Looking at the illustrations, which one is your favorite? What is it about the picture that appeals most to you?\n\nWrite All About It!: Journaling Activity After discussing the possibility of climbing into the display plane suspended over the library so that they can have a panoramic view of the facility, Sam’s hesitation and fear is obvious. Sarah tells Sam, “Tonight we’re going to get into that airplane, and we’re going to see the world!” After sharing this passage with students, take a few minutes to allow them to study the illustrations. Next, make a list of the emotions that are evident based on the images of the characters. After discussion, share a personal experience where fear temporarily handicapped you. After offering your story (and how you overcame your apprehensions), ask students to reflect on a time where, like Sam, they were afraid to try something new (examples could include starting school, sleeping without a night-light, trying out for a sport, etc.). Have them consider this fearful experience and what made them afraid, and finally, what happened when they chose to try to over come their fear. Allow students a few minutes to reflect before journaling and sharing their story. To enrich this activity, have students draw illustrations of the experience after completing their story.\n\nIntroducing the Basics of Research: Guiding Students as They Learn the Research Process Like the student projects referenced in Library Mouse: A World to Explore, students love learning and discovering new topics of interest while exploring the wide variety of informational books in the library. For young children, a basic introduction of research is helpful. Begin by working with your librarian to design and teach basic research lessons. Lessons may include (but are not limited to) an introduction to the Dewey decimal system, the Big6 research model, or I-Search research framework. After selecting the research technique best suited for the students, allow them to self-select a topic of which they want to learn more, and follow these steps outlined in the research model, making sure to offer a wide variety of choices in regard to the creation of a final product.\n\nThis guide was created by Rose Brock, a school librarian and doctoral candidate at Texas Woman’s University, specializing in children’s and young adult literature. © 2010 Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS\n\nThe World of Library Mouse: A Teaching Guide for Daniel Kirk's Library Mouse Books  \n\nA Teaching Guide for Daniel Kirk’s Library Mouse Books", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9952069520950317}
{"content": "Caribbean reefs underwent significant biotic change during the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene. This was a critical time in the evolution of the modern Caribbean fauna characterized by increasing endemism resulting from regional extinction of lineages that survive in the modern Indo-Pacific. An understanding of the dynamics and potential causes of the Oligocene/Miocene transition, however, is hampered by the relative lack of well-preserved Oligocene to early Miocene coral faunas in the Caribbean. Here we examine new exposures in the Culebra Formation of Panama that contain a well-preserved coral fauna of Early Miocene age. Taxonomic, stratigraphic, and paleoecologic study of the Culebra Formation exposed along the Gaillard Cut of the Panama Canal allows us to infer the paleoenvironments and reef coral communities from the Panama Canal Basin during this critical interval. The Culebra Formation consists of a deepening upward sequence with shallow-lagoon sediments at the base, overlain by fringing reef facies in the middle of the section, and open-shelf to bathyal facies at the top of the section. We recovered 31 species of reef corals from a combination of new and old collections. Comparison of our collections with other Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene reef coral assemblages confirms that there was a major faunal turnover after deposition of the Upper Oligocene Antigua Formation. This turnover consisted of a large number of extinctions followed by an increased rate of first occurrences so that regional diversity did not change appreciably. Improved stratigraphic resolution at this and other Caribbean localities is required to understand fully the dynamics of change during the Oligocene/ Miocene transition.\n\nYou do not currently have access to this article.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9963197112083435}
{"content": "StudentShare solutions\nTriangle menu\n\nThe rules of law - Essay Example\n\nNot dowloaded yet\n\nExtract of sample\nThe rules of law\n\nThe Wikipedia gives its own definition of the Rule of Law according with the following ideas: \"The rule of law implies that government authority may only be exercised in accordance with written laws, which were adopted through an established procedure. The principle is intended to be a safeguard against arbitrary rulings in individual cases. Thus, those who make and enforce the law are themselves bound to adhere to it.\" (Wikipedia, 2006).\nThis last point is very important in order to understand the significance of the Rule of Law. The lawmakers have to obey the law. That point is the main characteristic of the Rule of Law, because there are some countries in which the government officials behave as if they shouldn't obey the law. In undemocratic societies the people from the government are above the law. That is a very serious situation. That is why they don't have democracy and many times that is why they are underdeveloped countries. Later on we will take a look at some examples in the case of China regarding this topic.\nDuring the last decades a lot of money has been spent trying to apply the Rule of Law in countries with undemocratic societies and in underdeveloped countries. The People's Republic of China is one of those countries. As we can see, the Rule of Law is a very conflictive topic for a lot of people in our present society. We really think that the Rule of Law is very important in order to establish democracy and development in any country. But first let's see what the Rule of Law is. Tom Glass defines the Rule of Law according to the following concepts: \"Government decisions are made according to written law and rules; Government sanctions cannot be made up after the fact (ex post facto); Rules are applied as much as possible consistently to all; Courts provide citizens consistent, written process (due process) before life, liberty, or property is taken; Courts provide reasons based upon the law for their decisions.\" (Glass, 2005).\nChinese people couldn't get the ideas behind these points due to the fact of their Confucian background in which there was a heavy dependence upon the clan or the group. As the UN China puts it: \"Under the philosophy that the government represents the people, internal government procedures regulated conflicts between the government and the individual, not laws.\" (UN China, 2001). There was a rule of man, rather than a rule of law until recently when Chinese leaders have recognize the rule of law as necessary for the establishment of a democratic society.\nThe Rule of Law is extremely important as a pre-requisite for democracy and development in any country. In a society with a solid Rule of Law we can trust the government officials and everybody feels secure in such an environment where the Law rules. People who opposed the Rule of Law like China's leaders were in favor of the Rule by Law, or in other words, the Rule by Power, or the Rule of Power. For example, general elections are held commonly in China, but only in rural areas, not on a nation-wide level, just on the village level. For example, free expression, association and assembly are constitutional right ...Show more\n\n\nIn the dialogue between China and the West, the Oriental country had been opposed for a long time to the concept of the Rule of Law in favor of the Rule by Law. China's leaders used to considered that the Rule of Law goes against the class struggles in society so they favored a different concept of Rule by Law instead of Rule of Law…\nAuthor : welchhulda\nThe rules of law essay example\nRead Text Preview\nSave Your Time for More Important Things\nLet us write or edit the essay on your topic\n\"The rules of law\"\nwith a personal 20% discount.\nGrab the best paper\n\nRelated Essays\n\nRules, Rights and Justice: an Introduction to Law\nAs a result, law defines expected sets of behaviour and conducts among individuals. Any act contrary to the legal provisions is therefore unlawful. Based on legal provisions and the relationship between law and environmental factors, dynamism establishes a number of reasons for unlawful behaviour as the dynamic nature of law itself also changes content of law and legal concepts.\n5 pages (1250 words) Essay\nLegal Positivs and the Rules of Law\nThe deviation from these set of rules gives rise to the imposition, actual or not, of some form of punishment for purposes such as retribution, reformation or rehabilitation among other things. The existence of laws that must be followed is consistent in any civilized nation for the simple purpose of maintaining peace and order to avoid chaos and unrest.\n5 pages (1250 words) Essay\nShipping Law - The collision regulation rules\nHowever, the definition of this Act has been extended by a number of subsequent amendments. The collision regulation rules define the \"vessel\" as an every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable to be used as a mean of transportation on the water1 (Mandaraka 2001).\n6 pages (1500 words) Essay\nLand Law: Property rules governing the Claims of Cohabitants\nThose conditions should strengthen family and marriage systems. When this happen the litigations regarding the claims of the cohabitants can be minimised. It is the fundamental opinion of the law commission that the benefits for the cohabitants must emanate from the marriage or family system.\n10 pages (2500 words) Essay\nThe Common Law Development of Rules Covering A Draftsmans Duty Of Care In The Preparation Of A Will\nSolicitors are responsible for proper preparation and execution of the will and in case of legal disputes should be able to guide the clients with the legally available options for better\n20 pages (5000 words) Essay\nPositivist legal theory offers a coherant account of law as a system of legal rules. This allows legal questions to be categorically distinguished from question\nTherefore, the parameters of the law are clearly established and there is less scope for ambiguity in the application of the law, since it is\n6 pages (1500 words) Essay\nAre rules or principles more important to any discussion of law\nRonald Dworkin’s principles of law advance an interpretive theory that essentially encompasses a concept that law is a balancing of socio-economic priorities and individual rights. In other words, law attempts to indorse current values and\n10 pages (2500 words) Essay\nIs the liability of a carrier for the carriage of goods by sea any different under the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules than it is at common law\nHowever, as maritime trade and commerce increased, they increasingly demanded to be exempted from the much-abused term known as “acts of God”, or\n10 pages (2500 words) Essay\nCritically discuss the application of traditional rules of offer and acceptance in English contract law in the context of (i) standard term contracts; and (ii) electronic communications\nThe existence of the contract starts once the offeree communicates the acceptance of the offer to the offeror. The formula of offer and acceptance was formulated in the nineteenth\n6 pages (1500 words) Essay\nHow effective are legal rules, including common law rules & rules established by the US Supreme Court (under the due process clauses & the 6th Amendmentright to counsel) in improving the accuracy of eyewitness identification In answering this question, f\nRegardless, in more than 50% of acquittals from prison based on DNA evidence, wrong eyewitness identification was the primary cause of the sentence. Either way, eyewitness identification usually determines the result of criminal\n2 pages (500 words) Essay\nGet a custom paper written\nby a pro under your requirements!\nWin a special DISCOUNT!\nYour email\nComments (0)\nRate this paper:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7493712306022644}
{"content": "Nowadays, there is a huge emphasis placed upon training in the workplace. Employers often devote a significant amount of resources to arranging, delivering and recording training provided to their employees. This is of course important. However, despite the emphasis placed on training, how useful in practice is evidence of a company's training regime in defending allegations of fault when there has been a serious accident in the workplace?\n\nIt is estimated that up to 80% of accidents at work may be caused by human error ('Reducing error and influencing behaviour' Health & Safety Executive HSG48). Considering this, it is up to employers to attempt to limit the possibility of human error by focusing on their own management and procedures, as opposed to training, so it is less likely accidents will occur.\n\nThere is an industry accepted hierarchy of hazard control which is used to minimise or eliminate exposure to hazards. This hierarchy underpins the bulk of current health and safety legislation across a wide spectrum and it sets out the various risk control measures available in the workplace in descending order of effectiveness, as follows:-\n\n  1. Elimination - physical removal of the hazard by redesigning the job or substituting a substance so the hazard is removed or eliminated\n  2. Substitution - replacing the material or process with a less hazardous one\n  3. Engineering controls - isolating employees from hazards by adapting or installing work equipment, e.g. installing guarding protecting the dangerous parts of machinery or installing ventilation to remove potentially harmful dust or fumes\n  4. Administrative Controls - identifying and implementing procedures needed to work safely, e.g. increasing signage, performing risk assessments and undertaking training\n  5. Personal Protective Equipment - this measure is deemed the least effective way to control hazards and should be used only where all other measures are considered ineffective.\n\nTherefore, when considering the various risk control measures available in the workplace, eliminating and controlling risks are deemed to be to be most effective with training near the bottom of the list. This means that the employer attending Court and holding up its training records as an indication of compliance may be required to explain why it did not attempt to achieve more effective measures or show that such measures were not reasonably practicable, i.e. possible in the workplace. This may be very difficult to show when, as so often happens the employer has not considered proper compliance at a higher level beforehand.\n\nAs an example, many employees require to work at height, however, falls from height are the biggest cause of workplace deaths and injuries. Employers are required to consider the task which requires to be carried out and put the control measures outlined above in place. The employer in these circumstances should firstly consider and act upon whether (1) the need to work at height can be avoided; (2) there is equipment which could be used to prevent a fall, e.g. work platforms or rope access; and (3) the distance and consequences of a fall. Only after these matters are addressed and found impracticable does the question of supply of harnesses and training become relevant in considering fault.\n\nThe Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act, which is expected to come into force later this year, will fundamentally change the civil law relating to damages claims for accidents at work so that employees raising an action will require to establish that their employer was negligent. The employer will in turn have the defence that all reasonable steps were taken to protect their employees. Accordingly, in the future it will be far more difficult for a pursuer to succeed in recovering damages. The statutory regulations and the hierarchy however continue to apply for criminal liability. This may well create the anomalous situation where an employer, successfully prosecuted for a clear breach of statutory regulations is nevertheless able to defend or frustrate a claimant suffering serious injuries because of the same accident.\n\nCurrently, training cannot be used as a substitute for proper risk control, e.g. to compensate for poorly designed plant or inadequate work stations. In the future, however, in civil cases proof of adequate training may defeat a civil claim while being largely irrelevant in a criminal prosecution. The implications for employees remain to be seen.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9945483803749084}
{"content": "Tap here\nfor menu\n\nNew Jersey Scuba Diving\n\n\nNew Jersey Scuba Diving\n\nConservation of Iron & Steel - Part I\n\n\n\nAs stated in previous section, the preliminary evaluation of an iron artifact will determine the methods by which the artifact is cleaned. Only after an artifact has been evaluated and cleaned can the appropriate conservation measures be taken. The various treatments available for the conservation of iron can be organized into five general categories:\n\n  1. Electrochemical cleaning\n    a. Galvanic cleaning\n    b. Electrolytic reduction\n  2. Alkaline sulfite treatment\n  3. Chemical cleaning\n  4. Annealing\n  5. Water diffusion in alkaline solutions\n\n\nThe corrosion of metal, as explained earlier, is an electrochemical reaction. Electrochemical and electrolytic reduction cleaning processes, therefore, are the most common techniques utilized to halt, stabilize, and even reverse the oxidation of the metal. In the field of conservation it has been the general practice to distinguish between electrochemical and electrolytic cleaning. An electrochemical reaction is based upon the association of two metals occupying different positions on the galvanic or electromotive series of the metals without an externally applied electromotive force ( EMF ); therefore this cleaning process is also known as galvanic cleaning. Electrolytic reduction, also called electrolysis, is an electrochemical reaction maintained by an externally applied EMF or electric current. Basic information on these two processes can be found in Plenderleith ( 1956 ), Plenderleith and Torraca ( 1968 ) and Plenderleith and Werner ( 1971 ). Hamilton ( 1976:30-49 ) and North ( 1987:223-227 ) provide detailed discussions of electrolytic reduction.\n\n\nGalvanic cleaning is often mentioned as an effective method for conserving shipwreck material. In two frequently cited works on underwater archaeology, it is the only technique recommended ( see Peterson 1969:83-84; Marx 1971:125 ). For marine-recovered iron artifacts which are severely chloride-contaminated, however, galvanic cleaning is not a favorable alternative. It is often not desirable even for metals from terrestrial sites, where chlorides present no real problems.\n\nTo be effective, galvanic cleaning requires that a substantial metal core be present in the object being treated. In most circumstances, this process can be recommended only if a few small objects are to be cleaned and if equipment for electrolytic cleaning is not available. Except for limited use, galvanic cleaning is best considered as an obsolete technique. Since it is used in some laboratories, however, it is briefly discussed here. Some of its advantages and its major disadvantages are presented.\n\nGalvanic cleaning involves placing the iron object in a vat and surrounding it with a more active anodic metal, such as zinc or aluminum, and filling the vat with an electrolyte. In this process, nascent hydrogen acts as the reducing agent as it evolves from the surface of the iron. The chlorides are removed, and reduced metal is left by the reaction. In order for galvanic cleaning to be effective, it is necessary to control the electrode potential of the artifact being treated. In galvanic cleaning this is determined by the couple between the anodic metal and the iron and by the electrolyte; once the electrode potential of the artifact has been established, however, it cannot be manipulated.\n\nThe simplest method of galvanic cleaning consists of wrapping the object loosely in aluminum foil and placing it in a glass beaker of 10 percent sodium hydroxide, or caustic soda ( NaOH ), or a 10 to 20 percent solution of sodium carbonate, or soda ash ( Na2CO3 ). ( No? Hume [1969:283] suggests using an electrolyte of baking soda ( sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3 ), but tests at the Texas A&M Conservation Research Laboratory have shown that baking soda electrolytes are not effective in galvanic cleaning. ) the object is left in the caustic solution until the aluminum foil completely oxidizes. The reaction can be speeded up by heating the solution. The object is then rinsed, and the process is repeated until satisfactory results are achieved. Only small, lightly corroded specimens can be treated in this fashion.\n\nThe most commonly used method of galvanic cleaning differs from the method above only in that granulated zinc or aluminum granules are used to cover the object and a 10 to 20 percent solution of sodium hydroxide is employed ( Plenderleith and Torraca 1968:241; Plenderleith and Werner 1971:194-197 ). The solution is heated to boiling in a metal pan or heat-resistant glassware, and the level of the solution is maintained with the addition of distilled water. The cleaning continues until the electrolyte is exhausted or the activity of the zinc abates. The process is repeated with fresh or cleaned zinc and fresh caustic soda until all of the materials are reduced and all traces of chlorides have been eliminated. If high levels of chlorides are allowed to remain in the artifact, future outbreaks of corrosion are inevitable.\n\nThis process requires facilities to heat the container and an adequate ventilation system, such as a fume hood, to exhaust the caustic vapors. In the reduction process, the caustic solution is exhausted and has to be periodically discarded, and considerable zinc is lost through oxidation. The activity of the remaining zinc is significantly reduced by an accumulated film of oxychloride and carbonate. To be renewed, the zinc must be cleaned with dilute hydrochloric acid solutions, rinsed in distilled water, and then dried ( Plenderleith and Werner 1971:196 ). Alternatively, the zinc can be melted in a ladle under a reducing flame and re-granulated by slowly pouring the molten zinc into water ( Organ 1973:193 ); each time the zinc is reclaimed, slag formation will further reduce the quantity of zinc.\n\nFor iron artifacts, or any other metal with extensive chloride corrosion compounds, the galvanic cleaning process is impractical. The artifact is always obscured, so it is not possible for the conservator to observe its progress. Even under ideal conditions, the process requires constant supervision and is messy. The fumes produced are unpleasant and irritating to the skin, eyes, and throat. Furthermore, it is often difficult to provide simultaneously adequate ventilation and adequate heat. Large artifacts, especially those which are chloride-contaminated, require a long processing time and a prohibitive amount of zinc, which has to be continuously cleaned and replenished.\n\nGalvanic cleaning of most metal artifacts should be considered only if equipment for electrolytic reduction is unavailable, and even then, it may be a waste of time for a majority of iron artifacts, especially if they are very large. No? Hume's comment ( 1969:276 ) bears repeating: \"Those amateurs who have been told that it is a simple method that can readily be performed on the kitchen stove are advised to forget it.\"\n\n\nElectrolytic reduction cleaning is one of the most efficient and effective methods of conserving metal artifacts. Electrolytic units are very cost-effective and simple to set up and maintain. The cleaning process can be selected exclusively for its mechanical cleaning action of the evolved hydrogen, for the metal reduction process or a combination of the two. Efficient electrolytic reduction, however, involves more than simply wiring up artifacts for electrolysis. A knowledge of corrosion processes and electrochemical thermodynamics is essential. The conservator must be familiar with electrode potentials and pH and know how these variables relate to electrode corrosion, passivation, and immunity. These factors are particularly crucial when dealing with chloride-contaminated metals. This is not to say that satisfactory results cannot be obtained by the novice, but rather that knowledge and experience enables the conservator to understand and better control what is going on in the electrolytic cell and to correct adverse conditions.\n\nThe essence of the technique involves setting up an electrolytic cell with the artifact to be cleaned as the cathode. An electrolytic cell consists of a compartment or vat with two electrodes, the anode and the cathode, and contains a suitable electricity-conducting solution called the electrolyte. An electric current from an external direct current ( DC ) power supply is applied to cause oxidation and reduction. The anode is the positive terminal of the electrolytic cell, to which electrons, negatively charged ions, or colloidal particles, travel when an electric current is passed through the cell. Oxidation occurs at the anode and oxygen is evolved. The cathode is the negative terminal of an electrolytic cell, to which positively charged metallic ions travel. At the cathode, reduction takes place and hydrogen is evolved. In the reduction process, some of the positively charged metal ions in the compounds on the surface of the artifact are reduced to a metallic state in situ. In addition, chlorides and other anions are drawn from the specimen and migrate toward the positively charged anode by electrolytic attraction.\n\nThe chief advantage of electrolytic reduction is that the density of the externally applied electromotive force ( EMF ), or electric current, can be controlled. This control enables the conservator to select a low current density that creates a preselected electrode potential conducive for the consolidation and/or reduction of some mineralized metals. When there is an underlying metal core, it is theoretically possible to reduce enough of the ferrous corrosion compounds back to a metallic state through electrolytic reduction. This will consolidate the corrosion layer while eliminating the chloride components of the compounds. A high current density can be selected so that the evolved hydrogen will mechanically remove any completely oxidized crust.\n\nWhen using electrolytic reduction cleaning, factors to be considered are the equipment and the experimental variables.\n\n\n  1. Power Supplies\n  2. Terminal Wires and Clips\n  3. Anode Material\n  4. Chloride Monitoring\n  5. Vats\n\nExperimental variables\n\n  1. Types of Electrolytic Setups\n  2. Electrolytes\n  3. Current Densities\n  4. Electrode Potentials\n\n\nDC Power Supplies\n\nThe regulated DC power supply requirements for electrolytic reduction are wide-ranging, and a well-equipped laboratory should have several units of varying current capacities, each of which is capable of continuous operation. Power units fall into four general current ranges and are capable of cleaning any object from the size of a small spike to a large anchor or cannon.\n\nMost small DC power supplies have an output current with less than 0.1 percent ripple. The larger power supplies have 0.5 percent or more ripple. For well-controlled reduction, the low ripple power supplies are recommended; a little ripple, however, is not harmful. The choice of a power supply depends upon the desired current density control, the size of the artifact, and the number of artifacts on any one unit. Current controls and an amperage meter provide a means of determining and adjusting the current as the treatment progresses. During electrolysis, the current increases as the metallic species are reduced and the resistance of both the object and the electrolyte decreases. The current resistance ( IR ) drop in the electrolyte is due to an increase in chloride and other ions. This is the main reason for the current increase; the decrease in the resistance of the object plays only a minor role. Therefore, variable adjustments are necessary if an object is to be electrolytically reduced at a fixed current density or a predetermined electrode potential.\n\nBecause of the expense of regulated power supplies it is not surprising that many conservation laboratories build their own power units. Foley ( 1967 ) and Organ ( 1968:291-308 ) give directions on how to build an inexpensive power supply. Alternatively, battery chargers can be employed. Battery chargers, however, are not designed to run continuously for electrolytic cleaning. If they are to be used in electrolysis, it is usually necessary to remove timers, relays, and charging rate devices to make them serviceable. Since an electrolytic cell for cleaning artifacts lacks the resistance of a battery, and the battery chargers generally do not have the necessary internal resistance controls to compensate for it, the chargers run well above their maximum safe operating amperage. Additional resistance must be added to the circuits to keep them from overheating. Variable autotransformers, such as Powerstats, on the input alternating current ( AC ) line and variable rheostats, or line resistors, on the outgoing DC negative terminals serve this purpose well. Anyone with a basic knowledge of electrical circuits can easily alter most direct current battery chargers for electrolytic cleaning of metal artifacts.\n\nTerminal Wires and Clips\n\nFor most objects, terminal wires made of U.S. National Electric Code Standard 16 AWG, Separation 2, 300V maximum rating insulated copper wire can be used. This wire is the standard two-ply multistrand wire commonly found on many electrical appliances and is quite flexible and easy to use. One strand of the wire is used for the negative connection, the other for the positive connection; or they can be joined at the terminal ends to make one pole connection if a larger sized wire is required. For larger artifacts that need more current, No. 2 to No. 0 AWG multistrand wire is required. Multistrand copper wire is recommended in all cases because it has a larger current capacity and is more flexible and easier to manipulate than comparably sized solid wire. Before using any wire, one should check the amperage capacity of the wire, or, if in doubt, consult an electrician. A good rule of thumb to follow is that the wire should not heat up during electrolysis; if it does, the wire is not heavy enough.\n\nSteel alligator test and battery clips ( Mueller clips ) are recommended for attaching the terminal leads to the artifact and the anode. Appropriately sized clips on the terminals facilitate setting up and taking down artifacts in electrolysis. These clips come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The size of the clip selected is determined by the current to be used, the size of the artifact, and the placement of attachments. Mueller clips Nos. 25, 27, 48 and 85 are the most useful sizes and should be kept in stock. Steel clips, which are usually are cadmium- or zinc-plated, should be stripped of this plating by a quick bath in a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid before use ( if left too long in the acid, the tempered steel spring is weakened and will break when depressed ). The removal of the cadmium or zinc coating prevents any plating of this metal from the anode clips onto the artifact. For this same reason, copper clips should not be used. Copper clips on the positive terminal, like the exposed copper wire attached to the anode clips, eventually go into anodic dissolution when submerged in the electrolyte and plate onto the cathode. In order to prevent anodic dissolution, any copper wire that is exposed in the electrolyte should be coated with an acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, or silicone rubber.\n\nAnode Material\n\nFor electrolytic cleaning of iron, 16-gauge expanded mild steel mesh with half-inch openings is an inexpensive but efficient anode material. This steel mesh is easily cut, relatively flexible, easy to form-fit around the artifact and does not conceal the artifact from view. It also permits free circulation of the electrolyte and will not trap any gases. Mild steel plates, and even sheets cut from mild steel drums, make serviceable and cheap anode material, but their rigidity makes them difficult to form-fit around an artifact. Specially constructed mild steel vats, or even 55-gallon steel drums, can serve both as the electrolytic vat and the anode material. When a form-fitted anode is desired, however, only expanded steel mesh is cheap enough and flexible enough for regular use.\n\nMild steel anodes are surprisingly durable. As long as an adequate alkaline pH ( minimum of 8.5 ) is maintained at the surface of the mild steel anode, it is less susceptible to chloride corrosion and will even outlast stainless steel. To maintain this level of alkalinity, it may be necessary to circulate the electrolyte. Mild steel anodes are commonly used as the oxygen-hydrogen cell electrodes ( Worth Carlin 1975, personal communication ).\n\nIt is claimed that stainless steel makes a superior anode, and it is often recommended because it is relatively inert and seldom needs to be replaced. All stainless steels, however, do not make equally suitable anode material. A stainless steel with a high percentage of chromium and nickel or even titanium must be selected; Type 316 stainless steel, which is composed of 16-18 percent chromium, 10-14 percent nickel, and 2-3 percent molybdenum, is recommended. Only Type 316 stainless steel resists chloride corrosion and is a good alternative to mild steel anodes in an alkaline electrolyte.\n\nThe high cost of stainless steel generally restricts its use as anode material for large objects and makes it impractical to cut and form-fit it to clean a single artifact. The most practical way to use stainless steel anodes is in certain electrolytic setup alternatives that allow for a number of artifacts to be treated at one time. These setups will be described below.\n\nAs long as the hydroxyl ion concentration in the electrolyte is kept high, mild steel anodes are more efficient than stainless steel anodes. Regardless of the anode material, it is much simpler and more economical to change the electrolyte before the chlorides build up to such an extent that they alter the pH and electrode potential at the anode, destroying the anode's passivity and causing it to go into dissolution. When this happens, the anode has to be replaced.\n\n\nA wide variety of containers can be used in an electrolytic setup. Many kinds of non-conductive vats of various caustic and acid-resistant plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ), polypropylene ( PP ), and polyethylene ( PE ) are widely used. PVC plastic pipes with sealed ends make excellent vats for long, slim artifacts, such as rifle barrels. Fiber-resistant plastics should be avoided unless it is certain that they are alkali-resistant. Glass containers are also suitable for electrolytic setups, as are wooden vats, or frames lined with sheets of PVC plastic ( care must be taken not to puncture the plastic ).\n\nIn addition to non-conducting containers, conducting mild steel vats are frequently used in electrolyte cleaning. The metal vat serves as all or part of the anode and may be substituted as such in any of the electrolytic setups described below. Metal vats also have a distinct advantage over plastic vats in that all stages of the conservation process can be carried out in them. This is especially advantageous for very large pieces, where it is not economically feasible to have different vats for electrolysis, rinsing/dehydration, and wax impregnation.\n\nMild steel vats can be constructed in various gauges and are surprisingly durable and versatile, even in the lighter gauges. Use a gauge that provides the strength required and does not increase the weight of the setup beyond the laboratory's ability to handle it. A common coffee can, with the can used as the vat and the anode, is a simple and effective container for small artifacts. Mild steel 55-gallon drums, cut lengthwise or in half, make readily available, cheap vats, which can be employed in any of the described setup alternatives, in combination with auxiliary anodes to assure a more even distribution of current. Welded mild steel vats can be constructed cheaply and will last for years. For very large artifacts, such as anchors, a two-piece 5-m long mild steel vat is recommended. This 'T'-shaped vat is constructed of two parts, the stem and the cross, each of which is open at one end. When the parts are joined, the vat is used to clean anchors with auxiliary sheets of expanded mild steel positioned near the top surface of the anchor in order to achieve a better distribution of current. Separated, the two vats can be employed to clean an assortment of large iron artifacts.\n\nWhen corrosion takes place in a conducting mild steel vat, it will occur at the stress points, such as weld lines and bends in the metal. It is for this reason that North ( 1987:225 ) discourages the use of a mild steel vat as an anode. If a metal vat is not hooked up as the anode, the fact that it will not be anodically passivated affords it some protection; however, any chloride ions present will still eventually corrode the vat. Furthermore, if a mild steel vat completely corrodes in 10 years due to its use as the anode, it can be easily replaced many times and still be more economical than stainless steel or plastic alternatives. The recommendation by North is disregarded by most conservators responsible for treating large iron artifacts from marine sites.\n\nCare must be taken to ensure that metal anode vats remain passive during electrolysis; otherwise, the metal will go into anodic dissolution and create perforations, which are difficult to repair. This is sometimes difficult when using low current density electrolysis in the presence of high levels of Cl- ions; however most of the difficulties can be overcome if a 5 percent sodium hydroxide electrolyte is used until the chloride levels decrease or the current density can be increased to keep the anode passive. This issue will be discussed in more detail later in this section.\n\nConservators should be aware of some safety issues regarding the use of metal vats as both the container and the anode. Most DC power supplies used in electrolytic cleaning operate in a 6- to 12- or a 24- to 32-volt range and a 0- to 50- or 0- to 200-amperage range, but the actual voltage used during electrolytic cleaning usually does not exceed 6 volts. At this voltage, there is little personal danger in using metal vats. In general, a voltage of less than 32 volts is not hazardous because the IR drop in the human body is such that little or no current would pass through the body. Care should be taken, however, to avoid shorting the two terminals of higher voltage power supplies against each other.\n\n\nChloride concentration monitoring of the electrolyte is crucial to the efficiency and success of electrolytic reduction when conserving metal objects recovered from marine environments. Several methods to quantitatively monitor chloride concentration exist. The mercuric nitrate titration method is recommended in this manual due to its simplicity and low cost.\n\n\nThe mercuric nitrate test is a quantitative method used to determine Cl- or NaCl in parts per million in an aqueous solution. It is a quick and simple test to perform and gives accurate and consistent results. The following procedure is a modification of the method outlined by Furman ( 1962:331-332 ).\n\n\n  1. One automatic 25 ml burette\n  2. Two small amber glass bottles with droppers\n  3. One 500 ml amber glass bottle\n  4. One 250 ml beaker\n  5. A magnetic stirrer\n  6. Teflon-coated stirring bars\n\n\n  1. Diphenylcarbazone-bromophenol blue indicator\n  2. 0.02N mercuric nitrate solution\n  3. Sulfuric acid\n\nTransfer the blue indicator and the sulfuric acid to the amber dropper bottles. The mercuric nitrate should be stored in the amber glass bottle for refilling the burette.\n\n\n  1. Take a 20 ml sample of electrolyte or solution to be tested, and place it in the glass beaker.\n  2. Place the beaker on the magnetic stirrer and put a Teflon stirring bar in the beaker.\n  3. Adjust the stirrer until the liquid is in a steady swirl.\n  4. Add five drops of diphenylcarbazone-bromophenol blue indicator. This will change the color of the solution to blue.\n  5. Add drops of sulfuric acid ( usually 18N for sodium hydroxide electrolytes, 9N for sodium carbonate electrolytes, or 4.5N for water solutions ) to the solution until an acid end point is reached. The acid end point is indicated by a color change from blue to clear. ( The amount of sulfuric acid does not need to be measured as it only acidifies the sample for the next step. )\n  6. Titrate 0.02N mercuric nitrate, drop by drop, from the automatic burette into the beaker until the solution reaches a violet end point. The color changes gradually from clear to violet. Near the end point, each drop will show a flash of color. Continue until a single drops swirls into a single even violet color through out the solution. Note: the sensitivity of the titration can be increased by using a smaller normality solution or decreased by using a larger normality solution of mercuric nitrate.\n  7. Note the amount of mercuric nitrate titrated to reach the end point.\n\nThe concentration of chloride or sodium chloride in parts per million is calculated by the following formulas:\n\nT x N x 0.03545 x 1,000,000\n= T x N x 1772.5 = ppm Cl-\nT x N x 0.05846 x 1,000,000\n= T x N x 2923 = ppm NaCl\n\n\nT = amount of mercuric nitrate titrated\nN = normality of mercuric nitrate\n\nIn order to facilitate the calculation of chloride concentrations, a conversion table can be established using the formulas above:\n\nAmount of Mercuric\nNitrate Titrated ( ml )\nppm Cl- ppm NaCl\n0.1 3.5 5.8\n0.2 7.0 11.7\n0.3 10.6 17.5\n0.4 14.0 23.4\n1.0 35.0 58.5\n10.0 350.0 585.0\netc. etc. etc.\n\nThe mercuric nitrate test gives the total amount of Cl- or NaCl in the electrolyte. Unused electrolyte solution, however, will already contain a certain amount of chlorides. In order to determine the amount of chlorides expelled from the artifact, the amount of chlorides present in an unused sample of the electrolyte must be determined. This provides a 'blank' which is subtracted from the amount of chlorides present in a sample taken from the electrolytic bath. For example, if a sample taken from an active electrolytic bath contains 24.5 ppm of Cl- while an unused sample of the same electrolyte contains 17.5 ppm, the amount of chlorides in the electrolytic bath that have been expelled from the artifact is 7.0 ppm.\n\nComments on the Mercuric Nitrate Test\n\nThroughout this entire process, the glassware must be kept clean and uncontaminated. To prevent cross contamination, a clean beaker and stirring rod should be used for each electrolyte sample, or these items should be washed thoroughly and rinsed with de-ionized water between each sample. Purple mercuric nitrate stains can be removed from the stirring rods by immersing them in dilute solution of nitric acid.\n\nTwo notes should be added with regard to the chloride testing procedure. First, the diphenylcarbazone-bromophenol end point is to some degree subjective, but most individuals are consistent about their end point. Therefore, the most reliable and consistent results are obtained when only one individual is responsible for monitoring the electrolyte. To further assure the consistency of chloride monitoring, the reagents should be tested weekly against a known sodium chloride solution.\n\nAll of the chemicals in the concentrations required for the chloride test can be purchased from a chemical supply house. Chemical costs can be considerably decreased, however, if the chemicals are mixed in the lab as follows:\n\nDuring electrolytic cleaning, the chloride level should be calculated and recorded at least once a week. These calculations can be used to make a graph that visually depicts at a glance the progress of chloride removal from an artifact. This will save much valuable time and enable the conservator to determine when all detectable soluble chlorides have been removed from the object, as well as when to change a chloride-contaminated electrolyte. Systematic chloride monitoring assures that the artifact will remain in electrolysis for the least amount of time necessary. Chloride monitoring cannot, however, be used to determine the efficiency of the reduction of the iron compounds. This can only be confirmed with analytical tests on samples taken from the artifact before and after treatment.\n\ndiffusion of chlorides into solution during electrolysis\nGraph depicting the diffusion of chlorides into solution during electrolysis.\n\nThe graph in Figure 10A.1 presents the progress of a typical iron artifact recovered from a marine environment. It clearly depicts the high initial rise in chlorides released from the artifact and the subsequent decrease as the electrolyte is periodically changed. Drops in the graph to the zero line represent electrolyte changes. The two-week gap in the graph in November indicates when the artifact was taken out of electrolysis in order to mechanically clean the remaining encrustation and loose corrosion products. Occasionally, a drop from a previous high is seen on some chloride graphs, especially when the chloride level is high. This may be caused by chlorides reacting with corrosion products from the anode, chlorate formation, or the actual liberation of chlorine which causes the chlorides to be undetectable by taking them out of solution. Electrolysis is continued until the chloride concentration levels off for several days and does not increase above that present in a 'blank' of the electrolyte.\n\nConservation of Iron & Steel - Part II\n\n\n\n\n\n  1. The size and condition\n    of the specimens\n  2. The amount of artifacts\n    to be processed\n  3. The number of available regulated direct current power supplies\n  4. The current capacities of the power supply units\n  5. The number, size and\n    nature of the vats\n\n\n\nelectrolytic setup\nFigure 10B.1\n\n\nThe most commonly used electrolytic setup involves connecting multiple artifacts to a single power supply. Regardless of how it is configured, Type 3 electrolytic setups ( Figure 10B.1 C-D ) are the least desirable from the standpoint of control, but they have the advantage of processing a number of objects at one time in one vat on a single power supply. In one configuration ( Figure 10B.1 C ), each piece is individually connected to the negative terminal of a single power supply. The artifacts share common anode sheets placed above and below the specimens. An alternative variation of this setup has a common bottom anode and individual top form-fitted anodes to assure a more even distribution of the current to each artifact.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTable 9.1\n\nElectromotive Series of the Metals of Antiquity: Standard Reduction Potentials in Salt Solutions of Normal Ionic Activity at 20°C, pH 0.\n\nNoble End\n( Cathodic )\n( +1 aurous, +3 auric )\nAu+3 ( + 3e- )<< >> Au +1.50\n( +1 )\nAg+ + e- << >> Ag +0.799\n( +1 cuprous )\nCu++ e-<< >> Cu +0.552\n( +2 cupric )\nCu+2+ 2e- << >> Cu +0.337\n( +1 )\n2 H++ 2e-<< >> H2 0.00 0.00\n( +2 plumbous, +4 plumbic )\nPb+2 +2e- << >> Pb -0.126\n( +2 stannous, +4 stannic )\nSn+2 + 2e- << >> Sn -0.136\n( +2 ferrous )\nFe+2 + 2e- << >> Fe -0.440 -0.409\n( +3 ferric )\nFe+3 + 3e- << >> Fe -0.036\n( +2 )\nZn+2 + 2e-<< >> Zn -0.0763\nBase End\n( Anodic )\n\n* Electrode potentials in left column are from Evans ( 1963:end papers ); potentials in the right column are from Hunsberger ( 1974:D120-125 ).\n\n\n\n\nelectromotive series\n\nThe electromotive series in Table 9.1 (above) indicates that the reduction reaction of ferrous ions, Fe+2 Fe - 2 e, occurs at -0.409 volts to -0.440 volts at a pH of 0. The reduction potential increases -0.029 volts for each pH increase. The reduction of ferric ions, Fe+3 Fe - 3e, occurs at -0.036 volts and increases -0.019 volts per pH increase. The hydrogen discharge potential, 2 H+ H2 - 2e, occurs at a voltage potential of 0 and increases -0.058 volts per unit of pH increase. The reduction potential of ferrous, ferric, and hydrogen ions at different pHs at a standard temperature of 20°C are graphically presented in Figure 10B.3. This graph makes it possible to determine the theoretical electrode potential voltage necessary for reduction of ferrous corrosion products in an electrolyte of known pH and ion content. It is thermodynamically impossible to reduce ferric oxide and other ferric iron corrosion compounds in an aqueous solution; this point is also graphically depicted in Figure 10B.3. The electrode potential for the reduction of ferric corrosion products is well out of the range possible for electrolytic reduction in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte with an external EMF.\n\nreduction potentials of ferric, ferrous, and hydrogen ions\n\n\nreduction potentials\n\nreduction electrode potential\n\nThe electrode potential at the surface of the cathode is a critical factor in the reduction of corrosion compounds during iron electrolysis. As the hydrogen discharge potential of the cell is reached, hydrogen ions are formed which reduce adjacent ferrous compounds. ( At more negative electrode potentials, molecular hydrogen will form so rapidly that the molecules will combine with each other and evolve as hydrogen gas; this evolution of hydrogen acts as a mechanical cleaning agent that physically removes any unconsolidated corrosion layers. ) the theoretical point at which the maximum reduction and/or consolidation of the ferrous corrosion compounds is achieved is at the intersection of the hydrogen discharge line and the ferrous ion reduction line or immediately to the left of this intersection ( see Figure 10B.3 ). Using the formula Fe+2 + 2e Fe and substituting values for the Fe+2 reduction potential and the correction for pH [( -0.409 )( -0.029 )( pH )], this intersection appears at a pH of 14.1 and an electrode potential of -0.82.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nmetal reduction\n\nmetal reduction\nFigures 10B.6 and 10B.7\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReducing Electrolysis Time\n\n\nThe stage at which the chloride ( Cl- ) level in the electrolyte is reduced to below 50 to 100 ppm requires the greatest amount of electrolytic cleaning time. Below 100 ppm Cl-, the artifact is assumed to be in the final stages of cleaning. There are at least two explanations for the long amount of time required to remove chlorides during electrolysis: ( 1 ) the electrolysis is carried out at high current densities which have a tendency to repress Cl- migration in preference for H2 evolution, ( 2 ) the Cl- concentration in the electrolysis is governed by the Donnan equilibrium theory.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegardless of whether tannic or phosphoric acid is used, it is highly recommended that a sealant, such as microcrystalline wax, be applied over the film formed on the object, the wax will provide a vapor barrier, which the film does not, and will also contribute some strength to corrosion layers on the metal.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDonny L. Hamilton\n1998. Methods of Conserving Underwater Archaeological Material Culture. Conservation Files: ANTH 605, Conservation of Cultural Resources I. Nautical Archaeology Program, Texas A&M University, World Wide Web, http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/ANTH605/.\n\nCopyright 2000 Donny L. Hamilton, Conservation Research Laboratory, Texas A&M University\n\n\n\n\nCopyright © 1996-2016 Rich Galiano\nunless otherwise noted\n\n\n\nsince 2016-09-11", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7638512849807739}
{"content": "Crude Oil Insights Crude Price Outlook, Uncategorized Crude Oil Price Update- WTI Falls on Weak US Economic Data; Brent Rises\n\n\nOil futures fell by the biggest weekly amount in a month amidst news that the US Unemployment rate increased to its highest level this year. WTI crude futures fell by 0.18 percent to USD $ 100.22 a barrel.\n\nThe US Labour Department stated that the number of payrolls increased by only 54,000 in May, the smallest increase this year. The unemployment rate from 9 to 9.1 percent. For the first time in almost seven months, factories in the US cut down on the number of people employed by 5000, whereas the number of new jobs added in the retail, leisure and state and local governments also decreased in May. Further compounding this pessimistic outlook was a revised report from the US Commerce Department, which stated that the US economic growth in the first quarter of this year was a meager 1.8 percent per annum, down from the growth rate of 3.1 percent per annum in the previous quarter. This news has increased speculation about a decreased demand of oil in the US during the summer season, which has led to a fall in the price of oil futures.\n\nMeanwhile, Brent crude futures increased by 0.26 percent to USD $ 115.84 a barrel. The Euro appreciated against the Dollar, which has resulted in commodities priced in the Greenback, such as Brent futures, appear more attractive to European investors. Thus, this increased demand for Brent futures led to its price hike.\n\n\n\nAuthor: Usman", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9265633225440979}
{"content": "Wednesday, July 18, 2012\n\n“If You Got a Business, You Didn’t Build That”\n\nThose are Obama’s very telling words and why he is a dangerous leader. This is exactly how a socialist or even communist would think – that government intervention is the solution to everything including innovation and all the products developed in our country. This is why Obama and the left want to redistribute wealth and make sure every American citizen is dependent on the government to survive – they actually believe this leads to economic success. They believe spending is investment and therefore, a dollar spent on welfare creates more than a dollar of wealth in GDP.\n\nThe below study will show exactly why government intervention hinders innovation and product development because it constrains the private sector with rules, regulation, mandates, and other anti-business legislation.\n\nAccording to a Patent Board study (study done by the U.S. Government) from 2003 to 2007, the U.S. government accounted for 1% of all patents developed internally, and 2% of all patents developed in cooperation with private industry through federal funding. The U.S. government is most active in patents owned and shared in fields of Biotechnology (13%), Defense and Aerospace (8%), and Semiconductors (2%). In these fields, government developed patents are rarely cited, but sponsored patents with private industry do have some significant credence because they are widely cited. The bottom line is that federal government has shown little innovation with exception of the fields in Biotechnology, Defense, and Semiconductors where their private sector funding patents have shown some broad success. However, other than that, the government has shown little overall innovation in other high tech, healthcare, energy, education, or financial fields.\n\nThis past year government discretionary spending accounted for about 9% of GDP (total federal spending accounted for about 25% of GDP). Yet, the government only account for 2% of the innovation (patents). This not only illustrates how abysmal the federal government is when it comes to innovation and research and development, but shows the waste in government spending. If this is not bad enough, government innovation numbers are much worse when we consider local and state government discretionary spending versus GDP. Locality and state governments offer a very few patents – about 0.1% of the total. Therefore, total government discretionary spending (Local, State, and Federal) accounts for better than one eighth of our national GDP, but only a little more than 2% of the total patents or innovation. What’s worse, total government spending (Local, State, and Federal) accounts for over 40% of total GDP in the country. Hence, the private sector accounts for less than 60% of the GDP, but 98% of the innovation (99%, if we include the 1% of the innovation that is done jointly between the private and government sectors). And the private sector accomplishes this despite government rules, regulations, mandates and other anti-business policies that work to restrict innovation.\n\nAccording to the above analysis, Obama was right when he said NASA generated a lot of innovation (8% of the patents with even a greater percentage of significant patents that were widely cited). This is good considering government spending is only 6% of GDP on Defense and Aerospace related fields. But remember Defense and Aerospace are the fields that Obama, and progressives alike, want to significantly cut funding. Obama has already killed our space program. Hence, it makes little sense he would even point out the innovations made in the aerospace and defense sector since he is obviously not a proponent for their existence.\n\nObama also pointed to the public educational system as helping many American citizens. Sure, many of us may point to a teacher that played a prominent role in our success. But the dropout rate across the country is 25% - so our public schools are failing many young people. And the unemployment rate of over 70% for recent college grads is not encouraging news for the public school system either.\n\nTo summarize, private sector's products are all around us -- food, shelter, clothing, automobiles, home appliances, entertainment, for example. The public sector's products include defense, the justice system, roads and highways, public schools, income redistribution (welfare), laws, and regulations.\n\nMany of the government sector's outputs are more like anti-products than products. Regulations stifle innovation, decrease productivity, increase costs, and generally drive people crazy. Rather than wealth creation, regulations result in wealth prevention.\n\n“Government innovation across multiple Administrations has generally focused on learning from private sector processes that can apply to support functions like technology, financial management, and HR.” said one government study on innovation. In other words, the government follows in the private sector’s footsteps when it comes to innovation.\n\n\n  1. >>”This is exactly how a socialist or even communist would think...”\n\n    That’s exactly right. Good post and good comparison of gov’t vs. private sector innovation.\n\n  2. I do not like calling anyone a communist without good reason. I am starting to get a bit bitter that this guy is most likely to win in November. I will keep the hope that the polls change in the next 15 weeks.\n\n  3. Yes, we'd better hope so.\n\n    I have a new post, btw. I'm having trouble getting inspired lately. It gives me renewed respect for your ability to post as often as you do.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.925467312335968}
{"content": "Which Jimi Hendrix song are you?\n\nShows which Jimi song you are among three of his greatest hits!\n\n1 You have just been dumped, what do you say?\n2 Which is your addiction?\n3 Which is most important: relationships, parties, or hotwomen?\n4 How do you feel?\n5 Are you intoxicated sir?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5195595622062683}
{"content": "Some parties choose to avoid divorce and opt instead for legal separation. Based on my experience as an attorney, most parties who decide to proceed with a legal legal separation shutterstock_149341619separation rather than a divorce do so for religious reasons, potential health insurance continuation, the existence of a very long-term marriage or hope of reconciliation or a combination of these reasons. Sometimes parties may remain married, but legally separated, in an effort to meet tenure vesting requirements for Social Security or military pensions.\n\nUnlike divorce, a legal separation does not terminate the marriage, but allows you to live separately and independently.  Like a divorce, a Judgment of Legal Separation makes provisions for legal custody and physical placement, child support, maintenance, and property division, as is applicable to the facts and circumstances of each case. A Judgment of Legal Separation must provide that if a reconciliation occurs at anytime after the Judgment, the parties may apply for a revocation of the Judgment.  Upon application for revocation of the Judgment, the court shall make such orders as may be just and reasonable, Wis. Stats. Sec. 767.35(4).   Bartz v. Bartz, 153 Wis.2d 756 (Ct. App. 1989)\n\nIn Wisconsin, by stipulation of both parties or on motion of either party, not earlier than one year after entry of the Judgment of Legal Separation, the court shall convert the Judgment of Legal Separation to a Judgment of Divorce.\n\nConsult a top-rated Wisconsin family law or divorce lawyer to discuss your legal options relative to separation and divorce. Don’t assume that legal separation is in your best interests without weighing the benefits and detriments of both legal separation and divorce.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6652259826660156}
{"content": "Much of what we do as Technology Education teachers involves a variety of content outside of our core subject (primarily science and math). I try to incorporate a lot of math into my classroom activities whether it’s in the form of measurement, RPM calculations for machinery, dimensioning in my CAD classes, and of course laying out print designs in desktop publishing. The latter is an activity we are currently wrapping up.\n\nOur first graphic design project of the year didn’t really involve much in the way of layout or understanding image/print resolution. However, their last project required that they develop an accurate full size print layout of their project so that they are able to send the job to our color printer. Their project was to design and create a mock credit card (both front and back). All elements of the card were to be created by them (the shape of the card, the lettering, the card type logo, the swipe bar, etc). Before the project began, we discussed how images vary in their resolution (expressed in PPI, or pixels per inch) depending on their use.\n\nFirst we calculated how to figure out how many pixels are in an image given it’s pixel dimensions (simply take the width x the height). I told them that this is ALL the more pixels a particular image has, and there can be no more than that. This is where camera’s mega pixel ratings come from (1500px x 2000px would be a 3mp camera).\n\nI stressed that most images on the web are low resolution (most commonly 72ppi), and are not suitable for printing. We created a mock high resolution document within Photoshop (ideally not the best page layout program, but it’s what we have). We then took sample images off the internet and placed them into the project window (set at 250ppi). The students observed what happens to the pixels at various resolutions (the image appears to shrink drastically because the number of pixels in an image is constant, the resolution dictates how many of them are in a given inch). We basically broke it down into steps, like this:\n\nTake a 400px x 400px image. That image has 1600 pixels TOTAL (multiply the dimensions). At 72PPI, there are 72 of those 1600 pixels in every inch. At 250PPI, there are 250 of those 1600 pixels in every image. In the latter example, there are more of the 1600 used in every inch, thus the image appears smaller (on screen) than it’s 72ppi counterpart.\n\nI then set up a scenario to calculate appropriate image sizes given a specific resolution as well as a physical print dimension (in inches). We ran through a scenario like this:\n\nYou set up project to be printed at 5″x3″ and 250PPI. You need to find an image that will fit that appropriate space at that resolution, and you need this dimension in pixels. So, what they need to do is some basic math:\n\n250 Pixels Per Inch, and the image needs to fit 5″ x 3″. Students must multiply their resolution (250) by each physical dimension (5 and 3) to get the appropriate pixel dimensions which turns out to be\n1250px X 750px.\n\nDesktop publishing is both visual based as well as mathematically based. Students need to understand concepts of image resolution, display resolution vs. print resolution, margins, kerning, leading, etc to fully have all the tools to be a successful designer.\n\nThis is simply one example of how I try to keep my instruction interdisciplinary, but in reality it’s almost a daily occurrence . From the wood shop to the graphics lab, I’m always incorporating some cross-curriculum content within my lessons. It’s key not only for my subject area’s survival within school districts (as districts begin cutting “elective” classes), but to also help our students see their education as not subject based, but rather content based.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8999176621437073}
{"content": "indoors, illuminated, lighting equipment, electric lamp, home interior, lit, lamp, candle, glowing, dark, night, electricity, light - natural phenomenon, table, darkroom, electric light, wall - building feature, hanging, room, light bulb\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8002688884735107}
{"content": "text, western script, communication, capital letter, information, copy space, sign, close-up, non-western script, studio shot, white background, information sign, message, number, no people, wall - building feature, guidance, clear sky, single word, wall\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997338652610779}
{"content": "indoors, pattern, high angle view, design, architecture, built structure, no people, white color, low angle view, close-up, art and craft, steps, absence, staircase, spiral, blue, wall - building feature, steps and staircases, art, shape\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9793551564216614}
{"content": "text, communication, western script, indoors, non-western script, close-up, number, capital letter, lifestyles, front view, wireless technology, information, information sign, leisure activity, technology, young men, sign, young adult\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n\n\nand fa lling fast in to the abys he swim to be free . the fire fighting water but the flame burn he .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9995521306991577}
{"content": "German to English Translation-Economic &amp; Business Articles\n\nLadies and Gentlemen,\n\nwe seek native English speakers, to translate German language economic and business articles into English.\n\nHow does it work?\n\n- The project will start asap.\n\n- In order to get started, I suggest to do an initial TRIAL PROJECT for the duration of 1 week (5 working days/7 days)\n\n- During the trial project I will provide you each working day (Monday - Friday, except public and other local holidays) with 5 (five) German language business/economic articles.\n\n- Once we have started the full project, I would like to provide you with 10 to 20 articles per working day (depending on price, speed, reliability and quality)\n\n- Each article will average 200-300 German language words.\n\n- IMPORTANT: The timeliness of the translation is highly important. I need to know from you, when you are available to do the work, i.e. when you can do the translation? Best, if each working day you are available at the same time in order for us to develop a rhythm method. My suggestion is, that I will provide you with the 5 articles either in the morning (e.g. at 10:00 am) or in the afternoon (e.g. at 4:00 pm) Vienna time (CEST). [CEST (Central European Summer Time, MEZ, UTC + 2 hours, i.e. Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Rome)]\n\n- After I have provided you with the articles, you should be able to translate the articles asap, but not later than within a specified amount of time. (2 hours for 5 articles, accordingly more time for more articles)\n\n- During the trial period you simply need to return the translated articles individually in plain text format (Word Notepad, format .txt) by email.\n\n- Once we have started the full project, you need to make yourself familiar with our CMS. Basically speaking, you need to copy/paste the translated articles into a field and publish the articles directly. Since the CMS work involves additional but simple steps, I will pay a small additional fee to do this. I will provide you on time with login details and detailed instructions, how to use it. (Don't worry, it is fairly simple and self explanatory.)\n\n- IMPORTANT: 1.) Please provide me with your price per English word. 2.) Also provide me with a price per article, if the CMS work takes around 3 minutes per article.\n\nAdditional Information:\n\n- This is a long term project and therefore we seek to establish long term relations.\n\n- A background in Economics or Business Administration is required.\n\n- I will pay your fee depending on the amount of English language words. We pay via PayPal (or wire transfer within the EU) every Monday (for all articles submitted in the previous week)\n\n- The articles deal with Austrian business/economic issues. Therefore - during the course of the project - you need to familiarize yourself with certain Austrian terminology, abbreviations, institutions and companies..\n\n- Do not apply if you are not a native English speaker.\n\n- Do not apply if you are not an experienced translator with economic/business background.\n\n- A Skype account for our communication would be very useful.\n\n- All rights to the written articles are transferred to us. We will own the full copyright once we have received the articles from you.\n\n- You may not reuse the articles in any way, therefore they are not permitted to be distributed to other people and organizations.\n\n- All Articles must be translated and written by you in your own words without any grammatical mistakes. You may not outsource the work to other people.\n\n- Please type this in your private message to me... \"Ich werde die Übersetzungen schnell, sorgfältig und professionell erledigen!\" so I know you read and understand the requirements.\n\n- Please translate the attached sample article (Sample Article 226 German [url removed, login to view]) to prove your quality.\n\n- Please submit your CV (including picture, age, time availability per working day (see above), amount of articles you can handle) together with the quote.\n\nDo not hesitate to contact us for further questions.\n\nThank you and we look forward to hearing from you.\n\nSkills: Translation\n\nSee more: economic article translation, economic business article translate, steps translate economic articles, german translation economics, articles economic translation, economics german translation, simple economic articles german, articles business english translation, economic articles translation, article english business economic, economic article english, economics articles translation, economic articles, working for seek, wire transfer to paypal account, wire transfer paypal, wire transfer method, us seek, us communication companies, translator requirements, translator required cv, translator price project, translator price, translator people, translator outsource price\n\nAbout the Employer:\n( 1 review ) Vienna, Austria\n\nProject ID: #788651", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999850988388062}
{"content": "As the name suggests, Mexican Terragon originates from Mexico, where it has been used for centuries by medicine men as a healing herb, and is delicious food flavoring for everyday folks like you and me.\n\nThrough the ages, its distinct liquorice-like taste has earned it nicknames like Sweet Mace, Mexican Mint Marigold, Pericon and Yerba Anise, although it’s scientific name is Tagetes lucida.\n\nHowever, one of the plant’s most famous uses to date has to be as a lucid dreaming aid, which starts by producing improved awareness and slight visions during the waking state, which then translated into an altered dream state that involves the experience of fantastic imagery. Read on for more on this lesser known lucid dreaming herb and how you can use it.\n\nHistory of mexican terragon\n\nThis ancient herb, which has the appearance of a marigold with bright yellow petals and vibrant green leaves, can be traced back all the way to the Aztec civilisation, where it was used as a sedative to dull the senses of sacrificial victims prior to the ceremony. Apart from its ties to this gruesome period in history, this herb has continued to be a source of healing and is one of the most widely used holistic remedies and spices in the Latin American region and beyond.\n\nAnd Native American shamans have relied on it for centuries to experience vivid dreams and visions or to connect to the ‘other world’.\n\nMexican terragon uses\n\nMost people use Mexican Terragon as a spice or flavouring for a variety of dishes, from eggs to meat and even chocolate. Others prefer to use it as incense, believing that it’ll cleanse their space of evil spirits and the like.\n\nThe plant also contains medicinal properties and through the ages has been used in Mexican cultures to treat ailments such as colds and flus, sleep disorders, rheumatism, as well as stomach aches and indigestion. For best results, add it towards the end of the cooking process, so that you can get the most out of the natural flavour and experience some of its healing properties as well.\n\nLucid dreamers, on the other hand, use Mexican Terragon to complement other dreaming herbs like Ayahuasca, a combination which could help to eliminate the nausea and other side effects that come with a powerful trip, while also increasing your ability to recall the dreams afterwards.\n\nIn traditional Mexican culture, medicine men and women waft it over a person’s body to cleanse the spirit, heal traumas and even to perform soul retrieving ceremonies, and of course we know that it works great when wanting to experience symbolic and even visually rich dreams.\n\nMexican terragon dosage for lucid dreams\n\nThe active ingredients in Mexican Terragon are best enjoyed while the leaves are still fresh, because the effects tend to dissipate when it’s dry. Depending on your preferences, you can either smoke the plant, or take it orally as a tea or spice. If you’ll be smoking it then keep in mind that Mexican Terragon tastes great when smoked alone, but can be dreadful when combined with tobacco.\n\nIn preparing it, you can use the entire plant, including the stems, leaves and flower, as they all contain compounds that produce oneirogenic, anti-viral and healing medicinal benefits. But you can also use this as a tincture or essential oil, both of which have been reported to work incredibly well as aphrodisiac and sleeping aids.\n\nIt is also recommended to eat something before or after taking this herb, so as to help it to get into the blood stream faster. A popular method of preparing it would be to combine it with some grain alcohol and flavour it with a natural sugar, which really brings out that liquorice taste. In terms of the actual dosage, twenty grams should get you the desired result, although to it’s perfectly safe to add a little more to the dosage if you have a higher tolerance.\n\nRegardless of how you choose to consume it, just be sure to take it while it’s still fresh, as storing it will only serve to weaken it over time. Also, finding fresh Terragon can be difficult so it’s recommended that you try growing it on your own so that you always have a fresh supply available to use.\n\nHow to grow your own mexican terragon\n\nMexican Terragon is a perennial plant which can grow to a height of up to 30 inches when exposed to consistent sunlight. Also, it grows best in well-drained soil, and although drought resistant, requires regular watering in order to thrive, especially in the beginning. You’ll start to notice blooming in the early spring, but it’ll only come into full potential during the fall season, where you can harvest it to your heart’s content to experience potent effects.\n\nThe best part about growing your own Mexican Terragon is that it’s really easy to grow because it proliferates on its own, and the leaves start growing roots as soon as they touch the ground. They also germinate fast, so you should be able to transplant them within two weeks of planting.\n\n\nThose who have burned the dried leaves of this herb report experiencing a state of lucidity which amplifies day-to-day consciousness, produces a tingling warm sensation in the body, a slower passage of time, and an overall feeling well-being, while the dream state experienced while on this herb may include unusual visuals and the ability to completely recall the smallest detail from those dreams.\n\nIt is also possible to experience an altered and vivid dream state while on Mexican Terragon, granted that you consume it fresh and take it in the right quantities. It may not be as strong as other oneirogens, but it still produces memorable dreams that may even hold meaning for the dreamer. Plus, its use and effects are supported by use in ancient rituals that span centuries, so it’s definitely worth a try.\n\nSide Effects\n\nMexican Terragon is quite a delicate and tame herb and has no own wide effects or contraindications. However, it is prohibited for use when pregnant or lactating, as with most potent herbs.\n\n\nWhile it may not be the most powerful or popular dream herb out there, Mexican Terragon can hold its own weight, with the ability to produce completely detailed and vivid dreams while improving dream recall.\n\nIt is especially recommended for novice lucid dreamers who might need something mild to introduce them to the practice, while experienced reamers will appreciate the increased awareness and calm state that it promotes.\n\nJust remember to flavour it with some honey if taken orally and consume it fresh for best results. Growing your own is a breeze too, as this hassle-free plant only requires moist soil, sunlight, some watering and very little maintenance over time. That said take caution to stay within the recommended dosage and you you’ll be enjoying some of the most marvellous states you can ever imagine.\n\nGrab some of your own Mexican terragon here and read up about other lucid dreaming herbs that you can use or grow in your own home! Also, have a look at the lucid dreaming bootcamp if you want to get some fast results!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7710106372833252}
{"content": "You can setup as many administrators as you wish. \n\nWe do recommend that each person has their own login using their own email address.\n\nRight now, each admin once provided access, will have access to everything.  However, you can adjust it in the system to only allow access to certain areas.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9478830099105835}
{"content": "It’s a Wrap\n\nWriting in an Endangered World is a course title and a description of practice, of reading, thinking, discussion, and writing motivated by self-awareness, interest, engagement, honesty, generosity, and collaboration.\n\nThis course blog makes visible our practice. The sidebar includes student work organized by author or activity under Themes, the weekly essays syndicated from the student’s blogs to this Writing in an Endangered World blog under Discussion, and direct links to the student course blogs under Blog Contributors.\n\nHow did we do? The Writing Portfolios and the projects below offer one answer. In addition, rather than writing learning outcomes for the students in advance, the students worked together at the conclusion of fifteen weeks to articulate what they have learned: the knowledge and understanding, the skills and competencies, as well as the attitudes and habits of mind that they are taking with them.\n\nWriting Portfolios\n\nEach blog is a portfolio of writing: twelve essays and a preface. The portfolios invited students to take ownership of their presence on the web, express ideas, and integrate their learning and interests; to use open-source platforms, build projects using digital tools, and create content using portfolios, exhibits, galleries, blogs, or wikis; and to engage with the community, construct the web, navigate and critically question digital technologies.\n\nMadison Ballou Miss B “This world is but a canvas to our imagination.”―Henry David Thoreau\n\nChelsea Birchmore Mind Flowers Welcome to My Garden\n\nEthan Chalmers Eyes of the White Mountains We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable.”―Henry David Thoreau\n\nNick DeCarolis Reconnecting to Nature“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”― John Muir\n\nAriel Freedman Feeling the Flood Emotions are Wild. Welcome to the Natural World\n\nMeghan Hayman Coming Out of My Shell “Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” -GD\n\nMickayla Johnson The River is Everywhere“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.”―John Muir\n\nAnna LeClere Pieces of the World You have big things. You know big things. But you don’t look into each other’s eyes, and you are hungry for quietness.”―Nell (1994)\n\nRoy Martin Life Lessons Within Environmentalism A collection of thoughts, questions and speculations\n\nAlexa Reichardt A Time for Tree Pausing our daily hubbub to sit down, drink tea, and give thanks to our Mother Earth\n\nTJ Snow Snow My thoughts, feelings, and responses to various works and texts\n\nDevon Sacca The Enchanted Forest“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.”―John Muir\n\nLucas Thors The Islander“I thought to live on an island was like living on a boat. Islands intrigue me. You can see the perimeters of your world. It’s a microcosm.”―Jamie Wyeth\n\nColby Nilsen Wildcat: Overseer of the Mountain “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” ― Mahatma Gandhi\n\nWriting in the Endangered World Projects\n\nThe projects below began with a question: What might you do with what you have learned by reading, thinking, and writing in the course Writing in an Endangered World? Students were encouraged to know what they were doing and then to go about doing it well.\n\nDevon Coffee’s Taking a Walk Through the Forest of Environmental Literature: A Resource for High School Teachers\n\nIt takes action to make a change. This is Meghan Hayman’s claim in her project Saving Mother Earth: a blog designed to inform the world about our earth’s environmental crisis and raises money for Greenpeace, a nonprofit environmental organization that helps to give the earth a voice.\n\nMickayla Johnson  Compassionate Natures: An Animal Emotions Directory is a collection of writings, images, stories, and other resources on the fascinating topic of non-human animal emotion\n\nAnna LeClere and Chelsea Birchmore Food for Thought features interviews on people’s relationship to food\n\nAlexa Reichardt Final Project: Solitude: the ways of the woods, positive change, resilience\n\nEthan Chalmers EcoConscious Climbing blog explores climbing and environmental ethics, specifically the impact of climbing on the rock and on the experiences of future climbers.\n\nAriel Freedman has composed an Illustrated Children’s Book\n\nRoy Martin’s Nature In A Quarter Hour Podcast on the field of environmentalism and it’s literary contributions\n\nMadison Ballou Nature and Children: Interviews\n\nNick DeCarolis The Milky Way Sports Club\n\nDevon Sacca Final Project: An Anthology of Environmental Poetry\n\nTJ Snow Snow Final Project: Environmentalism and Film\n\nLucas Thors Final Project: One Planet Campus: ecological and environmental awareness on campus\n\nColby Nilsen Final Project: The Adventures of Wildcat: A Place Showcase\n\nSo, what have you learned?\n\nWhat we have come to call student learning outcomes, at least as I understand them, invite teachers and academic programs to articulate for students the expected knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and habits of mind that they will be expected to learn in a course.\n\nTo be quite honest, this kind of language does not acknowledge the unique ways that a group of students make sense of the literary and cultural materials I teach. That is, I am far more interested in your own assessment of what you have learned in the course. On the one hand, your prefaces and essays offer one version of what you have learned—in every case, these essays chronicle your thinking about (and with) the books and essays and poems we read this semester. Another version of what you have learned is the list below that attempts to capture the knowledge and understanding, the skills and competencies, as well as the attitudes and habits of mind that you recorded during our final class session.\n\nKnowing and Understanding\n\nI learned about (and learned from) new authors that I had never known about before\n\nI learned to appreciate the many forms of environmental writing: including poems, essays, novels, and memoirs\n\nI understand the origins and history of the environmental movement in the United Sates and the social movements of environmentalism around the world\n\nI learned that the natural world has much to teach us and that we can learn how to be open to how it teaches us\n\nI learned about the responsibility we have to both ourselves and to the more-than-human world\n\nI understand the wild as the ultimate and most powerful force in our lives and in the world around us\n\nI understand environmental issues as social issues\n\nI understand that we are the environment, we are of it and we are in it\n\nI understand that the idea of nature is socially constructed\n\nI learned about the problems that lie within our current understanding of nature as a social construct (and what we falsely recognize as our inherent separation from natural processes)\n\nI understand that the “human privilege” (anthropocentrism) that we have bestowed upon ourselves is the root of the environmental crisis\n\nI understand environmental responsibility as having good manners in a human and more-than-human world, as etiquette, as Gary Snyder describes it in the essay “The Etiquette of Freedom”\n\nSkills and Competencies\n\nI read by listening to what the text says and make meaning through listening and thinking and writing\n\nI read with an awareness of the inter-relatability of the context and the content of a text\n\nI write from the words of the writer and editor Ed Hogan: “Know what you are doing and do it well”\n\nI write as a process of self evaluation, self-identification, and self recognition\n\nI write to find a place in the world and to articulate thought\n\nI write for general audiences by cultivating a point of view and a distinctive voice or presence\n\nI write not to forget about an essay or throw it away but to write in a place (a blog) where it is never over, so I was never motivated to never want to stop perfecting it\n\nAttitudes and Habits of Mind\n\nThe environment is everywhere and I am in it\n\nNot to be afraid of what we don’t know and what we do not want to hear\n\nWe are not separate from the world but are a part of it and we need to start acting as if this is true\n\nGreater awareness of self and greater awareness of the more-than-human world\n\nGreater awareness of the unknown and comfort with the unknown\n\nGreater awareness of what is going on in our society that harms the more-then-human world and that we have to come together to figure out solutions\n\nInstinctual urge to save the body that nurtures and sustains our life\n\nKnowledge is power and what we do with that power is what will make a difference\n\nThe truth is difficult and it is hard to recognize that the problems are because of the way we live our lives. We have made the world the way it is and that is a hard truth to swallow\n\nTo become comfortable in the larger questions of life\n\n\nAs a New Hampshire resident who grew up for the vast majority of his upbringing within a moderately-sized suburb in the southern seacoast region of the state, I must confess that my outlook concerning nature has always been one of a certain lazy indifference, at least by New Hampshire standards. What with the abundance of wilderness found within my state as well as many others in New England, I’m well-aware of the appreciation which is expected to be fostered of the natural beauty that’s native to New Hampshire if I’m to consider myself an individual who as many say ‘knows or appreciates his roots’ to any degree. That being said, as a child who didn’t particularly excel in athletics or outdoor activities, I wouldn’t call the younger versions of myself an avid nature enthusiast by any means. In fact, to the contrary I’d have rather spent my free time inside, sitting contemplatively at the piano or reading a book by the fireplace. However, as a very young child I can remember something very specific, a notion which I can remember as if it were yesterday, which directly parallels the means by which I’ve learned to understand the natural world we all inhabit today.\n\nI can remember always looking particularly fondly upon overcast days, especially when it rained. Like many children, I was very vocal of my inward thoughts, regardless of the consequences which they might bring forth, and so I was at first, utterly incredulous at the idea of others widespread distaste for the very type of weather I enjoyed, upon expounding my own favorability towards it. I’ve maintained this affinity for gray skies as I’ve matured, and although it’s taken me a while, I believe the reason why I prefer this kind of weather is directly related to the way in which I’ve learned to consider the natural world.\n\nAs a child, we’re almost immediately inundated with the pre-planned routine of society (although granted, mostly through our parents agency more directly than our own) and as such, become very attuned to when things don’t go as planned, even if we remain within the same environment with which we’re usually accustomed to. I recall one particular morning in kindergarten, having just arrived in the classroom, only this time I’d noticed that something was different. Not off, not unsettling; something quite positive actually, and evidently apparent enough for my young mind to register, additionally. I can remember noticing the particular hue of the lighting in the classroom, although at the time I was far from being able to place my finger one the exact difference I’d become aware of. It took several years before I realized that this was the first time I’d been at school while it was raining. And I can recall eventually working out this preference for rain as well as dark, looming clouds outside the window as opposed to the brightness of the sun and the electric blue of the cloudless sky as being rooted in those specific qualities which only young children are privy to; with their naturally exploratory minds and their untarnished, fresh view of this vibrant experience we call life. I’d noticed that somehow, on some subconscious level, I’d been unknowingly comparing how the light emitted from inside the classroom had felt to me when compared to a bright sky, versus a dark one. And what I’d gathered, again without realizing it, is that by itself, when left with no comparison, there’s nothing inherently wrong with bright skies. However, when one’s introduced to the possibility of their alternative; the fluorescent devices which cast themselves within the classroom are painted in an entirely different light (no pun intended). Put simply; by contrast, the darkness from the outside makes the inside seem brighter than on days when the man-made lights of the school building had to compete with the unequivocal luminescence of the sun. I’m not at all focusing on the difference of my opinion in regards to most others where the consideration of rainy days is concerned; I’m instead pointing to the contrast which one is forced to take into consideration and consequentially, look upon as positively or negatively as one desires, depending upon their own individual perspective. It’s this very idea of contrast with regards to what one observes which initially taught me that optimism as well as pessimism are both choices which one can bring to any event in their life. It’s this very same idea which with which I’ve learned to understand the relationship between humanity and the more than human world, as well.\n\nThe means by which I’ve always gone about considering the environment has been fundamentally improved upon by the topics, viewpoints, and ideas discussed, dissected & digested within the course titled ‘Writing in an Endangered World’ taught by prof. Mark Long.\n\nEvery text discussed within this class at the very least helped to further widen what I understood as my general categorization of just exactly what ‘environmentalism’ as a movement was, who it was primarily composed of, as well as how I understood myself and my species in the context of this world which was, at its core, so much more than just human. The idea of contrast which I’ve mentioned above is directly related to this recognition of humanity within nature’s context. Just as I was unable to grasp my initial affinity for gray skies before they revealed themselves as a point of reference for me; I was equally unable to grasp humanity’s place among the more than human world; without first being able to recognize the world we inhabit as exactly that: more than human.\n\nRegardless of whether your perspective is as far away as mine initially was or to any degree closer; this characterization of the world as more than human is imperative, should one desire to ascertain all of that which this collection of essays has to offer.\n\n\nThe World As Undeniably More Than Human\n\nInitially considering the more than human world, I thought about it as though it needed a second sort of characterization. As though ‘more than human’ weren’t enough words so as to allow the idea to make a whole amount of sense to me. However, upon further contemplation, I’ve found that the more than human world is a perfectly fine means of describing the concept. I’ve discovered, through thinking with the authors we’ve observed thus far, that the description had only unsettled me to begin with due to a certain inherent uncomfortability of mine with the idea of further minimalizing the human species in reference to other things or concepts I’d previously been unaware of.\n\nWhether this is due to a certain amount of inherent egotism found within humanity or just a personal failure to humble myself on behalf of the world around me, I’m still not sure and, in all honesty, I wonder about the degree to which the real answer is probably a mixture of the two.\n\nBecoming acquainted with the thoughts of others who’re not only credible in this area of discussion but who also illustrate approaches to thinking which vastly differ from my own have allowed for a widening of my perspective, in ways. The fact being that environmentalism as a movement wasn’t something I’d ever considered myself to be even relatively well-versed in the particular details of, the somewhat stubborn reluctancy I’d taken up when attempting to make meaning out of the ‘more than human’ world as a categorization seems more than a bit unwarranted to me now. Through understanding the phrase via the lenses of multiple disciplines which all seem to be focusing their gaze upon the same ominous picture with regards to it’s (the more than human world’s) future, the idea’s gained credibility as a verifiably rational notion to me.\n\nThe world is so much more than that which pertains to humanity. We like to focus our view through a lens of self-centeredness as though this lens itself were an inherent prerequisite to living a productive and fulfilled life; however I believe that quality of inherence to be more or less, for the purpose of pacifying our species’ collective ego. Now of course there are other factors to be taken into account, such as the specific cultural values and personal biases which any individual might bring with themselves when attempting to confront an idea or concept which does little to fit itself comfortably within the perceiver’s comprehension, however these unavoidable subjectivities can’t be helped to a certain degree, and so while relevant in the scope of a fully realized explanation, don’t lend themselves to the same level of magnification with regards to exactly why it is that they might be marring what would otherwise be an objective view of our species’ widespread inability to recognize the world as so much more than just human.\n\nIn conclusion, I believe there to be a multi-faceted definition as to why humanity grapples so tenaciously with it’s own inconsequence in relation to the more than human world, in particular, an unrelenting inability to reconcile the objective with the subjective. Upon learning how to separate the objectively observed reality within which we all inhabit from each of our own subjective outlooks which we bring with us to any problem or thought, a certain clarity is gained and the ability to be able to make the distinction from that which empirically exists and truthfully effects us all vs. any delineations from that which we create due to our own subjective world views and perspectives becomes more palatable. It’s this quintessential distinction which I believe to be imperative in the further recognition of the accuracy of the characterization of the world as ‘more than human’ by our species as a whole.\n\n\n\nRelative To Humanity\n\nThe natural world’s near-ineffable indifference to the human species is something which, while useful as a piece of practical information, remains as a markedly unsettling notion for the human mind to initially conceive of; much less work with. It’s this sentient apathy of the living essence of the planet which both Snyder as well as Carson have struck upon within each of their works and, in consequence, prompted me to begin mulling over as I digest the precise means by which they each go about articulating their perspectives regarding it. While Carson utilizes her own respective background as a scientist to magnify the natural world to the degree to which the sheer magnitude of quantitative evidence regarding the systems of life which both explicitly and implicitly effect each other on earth renders humanity vastly less extraordinary than previously thought; Snyder meditates upon the happenings of the natural world which preceded humanity in a sort of quiet acknowledgment of our species’s relative lack of consequence in nature, and these sentiments both lend themselves to improving upon as well as further widening my perspective in relation to the natural world’s near un-consideration for human beings.\n\nNot far into her book, Rachel Carson writes, “The new environmental health problems are multiple—created by radiation in all its forms, born of the never ending chemicals in which pesticides are a part, chemicals now pervading the world in which we live, acting upon us directly and indirectly, separately and collectively.” While at the surface this might seem less than indicative of the natural world’s apathy towards humans, however if one chooses to focus upon the fragment towards the end of the quote, this almost innate notion of omnipresence with regards to both the earth as well as all life which it inhabits is clearly present. While Rachel Carson may be talking specifically about those chemicals and pesticides which humanity has made use of and, as a result, been working with so as to bastardize the creation of organic life within nature; these manufactured chemical products which act directly upon the natural world are an imperative example of how one singular step in the wrong direction could spell disaster for humanity’s continued existence on earth; and it’s this exact larger-scale perspective which should always be taken into account by humans with regards to our place on earth.\n\nGary Snyder’s poem ‘What Happened Here Before’ from his collection, titled Turtle Island serves to illustrates a similar awareness of the utter vastness of the varying amounts of natural processes which occur regardless of humanity among the natural world. Snyder utilizes vivid imagery as well as metaphor and a strong amount of alliteration so as to go about communicating this point of relative indifference by nature in respect to humanity as a whole. Upon opening, the first lines read,\n\n“First a sea: soft sands, muds, & marls/—loading, compressing, heating, crumpling, crushing, crystallizing, infiltrating/ several times lifted and submerged./”\n\nAgain, it’s the ends of these lines which speak the loudest to this point; the specific imagery of the phrase ‘several times lifted and submerged’ works to make me think about the processes which occur underneath the earth’s surface; at the floor of the ocean or when a volcanic eruption of some sort occurs. It’s these consistent larger-than-life activities of the earth which serve to first remind us that we do not control everything, and almost more importantly, that those processes which we do control, while somewhat consequential for both us as well as the earth, aren’t always the end-all-be-all, magical keys-to-the-universe which we so arrogantly like to assume upon a new scientific discovery or breakthrough of our own. Along with the litany of other verbs beforehand, ‘…compressing, heating, crumpling, crushing, crystallizing, infiltrating/’ both of these images call to mind a certain hierarchy, an order among the world; of which we should take care to remember: we were never at the top.\n\nLater in the poem, a slightly more subtle yet equally as effective device makes itself known; a temporally-based metaphor which both through its description as well as through its consequence, allows for a more wholly-realized idea of how this poem works to improve one’s understanding of humanity’s relative irrelevance in the grand scheme of the natural landscape on earth. The line reads,\n\n“Warm quiet centuries of rain/ make dark red tropic soils/ wear down two miles of surface,/”\n\nWhat I previously meant by ‘its description’ refers to the ‘warm quiet centuries of rain’ which undeniably details the elongated period of time with which this rain is occurring, automatically forcing the reader’s perspective to widen; and what was intended by my phrase ‘its consequence’ is in reference to the later lines ‘make dark red tropic soils/ wear down two miles of surface/’ that inarguably illustrate the process of erosion over such a large period of time, that the surface is actually degraded by two whole miles from where it’s previous elevation lay. These lines serve to illustrate the sheer magnitude of all that which occurs on earth, completely regardless of humanity’s involvement with it.\n\nHow Snyder and Carson have struck upon these notions of largeness in comparison to humanity’s relative smallness, while potentially somewhat unsettling depending upon one’s previous perspective, have nonetheless allowed for me as a thinker; a certain amount of ease of tension, a sort of peace of mind. Because, while it’s important for humanity to have certain goals and purposes while alive, it’s also important for us to bear in mind; any pressure which we feel to be this great, hulking, top-of-the-food-chain apex predator of a species that can never hope to shy away from its role of necessity among nature as the only species to possess consciousness, is a somewhat self-inflicted endeavor. Because, while we do have defining characteristics which separate us from other animals, there are still things about us which are inarguably animalistic, as well as things which we do not maintain any dominion over whatsoever. Important things. Things which have always reminded us that our own self-proclaimed largeness can always be rescaled. It’s these things which I believe to be nature’s balancing act; earth’s discrepancy in biodiversity for our hubris with usage of pesticides; a century of rain for our ego; two miles of surface worn down for our mind.\n\nThe natural world has always worked in this sort of uncanny symbiosis, this back-and-forth, this principle of equivalent exchange. As an inherent part of nature, we should take care to remember that while we’d like to imagine ourselves as the ones meant to solve this problem, this conundrum, this seemingly impossible equation of purpose; there seems to be a great deal which is attempting to tell us: we’re merely another factor within it. And that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.\n\nA Collision of Perspectives\n\nI’ve mentioned in previous essays the idea that people are stuck in their own lives until something brings them out of it. Rachel Carson calls it “ignoring all else.” She says that humans tend to ignore everything in front of them until it’s an immediate concern. TC Boyle’s 1995 edition of the book the Tortilla Curtain shows an example of this when the book starts out with the main character, Delaney, hitting an unexpected Candido with his car. The best part of this book is how the story starts with such an exaggerated life changing event because, in reality, that’s when our own stories start – when we realize something life changing. We wouldn’t be telling it unless it made us change in some way or view something completely different. Delaney is a character stuck in his own world, when suddenly a new world collides with him.\n\nI like this idea of collision. It brings with it the idea of snapping out of where you once were and being thrown into something new. That’s what we need as a society sometimes to understand that there are other perspectives in the world. It’s what we need to understand the beyond human world.\n\nHumanizing The Earth\n\nThe monkey wrench gang as a work illustrates several personal parallels which both deepen as well as elaborate upon the inherently human nature of the world in relation to how it’s treated by it’s inhabitants. I don’t necessarily mean that the earth is by our definition sentient, of course; simply that on a much larger scale, much like the way a human will respond negatively when it’s mistreated; so does and so will the planet. Not only will it respond, it’ll accomplish this in ways directly contradictory to the means by which humanity is used to recognizing any sort of retaliatory behavior: simply by introducing the absence of it’s own abundance. What I mean when I say ‘ways directly contradictory to the means by which humanity is used to recognizing any sort of retaliatory behavior’ I’m referring to most other living things’ usual response of hostility & aggression at the prospect of being seriously threatened.\n\nA specific and yet subtle tool is used throughout Abbey’s work which I believe parallels this same nature of a more withdrawn response as a result of constant battering by an opposing force. As a novel, this work bursts with an abundance of dialogue; so that one as a reader becomes heavily embedded in each character’s specific idiosyncrasies as well as their own internal thoughts and feelings the same way one might be able to hone in on these amidst an actual face-to-face interaction. Now, while these might sound like one’s average, run-of-the-mill qualities of a work which merits publishing, if one takes care to notice the syntactical structure of almost any instance where 2 or more characters land themselves in a voracious back-and-forth, litanies which separate themselves from what one would otherwise characterize as adequately descriptive language for a novel become increasingly apparent.\n\nYour plans? What do you mean your plans, you ignorant, pig-headed, self-centered schmuck.”\n\nAnd in response, “I’m not sure I trust him.”\n\nAgain, almost immediately following, “A pair of weirdos. Eccentrics. Misfits. Anachronisms. Screwballs!”\n\n“Now now, they’re good boys.”\n\nIt’s both these repetitive vocal litanies as well as the consistently terse, punctuated responses which meet them that directly parallel the planet’s reaction to widespread destruction among its natural resources and other forms of fruition. Just as these sentences batter and bash and berate the other conversationalist with what almost comes across as a kind of verbal assault, only to be met with a minimalistic, almost-disappointingly-lacking response; so do earth’s inhabitants, and earth’s only retort as a result is a morbidly scarce version of itself. This parallel serves to illuminate Abbey’s work’s overall focus on humanity’s strange & faulty relationship with the more than human world.\n\nIt’s this seemingly human reaction of the planet to negate it’s own life-giving and ever-reproducing nature as a result of rampant abuse by those species which primarily inhabit it that both unites as well as juxtaposes the separate personal tales of the members of the monkey wrench gang. Just as the earth reacts in a ‘human like’ way to how it’s treated, so do the members of the monkey wrench gang as the happenings of the novel take their course. This near-anthropomorphization of the earth as a human-like being (or at least one with certain human-like tendencies) takes care to highlight the undeniably human qualities of the members of the group as they interact with one another. Consequentially this leads to a more nuanced understanding of both these individuals as islands unto themselves as well as their roles and relations to one another among the group, which additionally deepens the experience of the novel, as it centers upon this group and it’s happenings within.\n\n\nThis group of essay’s is dedicated to environmentalism and the importance of saving our environment. This class has not only expanded my knowledge on how to be environmentally conscious, but also my ability to inform others who are interested in the same social issues. The overall theme of my blog posts is to help raise awareness of certain environmental issues within our society.\n\nEach blog post has something uniquely in common, they each consist of a picture of my 2014 trip to Muir Woods in San Francisco, California. This trip inspired a lot of my writing for most of my bog posts. Muir Woods is a beautiful National Monument that has been preserved by the National Park Service for many years. It has been protected by the government thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt who declared it a National Monument on January 9, 1908. It is named after naturalist John Muir, even though the original suggest name was the Kent  Monument.\n\nThe main attraction of the park are the beautiful Sequoia Sempervirnes trees, more commonly known as the Coastal Redwoods. The National Monument itself is a Coastal Redwood Forest. The tallest tree in the forest is 258 feet high and the oldest tree is 1.200 years old.\n\nThe trip my family took to the Redwood Forest inspired my entire family to become more environmental conscious. It was the beginning steps for us to realize that our actions have consequences in the long run. To be in the forest surrounded by all the Redwood trees, the birds, fish, and all the other animals that make the forest their home is truly an other worldly experience. Being able to place my hand on the bark of a tree that has been alive for hundreds of years was an experience I will never forget. To be deep in the forest completely surrounded by the trees with no technology was an eye opening experience. It gave my family a chance to enjoy being outdoors with no stress of work or other outside influences bothering us. To be able to be separated from technology and industry from the outside world also gave my family a chance to step back and appreciate all that nature has to offer. It is truly a shame that our society is constantly finding new reasons to cut down more trees and pollute our air and water sources, if we do not change these bad habits soon we will find ourselves in a trash filled world.\n\nOur Writing in an Endangered World course this semester has only made these problems stand out more, whether it was learning it through informational texts like Rachael Carson’s Silent Spring, or through novel’s like T.C Boyle’s Tortilla Curtain. All the information we were able to require only makes our generation realize even more the great lengths we must take to slowly start saving our environment. At the beginning of the course I was very unaware of how many current issues were happening involving our environment, and becoming aware has been a long and frustrating process. As we come to the end of the course I hope to encourage not only myself in continuing to stay environmentally conscious, but to spread the word to many others, how important it is to realize that we only have one beautiful environment, and if we destroy it we will never be able to get it back.\n\n\n\nThe Wall Between Two Worlds\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nT.C. Boyle’s Tortilla Curtain is an environmental novel that displays the lives of  two very different married couples and their day to day struggles. Kyra and Delaney are a very self obsessed couple. They constantly obsess about being safe from the Mexicans that lurk in their neighborhood. Kyra and Delaney have experienced many abuses to their neighborhood including graffiti by the accused Mexicans as well as verbal abuse. The many men that represent the Mexicans in this novel are all illegal immigrants that are forced to live off the land because of their inability to make enough money. Kyra and Delaney are also faced with many of nature’s obstacles including the coyotes who attacked and murder both of their dogs.  Their experiences lead them to become obsessed with their own safety.\n\nThis is ironic when America and Candido’s lives are compared to Kyra and Delaney’s. America and Candido are from Tijuana and are forced to live in extreme circumstances out in the wilderness because of their lack of money. They are discriminated against which makes it very difficult for them to find steady work. They live in a shack made of branches and poorly made material out in the woods, in hopes of saving enough money to someday buy an apartment with running water and a bedroom. America and Candido’s struggles make Kyra and Delaney’s struggles look pathetic. They are forced to endure extreme circumstances and budget themselves with little to no money. Not only are they forced to live off scraps of food, but they encounter many different enemies while simply trying to survive off the land in the canyon. One unfortunate encounter they have is one day when America is off at work and Candido is forced to stay in their make shift home because of being hit by Delaney’s car.\n\nCandido hides himself in the bushes while white men storm into his home and destroy all his belongings including tarring up America’s only good dress. Not only are they constantly victims of being discriminated against, whether it is in the grocery store or in their own home but America is also a victim of sexual abuse. While coming home from work one day she was walking down the trail  when approached by two strange men. They forced themselves on her, later on the reader learns that this is the cause of her baby’s blindness disability. America being pregnant and being forced to give birth in a shed in someone’s backyard is one of the main points of my argument. She is in danger of causing harm to her  body and her baby. In my opinion, this is the most extreme case of a dangerous situation that Candido and America have been placed in. Neither of them are doctors and are unaware of how to properly care for her or the baby in this situation. Luckily thanks to their experience of living in such extreme conditions, Candido is able to pull together anything that he might need to attempt to care for America and their baby. Boyle writes, “It was the moment Candido had been waiting for. He leaned forward  with a knife and cut the blue cord that was  like a length of a sausage and with a rag dipped in water wiped the mess from the tiny limbs and torso” (T.C Boyle 297). It is very ironic how much more dangerous Candido and America’s lives are yet Kyra and Delaney are the ones obsessed with their safety.\n\nKyra and Delany come from a very different world then Candido and America do. Kyra and Delaney have a lot of privilege because of their citizenship and material possessions. A reoccurring theme in this novel is racism, represented mostly by Delaney and other white characters. Kyra and Delaney are blind to the abundance of food, clothes, and shelter they are giving access too, making Candido and America’s situation seem even more severe. Candido and America are constantly working, whether it is for money or to preserve what they have of their shelter in the woods. They do not have access to the same kind of luxuries that Kyra and Delaney do because they are not citizens. They are forced to do what it takes to survive, putting them at a huge disadvantage when it comes to trying to find a decent place to live. They have no control when white people come and destroy their home in the woods, and are unable to call for help when Candido is hurt, or America is giving birth in fear of being deported. They are forced to live in the moment taking every day as it comes as apposed to Kyra and Delany who are given the pleasure of being to plan out each day as they desire.\n\nAnother ironic part of this novel is that both couples live very close in distance to each other but experience drastically different lives. One major goal that both couples have in common is their wish to be happy and live comfortably, even though their definitions of living comfortably are drastically different. The character Delaney is constantly faced with inner struggles with his fellow white citizens. Although he is racist himself, he does not openly acknowledge this and goes against the popular vote to have the wall build around their houses. Delaney tries to prove himself as a humanist but is unable to step away from the generalizations that other citizens also make about the Mexicans.\n\nThis novel has a lot to contribute to our understanding of environmentalism. It is able to clearly paint a picture of two very extremely different environmentalists, and the pros and cons of their way of life. This novel shows how are society is in need of finding a balance between these extreme ways of life and how if we continue to fight amongst  ourselves we will be never be able to come together and find ways to help improve our ways of life to benefitting our environment.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUs modern day Americans have lost our touch from nature and have become disconnected with the natural world.  We have immersed ourselves in a lifestyle founded upon comfort and have began to destroy the wild Earth we originated from. As we continue to develop the world further away from its original state the environmental issues we face today have only been becoming much worse. While many live in prosperity others struggle to survive daily. Myself and others I know are very privileged to be able to live the life we live. We can do anything we set our minds to and many do not have the ability to do the same. I can travel wherever I want on this Earth, drive to the store and buy whatever I want to eat and drink, and learn about anything that i choose. Although this era we live in is great, there are many complications an American lifestyle causes. We have polluted our planet with trash,  changed the global climate and natural cycles important to all life, and as a result caused the greatest extinction and global heating events our planet has ever seen.\n\nMany believe that nature is a place that we escape to from our reality as a means of a break or vacation. How I see nature is very different, I’ve realized that nature isn’t just the woods surrounding our neighborhoods and cities, nature is the neighborhood and city, nature is a part of every molecule in our universe. When looking at a city squirrel do we exclude it from the natural world as being something unnatural? No, a squirrel is wild just as much as a moose or a polar bear is. Although we have constructed our world into a place fit for humans to survive it must be known that these cities and towns are ecosystems just as much as a vast forest. Creatures of all types reside in our cities and most importantly that’s where we live! But many exclude our own species from the natural world and see us as something different. I for one do not share this perspective, we are just as wild as the animals we may see as “wild” animals. We have originated from the same planet with an equal chance for survival. The only difference is that we may think a bit different than other inhabitants of Earth.\n\nThe essays and stories I have read for this class have moved me in a way that will change my perspective of the world forever. I have realized that there are so many things in or world we are destroying that we will never be able to get back. Our actions have caused a great deal of suffering to the native creatures of our planet. But there is no return to the primitive way of life for us humans we have come too far. We understand our actions consequences for others that live on this planet, but yet, we do nothing. The rest of the world must wake up and change the ways in which we live in order to preserve the world for all, including ourselves.\n\nliterature and environmentalism at keene state college\n\nSubscribe to this Blog\n\nGet the latest posts delivered to your mailbox:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8608285784721375}
{"content": "A Trip to the Zoo\n\n\nI went to the zoo this weekend, and as always I departed feeling a little ambivalent. When you see creatures like leopards, lemurs, elephants, and apes in those drab enclosures, mere simulacra of their natural habitats, it’s hard not to feel sorry for them. I doubt any faux rock cliff or pool of hose water will ever fully engage their wild intelligences. As I wandered the paved footpaths between continent-themed enclosures, I remembered how my sensitive, vegetarian friend Ben used to call zoos “animal jail.”\n\nOn the other hand, these creatures are safe — from predators, from food pressure, from droughts, from us. And isn’t safety what we humans have been striving for since the very start? Our drive to find shelter and protection, to isolate ourselves from the constant threats of the world (coupled with an overdeveloped prefrontal cortex), is the very thing that’s made us so successful on this planet. Maybe it’s because we’ve grown comfortable in our world of boxes that we feel animals will take some sanguine comfort in a zoo’s protection.\n\nBut why then do most of us assign a certain sadness to animals in zoos? Is it because we grok that it’s a fine line between being protected and being trapped? Personally, when I feel that boundary growing threadbare, a trip into the mountains becomes particularly important to my sanity. I can only imagine how the silverback gorilla feels as he peers through the glass day after day, at the gallery of baby strollers and hairless apes with cameras, while waiting for his food to be delivered.\n\nA mother tending lovingly to her young, a playful polar bear, a sad-looking gibbon — you can hear the children exclaiming in surprise how the animals are just like people. Through the fences and over moats, the creatures in the zoo always seem to remind us of ourselves, but rarely do we invert that logic and draw the conclusion that we are like them. Or not so much like them as are them.\n\nGranted, it can be a problematic perspective to take. After all, when the boundary between “us” and “them” grows blurry, so do many things we hold to be self-evident. Better to do as I did and gaze with wonder at that enormous, flat face in the glass, with its black leather skin and dense fur and searching eyes, and then get back in your little box of glass and steel and drive away.\n\nAnimals that climb\n\nBaby squirrel climbing concrete wall\n\nWe humans sure like to make a big deal out of our climbing feats. But anyone who’s spent much time on the rocks knows that nature has produced all manner of creature that excel at high-angle maneuverings in a way we clumsy Homo sapiens sapiens could only dream. Here’s a collection of 11 such variations from Mother Nature’s menagerie, all of which utilize unique and often strange modes of vertical locomotion.\n\n\nThis video of climbing bears started making the rounds in April, 2014, and really caught fire—probably because the climbing bears look so much like climbing humans when they move. According to the YouTube description, these “Endangered Mexican Black Bears” are scaling the walls of Santa Elena Canyon. The videographer spotted the momma and her cubs while kayaking and whipped out the ol’ camera, just in time to make an Internet sensation.\n\n\nLike most primates, baboons are excellent tree climbers. But did you know they also climb rocks? And because they’re built a lot like humans, they look like us when they climb, too. Aside from a killer strength-to-weight ratio, baboons benefit from long tails they can fling around for balance, and prehensile toes that can grasp the rock as ably as fingers. Baboons dig congregating on sheer cliff faces because it keeps them pretty well beyond the reach of natural predators, like leopards and cheetahs.\n\n\nThese radass lizards have been the subject of endless scientific study due to their ability to calmly stroll up even the smoothest surfaces — glass, for example. They achieve this sweet trick thanks to their hairy feet. Not quite as gross as it sounds, geckos use superfine hairs called setae to adhere via van der Waals forces (which attract molecules to each other) to pretty much any surface. Adhesives have since been created that steal a page from the gecko’s playbook, and we will no doubt soon have climbing shoes coated with setae. Which would be totally cheating.\n\n\nSure, they’re a little pokey, but what the sloth lacks in speed, it makes up for in efficiency. Sloths have long hook-like claws they use to dangle from the tree branches they call home. If you were to ask a sloth for climbing advice, he would probably say, “Simple. Don’t let go.” That’s advice these shaggy, muppet-looking creatures really take to heart — so tenacious is their grip, they’ve been observed to remain suspended in a tree even after they die.\n\n\nWe’ve all seen squirrels blast up a tree at warp speed, but did you know they can also climb a blank concrete wall? I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself, when a baby squirrel in Colorado fell from a tree and then scampered for the nearest wall to climb away from danger. Squirrels’ sharp, hook-like claws, coupled with a highly mobile ankle that allows them to rotate their rear feet around backwards, lets them hang from and climb a variety of surfaces. In the case of the baby squirrel I saw, tiny air-bubble pockets in the concrete were just right for claw placements.\n\n\nLike squirrels, the fact that snakes can climb trees is no big deal. But, troublingly, they can also climb other vertical surfaces — brick walls, for example. Researchers have found that snakes use what’s called a “concertina” mode of locomotion, in which some regions of the body stop and grip while others extend forward, to climb. Snakes not only have amazing flexibility (due to their hundreds of vertebrae) and muscle control, but they can also extend tough scales on their underside for increased grip.\n\nMountain Goats\n\nPerhaps you’ve seen this photo, showing a bunch of goats (mountain ibex, specifically) chillin’ on the wall of a dam in Italy like it’s a nice place for a nap. Aside from a Honnoldian head for free soloing, many goats also have feet custom-made for vertical exploits. This passage from Douglass Chadwick’s book, A Beast the Color of Winter, describes the mountain goat’s special climbing footwear: “The sides of a mountain goat’s toes consist of the same hard keratin found on the hoof of a horse or deer. Each of the two wrap around toenails can be used to catch and hold to a crack or tiny knob of rock…The mountain goat is shod with a special traction pad which protrudes slightly past the nail. This pad has a rough textured surface that provides a considerable amount of extra friction on smooth rock and ice.” The list of all-terrain features goes on…  Five Ten take note…\n\n\nWait. What? That’s right, crabs can climb — or at least one kind can: the coconut crab, which is an arthropod related to the hermit crab and is found across the islands of the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific. (FYI, the coconut crab can grow to be almost ten pounds and three feet across.) These fruit- and vegetable-loving critters will actually climb trees using their long, spiny legs and grab coconuts, which they then smash open using their powerful claws and eat.\n\n\nAs we all know, cat videos are the heart and soul of the Internet, so it was easy to find videos of cats climbing things. Still, it’s impressive that cats have so thoroughly honed their face and arête climbing techniques. Cats big and small rely on tactics similar to that of the squirrel — i.e., sharp claws and an awesome kinetic sense — to scale trees and manmade structures alike. I’d bet a can of Fancy Feast maneuvers like those shown in this video are the root of the term “cat burglar.”\n\n\nLike geckos, spiders legs are studded with microscopic hairs which, scientists postulate, allows them to stick to walls via electrostatic attraction (the afore-mentioned van der Waals forces). Spiders and most insects also sport tiny tarsal claws that can grip the minute texture of surfaces that, to our eyes, appear smooth. Hence their ability to hang upside-down on the ceiling and then drop on you. Which is totally creepy. In fact, I think I feel a tickle on my neck right now…\n\n\nLubricated with a mucus layer secreted by a gland near the mouth, snails are able to glide, albeit slowly, on a layer of slime. This terrestrial gastropod mollusk’s flat underside undulates in a wave-like motion to propel it forward. Its slimy excretions, combined with a smooth, flat base, creates a powerful suction, allowing snails to climb walls, trees, etc. This method of climbing, although effective, is undoubtedly the grossest method, and it really louses things up for other creatures who might want to climb afterward, like that super sweaty guy in the gym.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8405106067657471}
{"content": "English-only rules can be illegal discrimination\n\nCan employees be required to be fluent in English? The answer is yes … but only if speaking English is truly necessary for them to do their jobs safely and effectively. Otherwise, a company that has an English-only policy could get into legal trouble.\n\nThat’s what happened to a plastics manufacturer in Wisconsin that laid off 22 workers who lacked English language skills. The workers – most of whom were Hmong and some of whom were Latino – had apparently received good annual evaluations and didn’t need to be able to speak, read or write English to do their jobs.\n\nThe company claimed it targeted these workers for layoffs due to their “overall comparative skills, behaviors and job performance over time.”\n\nBut the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission didn’t buy the company’s explanation. The commission sued the company for discrimination and is seeking not only lost wages to compensate the workers, but also additional damages to punish the company for its behavior.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9892303943634033}
{"content": "What We Do\n\nHillel International’s Office of Innovation (OOI) is a think and do tank for the Hillel movement and the Jewish people. Modeled after successful research and innovation labs, known affectionately as “skunkworks,” OOI is a group of thinkers, educators, entrepreneurs, and rabbis tasked with developing, testing, and scaling innovative approaches to serve young Jews in the Hillel movement and beyond. OOI creates new ways to foster social networks, mentors, rituals, and learning experiences among Jewish students and their friends that are the foundation of a vibrant Jewish life.\n\nHow We Do It\n\n\n1. Exploring\n\nOur team begins by talking to as many dreamers, schemers, thinkers and tinkerers as we can until we sense an idea emerging. Once we have the faintest outline of an idea, we build a prototype—what we call a Minimum Viable Project—that makes our idea a concrete reality. Then, with a bit of seed funding, we start the adventure of incubating these projects.\n\n\n2. Incubating\n\nTo incubate a Minimum Viable Project is to create a new world. We instantiate our projects by working intensely with a design team to imagine a new language, new aesthetics, and new culture. We then refine it by responding to user feedback. If we do our work right, a project should emerge with a look, feel, and sound all its own.\n\n\n3. Scaling\n\nOnce a Minimum Viable Project is iterated and refined, we try to scale it quickly to what we call a “strategic perch,” or a concrete glimpse of system-wide change. Once a project reaches a strategic perch, stakeholders begin looking at an innovation not only as a novel idea, but as a whole new way of working. Moreover, they see that the innovation can take root not only in one local context, but across a whole system.  \n\n\nWe are currently incubating one new project (Fellowship for Rabbinic Entrepreneurs), scaling three major projects (BaseJLF, OOI Salons) and exploring two more (The Campus Innovation FundBlue).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5882812738418579}
{"content": "Roberta Schaefer’s...\n\nRoberta Schaefer’s Address to the Worcester Rotary on Education Reform, March 18, 2004\n\nThank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you my observations on education reform which is approaching its 11th anniversary. Besides spending billions of dollars and generating lots of controversy over MCAS, what have we accomplished? To paraphrase former President Reagan, are our students better off now than they were a decade ago? The short answer is a resounding YES. The full answer would take me a couple of hours to give the subject its due. In light of the time constraints we’re all under, I will give you the abbreviated version.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5189077854156494}
{"content": "Traveling From My Classroom To A New World.\n\nBefore starting my research about the Aboriginal all I knew about the native group was they are native to Australia. I didn’t know about what health issues plagued them or the importance of their culture. Now having researched them I have a better understanding of their culture and of various health issues they face today.\n\nThe Aboriginal fought Europeans and after they lost much of their population they surrendered. After this lost they encountered a lot of new diseases as did many indigenous groups did when they first met Europeans. Today most of their native language is gone and their are no more 100% native Australian any more. Which is way they call them selves Aboriginal because they have some European descendants. In fact till recently they were thought to be extinct will a recent census where people identified to being native to Australia. Although in light of them being found again they are in poor health conditions having a life expectancy of 15-20 years . They a wide range of health concerns from physical to mental and from heart diseases to high suicide rate. Even with efforts made by the Australian government to close the health gap there is still much work to be done.\n\nWhen I was researching about the Aboriginal people I found videos about them. I found a documentary and a short video. In the documentary it went in depth about their culture and people as it was eye witnessed accounts by an elder. Whereas the shorter video was about their dances and famous sound associated with Australia they make with the didgeridoo. This video had some ethnocentric judgements comparing how we value song dance as the same as they do. They made it seem as they do it as a form as entertainment just like most first world societies do. My biggest challenge to cultural relativism was understanding how a culture losses their language. Having grown up in the United States where their is introduction of various other languages I still retained my own language. I realized I was making a ethnocentric judgement so I decided to learn about their history in doing so I now understand way they lost their language. They had a every violent history with Europeans and after losing a war to them a lot of mature men had died. A way to raise their population back up they married/mated with Europeans thus making what we know today as Aboriginal. Slowly their traditional language was lost with each new generation.\n\nThese blog posts is ethnographic because I looked at all the data I gather with cultural relativism in mind and although there were challenges in doing so I think I told more than a single story about the Aboriginal people. The earth is sacred to them and the their songs and dances are their history book. I learned about their tragic history how it ultimately lead to the loss of their language and attribute to their poor health conditions. Importantly I understand the importance of telling your history wether it be through stories, song, and dance. The Aboriginals tell their history to the next generation with song and dance while playing their didgeridoo. They also have cave paintings that tell stories of the time before. They hunt and gather near the sea side which much of their cave paintings depict. The documentary is where I got most of my understanding of their culture for it is stories told from an elder of the Aboriginal people.\n\nI used Boolean agents when searching for good peer reviewed resources online. I also used databased search engines to get a wider array of  resources. When looking for resources in public domain I used a search engine that helped me narrow my search for pictures to use. It is best to look for credentials of the article and to see what kind of website it is.\n\n\n\nThe Aboriginal Indigenous Health Gap.\n\nThe Gap\n\nIn this story it went into detail to what exactly “the gap” is in Australia. The gap refers to the health gap between Australians and the indigenous people called the Aboriginal. Traits of the gap are, infant mortality rate was two times bigger for the Aboriginal at 6.2 than Australians, children 0-17 were eight times more likely were to be abused or neglected, and lived ten years shorter than Australians. The kinds of poor health they experience are physical and mental aliments. Suicide for the indigenous group went from 10%-80% from 1991 to 2010. There are more stats and other interesting information, but at the end of the article wants the reader to focus on help making Australia’s healthcare for everyone better.\n\nSocial factors.\n\nThis story I read was about the health gap in Australians and the indigenous people. The article contributes their poor healthcare to social factors in Australia. Australians have a life expectancy of 82 years where as the Aboriginal have ten years lesser than that. The social aspects that contribute to the inequality of health is overcrowding along with racism. Because of these aspects a non-government movement to close the health gap has become to a Federal Government program called closing the gap.\n\nAPA Citations\n\nAustralians Together. (2017, May 7). The gap: indigenous disadvantage in australia. Australians Together. Retrieved from\n\nNogrady, B. (2015, July 7). The indigenous health gap: social factors hit hard. ABC Health and Wellbeing. Retrieved from\n\nCritical evaluation\n\nFor my first story its from a non-government organization that looks to inform the nation of the gap and how to close it. The data from the article was gathered in 2014 and is aimed towards the general population for the data is presented in easy to read format with nice graphics. The information is all based on facts from creditable sources that was referenced at the bottom of the page. The arguments and ideas are more informative like the other pieces I read, but does have an impartial tone.\n\nFor the second story was by a freelance science journalist, broadcaster, and author with numerous background experience.  She wrote this article for ABC Health and Wellbeing. This group has the goals to educate the masses about various medical happenings. This article was  published in 2015 and is pretty current. She is addressing the general audience. The information in the article is fact that has been well researched and is objective. She has the intent to inform you of the current inequality of health Australians and the Aboriginals have between each other.\n\nThe Forgotten Indigenous People of Australia.\n\nThis group was thought to be extinct, but in 2011 found in a census that nearly 20,000 people identified as native in Tasmania. The Palawa or now know as the Aboriginal Tasmanians are found North and Northeastern of and Australian State south of the mainland.\n\nThis group health interests me because they have gone basically missing up until 2011. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics they have the lowest life expectancy from 15-20 years with is about my age right now. With numerous diseases plaguing them there is a national focus on trying to gather information on them. With there rapid health decline there are many health programs happening to help the Aboriginal people. Along with most indigenous groups the Aboriginal group saw conflict with the worlds infectious idea of colonialism.\n\nThey met the British colonialist in 1803. Before they met the British there were about 15,000 Aboriginal people. Diseases and violence brought by the colonists lowered their population to about 200 in 1833. In a lifetime their population was devastated. Now even though there are 20,000 they are still very ill and in need of medical help. The health problems start when they met the British back in 1803 if we can understand the root of their health problem, I think we can find a way to help improve their dire situation they are in  today.\n\nOne thing I found to be just as detrimental problem is the complete lost of the  indigenous language of the Tasmanian people. Some words of original Tasmanian are still in use by Palawa people. Also thousands of Tasmanian people consider themselves as Aboriginal Tasmanians because many Parlevar women bore children from European man.\n\nA map of where Tasmania is here\n\nThe a map in the left is Tasmania, and the one on the right shows where it is located adjacent to Australia. The map on the left shows various geological places and town/ports but this map here shows the various places where the Aboriginal people are and the areas where the clans inhabits.\n\nMy three link\n\n\n\nHumanities Blind Spot.\n\nThe things that I found interesting was the definition they had for public health, top ten leading causes of death, and the success of global health. I found the definition of public health interesting and surprising because they said public health is a negative. As soon as I read their definition it made sense to me right away that if nothing happens then it is at its best. I found it was interesting that the biggest cause of death in the U.S. and Worldwide was heart disease. After I saw the list I was surprise that cancer wasn’t the leading cause of death because of how vicious the diseases is. Finally the success of global health was interesting was because I didn’t know that the life expectancy around the world is about 80 and is rising. We live for a long time in this day and age.\n\nArticle One: Battling Pollution On Our Lands. Article Here. Published on September 2016.\n\nThe article is about the various companies from the oil industry polluting the river water and the many pollutants being dumped near the Ponca Nation in Oklahoma in the United States. There is a lot of injustice and discrimination going on at the reservation and what Mekasi Horinek describes as “environmental racism and environmental genocide”. The Ponca Nation and some people from a neighboring community are having long term medical health affects like cancer due to all the pollution going on. The reservation is located at the south end of Ponca city along with the low income community. There the city put their municipal dumping site on their burial ground a the Ponca people’s most sacred site on the reservation. The EPA and other various government agencies have done nothing to help the Ponca people. All the EPA has did was water testing and even then they couldn’t figure out the source of the pollution, while Horinek can pin point it to the fracking industry who has been draining the water out and putting back the waste water from fracking. A quick overview of what fracking is; it’s a harmful way to extract natural gasses from the ground that not only hurts the environment, but also the people living there. All of this blatant disregard for the the Ponca people and the environment is disgusting and frustrating that this can be allowed to happen. There was a class action lawsuit that went through and gave finical compensation to some people allowing them to be moved. Even then they are still sicken with long medical affects and having to move people from their homes that they have been living on for generation for causes of your fault is wrong.\n\nArticle Two: The Hawaiians: Health, Justice, and Sovereignty. Article here. Published on March 2000.\n\nThe group involved was the indigenous people of Hawai’i when they had thriving population before James Cook visited them. They were located in what is today the state of Hawaii which is the eight island chain in the pacific ocean. Because they lived on an archipelago isolated from the rest of the world James Cook and his crew was amazed at the health and population size of the people of Hawai’i. This is quite ironic as they were the downfall of their population size and health. Since the Hawai’i people lived in isolation for so long they were never exposed to the deadly diseases that the rest of the world has faced. When James Cook and crew first arrived to Hawai’i they were previously sick with Syphilis and Gonorrhea which has been widespread in England. Once they left Hawai’i the diseases they brought with them were already widespread among the Hawai’i people. At the time they probably couldn’t see it, but time and time again we see the travelers bring diseases from around the world to the “new world” which devastates the indigenous population. Shortly after James Cook’s discovery of Hawai’i the population dropped 85%. We see the same thing happen when Columbus visited the new world and when the colonist from England met the Native Americans when smallpox ran wild. I hope we learn from history and become cautious when meeting new living things on the final frontier.\n\nArticle Three; Spraying Crops, Eradicating People. Article Here. Published on December 2002.\n\nIn this article the indigenous people of Columbia are affected by toxic chemical ariel spray to kill the plants being grown to make cocaine and heroine. These people are from Latin America in the country of Columbia. The health concern that was brought up was the ariel spray to kill the plants are actually also harming the animal life and the people who lived there. They noticed that animals like birds whom were there predominately suddenly disappeared after the spraying started. Once the public in the United States learned of the chemical spraying they started pressuring the U.S. congress to investigate further to make sure this is up to code with health regulation and follows columbian law. After the EPA testing they found that the spray was up to U.S. standard and there was no danger to the people and the environment. Although they did admit that there is a chance for “acute eye toxicity”. Not only is the spraying affecting the health of the people and environment it is also indirectly affecting their culture. Some think about leaving their ancestral homes while others are altering their live styles.\n\nWhen it came to reading and writing about these articles I found it difficult to stay focused and answer the questions. As I learned more, I passionately got caught up with the harm and disrespect for human life and the environment. I found myself expressing how upset I was with companies putting their interests first before human beings. This is also a success that I had I found for in no time I was writing this blog post.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6301528215408325}
{"content": "Nav: Home\n\nPioneering discovery of an odor-detecting receptor enhancer\n\nOctober 12, 2017\n\nEach odor-detecting neuron (referred to as olfactory sensory neuron from here on), chooses a single odorant receptor gene from a fairly large number of options that are split into class I (fish-like) and class II (terrestrial-specific) odorant receptors. This strict selectiveness of sensory neurons is in part due to enhancers (DNA sequences that enhance transcription of a gene when bound by specific protein), which remain poorly understood. Understanding enhancer functions is of great interest due to their importance in gene expression as well as evolution and disease. However, they have not been sufficiently studied because they cannot be easily predicted from DNA sequences or chromosome modifications nor can they be easily identified.\n\nThe findings are especially important as they highlight the discovery of a regulatory sequence, termed the J element, that controls class I gene expression of many more genes than the counterparts that regulate class II gene expression. This extraordinary long-range regulation has never been seen before. The researchers also report that it is evolutionarily conserved across mammalian species, ranging from the most primitive mammal, the platypus, to humans. This may be especially useful as it sheds light onto why class I genes remain on a single region on one chromosome during mammalian evolution, while class II genes do not.\n\nBased on genetic evidence, the findings also highlight the concept of allelic exclusion, or the expression of just one copy of a gene and not the other. This is especially important for the J element, as it shows that its activity determines which copy of a gene is expressed. This is a novel mechanism of expression of these receptor genes that is based on the gene regulatory region that determines if genes will be turned on or off.\n\nThe study \"A long-range cis-regulatory element for class I odorant receptor genes\" published in Nature Communications was a collaborative effort between Tokyo Tech, the University of Tokyo, Nihon BioData Corporation and RIKEN Brain Science Institute. Junji Hirota at Tokyo Tech and team focused on discovering a long-range enhancer for a large gene cluster, finding an evolutionary conserved sequence motif in mammalian evolution, and elucidating enhancer-dependent allelic preference or exclusion mechanism for odor-detecting receptor genes. Their findings point to a conserved sequence among mammalian genomes that was only present in the J element and not in any other class II elements. They speculate that the investigation of factors that bind this specific element could help in elucidating molecular mechanisms that drive the selective J-element dependent gene expression.\n\nTokyo Institute of Technology\n\nRelated Evolution Articles:\n\nPrebiotic evolution: Hairpins help each other out\nHow to be a winner in the game of evolution\nThe galloping evolution in seahorses\nFast evolution affects everyone, everywhere\nLandscape evolution and hazards\nLandscapes are formed by a combination of uplift and erosion.\nNew insight into enzyme evolution\nThe evolution of Dark-fly\nA look into the evolution of the eye\nIs evolution more intelligent than we thought?\nThe evolution of antievolution policies\n\nRelated Evolution Reading:\n\nEvolution: A Visual Record\nby Robert Clark (Author)\n\n\n\nWhy Evolution Is True\nby Jerry A. Coyne (Author)\n\n\n\nby Douglas J. Futuyma (Author), Mark Kirkpatrick (Author)\n\n\nby Joe Manganiello (Author)\n\nJoe Manganiello first gained recognition around the world for his incredible, sculpted body while winning both popular and critical praise as the star of HBO's True Blood. Now, from the man that Magic Mike director Steven Soderbergh called “walking CGI,” comes the cutting-edge guide to achieving the perfect body and therefore enhancing your overall quality of life.\n\nWith a build that men envy and women adore, Joe Manganiello is more than qualified to write the end-all guide to sculpting the perfect body. His fit physique catapulted him to the top of the list of... View Details\n\nImprobable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution\nby Jonathan B. Losos (Author)\n\nA major new book overturning our assumptions about how evolution works\n\nEvolution: The Human Story\nby DK (Author)\n\nHow did we develop from simple animals inhabiting small pockets of forest in Africa to the dominant species on Earth? Traveling back almost eight million years to our earliest primate relatives, Evolution: The Human Story charts the development of our species from tree-dwelling primates to modern humans.\n\nInvestigating each of our ancestors in detail and in context, from the anatomy of their bones to the environment they lived in, Evolution: The Human Story profiles every human relative and ancestor discovered to date, and illustrates them in lifelike form.\n\nAmazingly... View Details\n\nEvolution: The Whole Story\nby Steve Parker (Editor), Alice Roberts (Editor)\n\nEvolution: The Whole Story provides an in-depth and up-to-the- minute account of evolution, one of the ultimate keystone theories in modern science. Ten esteemed experts thoroughly survey how each of Earth's major groups of living things diversified and evolved through time and using visual features that make the story comprehensible, the book gives readers, even those with no previous knowledge of the topic, a clear understanding of evolution and how it brought us to the present day.\n\nEach of seven chapters takes one of Earth's major living groups and describes the... View Details\n\nEvolution: How We and All Living Things Came to Be\nby Daniel Loxton (Author), Daniel Loxton (Illustrator)\n\n\nEvolution: The Triumph of an Idea\nby Carl Zimmer (Author)\n\nThis remarkable book presents a rich and up–to–date view of evolution that explores the far–reaching implications of Darwin's theory and emphasizes the power, significance, and relevance of evolution to our lives today. After all, we ourselves are the product of evolution, and we can tackle many of our gravest challenges –– from lethal resurgence of antiobiotic–resistant diseases to the wave of extinctions that looms before us –– with a sound understanding of the science.\n\nView Details\n\nEvolution: Still a Theory in Crisis\nby Michael Denton (Author)\n\n\nBest Science Podcasts 2017\n\nNow Playing: TED Radio Hour\n\nGoing Undercover\nNow Playing: Science for the People\n\n#452 Face Recognition and Identity", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7293703556060791}
{"content": "Ordinary events\n\nWilliam Labov, University of Pennsylvania\n\nIn most sociolinguistic studies of the speech community, narratives of personal experience play a prominent role. Within the sociolinguistic interview, narratives are one of the primary means of reducing the effects of observation and recording. In dissecting the stylistic shifts within the interview, narratives consistently show a shift towards the vernacular—that is, towards the first-learned style of speech that is used in every-day communication with friends and family (Labov 2001). Many of the results of this concentration on narrative are incorporated into the figures on style shifting of linguistic variables (Trudgill 1974, Cedergren 1973). Because the elicitation of narrative is such an important methodological step, attention turned to narrative structure (Labov and Waletzky 1963, Labov 1972). The distribution of linguistic features in the construction of narrative has been the focus of a number of studies (e.g., Schiffrin 1981, Silva-Corvalan 1973). Several recent publications have focused on the narratives as a whole (Laforest 1996, Butters 2001). More than anyone else, Ron Macaulay has brought to the forefront the emotional and social dimensions of personal narrative (1991). In his exploration of the discourse features of the Ayrshire dialect, narratives play the most prominent part—not only in the discourse particles that are tied to narrative structure, but in the way that linguistic constructions are used to convey the full emotional impact of the events being recounted. The impact of his work is considerably heightened by the quality of the many narratives that he cites in full. From the outset, Macaulay realized the importance of the central themes of human experience in his sociolinguistic interviews; as an interviewer,\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 2\n\nhe was able to draw forth the full eloquence of the Scots speakers of Ayrshire and Glasgow.\n\nThe narrative.\nThis report will deal with a single narrative recorded by Macaulay. It was originally reported in his paper on “Polyphonic monologues,” dealing with the role of direct quotation in narrative (1987), and then incorporated into his1991 book in Chapter 11 on “The Use of Quoted Direct Speech.” I have been thinking about this narrative since I first read Macaulay’s paper, re-telling it to various audiences, and re-analyzing it from several points of view. It is told by Ellen Laidlaw, whose narratives are cited at many points in Macaulay’s work. Laidlaw was 69 when she was interviewed in 1978. She was from a solidly working-class background: the daughter of a coalman, who left school at 16, and was twice married to men who held manual jobs at a local factory. The narrative concerns her father’s death. Laidlaw’s mother had been taking care of him in his final sickness. Though it is a narrative of personal experience, the experience is her mother’s, as retold by the daughter. It was introduced by an abstract: “He just lay doon on the settee and turned over and that was him gone, and then told in detail. The story is reproduced below in the transcriptional style that is useful for the narrative analysis to follow. Each independent clause is lettered as a separate line, and all finite clauses dependent on it are indented below. (1) Ellen Laidlaw: An account of her father’s death\n\na b\n\nAnd it was an exceptionally good afternoon, and she put him out in a basket chair, sitting at the window ootside in the garden.\n\nc d\n\nShe went in on the one bus and came back on the same bus, because the conductress says to her, \"Thought you said you were going for messages [shopping]\", she says.\n\nLabov e f g \"So I was.\"\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 3\n\n\"Well,\" she says, \"I'm awful glad I'm no waiting on you,\" she says. \"You coudnae have got much because you've got the same bus back.\"\n\nh i j k l\n\n\"Ach well,\" she says, \"I don't like the idea of leaving him too long,\" and she went up the road. She noticed his basket chair was there, but he wasnae there. She never thought anything aboot it, because it was too warm.\n\nm She thought he'd naturally gone inside, n and when she went in, he was lying on the settee. o p q r s t And she's auld-fashioned, very tidy, very smart. Everything had to go in its place. She took off her coat, hung it up, put away her shopping bag, and she says, \"It's rather early for wer tea—wer dinner, so I'll go and ask him if he wants a coffee.\" u v And she made the coffee, and she went through\n\nw and shook him to ask him if he wanted tea. x y z And he dropped off the settee in front of her. And she just--her mind just broke, and she's never known what it is since.\n\nMacaulay points out that this extraordinary story must have been reconstructed from Laidlaw’s mother’s account, even if her mind had been disordered as a result of the events. We find several indirect quotations from her mother (j, l, m) but also direct quotation (e.h, t). The quoted exchanges with the conductress (d,e,f,g,h) might have\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 4\n\nbeen from her mother, but they also could have been from the conductress. It is this reconstructed conversation that is the focus of Macaulay’s analysis. The dialogue, and particularly (h), provides a dramatic anticipation of the tragedy.\n\nBy the use of quoted direct speech Laidlaw has transformed what would otherwise have been a straightforward third-person account of her mother’s actions on the day that her father died into a dramatic narrative in which the perspective varies with different speakers. (1991:192).\n\nIn what follows, I would like to pursue Macaulay’s insights further by considering the relation of this dialogue to the central problem of polarization and integration of the participants. Though we begin with the assumption that the events reported did in fact occur, the account is indeed “constructed,” as Macaulay points out. Following the model of Labov 1997, I will attempt to show that this construction is best understood as built upon the skeleton of causally-linked events that is required for the creation of any narrative structure. The “reportable” events form a selection of the events that we can infer did occur but also include a variety of events that are not in themselves reportable and are not part of the causal chain required for a coherent narrative. These “ordinary events” will be the main focus of this account: how they relate to the central narrative task of conveying the narrator’s experience to the listener.\n\nTemporal organization and evaluation\nFollowing the method of Labov and Waletzky 1967, we can first examine the temporal organization of the narrative. The Orientation is confined to a single clause (a), which establishes the time. The place and the participants are incorporated in the first narrative event of the complicating action, (b), which introduces her mother, her father and the situation: a sick man left alone on the front porch of the house. The action continues to the final resolution (x), the negative evaluation of that resolution (y), and the coda (z) which brings us back to the present with the present perfect clause modified by since [that happened]. The analysis is not so simple,\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 5\n\nhowever, since the sequence of temporal junctures is broken by a series of clauses with extended temporal ranges, as shown in Figure 1. This series plainly forms an evaluation section. It deals with the perceptions, thoughts and character of the protagonist, and is marked nu irrealis predicates. Clause (j) reports the perception of a negative situation. Clauses (k-m) continue in an irrealis mode, reporting misperceptions that prevailed through w, and terminated only with the tragic event ( x). Clause (n) is another restricted clause, reporting the situation that continues again through (w)—her father’s location on the settee in the living room. There follow the two free clauses (o,p) that describe her mother’s general character—material that might have been placed in an orientation section. A glance at (2) makes it plain that this evaluation section delays the advancement of the action, a delay that would normally precede and evaluate the main point of the narrative.1 However, there can be no doubt that clause (x) is the central point of the narrative, and the evaluation section is separated from it by a long series of less important events (q-v). What follows in the analysis will attempt to account for this displacement of the evaluation section.\n\nThe displacement of the orientation clauses (o-p) downward in the narrative is a not uncommon device for evaluation, postponing information that interprets events to the place where they are most relevant. Whether or not this characterization of her mother continues to the very end of the narrative, beyond the death of her father, is not known.\n\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 6\n\n(2) Temporal ranges of clauses in “An account of her father’s death.”\n\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 7\n\nThe assignment of praise and blame.\nNarratives that center on conflict, violence, sickness and death are normally concerned with the assignment of responsibility for these events, and this narrative is not an exception. Many such narratives are constructed to polarize the participants, so that the protagonist conforms to all community norms and the antagonist violates them. But narratives told by a family member, like this one, are frequently organized as integrating narratives, told in a way that minimizes guilt, and relieves participants of responsibility for the outcome. The issue in the Laidlaw narrative is evident: her mother left her father alone: if she had been present when he suffered whatever attack was responsible for his death, she might have been able to prevent it. It is not unlikely that this sense of guilt and dereliction of duty contributed to her mother’s mental decline. The narrative construction is plainly designed to mitigate this guilt on four counts:\n\n(a) She brought him outside because it was an exceptionally pleasant afternoon . (b-h) She did her shopping as quickly as possible because she did not wamt tp leave him alone. (j-m) When she saw his chair empty she thought that he had gone inside because it was too warm, and her conjecture was confirmed by seeing him (n) on the settee. (t-w) Her following actions were only concerned with his welfare.\n\nThe dramatic dialogue (d-h) identified by Macaulay as anticipating the tragedy testifies most strongly to her mother’s concern, Her mother states plainly, “I don't like the idea of leaving him too long,” but the strongest testimony comes from the third-party witness, the conductress, who volunteers the opinion that her mother had shopped so quickly that she “coudnae have got much.” This is further confirmed by the objective fact that she returned on the same bus that she had taken to town. This section of the narrative therefore integrating rather than polarizing, mitigating the assignment of blame for her father’s death. The actual quotations may have\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 8\n\nbeen provided by her mother, by the conductress, or by Laidlaw herself from more fragmentary indications.\n\nParticipant actions\nTo understand the narrative construction as a whole, it is useful to consider the chart of participant actions (3). This correlates the overt actions of the three participants as reported by Laidlaw (excluding reported internal thoughts). The capital letters at left label the correlated time periods in which participants’ actions are correlated. The actions in brackets are not reported by Laidlaw, but are necessary additions that are inferred from the others and are not correlated exactly with the overtly reported events. Laidlaw’s mother is in contact with her father at three points in the narrative: when she first put him outside, when she saw him lying on the settee, and when she shook him. zzzdhe is in contact with the conductress during the conversation on the bus returning. In almost all narratives of personal experience, we view the actions through the eyes of the narrator. In this narrative of vicarious experience, the animator (Laidlaw) allows us to view the action through the eyes of her mother. As in the more general case, no flashbacks are permitted, and we learn about events that took place outside of her mother’s view only as she gets evidence of them. As a result of this ironclad “no flashback” rule, we cannot place the critical actions of Laidlaw’s father in time. At some point between A and J, her father became ill, went inside, and lay down on the settee. The exact time when he died is not known: he may or may not have been alive when his wife saw him lying on the settee. He might actually have died at any time after she entered the house and during the unmeasured length of time it took to put away the shopping, that is, between K and R.\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 9\n\n(3) Chart of participant actions in the Laidlaw narrative.\n\n\n\n\n\nsat outside [became ill] [went inside] [lay on settee] [died]\n\nput him out went in on bus [shopped] [got on bus] “So I was” “I’m awful glad I’m no waiting” “You couldna have got much...” “I don’t like leaving him” came back on bus noticed he wasn’t there “I thought you were going shopping”\n\nseen on settee\n\nwent in took off coat hung it up says, “I’ll go...” made coffee went through\n\ndropped off\n\nshook him mind broke\n\nThe assignment of guilt is therefore not fully resolved by the fact that the period of shopping B to I was as short as possible, as the conductress testified. The assignment of responsibility involves the concept of causation. It will be helpful to move to a more abstract form of analysis and examine the causal relationship between the events involved.\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 10\n\nThe causal skeleton\nIn order to understand the narrative construction better, it is helpful to reconstruct the basis on which the narrative is built (Labov 1997, 2001). We begin with the concept of a reportable narrative and reportability. It is generally true that most turns at talk are occupied by short utterances, usually a single sentence or less, while narratives require much longer turns, and the automatic re-assignment of speakership to the narrator when other turns intervene (Sacks 19??). Events that are socially ratified as justifying such extended turns and re-assignment are reportable and narratives that include such events are reportable narratives (Labov 1997).2 Any given narrative is constructed about a most reportable event: that is, an event that is the least common and has the largest consequences for the welfare and well-being of the participants. Reportability is then the joint product of frequency and effect upon the welfare of the participants. Except under the most unusual circumstances, death is a most reportable event.3 Though there can be some disagreement about which of several competing events is the most reportable in some narratives, clause (x) is the most reportable event of the Laidlaw narrative. When a person decides to tell a narrative, it is usually a decision to describe the most reportable event. Laidlaw had made the decision to give an account of her father’s death. However, it is obvious that a narrative that simply replicates clause (x) would not be a narrative in the sense defined here. This is not simply because of the need for temporal junctures, implying more than one event. It is also a product of the inverse relationship of reportability and credibility. To the extent that an event is reportable, it is also uncommon, rare and unlikely. The more unlikely it is, the less credible. This inverse relationship between credibility and reportability creates the major problem of narrative construction. For unless a narrative is one of the special genre of “tall tales,” rejection as Reportability is not of course an invariant feature of events, but relative to many features of the social situation: competition with other concerns, relation of the participants, and setting. Thus almost any event may be reportable at a family dinner, while only a small number are reportable to a committee of Congress.\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 11\n\na falsehood is equivalent to total failure for the narrator with a consequent loss of social standing. The problem of establishing credibility for the most reportable event is equivalent to answering the question, “How did this [extraordinary thing] come about?” It is therefore necessary to provide an answer in the form of some preceding event which was the cause or motivation of the most reportable event. This is a recursive process: this preceding event must be explained in turn, and an answer must be provided to the question, “and what brought that about?” A solution to the problem of narrative construction therefore requires the narrator to locate an event in the series which does not require such a motivating precursor, an event for which the question “Why did you [or he] do that?” is meaningless or silly. All narrators do in fact solve this problem, and they do locate such an event. It is in fact, the orientation of the narrative, which describes a setting or situation that is a common, expected and ordinary event. The answer to the question, “Why would you set your father out in the basket chair on a good afternoon?” is “That is what I would always do on a good afternoon!” and any person who would ask such a question would rightfully be covered with confusion. The basic narrative procedure for creating a narrative about a [most] reportable event can be summarized as a recursive rule of narrative construction:\n\n\nGiven an event ri, that is unaccounted for, locate an event ri-1 for which the statement “rn happened because ri-1” is true.\n\nThis rule produces a narrative chain, a skeleton of events linked by their causal relations. It is terminated when the event is not “unaccounted for.” As we have seen, the events that are found in orientation section are accounted for: they need no accounting since the behavior of the participants is expected given the time, the place and their characer. When a most reportable event r0 is input to the rule, it produces the a chain of n events:\n\nThis social fact is the basis of Macbeth’s response to the report of his wife’s death, “There would have been time for such a word.” The pressure of competing events was so great, that this death was not then reportable.\n\n\nLabov (5) r0 r-1 r-2 . . . . rn\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 12\n\nThe narrative chain is in effect a causal theory of the narrative. For any given person telling any given narrative, the rule of narrative construction provides the required answer to the initial question, “Where shall I begin?” which is the Orientation rn. We sometimes hear this question in so many words, but an overt formulation is not required., No narrative can be told until the initial question is answered. There is of course no single answer to the initial question, any more than there would be a single solution to providing an event ri-1 to the rule of narrative construction. Different narrators will construct different causal chains and arrive at different orientations. On reflection, one can see that the orientation, which seemed at first glance to be the least interesting and least evaluated part of the narrative, is in fact the basis of the narrator’s causal theory, and the ordinary events that comprise the orientation carry great significance in the ultimate assignment of praise or blame. What follows the most reportable event? The series of complicating actions that follow the most reportable event can be called the resolution of the narrative, but it is not yet clear to me if the end of the narrative can be characterized by an event with specific characteristics. In any case, a narrative is normally terminated by a coda which brings the narration’s point of time back to the present, and is not a part of the narrative chain.\n\nFollowing this logic, we can isolate the narrative chain of the Laidlaw narrative as six events drawn from the 26 narrative clauses as shown in (6).\n\nLabov (6) r0 r-1 r-2 r-3 r-4 r-5 r-6 x w t n l,m c,d b a\n\nOrdinary events He dropped off the settee [dead] in front of her because she shook him to ask him if he wanted coffee because she had made him coffee because when she saw him lying on the settee she thought he was all right because she had gone in and returned in a hurry because she had left him in the basket chair because it was an exceptionally good afternoon.\n\nPage 13\n\nIn the story as told, the event r-3 is the crucial event that leads to the catastrophe r0: that Laidlaw’s mother thought her husband was alive and well. In the story as told, this conviction is first formed when she sees that the basket chair is empty (j,k) and persists when she sees him lying on the settee (n), and this is the motivation that leads to the causal chain r2-r1-r. In the narrative chain (6) the individual events of (l,m,n) are combined into a single event r-3. In a similar way, the various events of the shopping trip (d-i) appear as the single event r-4, that she went and returned in a hurry. The construction of the narrative chain then permits the telling of the story as the inverse narrative chain (7)\n\n\nr-6 r-5 r-4 r-3 r-2 r-1 r0\n\na b c,d l,m n t w x\n\nBecause it was an exceptionally good afternoon she left him in the basket chair and so she went and returned in a hurry so she thought he was all right when she saw him lying on the settee so she made him coffee so she shook him to ask if he wanted coffee and he dropped off the settee [dead] in front of her.\n\nThe inverse chain (7) would be an acceptable and coherent narrative from the point of view of causal structure. It is intelligible and coherent. But it does not include any evaluation of the events, and it omits many of the overt actions of the participant action\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 14\n\nchart (3). In order to understand narrative construction, we must consider how these various elements are incorporated into the causal chain, and what their contribution is to our understanding of the final catastrophe (x-y).\n\nElaborating the narrative chain\nThe narrative chain (6) abbreviates the shopping trip to a single clause, omitting entirely the conversation with the conductress (d-h). The conversation embodies observations about her mother’s actions after the fact: they do not motivate these actions or influence the actions that followed. We have already seen the motivation for their inclusion as evaluative material; they provide a third-person confirmation that her mother made the shopping trip as short as possible. Furthermore, the conversation allows her mother to state her own position, that she“didn’t like the idea of leaving him too long.” The first half of the narrative is therefore dominated by this addition to the narrative chain, which shows Laidlaw’s mother as conforming to norms of appropriate behavior.\n\nThe second such elaboration is the expansion of r-3 into the step-by-step series of j,k,l,m. In the initial chart of temporal ranges, this section formed part of the narrative’s evaluation section, and there is no doubt that this elaboration is evaluative. The negative\n\n\nShe never thought anything aboot it\n\ncontrasts the real event (that she thought he was alive and well) with an alternative reality in which she would have thought something was wrong and behaved differently. One can easily reconstruct a situation where Laidlaw’s mother told the story to her and blamed herself at this very point: she should have thought that something was wrong. This elaboration gives the justification for her thinking that all was well (that since it was warm, he must have gone inside), and seeing him on the settee (n) only confirms her earlier formed opinion and motivates what follows. While the first elaboration relieves her mother of guilt for having been away too long, the second shows her coming to a wrong conclusion for which she might have been blamed, and undoubtedly blamed herself.\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 15\n\nThe third elaboration returns us to the anomaly first noted in this narrative: that the evaluation section is widely separated from the most reportable event by a series of narrative clauses:\n\nq r s t\n\n\nu v\n\nAnd she made the coffee, and she went through\n\nThe events underlying these narrative clauses did not appear in the narrative chain, because they are not causally linked to what follows them. None of the causal connections in (8) hold:\n\n\nw she shook him to ask him if he wanted tea v because she had gone through u because she had made the coffee t because she had said, “ . . . . I’ll go ask him“ s because she had put away her shopping bag r because she had hung it up q because she had taken off her coat\n\nRather, these events are implementations of what preceded them.\n\n\np Everything had to go in its place So q she took off her coat r and she hung it up\n\n\nOrdinary events s and she put away her shopping bag t and then she says, “I’ll go and ask him if he wants a coffee” So u She made the coffee v and she went through w and she shook him\n\nPage 16\n\nThe actions indicated by (q, r, s) are sequential, but are each connected in parallel as implementations of the general principle expressed in (p). The actions indicated by (u, v, w) form a second temporal sequence that are all implementations of the intention expressed as (t). These implementations are ordinary events. None of them are reportable in themselves, nor are they required to explain why the event following them occurred. There are no limits to the number of such implementations that can be inserted between any two causally linked actions. For example, we might have had\n\n\nq q’ q’’ q’’’ r\n\nShe unbuttoned her coat And pulled her arm out of the right sleeve and then the left sleeve Then she took it by the collar and hung it on the hook\n\nThe insertion of these ordinary events poses the same kinds of problems that were faced in the original analysis of the role of irrealis verbs (Labov and Waletzky 1967). If a narrative is an account of what actually happened, why do we find clauses dealing with what did not happen? The answer given was that these irrealis verbs evaluate the events that did occur by comparing them with an alternate reality in which other events take place. Here we are faced with events that are not reportable in themselves, and are not required to complete the chain of causation on which the narrative is built. Why are they there? or to put it more concretely, what is their effect?\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 17\n\nThe insertion of these intermediary, implementing actions has the effect of slowing down the forward movement of the narrative, just as if it were in slow motion. It has the same evaluative force as any other linguistic device that suspends the action: parallel progressive verbs, negatives, or free clauses. Altogether, they represent the slow accomplishment of a narrative event whose completion triggers the one that follows. Attention to small and ordinary events is a common device used by the directors of films to heighten tension in anticipation of an attack or an imminent catastrophe. As the camera focuses on these ordinary events—unlocking a door, entering a room, preparing a meal—events which have no evident interest in themselves, the audience is alerted to the fact that something terrible is about to happen. In this respect, narratives of personal experience have more in common with film than with extended works of literature. In Laidlaw’s narrative, the sense of oncoming harm has already been signaled by the exchange with the conductress. The insertion of the sequence of ordinary events (q-v) intensifies further the effect of the extraordinary denouement (x,y). Thus the contrast of the ordinary and the extraordinary is a third evaluative device in this narrative construction. As in other effective narratives of personal experience, these are simple events and they revolve about basic objects. Laidlaw’s mother did not hang up a “light spring coat with a belt in the back”; she hung up her coat. She did make a “steaming pot of good, strong java”; she made coffee. This is the warp and woof of experience, free of literary devices. Indeed, it is the very objectivity of these objects and events that adds to the credibility of the story and intensifies the emotional content. In this story, the ordinary events play a dual role. In addition to the sense of delay and expectation, they underline the terrible effect of the catastrophe upon Laidlaw’s mother. The critical unknown of the story is the time of her husband’s death. It might have taken place during the abbreviated shopping trip. In that case, her mother’s tidy, deliberate actions would have no effect upon anyone but herself. But it is also possible that her husband was alive when she came back to the house. In that case, if she had gone immediately to him she might have been able to help—giving him medicine, calling for an ambulance, or at the very least being on hand to comfort him in his last moments. One can imagine the heavy accusation that Laidlaw’s mother must have laid against herself: “If I had only. . .” Though the first elaboration relieves her of any charge of careless\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 18\n\nneglect, and the second protects her from being seen as a foolish or thoughtless woman, the third brings home with force the burden of guilt that this terrible event laid upon her. It is with the style of a loving daughter that Laidlaw says, “she's auld-fashioned, very tidy, very smart.” Her narrative gives us a deeper understanding of why “her mind just broke, and she's never known what it is since.”\n\n\nOrdinary events\n\nPage 19\n\nButters, Ronald R. 2001. Presidential Address: Literary Qualities in Sociolinguistic Narratives of Personal Experience. American Speech 76:227-235. Cedergren, Henrietta 1973. The interplay of social and linguistic factors in Panama. Unpublished Cornell University dissertation. Johnstone, Barbara 1988. Local color: orientational detail in midwestern personal narrative. v……..In K. Ferrara et al. (eds), Linguistic Change and Contact: NWAV XVI. Austin, TE: Dept of Linguistics, U. of Texas. Pp. 152-159. Labov, William. 1972. Language in the Inner City. Chapter 12: The transformation of reality in narrative syntax. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Labov, William 1997. Some further steps in narrative analysis. Journal of Narrative and Life History 7:395-415. Labov, William 2001. The anatomy of style. In P. Eckert and J. Rickford (eds), Style and Sociolinguistic Variation. Cambridge: U. of Cambridge Press. Pp. 85-108. Labov, William and Joshua Waletzky 1967. Narrative analysis. In J. Helm (ed.), Essays on the Verbal and Visual Arts. Seattle: U. of Washington Press. Pp. 12-44. Reprinted in the Journal of Narrative and Life History 7:3-38. Laforest, Marty (ed.) 1996. Autour de la Narration: Les Abords du récit conversationnel Montreal: Nuit Blanche Editeur. Macaulay, Ronald 1991. Locating Dialect in Discourse. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Macaulay, Ronald K. 1987. Polyphonic Monologues: Quoted Direct Speech in Oral Narratives. IPRA Papers in Pragmatics. 1:1-34. Schiffrin, Deborah. 1981. Tense Variation in Narrative. Language 57: 45-62. Silva-Corvalán, Carmen. 1983. Tense and Aspect in Oral Spanish Narrative: Context and Meaning. Language 59(4): 760-780. Trudgill, Peter. 1974. The Social Differentiation of English in Norwich. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.\n\nSign up to vote on this title\nUsefulNot useful", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.961722195148468}
{"content": "Wonder Woman\n\nDiana Prince\n\n\nWonder Woman's Powers\n\nDivine Empowerment\n\nDirectly after being sculpted from clay, several Olympian gods granted attributes to Diana.\n\nSuperhuman Strength\n\nGranted by Demeter (Goddess of the Earth). Diana is literally as strong as the Earth because of her link to the planet granted to her by Demeter. She is said to be \"stronger than Hercules\". Wonder Woman is as strong as Superman himself and able to physically outmatch other beings such as Supergirl.\n\nSuperhuman Durability\n\n\n\nGranted by Hermes (the Messenger God). Wonder Woman is capable of unassisted flight by gliding on air currents.\n\nSuperhuman Speed\n\nGranted by Hermes (the Messenger God). She is able to think, react and move at superhuman speeds. According to Flash, she can easily keep up with him if he is at regular cruising speed (but not at top speed).\n\nSuperhuman Reflexes\n\n\nSuperhuman Agility\n\nWonder Womans's agility is far beyond that of even an Olympic level athlete, as is her balance and coordination.\n\nSuperhuman Stamina\n\n\nEnhanced Healing Factor\n\n\nOneness With Fire\n\n\n\nGranted by Athena (Goddess of Wisdom). \"The Sight of Athena\" apparently grants her increased insight. For example, Diana can often detects others' emotions, and is now so fully immune to Doctor Psycho's illusions that she usually is not even aware of what illusions he is attempting to project. Charisma\n\nAnimal Empathy\n\n\nEnhanced Senses\n\n\nEnhanced Vision\n\nShe also possess the \"Hunters Eye\" which allows her to always hit her mark. She can see to far greater distances than any normal human. After a short period of blindness, Athena bound her own vision to her champion, not only restoring her sight, but granting her further insight as well.\n\nEnhanced Sense of Smell\n\nEnhanced Hearing\n\nDimensional Teleportation\n\n\n\nHand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)\n\n\nWisdom of Athena\n\nGranted by Athena (Goddess of Wisdom). Diana possesses great wisdom and intelligence, though the degree varies from author to author. She is among the smartest and wisest members of the Justice League of America, along with the Martian Manhunter and Batman.\n\n\nDiana has exhibited heightened proficiency with languages, being able to speak her native Themysciran, Ancient and Modern Greek, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin Chinese (she expressed \"difficulty\" with the tones of Cantonese during an interview with Lois Lane), Russian and Hindi. Plus, through precise muscle control, she can mimic other people's voices for short conversations (on the telephone). It is more difficult, for her to mimic a mans voice than another woman's voice.\n\nMaster Tactician and Strategist\n\nGranted by Athena (Goddess of Wisdom). Diana is an accomplished strategist and tactician, trained in the arts of leadership, persuasion and diplomacy, and possesses a great deal of courage as well. She is a gifted leader. Diplomacy\n\n\nExpert pilot. Can fly the Invisible Jet with ease. Master combatant:\n\n\n\n\n\nDiana is an expert at using her tiara as a boomerang.\n\nWonder Woman's Weaknesses\n\nVulnerability to Piercing Weapons\n\nDiana is extremely resistant to blunt force attacks and has a vast tolerance for pain. However, she is more vulnerable to piercing weapons, such as arrows and bullets.\n\nActive users (last 10 minutes)\n\n2005- 2017 - Superhero Database | SuperheroMovies.net", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9057924747467041}
{"content": "I remember a recurring dream from my childhood and so on throughout various other times in my life.  I was in the neighbor's front yard. There were four houses strung together. Friends and my community. I could be at any given home playing on any given day and at any given time.  I freely roamed the neighborhood like the boss I was;)\n\nIn the dream, I am re-learning how to fly.  The feeling is that I know how to do it but I have to walk myself through the steps.\nThey are:\n\nTurn your focus inward\n\nGather a flaming red ball of light in your belly\nLet the ball of light burn and grow until an explosive energy burns inside of you\nSummon all of your power and connect with the burning ball within\nExplode outward\nJump as high as you can\nJump again\n\nany you'll start to float down a little gentler\nsoar a touch higher\nuntil you suspend there at a new and better angle\nAfter hovering a while and getting used to the feeling\nYou stretch the light energy \n\npushing it out from your fingers and toes\nas you start to glide\ngently twisting\ndefinitely soaring\n\nThere are times to go inward and gather the light.  Simmer and feed the flaming red ball, gather its strength until it is needed once again.  This energy that is available to us to manifest and create abundance our lives.\n\nCreative Flow. \n\nI engage my creative energies to experience flow. \n\nFor me, flow is that time and space where ideas pop and a design comes together and represents what I was really trying to say or the feeling I was hoping to get across. \n\nFlow feels like movement towards spirit. \n\nFlow feeds the meter.\n\nFlow is energizing, not exhausting. \n\nWhen I've created something, I am confident that I have lived the highest version of myself that day.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.623856246471405}
{"content": "Monday, June 7, 2010\n\nWatermelon Tourmaline\n\nWatermelon Tourmaline\n\nBirthstone Month:\nTourmaline is one of the two gemstones associated with the month of October.\n\nBeing one of the two accepted birthstones for the month of October, Tourmaline is one of the zodiac gemstones for Libra and Scorpio.\n\nChemical Symbol:\nThe general symbol for Tourmaline is (Na, Ca)(Li, Mg, Al)(Al, Fe, Mn)6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4\n\nChemical Make-up:\nTourmaline is made up of the complex Aluminum Borosilicate element, and depending upon the color of the gemstone, one or more of a number of metal ions, usually Iron, Magnesium and Lithium.\n\nHistory & Lore:\nThe name Tourmaline is widely accepted as being derived from the Singhalese expression tura mali, which when translated means “stone of many or mixed colors”.\n\nTourmaline is often referred to as the rainbow gemstone, due to the huge amount of colors that it is available in. This was certainly believed by the ancient Egyptians who believed that when Tourmaline traveled from its home in the earth's core to the surface, it did so along a rainbow, which subsequently gifted the gemstone with all of the colors of the rainbow.\n\nTourmalines exhibit piezoelectricity and when these stones become warm they become electrically charged – positively at one end and negatively at the other, acting like a magnet and strong enough to attract small particles of dust or ash. It is for this reason that the Dutch of old used Tourmalines to clean their pipes!\n\nAs with most gemstones, ancient civilizations credited Tourmaline gems with magical and mystical powers, including having the power to guard against danger and misfortune. Tourmalines are said to have an especially strong influence over friendship and love, lending permanence and stability to both. Tourmaline gems help to amplify psychic ability / energy and are an excellent aid to increasing self-confidence and understanding. Tourmaline is believed to help assist with tranquil sleep, calm nerves, improve concentration and creative processes and to be an aid to curing cancer.\n\nWatermelon Tourmalines believed to be particularly effective in helping one recover from emotional problems. It is also believed to have the combined metaphysical properties of both Green and Pink Tourmaline.\n\nIt is believed that Green Tourmaline is particularly useful with energizing and rejuvenating the wearer, which can stimulate creativity and bring success and prosperity.\n\nPink Tourmaline is believed to represent harmony, joy of life, and lust. It vibrates the heart chakra allowing the wearer to open themselves to many levels of love. It is also believed to inspire spirituality and creativity well enhancing the one's willpower.\n\nWatermelon Tourmaline is a unique gemstone highly valued by collectors. The vast majority of the stones mined tend to be heavily included, with the clean gems being much more rare and naturally more expensive.\n\nThere are known Tourmaline deposits throughout the world including, Afghanistan, Africa, Brazil, Italy, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Pakistan, Siberia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States (California, Connecticut, Maine and Utah). The majority of Watermelon Tourmalines on the market today are mined in Newry, Maine by the Plumbago Mining Corporation®.\n\nTourmaline (regardless of variety) is rated at 7 – 7.5 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness and as such is suitable for all jewelry uses and is considered durable enough to be worn everyday.\n\nFound in an amazing variety, the sheer number of available Tourmaline colors is second to none and unmatched by any other gemstone. Tourmalines can be found in shades of blue, black, brown, colorless, green, orange, pink, red, yellow and other colors in varying shades and hues, varying from completely transparent to opaque. In addition to this there are also known occurrences of bi-color, tri-color, multi-color and “Cat's Eye” Tourmalines, ensuring that the Tourmaline truly is a gemstone that is available in a color to suit all styles and tastes.\n\nA Tourmaline gemstone viewed from different angles will result in differing color intensities being visible. The only one thing that you can be sure of is that the deepest coloration will always be shown along the stone's main axis. When selecting a Tourmaline, go with the color that you like but generally try to steer clear of any stone that is cut too dark.\n\nWatermelon Tourmalines are bi-colored stones with a green border enveloping a red center and often obscure or heavily included. Eye-clean stones are one-of-a-kind and are highly sought after by gem collectors and connoisseur.\n\nWatermelon Tourmalines are presently enjoying strong demand, but for the moment pricing remains reasonable. When considering buying a Watermelon or any other Bi-color Tourmaline for that matter, pay particular attention to color separation and be sure to select a stone that does not suffer from numerous heavy inclusions as these will have a detrimental effect on the overall worth of the gemstone.\n\nCommon Cuts:\nOwing to the fact that Tourmaline crystals are long and narrow in shape Tourmaline gems are most commonly, although not exclusively cut into square or rectangular stepped shapes. Watermelon Tourmalines are often cut into thin slices similar to its namesake.\n\nRoutine Enhancements:\nWatermelon Tourmalines are occasionally heat-treated in order to lighten colors and to remove “silk” (a form of natural imperfection / inclusion).\n\nCare & Cleaning:\nUse warm, soapy water and a soft brush to clean Tourmaline. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe. Never use chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid or ammonium fluoride to clean Tourmaline because it can erode the stone. Much like many gemstones, Tourmaline should be kept away from prolonged exposure to extremes of heat and light as this can cause permanent color change. Always keep your Watermelon Tourmaline jewelry in a fabric-lined box, away from other jewelry, in order to avoid damage / scratching.\n\n1 comment:\n\n  1. Actually, the MOST desirable Watermelon Tourmalines are TRI-colored. If you think of a cut watermelon, you will see that there is a thin green rind on the outside. However, before you get to the red flesh of the watermelon, there is also a thin WHITE layer between the green and the red. As with Ametrine, the best Watermelon Tourmalines show distinct and well-demarcated layers, rather than a fuzzy blending of colors at the margins.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6269253492355347}
{"content": "Culture: What is it Exactly? Essay\n\n:: 4 Works Cited\nLength: 905 words (2.6 double-spaced pages)\nRating: Yellow      \nOpen Document\nNeed writing help? Check your paper »\n\n\nMany people believe that your culture defines who you are as a person, as well as in society. When in retrospect, culture is something that you have no control over. You are brought up in a certain way that your family has been brought up for generations. No amount of schooling or experience, can help shape or control who you really are as a person. Sure, in your lifetime you can see extraordinary things that might change your view or opinion on certain subjects, but overall, your culture is what defines you. For many people, it is strange and weird to see something out of the ordinary when it comes to doing thing different. For example, what some might consider to be an insult, others might see it as common courtesy. What type of foods that might be deemed as foul and disgusting in one culture, might be seen as an everyday source of nutrition for another. Culture is a part of who we are, and what we believe in, even if sometimes it seems a little crazy. I believe that is comes down to two main things when dealing with culture. One is how you were raised in this world by your family, and two, your religious side or background and how it all ties you together as the person you are.\nBeing raised in a Hispanic household, there were a lot of different things that went on that could have been consider, a little out of the ordinary. Our culture is a big part of who we are as a people, and family. For example, no matter how successful you think you might get in life, you can always have a family member in your tree to let you know that you aren’t doing that great. This is in no mean shape or form of disrespect, or even a put down, it is just how we are as a people. When someone see’s you succeeding in life, they usually give you a har...\n\n... middle of paper ...\n\n... are as a person. It comes from family and how they were raised, and how they raised you, and how you will raise your children, and so on. Culture is something that is always going to be a part of you no matter what. Doesn’t matter if you have a fancy degree form a private school. Doesn’t matter if you’re an owner of a successful business, and it doesn’t matter how much money you have or make. In the end, a person has to know where they come from and remember their roots in life.\n\nWorks Cited\n\nBragg, L. (2001). Deaf Wrold . New York and London : New York University Press.\nMerrell, F. (2003). The Mecivans a Sense of Culture. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.\nMindess, A. (2006). Reading Between The Signs . Boston London : Intercultural Press.\nNemoianu, V. (2010). Postmoderism & Cultural Identities. Washington D.C.: Catholic University of America Press .\n\n\nNeed Writing Help?\n\nGet feedback on grammar, clarity, concision and logic instantly.\n\nCheck your paper »\n\nThis essay is 100% guaranteed.\n\nTitle Length Color Rating  \nEssay on Affects of Popular Culture on Today's Generation - People today blame popular culture for the “corrupting” of today’s generation. Many Americans do not think of the other factors that go into popular culture. There are in fact many factors that go into the things such as teen pregnancy, education failure, and violence of today’s youth. Factors such as money, home life, and enviorment. Not only do Americans feel popular culture is to blame, but also feels popular culture is having its affect too soon. Before being able to discuss the effects popular culture has on children, what exactly is “childhood?” With the ongoing debate of abortion many people do not agree on when a child’s life beings....   [tags: Culture]\n:: 6 Works Cited\n2008 words\n(5.7 pages)\nTerm Papers [preview]\nEssay on How the ‘Culture Industry’ had Profound Social Impacts in Society - Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer were two renowned Jewish representatives of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory; they were particularly dominant during the early 20th century, approximately around the time of the 1920’s to 1960s. They took refuge in America after Adolf Hitler’s rise in Germany. These to philosophers developed the ‘Culture Industry Theory’ in the 1940s, in light of the disturbed society they had seen during this time. They witnessed how Nazi Fascism used mass media such as films, radio and newspapers to brainwash millions into partaking in this ideology....   [tags: culture industry, theodore adorno, mark horkheimer]\n:: 21 Works Cited\n2005 words\n(5.7 pages)\nTerm Papers [preview]\nIndonesian Culture, Music and Religion Essay - Throughout the year we have delved into the culture of various different countries and we have learned their ways and their religion. We went about this, however, in a completely different way than what is normally done when examining and studying other cultures; we learned an amazing amount of information about these cultures simply by looking at their music. This semester I have learned about fascinating cultures from different cultures such as Indonesia, India, and Africa, and I have learned how exactly these countries have expressed their cultures through their music....   [tags: delving into the culture of different countries] 694 words\n(2 pages)\nBetter Essays [preview]\nImpact of Globalization on Mexican Culture and Identity Essay - The ethnic- Mexican experience has changed over the years as American has progressed through certain period of times, e.g., the modernity and transformation of the southwest in the late 19th and early 20th century, the labor demands and shifting of U.S. immigration policy in the 20th century, and the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. Through these events Mexican Americans have established and shaped their culture, in order, to negotiate these precarious social and historical circumstances. Throughout the ethnic Mexicans cultural history in the United States, conflict and contradiction has played a key role in shaping their modalities of life....   [tags: Mexican Culture and Identity] 2066 words\n(5.9 pages)\nPowerful Essays [preview]\nMisunderstandings of a Foreigner in American Culture Essay - I still remember the shock I got when I first moved here. What a terribly superficial culture this country has, I thought. The way people treat each other, especially in conversations. At the beginning they ask you: \"How are you?\" But beware. They don't really want to know how you are, and if you make the mistake of actually giving them a detailed account of your well-being, they'll shun you for weeks. On the other hand, you're required to immediately embrace all new acquaintances with the standard \"Nice to meet you.\" Maybe you weren't even in the mood to meet somebody at this particular moment, and if she or he turns out to be just another perfectly intolerable human being, then you lied to...   [tags: American Culture]\n:: 3 Works Cited\n1671 words\n(4.8 pages)\nPowerful Essays [preview]\nWhat is Culture? Essay - Culture, what is it exactly. Many people believe that your culture defines who you are as a person, as well as in society. When in retrospect, culture is something that you have no control over. You are brought up in a certain way that your family has been brought up for generations. No amount of schooling or experience, can help shape or control who you really are as a person. Sure, in your lifetime you can see extraordinary things that might change your view or opinion on certain subjects, but overall, your culture is what defines you....   [tags: family, religion, inquiry] 784 words\n(2.2 pages)\nBetter Essays [preview]\nTrudeaumania: Role Culture Plays in Achieving Political Power Essay - ... Trudeau's charisma is often credited as the key attribute behind Trudeaumania. Merriam- Webster defines charisma as \"a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure such as a political leader\" (n.d.). Said charisma provided Trudeau with a significant amount of standing with Canadians. In his book Fire and Ashes Michael Ignatieff defines standing as \"a word from the law that means the right to have your day in court...a friend who has gone through a tough time has standing with us....   [tags: canadian culture, pride, hope, obama]\n:: 8 Works Cited\n1272 words\n(3.6 pages)\nTerm Papers [preview]\nEssay on Culture-Jamming and E-Literature - Culture-Jamming and E-Literature It is an act of sympathetic magic performed in the name of all who are obliged to peer at the world through peepholes owned by multinational conglomerates for whom the profit margin is the bottom line. -Mark Drey, “Empire of Signs” What is Culture-Jamming. #1 When we look for the roots of the term culture-jamming, we find that what began as billboard alteration and has come to define a host of activities which we can call media activism. Here is a look what was possibly the first billboard ever “jammed”:   [tags: Culture Cultural Paperes]\n:: 5 Works Cited\n2429 words\n(6.9 pages)\nPowerful Essays [preview]\nThe Numbing of the American Mind: Culture as Anesthetic Essay - ENLIGHTENED SURRENDER How many essays have been written about American culture. How many books dedicated to the intense scrutiny of every aspect of our modern society. Countless thoughts, countless theories—many of them lost in the very chaos that the authors spent 300 pages explaining. There are always solutions, which their creators seem entirely convinced will solve this mess, but the truth is that these ideas are often impractical and unrealistic. But no one writes an entire book complaining without offering us something at the conclusion....   [tags: Thomas de Zengotita American Culture]\n:: 1 Works Cited\n1413 words\n(4 pages)\nPowerful Essays [preview]\n1960's Counter Culture and its Saga Essay - 1960's Counter Culture and its Saga After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, America's hope for Camelot fades and life began to look a little more complicated. Congress deemed President Lyndon Johnson's \"Great Society\" implausible as Johnson backed the country into a war that was not ours. Then, while many Americans began to realize that the War in Vietnam could not be won, there was major public outcry about ending our involvement in a war for the first time in the country's history....   [tags: Sixties Culture USA History Essays] 3689 words\n(10.5 pages)\nPowerful Essays [preview]", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9045660495758057}
{"content": "Duhaime's Law Dictionary\n\nContract Law Definition:\n\nThat body of law which regulates the formation and enforcement of contracts.\n\nRelated Terms: Contract, Quid Pro Quo, Acceptance, Accord and Satisfaction, Freedom of Contract\n\nThat body of law which regulates the enforcement of contracts.\n\nContract law is the basis of all commercial dealings from buying a bus ticket to trading on the stock market.\n\nContract law is a species of private law.\n\nContract law has its origins thousands of years as the early civilizations began to trade with each other, a legal system was created to support and to facilitate that trade.\n\nBabylon contract\n\nHistorically, the natural reaction of a trader to a broken promise would be to use violence to encourage compliance. If the use of force became the norm, emerging markets would be doomed and mired in violence. Hence, the law developed to enforce promises, instead of one-to-one violence, the threat of state enforcement.\n\nA Babylon contract is pictured, left.\n\nThe English and French developed similar contract law systems, both referring extensively to old Roman contract law principles such as consensus ad idem or caveat emptor. There are some minor differences on points of detail such as the English law requirement that every contract contain consideration.\n\nMore and more states are changing their laws to eliminate consideration as a prerequisite to a valid contract thus contributing to the uniformity of law, all driven by the exigencies of international commerce.\n\nContract law can seem like quicksand with its doctrines and exceptions but in reality, 99.9% of contracts are complied with, and of those that go to Court, the Courts are alive to people trying to get out of their deals by pleading some remote contract law point and usually do not support it.\n\nWithout the expectation that a Court will enforce a contract, the commercial system would fall apart.\n\nSee the extensive articles in Contract Law in the Legal Resources section of duhaime.org.\n\n\nCategories & Topics:\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5312538146972656}
{"content": "MEPS 254:163-176 (2003)  -  doi:10.3354/meps254163\n\nPhenotypic and genotypic population differentiation in the bivalve mollusc Arctica islandica: results from RAPD analysis\n\nSebastian P. Holmes*, Rob Witbaard, Jaap van der Meer\n\nNederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ), Postbus 59, 1790 AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands\n\nABSTRACT: The bivalve mollusc Arctica islandica is an important commercial species with a presumed panmictic dispersal strategy, and is widely distributed throughout much of the soft sediment benthos of the North Atlantic continental shelf. Previous studies have shown that there can be gross morphological differences between populations, which has led to the suggestion that this may be reflected in genotype. So far, only one study has examined the population genetics of this species, revealing, depending upon location, that populations are only genetically distinct at a macroscale (>1000 km), thereby supporting the assumption of panmixia. Examination of the quantitative morphological traits between 5 different populations (4 North Sea and 1 Canadian) determined that all populations could be readily identified from their unique morphologies (shapes/growth patterns) derived from 2 factors resulting from a principal components analysis. Investigation, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, into the genetics of the populations, to indirectly assess whether the observed phenotypic differences could be related to potential differences in genotype, revealed that all populations were genetically distinct (between populations overall phiST = 0.662) from each other even at a microscale (<25 km) (phiST = 0.719). However, no correlation between genetic distance, morphological distance and/or geographical distance, whatever metric was applied, could be obtained. It is concluded that although phenotypic differences can be used to distinguish between populations of A. islandica, it should not and cannot be used to infer genetic differences in the absence of further studies. What is interesting is that the results from the genetic analysis dispute the presumption that the dispersal patterns of A. islandica is in any shape or form panmictic. This has very important consequences for the management of the species. The results are discussed with reference to the possible mechanisms responsible for maintaining a high degree of genetic diversity between the populations that were studied.\n\nKEY WORDS: Arctica islandica · Dispersal · Genotypic · Panmixia · Phenotypic · RAPD\n\nFull text in pdf format", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8707347512245178}
{"content": "The structure of svyatoslavite, a pseudo-orthorhombic polymorph of CaAl2Si2O8, has been solved from a crystal twinned on (100) and refined to an R1 value of 0.024, calculated for the 1788 unique observed (|Fo| ≥ 4sF) reflections. The structure is monoclinic, P1211, a 8.220(5), b 8.951(5), c 4.828(5) Å, β 90.00(5)°, V 355.2(5) Å3. The structure of svyatoslavite is based on a three-dimensional framework of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra with Ca2+ ions at the interstitial sites. There are two Ca sites, Ca1 and Ca2, with occupancy factors of 0.919(4) and 0.081(4), respectively. The Ca1 site is coordinated by six O atoms with Ca1–O bond lengths in the range 2.417–2.599 Å, with one long seventh Ca1–O bond of 3.068 Å. The Ca2 site is 6-coordinated with Ca2–O bond lengths in the range 2.380–2.775 Å. Framework of tetrahedra in svyatoslavite, as well as tetrahedral frameworks in other M2+[Al2Si2O8] polymorphs (M2+ = Ba2+, Ca2+), is based on an orthogonal network, i.e., a network with the angles between adjacent edges equal to either 90 or 180°. Growth of orthogonal nets is modeled using structural automata, which are finite automata adapted for the description of crystal structures. State diagrams for svyatoslavite and dmisteinbergite automata consist of four states each. The anorthite automaton is more complex as it contains eight states. The paracelsian automaton is remarkable in that it consists of 16 states and its state diagram has the topology of a four-dimensional cube (hypercube). During crystallization of the Ca[Al2Si2O8] melt, metastable phases with the svyatoslavite and dmisteinbergite topologies form first and then either dissolve or transform to anorthite. In terms of complexity of structural automata, this means that the less complex phases (svyatoslavite and dmisteinbergite) evolve into more complex anorthite structures. The observed sequence of phases corresponds to the increasing structural complexity of the solid system.\n\nYou do not currently have access to this article.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7099758386611938}
{"content": "Jane Hurwitz (author)\n\nPublisher: Perfection Learning ISBN: 9780789158925\n\nSign in to Read\n\n\nThe first monarchies date back to about the time civilization began. Many existing monarchies have survived for centuries. The monarchy of Great Britain is more than 1,000 years old. Reading Essentials in Social Studies.\n\nReading Level\nFountas Pinnell Guided Reading\nCultural/Diversity Government History\nInterest Age\nAges 3-5 Ages 6-8\n3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade\nSocial Studies\nEnglish (US)\nMore Like This\n\nHow does the Canadian government work?\n\nEllen Rodger (author)\n\nPublisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427192394\n\nThe book provides an engaging introduction on how Canadas parliamentary system of government works. The distinctions between head of state and head of government are explained, while introducing readers to the roles of the monarch, the governor general, the prime minister, and the opposition parties. Parliamentary models of government at the provincial level, as well as in other countries, are also included.\n\nM is for Mountie: A Royal Canadian Mounted Police Alphabet\n\nPolly Horvath (author), Lorna Bennett (illustrator)\n\nPublisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781627531498\n\n\nThe American Reader\n\nKathy-jo Wargin (author), K. L. Darnell (illustrator)\n\nPublisher: Sleeping Bear Press ISBN: 9781627536431\n\nWe often sing the \"Star Spangled Banner,\" but what do the words mean? Why did Franklin Delano Roosevelt stay in office longer than any other U.S. president? Following the style of an old-fashioned primer, The American Reader answers such questions as it gives children a modern, well-rounded view of what it means to be a good citizen. Captivating prose, poems, short stories, and games entertain as they teach about the diverse regions of our country, the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, the story of Clara Barton, and the official nicknames for each of our states. A story about Smokey Bear promotes an appreciation of nature and the need to protect it, and another explains how to be helpful and respectful to people with disabilities. The American Reader's lively variety and broad scope will give children of all ages much to learn, think about and enjoy for hours on end.\n\n\nLisa Zamosky\n\nPublisher: Teacher Created Materials ISBN: 9780743904346\n\nThe Greek culture is rich in arts, philosophy, and government. Various civilizations contributed to the Greek culture. The Greeks saw the rise of city-states, as well as the first democratic form of government. Greek gods and Greek wars also influenced the culture. Through these influences, a great nation and culture was developed.\n\nHammurabi, Babylonian Ruler\n\nChristine Mayfield, M.S. and Kristine M. Quinn, M.S.\n\nPublisher: Teacher Created Materials ISBN: 9780743904414\n\nHammurabi was a king of Babylon, but he wanted to rule the entire area of Mesopotamia. After only five years of being king, Hammurabi reached his goal. During his reign, Hammurabi did many things to improve and influence both the culture and government of Mesopotamia.\n\nGovernment and Law in the Early Islamic World\n\nTrudee Romanek (author)\n\nPublisher: Crabtree Publishing Company ISBN: 9781427195616\n\nThis informative book looks at how early Islamic empires were governed. Fascinating topics explored include: the caliphs, or spiritual leaders; tolerance of other religions; non-Muslims paying taxes not to be in the Muslim army; sultans, palaces, and palace life; Sharia law; kings and queens in India; tribes and clans in Arabia and Kashmir.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9710773825645447}
{"content": "Busy. Please wait.\n\nshow password\nForgot Password?\n\nDon't have an account?  Sign up \n\nUsername is available taken\nshow password\n\n\n\n\nAlready a StudyStack user? Log In\n\nReset Password\n\nRemove ads\nDon't know\nremaining cards\n\nPass complete!\n\n\"Know\" box contains:\nTime elapsed:\nrestart all cards\n\n\n  Normal Size     Small Size show me how\n\n\nScientific Questions, Investigations, Conclusions, Results, & Errors\n\nbias statistical sampling or testing error caused by systematically favoring some outcomes over others\nconclusion a summation of what is learned from an experiment\nconstant a quantity that, under stated conditions, does not vary with changes in the environment\ncontrol the group treated normal to which the experimental group is compared\ndata recorded observations from experiments\ndata table a framework for organizing data measured or recorded from an experiment\ndependent variable the factor measured or observed to obtain results (sometimes referred to as the responding variable), usually graphed on the y-axis\ndirect relationship when two or more variables are related and change together\nevidence facts or signs that help one to form an opinion based on observations\nexperimental group exposed to all conditions of the experiment except the experimental variable\nprocedure detailed, step-by-step directions for conducting a science experiment which allow duplication\nhypothesis a testable explanation for an observation or scientific problem\nindependent variable the one factor in an experiment that is determined and changed by the experimenter (sometimes referred to as the manipulated variable), usually graphed on the x-axis\ninverse relationship relationship of variables: when one increases, the other decreases\nmass a measure of the amount of matter in an object\nqualitative involving quality or kind, recorded with a characteristic that cannot be expressed in numbers\nquantitative the measured amount, recorded with a number\nresult outcome, usually of an experiment\nscientific evidence data found using a scientific process\ntemperature average kinetic energy (movement) of molecules in an object\ntheory a well-tested explanation of some aspect of the natural world\nthermometer instrument used to measure temperature (average kinetic movement of molecules in an object)\nvariable factor that can change in an experiment\nvalidity the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure\ninterpret to determine the patterns and trends from data/information\nSample Size number of individuals in the experimental and control groups\nProperty special quality or feature of a substance or an organism that may be used for identification\nMean one of the measures of a central tendency; the sum of numbers in a set divided by the number of pieces of data\nBalance an instrument for weighing or equality between the totals of both sides\nSpring Scale tool used to measure weight or force\nToxic having the affect of poison\nCorrosive any substance that oxidizes metal or flesh\nRadioactive substance with an untestable nucleus that loses energy by emitting particles or electromagnetic waves\nCreated by: jenningsk", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9429122805595398}
{"content": "Share on Facebook\nShare on Twitter\n\nFollow on Twitter Tweets to help grow the spiritual creative urge.\n\nFax: (888) 800-4072\n\nCause and Effect\n\n\nSampson Iruoha\n\n\n\n\n\nMany people to date have assumed the existence of the phenomenon of “Cause and Effect”, but without being able to grasp its underlying working they have mostly been unable to be convinced that it absolutely exists in every circumstance, without fail or exception.\n\n\nThe grasping of the underlying working that relates all effects to particular causes, in a manner that can be logically followed, requires that the one who desires this understanding becomes more familiar with the working that brings to him his own fate.\n\n\nIn other words, he has to become aware, through direct experiencing, of the relationship between the conditions that form for him to experience and what issues from him in the form of his inner attitude, his thoughts, words and actions. Only that individual, who seeks this clarification and deeper understanding, can himself discover, along his own path of personal experiencing, the strict and unbreakable link between cause and effect. This is so because only he can experience the beginning as well as the end, in a complete and unbroken manner, in order then to make the necessary connections.\n\n\nFor the human spirit, which is the animating core of man, the beginning of the process is his inner attitude, which forms the foundation for his thinking (carried out with his frontal brain), which precedes his words or his speaking, as well as his physically visible actions. Paying more attention to what comes up from within him can, therefore, allow him to see connections between his actions and his fate, that is, what comes to him for his experiencing; either inside of him (psychically) or in his physical environment. \n\n\nThe capacity to make these necessary connections has been increasingly lost to mankind, due to their desiring of mainly that which they can see and examine with their physical senses and tools.  This mainly physical desiring, be it in the context of resource gathering, or love, or happiness, or any other context, has meant that their inner attitudes have been mostly inclined towards what is earthly and physical. This simultaneously and automatically manifests as a desire for the physical and earthly in all that they seek to pursue and to understand, also with regards to the scope of their perceptive capacity.\n\n\nThis means that with the narrow focus on the physically tangible and the earthly, man can only see so far and so deeply.  A person in this state cannot see the beginning that leads to what then comes to him as his fate or the condition he is obliged to live through. He cannot make a connection between “Cause” and “Effect” in his life, in spite of his seeing this phenomenon play out in the happenings around him, also in Nature, which he is able to follow from the beginning to the end as an objective observer.\n\n\nBut only the conviction that comes from seeing, and thus experiencing this happening also in his own life, can allow him to steadfastly plant good seeds with his thinking, speaking and acting, in spite of pressures that might push him to do otherwise. Only the person who can consistently plant such seeds as lead to his spiritual growth, would grow to see those beneficial fruits that man is supposed to bring to bear also in his material surroundings. \n\n\nAnd because the phenomenon of “Cause and Effect” never ends, there would never be an end to the discoveries that he would make in the course of his own expansion and growth, whilst on earth and also after he has left it.\n\n\nContemplating this issue is very difficult for the man or woman of today because we have, over several millennia, formed for ourselves a world in which the desiring for true knowledge is discouraged. In this world, the desire for what is superficial is promoted and is supported by the mindset, structures and institutions that this desiring has led to as its fruit. And since the yield is always much more than the planted seed, mankind have become overrun by and entrapped within the narrow world of their own making.\n\n\nThis narrow world also has very rigid walls, making the sounding of alarms on the outside of it imperceptible to many within it. In this state, the nourishment that is meant for the spirit of man, which does the actual experiencing and living, has been cut off, because the spirit requires for its nourishment, growth and expansion, the recognitions of lawful truths. Lawful truths are revealed in every single happening and would be recognised as soon as the earnest desire for it awakens within the onlooker, and as he presses forward accordingly.\n\n\nThe currents of energy that come to the spirit when it makes these recognitions, bring about the simultaneous expansion of the spirit of man, as well as the transformation or enhancement of its environment. This transformation also includes the expansion of the environment in question and the enhancement of its permeability to light radiations; that is, to clearer recognitions of the way things actually come together in the Universe. The rate of this perception also increases with an increase in  one's application of the recognised truths, because he sows the seeds of wanting to see more truths with each of such applications. He can therefore recognised as much in an hour as he allows himself to.\n\n\nWith the clearer recognitions the ones concerned also apply the received currents in new ways that further the blossoming of their smaller and greater surroundings, as an expression of the joy that they then possess, and gratitude to the One that has sent the possibility; for contraction due to ignorance leads to pain and grief, while expansion (which is always associated with seeing more clearly and broadly) leads to more joy and true happiness.  \n\n\n“What is Energy? A Call to the Spiritual Core of Man” goes deeper in its description of the currents of energy that govern and uphold Creation or the Universe. It seeks to alert the reader or listener to his (her) ability to draw these currents in the course of his living and being, his sowing (planting) and reaping, and the inherent responsibility to use or direct these currents well.\n\n\nThe author hopes to convey to the reader or listener, through the depth and expanse of the details revealed in this work, that there now exists on earth complete and gapless explanations about the workings in the Universe or Creation. It would then be up to the willing listener or reader of “What is Energy? A Call to the Spiritual Core of Man” to follow up on what is revealed therein, for his own obtainment of this now available Help, which made the writing of this work at all possible.\n\n\n\n\nUpbuilding Publications\n\n\nPowered by", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6251477003097534}
{"content": "• buffalo\n  • leopard\n  • lions\n  • lizard\n  • masai\n  • tourists\nAdd Slideshow To Website by WOWSlider.com v4.8\n\n\n1 Day White Water Rafting Tour\nYou do not require any prior experience in rafting or even know how to swim. INCREDIBLE would be an understatement for this unbelievable adventurous water sport on the longest river in the world – the River Nile. White water rafting will take a stimulat\n\n6 Days African Big Five Safari\n\n11 Days Gorilla and Tanzania Safari\n\n11 Days Tanzania - Uganda Adventure\n\n\n10 overlooked animal families to see in Kenya\n\n    10 overlooked animal families to see in Kenya\n    The first thing that most people think of when they come to Africa is the Big Five.\n\n    Kenya has an incredible diversity of wildlife species owing to its two rainy seasons a year and the different types of wildlife habitats in the various parks, reserves and conservancies. There is plenty to see in addition to the Big Five. Here are just 10 other iconic animal families that you could see around our camps.\n\n    1. Bovidae\n    Bovidae is a family of cloven-hoofed mammals and constitutes some of the most common creatures found in Africa. In Kenya this family has a wide range of members which vary greatly in size and coat colour. These include bohor reedbuck, Chandlers mountain reedbuck, bushbuck, Cape buffalo, Kirk’s dik dik, common duiker, eland, gerenuk, Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, Coke’s hartebeest, Jackson’s hartebeest, impala, lesser kudu, klipspringer, oribi, suni, steenbok, topi, common waterbuck, defassa waterbuck and white-bearded wildebeest.\n\n    2. Suidae\n    Kenya’s charismatic warthog is part of the Suidae family. Warthog travel in small groups called sounders and are named so because of the small bumps found on their faces.\n\n    3. Giraffedae\n    This family comprises only two members, the okapi, found in the dense rain forests of the DRC and the giraffe, endemic to Africa’s open savannahs and a popular sight in Kenya’s reserves. These include the Maasai giraffe and reticulated giraffe.\n\n    4. Canidae \n    This carnivorous family are generally social animals that live together in family units or small groups and are characterised by their long muzzles, uprights ears, long legs and adapted teeth. In Kenya you will find Canidae such as the bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, golden jackal, side-striped jackal and African wild dog.\n\n    5. Mustelidae\n    As the smaller, but no less ferocious, carnivores of the bush, you can find both the honey badger and zorilla on safari. Most Mustelidae family members have short legs, short, round ears, and thick fur. They are also solitary, nocturnal animals, so are best spotted on a night game drive.\n\n    6. Felidae\n    The cats that inhabit Kenya are some of the popular wildlife attractions outside of the Big Five. Caracal, cheetah, genet cats, serval cats and African wild cats all feature in our parks.\n\n    7. Hyaenidae\n    Some more unusual looking animals belong to the Hyaenidae family, including the infamous spotted and striped hyenas as well as the rarer aardwolf. This family often has a bad reputation among both locals and visitors, but are in fact fascinating creatures to watch.\n\n    8. Viverridae \n    A common sight on the plains of Africa are members of the Viverridae family, including the African civet, banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, marsh mongoose, slender mongoose and white-tailed mongoose.\n\n    9. Primates \n    The primates of Africa are some of the most unique and enigmatic of all of the continent’s creatures. You might just come across the olive baboon, yellow baboon, greater galago, lesser galago, patas monkey, sykes monkey or vervet monkey around our camps.\n\n    10. Tubulidentata\n    The nocturnal aardvark uses its long pig-like snout to sniff out food during the night. They spend the daylight hours in dark underground burrows to avoid the heat of the day and so are mostly only spotted after the sun goes down.\n\n\n\nHome | About Us |Contact Us | News\n\n\nUganda, Office: +256.414.259.172\nUganda, Mobile: +256.714.901.801 | +256.713.901.801\nCanada, Office: 1.647.968.3070\n\n\nonline concept developer; http//:www.atugonza.com | Forwards", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6897503733634949}
{"content": "Caroble Coffee Table\n\nCaroble is a coffee table made of five pieces, making for easy construction and packaging. Fabric wrap stretches over the crossbeams and buttons into the underside of the table. Having a detachable wrap allows for easy customization where the consumer can change out material color or material. The inspiration for the name of the table is Wallace Carothers, the inventor of nylon. Wrap is featured in a woven nylon, but a good alternative wrap material would be woven cotton.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.857142984867096}
{"content": "Though the caretakers’ position is different from the wwoof program, it has the same requirements:\n\nA genuine desire to live simply and become more aware of our relationship to the elements and all sentient beings, and how our actions affect others.\n\nPhysical, mental and emotional stability.\n\nNo smoking (nicotine or anything else) and no alcohol.\n\nBeing accountable for one’s actions.\n\nFinancial resources to cover personal needs such as food, clothing, medical care, transportation, etc.\n\nNo adherance to religious (or other) dogmas. In other words: an open mind.\n\nAn interest in nonviolent communication and pure listening, and cultivating a non-reactive, “zero state” when communicating.\n\nA commitment to investigating stressful thoughts and stories.\n\nA willingness to consider that authenticity and honest, conscious communication* are more important than being right.\n\nThe capacity to differentiate between reality and the stories which obscure it.\n\nA willingness to own one’s projections and communicate simply, directly, and honestly.\n\nThe ability and willingness to commit to a daily schedule.\n\nThe ability to follow instructions and a flexible attitude with daily projects in particular and with life in general.\n\nSkills in gardening or building and/or housekeeping and/or land maintenance.\n\nA genuine love of the land and an understanding of “The Great Turning” which we are currently in the midst of on this beloved planet.\n\n* Conscious communication by Cynthia Kane:\n\nTo speak consciously, clearly, and concisely without anxiety\nTo respond instead of react\nTo speak in a way that’s kind, honest, and helpful\nTo know when to speak and when to stay quiet\nTo stay engaged when listening\nTo express yourself so that others can hear you\nTo nip potential problems in the bud before they become meltdowns\n\nWe also ask that NO toxic products or artificial fragrances are used here, whether in mosquito repellants, shampoos, hair rinses, deodorants, perfumes, dish soaps or laundry detergents. Many people who visit are chemically sensitive AND we want to honor the land by not using chemicals!\nNo kerosene lamps or paraffin candles either. Many people don’t realize that paraffin is a petroleum-based substance and very toxic.\n\nAll wwoofers, sevadars and caretakers pay a $100 deposit, half of which is returned when they leave. (For caretakers, it is $100 per person.)\n\n“Caretakers” are here as a couple—and OCCASIONALLY as families with children. The adults each offer 18 hours per week tending the gardens, caring for some of the animals, and doing whatever needs doing. (Mending fences, broken water pipes, etc.) Children also offer time, caring for animals and the gardens, learning what it is like to participate in a co-created community.\n\nSometimes I am here while caretakers are here and somtimes I am off island.\n\nCaretakers have their own private cottage, which overlooks the ocean—with high speed internet*—and their own outdoor shower, composting toilet and clothes line for drying clothes. They also have access to two hand-carved Timor temples, a yoga & massage room, which also has a dvd player, beautiful gardens, and an ancient forest which borders the sanctuary.\n\n* We do not have (or want) WIFI at the sanctuary so we have ethernet cables only\n\nWhen I am off island, the caretakers care for all of the wonderful animals with whom we share this land. (At present, we have 5 goats, a donkey, 4 cats, 2 peacocks, and a dog.)\n\nSeveral of the caretakers who have been here over the years have returned two or three times and they recommend it to family and friends. If the exchange is MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL, caretakers are welcome to stay for prolonged periods.\n\nThis means that if they are benefiting from being here AND if the land, animals, and other guests and retreatants are benefiting from their presence.\n\nCaretakers pay $5 per month, per person, towards the water bill, and pay for propane—for hot water and a 4-burner stove with an oven—and provide sawdust for their composting toilet. (There is a wood mill in Hilo, where it can be obtained for free.) Collecting the sawdust is not part of the weekly hours but done in your own time.\n\nOnce a week, all wwoofers, sevadars, paying guests, caretakers (and retreatants, if they wish) meet in council, which is a way of speaking and listening from the heart.\nCouncil is a non-hierarchical form of communicating; a wonderful opportunity for discovering more about one another and a time to share one’s insights and dreams, discoveries, edges, suggestions and whatever else is arising.\n\nOur one policy, for retreatants, wwoofers, sevadars, guests, and caretakers is very simple: if you lose or break something, please fix or replace it. (If Rashani loses or breaks something of yours, she will do the same!) Mutual accountability nurtures healthy and sustainable relationships.)\n\nKipukamaluhia is a substance-free sanctuary and an ideal space for those who cherish elegant, voluntary simplicity, for those who revere sobriety, self inquiry, beauty, direct communication, mindfulness and integrity, and for those who are nourished by, and love to connect with and care for, gardens, orchards, and animals. And for those who value contemplative inquiry as well as interacting with other like-minded & like-hearted people.\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8493654727935791}
{"content": "This work investigates the permissibility and viability of property rights on the celestial bodies, particularly the extraterrestrial aspects of land and mineral resources ownership. In lay terms, it aims to find an answer to the question Who owns the Moon? The first chapter critically analyses and dismantles with legal arguments the issue of sale of extraterrestrial real estate, after having perused some of the trivial claims of celestial bodies ownership. The only consequence these claims have on the plane of space law is to highlight the need for a better regulation of extraterrestrial landed property rights. Next, the work addresses the apparent silence of the law in the field of extraterrestrial landed property, scrutinizing whether the factual situation on the extraterrestrial realms calls for legal regulations. The sources of law are examined in their dual dimension that is, the facts that have caused and shaped the law of extraterrestrial real estate, and the norms which express this law. It is found that the norms and rules regarding property rights in the celestial realms are rather limited, failing to define basic concepts such as celestial body. The following chapter examines precisely this issue, pondering whether asteroids and comets are immovable land-like territorial extensions that cannot be legally appropriated, or floating movable goods, capable of being captured and reduced into private ownership. The employment of the spatialist and functionalist approaches, the use of the criterion of actual movability from orbit by human action, and original theories such as the analogy between the legal status of asteroids and icebergs, are considered, concluding that some extraterrestrial resources are not, legally speaking, celestial bodies. An examination follows of the relationship between appropriation under international law, and civil law appropriation, namely whether the non-appropriation principlein the Outer Space Treaty on the international plane, results also in the prohibition of the appropriation of the celestial bodies on the private property rights plane. It is offered that, while appropriation of land can exist outside the sphere of sovereignty, its survival is dependent upon backing from a sovereign entity, yet such endorsement would be unlawful as a means of national appropriation. The next chapter answers to the main question of this thesis, offering that de lege lata the extraterrestrial realms, as a commons, belong to everybody and nobody. The contents of Res communis is duly scrutinized. Res publica is then presented together with the Public Trust Doctrine. The commons regime currently accepted by most space actors is being challenged on two fronts. On the left, the adepts of the Common Heritage of Mankind paradigm have enacted the Moon Agreement, effectively planting the Marxist standard in the lunar soil. The egalitarian regime of extraterrestrial resource development would sanction the culture of entitlement, favouring a fair outcome over fair process. Such an approach has failed on earth and is poised to fail in outer space, as argued in the following chapter. On the right, the adepts of the frontier paradigm seek to promote individualism, competition, economic liberty, efficiency and laissez-faire economics all linked to a privatization of the international public domain. The frontier paradigm has proven its worth on our planet, and it most likely will do so in the extraterrestrial realms. Property rights are a useful engine and, in al likelihood, a precondition for pushing forward the development of the extraterrestrial realms. Securing property rights would be more beneficial to humankind, compared to the alternative of keeping the extraterrestrial realms undeveloped. The last chapter addresses the lex lata status of materials extracted from the Moon, these pertaining to the\n\nRezensionen ( 0 )\nEvery Friday we give gifts for the best reviews.\nZitate (0)\nSie können als Erste ein Zitat veröffentlichen.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.998248279094696}
{"content": "Orchid and bambooWhat is Gua Sha Therapy?\n\n\n\nWhen is Gua Sha used?\n\n\nWhere is Gua Sha applied?\n\nSha is raised primarily at the Yang surface of the body: the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks, and limbs.  On occasion, Gua Sha is applied at the chest and abdomen.\n\nHow is Gua Sha applied?\n\nThe area to be Gua Sha-ed is lubricated with oil.  The skin is then rubbed with a round-edged instrument in downward strokes.  One area is stroked until the petechiae that surface are completely raised.  If there is no Blood stasis the petechiae will not form and the skin will only turn pink.\n\nWhat kind of instrument is used to Gua Sha?\n\nA soup-spoon, a Jade Stone with rounded edges, or slice of water buffalo horn is used in Asia.  I have found that a simple metal cap with a rounded lip works best and is by far more comfortable to the patient.\n\nWhat does the type of Sha indicate?\n\nThe color of the Sha is both diagnostic and prognostic.  Very light colored Sha can indicate Deficiency of Blood.  If the Sha is fresh red, it is of recent penetration.  If the Sha is purple or black, the Blood stasis is long-standing.  If brown, the Blood may be dry.  Dark red Sha can indicate heat.\n\nHow fast will the petechiae fade?\n\n\nWhat are the benefits of Gua Sha?\n\nIn most cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition particularly in their pain or sense of constraint.  Gua Sha moves stuck Qi and Blood, releases the Exterior mimicking sweating, and moves Fluids.  In a modern medical construct these fluids contain metabolic waste that congested the surface tissues and muscles.  Gua Sha promotes circulation and normalizes metabolic processes.  It is a valuable treatment for both external and internal pain, and facilitates the resolution of both acute and chronic disorders.\n\nIs Gua Sha Safe?\n\nGua Sha is a completely safe technique, but it is serious medicine.  Knowing when to use it and what to expect from treatment is as important as good technique.  People who live in chronic pain often erect emotional defenses to cope with it or can feel completely hopeless.  Having that pain ‘touched’ and relieved can be unsettling, even shocking.  It is good to be moderate in activity after treatment, even rest.  I have always told my patients after treatment: no drugs, booze, sex, fasting, feasting or hard labor, including working out, for the rest of the day.  In other words, mellow mode.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8247595429420471}
{"content": "Hernanie Ocean Blue\n\nThese blogs explain the method of constructing plan approval, constructing line leisure / city planning and getting an occupation certificate. I’ve additionally included an article on methods to find a dependable contractor. Please remember to keep copies of every part, Councils are notorious for dropping recordsdata !\n\nIn the photograph, all of the shelves are spherical. You possibly can choose round, sq., or rectangular platforms. Additionally, the image shows shelves with sides on them: I am including sides for the cabinets in these directions because they can be fairly tough to make and your cat will prefer it just high-quality without them. In order for you, you may affix a kitty bed with sides on top of one of many cabinets.\n\nTaking a extra contemporary flip, Traverse City, Michigan-primarily based Craven Building’s Ready Constructions (formerly Cottage in a Day) manufactures a small range (6 models, each with some layout variants) of small, attractive, eco-pleasant prefabricated cottages. Square footage ranges from 182 to 750 sq ft, and prices, depending on format, from $49,500 to $206,000 plus delivery, a price which incorporates set up (inside Michigan; out of state can incur further installation and allowing prices) and excessive-end, environmentally-pleasant kitchen and toilet fixtures.\n\nThis little hanging picket birdhouse is enticing, easy to make, and contains a clear plastic again for peeking inside at the nest and baby birds. Grasp the birdhouse in a protected area inside view from a window and watch because the dad or mum birds build their nest, incubate the eggs and feed the simple wooden birdhouse requires only fundamental woodworking abilities and instruments, and takes solely about an hour to build from pine, cedar, redwood or simply about any items from the scrap bin. I used bits of pine from a reclaimed shelf unit, reducing the price and conserving usable wooden out of the landfill.\n\nWe’ve all heard about building nightmares – whether or not it be the architect who fails to submit plans to Council, to builders absconding with deposits and shoddy / dangerous workmanship. The irony is that it costs more to place proper mistakes than it does to construct / design properly in the first place. So how do you go about discovering reliable & educated Contractors ? Obviously word of mouth recommendations are one of the best.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9957356452941895}
{"content": "Think about it.. It all makes sense now.. WHAT If All THE GAMES AFTER Rial Mil AGE ANA m GAMES GARE SHOWING THE EXTINCTION. HI;. Pokemon gold silver and crystal, the team rockets mention that their fall was over two years ago, so I don't think this is the case. Pokemon conspiracy extinction", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9940007925033569}
{"content": "Ambient Findability: What We Find Changes Who We Become\n\nReviewed October 31st, 2006 @ 02:44PM\n\n[Book Cover] Ambient Findability: What We Find Changes Who We Become\n\nAmbient Findability by Peter Morville took me back to my days of college. I initially purchased this book due to it’s high reference from other respected designers and developers. My first inclination was that the book would be about SEO or something along those lines. Though the book was small, it packed a big punch of information! I was pleasantly surprised at what this book had to offer.\n\nThis book went much deeper than I expected. As a disclaimer, I had many of my coworkers laugh when I told them the title of the book I was reading. However, I had a quick response as to what the book contained as the author quickly defines both ambient and findability. The author starts by giving background to how we come to find things. Not just as humans, he takes it to an even smaller scale discussing how ants find their way during their long journeys. Though this may seem odd, it helps to really put things into perspective. How do we find things? Do we all find things the same way? In relation to the web — what words or phrases do we use to find things? Do we use broad terms or more specific (long tail) terms?\n\nThis book is very tough to review, as I felt it was packed with so much information. The only way for me to really elaborate would be to put it into context, and by that time you could have read the book. The information packed in this book has really opened me up to an array of new questions related to searching. Outside of the context of the web, how do people find things? Inside of the web, how do people find things? I constantly monitor our analytics at Barbour Publishing, Inc. and watch how people find us, and where they go from there. Did they get the answer they were seeking? Was their search relevant? What terms did they use? What order were the terms? What punctuation is used? What did some of the other similar searches look like? What did their other searches look like? What did the spellings look like? So many aspects to look into — and then refine to make sure people can find the information they are seeking. Sometimes simple ‘like’ queries aren’t enough. Sometimes the index needs to be refined to incorporate stopwords, mis-spellings, aliases, and other pertinent information. Understanding the core principles, findings, and research will help you build a strong foundation and core.\n\nI have found this to be extremely valuable and applicable to web development and answering the deeper questions. As stated earlier, this book is rather small in size but packs a big punch content wise. The author avoids ‘fluff’ or trying to tell stories, and simply dives into the core (which is sometimes even scary) — which is often times backed by a significant amount of research and supplemental resources.\n\nThough this book is not directly related to web development — the lessons learned here can be applied to that medium. If you are a web developer, SEO expert, or simply want to know how people find things (and their decision process) — then this a book for you.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6642052531242371}
{"content": "4 Exercises to Strengthen Your Receiving Position in the Snatch\n\nIt’s pretty natural for many lifters to question their overhead strength, stability, and confidence when fixing themselves under a near-maximal (or maximal) loaded barbell in the snatch. Many lifters may find themselves not fully committing to an aggressive turnover, or simply cutting their final pulls short so they can get under the barbell “quicker” (I use quotations because while I have heard this many times, not finishing your pull will often slow the rate at which you can pull yourself downwards).\n\nFor many functional fitness athletes and  gym members, snatches, while important aspects of their weekly WODs, are often not given the necessary attention and training prescriptions to allow for vast improvement in maximal (and near-maximal) snatching abilities. With loads often over 80% of one’s snatch max, many factors can play a role in the success of the lift during WODs, competitions, or training.\n\nA photo posted by Mike Dewar (@mikejdewar) on\n\nIn this article, we will address four exercises functional fitness athletes can build into their weekly class WOD and training routine to increase their overhead strength, stability, and confidence specific to the receiving position of heavy snatches.\n\nBehind the Neck Snatch Push Press\n\nThis is a great exercise for developing upper body muscle mass specific to the snatch overhead position. Additionally, this will increase a lifter’s lock out ability while stabilizing overhead and solidify proper barbell placement over the back of the neck. I often will finish each set of behind the neck snatch push presses with one or two overhead pause squats to increase the application to the overhead strength needed in the bottom of the snatch.\n\nWhen Should You Do These?\n\nThis strengthening exercise should be done after main weightlifting lifts, or following heavy strength work. In the event you have 10 minutes in between your weightlifting/strength segment and the class WOD, I recommend squeezing these there. At the very least, take 10 minutes after your class WOD to recover and then perform these at the end of your training session.\n\nHow Heavy Should You Go?\n\nFor strength development and a high application to snatch overhead patterning, I recommend doing 3-5 sets of 3-5 repetitions with 75-90% of your snatch, depending on the lifter’s abilities. Personally, I tend to have good overhead strength and stability relative to my lifts, and am able to perform multiple sets of behind the neck push presses for 3-5 reps with 90% of my best snatch.\n\nPause Overhead Squats\n\nPaused overhead squats, either performed as standalone exercises, part of complexes, or after warm-up and even snatches in training can improve strength, balance, and stability (overhead and hip/knee/ankle) highly specific to the receiving position in the snatch.\n\nA video posted by Mike Dewar (@mikejdewar) on\n\nWhen Should You Do These?\n\nPerforming paused overhead squats during warm ups, complexes, and over straight sets can be a great way to increase stability (both overhead and hip) while in the bottom position of the snatch. Many beginner and intermediate level snatches fail to find comfort and confidence while in the overhead squat position, often missing snatches in front due to not finding proper balance (of the barbell and/or foot pressure) as they try to stand up prior to stabilizing the barbell overhead.\n\nHow Heavy Should You Go?\n\nI often prescribe these during snatch complexes, warm-up sets, following snatch push presses, and even (very seldom) as standalone exercises. The pause can be anywhere from 3-10 seconds, with loading matching the abilities of a lifter. Personally speaking, I will often perform heavy snatch complexes followed by one pause overhead squat lasting upwards of 10 seconds in an attempt to solidify a stronger, more stable base.\n\nHeaving Snatch Balance\n\nThis movement is very similar to a regular snatch balance, with the only exception being that a lifters starts his/her feet already in their overhead squat position, dips, drives, and gets under the barbell without shifting their feet out. The heaving snatch balance forces a lifter to drive themselves aggressively under the barbell in a vertical fashion, both increasing upper back and shoulder strength as well as patterning sound receiving bar patterning specific to the overhead position in the snatch.\n\nA video posted by Fawn Friday (@fawnfriday) on\n\nWhen Should You Do These?\n\nPreferably, a lifter can perform these following their main weightlifting and strength segments, but before the class WOD, as this exercise is meant to be loaded with moderate to heavy loads. In the event an athlete needs to perform these following a class WOD, I recommend taking 10 minutes or so to recover, warm-up the movement, and get to work.\n\nHow Heavy Should You Go?\n\nThis is highly dependent upon a lifters technique and abilities. I often urge lifters to do sets consisting of 2-3 repetitions, building it challenging yet fluid repetitions. Some lifters may have a great limitation with staying upright in the dip, drive, and receiving position of the snatch, limiting the amount of loading that can be used. Those individuals would then find additional benefit from performing this specific exercise to increase their receiving balance and setup for the snatch.\n\nDrop Snatch\n\nWhile this may not be a strength-focused movement, the drop snatch can increase a lifter’s confidence and stability getting under a heavy, high flying barbell. This movement can be used to increase footwork, teach upper body engagement as one pushed themselves into the overhead squatting position, and ultimately increase the speed at which a lifter gets under the barbell.\n\nWhen Should You Do These?\n\nDue to the explosive nature and high technical degree of this exercise, I recommend a lifter does this during warm-up sets and prior to snatch sessions or WODs. In the event a lifter wants to train these individuals (not as part of warm-up or light snatch sets), he/she should program them earlier in a workout (less physical and mental fatigue) when they are more explosive mentally focused.\n\nHow Heavy Should You Go?\n\nMuch like the heaving snatch balance, this exercise is dependent on the speed, technique, and confidence of a lifter. Often the empty barbell is enough to determine a lifter’s ability, with load only being added progressively as the lifter exhibits maximal speed and technique while pushing themselves under the barbell.\n\nFinal Words\n\nThese four exercises can be programmed by coaches during weight lifting and/or class WOD segments and/or by athletes/members looking to add additional snatch specific technique and strength exercises after their daily WOD. While these four exercises do not address many common faults seen in during the first, second, third, and setup of the snatch, they can work to improve to overhead strength and stability while receiving the barbell in the snatch.\n\n\nFeatured Image: @mikejdewar on Instagram", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8745677471160889}
{"content": "With revelations that the National Security Agency has collected some 20 trillion phone calls and emails via an expansive nationwide surveillance network, most Americans have already come to the realization that everything they do is being monitored.\n\nBut many shrug off Big Brother’s prying eyes by suggesting that, since they aren’t doing anything wrong, they have nothing to worry about.\n\nThat may have been true several years ago, but the digital surveillance systems of today are far more advanced than most people understand. No longer are these machines simply recording the data and storing them in some historical archive to be pulled at a later date should the government ever have reason to take a closer look at your personal life.\n\n\nResearchers at the University of Virginia funded by the U.S. Army recently demonstrated that they can not only gather information from your personal Twitter account just like the NSA, but also aggregate and analyze that information with advanced predictive algorithms designed to determine what you’re going to do next. In this case, the researches focused specifically on predicting crime by individuals, as well as in crime “hot spots” around the country.\n\nHere’s the kicker. The algorithms being used don’t just look for obvious keyword phrases associated with criminal activity like “I’m going to kill you” or “meet me later and we’ll give him a beat down,” but focus in on routine activities, geo-location, and aggregate historical information to calculate the chance of a particular individual being involved in a crime at some point in the future.\n\n\n\nThe results are surprising, especially when one considers that people rarely tweet about crimes directly, said lead researcher Matthew Gerber of the university’s Predictive Technology Lab.\n\n\n\n\nInstead, “I send our algorithms to these locations and see what people are talking about,” Gerber said.\n\n“The computer algorithm learns the pattern and produces a prediction.”\n\n\nIt’s no surprise then, that police departments all over the country are interested in the new technology. The New York Police Department has already showed asked for a demonstration.\n\nTo give you an idea of how this technology can be used to not only predict traditional crimes but domestic terrorism related activity, consider an earlier report out of Auburn, NY which indicates that the Department of Homeland Security is asking local businesses to keep an eye out for terrorists going so far as to provide retailers with a shopping list of possible items a terrorist might purchase such as MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat), flashlights and other products readily available at local surplus shops and camping stores. The implications of these new algorithms, which will be taught that anyone discussing the purchase or ownership of these types of items should be flagged for review and visited by Homeland Security personnel as a person of interest, are staggering.\n\nWith the definitions for domestic terrorism being expanded to include everyone from kids making gun-like gestures with their hands to Americans joining a large protest against government over-reach, it’s only a matter of time before just about every American with a gripe or opposing view is flagged, investigated and incarcerated for a “crime” that they “may” commit in the future.\n\nThough the notion may seem far fetched to some, this technology is being designed for a reason. Given the ever expanding intervention and interference of government into our lives on every level by way of relentlessly supplanting our protections under the U.S. Constitution, are we to believe these developing technologies won’t be used strike fear and compliance into the hearts and minds of Americans?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9526066184043884}
{"content": "Dog Poop - To Pick It Up or Not\n\n\nWe are dog-sitting our son and his wife's two miniature dachshunds. I like to take them to the nearby park for a walk/squirrel chasing run as often as I can. It has a beautiful loop around the park as well as trails into the woods to explore. The other morning we were enjoying our walk - and the older puppy dropped a load. I always keep a pack of doggie doo-doo bags with paper towels in them for clean-up. I was leaning over to pick up the poop and heard a woman walking by with her large dog say, \"you are the only one\". I looked up and she went on to say I was the only one she had ever seen pick up their dog's poop. (I am sure others do - but we/she may not have passed them by at that moment when it was happening). She said she hadn't picked up her dog's poop and some guy had just reported her to the police officer that patrolled the park. She was worried she was going to get some kind of ticket and asked me about it. I told her I doubted she would get a ticket - but that it was a warning to pick up after her dog. She went on to say that there were no signs (I told her there was at least one at the start of the walking loop) and that no one else ever did it. (It doesn't matter if no one else does it - it is something YOU need to do - I thought). I told her that she needed to do it and asked if she needed some bags. She had them in the car - was the reply. Then she said the guy must have reported her because she was Asian! (Really - OMG - I've heard this same kind of logic before - blaming something on your ethnicity, political views, color, ..... instead of taking responsibility). I told her that I doubted that was the reason. That he reported her because she DIDN'T pick up her dog's poop and she needed to do that. \n\nThere is a risk in letting things go and not saying anything. I am glad that the man reported it so that the woman was now aware of the rules. Even if it wasn't a rule -  it is just common courtesy - whether you are in your own neighborhood or out in public - to pick up after yourself and your animals. \n\nIt's the blaming it on others instead of taking responsibility that bothers me - that is why I continue the work I do - one coaching client, one training class, one networking contact, one non-poop picker up in the park... - to create awareness and positive change. \n\nTo Pick Up or Not Pick Up? --- Pick Up!\n\n57% of Books Purchased Are Never Read Through to the End\n\n\nWow! I am sure that is true of me too. I own a lot of unfinished books. There are so many fascinating topics out there and I am always finding one for my work or just to read for pleasure. But halfway through I get distracted and end up on another adventure. The book gets left behind, with a marker keeping my place, until the day I rediscover the book and continue my journey of enlightenment or reading pleasure.\n\nA girlfriend mentioned a book to me the other day and asked if I had finished it. We were given it at midnight mass on Christmas Eve at our church. I pulled it out of the double deep stack of books on the bookshelf in my office and checked it out. There it was, a third of the way through the book, one of my favorite book markers with stars on it - \"Shoot for the Moon, Even If You Miss You'll Land Among the Stars.\" True of any risk or undertaking. I ended up spending the next few days finishing the book, thoroughly enjoying the wisdom it shared, vowing to buy several copies of it for my friends and family members.\n\nHow many times does this happen with not only books, but projects, ideas or risky adventures. We start with purpose and passion that sometimes fizzles or gets waylaid by a distraction. How can you stay connected and make it successfully through to the end? \n\nThe key is to make a plan and focus on sticking to it. In addition, make sure you have the desire to even do it and picture yourself working through it and finishing. Imagine the emotions you will feel when you do.  Along with enjoying the emotions associated with being \"there\", create an environment that is conducive to staying on track by surrounding yourself with supportive people and eliminating distractions. Maybe put the book or whatever you want to focus on right where you can't ignore it. A client used to hang the dog's leash on the bed post so when she got up she would take him for a walk right away, before she had time to make excuses for them both not to exercise that day. These all help - but the key is to have a plan mapped out. A well thought out risk with a plan will ensure action and ultimately success!\n\nAs Much As You Would\n\n\nWhen I was a little girl my mom would always make our birthday cakes with frosting from scratch. I remember attempting to make frosting one day and asked my mom how much confectioner's sugar and milk to add into the bowl. \"As much as you would\", she would reply. The problem is, I didn't know how much I would because I'd never done it. I hadn't developed the feel for how much I would, like my mom who had made the frosting at least 100 times - (actually so many more times if you figure nine cakes a year minimum for all of us kids and our dad's birthdays). She just knew. It seemed right. It just felt right.\n\nAnd that is how I developed my favorite recipes, chocolate chip cookies especially. I just knew how much of each ingredient to add as I played with recipe perfection over the years.\n\nMany times, when we take a risk or leap to attempt something new, it requires a bit of \"as much as you would.\" We don't really know but we tap into our intuition and along with our knowledge and experience are able to figure out the next step forward. It may require tweaking along the way, but with experience we are well on our way to perfection.\n\nLights Out?!\n\n\nI was sitting in the living room four days after hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast, wreaking havoc everywhere - including and especially Houston (on the dirty \"wet\" side of the storm) with epic flooding. We were blessed to have power, running water and no flooding in our house. I'd ventured out that morning,when we finally could, with my neighbor, to see how far we could get and to check in on some school shelters to see if we could offer assistance. We were able to help at one school and started to offer our services to friends and strangers that might need help cleaning out their flooded first floors. So many need so much help.\n\nI was on the couch and all of the sudden the lights went out. I had that little moment of panic - \"oh no - here we go too\". It fortunately wasn't anything but a momentary glitch. But is was enough of a reminder to remain grateful for our situation. I pray that this attitude of gratefulness, caring and compassion, and positive action in me and others continues way beyond the next few weeks. It's been such a delight to witness personally and via the news - with none of the anger, hatred, political opposition, and arguing we typically see projected on late night TV or the news visible to us - at least not here in Houston. I ponder how I can continually remind myself to stay in this place mentally. Visual reminders, cell phone alarms and other ways have worked for me in the past. but frequently we go back to our old ways as if nothing happened when we get back to our normal work week. \n\nIt is a pattern I see when I teach business classes or speak. The course or talk really inspires and motivates. People get fired up and make a plan. Then after a few weeks or even days - they are right back to their standard operating mode. \n\nWhat methods have you developed for yourself to maintain that desired new change?\nWhat risk are you taking by not making a plan to take action to truly incorporate the new ways into your daily life at work or home? What happens if you keep the old behavior patterns? \n\nA fellow coach, Don Gutridge ( developed a process he calls R2D2 to take new knowledge and move forward with it. After every learning experience, be it a real life event like a hurricane or a formal training, - \nR1 - Recognize that one principle, idea or technique that is shouting at you - reflect on the results you see that are possible if you follow that principle\nR2 - Relate that idea to your personal or professional purpose - how it relates to your personal goals - relate it to yourself for more impact\nD1 -  Determine exactly how you can use this principle to bring you closer to any goal you choose\nD2 - Deliver on the action promised and this idea will work for you\n\nNow get to it and do it! Don't let the lights go out on your plan.\n\nFriend or Foe?\n\n\nA few years back when I was in technical sales, I was new to the Company so my boss accompanied me on a trip to a chemical plant. When we met with the outage manager, my boss proceeded to tell him all about our services and how great our Company was. He didn't seem to give the gentleman much of a chance to tell his story, but the meeting went fairly well for the most part. \n\nWhen I returned to the plant for another visit on my own, I delved deeper into their situation and history with other vendors and the maintenance/installation situation in our region altogether. The vendors all pulled from the same pool of mechanics, so when jobs were in progress at different company's plants, the best were split between them - leaving some of the not so great to fill in the gaps. I suggested to the client that they split the job into two - with different companies each taking a turbine or compressor - and that way they would get everyone's best on the job without the previous problems. He loved the idea - but unfortunately we never actually tried it out.  \n\nI did get us on their bidders list for future maintenance/installation jobs at the plant. When we attended a joint meeting to review the required proposal details for one job, all of the vendors were there. The client was surprised we all got along so well and were friendly. Why not? - I thought. We are all in the same business - competitors - not foes. \n\nI recently spoke to a group of corporate trainers and consultants on creativity and freely shared ideas and techniques with them. One consultant/coach asked after if she could use some of my exercises with a company she was teaching team building for. Of course, I replied. We are also meeting up to brainstorm and see how we might be able to work together in the future.\n\nSometimes we think that because someone is our competitor we must treat them as a foe. What kind of risks are you taking by treating them as a potential partner - or by not connecting? Who could you partner with that you wouldn't typically think of connecting with. Take a chance - reach out to them.\n\nLeader of the Pack - With Position Comes Responsibility\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen given the responsibility of leader - it is a risk to not take some of the steps detailed above. I wish you success on your journey onward an upward. Give me a call or an email ( if you would like assistance in your new role!\n\nNo Cats Were Harmed in the Pursuit of Curiosity\n\nThey say curiosity killed the cat, but I grew up with cats and never once lost one due to curiosity. They always seemed to survive whatever predicament they got themselves into. Maybe that is why they say they have nine lives too!\n\n\nA recent article in the Houston Chronicle invited the reader to think like a genius. Apparently the secret of Albert Einstein's creative genius was that he refused to follow the assumptions that were made by every other scientist. Einstein along with other geniuses \"recognize that some truths are what we know as a matter of observed fact while others are what we think we know as a matter of received wisdom\" (Roberta B. Ness - Houston Chronicle - Think Like a Genius - 6/5/17). By not realizing the difference between the two we can get ourselves wrapped up in a lot of incorrect assumptions. If we do what everyone else is doing and think like everyone else is thinking, we will miss out on the opportunity to engage our creativity and come up with innovative solutions to everyday problems.\n\nAs a credentialed coach we are trained and encouraged to remain curious to assist our clients in making progress. The power of our work is in not knowing and allowing the client to figure out their own solutions. Our powerful questions allow the client to self discover and experience delightful ah-ha moments and insight.\n\nGet curious - leave behind the assumptions you know - ask questions - broaden your world view - a more adventurous exciting life will be yours! The best way to practice? Make the phrase \"What If?\" part of your vocabulary. What If there were 48 hours in a day? What If I am wrong about my boss being difficult? What If the state of the economy really has no effect on my success?...\n\nI'll be presenting a lunch hour talk on Unleashing Your Curious Creative Genius next week Tuesday August 15 in South Houston for ATD (Association for Talent Development).  The event is free and open to the public - lunch is on you. For details and registration - click here\n\nIt's Wishing Time!\n\nMy husband and I recently vacationed in Cozumel Mexico for my birthday. We were staying at an all inclusive resort that had a number of activities throughout the day. One of my favorites, that happened three times a week at sunset, was Wishing Time. \n\nThis gentleman above would dress up in this outfit and bring his conch shell horn to the pier with all of the wishers following behind in a procession, my husband and I included.  He claimed it was an ancient Mayan tradition to throw shells into the water at sunset, one for each blow of the horn, making a wish each time. For a lover of fairy tales, sunsets, wishing on stars and all things related, this was one of my favorite events (besides my husband's performance in the TV game show-like Minute to Win It the night before on the hotel stage!).\n\nOnce we reached the end of the pier, we all lined up single file so that each of us had room to throw our shells without hitting anyone in the head. We paused to contemplate the three wishes we desired and waited for the horn. Each time he blew the horn, we would make a wish as we threw one shell, (very tiny shells - they really wouldn't hurt anyone if we hit them in the head!), into the sea.  We delighted in the possibility of our wishes coming true. Before we knew it, the ceremony was over. \n\nWhen we returned home to Texas, I grabbed the conch shell we use as a doorstop and attempted to make beautiful music like our ceremony guide. It actually did work for a few short seconds. I am determined to practice and make a decent performance at the next sunset we decide to honor with Wishing Time.\n\nI believe wishing time would be a great habit to incorporate into our day or week. Taking the time to think about those things we want to happen and dream about happening can open up our creative minds to possibilities.  Then, we just need to take the necessary steps and associated risks to have the dream come true. Some are more work than others, some aren't any work at all.\n\nWhat will you wish for at the next Sunset Wishing Time?\n\nAce Was the Place with the Helpful Hardware Woman!\n\nI have fond memories as a teenager working in the hardware store as a cashier and hardware retail assistant. My dad loved the discount he received on all of his purchases there because I was an employee. I loved working in the store - mixing paint (we had to measure everything manually back then!) and helping people find the plumbing and hardware parts they needed for their home repair projects.  Maybe that is where I picked up my inclination for engineering.\n\nOne thing I'll never forget is what often happened at closing time. The doors would be locked, the registers closing down and there at the door or window would be a poor soul looking so desperate as he held up an old plumbing part or dropped to his knees in a begging position. You knew they had something break at the house and they just needed one little thing - and we were closed. It was definitely after closing time - we didn't lock the doors early, I always felt so sorry for them. Much to my delight, one of the managers always did too. He would open the door and listen to their story and help them out, letting them buy the part they needed even though the registers were closed - sometimes just letting them have it for free if it wasn't too expensive. I'll never forget the look on their faces - of gratefulness - and it just felt SO good to be a part of it.\n\nThen there were a few very different experiences I had looking in from the other side of the door.\n\nI needed to get a package out after the post offices were closed and ran to a little package shipping store around the corner. Their sign said they closed at 6:00pm and it was 5:50pm when I arrived. Plenty of time, I thought. As I grabbed the door to pull it open, it resisted! It was locked. I could see the owner in the store standing at the back table. He looked up at me, I pointed to my watch and he looked back down, completely ignoring me. I had a few choice words for that one and never returned to that place of business.\n\nI experienced a similar situation at the eye doctor's office. They closed at 2:00 on Fridays and I had received a call that day notifying me my contacts were in. I was out of contacts and really needed the new ones. The employee told me that if I could get there by 2:00, I would be able to pick them up. I headed out right away and was walking up to their door at 1:52 - which is before 2:00 in my books. I was shocked and fairly upset to find the door locked, the front desk obviously vacated, lights out and not another car in the parking lot. What was up with that? I no longer get my contacts at that office!\n\nSo what does this have to do with creativity or risk taking? We take a risk when we close up shop a little early. How happy was that guy that came to the hardware store after hours? What kind of message was he spreading to friends, family and others? How happy was I at the shipping store or the eye doctor's office? What kind of message did I spread?\n\nA little bit of empathy and kindness and a few more minutes before locking the door or turning off the phone will make a world of difference in your world and mine.\n\nSkipping Stone Ripples\n\n“We’ve got to get to the water before we leave”, she pleaded. We were on one of the most beautiful islands I’d ever been to, the Isle of Capri. It was the vacation of a lifetime with my sister-in-law, nieces and their friend. We’d been traveling about the island walking, riding a bus and a ski lift to see the views but hadn’t actually touched the water yet. We made our way down to the tiny cove of rock and pebble covered beach before jumping on our ferry back to the mainland. She slipped off her shoes and started searching on the beach for the perfect smooth rock specimens. Delighting in her finds, she started pitching them back into the water one by one, counting the skips as each one skimmed the water’s surface. Each time improving on her skip count little by little. I tried too, but my stones failed miserably, sinking quickly after a mere half skip or so. Satisfied with her last pitch, she watched the small rock sink back into the clear water. Then we grabbed our shoes and headed toward the boat dock for our ride home.    \n\n\n\n\nThere is something special about standing on the shoreline and skipping stones across the water. The beautiful ripple produced by a perfect skip is mesmerizing to watch. The small changes we make in our lives are like the ripples on the water. They affect everything about us in a subtle way – and we continue on for the better. What small change or risk will you take today to send positive ripples through your life?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5933718085289001}
{"content": "Postal: PO Box 160 Kensington Park SA 5068\nLow price cat desexing: (08) 8331 0476\nGeneral enquiries/advice: (08) 8331 0471\nCats in unpopulated areas\nArticle Index\nCats in unpopulated areas\nCats and endangered wildlife\nCat control methods\nAll Pages\n\nCats probably arrived in Australia before 1788 due to early European contacts. Since that time they have spread across the continent. Their disperal was assisted by farmers, who in the past deliberately released cats around burrows as a form of rabbit control (1).\n\nAdult cats maintain discrete home ranges (2). They can breed at any time of the year. There is no specific breeding season, but most kittens are born in spring to late summer/autumn. Females average 2 litters a year, with an average of 4.4 kittens/litter.\n\n\nEven though juvenile survival is limited by the availability of easily caught prey, such as young rabbits (2), a cat population can increase dramatically.\n\nFor example, in 1949, 5 cats were introduced to Marion Island. After 25 years, the population on the island was over 2000 (3).\n\nCats and endangered wildlife\n\nIt is fashionable in some conservation circles to blame cats for the perilous position of some native species. However, a more accurate and less emotive perspective comes from well-respected conservation biologists (1):\n\n\"Land clearance, mainly for agriculture, is perhaps the single most important cause of environmental degradation, and loss and depletion of species and ecological communities both in Australia and worldwide. Almost 80% of mammals and about 60% of birds listed by the IUCN have declined as a result of habitat loss.\"\n\n\nIn terms of the diet of feral cats, it is important to remember the extent to which they prey on rabbits and introduced rodents.\n\n  • On Macquarie Island, 82% of the cat scats and 71% of the stomach contents examined contained rabbit remains (4).\n  • Around Lake Burrendong in central eastern NSW, 68% of the volume of cat scats was composed of rabbit, and a further 11% of carrion, that is, kangaroos killed by shooters and sheep that had died or been killed by a larger predator (5).\n\nScats were collected for 3 years, during which time the rabbit calicivirus arrived in this area of NSW. Even though the rabbit population declined by 90%, rabbits were still a major prey species. Ten months later, house mice increased as a component of the diet, maybe due to the decline in rabbits, but possibly just because they were plentiful, and cats are opportunistic predators. Few native mammals were eaten in this study, and birds are seldom an important prey item for mainland cats (5).\n\nWorldwide, most extinctions have occurred on islands. Attention is often focussed on the role of introduced cats, but in fact rats are responsible for twice as many extinctions as cats (6). Rats alone prey on birds more effectively than cats alone in all life stages from eggs to ground-nesting adults. Rats are found on the majority of major island groups. Predation by cats can control their numbers and benefit bird populations, even when the cats themselves lightly prey on the birds. For example, on Stewart Island, remains of the endangered kakapo were found in 5.1% of cat scats, whereas rat remains were found in 93% of scats. Cats benefit the kakapo by reducing rat predation. An attempt to eradicate cats from Amsterdam Island was abandoned after rat and mouse populations increased rapidly.\n\nOn Raoul Island, rats were the most frequent prey found in both cat stomachs and scats. Bird remains found were those of common songbirds on the island; few seabirds were taken. There are many examples of islands where seabird populations have been reduced by Norway rats, and since rats are the predominant prey of cats, the researchers concluded: \"One management option for Raoul Island is to eradicate cats but this may bring little benefit to bird populations.\" (7).\n\nUnless Norway rats could be eradicated at the same time as cats, \"… the effort and expense involved in a cat eradication programme might be better spent on other conservation projects that are more assured of a positive outcome.\" (7)\n\nThis point is well illustrated by the example of Macquarie Island, where cats were eliminated by 2001 (8). However, in the 6 years following the eradication, the rabbit population exploded, reversing all previous control efforts. As a result, vegetation cover was severely damaged and petrel burrows collapsed as a result of rabbit tunneling. Examination of stomach contents showed that cats had been major predators of rabbits. The 157 cats shot in 1997 would have eated 4000 adult sized rabbits, as well as 103,000 mice and 36,000 rats each year (8). Thus, the removal of cats had unintended and negative consequences.\n\nCat control methods\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  1. Burgman, M. & Lindenmayer, D. (1998). Conservation Biology for the Australian Environment. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton (NSW)\n  2. Coman, B. (1991). The ecology and control of feral cats in Australia, in Potter, C. (ed), The Impact of Cats on Native Wildlife: Proceedings of a Workshop held on May 8-9 1991, ANPWS, Canberra\n  3. Courchamp, F. & Cornell, S. (2000). Virus-vectored immunocontraception to control feral cats on islands: a mathematical model. Journal of Applied Ecology, 37: 903-913\n  4. Jones, E. (1977). Ecology of the feral cat, Felis catus (L.), (Carnivora: Felidae) on Macquarie Island. Australian Wildlife Research, 4: 249-262\n  5. Molsher, R., Newsome, A. & Dickman, C. (1999). Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales. Wildlife Research, 26: 593-607\n  6. Courchamp, F., Langlais, M. & Sugihara, G. (1999). Cats protecting birds: modelling the mesopredator release effect. Journal of Applied Animal Ecology, 68: 282-292\n  7. Fitzgerald, B., Karl, B. & Veitch, C. (1991). The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) on Raoul Island, Kermadec group. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 15: 123-129", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8515482544898987}
{"content": "By Michael T. Goodrich\n\nIntroducing a brand new addition to our becoming library of desktop technological know-how titles, Algorithm layout and Applications, through Michael T. Goodrich & Roberto Tamassia! Algorithms is a path required for all desktop technological know-how majors, with a powerful concentrate on theoretical issues. scholars input the direction after gaining hands-on event with pcs, and are anticipated to profit how algorithms should be utilized to a number of contexts. This new e-book integrates program with theory.\n\nGoodrich & Tamassia think that easy methods to train algorithmic themes is to provide them in a context that's encouraged from functions to makes use of in society, computing device video games, computing undefined, technological know-how, engineering, and the web. The textual content teaches scholars approximately designing and utilizing algorithms, illustrating connections among subject matters being taught and their strength purposes, expanding engagement. \n\nShow description\n\nRead or Download Algorithm design and applications PDF\n\nSimilar algorithms books\n\nRandomized Algorithms\n\nFilenote: PDF retail from ebl. PDF doesnt glance vector to me, it has hyperlinked TOC numbers & TOC bookmarked, that's universal for older CUP titles\n\nFor many functions a randomized set of rules is the best set of rules on hand, or the quickest, or either. This publication provides uncomplicated instruments from chance concept utilized in algorithmic purposes, with examples to demonstrate using every one instrument in a concrete environment. a number of very important parts of software of randomized algorithms are explored intimately, giving a consultant number of the algorithms in those components. even though written basically as a textual content, this publication must also end up worthy as a reference for execs and researchers.\n\nElementary functions: algorithms and implementation\n\nThis ebook provides the thoughts and history essential to comprehend and construct algorithms for computing uncomplicated capabilities, providing and structuring the algorithms (hardware- orientated in addition to software-oriented), and discusses concerns with regards to the actual floating-point implementation. the aim isn't to offer \"cookbook recipes\" that permit one to enforce a few given functionality, yet to supply the reader with the data that's essential to construct, or adapt, algorithms to their particular computing atmosphere.\n\nAlgorithms and Computation: 22nd International Symposium, ISAAC 2011, Yokohama, Japan, December 5-8, 2011. Proceedings\n\nThis publication constitutes the refereed court cases of the twenty second overseas Symposium on Algorithms and Computation, ISAAC 2011, held in Yokohama, Japan in December 2011. The seventy six revised complete papers awarded including invited talks have been rigorously reviewed and chosen from 187 submissions for inclusion within the publication.\n\nAlgorithms and Computation: 20th International Symposium, ISAAC 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, December 16-18, 2009. Proceedings\n\nThis ebook constitutes the refereed lawsuits of the 20 th foreign Symposium on Algorithms and Computation, ISAAC 2009, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, united states in December 2009. The one hundred twenty revised complete papers awarded have been conscientiously reviewed and chosen from 279 submissions for inclusion within the booklet. This quantity includes subject matters equivalent to algorithms and knowledge constructions, approximation algorithms, combinatorial optimization, computational biology, computational complexity, computational geometry, cryptography, experimental set of rules methodologies, graph drawing and graph algorithms, web algorithms, on-line algorithms, parallel and disbursed algorithms, quantum computing and randomized algorithms.\n\nExtra info for Algorithm design and applications\n\nExample text\n\nNote that log log n is not even defined for n = 1, but log log n < log n, for n ≥ 2. That is why we use n ≥ 2. 5: 2100 is O(1). Proof: 2100 ≤ 2100 · 1, for n ≥ 1. Note that variable n does not appear in the inequality, since we are dealing with constant-valued functions. 6: 5n log n + 2n is O(n log n). Proof: 5n log n + 2n ≤ 7n log n, for n ≥ 2 (but not for n = 1). As mentioned above, we are typically interested in characterizing the running time or space usage of algorithm in terms of a function, f (n), which we bound using the big-Oh notion.\n\n3. 3 29 A Case Study in Algorithm Analysis Having presented the general framework for describing and analyzing algorithms, we now present a case study in algorithm analysis to make this discussion more concrete. Specifically, we show how to use the big-Oh notation to analyze three algorithms that solve the same problem but have different running times. The problem we focus on is one that is reportedly often used as a job interview question by major software and Internet companies—the maximum subarray problem.\n\nAik }. 23: Let A be the event that the roll of a die is a 6, let B be the event that the roll of a second die is a 3, and let C be the event that the sum of these two dice is a 10. Then A and B are independent events, but C is not independent with either A or B . 2. A Quick Mathematical Review 27 Conditional Probability The conditional probability that an event A occurs, given an event B, is denoted as Pr(A|B), and is defined as Pr(A ∩ B) , Pr(B) Pr(A|B) = assuming that Pr(B) > 0. 24: Let A be the event that a roll of two dice sums to 10, and let B be the event that the roll of the first die is a 6.\n\nDownload PDF sample\n\nRated 4.14 of 5 – based on 19 votes", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9592669606208801}
{"content": "Fingerprints of the accused had been found on the glass case protecting the reliquary\n\nItalian police have tracked down a stolen relic of St John Bosco which had been hidden inside a copper teapot in a kitchen cupboard.\n\nThe press office of the Salesians in nearby Turin announced that Italian military police obtained a search warrant and discovered the relic early that morning in the home of a 42-year-old Italian man identified only by the initials C.G.\n\nFrom previous encounters with the law, the man’s fingerprints were on file and they were found on the glass case protecting the relic and reliquary in the lower Basilica of St John Bosco in the town of Castelnuovo Don Bosco.\n\n\nThe relic, a piece of St John Bosco’s brain, was still in its small glass jar tied with red ribbon. The seal of authenticity was intact, the Salesians said.\n\n“It appears the motive for the theft had nothing to do with a desire to demand a ransom nor was it stolen for a collector,” the police said in a statement. Apparently, the thief “erroneously” believed the gold-painted reliquary over the glass jar was worth a lot of money.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9458657503128052}
{"content": "Usage examples for resold\n\n  1. The pastry was burnt, and I was resold to a barber, whose wife was a shrew, and half- killed me; fortunately the barber was accused of shaving a criminal, who had escaped from prison, and one morning was stretched out before his own door, with his head under his arm. – The Pacha of Many Tales by Captain Frederick Marryat\n  2. The Brazilians were not displaced as landed proprietors, and most of the plantations confiscated from the persistently rebellious were resold to Brazilians who accepted the Dutch rule. – The South American Republics Part I of II by Thomas C. Dawson\n  3. I know properties bought along the lines of the new railroads for a few hundred dollars that have resold at twenty thousand and thirty thousand and fifty thousand. – The Canadian Commonwealth by Agnes C. Laut\n  4. A wild fox, sold for twenty- five dollars, was resold for a thousand. – Grenfell: Knight-Errant of the North by Fullerton Waldo\n  5. The Organized Benevolence Society bought a lot of these books and resold them to benevolent persons, or gave them away to 'deserving cases'. – The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell\n  6. I noticed several men taking notes of the prices made, and, immediately the book sale was finished, they removed them to the lawn, where they were resold by one of the gang at greatly enhanced prices. – Grain and Chaff from an English Manor by Arthur H. Savory\n  7. Then these resold to German dealers at cost. – Germany, The Next Republic? by Carl W. Ackerman\n  8. Every one had been sold and resold and read to rags, before I knew it was in print. – Half a Century by Jane Grey Cannon Swisshelm\n  9. The state- owned slaves were resold – The Road to Independence: Virginia 1763-1783 by Virginia State Dept. of Education\n  10. Exactly nine years had elapsed since the castle and lands had been sold at auction and fallen into the possession of a company of speculators, who had divided it and resold it to various purchasers. – Zibeline, Complete by Phillipe de Massa Last Updated: March 2, 2009\n  11. The note was changed at Cook's office, in the purchase of two tourist tickets to Baden- Baden, which can, of course, be resold or used in part only. – Dross by Henry Seton Merriman\n  12. It was afterwards resold for 26, 383 pounds, and used as barracks. – Recollections of Old Liverpool by A Nonagenarian\n  13. Moreover, there were seats erected which any one might occupy at a reasonable rate; but the lord steward, who had the disposal of the tickets, purchased them all for himself, and then resold them to his fellow- subjects at an enormous price. – The Infernal Marriage by Benjamin Disraeli\n  14. Why, ev'n the haughty prince, Northumberland, The leader of our Reformation, knelt And blubber'd like a lad, and on the scaffold Recanted, and resold himself to Rome. – Queen Mary and Harold by Alfred Lord Tennyson\n  15. The Secretary contents himself with saying that they are \" sold and resold many times.\" – The Value of Money by Benjamin M. Anderson, Jr.\n  16. He became incoherently eloquent, spoke of the ease and rapidity with which the thing could be resold to a syndicate at an enormous profit, should his \" pardners\" and he not care to develop it themselves. – Lady Merton, Colonist by Mrs. Humphry Ward\n  17. I appear to have been rather badly stung, and I really don't wonder it hasn't been resold – The Hidden Places by Bertrand W. Sinclair\n  18. Americans bought ranches for five dollars an acre and resold them as rawnches for fifty dollars to young Englishmen who will never make a cent on their investment; chiefly because fruit trees take from five to ten years to come to maturity, and because fruit must be near a market, and because only an expert can succeed at fruit. – The Canadian Commonwealth by Agnes C. Laut", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6462277173995972}
{"content": "We have various Orthopaedic procedures dealing specifically with the elbow. These procedures include: Tennis Elbow, Ulnar Nerve Surgery.\n\nTennis Elbow\n\nLateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is the formation of painful scar tissue where the tendons attach to the outside of the elbow. This causes severe elbow pain with gripping, lifting, and twisting. Initial treatment is often physical therapy, braces, cortisone injections, and sometimes platelet injections. Patients that continue to have severe pain may benefit from surgery which removes the painful scar tissue. Our surgeons use both open and arthroscopic techniques to remove the scar tissue and eliminate the pain and disability. Most patients have a full recovery and are able to return to a wide range of activities including heavy lifting.\n\nUlnar Nerve Surgery\n\n(Details Coming Soon...)\n\nDid You Know?\n\nOSSM is the only group that has specialists covering the entire body. Patients are always going to be treated by a surgeon specializing in their specific problem.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9758015871047974}
{"content": "Hirame (Paralichthys olivaceus) - An important Japanese food-fish, which attains a large size, the hirame, also known as the olive flounder, bastard halibut or Japanese halibut is a temperate marine species of large-tooth flounder native to the north-western Pacific Ocean.  It is often referred to as the Japanese flatfish or Korea(n) flatfish (광어) when mentioned in the context of those countries. It can reach a length of 41 inches and a weight of 20 lbs.  It is the most common flatfish species raised in aquaculture in Korea. They are raised in Japan and China as well. It is the most highly prized of the Japanese flounders. \n\n\n\n\nBlackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus)  - This is a pelagic, schooling fish that generally feeds near the surface. Its diet consists of small fishes, squid, crustaceans, and plankton. An excellent light tackle species, it can be taken by trolling or casting small baits or lures, including ballyhoo, mullet and other small fishes as well as strip baits, spoons, feathers, jigs, or plugs; or by live bait fishing from boats at the surface of deep waters one to two miles offshore. It has some local commercial importance, but is predominantly an angler's fish. It is a spunky game species and the flesh is of good quality and flavor.\n\n\nBluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) - The smallest fish form the largest schools and vice versa. Its extensive migrations of all fish, appear to be tied to water temperature, spawning habits, and the seasonal movements of fishes on which the bluefin feeds. The giants of the species make the longest migrations. This is the largest tuna and one of the largest true bony fish.  Bluefin tuna are supreme in their size, strength and speed, and are a very important game fish. They are also extremely important commercially in many parts of the world.\n\n\n\n\nAmerican Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) - The northern or \"American\" red snapper is found in the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States and much less commonly northward as far as Massachusetts. In Latin American Spanish, it is known as huachinangopargo, or chillo. They are a prized food fish, caught commercially, as well as recreationally. It is used in Vietnamese canh chua (\"Sour soup\"). Red snapper is the most commonly caught snapper in the continental USA (almost 50% of the total catch), with similar species being more common elsewhere. They eat almost anything, but prefer small fish and crustaceans. Interest in recreational fishing for northern red snapper, and in the Gulf of Mexico in general, has increased dramatically. From 1995–2003, the number of Louisiana fishing charter guide license holders increased eight-fold.Researchers estimate the bycatch of young red snapper, especially by shrimp trawlers, is a significant concern. \n\n\n\"Mini-mahi\" (Coryphaena hippurus) - The mini-mahi is a culinary experiment where we harvest the mahi after only 30 - 50 days depending on the chef's preferences.  It is being fed on the finest feeds available, and being tested by some of the world's top chefs right now to assess its commercial viability.  \n\n\n\n\nHumpback Grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) - The humpback grouper is a medium-sized fish which grows up to 70 cm.[3] Its particular body shape makes this grouper quite impossible to mix up with other fishes. Its body is compressed laterally and is relatively high. This stocky and strange visual effect is accented by its concave profile and its elongated snout which gives it a humpbacked appearance.\n\nThe young have a white background with round black spots and are continuously swimming head down. The adults have a body colouration with variances of grey and beige with darker blotches variable in size on the body. Small black spots cover the whole body.\n\n\nHybrid grouper -  is a new type of grouper produced by fertilizing the eggs of the Tiger Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) with the sperm of the Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) through the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique. The first hybrid grouper was cross-bred by researches from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia, in collaboration among researchers of the Borneo Marine Research Institute of UMS, the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) and Kinki University of Japan, represented by Prof. Dr Shigeharu Senoo of UMS.\n\n\n\nThe Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus) is a species of fish in the Serranidae family, which includes groupers and coral cod (not related to true cod), which are all characterized by having three spines on the gill cover and a large mouth lined with more than one row of sharp teeth. Native to the western Pacific Ocean, its natural habitat includes open seas and coral reefs. Coral trout are piscivorous; juveniles mostly eat crustaceans, especially prawns, and adults feed upon a variety of reef fish, particularly damselfish.\n\nCoral trout are the favorite target fish for all sectors of the fishery because they are a good food fish and command high market prices locally and overseas. The total amount of Coral Trout caught commercially in Australia in 2010 was 974 tons, the majority coming from the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (Queensland).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9877049922943115}
{"content": "A major social force influencing the future of public relations is globalization. With each passing day, the peoples of earth are being drawn closer. The economies of different countries are inexorability linked. Advances in communications technology allows us to know what is occurring in a country half-way around the world instantaneously. Improvements in transportation have made it possible for you to travel in mere hours distances that took your parents and grandparents months and weeks to cover.\n\nAs trade expands globally the most notable audiences drawing the attention of public relations practitioners are in places such as Russia, China, India, Latin America, and Europe. Public relations practitioners must overcome language barriers and social differences to practice culturally appropriate and locally acceptable public relations. Differences in lifestyles, customs, values, and cultures are not the only challenges. Unique aspects of the local political, economic, and industrial structures also are challenges.\n\nWorking in combination, these forces has given us a sense of interconnectedness and created a world of opportunities for public relations professionals. Targeting certain audiences and correctly reaching them is easier than ever. Globalization has also caused public relations practitioners to face serious challenges and make some difficult choices. Thanks to the global reach of digital communications, crises can now spread instantaneously. The internet makes it possible for anyone with a cause to become a self-publisher. It is becoming more difficult for organizations to identify potential threats.\n\nChina is one growing market undergoing revolutionary political, social, and industrial changes. China reopened to Western markets in 1978. The growth in business opportunities in china has been incredible. Despite the presence of corruption and government regulations, American and European companies have embraced the Chinese market. In order to do well a company must know the local customs and government regulations. In China, personal influence is important in every part of the business, social and media systems. For example, a public relations practitioners want to send out news releases, they may have to know the reporters personally.\n\nSome public relations practitioners see globalization as an opportunity, others see it as a threat, still others see it as both.\n\nBy: Brian Gottesman\n\nBrian Gottesman is a Public Relations Executive with over 9 years of experience in public relations and publications. His work has been published in several network television, print and blog outlets including Fox News, CBS, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Buzz Feed and Mashable.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5967140793800354}
{"content": "ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel\n  • »\n  • Education and Science»\n  • Astronomy & Space Exploration\n\nAstronomy and Astrology: The Difference Between Astronomers and Astrologers\n\nUpdated on June 21, 2016\n\nIn the past, astronomy and astrology were considered one and the same. Learn the difference, and learn why you should never call an astronomer an astrologer!\n\nIn the modern Western world, astronomy and astrology are generally regarded as two different studies. Astronomy tries to understand the physics of the universe, and studies celestial objects such as stars, planets, comets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies, while astrology attempts to explain human events, predict the future and explain other “earth matters” by using the positions of celestial objects as a guide. Astronomy and astrology were  generally considered the same thing until the 17th century. In Ancient Babylonia, the astronomer and astrologer were the same person. In Ancient Greece, the words “astrologia” and “astronomia” meant different things, but were used interchangeably and treated as if they meant the same thing.\n\nAstronomy is one of most ancient sciences. Over 7000 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians made use of astronomical alignments to build the archeoastronomical device in the Nabta Plata. It is likely that Stonehenge was used similarly to make astronomical observations. Many other early civilisations also studied the sky: the Mayans, Indians, Chinese, Greeks and the Babylonians.\n\nAstronomy and astrology are similar in few ways, and different in many others. Both studies believe that Earth is an important part of the universe, and that the Earth and the universe are connected. But that’s where the similarities end. Astronomy states that planets and stars have no significance in regard to human behaviour, while astrology believes that planets, stars and the moon can predict fate and human behaviour. Astronomy follows the standard of other sciences, including physics, while astrology follows none, and is considered an “art”. Astronomy is used by NASA, has measured the speed of light and has discovered new planets. Astrology has done none of these.\n\nNowadays most astronomers and most members of the general public regard astrology with scorn because it considered a “fake” science. Astrology suggests your birth date and the positions of celestial objects determine your behaviour, personality and fate. Horoscopes, star signs and fortune telling are all parts of astrology, but regarded as inaccurate and vague, with statements that anybody could apply to their situation. It has little, if any, basis in reality. Astrology tries to account for and predict human behaviour, but doesn’t bother checking the results to see if they are accurate.\n\n\n    0 of 8192 characters used\n    Post Comment\n\n    • sunchild28 profile image\n\n      sunchild28 6 years ago from Nigeria\n\n      Well shared and presented piece of work,thanks.I love it.\n\n    • NathanielZhu profile image\n\n      Nathaniel Zhu 6 years ago from Virginia Beach\n\n      YES! Woot! An article outlining the difference between a science and a pseudoscience.\n\n      I shall follow you!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.566102921962738}
{"content": "Doss, M. K., Bluestone, M. R., & Gallo, D. A. (2016). Two mechanisms of constructive recollection: Perceptual recombination and conceptual fluency. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition, 42, 1747-1758.\n\nAbstract: Recollection is constructive and prone to distortion, but the mechanisms through which recollections can become embellished with rich yet illusory details are still debated. According to the conceptual fluency hypothesis, abstract semantic or conceptual activation increases the familiarity of a nonstudied event, causing one to falsely attribute imagined features to actual perception. In contrast, according to the perceptual recombination hypothesis, details from actually perceived events are partially recollected and become erroneously bound to a nonstudied event, again causing a detailed yet false recollection. Here, we report the first experiments aimed at disentangling these 2 mechanisms. Participants imagined pictures of common objects, and then they saw an actual picture of some of the imagined objects. We next presented misinformation associated with these studied items, designed to increase conceptual fluency (i.e., semantically related words) or perceptual recombination (i.e., perceptually similar picture fragments). Finally, we tested recollection for the originally seen pictures using verbal labels as retrieval cues. Consistent with conceptual fluency, processing-related words increased false recollection of pictures that were never seen, and consistent with perceptual recombination, processing picture fragments further increased false recollection. We also found that conceptual fluency was more short-lived than perceptual recombination, further dissociating these 2 mechanisms. These experiments provide strong evidence that conceptual fluency and perceptual recombination independently contribute to the constructive aspects of recollection.\n\nGallo, D. A., & Lampinen, J. M. (2016). Three pillars of false memory prevention: Orientation, evaluation, and corroboration. In J. Dunlosky & S. K. Tauber (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Metamemory (pp. 387-403). New York: Oxford University Press.\n\nAbstract: Conscious recollections of past experiences are prone to distortion, but retrieval monitoring processes help control memory accuracy and avoid false memories. This chapter overviews the metacognitive aspects of three retrieval processes that are fundamental for determining whether or not a questionable event had occurred in one’s past: (1) selectively searching memory for evidence of the questionable event (orientation), (2) diagnosing the validity of retrieved evidence by comparing it to one’s expectations about the questionable event’s memorability (evaluation), and (3) using various kinds of collateral information to converge upon the truth (corroboration). Such collateral information could include recollections of surrounding events that confirm or disqualify the questionable event’s occurrence, as well as other kinds of knowledge pertaining to the questionable event’s likelihood or plausibility. The chapter discusses laboratory research on each of these processes and considers how these processes recursively interact when remembering the more complex autobiographical events of our lives.\n\nWeafer, J., Gallo, D. A., & de Wit, H. (2016). Acute effects of alcohol on encoding and consolidation of memory for emotional stimuli. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 77, 86-94.\n\n\nObjective: Acute doses of alcohol impair memory when administered before encoding of emotionally neutral stimuli but enhance memory when administered immediately after encoding, potentially by affecting memory consolidation. Here, we examined whether alcohol produces similar biphasic effects on memory for positive or negative emotional stimuli.\n\nMethod: The current study examined memory for emotional stimuli after alcohol (0.8 g/kg) was administered either before stimulus viewing (encoding group; n = 20) or immediately following stimulus viewing (consolidation group; n = 20). A third group received placebo both before and after stimulus viewing (control group; n = 19). Participants viewed the stimuli on one day, and their retrieval was assessed exactly 48 hours later, when they performed a surprise cued recollection and recognition test of the stimuli in a drug-free state.\n\nResults: As in previous studies, alcohol administered before encoding impaired memory accuracy, whereas alcohol administered after encoding enhanced memory accuracy. Critically, alcohol effects on cued recollection depended on the valence of the emotional stimuli: Its memory-impairing effects during encoding were greatest for emotional stimuli, whereas its memory-enhancing effects during consolidation were greatest for emotionally neutral stimuli. Effects of alcohol on recognition were not related to stimulus valence.\n\nConclusions: This study extends previous findings with memory for neutral stimuli, showing that alcohol differentially affects the encoding and consolidation of memory for emotional stimuli. These effects of alcohol on memory for emotionally salient material may contribute to the development of alcohol-related problems, perhaps by dampening memory for adverse consequences of alcohol consumption.\n\nWong, J. T., & Gallo, D. A. (2016). Stereotype threat reduces false recognition when older adults are forewarned. Memory, 24, 650-658.\n\nAbstract: Exposing older adults to ageing stereotypes can reduce their memory for studied information-a phenomenon attributed to stereotype threat-but little is known about stereotype effects on false memory. Here, we assessed ageing stereotype effects on the Deese-Roediger-McDermott false memory illusion. Older adults studied lists of semantically associated words, and then read a passage about age-related memory decline (threat condition) or an age-neutral passage (control condition). They then took a surprise memory test with a warning to avoid false recognition of non-studied associates. Relative to the control condition, activating stereotype threat reduced the recognition of both studied and non-studied words, implicating a conservative criterion shift for associated test words. These results indicate that stereotype threat can reduce false memory, and they help to clarify mixed results from prior ageing research. Consistent with the regulatory focus hypothesis, threat motivates older adults to respond more conservatively when error-prevention is emphasised at retrieval.\n\nGray, S. J., & Gallo, D. A. (2015). Paranormal psychic believers and skeptics: A large-scale test of the cognitive differences hypothesis. Memory & Cognition, 44, 242-261.\n\nAbstract: Belief in paranormal psychic phenomena is widespread in the United States, with over a third of the population believing in extrasensory perception (ESP). Why do some people believe, while others are skeptical? According to the cognitive differences hypothesis, individual differences in the way people process information about the world can contribute to the creation of psychic beliefs, such as differences in memory accuracy (e.g., selectively remembering a fortune teller’s correct predictions) or analytical thinking (e.g., relying on intuition rather than scrutinizing evidence). While this hypothesis is prevalent in the literature, few have attempted to empirically test it. Here, we provided the most comprehensive test of the cognitive differences hypothesis to date. In 3 studies, we used online screening to recruit groups of strong believers and strong skeptics, matched on key demographics (age, sex, and years of education). These groups were then tested in laboratory and online settings using multiple cognitive tasks and other measures. Our cognitive testing showed that there were no consistent group differences on tasks of episodic memory distortion, autobiographical memory distortion, or working memory capacity, but skeptics consistently outperformed believers on several tasks tapping analytical or logical thinking as well as vocabulary. These findings demonstrate cognitive similarities and differences between these groups and suggest that differences in analytical thinking and conceptual knowledge might contribute to the development of psychic beliefs. We also found that psychic belief was associated with greater life satisfaction, demonstrating benefits associated with psychic beliefs and highlighting the role of both cognitive and noncognitive factors in understanding these individual differences.\n\nGray, S. J., Brookshire, G., Casasanto, D., & Gallo, D. A. (2015). Electrically stimulating prefrontal cortex at retrieval improves recollection accuracy. Cortex, 73, 188- 194.\n\nAbstract: Neuroimaging and brain damage studies suggest that dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is involved in the cognitive control of episodic recollection. If dlPFC is causally involved in retrieval, then transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of this brain region should increase recollection accuracy, especially when recollection is difficult and requires cognitive control. Here, we report the first brain stimulation experiment to directly test this hypothesis. We administered tDCS to dlPFC immediately after studying to-be-learned material but just prior to recollection testing, thereby targeting retrieval processes. We found that stimulation of dlPFC significantly increased recollection accuracy, relative to a no-stimulation sham condition and also relative to active stimulation of a comparison region in left parietal cortex. There was no significant difference in the size of this increase between hemispheres. Moreover, these dlPFC stimulation effects were behaviorally selective, increasing accuracy only when participants needed to recollect difficult information. Electrically stimulating dlPFC allowed people to more accurately recollect specific details of their experiences, demonstrating a causal role of dlPFC in the retrieval of episodic memories.\n\nBallard, M. E., Weafer, J., Gallo, D. A., & de Wit, H. (2015). Effects of acute methamphetamine on emotional memory formation in humans: Encoding vs consolidation. Plos One, 10, 1-15.\n\nAbstract: Understanding how stimulant drugs affect memory is important for understanding their addictive potential. Here we examined the effects of acute d-methamphetamine (METH), administered either before (encoding phase) or immediately after (consolidation phase) study on memory for emotional and neutral images in healthy humans. Young adult volunteers (N = 60) were randomly assigned to either an encoding group (N = 29) or a consolidation group (N = 31). Across three experimental sessions, they received placebo and two doses of METH (10, 20 mg) either 45 min before (encoding) or immediately after (consolidation) viewing pictures of emotionally positive, neutral, and negative scenes. Memory for the pictures was tested two days later, under drug-free conditions. Half of the sample reported sleep disturbances following the high dose of METH, which affected their memory performance. Therefore, participants were classified as poor sleepers (less than 6 hours; n = 29) or adequate sleepers (6 or more hours; n = 31) prior to analyses. For adequate sleepers, METH (20 mg) administered before encoding significantly improved memory accuracy relative to placebo, especially for emotional (positive and negative), compared to neutral, stimuli. For poor sleepers in the encoding group, METH impaired memory. METH did not affect memory in the consolidation group regardless of sleep quality. These results extend previous findings showing that METH can enhance memory for salient emotional stimuli but only if it is present at the time of study, where it can affect both encoding and consolidation. METH does not appear to facilitate consolidation if administered after encoding. The study also demonstrates the important role of sleep in memory studies.\n\nGray, S. J., & Gallo, D. A. (2015). Disregarding familiarity during recollection attempts: Content-specific recapitulation as a global retrieval orientation strategy. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition, 41, 134-147.\n\n\nBallard, M. E., Gallo, D. A., & de Wit, H. (2014). Amphetamine increases errors during episodic memory retrieval. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 34, 85-92.\n\nAbstract: Moderate doses of stimulant drugs are known to enhance memory encoding and consolidation, but their effects on memory retrieval have not been explored in depth. In laboratory animals, stimulants seem to improve retrieval of emotional memories, but comparable studies have not been carried out in humans. In the present study, we examined the effects of dextroamphetamine (AMP) on retrieval of emotional and unemotional stimuli in healthy young adults, using doses that enhanced memory formation when administered before encoding in our previous study. During 3 sessions, healthy volunteers (n = 31) received 2 doses of AMP (10 and 20 mg) and placebo in counter-balanced order under double-blind conditions. During each session, they first viewed emotional and unemotional pictures and words in a drug-free state, and then 2 days later their memory was tested, 1 hour after AMP or placebo administration. Dextroamphetamine did not affect the number of emotional or unemotional stimuli remembered, but both doses increased recall intrusions and false recognition. Dextroamphetamine (20 mg) also increased the number of positively rated picture descriptions and words generated during free recall. These data provide the first evidence that therapeutic range doses of stimulant drugs can increase memory retrieval errors. The ability of AMP to positively bias recollection of prior events could contribute to its potential for abuse.\n\nMcDonough, I. M., Cervantes, S. N., Gray, S. J. & Gallo, D. A. (2014). Memory's aging echo: Age-related decline in neural reactivation of perceptual details during recollection. NeuroImage, 98, 346-358.\n\nAbstract: Episodic memory decline is a hallmark of normal cognitive aging. Here, we report the first event-related fMRI study to directly investigate age differences in the neural reactivation of qualitatively rich perceptual details during recollection. Younger and older adults studied pictures of complex scenes at different presentation durations alongwith descriptive verbal labels, and these labels subsequentlywere used during fMRI scanning to cue picture recollections of varying perceptual detail. As expected fromprior behavioralwork, the two age groups subjectively rated their recollections as containing similar amounts of perceptual detail, despite objectively measured recollection impairment in older adults. In both age groups, comparisons of retrieval trials that varied in recollected detail revealed robust activity in brain regions previously linked to recollection, including hippocampus and both medial and lateral regions of the prefrontal and posterior parietal cortex. Critically, this analysis also revealed recollection-related activity in visual processing regions that were active in an independent picture-perception task, and these regions showed age-related reductions in activity during recollection that cannot be attributed to age differences in response criteria. These fMRI findings provide newevidence that aging reduces the absolute quantity of perceptual details that are reactivated frommemory, and they help to explain why aging reduces the reliability of subjective memory judgments.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, Meade, M. L., Gallo, D. A., & Olson, K. R. (2014). Bartlett revisited: Direct comparison of repeated reproduction and serial reproduction techniques. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 3, 266-271.\n\nAbstract: Bartlett developed the procedures of repeated reproduction (the same person repeatedly recalling infor-mation) and serial reproduction (people transmitting information from one person to another). Ourexperiment directly compared recall accuracy across these two techniques, which has not previously been reported, using DRM word lists. Recall of the initial study list words remained constant across repeated reproductions but declined markedly across serial reproductions. In contrast, recall of associated wordsthat were not originally studied (i.e. critical words) was steady across both conditions. Because more ofthe original list words were forgotten across each link of the serial reproduction chain, the proportion ofcritical items recalled (relative to list words) increased significantly as the list passed between people. Using output bound scoring, serial reproduction resulted in lower accuracy than repeated reproduction by the final recall trial. Our results are broadly consistent with Bartlett’s (1932) informal observations: Serial reproduction produces greater forgetting of the original material than does repeated reproductionand also leads to greater distortion relative to the proportion of correct material recalled.\n\nWeafer, J., Gallo, D. A., & de Wit, H. (2014). Amphetamine fails to alter cued recollection of emotional images: Study of encoding, retrieval, and state-dependency. Plos One, 9, 1-8.\n\nAbstract: Stimulant drugs facilitate both encoding and retrieval of salient information in laboratory animals, but less is known about their effects on memory for emotionally salient visual images in humans. The current study investigated dextroamphetamine (AMP) effects on memory for emotional pictures in healthy humans, by administering the drug only at encoding, only at retrieval, or at both encoding and retrieval. During the encoding session, all participants viewed standardized positive, neutral, and negative pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). 48 hours later they attended a retrieval session testing their cued recollection of these stimuli. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions (N = 20 each): condition AP (20 mg AMP at encoding and placebo (PL) at retrieval); condition PA (PL at encoding and AMP at retrieval); condition AA (AMP at encoding and retrieval); or condition PP (PL at encoding and retrieval). Amphetamine produced its expected effects on physiological and subjective measures, and negative pictures were recollected more frequently than neutral pictures. However, contrary to hypotheses, AMP did not affect recollection for positive, negative, or neutral stimuli, whether it was administered at encoding, retrieval, or at both encoding and retrieval. Moreover, recollection accuracy was not state-dependent. Considered in light of other recent drug studies in humans, this study highlights the sensitivity of drug effects to memory testing conditions and suggests future strategies for translating preclinical findings to human behavioral laboratories.\n\nBallard, M. E., Gallo, D. A., & de Wit, H. (2013). Pre-encoding administration of amphetamine or THC selectively modulates emotional memory in humans. Psychopharmacology, 226, 515-529.\n\n\nGallo, D. A. (2013). Retrieval expectations affect false recollection: Insights from a criterial recollection task. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22, 316-323.\n\nPeople use retrieval expectations to guide the accuracy of recollection attempts. This retrieval monitoring process minimizes illusory or false recollection, especially when the to-be-remembered events are distinctive. Our work with a criterial recollection task reveals that this monitoring process primarily depends on qualitative features of recollected information, an aspect of memory that can be dissociated from traditional measures of recollection frequency and familiarity. Neuroimaging and brain damage studies further indicate that this monitoring process relies on prefrontal regions that coordinate memory retrieval. This research helps explain why older adults are sometimes more susceptible to false recollection. More generally, this research highlights the importance of different kinds of recollected events and corresponding retrieval expectations in determining memory accuracy.\n\nGallo, D. A., & Wheeler, M. E. (2013). Episodic memory. In D. Reisberg (Ed). Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Psychology (pp. 189-205). New York: Oxford University Press.\n\nAbstract: This chapter provides a brief overview of episodic memory, or the ability to consciously recall events from one’s personal past. The historical context of this concept is sketched, as well as its relationship to other kinds of memory. Defining characteristics are then outlined, including its role in consciousness and sense of self, the dynamics of encoding and retrieval, and the phenomena of amnesia, forgetting, and false memories. Recollection is described as being cue dependent, and it is argued that this principle can explain three major encoding factors that influence episodic retrieval (distinctiveness, depth, and organization). Finally, the major neural substrates are summarized, as well as the effects of development and aging. The chapter concludes with some far-reaching questions for future research.\n\nMcDonough, I. M., & Gallo, D. A. (2013). Impaired retrieval monitoring for past and future autobiographical events in older adults. Psychology & Aging, 28, 457-466.\n\nAbstract: Older adults are more likely than younger adults to confuse real and imagined events in episodic memory. This deficit may be attributed to a reduction in the specific features available for recollection (i.e., retrieval success) or to a deficit in the search and decision processes operating during recollection attempts (i.e., retrieval monitoring). The present experiments used a two-phase event-generation task to manipulate retrieval success and test for age-related deficits in retrieval monitoring. In the first phase, participants generated real autobiographical events from their past and imagined plausible future events in response to cue words. We used elaboration instructions to experimentally manipulate the amount of features associated with these generated events. In the second phase administered 24 hours later, we gave recollection tests that required participants to discriminate between these previously generated past and future events in memory. As predicted, the elaboration manipulation increased the amount of features that could be recollected in association with the generated events in both age groups (including cognitive operations in Experiment 1 and perceptual details in Experiment 2). However, older adults were more likely than younger adults to confuse past and future events in memory, and critically, elaboration did not minimize these age-related confusions. These findings imply that aging impairs the ability to accurately monitor retrieval for features that are characteristic of autobiographical events, above and beyond age-related impairments in the retrieval of the recollected information itself.\n\nMcDonough, I. M., Wong, J. T., & Gallo, D. A. (2013). Age-related differences in prefrontal cortex activity during retrieval monitoring: Testing the compensation and dysfunction accounts. Cerebral Cortex, 23, 1049-1060.\n\nAbstract: Current theories of cognitive aging emphasize that the prefrontal cortex might not only be a major source of dysfunction but also a source of compensation. We evaluated neural activity associated with retrieval monitoring—or the selection and evaluation of recollected information during memory retrieval—for evidence of dysfunction or compensation. Younger and older adults studied pictures and words and were subsequently given criterial recollection tests during event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging. Although memory accuracy was greater on the picture test than the word test in both groups, activity in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was associated with greater retrieval monitoring demands (word test > picture test) only in younger adults. Similarly, DLPFC activity was consistently associated with greater item difficulty (studied > nonstudied) only in younger adults. Older adults instead exhibited high levels of DLPFC activity for all of these conditions, and activity was greater than younger adults even when test performance was naturally matched across the groups (picture test). Correlations also differed between DLPFC activity and test performance across the groups. Collectively, these findings are more consistent with accounts of DLPFC dysfunction than compensation, suggesting that aging disrupts the otherwise beneficial coupling between DLPFC recruitment and retrieval monitoring demands.\n\nBallard, M. E., Gallo, D. A., & de Wit, H. (2012). Psychoactive drugs and false memory: Comparison of dextroamphetamine and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on false recognition. Psychopharmacology, 219, 15-24.\n\n\nRationale: Several psychoactive drugs are known to influence episodic memory. However, these drugs’ effects on false memory, or the tendency to incorrectly remember nonstudied information, remain poorly understood. Objectives Here, we examined the effects of two commonly used psychoactive drugs, one with memory-enhancing properties (dextroamphetamine; AMP), and another with memory-impairing properties (Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol; THC), on false memory using the Deese/Roediger–McDermott (DRM) illusion.\n\nMethods: Two parallel studies were conducted in which healthy volunteers received either AMP (0, 10, and 20 mg) or THC (0, 7.5, and 15 mg) in within-subjects, randomized, double-blind designs. Participants studied DRM word lists under the influence of the drugs, and their recognition memory for the studied words was tested 2 days later, under sober conditions.\n\nResults:As expected, AMP increased memory of studied words relative to placebo, and THC reduced memory of studied words. Although neither drug significantly affected false memory relative to placebo, AMP increased false memory relative to THC. Across participants, both drugs’ effects on true memory were positively correlated with their effects on false memory.\n\nConclusions: Our results indicate that AMP and THC have opposing effects on true memory, and these effects appear to correspond to similar, albeit more subtle, effects on false memory. These findings are consistent with previous research using the DRM illusion and provide further evidence that psychoactive drugs can affect the encoding processes that ultimately result in the creation of false memories.\n\nGallo, D. A., Cramer, S. J., Wong, J. T., & Bennett, D. A. (2012). Alzheimer’s disease can spare local metacognition despite global anosognosia: Revisiting the confidence accuracy relationship in episodic memory. Neuropsychologia, 50, 2356-2364.\n\nAbstracts: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can impair metacognition in addition to more basic cognitive functions like memory. However, while global metacognitive inaccuracies are well documented (i.e., low deficit awareness, or anosognosia), the evidence is mixed regarding the effects of AD on local or task-based metacognitive judgments. Here we investigated local metacognition with respect to the confidence– accuracy relationship in episodic memory (i.e., metamemory). AD and control participants studied pictures of common objects and their verbal labels, and then took forced-choice picture recollection tests using the verbal labels as retrieval cues. We found that item-based confidence judgments discriminated between accurate and inaccurate recollection responses in both groups, implicating relatively spared metamemory in AD. By contrast, there was evidence for global metacognitive deficiencies, as AD participants underestimated the severity of their everyday problems compared to an informant’s assessment. Within the AD group, individual differences in global metacognition were related to recollection accuracy, and global metacognition for everyday memory problems was related to task-based metacognitive accuracy. These findings suggest that AD can spare the confidence– accuracy relationship in recollection tasks, and that global and local metacognition measures tap overlapping neuropsychological processes.\n\nMcDonough, I. M., & Gallo, D. A. (2012). Illusory expectations can affect retrieval monitoring accuracy. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition, 38, 391-404.\n\nThe present study investigated how expectations, even when illusory, can affect the accuracy of memory decisions. Participants studied words presented in large or small font for subsequent memory tests. Replicating prior work, judgments of learning indicated that participants expected to remember large words better than small words, even though memory for these words was equivalent on a standard test of recognition memory and subjective judgments. Critically, we also included tests that instructed participants to selectively search memory for either large or small words, thereby allowing different memorial expectations to contribute to performance. On these tests we found reduced false recognition when searching memory for large words relative to small words, such that the size illusion paradoxically affected accuracy measures (d\u0001 scores) in the absence of actual memory differences. Additional evidence for the role of illusory expectations was that (a) the accuracy effect was obtained only when participants searched memory for the aspect of the stimuli corresponding to illusory expectations (size instead of color) and (b) the accuracy effect was eliminated on a forced-choice test that prevented the influence of memorial expectations. These findings demonstrate the critical role of memorial expectations in the retrieval-monitoring process.\n\nWong, J. T., Cramer, S. J., & Gallo, D. A. (2012). Age-related reduction of the confidence-accuracy relationship in episodic memory: Effects of recollection quality and retrieval monitoring. Psychology & Aging, 27, 1053-1065.\n\nAbstracts: We investigated age-related reductions in episodic metamemory accuracy. Participants studied pictures and words in different colors and then took forced-choice recollection tests. These tests required recollection of the earlier presentation color, holding familiarity of the response options constant. Metamemory accuracy was assessed for each participant by comparing recollection test accuracy with corresponding confidence judgments. We found that recollection test accuracy was greater in younger than older adults and also for pictures than font color. Metamemory accuracy tracked each of these recollection differences, as well as individual differences in recollection test accuracy within each age group, suggesting that recollection ability affects metamemory accuracy. Critically, the age-related impairment in metamemory accuracy persisted even when the groups were matched on recollection test accuracy, suggesting that metamemory declines were not entirely due to differences in recollection frequency or quantity, but that differences in recollection quality and/or monitoring also played a role. We also found that age-related impairments in recollection and metamemory accuracy were equivalent for pictures and font colors. This result contrasted with previous false recognition findings, which predicted that older adults would be differentially impaired when monitoring memory for less distinctive memories. These and other results suggest that age-related reductions in metamemory accuracy are not entirely attributable to false recognition effects, but also depend heavily on deficient recollection and/or monitoring of specific details associated with studied stimuli.\n\nGallo, D. A., Korthauer, L. E., McDonough, I. M., Teshale, S., & Johnson, E. L. (2011). Age-related positivity effects and autobiographical memory detail: Evidence from a past/future source memory task. Memory, 19, 641-652.\n\nAbstract: This study investigated whether the age-related positivity effect strengthens specific event details in autobiographical memory. Participants retrieved past events or imagined future events in response to neutral or emotional cue words. Older adults rated each kind of event more positively than younger adults, demonstrating an age-related positivity effect. We next administered a source memory test. Participants were given the same cue words and tried to retrieve the previously generated event and its source (past or future). Accuracy on this source test should depend on the recollection of specific details about the earlier generated events, providing a more objective measure of those details than subjective ratings. We found that source accuracy was greater for positive than negative future events in both age groups, suggesting that positive future events were more detailed. In contrast, valence did not affect source accuracy for past events in either age group, suggesting that positive and negative past events were equally detailed. Although ageing can bias people to focus on positive aspects of experience, this bias does not appear to strengthen the availability of details for positive relative to negative past events.\n\nPierce, B. H., & Gallo, D. A. (2011). Encoding modality can affect memory accuracy via retrieval orientation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition, 37, 516-521.\n\nAbstract: Research indicates that false memory is lower following visual than auditory study, potentially because visual information is more distinctive. In the present study we tested the extent to which retrieval orientation can cause a modality effect on memory accuracy. Participants studied unrelated words in different modalities, followed by criterial recollection tests that selectively oriented retrieval toward one study modality at a time. Memory errors were lower when oriented toward visual than toward auditory information, thereby generalizing the modality effect to an explicit source memory task. Moreover, these effects persisted independent of the test presentation modality, indicating that retrieval orientation overrode the potential cuing properties of the test stimulus. An independent manipulation check confirmed that visual recollections were subjectively experienced as more distinctive than auditory recollections. These results suggest that retrieval orientation is sufficient to cause a modality effect on memory accuracy by focusing monitoring processes on the recollection of studied features that are diagnostic of prior presentation.\n\nScimeca, J. M., McDonough, I. M., & Gallo, D. A. (2011). Quality trumps quantity at reducing memory errors: Implications for retrieval monitoring and mirror effects. Journal of Memory and Language, 65, 363-377.\n\n\nGallo, D. A. (2010). False memories and fantastic beliefs: 15 years of the DRM illusion. Memory & Cognition, 37, 833-848.\n\nAbstract: This article reviews research using the Deese/Roediger–McDermott (DRM) associative memory illusion, whereby people falsely remember words that were not presented. This illusion has broadly influenced basic theories of memory in cognitive psychology and neuroscience and naturally raises the question as to how these theories apply to more complex autobiographical memories. Some applicability is evident from research linking individual differences in the DRM illusion to false autobiographical memories (e.g., misremembering public events) and fantastic autobiographical beliefs (e.g., memories from past lives). But which aspects generalize? Here it is argued that a process-oriented approach is needed in order to answer this question. Many productive years of DRM research indicate that multiple and often opposing psychological processes cause even the most basic false memories. In light of these discoveries, more researchers need to use methods that isolate these component processes if the goal is to understand false memories both in the lab and in life.\n\n*Won article of the year for the journal.\n\nGallo, D. A., Foster, K. T., Wong, J. T., & Bennett, D. A. (2010). False recollection of emotional pictures in Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychologia, 48, 3614-3618.\n\nAbstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) can reduce the effects of emotional content on memory for studied pictures, but less is known about false memory. In healthy adults, emotionally arousing pictures can be more susceptible to false memory effects than neutral pictures, potentially because emotional pictures share conceptual similarities that cause memory confusions. We investigated these effects in AD patients and healthy controls. Participants studied pictures and their verbal labels, and then picture recollection was tested using verbal labels as retrieval cues. Some of the test labels had been associated with a picture at study, whereas other had not. On this picture recollection test, we found that both AD patients and controls incorrectly endorsed some of the test labels that had not been studied with pictures. These errors were associated with medium to high levels of confidence, indicating some degree of false recollection. Critically, these false recollection judgments were greater for emotional compared to neutral items, especially for positively valenced items, in both AD patients and controls. Dysfunction of the amygdala and hippocampus in early AD may impair recollection, but AD did not disrupt the effect of emotion on false recollection judgments.\n\nGallo, D. A., McDonough, I. M., & Scimeca, J. (2010). Dissociating source memory decisions in prefrontal cortex: fMRI of diagnostic and disqualifying monitoring. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22, 955-969.\n\nAbstract: We used event-related fMRI to study two types of retrieval monitoring that regulate episodic memory accuracy: diagnostic and disqualifying monitoring. Diagnostic monitoring relies on expectations, whereby the failure to retrieve expected recollections prevents source memory misattributions (sometimes called the distinctiveness heuristic). Disqualifying monitoring relies on corroborative evidence, whereby the successful recollection of accurate source information prevents misattribution to an alternative source (sometimes called recall to reject). Using criterial recollection tests, we found that orienting retrieval toward distinctive recollections (colored pictures) reduced source memory misattributions compared with a control test in which retrieval was oriented toward less distinctive recollections (colored font). However, the corresponding neural activity depended on the type of monitoring engaged on these tests. Rejecting items based on the absence of picture recollections (i.e., the distinctiveness heuristic) decreased activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex relative to the control test, whereas rejecting items based on successful picture recollections (i.e., a recall-toreject strategy) increased activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. There also was some evidence that these effects were differentially lateralized. This study provides the first neuroimaging comparison of these two recollection-based monitoring processes and advances theories of prefrontal involvement inmemory retrieval.\n\nMcDonough, I. M., & Gallo, D. A. (2010). Separating past and future autobiographical events in memory: Evidence for a reality monitoring asymmetry. Memory & Cognition,38, 3-12.\n\nAfter thinking about the past and imagining the future, how do people separate these real and imagined events in memory? We had subjects engage in past and future autobiographical elaboration, then later take memory tests that required them to recollect these earlier generated events. In Experiment 1, testing memory for previously generated past or future autobiographical events led to fewer source memory confusions than did an elaborative control task, suggesting that the distinctive features of autobiographical elaboration improved subsequent retrieval monitoring accuracy. In Experiment 2, we directly compared retrieval monitoring accuracy for previously generated past and future autobiographical events and found that subjects made fewer source confusions when searching memory for future events. This asymmetry suggests that the features characterizing future elaborations (e.g., cognitive operations) were used more effectively during reality monitoring than were the features characterizing past elaborations (e.g., perceptual details), and has implications for future-oriented theories of memory.\n\nWheeler, M. E., & Gallo, D. A. (2010). Episodic memory. In I. B. Weiner & W. E. Craighead (Eds.) The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology, 4th Ed (pp. 588-590).Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.\n\nAbstracts: When we think back to a past experience, such as a childhood birthday party, we can bring to mind faces of people in attendance, the appearance and location of the event, the sounds of voices or music, and our mood and thoughts. This contextually rich form of retrieval is the basis for episodic memory. As defined by Endel Tulving (1983), an episodic memory contains three critical elements that delineate it from other forms of memory. The first is that the memories are embedded in a spatiotemporal context in which some aspects of the location and timing of the event are available to consciousness. The second is that they are personal memories associated with a distinct impression of self-involvement. The third is that they are accompanied by a subjective awareness of remembering in which sights, sounds, and other experiences are replayed in the present moment.\n\nFenn, K. M., Gallo, D. A., Margoliash, D., Roediger, H. L., III, & Nusbaum, H. C. (2009). Reduced false memory after sleep. Learning & Memory, 16, 509-513.\n\nAbstract: Several studies have shown that sleep contributes to the successful maintenance of previously encoded information. This research has focused exclusively on memory for studied events, as opposed to false memories. Here we report three experiments showing that sleep reduces false memories in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) memory illusion. False recognition of nonstudied words was reduced after sleep, relative to an equal retention interval of wakefulness, with no change in correct recognition of studied words. These experiments are the first to show that false memories can be reduced following sleep, and they extend the benefits of sleep to include increased accuracy of episodic memory.\n\nGallo, D. A., Foster, K. T., & Johnson, E. L. (2009). Elevated false recollection of emotional pictures in younger and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 24, 981-988.\n\nAbstract: Current theories predict opposing effects of emotionally arousing information on false memory. If emotion enhances true recollection, then false recollection might be lower for emotional than for neutral pictures. However, if emotion enhances conceptual relatedness, then false recollection might increase for nonstudied but emotionally related pictures. We contrasted these 2 factors in young and older adults, using the International Affective Pictures Systems set (Lang, Bradley, & Cuthbert, 2005). Although both age groups used recollection in our task, false recollection was greatest for emotional pictures, supporting a conceptual relatedness account. Finally, even after accuracy differences were controlled, age was related to high-confidence false recollection of emotional pictures.\n\n\nAbstract: Are elevated rates of false recall and recognition in the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) paradigm associated with false autobiographical memories in everyday life? To investigate this issue, the authors recruited participants who reported improbable memories of past lives and compared their DRM performance with that of control participants who reported having lived only one life (i.e., their current one). Relative to control participants, those reporting memories of past lives exhibited significantly higher false recall and recognition rates in the DRM paradigm, and they scored higher on measures of magical ideation and absorption as well. The groups did not differ on correct recall, recognition, or intelligence. False memory propensity in the DRM paradigm may tap proneness for developing false memories outside the laboratory.\n\nYang, S., Gallo, D. A., & Beilock, S. L. (2009). Embodied memory judgments: A case for motor fluency. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition, 35, 1359-1365.\n\nAbstract: It is well known that perceptual and conceptual fluency can influence episodic memory judgments. Here, the authors asked whether fluency arising from the motor system also impacts recognition memory. Past research has shown that the perception of letters automatically activates motor programs of typing actions in skilled typists. In this study, expert typists made more false recognition errors to letter dyads which would be easier or more fluent to type than nonfluent dyads, while no typing action was involved (Experiment 1). This effect was minimized with a secondary motor task that implicated the same fingers that would be used to type the presented dyads, but this effect remained with a noninterfering motor task (Experiment 2). Typing novices, as a comparison group, did not show fluency effects in recognition memory. These findings suggest that memory is influenced by covert simulation of actions associated with the items being judged—even when there is no intention to act—and highlight the intimate connections between higher level cognition and action.\n\nCotel, S. C., Gallo, D. A., & Seamon, J. G. (2008). Evidence that nonconscious processes are sufficient to produce false memories. Consciousness & Cognition, 17, 210-218.\n\nAbstracts: Are nonconscious processes sufficient to cause false memories of a nonstudied event? To investigate this issue, we controlled and measured conscious processing in the DRM task, in which studying associates (e.g., bed, rest, awake…) causes false memories of nonstudied associates (e.g., sleep). During the study phase, subjects studied visually masked associates at extremely rapid rates, followed by immediate recall. After this initial phase, nonstudied test words were rapidly presented for perceptual identification, followed by recognition memory judgments. On the perceptual identification task, we found significant priming of nonstudied associates, relative to control words. We also found significant false recognition of these nonstudied associates, even when subjects did not recall this word at study or identify it at test, indicating that nonconscious processes can cause false recognition. These recognition effects were found immediately after studying each list of associates, but not on a delayed test that occurred after the presentation of several intervening lists. Nonconscious processes are sufficient to cause this memory illusion on immediate tests, but may be insufficient for more vivid and lasting false memories.\n\nMcDonough, I. M., & Gallo, D. A. (2008). Autobiographical elaboration reduces false recognition: Cognitive operations and the distinctiveness heuristic. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition, 34, 1430-1445.\n\nAbstract: Retrieval monitoring enhances episodic memory accuracy. For instance, false recognition is reduced when subjects base their decisions on more distinctive recollections, a retrieval monitoring process called the distinctiveness heuristic. We tested the hypothesis that autobiographical elaboration during study (i.e., generating autobiographical memories in response to cue words) would lead to more distinctive recollections than other item-specific encoding tasks, enhancing retrieval monitoring accuracy at test. Consistent with this hypothesis, false recognition was less likely when subjects had to search their memory for previous autobiographical elaborations, compared to previous semantic judgments. These false recognition effects were dissociated from true recognition effects across four experiments, implicating a recollection-based monitoring process that was independent from familiarity-based processes. Separately obtained subjective measures provided converging evidence for this conclusion. The cognitive operations engaged during autobiographical elaboration can lead to distinctive recollections, making them less prone to memory distortion than other types of deep or semantic encoding.\n\nGallo, D. A., Meadow, N. G., Johnson, E. L., & Foster, K. T. (2008). Deep levels of processing elicit a distinctiveness heuristic: Evidence from the criterial recollection task. Journal of Memory and Language, 58, 1095-1111.\n\nAbstract: Thinking about the meaning of studied words (deep processing) enhances memory on typical recognition tests, relative to focusing on perceptual features (shallow processing). One explanation for this levels-of-processing effect is that deep processing leads to the encoding of more distinctive representations (i.e., more unique semantic or conceptual features that can be recollected to differentiate the words). This recollective distinctiveness hypothesis predicts that deep processing should reduce false recognition errors, because expecting more distinctive recollections can facilitate retrieval monitoring accuracy (i.e., a distinctiveness heuristic). We report several experiments confirming this prediction, while ruling out explanations based on familiarity or overall memory strength. Additional support for the distinctiveness hypothesis was that a manipulation designed to selectively enhance the distinctiveness of words in the shallow condition eliminated the levels-of-processing effect on false recognition. These findings suggest that conceptual processing can elicit the distinctiveness heuristic, and that recollective distinctiveness drives levels-of-processing effects.\n\nGallo, D. A., Perlmutter, D. H., Moore, C. D., & Schacter, D. L. (2008). Distinctive encoding reduces the Jacoby-Whitehouse illusion. Memory & Cognition, 36, 461-466.\n\nAbstract: We investigated the influence of distinctive encoding on the Jacoby and Whitehouse (1989) illusion. Subjects studied visually presented words that were associated with either an auditory presentation of the same word (nondistinctive encoding) or a picture of the object (distinctive encoding). In both conditions, words were visually presented on the recognition test, and half were preceded by brief repetition primes. Priming test items increased hits and false alarms in the auditory condition, demonstrating the Jacoby-Whitehouse illusion. This illusion was reduced in the picture condition. In order to test whether this distinctiveness effect was caused by a recollection-based response strategy (i.e., the distinctiveness heuristic), we minimized recollection-based responding by having subjects make speeded recognition decisions. Contrary to the distinctiveness heuristic hypothesis, speeded responding did not eliminate the distinctiveness effect on the Jacoby-Whitehouse illusion. Picture encoding may reduce this illusion via a shift in preretrieval orientation, as opposed to a postretrieval editing process.\n\nWiseman, A. L., Schacter, D. L., & Budson, A. E. (2007). Retrieval monitoring and anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from the criterial recollection task. Neuropsychology, 21, 559-568.\n\nAbstract: This study explored the relationship between episodic memory and anosognosia (a lack of deficit awareness) among patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants studied words and pictures for subsequent memory tests. Healthy older adults made fewer false recognition errors when trying to remember pictures compared with words, suggesting that the perceptual distinctiveness of picture memories enhanced retrieval monitoring (the distinctiveness heuristic). In contrast, although participants with AD could discriminate between studied and nonstudied items, they had difficulty recollecting the specific presentation formats (words or pictures), and they had limited use of the distinctiveness heuristic. Critically, the demands of the memory test modulated the relationship between memory accuracy and anosognosia. Greater anosognosia was associated with impaired memory accuracy when participants with AD tried to remember words but not when they tried to remember pictures. These data further delineate the retrieval monitoring difficulties among individuals with AD and suggest that anosognosia measures are most likely to correlate with memory tests that require the effortful retrieval of nondistinctive information.\n\n*Figure chosen for the APA Publication Manual (6th Ed.)\n\nGallo, D. A., Cotel, S. C., Moore, C. D., & Schacter, D. L. (2007). Aging can spare recollection-based retrieval monitoring: The importance of event distinctiveness. Psychology & Aging, 22, 209-213.\n\nAbstract: The authors investigated two retrieval-monitoring processes. Subjects studied red words and pictures and then decided whether test words had been studied in red font (red word test) or as pictures (picture test). Memory confusions were lower on the picture test than on the red word test, implicating a distinctiveness heuristic. Memory confusions also were lower when study formats were mutually exclusive (the same item was never studied as both a red word and a picture), compared with a nonexclusive condition, implicating a recall-to-reject process. When the to-be-recollected events were pictures, older adults used each monitoring strategy as effectively as did younger adults.\n\nHwang, D. Y., Gallo, D. A., Ally, B. A., Black, P. M., Schacter, D. L., & Budson, A. E. (2007). Diagnostic monitoring of memory retrieval in patients with frontal lobe lesions: Further exploration of the distinctiveness heuristic. Neuropsychologia, 45, 2543-2552.\n\nAbstract: The distinctiveness heuristic is a diagnostic monitoring strategy whereby a subject expects a vivid recollection if a test item has been seen during the study session; the absence of a vivid recollection suggests the test item is novel. Consistent with the hypothesis that memory monitoring is dependent upon the frontal lobes, previous work using a repetition-lag paradigm found that patients with frontal lobe lesions were unable to use the distinctiveness heuristic. Evidence from recent neuroimaging studies, however, has suggested that use of the distinctiveness heuristic decreases the need for frontal processing. The present study used the criterial recollection task to revisit the question of whether patients with frontal lobe lesions are able to use a distinctiveness heuristic. Subjects studied black words paired with the same word in red font, a corresponding picture of the word, or both. They then took three memory tests designed to elicit false recognition of presented items. Both frontal lesion patients and matched control subjects showed intact ability to use the distinctiveness heuristic to reduce false recognition when tested on whether items were previously presented as pictures compared to red words. This use of the distinctiveness heuristic is evidence that patients with frontal lesions can use certain diagnostic monitoring strategies during recognition memory tasks when given guidance in coordinating their decision-making processes. This result suggests that the frontal lobes are necessary for self-initiation of this strategy during recognition memory tasks.\n\nSchacter, D. L., Gallo, D. A., & Kensinger, E. A. (2007). The cognitive neuroscience of implicit and false memories: Perspectives on processing specificity. In J. S. Nairne (Ed.), The Foundations of Remembering: Essays in Honor of Henry L. Roediger, III (pp. 353-377). New York: Psychology Press.\nGallo, D. A., Bell, D. M., Beier, J. S., & Schacter, D. L. (2006). Two types of recollection-based monitoring in younger and older adults: Recall-to-reject and the distinctiveness heuristic. Memory, 14, 730-741.\n\nAbstract: People often use recollection to avoid false memories. At least two types of recollection-based monitoring processes can be identified in the literature. Recall-to-reject is based on the recall of logically inconsistent information (which disqualifies the false event from having occurred), whereas the distinctiveness heuristic is based on the failure to recall to-be-expected information (which is diagnostic of non-occurrence). We attempted to investigate these hypothetical monitoring processes in a single task, as a first step at delineating the functional relationship between them. By design, participants could reject familiar lures by (1) recalling them from a to-be-excluded list (recall-to-reject) or (2) realising the absence of expected picture recollections (the distinctiveness heuristic). Both manipulations reduced false recognition in young adults, suggesting that these two types of monitoring were deployed on the same test. In contrast, older adults had limited success in reducing false recognition with either manipulation, indicating deficits in recollection-based monitoring processes. Depending on how a retrieval task is structured, attempts to use one monitoring process might interfere with another, especially in older adults.\n\nGallo, D. A., Kensinger, E. A., & Schacter, D. L. (2006). Prefrontal activity and diagnostic monitoring of memory retrieval: fMRI of the criterial recollection task. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 18, 135-148.\nAbstract: According to the distinctiveness heuristic, subjects rely more on detailed recollections (and less on familiarity) when memory is tested for pictures relative to words, leading to reduced false recognition. If so, then neural regions that have been implicated in effortful postretrieval monitoring (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) might be recruited less heavily when trying to remember pictures. We tested this prediction with the criterial recollection task. Subjects studied black words, paired with either the same word in red font or a corresponding colored picture. Red words were repeated at study to equate recognition hits for red words and pictures. During fMRI scanning, alternating red word memory tests and picture memory tests were given, using only white words as test stimuli (say “yes” only if you recollect a corresponding red word or picture, respectively). These tests were designed so that subjects had to rely on memory for the criterial information. Replicating prior behavioral work, we found enhanced rejection of lures on the picture test compared to the red word test, indicating that subjects had used a distinctiveness heuristic. Critically, dorsolateral prefrontal activity was reduced when rejecting familiar lures on the picture test, relative to the red word test. These findings indicate that reducing false recognition via the distinctiveness heuristic is not heavily dependent on frontally mediated postretrieval monitoring processes.\nGallo, D. A., Shahid, K. R., Olson, M. A., Solomon, T. M., Schacter, D. L., & Budson, A. E. (2006). Overdependence on degraded gist memory in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychology, 20, 625-632.\n\nAbstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) reduces associative effects on false recognition in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott task, either due to impaired memory for gist or impaired use of gist in memory decisions. Gist processes were manipulated by blocking or mixing studied words according to their associations and by varying the associative strength between studied and nonstudied words at test. Both associative blocking and associative strength had smaller effects on false recognition in AD patients than in control participants, consistent with gist memory impairments. However, unlike the case with control participants, blocking influenced true and false recognition equally in AD patients, demonstrating an overdependence on gist when making memory decisions. AD also impaired item-specific recollections, relative to control participants, as true recognition of studied words was reduced even when the two groups were equated on gist-based false recognition. We propose that the overdependence on degraded gist memory in AD is caused by even larger impairments in item-specific recollections.\n\nChan, J. K. C., McDermott, K. B., Watson, J. M., & Gallo, D. A. (2005). The importance of material-processing interactions in inducing false memories. Memory & Cognition, 33, 389-395.\n\nAbstract: Deep encoding, relative to shallow encoding, has been shown to increase the probability of false memories in the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm (Thapar & McDermott, 2001; Toglia, Neuschatz, & Goodwin, 1999). In two experiments, we showed important limitations on the generalizability of this phenomenon; these limitations are clearly predicted by existing theories regarding the mechanisms underlying such false memories (e.g., Roediger, Watson, McDermott, & Gallo, 2001). Specifically, asking subjects to attend to phonological relations among lists of phonologically associated words (e.g., weep, steep, etc.) increased the likelihood of false recall (Experiment 1) and false recognition (Experiment 2) of a related, nonpresented associate (e.g., sleep), relative to a condition in which subjects attended to meaningful relations among the words. These findings occurred along with a replication of prior findings (i. e., a semantic encoding task, relative to a phonological encoding task, enhanced the likelihood of false memory arising from a list of semantically associated words), and they place important constraints on theoretical explanations of false memory.\n\nPierce, B. H., Gallo, D. A., Weiss, J. A., & Schacter, D. L. (2005). The modality effect in false recognition: Evidence for test-based monitoring. Memory & Cognition, 33, 1407-1413.\n\nAbstract: False recognition in the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm has been shown to be greater following auditory study than following visual study, but there are competing explanations for this effect. We generalized this phenomenon in Experiment 1, finding an equivalent modality effect for associative (DRM) lists and categorized lists. Because conscious generation and subsequent monitoring of related lures during study is infrequent for categorized lists, this result is inconsistent with the idea that the modality effect is due to a study-based monitoring process. An alternative explanation is that visual study impairs relational processing relative to auditory study, which could cause a modality effect by lowering false recognition of related lures. We tested this idea in Experiment 2, by switching to a meaning-based test that is sensitive only to the retrieval of relational information. A modality effect was not obtained for either type of list on this test. The results from both experiments were predicted by a test-based monitoring account, rather than by the study-based monitoring or relational processing accounts.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, & Gallo, D. A. (2005). Associative memory illusions. In R. F. Pohl (Ed.), Cognitive Illusions: A Handbook on Fallacies and Biases in Thinking, Judgment and Memory (pp. 309-326). New York: Psychology Press.\n\nNo abstract available.\n\nGallo, D. A. (2004). Using recall to reduce false recognition: Diagnostic and disqualifying monitoring. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 30, 120-128.\n\nAbstract: Whether recall of studied words (e.g., parsley, rosemary, thyme) could reduce false recognition of related lures (e.g., basil) was investigated. Subjects studied words from several categories for a final recognition memory test. Half of the subjects were given standard test instructions, and half were instructed to use recall to reduce false recognition. Manipulation checks indicated that the latter instructions did elicit a recall-to-reject strategy. However, false recognition was selectively reduced only when all the words from a category could be recalled (Experiment 1). When longer categories were used, thereby minimizing exhaustive recall, a recall-to-reject strategy was ineffective at reducing false recognition (Experiment 2). It is suggested that exhaustively recalling a category allowed subjects to disqualify the lure as having occurred, analogous to recall-to-reject demonstrations in other tasks. In contrast, partially recalling a category did not help to diagnose the lure as nonstudied.These findings constrain theories of recall-based monitoring processes.\n\nGallo, D. A., & Seamon, J. G. (2004). Are nonconscious processes sufficient to produce false memories? Consciousness & Cognition, 13, 158-168.\n\nAbstract: Seamon, Luo, and Gallo (1998) reported evidence that nonconscious processes could produce false recognition in a converging-associates task, whereby subjects falsely remember a nonstudied lure (e.g., sleep) after studying a list of related words (bed, rest, awake…). Zeelenberg, Plomp, and Raaijmakers (see record 2003-07789-006; 2003) failed to observe this false recognition effect when list word recognition was at chance. We critically evaluate the evidence for nonsconscious processing and report the results of a new experiment designed to overcome previous methodological limitations. Consistent with Seamon et al., we found that conscious activation of a related lure during study was not necessary for its subsequent recognition; consistent with Zeelenberg et al., we found no evidence for recognition of related lures under conditions where there was no memory for studied words. It is currently unknown whether conscious recollection of the studied items is necessary for false recognition or if nonconscious activation of the lure is sufficient.\n\nGallo, D. A., Sullivan, A. L., Daffner, K. R., Schacter, D. L., & Budson, A. E. (2004). Associative recognition in Alzheimer's disease: Evidence for impaired recall-to-reject. Neuropsychology, 18, 556-563.\n\nAbstract: Patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were compared with age-matched control subjects on an associative recognition task. Subjects studied pairs of unrelated words and were later asked to distinguish between these same studied pairs (intact) and new pairs that contained either rearranged studied words (rearranged) or nonstudied words (nonstudied). Studied pairs were presented either once or 3 times. Repetition increased hits to intact pairs in both groups, but repetition increased false alarms to rearranged pairs only in patients. This latter pattern indicates that repetition increased familiarity of the rearranged pairs, but only the control subjects were able to counter this familiarity by recalling the originally studied pairs (a recall-to-reject process). AD impaired this recall-to-reject process, leading to more familiarity- based false alarms. These data support the idea that recollection-based monitoring processes are impaired in mild AD.\n\nGallo, D. A., Weiss, J. A., & Schacter, D. L. (2004). Reducing false recognition with criterial recollection tests: Distinctiveness heuristic versus criterion shifts. Journal of Memory & Language, 51, 473-493.\n\nAbstract: We devised criterial recollection tests to investigate why testing memory for pictures elicits lower false recognition than testing memory for words. Subjects studied unrelated black words paired either with the same word in red font, a corresponding picture, or both. They then took three memory tests, always using black words: a recognition test (say “yes” to all studied items), a red word-test, and a picture-test (say “yes” only if you recollect a red word or a picture, respectively). Regardless of whether pictures were more or less familiar than red words, false recognition was lowest on the picture test. These results cannot be explained easily by familiarity or strength-based criterion shifts. Instead, they suggest that subjects expected more detailed recollections for pictures, thereby facilitating a diagnostic monitoring process (the “distinctiveness heuristic”). This recollective difference also influenced source monitoring errors (an “ithad- to-be-a-word” effect), again suggesting that detailed recollective expectations influence monitoring processes.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, McDermott, K. B., Pisoni, D. B., & Gallo, D. A. (2004). Illusory recollection of voices. Memory, 12, 586-602.\n\nWe investigated source misattributions in the DRM false memory paradigm (Deese, 1959, Roediger & McDermott, 1995). Subjects studied words in one of two voices, manipulated between-lists (pure-voice lists) or within-list (mixed-voice lists), and were subsequently given a recognition test with voice-attribution judgments. Experiments 1 and 2 used visual tests. With pure-voice lists (Experiment 1), subjects frequently attributed related lures to the corresponding study voice, despite having the option to not respond. Further, these erroneous attributions remained high with mixed-voice lists (Experiment 2). Thus, even when their related lists were not associated with a particular voice, subjects misattributed the lures to one of the voices. Attributions for studied items were fairly accurate in both cases. Experiments 3 and 4 used auditory tests. With pure-voice lists (Experiment 3), subjects frequently attributed related lures and studied items to the corresponding study voice, regardless of the test voice. In contrast, with mixed-voice lists (Experiment 4), subjects frequently attributed related lures and studied items to the corresponding test voice, regardless of the study voice. These findings indicate that source attributions can be sensitive to voice information provided either at study or at test, even though this information is irrelevant for related lures.\n\nGallo, D. A., & Roediger, H. L., III. (2003). The effects of associations and aging on illusory recollection. Memory & Cognition, 31, 1036-1044.\n\nAbstract: Younger and older adults (mean years = 20.5 and 75) studied lists of associated words for a final recognition test. The length (5,10, or 15 associates) and modality (auditory or visual) of study lists were manipulated within subjects. For both groups, increasing the number of associates increased illusory recollections of a related lure’s presentation (measured by source judgments and the Memory Characteristics Questionnaire). This pattern suggests that associative activation of the lure influenced illusory recollection, and aging spared this process. In contrast, age impaired the recollection of source for studied words (auditory or visual) and had identical effects on source attributions for related lures. This pattern suggests that the true recollection of source influenced illusory recollection of source, and age impaired this process. To account for these and other results, we propose that associative activation drives an attribution process that binds subjectively detailed features to a false memory.\n\nPilotti, M., Meade, M. L., & Gallo, D. A. (2003). Implicit and explicit measures of memory for perceptual information in young adults, healthy older adults, and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Experimental Aging Research, 29, 15-32.\n\nAbstract: In this study, we examined how implicit and explicit memory for perceptual information (modality and voice) and lexical information varied across three subject groups: healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and age-matched older adults with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT). These groups exhibited cross-modality (abstract) priming of the same magnitude. However, young adults produced greater modality- and voice-specific priming than the other two groups, whose performance was equivalent, suggesting that aging, but not DAT, reduced form-specific priming. Young adults demonstrated better recognition memory than healthy older adults, who in turn exhibited better recognition memory than older adults with DAT. In young adults, recognition memory was also sensitive to perceptual information. These findings indicate that aging can affect implicit memory for perceptual information, whereas DAT magnifies the effect of aging on explicit memory.\n\nGallo, D. A., & Roediger, H. L., III. (2002). Variability among word lists in evoking memory illusions: Evidence for associative activation and monitoring. Journal of Memory & Language, 47, 469-497.\n\nAbstract: Associative lists created by the same means are remarkably different in their propensity to elicit false memories in the DRM (J. Deese, 1959; H. L. Roediger and K. B. McDermott, 1995) paradigm. The authors confirmed this variability in Experiment 1 (N = 80 undergraduate students) by constructing lists in the typical fashion but with words that were weakly associated to their critical words. Low levels of false recall occurred. In Experiment 2 (N = 90 undergraduate students) these results were replicated at three presentation rates. Also, slower presentation rates yielded lower false recall for both strong and weak lists. Experiment 3 (N = 90 undergraduate students) showed that false recognition rates also varied across lists, as did subjective ratings accompanying false recognition. The authors interpret these findings as supporting an activation/monitoring framework. Lists vary in a principled way in their tendency to activate the critical item, and slowing the presentation rate permits greater accrual of item-specific information that makes monitoring of retrieval more accurate.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, & Gallo, D. A. (2002). Levels of processing: Some unanswered questions. In M. Naveh-Benjamin, M. Moscovitch, and H. L. Roediger (Eds.), Perspectives on Human Memory and Cognitive Aging: Essays in Honour of Fergus Craik (pp. 28-47). Philadelphia: Psychology Press.\n\nNo abstract available.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, Gallo, D. A., and Geraci, L. (2002). Processing approaches to cognition: The impetus from the levels of processing framework. Memory, 10, 319-322.\n\nAbstract: Processing approaches to cognition have a long history, from act psychology to the present, but perhaps their greatest boost was given by the success and dominance of the levels-of-processing framework. We review the history of processing approaches, and explore the influence of the levels-of-processing approach, the procedural approach advocated by Paul Kolers, and the transfer-appropriate processing framework. Processing approaches emphasizes the procedures of mind and the idea that memory storage can be usefully conceptualized as residing in the same neural units that originally processed information at the time of encoding. Processing approaches emphasize the unity and interrelatedness of cognitive processes and maintain that they can be dissected into separate faculties only by neglecting the richness of mental life. We end by pointing to future directions for processing approaches.\n\nGallo, D. A., McDermott, K. B., Percer, J. M., & Roediger, H. L., III. (2001). Modality effects in false recall and false recognition. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 27, 339-353.\n\nAbstract: R. E. Smith and R. R. Hunt (1998) reported a dramatic reduction in false remembering in a list-learning paradigm by switching from auditory to visual presentation at study. The current authors replicated these modality effects in college students, using written recall and visual recognition tests but obtained smaller effects than those in Smith and Hunt’s study. In contrast, no modality effect occurred on auditory recognition tests. Manipulating study and test modality within-subjects (Experiment 2) and between-subjects (Experiment 3) yielded similar results. It was also found that subjectss frequently judged critical nonstudied words as having been presented in the modality of their corresponding study lists. The authors concluded that subjects could retrieve distinctive information about a study list’s presentation modality to reduce false remembering but only did so under certain conditions. The modality effect on false remembering is a function of both encoding and retrieval factors.\n\nGallo, D. A., Roediger, H. L., III, & McDermott, K. B. (2001). Associative false recognition occurs without liberal criterion shifts. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 8, 579-586.\n\nAbstract: In the DRM (Deese/Roediger and McDermott) false memory paradigm, 96 college students studied lists of words associated with nonpresented critical words. They were tested in one of four instructional conditions. In a standard condition, subjects were not warned about the DRM Effect. In three other conditions, they were told to avoid false recognition of critical words. One group was warned before study of the lists (affecting encoding and retrieval processes), and two groups were warned after study (affecting only retrieval processes). Replicating prior work, the warning before study considerably reduced false recognition. The warning after study also reduced false recognition, but only when critical items had never been studied; when critical items were studied in half the lists so that subjects had to monitor memory for their presence or absence, the warning after study had little effect on false recognition. Because warned subjects were trying to avoid false recognition, the high levels of false recognition in the latter condition cannot be due to strategically guessing that critical test items were studied. False memories in the DRM paradigm are not caused by such liberal criterion shifts.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, & Gallo, D. A. (2001). Processes affecting accuracy and distortion in memory: An overview. In M. L. Eisen, J. A. Quas, and G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Memory and Suggestibility in the Forensic Interview (pp. 3-28). London: Lawrence Erlbaum.\n\nNo abstract available.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, Watson, J. M., McDermott, K. B., & Gallo, D. A. (2001). Factors that determine false recall: A multiple regression analysis. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 8, 385-407.\n\nAbstract: In the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, Ss study lists of words that are designed to elicit the recall of an associatively related critical item. The 55 lists developed provided levels of false recall ranging from .01 to .65, and understanding this variability should provide a key to understanding this memory illusion. The authors assessed the contribution of seven factors in creating false recall of critical items in the DRM paradigm. This analysis accounted for approximately 68% of the variance in false recall, with two main predictors: associative connections from the study words to the critical item and recallability of the lists. Taken together, the variance in false recall captured by these predictors accounted for 84% of the variance that can be explained, given the reliability of the false recall measures. Therefore, the results of this analysis strongly constrain theories of false memory in this paradigm, suggesting that at least two factors determine the propensity of DRM lists to elicit false recall. The results fit well within the theoretical framework postulating that both semantic activation of the critical item and strategic monitoring processes influence the probability of false recall and false recognition in this paradigm.\n\nPilotti, M., Bergman, E. T., Gallo, D. A., Sommers, M., & Roediger, H. L., III. (2000). Direct comparison of auditory implicit memory tests. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 7, 347-353.\n\nAbstract: In this experiment, we examined the degree to which four implicit tests and two explicit tests, all involving auditory presentation, were sensitive to the perceptual characteristics of the stimuli presented during study. Presenting stimuli visually decreased priming in all the implicit memory tests, relative to auditory presentation. However, changing voice between study and test decreased priming only in the implicit memory tests requiring identification of words degraded by noise or by low-pass filtering, but not in those tests requiring generation from word portions (stems and fragments). Modality effects without voice effects were observed in cued recall, but the opposite pattern of results (voice effects without modality effects) was obtained in recognition. The primary new finding is the demonstration that auditory memory tests, both explicit and implicit, differ in their sensitivity to the perceptual information encoded during study.\n\nPilotti, M., Gallo, D. A., & Roediger, H. L., III. (2000). Effects of hearing words, imaging hearing words, and reading on auditory implicit and explicit memory tests. Memory & Cognition, 28, 1406-1418.\n\nAbstract:  In four experiments, we examined the degree to which imaging written words as spoken by a familiar talker differs from direct perception (hearing words spoken by that talker) and reading words (without imagery) on implicit and explicit tests. Subjects first performed a surface encoding task on spoken, imagined as spoken, or visually presented words, and then were given either an implicit test (perceptual identification or stem completion) or an explicit test (recognition or cued recall) involving auditorily presented words. Auditory presentation at study produced larger priming effects than did imaging or reading. Imaging and reading yielded priming effects of similar magnitude, whereas imaging produced lower performance than reading on the explicit test of cued recall. Voice changes between study and test weakened priming on the implicit tests, but did not affect performance on the explicit tests. Imagined voice changes affected priming only in the implicit task of stem completion. These findings show that the sensitivity of a memory test to perceptual information, either directly perceived or imagined, is an important dimension for dissociating incidental (implicit) and intentional (explicit) retrieval processes.\n\nRoediger, H. L., III, & Gallo, D. A. (2000). False memory. In A. G. Kazdin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Psychology (pp. 315-317). New York: Oxford University Press.\n\nNo abstract available.\n\nLuo, C. R., Johnson, R. A., & Gallo, D. A. (1998). Automatic activation of phonological information in reading: Evidence from the semantic relatedness decision task. Memory & Cognition, 26, 833-843.\n\nAbstract: A semantic relatedness decision task was used to investigate whether phonological recoding occurs automatically and whether it mediates lexical access in visual word recognition and reading. In this task, 82 Ss read a pair of words and decided whether they were related or unrelated in meaning. In Exp 1, unrelated word-homophone pairs (e.g., lion-bare) and their visual controls (e.g., lion-bean) as well as related word pairs (e.g., fish-net) were presented. Homophone pairs were more likely to be judged as related or more slowly rejected as unrelated than their control pairs, suggesting phonological access of word meanings. In Exp 2, word-pseudohomophone pairs (e.g., table-chare) and their visual controls (e.g., table-chark) as well as related and unrelated word pairs were presented. Pseudohomophone pairs were more likely to be judged as related or more slowly rejected as unrelated than their control pairs, again suggesting automatic phonological recoding in reading.\n\nSeamon, J. G., Luo, C. R., & Gallo, D. A. (1998). Creating false memories of words with or without recognition of list items: Evidence for nonconscious processes. Psychological Science, 9, 20-26.\n\nAbstract: Subjects exposed to lists of semantically related words falsely remember nonstudied words that are associated with the list items (e.g., Deese, 1959; Roediger & McDermott, 1995). To determine if subjects would demonstrate this false memory effect if they were unable to recognize the list items, we presented lists of semantically related words with or without a concurrent memory load at rates of 2 s, 250 ms, or 20 ms per word (Experiment 1, between-subjects design) and 2 s or 20 ms per word (Experiment 2, within-subjects design). We found that the subjects falsely recognized semantically related nonstudied words in all conditions, even when they were unable to discriminate studied words from unrelated nonstudied words. Recognition of list items was unnecessary for the occurrence of the false memory effect. This finding suggests that this memory illusion can be based on the nonconscious activation of semantic concepts during list presentation.\n\nGallo, D. A., Roberts, M. J., & Seamon, J. G. (1997). Remembering words not presented in lists: Can we avoid creating false memories? Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 4, 271-276.\n\nAbstract:  Can subjects avoid creating false memories as outlined in Roediger and McDermott’s (1995) false recognition paradigm if they are forewarned about this memory illusion? We presented subjects with semantically related word lists, followed by a recognition test. The test was composed of studied words, semantically related nonstudied words (critical lures), and unrelated nonstudied words. One group of subjects was uninformed about the false recognition effect, a second group was urged to minimize all false alarms, and a third group was forewarned about falsely recognizing critical lures. Compared with the uninformed and cautious subjects, the forewarned subjects reduced their false alarm rate for critical lures, and they made remember and know judgments equally often for recognized studied words and critical lures. But forewarning did not eliminate the false recognition effect, as these subjects and those in the other groups made numerous false recognitions in this task.\n\nSkip to toolbar", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9994459748268127}
{"content": "CEO Blog: Despite Setbacks, Congress Should Approve a U.S. Biogenerics Pathway\n\nWashington’s new political reality has left the fate of comprehensive healthcare reform uncertain, but there’s still plenty Congress and the Obama administration can do to improve the American healthcare system.\n\nOne thing is easy: Increase access to life-saving drugs and save patients, hospitals, employers and the federal government billions of dollars. All it takes is Congress creating a pathway to market for biogenerics, a type of generic drug already available to European patients. We don’t need to wait for comprehensive healthcare reform. Congress can and should take up stand-alone bills on biogenerics to get it done this year.\n\nBiogenerics are generic versions of biologic drugs.\n\nHealthcare coverage and the hastle of forms\nHealthcare coverage and the hastle of forms\n\nUnlike traditional pharmaceuticals, biologic drugs are derived from living organisms. Biologic drugs are safe and effective – and very expensive. The price of a biologic therapy can exceed $100,000 per patient per year, and biologic medicines cost Medicare Part B alone more than $7 billion annually.\n\nBiogenerics would cut those costs dramatically.\n\nTwo years ago, Hospira became the first U.S. company to launch a biogeneric drug in Europe. The product is called Retacrit, and is a biogeneric version of erythropoietin, or EPO. Retacrit has demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to the innovator product, and in Germany, the most established European market for biogeneric versions of EPO, biogenerics such as Retacrit have led to a 20 to 30 percent drop in EPO prices.\n\nUnfortunately, biogenerics are not available in the United States.\n\nFor years, innovator companies fought to keep biogenerics out of the U.S. market, just as they fought the introduction of generic versions of traditional pharmaceutical drugs more than 25 years ago. Since the Hatch-Waxman Act spurred generic competition in 1984, we have seen unprecedented savings for consumers and massive investment in new drug research and development, which in turn has led to a period of unparalleled pharmaceutical innovation. Consumers have embraced generics, which now account for 69 percent of drug utilization and which saved the American healthcare system more than $734 billion in the last decade. The same can happen with biogenerics.\n\nCongress can spur both savings and innovation.\n\nThe House and the Senate healthcare bills each include provisions with broad support on both sides of the aisle that would allow the FDA to approve biogeneric medicines in the United States. The Obama administration also supports the effort.\n\nCongress needs to act on biogenerics.\n\nIt also needs to correct some problematic language that found its way into the larger healthcare bills, which would prevent timely consumer access to biogenerics and a competitive biogenerics industry. First, it’s critical that we fix the loophole – commonly referred to as “evergreening” – that would allow innovator companies to make minor changes to their biologic products and receive additional years of exclusivity, possibly giving them a permanent monopoly. Second, we need to ensure that we strike the right balance between access and innovation. President Obama and the Federal Trade Commission agree that the exclusivity period in the healthcare bills – 12 years – is too long for consumers to wait for safe and lower-cost biogenerics.\n\nInnovator companies argue for long exclusivity periods for their products, saying that the cost of developing biologics is so expensive that they need more time without competition to gain back their expenses and save jobs for their workers. But a study by AARP's Public Policy Institute reveals that manufacturers of many top-selling biologic drugs have recouped average R&D costs several times over in the past six years, often within a single year. And the availability of biogenerics in Europe has not had a negative impact on Europe’s biotech jobs market.\n\nReasonable people can disagree on the necessary length of exclusivity for a biologic drug. That shouldn’t get in the way of a simple, common-sense reform: Creating a pathway to market for biogenerics, with an “evergreening” fix, provides patients with access to lower-cost, safe and effective treatments, puts dollars back into Americans’ wallets and the federal treasury and saves lives. Let’s put the health of patients first, limit the monopolies of the brand drug industry and still preserve innovation.\n\nIt is the right thing to do.\n\nChris Begley is chairman and CEO of Hospira, Inc. , which is a member of the Coalition for a Competitive Pharmaceutical Market.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7809193730354309}
{"content": "The Library Space Tome\n\nBoccob's Spellbook\n\n\nThis immense tome, roughly twice the size of a standard spellbook, holds heavy vellum pages, bound in dragonscale covers and adamantine fastenings. It would appear to hold about twice as many pages as a standard spellbook, but if you open it and flip through, it’s quite apparent it holds far more. Inside the front cover is inscribed:\n\n  1. Silence\n  2. Books must be returned by the last date stamped\n  3. Do not interfere with the nature of causality\n\nThe book is a representation of Boccob’s library, the one structure in the multiverse which holds every known spell. As such, it functions as an entrance to the space which connects all libraries. Even mundane texts are physical representations of knowledge. Knowledge is power, power equals energy, which equals matter, which equals mass. The immense magical potential represented by the L-Space Tome creates a portable entrance to this space.\nBy spending ten minutes reading a specific rite from this book and walking a circle, the bearer creates a small, temporary spectral library, which up to eight creatures may use as an entrance to the demiplane.\n\nDimensions: 12×16×4″\nWeight: 155 lbs\n\n\nNote: There are 6500 pages in the L-Space Tome, 5164 of them hold the known Wizard spells of every level, the rest are left for notes or newly researched spells.\n\nThe Library Space Tome\n\nAbsens Dei Korbl Korbl", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9986405372619629}
{"content": "Hereditary Cancer\n\nHereditary Stomach Cancer (CDH1)\n\n  • Mutation analysis of CDH1 gene\n  • Interrogation for specific mutation (relatives)\n\nHereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is a syndrome that is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.\n\nIt is clinically diagnosed based on the family history of a patient and is verified by genetic analysis. 40% of the families analyzed have been found with germline mutations in the CDH1 gene, which codes for the tumor suppressor protein E-cadherin.\n\nDetecting a pathogenic mutation in this gene allows the interrogation of carriers within a family, thus allowing for personalized preventative medicine.\n\nAt the BioGenomica laboratory we screen by direct DNA sequencing the entire coding and intronic region of the gene, which allows the detection of known or novel mutations.\n\nGenetic analysis\n\n  • Genetic reports are handed to the attending physician in less than six (6) calendar weeks.\n\nOMIM* 192090", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9818219542503357}
{"content": "World Hypotheses is a 1942 book by Stephen Pepper.  It is highly recommended that you NOT read this very heavy and difficult book.  Gary Schwartz discovered Peter a while back and has been modifying his model for more modern application. This gathering of about 60 selected persons-of-interest was convened in Tucson to test the newest model (by Gary) of World Hypothesis as applied in an Evolving Wisdom Workshop organized by Bob Cook and Ernie Schloss.  The three have known each other for many years and have been working to use Sustainability as the example to test the World Hypothesis model during this and future gatherings.\n\n  • This is not a report of the gathering, which may be posted elsewhere. The event triggered many thoughts and these are rough notes I made shortly after. The two postings prior to this on this blog were composed and posted after this was initially written. No significant edits. Posted here for the record.\n\nI sense that everyone I interacted with today was in a different “space/place/reality”.  These were persons I have known and interacted with in depth for decades and others I only met today.  We are all in the same physical spaces and there was no problem when communication referred to these spaces.  But, whenever they talked, speaking to a group or to me in personal conversation I really didn’t feel connected.  It was if they were talking about a fictitious reality, things and processes not really there.  They may sound similar to things I am familiar hearing about – but they were not tangible. And, I senses that everything I said to others was perceived in the same way by then.  None of us seemed in real touch with the world we were talking about – that wasn’t in our direct perception at the time.\n\n  •     This included during the more energetic exchanges in the smaller gathering after 6:30pm, a few hours after the end of the formal gathering.  There were back and forth struggles to converge on topics: “food growing systems”, “transition city”, “learning and education”, “what we can do and what we can’t do”, etc.\n  •     When one person queried whether some people were truly pathological, even evil – and I mentioned that Tom and I had been concerned about sociopaths, there were exchanges that seemed to conclude with agreement.  This is the closest we came being on the same page, but the dialog frizzled out when the conversation turned to what to do with them – then the contexts shifted and became distant.\n  •     These people were sitting or standing in front of me. There was no issue as to their physical presence. Yet, when they talked about governments or corporations, pollution and global warming, money or suffering, or the World Hypothesis model we were evaluating – it was as if they were ghosts somewhere else.  Is this a consequence of my new sense of conceptualizing societal reality as of a distinctly different nature than our commonly shared physical realities were we can gesture agreements?  Actually, the moment I expressed this to them I (now remember) that conversation felt real!  This was a topic of abstract symbolism (like math or logic) and not like mythological things like the presidency or terrorists.\n  •     Later, I “imagined” each person standing on different platforms, at different heights and pointing in different directions; some platforms are bigger than others, some even at a slight tilt. No one sees any of the others or their platforms. [This without visual imagery.]\n  •     I don’t feel we share the same world beyond our shared physical spaces.  I have this same feeling now for members of my family.  When they talk about anything I can’t actually see and confirm, it doesn’t seem they are talking about the world I live in.\n\nSo, what is nuet, my larger world like? My first reaction was to think of what I witness on TV – these are real, like my colleagues in the rooms today; but what they are talking about on TV is not real in the same sense. I am writing that I am aware of contexts, not specifics. Obama is inaugurated.  It was a gathering of people and events – much of which was recorded and I could potentially view all the recordings.  But, this is not the same as the societal phenomenon of the Obama presidency entering its second term.  That tangles with all the interactivity of all relevant persons in and connected to the administration, and then out to global players and corporations.  This is a PATTERN that is “real”, but not directly observable.  As in quantum science, what are the uncertainty factors for our eventual knowledge of this pattern? What if evidence is destroyed, never revealed, or fabricated? What if there are conflicting reports? What is the pattern of human activity leading up to and for years after the 9/11 “phenomenon”? What various “conspiracy theories” are woven, including the official conspiracy of Ben Laden and box cutter wielding Arabs in airplanes – leading to the quick passage of an already authored Patriot Act and two subsequent unimaginable wars?\n\nThe rightwing news bubble (which I examine briefly daily) talks about “Obama coming after your guns'”.  I expect many envision our black president breaking down their door – like in a TV movie.  Or, the liberal news bubble talking about voter suppression and imagine the long lines.  Individual acts of voter suppression are distinct from an intentional pattern of activity of persons whose result is long lines; as each battle in war is distinct from the pattern of battles (and decisions leading up to them) that comprise wars.\n\nThe intricate pattern of individual human actions that comprise our collective world is not the same kind of reality as the physical landscape and weather conditions everywhere on the planet.  We record and study enough satellite pictures and other records that we seldom have disagreement as what is happening on Earth at any time.  But, what is happening with human societal systems is quite another story.   Even if we had 100% surveillance, including all messages anyone sends or receives, it would be an impossible task to map out the societal phenomena in terms we use to summarize them.  We don’t attempt to observe all the gas molecules in a jar to confirm its temperature.\n\nNow, and this is most critical – we encounter the same difficulty when we attempt to design, plan, and execute future actions for good causes, including surviving/thriving climate change.  Tonight one man was insistent that the only real thing was action, and in a sense he was right.  Food producing action is done in real physical time by persons in gardens. However, educating and organizing a sufficient number of Tucson citizens to make us self sufficient takes us into the realm of unobservable patterns of human exchanges.\n\nI realize why my distinction between transformation and emergence falls on deaf ears.  Why it is never comprehended when I ask that we treat societal metamorphosis as a concrete model and less than a metaphor. These are no societal phenomena to be observed. My mention of an animated simulation did generate some interest.\n\nWhat is Y-Worlds and the  P2P-Foundation, or Transition Colorado?  They are each of a totally different nature than the concrete and observable behaviors of persons functioning within those societal systems.  Just what ARE these societal systems other than the behavior of their participants and the physical spaces they work in and their material products?  What is nuet’s BUS and UPLIFT scenario?\n\nIn building human systems, the primary focus should be on the humans, their experiences and their doings. What they do must be secondary.  All the content, and challenges in a person’s life is in the deep context of their Personal Being. Activity that provides a person with greater “strength, coherence, understanding, etc.” of themselves in relationship with others is of prime importance and will tend to dominate attention.  How a person is treated, respected or rejected, loved or hated, noticed or dissed is the filter to all else. And yet, contemporary attempts to organize others to action re humankind/GAIA survival/thrival issues studiously avoid this essential dimension. The exception being those cults who use tweaking a persons deep emotions to attract and entrap them.\n\nConspiratorial gangs are realtime.  Tribal life was life in real-time, real-place. It was perceptual and gestural, physical and social – long before the advent of conceptual languages.  What I call “conspiratorial gangs” are the contemporary equivalent of tribes within societal structures, large and small. “Conspiracy” is used here with a small “c”; a smallish group of persons deliberate and decide on a course of action that specifically benefits themselves and don’t intentionally inform others about their decisions or actions.\n\n  •     A family that plans a vacation without explicitly informing others is a “conspiratorial gang”. A small group of persons employed in governmental agencies may decide and act in a way not approved by their respective agencies.  A football team decides on the next play.\n  •     Is one person deciding on an action a one person conspiratorial gang?\n\nIs chatter on Facebook or Twitter examples of TANGIBLE WEBS as distinct from abstract nets?  I suggest that unless they comment to each other about the literal content of messages, in some specific way, it is not tangible.  It would also be tangible if persons comment specifically about each other – about concrete expressions (not vague accusations).  Now is not the time to draw boundaries; I am exploring the more obvious distinctions, that may well be useful, even if there is blurring at the boundaries.\n\nThe importance of societal structures not being tangible is that they can quickly disappear – they can be “paper tigers”.\n\n  •     The USSR is our exemplar.  Poof it was gone.  That persons and conspiratorial gangs remained and erected new societal structures doesn’t distract from how truly mythological these societal entities can really be.\n  •     If we fear our inability to make real changes in the future because we imagine these monster entities (CIA, USA, Exxon) as big and massive and resistive to change – then we are enslaving ourselves.  They ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO REFORM, but they can crumble like a house of cards.\n\nWhat is real in the large scale?  Patterns.  Webs, Systems, nets, ecohols.\n\nThink about it.  None of the categorical concepts used in discourse about large human systems have any operation for empirical detection or observation. This is truly weird when we think of it.  Where to you observe government, democracy, elections, economics, — much of our most used vocabulary.  We need to play with this a bit.  PUT IN QUERY ON TNE.  They are ONLY referenced in semiotic structures – languaging about language.\n\nConsider an election of a class president in a high school.  That should be finite enough to observe almost all events in the phenomena – if it were only the act of voting, not designing and printing the ballots, earlier considering the rules for the election, selection of candidates, counting the votes.  Even all this might be recorded and data filed.  But, this would be different from a person’s normal view of 1) a campaign poster, 2) hearing the debate, 3) managing the voting station, 4) each person photoed casting their vote, 5) the vote count.  Even this is not equivalent to observing a tree, or the keyboard and monitor I am writing on.\n\nCan one observe an instance of inclusion, or exclusion?  An instance of addition or multiplication? But, addition per se?  We talk about abstractions, but they cannot be observed.\n\nHas this been discussed somewhere in philosophy?\n\nWhat is the “reality nature” of bills and laws, and agencies “created by” them, such as Social Security, Medicare & Medicaide, Obamacare, IRS, Federal Reserve, etc.?\n\n  •         A bill or law is a sem, with many associated sems. So is an agency such as Social Security and the IRS.  But, to what extent can we say they can be observed? Do we have the same epistemological difficulty observing my thumb, my brain, or my DNA? Or observing the computer I am now using.\n  •         Observation doesn’t imply simultaneous detection of every aspect of a system.  How much is necessary to be considered an obseration,  more than a mere identification?\n  •         To what extent do we observe the laws of physics?  We can do explicit experiments whose results are consistent with a description of a phenemon involving systems.  But, the law is not exemplified by one or even many confirming (or non refuting) experiments.\n\n    This is getting weird.  Really, what do we actually OBSERVE?  Did I just observe the letters form to make the word ‘OBSERVE’?  How is my visual/mental observation different/same from a particle detector sending numerical data to a computer which I can look at later on a display or printout?  What am I observing when I study the printout of data?\n\nThe metaphors we employ in our perceptual world seem simple and clear – I see my coffee cup, and my hand moving on the keyboard; I hear the TV from the other room; I sense myself breathing and feel the arthritis pain in my arms.  Am I observing this house while sitting in only one room?  When I drive to my appointment am I observing the City of Tucson?\n\nAuthor: nuet\n\n\nSort: Newest | Oldest", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8725847005844116}
{"content": "I Cantori di Carmel\n\nBy Scott MacClelland\n\nLehmkuhl closeupWITH TOM LEHMKUHL at the helm, it’s a whole new ballgame for I Cantori di Carmel. The Saturday debut at Carmel Mission was nothing short of a revelation as the new conductor took the 47-member chorus through seven brief 20th and 21st century originals (plus one from the early 1890s*) and arrangements, that stretched into every technically challenging corner of the choral arts. Indeed, from the start the chorus never sounded more polished or self-assured.\n\nAnd that was just the first half; though I had to leave at the intermission, it was enough to make vividly clear Lehmkuhl’s impact, which has been in development only since he came on board last summer. Lehmkuhl’s impact on the audience was equal, thanks to his illuminating and often personal program notes.\n\nThe concert began with “Consecrate this Place and Day,” Andrew Marvell’s 17th century verse celebrating Saint Cecelia and her feast day in a bracing a cappella 1969 setting by American composer Lloyd Pfautsch, This was followed by four “Songs of Devotion” and “Two Folk Songs from the Isles.”\n\nThe first set opened with Charles Villiers Stanford’s *”Beati quorum via” (Blessed are they whose road is straight, who walk in the law of the Lord) from Psalm 119, chosen here for “these turbulent political times with its call for integrity (‘integra’).” This is music of transparent purity but also demands that its contrapuntal lines remain in good balance.\n\nGwyneth Walker’s 2000 setting of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar, in memory of her mother, is a heartfelt utterance with textures from simple to complex and rich diatonic harmonies. The poem is a metaphor of life passing over the ‘sandbar’ into the unknown. With Pauline Troia at the piano, and using dynamic contrasts with skill, Lehmkuhl drew a passionate performance from his singers. Troia continued in Morten Lauridsen’s popular and widely-performed Prayer, of 2012, to a touching poem by California Poet Laurate Dana Gioia in memory of his infant son. The poem is filled with impressionistic imagery, the music tender and quietly exalted.\n\nWith drum and tambourine, the chorus then introduced Zikr (“devotion”) by AR Rahman, written for a documentary film, implicitly echoing Lehmkuhl’s nine years teaching choral and vocal music in India. Rahman scored the well-known Slumdog Millionaire, in which Lehmkuhl had a small role. The vivid text and energetic setting extol the virtues of devotion in Islamic terms generally and Sufism in particular, as the dervishes whirl. The audience, which had warmly rewarded each foregoing piece, erupted in cheers at this one. Safe to say nothing like it had been heard in this venue before.\n\nThe first of the two isle folk songs was Canadian composer Stephen Hatfield’s arrangement of the Cuban folksong Son de Camaguey, full of Afro-Cuban rhythms and declamatory vocal writing and rosewood claves that celebrate the Camaguey province in all its natural color and ambience. Then American composer Randy Haldeman’s arrangement of Verduron, in the French dialect of the English Channel islands off the coast of Normandy and Brittany. This charming flirtation tells of a young maid who has fallen into a tight spot and needs help to be retrieved, offered by young men who want only a kiss for their trouble. Once more, Troia gave support from the keyboard, playing the dance tune Dans Loudieg, while the music gained boisterous energy and the chorus kept the tricky rhythms clear with clapping hands. No small counterpoint added to the enriching texture.\n\nWhile the second part of the program contained a Magnificat by Francesco Durante, a contemporary of JS Bach, and a Christmas cantata by Michael Haydn, in which the chorus was accompanied by the Monterey String Quartet, the first half gave plentiful evidence that I Cantori now sounds ready to tackle and master any challenge thrown at them.\n\nHidden Valley Strings\n\n\nBy Scott MacClelland\n\nIT HAS TO BE THAT SUPERMOON. Without cold or dark, it was night nevertheless on Saturday afternoon at Hidden Valley Theatre in Carmel Valley. Stewart Robertson introduced a program of nocturnal music and Roy Malan led his band of 15 crack string players—16 including Malan as concertmaster—into a mystical world of dreams and visions, culminating in the great Verklärte Nacht (“Transfigured Night”) of 1899 by Arnold Schoenberg. That 30-minute work which began life as a sextet for violins, violas and cellos is better known in the version heard here, the second revision (1943) of the original. In the late romantic style, part Wagner and part Brahms, it is eminently coherent in both form, tonality (D Major and Minor) and narrative, making it both a “tone poem” in the manner of Liszt and a classical sonata.\n\nSchoenberg’s mastery of tonal relationships gave him the sure hand he needed to ‘translate’ the German poet Richard Dehmel’s rhyming verse into a soaring, arching musical meditation. The text deals with a betrothed couple on an evening stroll during which the woman confesses that she is pregnant by another man and berates herself for her “sin.” In a clumsy translation from the German, the fiancé says to her, “May the child you conceived be no burden to your soul. Just see how brightly the universe is gleaming! There’s a glow around everything; you are floating with me on a cold ocean, but a special warmth flickers from you into me, from me into you. It will transfigure the strange man’s child. You will bear the child for me, as if it were mine.” You can hear all of it in the music, the distress, the tension, the magical transfiguration and resolution.\n\nMalan’s orchestra is, if anything, better than ever. His wife Polly is a terrific principal violist. The principal second violin, Susan Freier, another strong presence. He has recruited Rebecca Jackson, the Santa Cruz violinist who founded her own Music in May chamber music festival and is active on the San Francisco musical scene. Jonah Kim, the new principal cellist of the Santa Cruz Symphony is also on board. I do injustice to the others by not naming them; suffice to say this is a first-rate ensemble.\n\nTo open the program Grant Jean Paul Bogart’s recent arrangement of Debussy’s Clair de lune cast a spell. Then came the first and third movements of Manuel Ponce’s Estampas nocturnas (Nocturnal prints) of 1923, respectively La noche, a darkly ominous mood, and Arrulladora, a lullaby. (Robertson had warned that some of this music might be sleep-inducing.) And just before intermission, the familiar Notturno from Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet in D.\n\nMozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik would have provided a more familiar touchstone but the large audience turnout suggested an appetite for something rarer.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6117902398109436}
{"content": "2. Ground-based remote sensing\n\n2.1. Background, motivation and state of the science\n\nGround-based lidars have been used since the early 1970s to quantitatively monitor the stratospheric aerosol layer. In some cases they have measured plumes from volcanic eruptions in remote locations on earth before the eruptions were identified. They provide a relatively inexpensive method to regularly measure the stratospheric layer from a given site with high altitude resolution (tens or hundreds of meters) and time resolution (tens of minutes). The fundamental quantity measured is backscattered light. Multiple laser wavelengths can be used to infer particle size and polarization effects can used to infer non-spherical particle shape.\n\n2.2. Role within SSiRC\n\nLong-term monitoring of the stratospheric layer by lidars has been very valuable in tracking the dispersion and decay of eruption plumes. The same is true for smoke injected into the stratosphere by large forest fires. Each event is a potential natural experiment to compare the measured aerosol with model calculations of transport and evolution of the aerosol. The long-term records have also been used to characterize transport effects such as the quasibiennial oscillation (QBO) and tropospheric-stratospheric exchange.\n\nBesides long-term monitoring, ground-based lidar measurements can complement the SSiRC objectives by providing aerosol profiles before, during, and after campaigns. Balloon and aircraft measurements allow far more detailed measurements of aerosols than the lidar, but coverage in time provided by the lidar can often be very useful in interpreting the cloud and aerosol conditions present during the flights.\n\n2.3. Activities\n\n2.3.1. Long-term, regular monitoring and campaign support\n\nThere are many lidars in operation around the world with most in the northern hemisphere. Many participate in networks, some of which are listed below:\n\nOf these, the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), formerly the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change, has historically made the most contribution to stratospheric aerosol research. The lidar programs (aerosol, ozone, and temperature) have participated in calibration and validation activities specifically to promote reliable and accurate measurements. The data is readily available in Ames format files from primary and complementary sites around the world. The instruments tend to be funded for regular monitoring, but might need additional funds to support an intensive campaign.\n\nThe other networks tend to be aimed more towards tropospheric aerosols, but many would easily retrieve eruption plumes in the stratosphere. The funding and schedule of observations vary widely for the various lidar groups.\n\n2.3.2.Comparison of lidar aerosol profiles\n\nThe NASA CALIOP space-based lidar is currently being used to compare NDACC lidars at locations around the world. This will lead to more consistant datasets that can be used to quantitatively compare aerosol loading in the stratosphere.\n\n2.4. Gaps in current research plan", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9843567609786987}
{"content": "Interview by Veronica Roberts\n. . .\nžilvinas kempinas, tube, 2008, videotape, plywood\n\nIn May, New York-based Lithuanian artist Žilvinas Kempinas held an open house at the Atelier Calder, an event that concluded his six-month residency in the studio that Alexander Calder built for himself on a hilltop in Saché, a small village in the French countryside with a view of Balzac’s house. I attended the event directly after seeing Richard Serra’s Promenade (2008) at the Grand Palais in Paris. Despite seeing the shows in direct succession, I didn’t initially connect the work of these artists: Serra is one of sculpture’s leading elder statesmen, while Kempinas is only in his late thirties. Furthermore, the disparity in their working materials could not be more pronounced: to move Cor-ten steel, Serra’s signature material, requires the herculean efforts of steel mills, transatlantic transport by ship, and the careful choreography of skilled riggers. By contrast, a single strand of loose, unspooled videotape, Kempinas’ signature material, doesn’t even register on a bathroom scale. After experiencing Promenade and Kempinas’ work in Saché, however, I was struck by their shared dedication to creating sculptural experiences rather than objects. While sculpture is traditionally thought of as a noun, Kempinas and Serra both treat it as a verb. Like Serra, Kempinas has foregone the sculptural tradition of producing contained, isolated objects on pedestals in favor of creating active spaces in which the visitor’s experience of walking and looking is as crucial as the object itself.\n\nThe centerpiece of Kempinas’ open house at the Atelier Calder was a large work called Tube (2008). As I walked through the front door of the studio and approached the piece from its side, my field of vision was filled with fluttering, horizontal, black-and-white stripes. The encounter completely disoriented me. Even knowing that Kempinas works with videotape, it took me a moment to register the shiny, black bands for what they were. It was also difficult to gauge how far the bands were from where I was standing. My ability to perceive depth and distance was temporarily suspended, producing a spatial discombobulation that felt like some sort of earthly counterpart to the zero-gravity phenomenon experienced by astronauts.\n\n\nOne of the most compelling aspects of walking through Tube came from the way that light activated the material and the space. Indelibly associated with film as an essential ingredient to the formation of the photographic image, light operates in Kempinas’ work in more unexpected ways. As I entered the tunnel of tape, the work resembled a giant sunburst; in sections of the sculpture, the light reflected so brightly that the tape disappeared. From other vantage points, light appeared to bounce off of the strands of videotape as it would off of water, transforming the strips into shimmering artificial waves.\n\nVeronica Roberts: How did you arrive at the decision to make sculpture out of videotape?\n\nŽILVINAS KEMPINAS: The first piece that I did with tape actually used microfilm, not videotape. There was a scientific/technical library in Vilnius, and they were getting rid of microfilmâ€just throwing it out. I liked how the material was translucent, and I was attracted to its snake-like shape. I was also drawn to the fact that microfilm is an obsolete material. The information contained in the microfilm was presumably very important at one point, but it had become just a strange leftover artifact, a kind of industrial fossil. So I used it as a sculptural material in a couple of works in 1992. Later, I used a large quantity of 35-millimeter film rolls that were thrown away after a movie production to make my first full-room installation, Painting from Nature (1994), at the Contemporary Art Center in Vilnius. I arranged large rolls of film on the floor in a grid and carefully pulled the central part of each roll out and up. This simple gesture transformed the rolls into something unusual: they looked like a forest of gigantic worms, translucent and shimmering, with perfectly smooth shapes. You could actually see images on each frame if you studied them up close. But if you stepped back, this micro-world of images turned into abstract forms, perfect spirals. They looked alive and dead at the same time, like coral. Movies are time-based mediaâ€they rely on a certain length of time to be perceived, but here, the film was deprived of this essential element. Time was frozen into these celluloid stalagmites.\n\nžilvinas kempinas, painting from nature, 1994, mixed media\n\nRoberts: And after working with microfilm and 35-millimeter film, what made you shift to your current practice of using videotape?\n\nKEMPINAS: One day, I pulled tape out of a VHS cassette because I suspected that it might be a very interesting material to work with: it’s super thin, super light, and totally black, so you can perceive it as an abstract line. Since you can create many different drawings with a single line, I figured that I could use this material to make different three-dimensional installations. At the same time, tape is a data carrier. Hypothetically you can have all the colors and sounds of the world in it. So, it has this capacity, this potential, just like 35-millimeter film rolls, but it’s more abstract and simpler. And then, of course, videotape is so flexible and so light that it can be set in motion using air circulation, which becomes an invisible carrier for the sculpture.\n\n\n\nžilvinas kempinas, columns, 2006, videotape, plywood, nails\n\nRoberts: When did that inspiration strike? When did you first use fans to lift videotape into the air?\n\nKEMPINAS: I experimented with videotape as an art student at Hunter College. After I realized its flexibility, I made four arches out of tape, one for each wall of the room, with four fans in the center. The arches weren’t attached to the floor or the ceilingâ€there were just a couple of small tacks on the end of each arch for weight. The wind lifted the arches up and down along the wall. Sometimes just one side would rise, and other times, the whole arch would fly up in the air. They became live sculptures: light sparkled on the tape, there was the sound of the fans, and the arches went up and down. On the one hand, they were free objectsâ€free from the wall and the floor, but on the other hand, they were caught by the wind of fans and looked like they were struggling to fly. I realized that after all these years of intense studies, nothing made me happier than having this silly strip of tape going up and down the wall. Then, I wanted to make the tape fly.\n\nžilvinas kempinas, flying tape, 2004, videotape, fans\n\nRoberts: And that’s what led to Flying Tape (2004)?\n\nKEMPINAS: Exactly. Flying Tape is one gigantic loop the size of the room, capable of levitating in midair, held up by the wind of several industrial fans. It’s a self-balancing sculpture that constantly changes its shape but without ever losing its circular structure. It’s a sculpture without a pedestal, and it’s not hanging from the ceiling or standing on the floor. It’s carried by an invisible elementâ€currents of air.\n\nRoberts: How do Flying Tape and your other kinetic sculptures reflect your ideas about the relationship between sculpture and space?\n\nKEMPINAS: I didn’t want to build anything meaningful when I created Flying Tape. I didn’t have any story to tell, and I didn’t want to critique or comment on anything. I just wanted to activate space in a room. Somehow. Anyhow. And preferably without spending much money! I used gravity as a force, but instead of playing along with it, I was intrigued by the idea of fighting it, using these banal materials of unspooled VHS tape and industrial fans.\n\nžilvinas kempinas, double o, 2008, videotape, fans\n\nRoberts: I’d like to discuss the role that shadows play in your work. When I looked at Link at SFMoMA, I noticed that people were drawn to the crisscrossed pattern of shadows that the strands of videotape cast on the wall. It struck me that people might also be looking to try to make better sense of what the work is made out of and make sense of the space that the work occupies.\n\nKEMPINAS: Yes, shadows help us to perceive three-dimensional form. But I see my work as being about light more than it is about shadows. For example, there is one piece called 186,000 miles/second (2004). I wanted to make a piece that would be entirely about light. I wanted to use the casual gallery light like it was a sculptural material, like clay or wood. The work that I made looks like a net of thin pencil lines drawn onto the wall. The lines are actually shadows cast by small needles mounted onto the wall and painted white like the wall. I mounted needles into the wall, starting at seven feet above the floor, and I extended their shadows all the way to the floor. There were two existing conventional gallery lamps by the ceiling, nothing unusual. Their light created a diamond-shaped pattern of shadows along the wall, which was sharper at the top (where it was closer to the light source) than it was at the bottom. Since the painted needles were barely visible, this net of shadows became the predominant visual element. The light cast onto the wall was no longer just a simple, passive lightâ€it became a form. 186,000 miles/second was visible during the day, when the museum was open to the public and the lights were on. But at night, this piece did not exist at all. At the end of every day, it would disappear with a click of an electric switch, at the speed of light, literally. I don’t often use shadows because I want to avoid the theatricality often associated with them. But sometimes they are just unavoidable, and it’s better that I make them contribute to the piece. Social Outbreak . Link is a good example of this kind of collaboration: the lines of the shadows on the wall cast by the videotape visually overlap with the black lines of the tape coming off of the wall. This overlap creates a subtle optical effect as you approach the workâ€the surface of the work starts to look like ripples. The viewer’s physical movements optically animate the piece. But, for Still, I used fluorescent tubes, which don’t cast shadows in the same way that regular electric bulbs do, so their light is very even, and there are barely any shadows on the walls. It looks like the piece is floating.\n\nžilvinas kempinas, still, 2003, videotape\n\nRoberts: Both Link and Still feature long, curved strands of videotape that drape from the walls, and yet, as you point out, they have very different visual effects. Part of that comes from the fact that light affects them differently, as you explained, but it also seems like your spacing of tape has a big impact. Can you explain how you determine how much space you want between the pieces of tape and also what the relationship is between the parts and the whole in works like these?\n\nKEMPINAS: The proportions of Link are 1 to 1.5; if the tape is 1, the gap between the tapes is 1.5. If you change these proportions, you will lose the visual effect. Link is very optical and more visually aggressive than Still because the tape has a tighter arrangement. And Still has very different features. However, there are a few things that they share that interest me, such as the way in which the strands of tape don’t read as separate elements. In both Still and Link, they become a single shape, a unified form. And it’s because of this that the work actually has a monumental presence, despite the ephemeral quality of the material of which it is made.\n\nžilvinas kempinas, tripods, 2008, aluminum\n\nRoberts: What led you to make your first outdoor sculpture, Tripods (2008), during your residency at Atelier Calder in Saché? Do you see it as more of a departure from the other works you made there, or as a continuation of your ideas and interests?\n\nKEMPINAS: Tripods seems far away from the tape works, but it’s not as far as it looks. It’s about light, or to be more precise, about catching sunlight. I live in New York where I can’t do outdoor sculpture easily. But in Saché, I had such a great space. I was also inspired by the fact that Calder made outdoor sculptures when he was working there. So, I decided to make an outdoor piece. I wanted to do something relatively light but strong enough to withstand tests of nature. With Tripods, I used aluminum rods, which I bent and curved a little, so they looked more organic. I put all of the rods in clusters of three, joining each trio at the top so that they became tripods, standing on three “feet.” I made a hundred of these tripods and had them intersect along the bottom. Like my work with videotape, Tripods is fragile and durable at the same time: the rods are only fifteen millimeters in diameter, but the way that they were joined allowed them to stand strong. Several impressive storms passed by, and nothing happened! Tripods, to me, is like a happy marriage of the artificial and the natural. It’s artificial because it’s aluminum, an unusual thing to see in a field in the countryside, but it has natural curves, which reflect sunlight and catch one’s attention from a distance, like a lighthouse. There is something slightly alien-futuristic about them, but at the same time archaic and primitive, almost tribal.\n\nRoberts: Yes, and I think that where you placed the work on the property in Saché, nestled in a grove of trees, heightened the juxtaposition of natural and artificial elements.\n\nKEMPINAS: At the beginning, I thought that I might assemble them in front of the building on the large stone platform where Calder often placed his works. But when I brought a few elements outdoors to see how tall they were and how they worked with sunlight, I placed them on the other side of the building and decided to just leave them there.\n\nRoberts: I’m curious about when you first learned about Calder’s work and what about his work you find most compelling.\n\nKEMPINAS: Calder was always so big that even the Soviets didn’t know what to do with him. Dalí and Warhol were crucified, and Duchamp was totally ignored, but Calder was present. So I knew about him early on, through books. Initially, I wouldn’t say that he was an inspiration to me because at that time, I was suspicious about everything that Soviets didn’t condemn. And later in school, I was drawn to the bad boys. But recently, because of the Calder Prize, naturally, I have been studying his work more closely than ever, reading books and seeing his works every chance I get. I was surprised by many things about him, and his works resonate with my own sense of art and art-making. I can now see that I share some similarities with Calder in my approach, even though I arrived at my work from a different direction.\n\nRoberts: Martin Puryear recently made the following observation: “The most interesting art for me retains a flickering quality, where opposed ideas can be held in tense coexistence.” This statement resonated for me, as contradictions are such an intrinsic part of our daily lives, and they also seem to animate your work. Is that a fair assessment, do you think?\n\nKEMPINAS: I could not agree more. I see art as an accumulation of energy, and this energy is often generated by the intensity of opposites. In fact, opposites are at the very core of art-making. Traditional painting combines hot and cool colors, music uses high and low notes, architecture uses volumes and voids, poetry combines contrasting words, and so on. I am attracted to things that are capable of transcending their own banality and materiality to become something else, something more. I like the way that videotape is simultaneously delicate and durable, since it’s meant to last. I can rip it easily with my hands because it’s so thin, but I can also stretch it. Videotape is made to present the world in color, but it appears purely black. It’s supposed to be this safe container of the past, but it is destined to vanish like a dinosaur, to become obsolete, pushed away by new technologies. It’s a familiar mass-produced commodity, but it can be surprisingly sensual and can look almost alive if set in motion. It can be seen as a solid, thick, black line, but it can also disappear right in front of your eyes if it’s turned on its side. So, to me, it’s not just VHS tape but a rich sculptural material. Loose Diamonds . It allows me to achieve subtle perceptual effects, which I simply would not be able to achieve with steel, stone, or any other material. I also like the play of the artificial and the natural. Denver Used Cars . Even though my work is made of industrial materials, displayed under artificial light, and sometimes uses artificial wind and electricity, I am going for something fundamentally natural. Looking at one of my works can, I hope, be like watching a flame or a running river. I want people to forget for a second what they are looking at and inhabit a parallel world, where abstract things make perfect sense as long as you are willing to take the time to look.\n\n* This article was re-published in Tube (2009), the catalogue for Kempinas’ exhibition at the Lithuania Pavilion of the 53rd Venice Biennale.\n\n. . .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5971424579620361}
{"content": "Jam tracks tips\n\nUse these tips to nav­i­gate our bonus back­ing tracks.\n\nGuitar Techniques - - Intro -\n\n1. Bluesy shuf­fle in A\n\nThis is a re­peat­ing 12 bar quick change blues in A with a soft shuf­fle feel. Try A mi­nor pen­ta­tonic (A C D E G) through­out, us­ing some slight bends on the C to hint at a C# over the A chord (C# is A ma­jor’s ma­jor 3rd in­ter­val).\n\n2. Latin groove in D mi­nor\n\n3. Rock and Roll in E\n\n4. Moody A mi­nor blues\n\nThis fea­tures two chord pro­gres­sions; Dm7-Em7b5-A7 and Bb­maj7-Am7 with Bb­maj7-Bb/C to end. Use D mi­nor pen­ta­tonic (D F G A C) for the first and Bb ma­jor pen­ta­tonic (Bb C D F G) over the sec­ond. This has a re­peat­ing 20 bar pro­gres­sion; E (8 bars), A (4 bars), E (4 bars) then 4bars con­tain­ing G-A-C-B7. E mi­nor pen­ta­tonic (E G A B D) will get you through it all but con­sider go­ing to A ma­jor pen­ta­tonic (A B C# E F#) for the A chord that lasts for four bars. To raise your game, aim to in­clude G# notes over the E chord (ma­jor third of chord) and some chord tones to ac­knowl­edge the cli­matic B7 chord (B, D#, F#, A). With only three chords fea­tured (Am, Dm and Em) your task is to soak up the moody vibe and play melodic phrases us­ing A blues scale (A C D Eb E G). For added so­phis­ti­ca­tion, add a B note (sta­ble pretty much over ev­ery chord) and an F note on the IV chord of D mi­nor.\n\nNewspapers in English\n\nNewspapers from Australia\n\n© PressReader. All rights reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9949077367782593}
{"content": "Z Towers: An Apocalyptic Plague, Made in the USA\n\n\nIn an attempt to survive, he and a few colleagues clumsily navigate their way through a maze of deadly encounters with infected, flesh hungry co-workers. As they try to escape the clutches of death, they unwittingly discover that the infecting agent was intentionally unleashed to cover up a controversial weapons program which was secretly being developed inside the building’s laboratory.\n\nJoin Tyson and his friends on their terrifying and emotional quest for justice and freedom as they make their way through Z Towers!\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9864672422409058}
{"content": "hey there today i talked about the Causes of Major wars and World Wars? for example ancient battles, WW1 and WW2 what lesson to be learnt will they be a world war three?\n\nthe images of the world wars and ancient battles are from google images commons.\n\nthe music for the intro is by the permission i can use of :Derek Fiechter\nYoutube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vslsS-Uu5x4\n\nperhaps leave a comment, subscribe and like !\ni hope you all have enjoyed stay groovy.\nfollow me : https://twitter.com/GroovyHistorian", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999954104423523}
{"content": "WEATHER: Today’s forecast for the East Midlands\n\nWeather forecast.\nWeather forecast.\n\nHere is the weather forecast for Saturday, June 10.\n\nIt will be cloudy and breezy, with outbreaks of rain likely though the morning, perhaps heavy before gradually easing through the afternoon.\n\nHowever, southeastern parts could stay dry and bright throughout.\n\nThe maximum temperature will be 24 °C.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996199011802673}
{"content": "ACTA Launches a Series of Online Dialogues about Cultural Equity\n\nACTA - Posted on 14 May 2010\n\nShare this\n\nHirokazu Kosaka and Anna Beatrice Scott at ACTA's cultural equity forumWhat does cultural equity mean from your point of view?  What actions need to be taken to change systems resulting in cultural equity in its broadest sense?\n\nOn February 11, 2010, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) hosted a community forum, Building Cultural Equity through the Traditional Arts, facilitated by Jerry Yoshitomi of Meaning Matters LLC, in Los Angeles, raising these questions to a group of traditional artists, arts funders, community leaders, and cultural equity advocates.  The result was a rich, broad-ranging discussion about cultural equity from diverse perspectives.  Personal stories and challenges were shared, along with questions, and ultimately, a call to action.\n\nBuilding on this effort, ACTA is now working to expand and deepen this conversation.  Over the next four months, we present four different topics related to cultural equity – Leadership, Media, Artistic Marginalization, and Sustainability one each month.  We will post comments and discussion from the community forum in Los Angeles.  We then invite you to think about this topic and post your own comments and stories.  Our hope is to develop an online community dialogue across California, and beyond – expanding and building on this topic.\n\nThe topic for May is Leadership.  Please click the Read More link below to follow the discussion as it began in February and post your comments on this topic.\n\n\nJerry Yoshitomi, Meaning Matters LLC\nHow can communities better prepare cultural leaders? What training opportunities exist or can be developed informally or formally? Through the work of cultural transmission? Or through training in institutions for administrators, technicians, producers, writers, funders, etc.? Is the development of networks an important strategy? If so, what kinds of networks would support leadership development in folk & traditional arts?\n\nLeslie Ito, Program Officer, Arts, California Community Foundation\nIn thinking about leadership in this particular part of the ecosystem, I really want to think about re-centering our thinking and really looking towards folk and traditional arts to help guide our larger arts and cultural field to think about both leadership development and leadership succession. I really want to explore how the larger field can learn from traditional and folk culture and apply this to an organizational structure. So for instance, how are leaders groomed within the folk and traditional sense? And even more important to me is, what is the role of our elders in this process? Because I think that for leadership, in the larger arts and cultural context, we're really sort of stuck on this point. We're developing new leaders. Where are the current leaders? What are the roles and responsibilities for those current leaders?\n\nSo I think that in looking at folk and traditional, there's a path and a way of thinking from which we can really learn. And I think this is a way for the folk and traditional to really position itself as a leader, as the center. Not as the peripheral, but really taking the lead in terms of, we have ideas and ways of working that have been working for hundreds and hundreds of years. And everybody else can learn from this. And I think it could have a major impact on not just the arts and culture but the larger non-profit field and how leadership is developed and what those roles are.\n\nMy other thought around leadership is that as folk and traditional and marginalized cultures, we need to have a seat at the table, whatever that table is. To have a voice and be able to put our experiences out there. But once we have this seat at the table, we also need to be able to train our folks at the table how to find their voice. I don't know how many times I've been at the table where I'm wearing multiple marginal hats. I'm the only West Coast representative. I'm the only under-forty representative. I'm the only media arts, or Asian American. And that's a lot of pressure to wear. And so, how do you break beyond that and find your voice? And I've learned how to advocate in an effective and efficient way.\n\nDanielle Brazell, Executive Director, Arts for LA\n\nI'd like to speak to what Leslie has said. I love this idea of using existing ways and traditions that have been passed on for generations upon generations, and to infuse that within the succession planning for new leaders. It's really such an exciting concept. I'm such a structural person—I think it's the Virgo in me. But I immediately think, well how does that work when more non-profits within our non-profit structures are moving to that very hierarchical kind of business model? And how do we maintain that adaptability within that framework?\n\nThe other piece that resonates with me in doing advocacy work is finding one’s voice at the table. How do we nurture the diverse voices of our field to really effectively advocate and claim their space at the table? Those are two pieces that really resonate for me.\n\nHirokazu Kosaka, Artistic Director, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center\n\nI think I need to question that question first. The word leader from the Japanese idea of leader is a form of vertical space, if you will. It is an accumulation of accomplishments. And the question before, the word interdependent, it originates from this kind of an interdependency. That leader, perhaps, is a follower. Both words are conjoined, rather than separate. In the Japanese language and traditions of language, there is not conjunction between two words. For example, space and time, you and I, leader and followers—there is no a-n-d between two words in the Japanese language. They all are conjoined. So it's interdependent.\n\nAnd I think to me, again, that question is a vertical question. It's this accumulation of accomplishments that builds in vertical space. In traditional Japanese language, it's more a horizontal space. One example is looking at the Japanese garden that we have at our JACC. There is no such thing as water fountain, because water flows vertically. And everything flows. Again, it's a Buddhist term—the impermanence of all things. So I think my question is to question that question. That is my answer.\n\nCindi Alvitre, (Tongva), PhD Candidate, UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures\n\nI understand what you're saying. And I'm going from this space that you put me in, which is vertical space. I would also call that dimensional space. And in particular with leadership, especially when we're dealing with culture, with cultural people, you have to have a leader who has—to borrow from Ozanne Hinari, a Maori scholar—wakadowooa. Wakadowooa. In many indigenous cultures and within the Maori, we have two dreamtimes. The one dreamtime for cultural people who are inserted into the reality of who we are is the constant conversations we have with our ancestors. Whether it's your grandmother, whoever. Mother Earth, the spirits, whatever.\n\nThe other one in our bi-cultural competency is switching into this mode of the way we are now. It's like multi-lingualism that you're switching, constantly switching the way you articulate. And leadership requires people who are versed in that, who can define where they're inserted within their culture and be able to switch out. And it is an interconnectedness, it is a relative. But the term wakadowooa has a significant meaning in this.\n\nGema Sandoval, Founder and Artistic Director, Danza Floricanto/USA\nThe concept of leadership and the concept of bi-culturalism is something that I finally understood within the last ten years or so. Only then do I think I became a better leader for my community. That is because within my community, the concept of a woman leader has many forms.  And it is not until you reach a certain point in your life, where it is not important whether you are a leader or not but that you follow your heart in what you're doing, that I think you become a real leader. And that takes years.\n\nSo, I would say that in terms of creating leadership, it really has to go hand-in-hand with the multi communities that we have, and not violate that. In terms of being a leader outside of the community, that becomes secondary and almost as if the old are not important. Because if you are a real leader in your community, that other part will happen, possibly not for you, but for the next generation. The impact that my work had on my community after I left, I suppose, was a leadership role.\n\nKarina Muñiz, Community Outreach Coordinator, Los Angeles Conservancy\nI want to respond to what both of you were saying about the concept of understanding leadership in vertical terms, and then bringing more people to the table. I see a true leader as someone who serves. And so, the leader serves. The whole idea is serving, so that as we have more stakeholders at the table, we’re not marginalized voices out there. To me, as I'm sure most of us have heard before, true leadership is serving. So if we're in certain places because we've had access to certain privileges or power, how then do we use that to bring in more people and continue to use that voice?\n\n\nACTA's Comment Disclaimer\n\nOur cultures and traditions have survived thousands of years under sometimes dire and difficult circumstances.  And communities have stepped forward to ensure that survival and to imbed our cultures and traditions very strongly within our daily lives.\n\nFor me, one of the several important take home messages is that regarding leadership, other arts and cultural organizations have much to learn from the Folk and Traditional Arts.  We may not be the biggest or best known to the general public, but we will continue to be strong and provide important cultural continuation resources to our communities and people.\n\nLeaders come in many forms and sizes and situations. It's been attested that if materials to build a house/s or a bridge or something is put in front of a group of people that have been given no instruction, that a leader will emerge. No one voted for this person, no was born to this position, they just know what to do. The leader goes into action you might say, he/she picks up the hammer (or cause) and nails and puts on the carpenters belt. He/she grades wood and starts to frame the house, others see whats happening and decide to pitch in. It doesn't matter what the project is, be it a bridge to get to the other side or building a village or a rocket to the stars.\n\nThere are natural leaders you might say, everyone likes them, they have a great smile, they make you feel comfortable and maybe charismatic. so they make you feel good. There are leaders that are born to a position of authority, we might call these people of royalty or people that have been privileged with the silver spoon. We have leaders that have been appointed or voted upon to accomplish certain task as a representative. We also have the reluctant leaders, the ones that want \"nothing to do with it\" (what ever that might be), yet they know the task that must be done.\n\nSpiritual leaders, a calling from the creator?  A special person indeed. Is that person a Christ, a Buddha, a Ghundi, or are they your next door neighbor or perhaps your grandmother/grandfather.\n\nBe that as it may, a gifted leader has certain qualities, the most important is inspiration, the most addicting drug on the planet. Be it good bad or ugly, people will follow. It doesn't matter if the leader is of a gang, a chief of village or president of a country. \"INSPIRATION\", skillfully handled, to have vision to see into the future by understanding the past, who has experience, wisdom, sympathy and that uncanny ability to truly listen to the people, the creator.\n\nElders in the village would often times see talents of the young ones and help guide the future of the youth and allow those natural abilities to emerge. Now we live in age of being led by Ad agencies and propaganda that fill the air, that see people as sheep or cattle that need to led into their corrals. Schools, churches that have you seat while they explain the universals to you from a pulpit,  never seeing inside the needs of the people.\n\nLeaders are inspired and the ability to inspire others, the best ones are following a truth that comes from and thru the heart! \"The quiet understandings that it is the right thing to do or that lightning bolt that hits every nerve in your body to do what needs to be done.\"\n\nAs stated above who will pick up the hammer and nail first and who will follow? There's your leaders and your followers.\n\nI think we need to build our own tables and chairs, stop looking for other to give to us.  We need to empower ourselves and stop giving the power to others to control us. Become your own leader, follow your heart!\n\nThey say, Elites rule by agreeing on more things than they disagree on. Building a consensus you might say for accomplishing any need or task.\n\nHopefully with wisdom, vision and understanding anything can be done. Lots of prayers doesn't hurt, many blessings to all.\n\nPost new comment\n\nBy submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.704413652420044}
{"content": "Belinda Sykes & JOGLARESA\n\n\nThe Scimitar and the Sword\n\nMuslim, Jewish and Christian music from all sides of the Crusade Wars\n\n\"a felicitous exchange of ideas between Christian Europe and the Muslim Middle East\" The Guardian\n\n\"providing untypical perspectives on early Arabic culture and the influence of Western Christian Invaders.... disturbingly contemporary-sounding concerns for life, liberty and justice\" The Independent\n\nA Radical reworking of the Crusades theme - Joglaresa perform songs and poetry directly related to the Crusade Wars by medieval Arabs, Jews and Christians. Laments to touch the soul and pierce the heart, subtly interweaved with lighter anecdotes by the sharp-witted Arab chroniclers. This is the first time any early music group has researched such a programme, and represents the first modern performance of these songs!\n\nLuto carens\n\nRichard the Lionheart's 'Ja nun hons pris'\nIre si vis\n\nBBC Television's Crusades Documentary:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9321154356002808}
{"content": "A five paragraph essay\n\ngrade 1 anterolisthesis cause\nwriting a thesis for an informative essay\nholt algebra 1 homework help\n\nA classic format for compositions is the five-paragraph essay. It is not the only format for writing an essay, of course, but it is a useful model for you to keep in mind, especially as you begin to fie your composition skills. The following material is adapted from a handout prepared by Harry Livermore for easay high school English classes at Cook High School in Adel, Georgia. It is used here with his permission.Introduction: Introductory ParagraphSee, first, Writing Introductory Paragraphs for different ways of getting your reader involved in your essay.The introductory paragraph should also include the thesis statement, a kind of mini-outline for the paper: it tells the reader what the essay is about.\n\nHere is a simple outline of how to write an effective essay to impress your teachers. Set the tone and hook your audience in. The opening line of your introduction must immediately engage your audience. This opening line could be a generalization about life that pertains to your topic, a quotation, or a little anecdote. This allows the student to answer the exam prompt quickly and efficiently. The best aspect of a five paragraph essay 5 paragraph essay is its plasticity in terms of different essay styles.\n\nItcould have been given for an important occasion or justfor no reason at all. Tell us about the present and whyit was memThis article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2014) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)The five-paragraph essay is a format of essay having five paragraphs: one introductory paragraph, a five paragraph essay body paragraphs with support and development, and one concluding paragraph.\n\nBecause of this structure, it is also known as a hamburger algebra 1 practice test with answers pdf, one three one, or a three-tier essay. Tell us about the present and whyit was memA classic format for esay is the five-paragraph essay. Any parwgraph you have to write a timed essay, you should begin with a frame based on the parts below.Of course, essays play a big role a five paragraph essay the college application process, as well. Luckily, you can learn to craft a great UpdatedNovember 21, 201.DefinitionA five-paragraph essay is a prose composition that follows a prescribed format of an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.\n\nA five paragraph essay with exploratory essay.The five-paragraph essay (or theme) is an artificial genre often practiced in schools and required on standardized tive. See Methods and Observations below. To write a five-paragraph essay, begin a five paragraph essay an introductory paragraph, elaborate with three body paragraphs and conclude with a closing paragraph.\n\nwriting paper with handwriting lines\nCopyright 2010 - 2017 | kurskie-roditeli.ru", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9119284749031067}
{"content": "Walter Cronkite on the War\n\nWalter Cronkite has commented on the Iraq war in a recent interview:\nCronkite, 90, was in San Jose, Calif., on Friday addressing the Commonwealth Club. In an exclusive interview with CBS station KPIX-TV of San Francisco, he weighed in on the situation in Iraq.\n\n“We should have gotten out a long time ago. This is a mistake, this entire war there, it’s a disaster. And the earlier we get out the better,” Cronkite said. “It’s a terrible disaster. Look at the loss of lives of our young Americans there and those who have been maimed for life, for what purpose? No purpose we can define.”\n\nWhat’s more, he says, America will pay a future price for going into Iraq.\n\nKPIX-TV asked Cronkite if Americans were any safer because of the Iraq war.\n\n“No, I don’t think so. I think were probably less safe,” he said. “The entire Arab world has now put us down as an enemy. It’s going to be a long time for us to take back any suggestion of friendship with those nations.”\n\nKPIX-TV then asked if his strong words against the Iraq war would have the same impact as his words against the Vietnam War.\n\n“Well, I think it’s a little late for that now,” Cronkite said. “I would like to think it would be helpful in getting us out of there. Anybody who can put another match to that fire, to get us out would be, I think, welcome”\n\nPosted in Iraq, News Media. Tags: . No Comments »\n\nConservatives Dominated by Flat Earth Mentality\n\nA couple of weeks ago I had a post on how the right wing “determines” the truth based upon political ideology as opposed to an objective search for knowledge. At the time there was a news account reporting a claim that “that cosmic rays from outer space play a far greater role in changing the Earth’s climate than global warming experts previously thought.” Conservatives jumped on this as a way to “refute” established scientific views on global warming. Now there’s an article from National Geographic reporting one Russian scientist’s view that global warming is caused by the sun as opposed to human activity.\n\nNot surprisingly, within a short time after being posted at Memeorandum there are already two conservative blogs (here and here) quoting this article as evidence against the established scientific viewpoint. National Geographic notes that this belief is not accepted by other scientists and provides a long discussion of the flaws in this idea:\n\n\n“His views are completely at odds with the mainstream scientific opinion,” said Colin Wilson, a planetary physicist at England’s Oxford University. “And they contradict the extensive evidence presented in the most recent IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] report.” (Related: “Global Warming ‘Very Likely’ Caused by Humans, World Climate Experts Say” [February 2, 2007].)\n\nAmato Evan, a climate scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, added that “the idea just isn’t supported by the theory or by the observations.”\n\nPlanets’ Wobbles\n\nThe conventional theory is that climate changes on Mars can be explained primarily by small alterations in the planet’s orbit and tilt, not by changes in the sun.\n\n“Wobbles in the orbit of Mars are the main cause of its climate change in the current era,” Oxford’s Wilson explained. (Related: “Don’t Blame Sun for Global Warming, Study Says” [September 13, 2006].)\n\nAll planets experience a few wobbles as they make their journey around the sun. Earth’s wobbles are known as Milankovitch cycles and occur on time scales of between 20,000 and 100,000 years.\n\nThese fluctuations change the tilt of Earth’s axis and its distance from the sun and are thought to be responsible for the waxing and waning of ice ages on Earth.\n\nMars and Earth wobble in different ways, and most scientists think it is pure coincidence that both planets are between ice ages right now.\n\n“Mars has no moon, which makes its wobbles much larger, and hence the swings in climate are greater too,” Wilson said.\n\nNo Greenhouse\n\nPerhaps the biggest stumbling block in Abdussamatov’s theory is his dismissal of the greenhouse effect, in which atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide help keep heat trapped near the planet’s surface.\n\nHe claims that carbon dioxide has only a small influence on Earth’s climate and virtually no influence on Mars.\n\nBut “without the greenhouse effect there would be very little, if any, life on Earth, since our planet would pretty much be a big ball of ice,” said Evan, of the University of Wisconsin.\n\nMost scientists now fear that the massive amount of carbon dioxide humans are pumping into the air will lead to a catastrophic rise in Earth’s temperatures, dramatically raising sea levels as glaciers melt and leading to extreme weather worldwide.\n\nThe anti-scientific conservatives come to a conclusion first, and then seek out whatever evidence they can to try to prove it. Real science works the other way. You review the facts first and then reach a conclusion. Science is also determined by works in peer-reviewed journals, including discussion by experts in a field as to the validity of a controversial idea. Grabbing a flawed and easily disputed idea from the internet is not the way to make a scientific point.\n\nThe influence of human activity on climate change is the consensus scientific viewpoint, This won’t change regardless of how much conservatives search out a rare theory to the contrary, how much they pretend that there is a controversy over this, or how much they smear Al Gore. There will always be people who claim that human activity isn’t responsible for climate change, that evolution isn’t the accepted explanation for the development of complex organisms, or even that the earth is flat. None of their claims changes reality. As long as ignoring reality and opposing science remains a hallmark of conservative ideology they have little chance of regaining power, especially as this same denial of reality was commonly seen in their political policies.\n\nHow Conservatives Oppose Wars and Avoid the Draft (On Tactical and Strategic Grounds)\n\nDemocrats who opposed Vietnam were draft dodgers, and those who oppose the Iraq War are unpatriotic and are rooting for the terrorists if you listen to the right wing noise machine. Just like Dick Cheney, who had “other priorities” at the time of the Vietnam War, Rudy Giuliani has his own euphemism. The Examiner reports:\n\n“Any suggestion that he was dodging the draft is totally, factually inaccurate,” said a senior Giuliani campaign adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic. “He opposed the war on tactical and strategic grounds.”\n\nThey speculate that this could be a political liability running against John McCain:\n\nStill, Giuliani has always been politically sensitive to the issue. During his 1993 mayoral campaign, he commissioned a “vulnerability study” that listed “draft dodger” as one of the epithets that might be hurled against him.\n\nIn blunt language, the consultants who prepared the study articulated how adversaries might frame the issue.\n\n“Giuliani received special treatment from a friendly federal judge to avoid military service during the Vietnam war, when thousands of less fortunate people were dying,” they wrote. “Then, as a member of the Justice Department, he hypocritically prosecuted draft dodgers.”\n\nApparently it’s ok for Republicans to oppose the war but not for Democrats. They compared the political implications for Giuliani to the attacks Kerry received by the Swift Boat Liars. To the conservative mind it is ok for Bush, Cheney, and Giuliani to avoid military service as they limit their attacks to John Kerry:\n\nSwift Boats co-founder John O’Neill said the only reason Vietnam became a major issue in 2004 was that Kerry kept bringing it up.\n\n“I do think Kerry was a special case,” O’Neill said. “Whatever Rudy Giuliani or the rest of these people did or didn’t do in terms of the Vietnam War, I don’t think that’s a legitimate issue in the presidential campaign of 2008.”\n\nKerry’s a special case all right. He’s a Democrat, which makes him a target for attacks, even if fictitious, despite the fact that he fought in Vietnam while the Republican heroes did not.\n\nVirtual Attack on John Edwards\n\nThere is a certain irony is how I have one post today on the desire of voters to see less dirty fighting between the parties which is surrounded by posts related to dishonest attacks against both John Kerry and Al Gore. Conservatives have taken this to a new level–attacking the virtual campaign headquarters of the Edwards campaign in Second Life. From the Edwards blog:\n\n\nShakespeare’s Sister, who has some personal experience in the hatred of the right wing, writes:\n\nI’m so utterly sick of there being not the teensiest wee shred of “live and let live” among the worst elements of the rightwing—they’ve got to silence and destroy everything and anyone who disagrees with them. They live to ruin and demolish and spoil—and if anyone different than them has the temerity to be having fun or feeling good for one bloody second, the sorry blighters can’t resist swooping in to piss all over the parade, then revel in their own success. Bullies—all of them.\n\nGore Responds To Mass Media’s Coverage of Climate Change\n\nAfter Al Gore won the Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth right wing groups tried to blunt the inevitable increase in public discussion of climate change by floating bogus charges against Gore. As right wing ditto heads commented at various blogs and newspapers there were multiple comments from uninformed conservatives making claims such as that “no reputable scientist agrees with Gore.” These mistaken beliefs are sometimes the fault of the news media, which prefers to dwell on political attacks and present conservative beliefs as a legitimate side of the debate.\n\nRather than dwelling on the ridiculous attacks Gore returned to the central issue, including how the media portrays a false sense that there is a real debate over climate change:\n\nBack in Tennessee on Tuesday, Gore told a crowd of about 50 people at the U.S. Media Ethics Summit II that the presentation’s single most provocative slide was one that contrasts results of two long-term studies. A 10-year University of California study found that essentially zero percent of peer-reviewed scientific journal articles disagreed that global warming exists, whereas, another study found that 53 percent of mainstream newspaper articles disagreed the global warming premise.\n\n\n“I believe that is one of the principal reasons why political leaders around the world have not yet taken action,” Gore said. “There are many reasons, but one of the principal reasons in my view is more than half of the mainstream media have rejected the scientific consensus implicitly — and I say ‘rejected,’ perhaps it’s the wrong word. They have failed to report that it is the consensus and instead have chosen … balance as bias.\n\n“I don’t think that any of the editors or reporters responsible for one of these stories saying, ‘It may be real, it may not be real,’ is unethical. But I think they made the wrong choice, and I think the consequences are severe.\n\nRecent attacks on Gore falsely portrayed a right wing group with ties to the energy industry as a nonpartisan think tank. The attacks called Gore a hypocrite for his energy use by confusing reality with right wing stereotypes of environmentalists as advocating a drastic change in our life styles. Gore has been advocating far less Draconian restrictions and his personal conservation efforts, including the purchase of carbon offsets for the energy he uses, are consistent with his public statements. Gore can hardly be called a hypocrite when he carries out the same actions he actually advocates. In contrast, there is a certain hypocrisy to conservatives who both deny the dangers of global warming but also claim that Gore’s measures such as purchasing carbon offsets are insufficient. You can’t have it both ways in claiming both that there is no problem and in saying Gore is not doing enough personally.\n\nRelated Story: The Swift Boating of Al Gore\n\nIs the Middle Really Just a Myth?\n\nA column in the Washington Post reviews some polling data and concludes that the desire for middle of the road solutions is a myth. They make some valid points, but the issue is far more complex. They review the findings of the Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) which surveyed more than 24,000 Americans who voted in 2006:\n\n\n\nThis is consistent with previous posts where I’ve looked at the differences between left and right and found that social issues on Iraq have replaced economic issues as the major divisions between the parties. This also places into doubt the value of efforts such as Unity08 to promote a more centrist ticket. Voters are unhappy with the current political atmosphere, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the solution is always somewhere in the middle of the views of the parties.\n\nPolling has also showed that when asked about a generic moderate versus liberal or conservative, the gut reaction of many voters is to pick the moderate. George Bush ran in 2000 claiming to be a compassionate conservative, knowing that while he needed the conservative base he could not win a first term if the middle realized how conservative he was. If not for exploiting 9/11, he most likely would have been a one-term President, with many who voted for him in 2004 now regreting their decision. Republicans ran against Kerry by misrepresenting Congressional voting records to claim Kerry had the most liberal voting record in the Senate. This was done both to fire up the base against him, as well as as an attempt to attract moderate voters who would object to the “most liberal” member while failing to realize how far right the GOP has moved.\n\nIt makes sense that there is polarity over the issues they quote in the column. You can either agree or disagree that invading Iraq was a mistake, with the number believing it was a mistake growing to include both liberals and those mythical moderates. Despite attempts to blur the distinction by some politicians, ultimately you either believe that a woman has the right to control her own body or that abortion is murder and there is no real center ground on this. (more…)\n\nKerry Called Hero By Swiftie Backer\n\nSince yesterday’s post, more information has come out on John Kerry’s questioning of Sam Fox, the nominee for Ambassador to Belgium who had also contributed money to the Swift Boat liars. Mary Ann Akers quotes Fox as calling Kerry a hero:\n\nFox replied that he was “very concerned” that politics have become too “mean and destructive,” especially with the participation of independent 527 groups. He subtly alluded to the Swift Boat campaign against Kerry and not-so-subtly tried to redirect Kerry’s line of questioning by saying (with a straight face) to Kerry, “Senator, you’re a hero,” adding that no 527 group “can take that away from you.”\n\nIn the comments to the previous post, MBK reports having watched the video of the hearings found that the mainstream media had ignored another important aspect of the story. She reports, “the first part of Sen. Kerry’s interrogation covered the nominee’s qualifications, or, more accurately, his utter LACK of qualifications, to be ambassador of Belgium. Kerry eviscerated this guy slowly, calmly, devastatingly. Kerry’s knowledge of Belgium exceeded Fox’s by about 10,000 times.”\n\nJohn Kerry’s blog lists several blog posts on this story.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5119115710258484}
{"content": "An avocado and banana a day keep heart disease away!\n\nA bunch of bananas\n\nResearchers have discovered a new way of keeping heart disease at bay.\n\nRegularly eating bananas and avocados can do wonders for your heart and arteries, scientists say. This is major risk factor for. They said the hardening of the arteries is significantly correlated to a diet based on potassium.\n\n\nAs humans get older, arteries stiffen and can cause heart problems. In atherosclerosis, deposits of fat, and other substances accumulate in the arteries, forming what is referred to as \"plaque\".\n\nThe new research from Prof.\n\n\"Reduced dietary potassium intake has been linked to the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease\", the study said.\n\nThe vital mineral - which spuds, broccoli and sprouts are also rich in - was found to aid blood flow to the heart and brain and reduce the risk of clots, reports The Sun.\n\n\nThe UAB researchers also found that increased dietary potassium levels lessened vascular calcification and aortic stiffness.\n\nThey conducted a study on mice, who were at-risk of heart disease were fed a high-fat diet. The first group received a high-potassium diet, the second one a menu with a medium quantity of potassium, and the third one had to consume low-potassium foods. In contrast, the mice fed a high-potassium diet had markedly inhibited vascular calcification. Thus, autophagy plays an important role in mediating calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by the low-potassium condition.\n\nThe researchers believe potassium regulates genes that maintain artery flexibility. Increasing potassium levels, however, could reduce these effects. According to Paul Sander, the co-author of this study, their \"findings have important translational potential\".\n\nThe researchers performed the tests on mice to find which levels of potassium such as high, normal and low were good for them.\n\n\n\nOther news", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9689939022064209}
{"content": "begins somewhere along a winding dirt road in rural western Kenya. Afternoon equatorial heat and a heavy backpack full of gear… muddy boots and a new feeling…\n\nI’d traveled to Kenya to create a video for a small non-profit building schools in the region. What I found were kids carrying bricks up a hillside one by one to help build their new classroom. I found Americans who had made it their life’s work to make sure the project was nurtured. I found a world of unimaginable challenges and a community of people crazy and passionate enough to tackle them… with all their hearts.\n\nWalking on that Kenyan road I was filled with the feeling that I wanted to be one of those people… that there was work to be done telling these stories. Not just documenting atrocities and celebrating victories, but using the potential of our eyes and ears to engage us in the creative do-gooding that exists in nooks and crannies all over the world.\n\nSo I came back and started Good Eye Video, a company solely devoted to the incredible challenge of using video to tell the story of non-profits, educators and communities. Our company has sprouted from that sense of awe at the creative ways individuals and non-profits go about changing the little piece of the world they care about.\n\nWe’ve watched communities in the Bronx reclaim their river and Brazilians provide a fresh start for their orphans. We’ve seen exchange students bridge cultures and Somali refugees make new homes. It’s been just the adventure I thought it would be starting out on that Kenyan afternoon. And I believe we’re just getting started…\n\nDan Lane\nFounder, Good Eye Video", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5547187924385071}
{"content": "A humble salad bowl has sold for a world record £173,000.\n\nThe porcelain dish painted with blue lines was produced almost 40 years ago by famed British potter Lucie Rie.\n\nSeven years after it left the kiln it was bought by a private collector who kept it for the next 30 years.\n\nIn that time Rie’s reputation soared and her work is now highly sought after.\n\nThe white flaring bowl had an estimated price of £30,000 for the New York auction but ended up selling for £138,000.\n\nWith fees added, the anonymous collector paid a total of £173,000. A similar sized bowl can be bought for £4 in Ikea.\n\nDame Lucie Rie\n\nIt is the second time in three months that a record price has been paid for a Lucie Rie piece. In September a 1976 conical form bowl of hers sold for £85,000.\n\nRie was born in Austria in 1902 and set up a studio in Vienna in the 1920s.\n\nIn 1938 she fled to England to escape the Nazis and opened a studio in Central London. She died in 1995 aged 93.\n\nA spokesman for Phillips auctioneers, which handled the latest sale, said: “Lucie Rie is one of the most important figures in 20th century studio pottery. Collectors are eager to acquire her most impressive pieces and this is just such an example.\n\n“It’s executed in exquisite detail and is one of only a handful of similar examples decorated in a matte white glaze with concentric blue lines.\n\n“It’s also in perfect condition, with no damage or restoration.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9670714735984802}
{"content": "The 2017 NBA playoffs are in full swing and I have been a fan of basketball since I was a child. I prefer to watch basketball than play it. Mostly because I’m terrible at it and there’s too much running involved for my enjoyment.\n\nI love the intangibles of NBA Playoff basketball. The intensity, the heart, the drive, and the effort of each player seems to be ramped up beyond maximum levels. Regardless of league rankings, every team is fighting for the ultimate prize of a bringing the coveted NBA Championship trophy back to their city.\n\nIt was Game 1, and the Warriors are beginning their Playoff run by defending Oracle Arena against the Portland Trailblazers. As Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ superstar point guard, and the Dubs were in their warm up clothes, they were taking shots from various locations – mid-range jump shots, layups, dunks, and 3-point bombs. The demeanor of the Warriors appeared to be light, fun, exciting and overall joyous, despite the seriousness of the situation.\n\nGolden State Warriors’ starting point guard, Stephen Curry has a home court tradition of draining a long-distance shot from the player entrance tunnel during his warm up. Source The Mercury News\n\nThen as it nears start time and the two largest players square off for the tip-off, a switch flips and the competitor in each of the players shines through. While witnessing that shift in mentalities from the lighthearted warm ups to the game-time fierceness, I realized that I can learn something new from this game…\n\n\nEveryone needs to warm up.\n\n\nA warm up should be a series of light movements or exercises to help prime your mind and your body. These activities are milder in intensity, but specifically designed to help you perform at peak efficiency.\n\nThere are plenty of other activities, outside of sports that require a warm up for optimal results. While the activities vary in terms of physical and mental demand, the benefits are the same. Let’s dive deeper into three reasons why I think warming up can be beneficial for you.\n\nGet your body ready to perform\n\nIn sports, working out,  dance or other physical activity, a warm up has physiological benefits. A warm up primes the body for the upcoming intensity in the near future.\n\nIt increases blood flow to the muscles, it loosens the joints, and it readies the heart for the cardiovascular output it’s about to undergo.It serves as a physical signal for the body to prepare for the strain it is about to experience.\n\nWarming up is essential to turning on the muscles that you need to recruit for your specific functions, ensuring your body can keep up with the physical demands, and can decrease your risk of injury.\n\nBoost the mind-body connection\n\nThere’s also a mental component to performing a warm up. Whether or not you are competing, it’s important to be mentally focused as well in your physical activity. You shouldn’t be “going through the motions” of your movements.\n\nFor optimized results and an enhanced experience, it would behoove you to be mindful of how your body is operating during your exercise or function, i.e. which muscles need to be firing during a jump shot or which muscles are required to speak loudly.\n\nWhile I’m sure that somewhere out in the world, there exist a small population of people who can generate laser-like focus instantaneously, I’m willing to bet that most of us need to warm up our minds for such a mental demand.\n\nWarming up serves as mental dynamic stretch the mind-body connection. It also allows you to perform the movements or actions in a safer setting. There’s no pressure during the warm up. You’re able to execute your actions without fear of messing up. If there’s a time to mess up and make minuscule mistakes, it’s during your warm up.\n\n\nBe clear for your path to success\n\nAlong with mentally priming the “mind-body” connection, warming up helps build up your focus. Ultimately, you’re aiming for the bigger picture.\n\nIf you’re the Warriors, it’s winning the NBA Championship.\n\nIf you’re a presenter, it’s giving a highly-engaging and unforgettable speech.\n\nIf you’re about to workout, it’s pushing your body past its limits for the gains.\n\nIt’s absolutely necessary to remember your goal. That’s your motivation to exert maximum effort and to perform at your highest abilities.\n\nEvery major win is a summation of smaller wins. You cannot achieve your goal without succeeding at the little things first. During a warm up, you have the ability to remember your objective and envision the stages in between simultaneously.\n\nIt’s easy to focus on the end goal. It’s what you desire with a burning passion.  Being aware of the end goal is great, but you cannot lose sight of the pathway to your success.\nWarming up allows you time to position your focus towards that final prize. It helps clear your mind of the dispensable and counterproductive thoughts that are currently irrelevant and focus on the immediate tasks at hand.\n\nDwayne “The Rock” Johnson has a series of videos where he will yell “FOCUS” out into the distance as he is working out. Warming up can help you have the same intense, warrior-like focus as “The People’s Champ.” Source: Instagram @therock\n\nWarming up is unique to you\n\nYou should have a warm up routine that works best for you, but it might take a few iterations to find your favorite routine. One piece of advice I have is to see how other experts warm up.\n\nFor example, before every weightlifting workout I have, I NEED to warm up. Otherwise, my joints hurt, my muscles feel weak, my timing feels off, and my mental fortitude is weaker than wet toilet paper. I use a full-body dynamic warm up routine I found on online from a reputable weightlifting coach and I’ve made some modifications to focus more on my hips.\n\nCoach Greg Everett demonstrates a dynamic warm up routine that his athletes use before they workout. Source Catalyst Athletics\n\nAnother example of warming up helps me write. Before I write an article, I warm up my brain simply by journaling. This method came from a professional blogger and he recommends it to help get the creative juices flowing.\n\nOn the days I am feeling extra creative, I will warm up my writing skills with more imaginative writing prompts. Recently, I wrote a eulogy for a sandwich I recently consumed. R.I.P.\n\nYou don’t have to warm up. I completely understand. Some days it feels like a waste of time. However, I am certain to that you’ll notice a significant increase in your own performance and a more enjoyable experience by implementing the right routine for you.\n\nReaders, what are ways that you warm up for your activities?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9730187058448792}
{"content": "Cosmetic Brow Tattooing Brisbane\n\nCosmetic Brow Tattooing\n\nThe Fiori Institute of Skin and Body employs Brisbane’s most experienced brow technicians. \n\nCosmetic Brow Tattooing\n\nWatch a 1 minute video explaining the Cosmetic Brow Tattooing procedure.\n\nOur brow experts provide both traditional cosmetic brow tattooing and the newest in Feather Touch cosmetic tattoo brow etching to enhance the brow, increase volume and frame the eyes.*\n\nWhat is cosmetic tattooing?\n\nCosmetic tattooing is a technique that predates the newer Feather Touch technique, but both use the same concept of cosmetic tattooing using various inks to develop the brow line. Both procedures can redraw the brow line at different heights and widths to give symmetry to the face as well as frame the eyes.*\n\nWith cosmetic tattooing the difference is that this is undertaken with a digital tattooing device much like a superficial tattoo gun. This differs from the Feather Touch technique where the brows are shaped with oblique micro-blading. We find that this newer technique gives a more natural look, with enhanced brow volume.*\n\nCosmetic Brow Tattooing Before & Afters\n\nHow can cosmetic tattooing provide brow rejuvenation?\n\nCosmetic tattooing refers to the use of a digital cosmetic tattooing device, which can provide eyebrow definition as well as eyeliner and lip liner. In the context of eye rejuvenation, it provides more well-defined and properly structured. Cosmetic tattooing can reposition brows to sit higher, with a perfectly placed ‘peak’ and ‘tail’.*\n\nWhy is it important to have an expert perform my cosmetic brow tattooing procedure? \n\nNot only do brows need to be drawn in the perfect position, and the correct amount of volume added, but the colour also needs to be taken into consideration. Cosmetic tattoos contain various oxides namely titanium dioxide and iron oxide in various shades of brown and black.\n\nThe exact placement of the ink into the dermal layers of the eyebrow skin is vitally important. A superficial placement will result in brows that may not last as long as they should (for certain techniques we expect these to be semipermanent and last 18 months). If pigmentation is placed too deeply in the eyebrows, it can lead to deep dermal tattooing, which can result in a greyish appearance.\n\nThe new form of Feather Touch cosmetic brow tattooing has largely replaced traditional cosmetic tattooing. Feather Touch adds volume and provides a more natural looking eyebrow.*\n\nHow long does the procedure take to perform?\n\nBrow tattooing typically takes from 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity and volume needed to shape your brow. Our brow specialists are absolutely meticulous!*\n\nIs cosmetic brow tattooing painful? \n\nNo, we use the very latest in a specialised numbing cream so treatments are entirely painless.*\n\nHow do the cosmetic tattooing and Feather Touch techniques differ?\n\nBoth techniques use a hypoallergenic tattoo pigment which is implanted into the skin. Depending on the level of implementation of the pigment, both procedures may last up to 18 months to two years (resulted will vary depending on the client’s exposure to sun, individual factors and resistance to pigment).\n\nWhere the procedures differ is in the technique. Cosmetic tattooing uses a digital tattoo, while the very latest in Feather Touch Brow tattooing uses a custom-made metal hand-tool with fine needles to create fine hair strokes.\n\nBoth techniques can yield excellent results; however, the Feather Touch’s hair stroke technique provides more natural results. This technique also adds brow volume that is not visible with two-dimensional cosmetic tattooing.*\n\n\nAre you interested in learning if\nFeather Touch Cosmetic Brow tattooing is right for you?\n\nBook your FREE consultation\nwith one of our brow specialists.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8395442366600037}
{"content": "Page 1\n\nThe synthesis of two great cultures, India and Persia, took place thousands of years ago. Their common roots—the Indo-Persian language, the oldest Persian religion,Mithraism, and their related myths, plus many features of their social and spiritual lives —have inextricably bound these two cultures together. a project of the philharmonic society\n\nTuesday, March 17, 2015, 8pm Irvine Barclay Theatre\n\nA NOWRUZ CELEBRATION featuring Kayhan Kalhor & Shujaat Husain Khan Kayhan Kalhor, kamancheh Shujaat Husain Khan, sitar Sandeep Das, tabla\n\nCONTACT: Isabel Soffer\n\nEclectic Orange Series Sponsors Judith and Howard Jelinek Additional support from Bette and Wylie Aitken\n\nExclusive Print Sponsor Photographing or recording this performance without permission is prohibited. Kindly disable pagers, cellular phones, and other audible devices. Although rare, all dates, times, artists, programs, and prices are subject to change.\n\nAt the turn of the 13th century, a number of Sufi scholars, among them the Persian poet, historian and musician Amir Khusrau, had a large impact on classical music in North India. From Amir Khusrau’s time until well into the Mughal period, foreign music, particularly from Iran, was commonly heard at the Indian courts. It is not surprising, therefore, that Indian classical music was subjected to new influences. Amir Khusrau, in spite of his dedication to traditional Indian music, was a great innovator and is popularly credited with the introduction of a number of Persian elements into Indian music, including vocal forms (qawwali and tarana), ragas and talas, and musical instruments such as the sitar and tabla. The most important advances in Indian music were made between the 14th and 18th centuries. During this period, Hindustani music came into contact with Persian music and assimilated it through the Pathan and Mongol invasions. At the same time, Persian music experienced a great transformation from the Maqam to the Dastgah system. Although there exists common features of the Hindustani Raga and Persian Dastgah, the two can be clearly delineated from one another. In this respect, the Dastgah and the Raga must be considered as two different systems which have been formed by the social and cultural aspects of their people. These two independent musical fields represent the Indic world with its Raga system, and the Near and Middle Eastern world with their Maqam and Dastgah systems. A Dastgah is a collection of melodic forms (Gushehs) which create the repertory of Iranian classical music or Radif. The Radif is organized into 12 modes, 7 primary and 5 secondary, which are named after the principal or primary melodic phrase called Daramad. The intervalic structure within a\n\nabout the program\n\na noWrUZ ceLeBration\n\nabout the program\n\nPHoto: Ira Landgarten\n\nDastgah, and sometimes even within a Gusheh, is varied. The Dastgah and its constituent Gushehs provide a framework for creative improvisation and composition. The Radif includes more than four hundred Gushehs. The number of Gushehs in a Dastgah vary between fifteen and forty or more. Traditionally a performer may choose some six to ten gushehs in one performance. In comparison to Hindustani music, where modulation does not occur, changing modes is feasible within the boundary of a Dastgah. The Raga forms the backbone of Indian classical music. A Raga is a melodic structure with a basic scale of seven notes with 5 basic accidentals and up to 22 microtonal forms. Every Raga must have at least five notes and can have up to twelve. Ragas using the same basic scale may be differentiated by different vadi (dominant note) and samavadi (subdominant note) which are emphasized in the develpment of the Raga. Melodic ornamentation is complex and essential, and also employs microtonal fluctuations on selected pitches. Hundreds of Ragas exist today, sometimes in different forms and different traditions (gharanas).\n\nBoth Indian and Persian classical music are characterized by microtonal and monophonic structure and dependence on improvisation. In each of these traditions, a master musician is capable of using a primary melodic form as a base for improvising. There are many factors involved in a musician's understanding of and approach to his music. Each musician's schooling (the Indian gharana and Iranian maktab), personal style, technical ability and vision has great impact on his approach to developing his musical ideas. This makes every performance, even of the same Raga or Dastgah, exciting, fresh and unpredictable each time it is performed. aBoUt tHe artists Ghazal Ensemble Ghazal, formed in 1997 by Kayhan Kalhor and Shujaat Husain Khan, has been touring the world ever since. Their first recording, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lost Songs of the Silk Road,â&#x20AC;? won critical acclaim as a unique recording, bringing together two Eastern classical traditions that had not performed together before. The artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first\n\nSHujaat HuSSaIn kHan\n\nmeeting took place in a small studio in Los Angeles after being introduced to each other through a mutual friend. They played together for twenty minutes, which was all they needed to decide that their musical ideas were similar. Their meeting sparked the idea to make a recording, and a date and time was set in New York. Shanachie Records produced their first three CDs, “Lost Songs of the Silk Road,” “As the Night Falls on the Silk Road,” and “Moon Rise on the Silk Road.” Their fourth album was released by ECM records. They have performed in major concert halls and festivals throughout the world. This marks their first tour in North America in ten years. Shujaat Hussain Khan, sitar Shujaat Hussain Khan, son and disciple of the late master sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan, is one of the leading artists of his generation in North Indian classical music. Shujaat started playing sitar at the age of three and by the time he was six he began making public performances. He performs regularly at all major musical festivals in India and throughout the United States, the Far East and Europe. He belongs to the Imdad Khan gharana (school) of the sitar and is the seventh in an unbroken family line that has produced many musical masters. In 2001, he was awarded the Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Sammaan, India's highest honor for a classical musician under the age of 45. He taught Indian classical music at UCLA for many years. He has made dozens of recordings and tours extensively around the world.\n\nKayhan Kalhor, kamancheh Three-time Grammy nominee Kayhan Kalhor is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso on the kamancheh (spiked fiddle), who, through his many musical collaborations, has been instrumental in popularizing Persian music in the West and is a creative force in today’s music scene. His performances of traditional Persian music and multiple collaborations have attracted audiences around the globe. He has studied the music of Iran’s many regions, in particular those of Khorason and Kordestan, and has toured the world as a soloist with various ensembles and orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and the Orchestre National de Lyon. He is co-founder of the renowned ensembles Dastan and Masters of Persian Music. Kayhan Kalhor has composed works for Iran’s most renowned vocalists Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Shahram Nazeri and has also performed and recorded with Iran’s greatest instrumentalists. He has composed music for television and film and was featured on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Copolla’s Youth Without Youth in a score that he collaborated on with Osvaldo Golijov. John Adams invited him to give a solo recital at Carnegie Hall as part of his Perspectives Series and he has appeared on a double bill at Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival, sharing the program with the Festival Orchestra performing the Mozart Requiem. Kayhan is an original member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, for which he continues to compose and tour. His compositions appear on all of the ensemble’s albums.\n\nkayHan kaLHor\n\nSandeeP daS\n\nSandeep Das, tabla Sandeep Das is one of today’s leading tabla players. A favorite disciple of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj ji, Das has built a diverse international career, collaborating with a variety of genre-crossing artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Paquito D'Rivera and Kayhan Kalhor. He has appeared as a soloist with some of the world’s leading classical orchestras and string quartets. He made his stage debut with Pandit Ravi Shankar at the age of sixteen and since then he has performed regularly with many leading Indian maestros. Das is also founder of HUM (Harmony and Universality through Music), an ensemble promoting global understanding through performance and education. He has composed for and performed internationally with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble for the last 15 years. aBoUt tHe instrUMents Kamancheh The kamancheh (spiked fiddle), the ancient bowed string instrument of Iran, is ancestor to most bowed instruments throughout Asia and Europe. It has a small, hollowed belly made of walnut or mulberry wood with a thin, stretched skin covering and a conical shaped neck. The contemporary kamancheh has four strings, generally tuned in fourths or fifths, and it is played vertically.\n\nTabla The tabla consists of two hand drums. The right drum, called tabla or dayan, is carved out of a single block of hardwood and is tuned to the tonic of the Raga. The left hand drum, called bayan, is usually made of brass or copper. Both drums are covered with skin and have a circular patch of paste made with iron filings, flour and other ingredients affixed to them.\n\nabout the artists\n\nSitar The sitar is a long, hollow-necked, fretted lute with one or two gourd resonators. It has two main playing strings, two variable drone strings, two fixed, high pitched drone strings and up to thirteen sympathetic strings which are tuned to a particular Raga. The frets are movable and are set according to the scale of the Raga. An important part of the playing technique includes pulling the strings to produce slides and ornaments.\n\nNowruz Celebration Program", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9905804395675659}
{"content": "\n\n\nCanonical URL:\n\nDataType > Text\n\nData type: Text.\n\nUsage: Between 1000 and 10,000 domains\n\nInstances of Text may appear as values for the following properties\n\nPropertyOn TypesDescription\naccessCode DeliveryEvent Password, PIN, or access code needed for delivery (e.g. from a locker).\naccessibilityAPI CreativeWork Indicates that the resource is compatible with the referenced accessibility API (WebSchemas wiki lists possible values).\naccessibilityControl CreativeWork Identifies input methods that are sufficient to fully control the described resource (WebSchemas wiki lists possible values).\naccountId Invoice The identifier for the account the payment will be applied to.\naction Muscle Obsolete term for muscleAction. Not to be confused with potentialAction.\nactionOption ChooseAction A sub property of object. The options subject to this action. Supersedes option.\nactiveIngredient DietarySupplement  or\nDrug  or\nDrugStrength  or\nactivityFrequency ExercisePlan How often one should engage in the activity.\nadditionalName Person An additional name for a Person, can be used for a middle name.\nadditionalVariable ExercisePlan Any additional component of the exercise prescription that may need to be articulated to the patient. This may include the order of exercises, the number of repetitions of movement, quantitative distance, progressions over time, etc.\naddress GeoCoordinates  or\nGeoShape  or\nOrganization  or\nPerson  or\nPhysical address of the item.\naddressCountry GeoCoordinates  or\nGeoShape  or\nThe country. For example, USA. You can also provide the two-letter ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code.\naddressLocality PostalAddress The locality. For example, Mountain View.\naddressRegion PostalAddress The region. For example, CA.\nadministrationRoute Drug A route by which this drug may be administered, e.g. 'oral'.\naircraft Flight The kind of aircraft (e.g., \"Boeing 747\").\nalcoholWarning Drug Any precaution, guidance, contraindication, etc. related to consumption of alcohol while taking this drug.\nalgorithm MedicalRiskScore The algorithm or rules to follow to compute the score.\nalignmentType AlignmentObject A category of alignment between the learning resource and the framework node. Recommended values include: 'assesses', 'teaches', 'requires', 'textComplexity', 'readingLevel', 'educationalSubject', and 'educationalLevel'.\nalternateName Thing An alias for the item.\nalternativeHeadline CreativeWork A secondary title of the CreativeWork.\napplicationSuite SoftwareApplication The name of the application suite to which the application belongs (e.g. Excel belongs to Office).\nareaServed ContactPoint  or\nDeliveryChargeSpecification  or\nDemand  or\nOffer  or\nOrganization  or\narrivalGate Flight Identifier of the flight's arrival gate.\narrivalPlatform TrainTrip The platform where the train arrives.\narrivalTerminal Flight Identifier of the flight's arrival terminal.\nartEdition VisualArtwork The number of copies when multiple copies of a piece of artwork are produced - e.g. for a limited edition of 20 prints, 'artEdition' refers to the total number of copies (in this example \"20\").\narticleBody Article The actual body of the article.\nassemblyVersion APIReference Associated product/technology version. e.g., .NET Framework 4.5.\nassociatedPathophysiology AnatomicalStructure  or\nAnatomicalSystem  or\navailableLanguage ContactPoint  or\nLodgingBusiness  or\nServiceChannel  or\nA language someone may use with or at the item, service or place. Please use one of the language codes from the IETF BCP 47 standard. See also inLanguage\naward CreativeWork  or\nOrganization  or\nPerson  or\nProduct  or\nAn award won by or for this item. Supersedes awards.\nbackground DietarySupplement Descriptive information establishing a historical perspective on the supplement. May include the rationale for the name, the population where the supplement first came to prominence, etc.\nbed HotelRoom  or\nThe type of bed or beds included in the accommodation. For the single case of just one bed of a certain type, you use bed directly with a text. If you want to indicate the quantity of a certain kind of bed, use an instance of BedDetails. For more detailed information, use the amenityFeature property.\nbiomechnicalClass Joint The biomechanical properties of the bone.\nbitrate MediaObject The bitrate of the media object.\nboardingGroup FlightReservation The airline-specific indicator of boarding order / preference.\nbodyLocation AnatomicalStructure  or\nLocation in the body of the anatomical structure.\nbookEdition Book The edition of the book.\nbox GeoShape A box is the area enclosed by the rectangle formed by two points. The first point is the lower corner, the second point is the upper corner. A box is expressed as two points separated by a space character.\n\n\nbreadcrumb WebPage A set of links that can help a user understand and navigate a website hierarchy.\nbreastfeedingWarning Drug Any precaution, guidance, contraindication, etc. related to this drug's use by breastfeeding mothers.\nbroadcastChannelId BroadcastChannel The unique address by which the BroadcastService can be identified in a provider lineup. In US, this is typically a number.\nbroadcastDisplayName BroadcastService The name displayed in the channel guide. For many US affiliates, it is the network name.\nbroadcastServiceTier BroadcastChannel The type of service required to have access to the channel (e.g. Standard or Premium).\nbroadcastTimezone BroadcastService The timezone in ISO 8601 format for which the service bases its broadcasts\nbrowserRequirements WebApplication Specifies browser requirements in human-readable text. For example, 'requires HTML5 support'.\nbusName BusTrip The name of the bus (e.g. Bolt Express).\nbusNumber BusTrip The unique identifier for the bus.\ncaption ImageObject  or\nThe caption for this object.\ncatalogNumber MusicRelease The catalog number for the release.\ncategory Class  or\nInvoice  or\nOffer  or\nPhysicalActivity  or\nProduct  or\nProperty  or\ncharacterName PerformanceRole The name of a character played in some acting or performing role, i.e. in a PerformanceRole.\ncircle GeoShape A circle is the circular region of a specified radius centered at a specified latitude and longitude. A circle is expressed as a pair followed by a radius in meters.\nclaimReviewed ClaimReview A short summary of the specific claims reviewed in a ClaimReview.\nclinicalPharmacology Drug Description of the absorption and elimination of drugs, including their concentration (pharmacokinetics, pK) and biological effects (pharmacodynamics, pD). Supersedes clincalPharmacology.\nclipNumber Clip Position of the clip within an ordered group of clips.\ncodingSystem MedicalCode The coding system, e.g. 'ICD-10'.\ncolor Product The color of the product.\ncommentText UserComments The text of the UserComment.\nconfirmationNumber Invoice  or\nA number that confirms the given order or payment has been received.\ncontentRating CreativeWork Official rating of a piece of content—for example,'MPAA PG-13'.\ncontentSize MediaObject File size in (mega/kilo) bytes.\ncontentType EntryPoint The supported content type(s) for an EntryPoint response.\ncontraindication MedicalDevice  or\nA contraindication for this therapy.\ncookingMethod Recipe The method of cooking, such as Frying, Steaming, ...\ncostCurrency DrugCost The currency (in 3-letter of the drug cost. See:\ncostOrigin DrugCost Additional details to capture the origin of the cost data. For example, 'Medicare Part B'.\ncostPerUnit DrugCost The cost per unit of the drug.\ncourseCode Course The identifier for the Course used by the course provider (e.g. CS101 or 6.001).\ncoursePrerequisites Course Requirements for taking the Course. May be completion of another Course or a textual description like \"permission of instructor\". Requirements may be a pre-requisite competency, referenced using AlignmentObject.\ncurrenciesAccepted LocalBusiness The currency accepted (in ISO 4217 currency format).\ncurrency DatedMoneySpecification  or\nExchangeRateSpecification  or\nLoanOrCredit  or\nMonetaryAmount  or\nThe currency in which the monetary amount is expressed (in 3-letter ISO 4217 format).\ndateline NewsArticle A dateline is a brief piece of text included in news articles that describes where and when the story was written or filed though the date is often omitted. Sometimes only a placename is provided.\ndepartureGate Flight Identifier of the flight's departure gate.\ndeparturePlatform TrainTrip The platform from which the train departs.\ndepartureTerminal Flight Identifier of the flight's departure terminal.\ndependencies TechArticle Prerequisites needed to fulfill steps in article.\ndescription Thing A description of the item.\ndiscount Order Any discount applied (to an Order).\ndiscountCode Order Code used to redeem a discount.\ndiscountCurrency Order The currency (in 3-letter ISO 4217 format) of the discount.\ndosageForm Drug A dosage form in which this drug/supplement is available, e.g. 'tablet', 'suspension', 'injection'.\ndoseUnit DoseSchedule The unit of the dose, e.g. 'mg'.\ndriveWheelConfiguration Vehicle The drive wheel configuration, i.e. which roadwheels will receive torque from the vehicle's engine via the drivetrain.\ndrugUnit Drug  or\nThe unit in which the drug is measured, e.g. '5 mg tablet'.\nduns Organization  or\neducationRequirements JobPosting  or\nEducational background needed for the position or Occupation.\neducationalFramework AlignmentObject The framework to which the resource being described is aligned.\neducationalRole EducationalAudience An educationalRole of an EducationalAudience.\nelevation GeoCoordinates  or\nThe elevation of a location (WGS 84).\neligibleRegion DeliveryChargeSpecification  or\nDemand  or\nThe ISO 3166-1 (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2) or ISO 3166-2 code, the place, or the GeoShape for the geo-political region(s) for which the offer or delivery charge specification is valid.\n\nSee also ineligibleRegion.\n\nemail ContactPoint  or\nOrganization  or\nEmail address.\nemploymentType JobPosting Type of employment (e.g. full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, seasonal, internship).\nencodingFormat MediaObject mp3, mpeg4, etc.\nencodingType EntryPoint The supported encoding type(s) for an EntryPoint request.\nepidemiology MedicalCondition  or\nepisodeNumber Episode Position of the episode within an ordered group of episodes.\nestimatedCost HowTo  or\nThe estimated cost of the supply or supplies consumed when performing instructions.\nestimatedFlightDuration Flight The estimated time the flight will take.\nevidenceOrigin MedicalGuideline Source of the data used to formulate the guidance, e.g. RCT, consensus opinion, etc.\nexecutableLibraryName APIReference Library file name e.g., mscorlib.dll, system.web.dll. Supersedes assembly.\nexerciseType ExerciseAction  or\nType(s) of exercise or activity, such as strength training, flexibility training, aerobics, cardiac rehabilitation, etc.\nexifData ImageObject exif data for this object.\nexpectedPrognosis MedicalCondition The likely outcome in either the short term or long term of the medical condition.\nexperienceRequirements JobPosting  or\nDescription of skills and experience needed for the position or Occupation.\nexpertConsiderations Diet Medical expert advice related to the plan.\nfamilyName Person Family name. In the U.S., the last name of an Person. This can be used along with givenName instead of the name property.\nfaxNumber ContactPoint  or\nOrganization  or\nPerson  or\nThe fax number.\nfeesAndCommissionsSpecification FinancialProduct  or\nflightDistance Flight The distance of the flight.\nfollowup MedicalProcedure Typical or recommended followup care after the procedure is performed.\nfoodWarning Drug Any precaution, guidance, contraindication, etc. related to consumption of specific foods while taking this drug.\nfrequency DoseSchedule How often the dose is taken, e.g. 'daily'.\nfuelType EngineSpecification  or\nfunction AnatomicalStructure Function of the anatomical structure.\nfunctionalClass Joint The degree of mobility the joint allows.\ngamePlatform VideoGame  or\nThe electronic systems used to play video games.\ngender Person Gender of the person. While and may be used, text strings are also acceptable for people who do not identify as a binary gender.\ngenre BroadcastChannel  or\nCreativeWork  or\nGenre of the creative work, broadcast channel or group.\ngivenName Person Given name. In the U.S., the first name of a Person. This can be used along with familyName instead of the name property.\nglobalLocationNumber Organization  or\nPerson  or\ngtin12 Demand  or\nOffer  or\nThe GTIN-12 code of the product, or the product to which the offer refers. The GTIN-12 is the 12-digit GS1 Identification Key composed of a U.P.C. Company Prefix, Item Reference, and Check Digit used to identify trade items. See GS1 GTIN Summary for more details.\ngtin13 Demand  or\nOffer  or\nThe GTIN-13 code of the product, or the product to which the offer refers. This is equivalent to 13-digit ISBN codes and EAN UCC-13. Former 12-digit UPC codes can be converted into a GTIN-13 code by simply adding a preceeding zero. See GS1 GTIN Summary for more details.\ngtin14 Demand  or\nOffer  or\nThe GTIN-14 code of the product, or the product to which the offer refers. See GS1 GTIN Summary for more details.\ngtin8 Demand  or\nOffer  or\nThe GTIN-8 code of the product, or the product to which the offer refers. This code is also known as EAN/UCC-8 or 8-digit EAN. See GS1 GTIN Summary for more details.\nheadline CreativeWork Headline of the article.\nhighPrice AggregateOffer The highest price of all offers available.\nhonorificPrefix Person An honorific prefix preceding a Person's name such as Dr/Mrs/Mr.\nhonorificSuffix Person An honorific suffix preceding a Person's name such as M.D. /PhD/MSCSW.\nhowPerformed MedicalProcedure How the procedure is performed.\niataCode Airline  or\nIATA identifier for an airline or airport.\nicaoCode Airport ICAO identifier for an airport.\ninLanguage CommunicateAction  or\nCreativeWork  or\nEvent  or\nLinkRole  or\nincentiveCompensation JobPosting Description of bonus and commission compensation aspects of the job. Supersedes incentives.\nindustry JobPosting The industry associated with the job position.\nineligibleRegion DeliveryChargeSpecification  or\nDemand  or\nThe ISO 3166-1 (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2) or ISO 3166-2 code, the place, or the GeoShape for the geo-political region(s) for which the offer or delivery charge specification is not valid, e.g. a region where the transaction is not allowed.\n\nSee also eligibleRegion.\n\ninfectiousAgent InfectiousDisease The actual infectious agent, such as a specific bacterium.\nintensity ExercisePlan Quantitative measure gauging the degree of force involved in the exercise, for example, heartbeats per minute. May include the velocity of the movement.\nisbn Book The ISBN of the book.\nisicV4 Organization  or\nPerson  or\nisrcCode MusicRecording The International Standard Recording Code for the recording.\nissn Blog  or\nCreativeWorkSeries  or\nDataset  or\nissueNumber PublicationIssue Identifies the issue of publication; for example, \"iii\" or \"2\".\niswcCode MusicComposition The International Standard Musical Work Code for the composition.\n\n\n\njobBenefits JobPosting Description of benefits associated with the job. Supersedes benefits.\njobTitle Person The job title of the person (for example, Financial Manager).\nknownVehicleDamages Vehicle A textual description of known damages, both repaired and unrepaired.\nlegalName Organization The official name of the organization, e.g. the registered company name.\nlegalStatus DietarySupplement  or\nDrug  or\nleiCode Organization An organization identifier that uniquely identifies a legal entity as defined in ISO 17442.\nline GeoShape A line is a point-to-point path consisting of two or more points. A line is expressed as a series of two or more point objects separated by space.\nlocation Action  or\nEvent  or\nlodgingUnitDescription LodgingReservation A full description of the lodging unit.\nlowPrice AggregateOffer The lowest price of all offers available.\nmaterial CreativeWork  or\nmealService Flight Description of the meals that will be provided or available for purchase.\nmechanismOfAction DietarySupplement  or\nThe specific biochemical interaction through which this drug or supplement produces its pharmacological effect.\nmembershipNumber ProgramMembership A unique identifier for the membership.\nmemoryRequirements SoftwareApplication Minimum memory requirements.\nmodel Product The model of the product. Use with the URL of a ProductModel or a textual representation of the model identifier. The URL of the ProductModel can be from an external source. It is recommended to additionally provide strong product identifiers via the gtin8/gtin13/gtin14 and mpn properties.\nmpn Demand  or\nOffer  or\nThe Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) of the product, or the product to which the offer refers.\nmuscleAction Muscle The movement the muscle generates.\nmusicCompositionForm MusicComposition The type of composition (e.g. overture, sonata, symphony, etc.).\nmusicalKey MusicComposition The key, mode, or scale this composition uses.\nnaics Organization  or\nname Thing The name of the item.\nnaturalProgression MedicalCondition The expected progression of the condition if it is not treated and allowed to progress naturally.\nnonProprietaryName DietarySupplement  or\nThe generic name of this drug or supplement.\nnormalRange MedicalTest Range of acceptable values for a typical patient, when applicable.\nnumberOfAirbags Vehicle The number or type of airbags in the vehicle.\noccupationalCategory JobPosting  or\nCategory or categories describing the job. Use BLS O*NET-SOC taxonomy: Ideally includes textual label and formal code, with the property repeated for each applicable value.\nopeningHours CivicStructure  or\n\n\noperatingSystem SoftwareApplication Operating systems supported (Windows 7, OSX 10.6, Android 1.6).\norderItemNumber OrderItem The identifier of the order item.\norderNumber Order The identifier of the transaction.\noutcome MedicalProcedure  or\nExpected or actual outcomes of the study.\noverdosage Drug Any information related to overdose on a drug, including signs or symptoms, treatments, contact information for emergency response.\npageEnd Article  or\nChapter  or\nPublicationIssue  or\npageStart Article  or\nChapter  or\nPublicationIssue  or\npagination Article  or\nChapter  or\nPublicationIssue  or\npassengerPriorityStatus FlightReservation The priority status assigned to a passenger for security or boarding (e.g. FastTrack or Priority).\npassengerSequenceNumber FlightReservation The passenger's sequence number as assigned by the airline.\npathophysiology MedicalCondition  or\npaymentAccepted LocalBusiness Cash, credit card, etc.\npaymentMethodId Invoice  or\nAn identifier for the method of payment used (e.g. the last 4 digits of the credit card).\npaymentStatus Invoice The status of payment; whether the invoice has been paid or not.\npermittedUsage Accommodation Indications regarding the permitted usage of the accommodation.\npetsAllowed Accommodation  or\nIndicates whether pets are allowed to enter the accommodation or lodging business. More detailed information can be put in a text value.\nphase MedicalTrial The phase of the clinical trial.\nphysiologicalBenefits Diet Specific physiologic benefits associated to the plan.\nplayerType MediaObject Player type required—for example, Flash or Silverlight.\npopulation MedicalStudy Any characteristics of the population used in the study, e.g. 'males under 65'.\nposition CreativeWork  or\npostOfficeBoxNumber PostalAddress The post office box number for PO box addresses.\npostOp MedicalDevice A description of the postoperative procedures, care, and/or followups for this device.\npostalCode GeoCoordinates  or\nGeoShape  or\nThe postal code. For example, 94043.\npreOp MedicalDevice A description of the workup, testing, and other preparations required before implanting this device.\npregnancyWarning Drug Any precaution, guidance, contraindication, etc. related to this drug's use during pregnancy.\npreparation MedicalProcedure Typical preparation that a patient must undergo before having the procedure performed.\nprescriptionStatus Drug Indicates the status of drug prescription eg. local catalogs classifications or whether the drug is available by prescription or over-the-counter, etc.\nprice Offer  or\nPriceSpecification  or\n\n\nUsage guidelines:\n\n  • Use the priceCurrency property (with ISO 4217 codes e.g. \"USD\") instead of including ambiguous symbols such as '$' in the value.\npriceCurrency Offer  or\nPriceSpecification  or\nReservation  or\npriceRange LocalBusiness The price range of the business, for example $$$.\nprintColumn NewsArticle The number of the column in which the NewsArticle appears in the print edition.\nprintEdition NewsArticle The edition of the print product in which the NewsArticle appears.\nprintPage NewsArticle If this NewsArticle appears in print, this field indicates the name of the page on which the article is found. Please note that this field is intended for the exact page name (e.g. A5, B18).\nprintSection NewsArticle If this NewsArticle appears in print, this field indicates the print section in which the article appeared.\nprocedure MedicalDevice A description of the procedure involved in setting up, using, and/or installing the device.\nprocessorRequirements SoftwareApplication Processor architecture required to run the application (e.g. IA64).\nproductID Product The product identifier, such as ISBN. For example: meta itemprop=\"productID\" content=\"isbn:123-456-789\".\nproductSupported ContactPoint The product or service this support contact point is related to (such as product support for a particular product line). This can be a specific product or product line (e.g. \"iPhone\") or a general category of products or services (e.g. \"smartphones\").\nproficiencyLevel TechArticle Proficiency needed for this content; expected values: 'Beginner', 'Expert'.\nprogramName ProgramMembership The program providing the membership.\nprogrammingLanguage SoftwareSourceCode The computer programming language.\nprogrammingModel APIReference Indicates whether API is managed or unmanaged.\nproprietaryName DietarySupplement  or\nproviderMobility Service Indicates the mobility of a provided service (e.g. 'static', 'dynamic').\npublicationType MedicalScholarlyArticle The type of the medical article, taken from the US NLM MeSH publication type catalog. See also MeSH documentation.\nqualifications JobPosting  or\nSpecific qualifications required for this role or Occupation.\nquery SearchAction A sub property of instrument. The query used on this action.\nratingValue Rating The rating for the content.\nrecipeCategory Recipe The category of the recipe—for example, appetizer, entree, etc.\nrecipeCuisine Recipe The cuisine of the recipe (for example, French or Ethiopian).\nrecipeIngredient Recipe A single ingredient used in the recipe, e.g. sugar, flour or garlic. Supersedes ingredients.\nrecommendationStrength MedicalGuidelineRecommendation Strength of the guideline's recommendation (e.g. 'class I').\nreleaseNotes SoftwareApplication Description of what changed in this version.\nreportNumber Report The number or other unique designator assigned to a Report by the publishing organization.\nrequiredGender PeopleAudience Audiences defined by a person's gender.\nrequiredQuantity HowToItem The required quantity of the item(s).\nreservationId Reservation A unique identifier for the reservation.\nresponsibilities JobPosting  or\nResponsibilities associated with this role or Occupation.\nrestPeriods ExercisePlan How often one should break from the activity.\nreviewBody Review The actual body of the review.\nrisks Diet Specific physiologic risks associated to the diet plan.\nsalaryCurrency EmployeeRole  or\nThe currency (coded using ISO 4217 ) used for the main salary information in this job posting or for this employee.\nseasonNumber CreativeWorkSeason Position of the season within an ordered group of seasons.\nseatNumber Seat The location of the reserved seat (e.g., 27).\nseatRow Seat The row location of the reserved seat (e.g., B).\nseatSection Seat The section location of the reserved seat (e.g. Orchestra).\nseatingType Seat The type/class of the seat.\nsecurityScreening FlightReservation The type of security screening the passenger is subject to.\nserialNumber Demand  or\nIndividualProduct  or\nThe serial number or any alphanumeric identifier of a particular product. When attached to an offer, it is a shortcut for the serial number of the product included in the offer.\nservesCuisine FoodEstablishment The cuisine of the restaurant.\nserviceType Service The type of service being offered, e.g. veterans' benefits, emergency relief, etc.\nservingSize NutritionInformation The serving size, in terms of the number of volume or mass.\nsignificance SuperficialAnatomy The significance associated with the superficial anatomy; as an example, how characteristics of the superficial anatomy can suggest underlying medical conditions or courses of treatment.\nskills JobPosting  or\nSkills required to fulfill this role.\nsku Demand  or\nOffer  or\nThe Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), i.e. a merchant-specific identifier for a product or service, or the product to which the offer refers.\nsoftwareVersion SoftwareApplication Version of the software instance.\nspecialCommitments JobPosting Any special commitments associated with this job posting. Valid entries include VeteranCommit, MilitarySpouseCommit, etc.\nsport SportsOrganization A type of sport (e.g. Baseball).\nstatus MedicalCondition  or\nMedicalProcedure  or\nThe status of the study (enumerated).\nstep HowTo A single step item (as HowToStep, text, document, video, etc.) or a HowToSection. Supersedes steps.\nstorageRequirements SoftwareApplication Storage requirements (free space required).\nstreetAddress PostalAddress The street address. For example, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy.\nstrengthUnit DrugStrength The units of an active ingredient's strength, e.g. mg.\nstructuralClass Joint The name given to how bone physically connects to each other.\nsubStageSuffix MedicalConditionStage The substage, e.g. 'a' for Stage IIIa.\nsubtitleLanguage Movie  or\nScreeningEvent  or\nLanguages in which subtitles/captions are available, in IETF BCP 47 standard format.\nsuggestedGender PeopleAudience The gender of the person or audience.\nsupply HowTo  or\nA sub-property of instrument. A supply consumed when performing instructions or a direction.\ntargetDescription AlignmentObject The description of a node in an established educational framework.\ntargetName AlignmentObject The name of a node in an established educational framework.\ntargetPlatform APIReference Type of app development: phone, Metro style, desktop, XBox, etc.\ntargetPopulation DietarySupplement  or\ntaxID Organization  or\ntelephone ContactPoint  or\nOrganization  or\nPerson  or\nThe telephone number.\ntext CreativeWork The textual content of this CreativeWork.\ntickerSymbol Corporation The exchange traded instrument associated with a Corporation object. The tickerSymbol is expressed as an exchange and an instrument name separated by a space character. For the exchange component of the tickerSymbol attribute, we reccommend using the controlled vocaulary of Market Identifier Codes (MIC) specified in ISO15022.\nticketNumber Ticket The unique identifier for the ticket.\ntissueSample PathologyTest The type of tissue sample required for the test.\ntitle JobPosting The title of the job.\ntool HowTo  or\nA sub property of instrument. An object used (but not consumed) when performing instructions or a direction.\ntotalPrice Reservation  or\ntrackingNumber ParcelDelivery Shipper tracking number.\ntrainName TrainTrip The name of the train (e.g. The Orient Express).\ntrainNumber TrainTrip The unique identifier for the train.\ntranscript AudioObject  or\ntypeOfBed BedDetails The type of bed to which the BedDetail refers, i.e. the type of bed available in the quantity indicated by quantity.\ntypicalAgeRange CreativeWork  or\nunitCode PropertyValue  or\nQuantitativeValue  or\nTypeAndQuantityNode  or\nunitText PropertyValue  or\nQuantitativeValue  or\nTypeAndQuantityNode  or\nA string or text indicating the unit of measurement. Useful if you cannot provide a standard unit code for unitCode.\nurlTemplate EntryPoint An url template (RFC6570) that will be used to construct the target of the execution of the action.\nvalue MonetaryAmount  or\nPropertyValue  or\n\nThe value of the quantitative value or property value node.\n\nvalueName PropertyValueSpecification Indicates the name of the PropertyValueSpecification to be used in URL templates and form encoding in a manner analogous to HTML's input@name.\nvaluePattern PropertyValueSpecification Specifies a regular expression for testing literal values according to the HTML spec.\nvatID Organization  or\nThe Value-added Tax ID of the organization or person.\nvehicleConfiguration Vehicle A short text indicating the configuration of the vehicle, e.g. '5dr hatchback ST 2.5 MT 225 hp' or 'limited edition'.\nvehicleIdentificationNumber Vehicle The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles.\nvehicleInteriorColor Vehicle The color or color combination of the interior of the vehicle.\nvehicleSpecialUsage Vehicle Indicates whether the vehicle has been used for special purposes, like commercial rental, driving school, or as a taxi. The legislation in many countries requires this information to be revealed when offering a car for sale.\nvideoFormat BroadcastEvent  or\nBroadcastService  or\nThe type of screening or video broadcast used (e.g. IMAX, 3D, SD, HD, etc.).\nvideoFrameSize VideoObject The frame size of the video.\nvideoQuality VideoObject The quality of the video.\nvolumeNumber PublicationVolume Identifies the volume of publication or multi-part work; for example, \"iii\" or \"2\".\nwarning Drug Any FDA or other warnings about the drug (text or URL).\nworkHours JobPosting The typical working hours for this job (e.g. 1st shift, night shift, 8am-5pm).\nyield HowTo The quantity that results by performing instructions. For example, a paper airplane, 10 personalized candles.\n\nMore specific DataTypes\n\nMore specific Types available in extensions\n\nSchema Version 3.3", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6759294271469116}
{"content": "Resource Advantage\n\nComprehensive Strength\nIn 2015, the GDP of the whole Hangzhou City reached RMB 1005.358 billion; calculated at comparable prices, it increased by 10.2% over the previous year. The GDP per Capita reached RMB 112,268, increasing by 9.1%; calculated according to the average exchange rate in 2015 released by the State, it reached USD 18,025. The financial revenue continued to grow rapidly. In 2015, the general financial revenue of the whole city reached RMB 223.875 billion, increasing by 11.0% over the previous year, including the local financial revenue of RMB 123.388 billion, increasing by 9.8%.\n\nIndustrial Structure\nHangzhou greatly develops the tertiary industry, adjusts and optimizes the secondary industry, stably enhances the primary industry and actively promotes the coordinated development of the primary industry, secondary industry and tertiary industry. In 2015, the value added of the primary industry in the whole city was RMB 28.769 billion, increasing by 1.8％; that of the secondary industry was RMB 391.060 billion, increasing by 5.6％, and that of the tertiary industry was RMB 585.529 billion, increasing by 14.6%. The industrial structure is 2.9∶38.9∶58.2.\n\nOpen Economy\nDuring the “12th Five-year Plan” period, Hangzhou was the place where various industries and capital investments competed. Accumulatively, it newly approved 2308 foreign-invested enterprises and actually used the foreign capital of USD 28.406 billion accumulatively, over-fulfilling the goal of “accumulatively exceeding USD 25 billion in the ‘12th Five-year Plan’ period”, increasing by 69.7% over the “11th Five-year Plan” period. As of 2015, Hangzhou has accumulatively introduced 112 Global 500 enterprises, which invested 188 projects in Hangzhou in total.\n\nUse of Foreign Investment\nThe vigorous economy and good investment environment in Hangzhou attract investors from all over the world and global elites to live, start up business and make investment here, realizing their “China Dream”. The business performance of the foreign-invested industrial enterprises above designed size takes up a larger share among the industrial enterprises above designated size in the whole city, making outstanding contributions. Among the industrial enterprises above designated size in the whole city, there are only less than 1/5 of the foreign-invested enterprises, but they contribute nearly 1/3 of the total operating revenue and nearly 1/2 of the total profit.\n\nHangzhou has rich tourism resources. The golden tourism route composed of Qiantang River, Fuchun River, Xin’an River, Thousand-Island Lake, West Lake and Mount Tianmu is well-known at home and abroad. West Lake Scenic Area is one of the 10 great landscapes in China, covering an area of 60.8km2, and it integrates scenic spots and historic sites, gardens and parks, mountains and water as a whole. In 2011, West Lake Cultural Landscape was formally inscribed on the World Heritage List, and so far, West Lake is the only lake cultural heritage among the world heritages in China that are inscribed on the World Heritage List. In 2014, the whole city received 3.42 million inbound tourists, and 120 million domestic tourists, increasing by 13.5% over the previous year. In 2015, the gross revenue of tourism industry in the whole city reached RMB 220.067 billion, increasing by 16.7% over the previous year.\n\nPrivate Economy\nIn Hangzhou, the number of Chinese top 500 private enterprises ranks first for many consecutive years, and it has cultivated a lot of excellent private enterprises, such as Wahaha, Alibaba, Wanxiang Group, Transfar Group, Zhejiang Geely and XIZI UHC. In recent years, along with the adjustment of industrial structure and injection of technological force, the private enterprises in Hangzhou have strengthened their innovation consciousness, further improved their innovation ability and brand consciousness. In the GDP of the whole city, the proportion of the private economy reaches 59.2%. The private economy in the whole city reaches a value added of RMB 595.172 billion, accounting for 59.2% of that of the whole city; the private economy realizes the financial revenue of USD 91.256 billion, accounting for 40.8% of the general financial revenue of the whole city.\nCopyright@2010 China Council for the Promotion of International Trade(Hangzhou) injection molding machine\nTEL:0086-571-85069972    FAX:0086-571-85068827", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9883120059967041}
{"content": "Wednesday, February 15, 2012\n\nWhy Is Composition So Important in Photography?\n\nIn simple terms, composition refers to the systematic arrangement of objects for a particular purpose or to achieve a specific result. This aspect is important in the field of photography and in essence it refers to the arrangement to object within the view finder with the aim of emphasizing certain aspects. This composition process may be done to bring out an object(s), the foreground or background. For instance sometimes you may view a picture that has a blurred background or slightly obscured main object and this may have been done intentionally so as to bring out a particular effect or highlight another object.\n\nComposing a picture is usually done at the discretion of the person taking a picture and most compositions are simple and only highlight the main object captured. In some cases the composition may be a bit abstract or asymmetric in nature which may be done by the photographer for a specific reason.\n\nComposition basically adds value to captured images by highlighting the main objects in a manner that makes pictures esthetically appealing. You may have the best camera equipment that money can buy but if you cannot arrange captured objects accordingly through the viewfinder, the results will be less than favorable.\n\nOnce you are able to compose a photograph well, the resulting images will turn out as intended on most occasions; while for those who are still unable to compose well will need to several pictures before achieving the desired result.\n\nComposition of a picture also involves proper use of light and color. In the day time when outdoors, positioning yourself well and using the sunlight and ambient colors well can make the difference between an ordinary picture and an excellent one. Colors, sunlight, texture and shadows can enhance object well and even add a great 3D effect.\n\nThe right picture composition can be achieved by using a basic rule of thumb which involves the division of any image (as seen on the viewfinder) into three equal horizontal portions (sometimes referred to as the thirds rule). This will give any object a sense of balance and this will help you capture the right proportions of the subject. With a little practice it is possible to significantly improve your picture composition skills by using the 'thirds rule' as well as locating the main subject and deciding which angle and viewpoint will best bring it out best.\n\nFor more information, kindly visit\n\nHow to Improve Your Photography Skills Without Spending Unnecessarily\n\nOnce you have managed to gain insight into the basics of composing pictures and shooting, it would be advisable to go a notch higher and improve photography skills. By doing this you can turn it into a serious hobby or better yet, make a career out of it and get paid to take pictures. The first thing that you should ensure that you do is master all the basics such as camera handling framing, composition, and lighting. Once you are sure that these are all these aspects are at your fingertips, then you are ready to move on to the next level.\n\n\nIn many cases, the best way to get a perfect shot is to be in the right place in order to get the right shot. Ensure that you have your camera with you at all times and use it as much as possible in order to give yourself more confidence as well as the getting used to spontaneous shooting which in many cases produces the best pictures.\n\n\nThere is nothing wrong with basic or entry level equipment; however, if you want to step your game up as far as photography is concerned it is advisable for you to invest in professional equipment. This will help you significantlyimprove photography skills and though it may cost you quite some money, you are bound to notice a significant improvement of photographic content.\n\nStop looking and start seeing\n\nBy this I mean that you should move away from the notion that only conventional objects can be photographed. Don't just look at an object as it is but also focus on how the object relates and interacts with the surroundings. Begin to notice the interaction of lines, textures, patterns and colors in different spaces. You will be surprised at how much there is to capture with your lens.\n\n\nIf you are taking photographs of people, one of the most distinctive characteristics of great images is the emotion that is captured. Expressions, gestures and feelings can be spectacularly captured especially when photos are taken spontaneously.\n\nSubject matter\n\nA good photograph often consists of something that captures the eye of the viewer. In order to improve photography skills it important to know how to look out for interesting objects, people, expressions and scenarios that are captivating enough to capture the attention of viewers and evoke some kind reaction.\n\nFor more information, kindly visit\n\nSunday, February 12, 2012\n\nThe Photography X-Factor E-book Review\n\nThe X-Factor Photography e-book is a brand new e-book which teaches\n\nthe most advanced techniques for taking only the highest quality of top quality photos.\n\nPhotography is a very respected profession nowadays, but if you struggle with photography\n\neven if you love it so much, then you won't see yourself being respected and taking on many\n\nphotography jobs. The program goes into every aspect and detail about taking the most beautiful\n\nphotos possible. The overall concept is to teach you how to take pictures for you to do whatever\n\nyou want in the photography business, whether that means becoming a wedding photographer,\n\ncelebrity photographer, and a photographer who sells stock photos online.\n\nWhat's inside of the e-book?\n\nInside, you'll discover some pretty nifty techniques for getting that perfect photo.\n\nMost people spend years just to learn how to take that perfect picture, and so did the author himself,\n\nbut he teaches it in this guide exactly how this business works and how to succeed at taking pictures.\n\nIt isn't a difficult task like the way most people think, and he makes the entire process easy\n\neven for those who have a hard time. The e-book is titled The Photography X-Factor because it\n\nteaches you exactly what you need to do in order for your photos to have that X-Factor.\n\nThe e-book itself is nice because Gerald teaches so many methods for successful photography,\n\nand he goes into different aspects like what equipment you need, whether or not you should\n\ntake a certain photo at this angle, and how to actually make money from your photos as soon as today.\n\nMost guides similar to the X-Factor only teach and go into one thing like making money from your\n\npictures, but the author goes into all of them because of how hard he knows this business is.\n\nHe used to be a struggling photographer who had no talent at all with photography.\n\nHe dreamt of becoming a good photographer, but it just wasn't possible at certain tines.\n\nUntil several events started to take place and he finally discovered everything to get the\n\nperfect picture and gain the X-Factor in whatever object he took a photo of. His story is\n\ntruly magnificent, and you can read it in his guide how much he wants to help ordinary\n\nphotographers learn how to find that special something in their pictures.\n\nThe guide has 70+ pages of pure Gold. It's outstanding information is brought out with\n\ncrystal clear images, strong words, and an easy to read format. The e-book has every\n\ninformation very well compiled together, so everything he's ever learned from photography is put\n\ninto the e-book. There usually is more pages than normal in other ebooks, but it's only 72 pages\n\nlong because the tips and techniques are all too simple to understand, and it doesn't have to\n\ntake weeks or months before you finally become a great photographer.\n\nYou can visit the official website at, and you can learn more about his revolutionary new training program for achieving the X-Factor in your photography.\n\nLighting Photography Techniques\n\nLighting techniques determine the overall result of your image and plays a critical role in revealing the texture and form of the subject. Understanding where the source come from is critical in photography. For photographers, natural and artificial (studio) light are two available sources.\nIn outdoor photography, light changes constantly. Always consider the angle and intensity of the source as well as its distance to the subject. A thorough understanding of natural light will help you control the brightness in your images. Moreover, understanding this important element in photography helps to create and recreate many different effects in a studio environment.\nMost photographers are interested in portrait lighting but do not understand how to do it. Same concepts can be used with flash unites, however you will not be able to see the effect until after shooting it. In order for you to control the harshness of the light, you need to practice. Wrong technique will result in narrow or round face. There are four main styles of lighting namely, broad, short, butterfly and Rembrandtlighting.\nThe Importance of Temperature In Photography\nA photographer must also understand the sun's color scale (color temperature) which is the actual colors that human eye can see. Color temperature defines visible light. It is measured in Kelvin (K) degrees. Yellow to red are called warm colors, blue to white are called cool colors (see Color temperature).\nIf you observe carefully, the sun evokes hues in the morning and neutral colors during the afternoon. These neutral colors occupy a part of the definition you'd like to include in your photographs. Afternoon offers warmer tones with reds and yellows.\nThe Importance of Angle\nThe sun is the source of all daylight. The angle or its direction can bring plenty of shadows or remove them. The day light changes throughout the day creating two main light effects: hard and soft light. These two sources are also used in studio photography.\nHard Light\nSimply means director bright sunlight. It is equivalent to the brightest time during the day when the sky is clear. It is harsh and could be used for amazing effects. This method is used for contrast as it results in more definition and shadow. The angle of this technique determines the overall effects.\nAbove are just a brief explanation about lighting photography techniques. Whats more important is constant practice as well as basic understanding of how it works.\n\nHow Do Shutter Speed and Aperture Affect Your Photography Shots?\n\nPhotography today has been overrun with automation so much so that words such as shutter, aperture and the like have virtually become extinct. A lot of the equipment on the market hardly needs any expertise to use. For those who want to understand photography well, it is important to know how the major parts of the SLR based cameras work.\nProfessional photographers will not let cameras determine the exposure of photographs and instead they will adjust the shutter speed, aperture and lighting accordingly in order to determine the final exposure. Without making these adjustments, the camera usually just uses default settings that produce medium tone.\nShutter speed\nThe shutter is a sort of flap that is positioned within the body of the camera and which opens up, allowing light to reach either the film (analog cameras) or light sensors (digital cameras) from the lens. Shutter speed is hence the amount of time that the shutter takes to open and close. The time is usually measured in fractions of seconds; hence the values may appear as 1/500 or 500 to represent 500th of a second. Shutter speed has a great effect on the sharpness of the image and usually the higher the shutter speed, the sharper the image. To get a good final picture, the right amount of light has to reach the sensors or film and this is why a fast shutter speed will just allow the right amount of light to capture a moving object clearly. Shutter speed can also be used to create and effect on the final image for instance if you want to emphasize motion on a moving object you can set a lower shutter speed which will create a sort of blur that signifies movement.\nAperture and light are all related and they can be synchronized accordingly to achieve the desired outcome. The aperture refers to a diaphragm-like opening within the photographic lens and determines how much light will be sent through the shutter when a shot is taken. It opens up in a circular manner and the aperture size refers to the measurement of this opening when shooting. It greatly determines the outcome of a picture by determining the depth of field and the quality of the final exposure. The aperture works much like the pupil of the human eye which regulates the initial amount of light that gets into the eyeball by either increasing or decreasing in diameter. This ultimately influences the quality of image that the viewer sees.\nThe key to a good photograph is how much light is passes through the camera and once you learn how to adjust the shutter speed, aperture and flash, you will be sure to capture great photographs.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8904717564582825}
{"content": "Swimming Milestones for Children\n\nBy Jennifer Zimmerman\nSwimming should be an enjoyable activity for children.\nSwimming should be an enjoyable activity for children.\n\nThe American Academy of Pediatrics does not include swimming in its checklists of developmental milestones for children, but that doesn't mean that swimming isn't an important life skill. The AAP recommends swimming lessons for children 1 year old and older, with instruction becoming increasingly formal around the age of 6 years. The Red Cross has a water skills and safety chart that includes milestones for each swimming level.\n\nLevel One Milestones\n\nLevel one milestones are about the same for preschool swimmers and swimmers aged 6 years old and up. They include getting in and out of the pool safely, blowing bubbles through the mouth and nose, floating on the back, treading water using hand and combined arm and leg motions on the front and back. Children must be able to meet these requirements before moving onto to level two.\n\nLevel Two Milestones\n\nAgain, level two milestones are just about the same for the preschool level swimming classes and the classes for children 6 years old and up. Children must step into the pool, switch from front to back and back to front floats, tread water using arm and leg actions and bobbing. The one difference between each age group's level two milestones is that those in the 6 years old and up group must also be able to submerge themselves under the water and hold their breath.\n\nLevel Three Milestones\n\nThis is the final level for children under 6 years old and the middle level for children over 6 years old. For both age groups, swimmers should be able to jump into the pool from the side, tread water, bob, recover from a float to a vertical position and do a back float and glide. Those in the older age group should also do the front crawl and elementary backstroke, use flutter, dolphin and scissor kicks and go into the water headfirst from sitting and kneeling positions.\n\nLevel Four Milestones\n\nThis level is only for swimmers 6 and above. Children should be able to dive into the pool from the compact position, swim underwater, perform the front and back crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly stroke. Swimmers also work on turns from the front crawl and the backstroke as well as treading water using two kinds of kicks.\n\nLevel Five Milestones\n\nThis is the most advanced level of swimming instruction; students at level six focus on particular skill sets such as advanced diving, fitness or water safety. At level five, children learn to do a side dive and then begin a front stroke, tuck and pike surface dives, all the strokes and doing flip turns while swimming.\n\nAbout the Author\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.546305775642395}
{"content": "Blog‎ > ‎\n\nCrowdFunding promotion Launching record label & musician advocacy service\n\nposted Jan 20, 2015, 1:42 AM by J Shaw   [ updated Jan 20, 2015, 1:46 AM ]\n\nI am a guitarist's guitarist, the blues music happened to me ! A day without music is unimaginable.\n\nIt was in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in early 1983 for me. A young teenager who enjoyed playing the guitar for fun, who had studied some classical guitar at school. I was given a record from a local charity shop. That record was John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, commonly called the Beano album.\nHaving not much to do, this young teeneager started listening to the album in question and his blood ran cold. The sound of the Blues affected him physically, emotionally and much more.\nA Melbourne guitar teacher called Greg Franklin guided him on a pathway that led to a lifetime love affair with electric, acoustic and folk blues, not to mention jazz, reggae and the guitar in general.\n\n30 years later, after many twists and turns, ups and downs, good times and bad times, many many bands and live gigs, the love affair with the guitar still goes on ...\n\nAnd people, that is me, the blues happened to me !\n\nThis project, starting up my own record label and musician's advocacy service, needs funding to be able to realize it. But first let me explain the purpose of the project in more detail. The project team will consist of a proposed director and a small team of creative people who all have one thing in common, the love for music and helping out fellow musicians.\n\nPart I, a record label\n\nThis is not just a run of the mill record label. This is a record label with specific purposes. The proposed director of this project (myself) has musical friends, colleagues and associated, streched out across the world. And the music is in various genres. The purpose of this record label, apart from making money, is to reach out to musicians who may never have had the opportunity to record, and by reaching out, we would be preventing the loss of talent. By that comment, what I mean is, I want to create opportunities for people who previously might not have been able to record, release a CD/DVD. \n\nPart II, an advocacy service for musicians\n\nBy advocacy, we don't mean legal in the French or Dutch sense of the word. But what I mean is a partnership, where we assist any musician find solutions for some of the problems that they could face. Problems could be, how to find medical assistance, find somewhere to live, a warm coat, in short, to assist in any way we could; direct intervention.\nPart III, an 'all over the world' record label\n\nWe believe we can make a difference. We have contacts and know people personally, all through the world. To give a few examples; in Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, the Czech republic, the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA, Australia and Japan. We believe that with contacts in all of these countries, we will make this a success.\n\nAsk any of my friends and/or colleagues to describe me and they will refer to me as one with tremendous leadership and organizational abilities, the ability to analyze and solve problems under time pressure, being able to manage a team, steering them in the right direction and encouraging them to share their love for music. There is never a quiet moment in my team !\n\nMusic is a way people communicate with eachother and the world. Music is part of life. Imagine the world without the sound of music, without the possibility to share your music ! Can you imagine that ?\n\nMy team consists of different personalities, each of them bringing their unique skills to the project.\n\nIf anything I would like to ask you, to get the word out and make a bit of noise about my campaign. The project will need funding so if you are able to back me up on this one, that would be a tremendous support action. Sharing tools are available everywhere, use your social communication accounts.\n\nFolks, isn't music a part of our being. My aim is to make sure that no creative talent is lost and music can be shared and played for change, change for the better.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8251925706863403}
{"content": "Browsing named entities in John Dimitry , A. M., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 10.1, Louisiana (ed. Clement Anselm Evans). You can also browse the collection for Kershaw or search for Kershaw in all documents.\n\nYour search returned 1 result in 1 document section:\n\ntified posts—such as Tullahoma, which the Confederates had used as a depot of supplies—and driving him to new headquarters. It was a short campaign, at the end of which Bragg, evacuating Tullahoma, had marched into Chattanooga. Rosecrans' main object in September was to maneuver Bragg out of Chattanooga; and he succeeded by crossing the mountains south of that city, upon which Bragg fell back to Lafayette, Ga. Bragg had just received help from Mississippi, and Longstreet, with Hood and Kershaw, was speeding from Virginia. Rosecrans made a faulty movement by dividing his army into three columns, thus getting his right and left wings hazardously separated from his center. His position became full of peril and gave to Bragg an excellent chance to overwhelm some one of these pieces on the board, after which the others would be easy victims; but there were unfortunate delays and the opportunity was lost. By September 18th the scattered Federal wings joined Rosecrans and as the reun", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9138512015342712}
{"content": "Father Fights For Daughter’s Rights After Being Shamed For Her Outfit\n\n\n13-year-old Demetra Alarcon was pulled away from class by her teacher, who claimed she must go home and change her outfit on account of it being too revealing. This was not the first time the young Californian teen was told off for her choice of clothing, but this time, her dad had enough of the shaming.\n\n\nDemetra’s father, Tony, is an independent investment banker who understands the concept of a dress code very well. For that reason exactly, Tony rushed over with a change of clothes the minute he received the unpleasant phone call from his daughter’s school. However, after Demetra changed, her teachers yet again felt that her clothes were inappropriate and distracted the other students.\n\nThe teachers argued her previous romper and current shorts did not meet the 4-inch inseam requirement that is required according to the school’s dress code. Appalled with their argument, Tony called out the school for implementing a dress code that was targeting young girls, especially during the scalding summer months.\n\n\nSpeaking to KTVU, Tony explained what had happened after the school’s teaching staff were unhappy with Demetra’s change of clothes:\n\n“I was told the shorts weren’t appropriate. I had to go back into the car, where I luckily had a pair of leggings as a backup.”\n\nTony also told CBS San Francisco:\n\n“I mean, today it’s 90 degrees outside, and she’s wearing leggings because she doesn’t want to be dress-coded for wearing shorts. And it’s not OK. It needs to change.”\n\n\nDemetra herself admitted she rarely sees male students being told off for their short shorts, which makes her and her female classmates feel like they are being discriminated against. Deciding to take things into his own hands, Tony used his online social media profile to express his frustration. He wrote:\n\n“Fisher has a dress code policy, which is clothing specific. Most of the clothing mentioned are women’s clothing like halter tops (and) spaghetti straps.”\n\n\nWhen he was interviewed and asked why he took this specific matter to heart, Tony replied:\n\n“We have to have dress codes that are fair and reasonable, and don’t cause them emotional issues – cause them to question their bodies or feel like they’re sex symbols at 13 years old. Because they’re not. They’re just kids.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8962346315383911}
{"content": "Injectable Cosmetic Fillers\n\n\n\n\nJUVÉDERM® is an injectable gel that is indicated for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds). JUVÉDERM® XC is formulated with lidocaine, a common anesthetic, to provide a more comfortable experience during and after treatmentjuvederm while delivering smooth, natural-looking results. \n\nWhy do facial wrinkles appear on the face?\n\nYoung, healthy-looking skin contains an abundance of naturally hydrating substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). But as you age, time, sunlight, and other factors can reduce the amount of HA in your skin. The lack of HA causes your skin to lose structure and volume—creating unwanted facial wrinkles and folds, like those “parentheses” lines around your nose and mouth. \n\nHow JUVÉDERM® XC can get rid of wrinkles:\n\nJUVÉDERM® XC helps replace the HA your skin has lost, adding volume to smooth away facial wrinkles and folds. JUVÉDERM® XC achieves its smooth consistency to an innovative manufacturing process called HYLACROSS™ technology.\nHYLACROSS™ gives JUVÉDERM® XC its unique smooth-gel properties as well as a robust gel structure that holds up over time. JUVÉDERM® XC is the first smooth-consistency HA gel that is FDA approved to last up to one year with only one treatment.”\n\n\nWhat is Voluma?\n\nJUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC injectable gel is a smooth, colorless hyaluronic acid (HA) gel that contains a small quantity of local anesthetic (lidocaine). HA is a naturally occurring sugar found in the human body. The role of HA in the skin is to deliver nutrients and help the skin retain its natural moisture and softness. The addition of lidocaine helps to improve the comfort of the injection. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC injectable gel is manufactured using VYCROSS™ technology to give a specialized smooth-gel filler that produces long-lasting results at the treatment site. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC is delivered by an injection into the cheek and surrounding area of the mid-face to correct volume and fullness.\n\nvolumaWhat is Voluma for?\n\n\nWhat does Voluma do?\n\nPlease contact our office for any inquiries regarding contraindications, precautions, and risks of using JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC.\n\nBefore and after photos of JUVEDERM® XC and JUVEDERM VOLUMA XC  models property of Allergan, inc.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6129246950149536}
{"content": "THE MAIDEN problem (improved)\n\nCalculus Level pending\n\nconsider the function y=sin(x)/{x+x^{2}} .\n\nLET \\(y^{(n)}\\) denote the n'th derivative of y. Then find the value of 90 * \\(y^{(9)}\\) - 6480 * \\(y^{(7)}\\) when the value of x limits to zero {i.e as x tends to zero}\n\nThis problem is inspired by this one..\n\nasterix(*) denotes multiplication.\n\n\nProblem Loading...\n\nNote Loading...\n\nSet Loading...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000100135803223}
{"content": "\n\n\n±Compare Expat Providers\n\nExpat Health Insurance Quotes\n\nForeign Currency Exchange Quotes\n\nInternational Moving Quotes\n\n\n\nNotify me when new content is added about a country\n\n±Expat Focus Partners\n\nHealth Service\n\nBrazil - Health Service\n\nBrazil provides free public health care to its citizens. In addition, the country has a private healthcare sector that is rapidly growing. The private healthcare sector offers health insurance and supplementary health programs.\n\nThe government offers the Unified Healthcare System, which offers a wide range of free health care that Brazilian citizens can access without registration. Foreign and local residents can also access the healthcare service. The free public health care system has been in place since 1988. Before then, health insurance was the reserve of the employed, leaving a huge population without access to healthcare. In a bid to enhance equality in healthcare access, the government introduced free public healthcare programs that are funded by other sectors of the government. The free healthcare cover caters for hospital accommodation, doctors’ fees, laboratory fees, drugs, and surgeries.\n\nDespite the good intentions and the various sources of finance allocated to the healthcare system, the budget is not enough to cover the growing population. This has made the condition of most public hospitals deplorable and caused shortages of staff and medical equipment. The long queues in public hospitals have made most people who can afford private hospitals shift to obtaining healthcare from private hospitals.\n\nExpats are advised to consider signing up for private health insurance plans to avoid the risk of having to rely on public medical treatment, especially in emergency cases. Over the last few decades, the increase in the number of expats in Brazil has indirectly led to an increase in the number of private health insurance providers in the country. Currently, more than 20 percent of the population has access to supplementary health plans.\n\nPrivate healthcare can either be obtained as a work benefit or bought individually. It is readily available to people as long as they have the financial capacity and are willing to pay. Private and public healthcare plans are strictly controlled by the Agencia Nacional de Saude Suplementar, which acts as a representative of the Ministry of Health. They fulfill the minimum requirements, which include coverage of certain hospitals and doctors. It is important to remember that some healthcare plans are restricted to certain regions.\n\nThe many healthcare plans available can confuse you when you are trying to select your preferred cover. The ANS offers an overview of all the available plans and their premium rates. Many expats find it difficult to choose a healthcare plan because of the great choices available. It is important to outline your healthcare priorities before you start the decision-making process. You need to decide whether you want to cover inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both. In addition, decide whether you want regional or national coverage. Also, determine if you will need dental coverage. Once you have noted down the packages you would like covered, browse through the ANS website to compare healthcare service providers, available programs, and their costs. However, it is important to know that most of the information provided on this website is in Portuguese. Remember, many healthcare insurance providers only cover residents of certain cities. Therefore, be sure to look at city-related websites for additional information.\n\nFree choice of doctors and hospitals is only offered by private insurance policies. Healthcare plans are predetermined by hospitals and physicians. General insurance companies provide private health insurance. No matter which plan you select, dental treatment is often excluded and you have to buy it separately. Purchasing private insurance does not exempt you from accessing free public health care. This comes in handy if you find yourself in a remote area where there are no private hospitals. If you choose not to buy private health insurance, you can still access private health services, which you can pay for separately. The downside is that the medical fees tend to be a bit expensive.\n\nA common option used by foreigners staying in Brazil is purchasing private insurance from their home country that covers treatment and services in Brazil. This can end up being a cheaper alternative for people who are in Brazil for a limited period. A common feature in most insurance schemes for non-resident citizens is limiting cover up to a certain age. Foreigners are advised to ensure that they get various vaccinations as preventive measures. Vaccinations are not compulsory for US and European citizens going to Brazil, but there are a few exceptions.\n\nIf you have been in a country with a high risk of yellow fever for more than three months before your arrival in Brazil, you will need an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. There are states such as Amapa, Golas, MatoGrosso, Acre, Amazonas, Minas Gerais, Rondonia, Goias, and Distrito Federal that have experienced an increase in cases of yellow fever, making the yellow fever vaccine a wise precaution. The vaccine takes about ten days to become effective. Caution needs to be maintained when vaccinating infants between the age of six months and one year, as side effects regularly occur. Children between six months and three years can also get vaccinations against polio.\n\nThe tropical and subtropical regions experience many cases of dengue fever and malaria. Infections of dengue and malaria have been on the increase; both diseases are caused by mosquito bites. Take extra precaution when visiting these regions by wearing long, light colored clothes and by using mosquito repellent both during the day and at night. Make sure you sleep under a treated mosquito net.\n\nWhen in Brazil, be careful about what you eat or drink to avoid getting sick. Do not drink tap water unless you either boil or sterilize it. Make sure you thoroughly cook meat, vegetables, and fish. Wash fruits thoroughly and peel them before eating. In addition, be sure to only eat dairy products that are made with pasteurized milk. It is common to find people in rural areas consuming unpasteurized milk. Do not fall into this temptation.\n\nBrazil has a publicly funded ambulance service that is available all over the country and is free to all citizens. The ambulances are packed with different equipment to handle a wide range of injuries and diseases. To request an ambulance, contact 192 and if you are speaking English, try to speak slowly so that the phone operator can understand you.\n\nRead more about this country\n\nExpat Health Insurance Partners\n\n\n\nBupa Global\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7167624235153198}
{"content": "Our tent, Sahara\n\nOur camel, Sahara\n\nClimbing a dune at sunrise, Sahara\n\nJacob in Tangier\n\nEmily in Tamegroute\n\nRowan & Kieran in Essaouaria\n\n\nMedina, Marrakesh\n\nSunset over Marrakesh\n\n\nSalaam Hello.\n\nMorocco was the most amazing place we have been to so far. The Saharan desert was the best moment of my life; we got the most amazing sunset, many people get a big sandstorm in their face there so we were really lucky to be able to see that sunset. There is a lot more plants in the Saraha then I thought there would be. The mosque's calls are sometimes annoying early in the morning but sometimes during the day and at night they're pretty cool. The mountains were really cool and we got to stroke little tiny baby mountain goats. Some places (like the gardens we went to) are full of water and the other places (like the kebab store) waste their water by squirting dodgy hobos. Marrakech was fun when we were trying to find our way through the souks. I personaly liked the tagine and the couscous but there is a wide variety of other foods. The cheapest place we went to was a kebab seller on the side of the road.\n\n\nMorocco was probably the first really “different” culture we've encountered this year, and it was great to be able to spend almost a month there, soaking it all up. We started with a day in Tangier, then an overnight train to Marrakech, followed by a ten day tour that took us into the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, then out to the sea at Essaouira. A couple of things that I really enjoyed from our first week or so were the peace and quiet of the graveyard of the English church in Tangier, and the hustle and bustle of the weekly nomad market in Tamegroute. The tour was a good introduction to the various landscapes and towns of southern Morocco, although, by necessity, a bit once over lightly. But then we had two weeks in Marrakech - plenty of time to explore the maze of alleys that make up the medina and start to feel a little at home.\n\nThere are a lot of great things about Morocco - the people are friendly, and the food is delicious. We felt safe most of the time, except when scooters zoomed through the narrow streets of the souk and we had to squeeze up and make sure we were all out of the way. I love the architecture and gardens, especially the traditional riads with a garden in the centre, and one of the highlights for me was the newly opened Jardin Secret - a renovated garden in the middle of the souks - but there are also beautiful mosaics and doorways just about everywhere you look. It was nice to be able to take time and appreciate things slowly - no more than one palace or garden per day and plenty of time to relax and recharge our travel batteries.\n\nOutside the cities, the scenery in the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert is spectacular, but marred a little by the litter along the sides of the roads. That was probably the most disappointing thing about Morocco - it doesn't seem like the people take the pride they should in their country - there's a lot of rubbish and all the playgrounds have been vandalised to the point of being unsafe and unusable. But those are little things, and overall my impression was of a beautiful, friendly country.\n\n\nThe thing that struck me first about Morocco is that it was so different from what I expected. This has been a theme for me throughout the trip so far. Even in Antarctica there was something unexpected from my impression of a frozen wasteland; grass.\n\nMorocco, however, had the opposite. Morocco is a desert, as it is very close to the Sahara. This means there is very little rain-fall. In turn, this means it is very difficult to grow crops and grass. Grass needs a lot of water to stay alive, and water is expensive. After all this explaining, I realise I should have just said “Only the royal family has lawns in Morocco”...\n\nIn Morocco, donkeys, horses, mules and camels are a lot cheaper and easier to drive than cars. (most of the time, especially for the Berber people living in the mountains). We saw a lot of motorbikes as well. Apparently they are slightly better adapted to the cities many narrow streets. The worst experience I can think of with these motor-killers is when we were in Marrakech's souks (arabic for markets). These streets are famed for their narrowness. This is especially un-nerving when a motor-killer comes speeding towards you at stupid-kilometres-per-hour and you have no room to get out of the way!\n\nAs I mentioned before, Morocco is one of the many countries that border the Sahara. We were lucky enough to spend a night in one of the most amazing places on earth. For me, that night was as cool as it would be to stand on the top of Mount Everest, or to land on the Moon. We saw the sun slowly set, sending the light and dark sides of the dunes away to leave the grey-yellow colour of a night in the desert.\n\nAs well as going out into the Sahara, we also ventured into the surprisingly cold High Atlas Mountains. Here we did a walk up to a mountain mosque, drank fresh spring water from a mountain aqua-duct and played with some kids whose only english words were \"hello\" , \"yes\" and \"no\".\n\nOverall, Morocco was amazing. The food was amazing, the people were amazing, but most of all, the places were amazing. I really want to go back one day.\n\n\nIn just eight weeks we've gone from ice bergs in Antarctica to the golden sand in the Sahara. This trip continues to deliver special moments.\n\nAs soon as we got swarmed by hustlers as we stepped off the boat in Tangiers it was clear: we are in Morocco now! Some places have a distinctive smell, some place have a signature sound, but in Morocco they have decided to carve out their own piece of the spectrum - it seems the whole place is a beautiful brown-ochre colour, the earth and the houses, the dunes, even the public buses in Marrakesh.\n\nTravelling around during the first part of our time here was a whirlwind of highlights - trekking in the High Atlas mountains and staying in a traditional Berber house; visiting the historic old city of Ait-Ben-Haddou (better known as Yunkai to Game of Thrones fans), riding a camel and then, much less comfortably, a 4WD ride into the Sahara, followed by a magical sunset we got to enjoy from the top of one of the giant sand dunes, where it's so quiet it feels like you can hear forever (this is easily as close as I've ever felt to being in the middle of nowhere, assuming you'll allow me to categorise Antarctica as feeling like another planet!); seeing goats climbing trees to eat the berries; and a delicious lunch of freshly caught and simply cooked fish in Essaouera. Our guides Aziz and Mustafa did a great job of looking after us and tailoring the trip to the slightly different things which grab you as an 11-year-old or 8-year old tourist - including teaching the boys to write and speak a bit of Arabic. Mushi Moushkil!\n\nThe last couple of weeks staying in a big riad back in Marrakesh was in theory a chance to catch up on work etc. That didn't quite work out as planned, partly because of crappy internet which made even audio calls difficult and also the challenge of timezones when we were literally on the other side of the planet from most of the people I wanted to speak with.\n\nBut, we did manage to achieve something that I hope we'll do a few times on this trip, which is flipping briefly out of tourist mode and enjoying a place a little bit more like a local might, starting to normalise the noise and the dust and the motorbikes. This means spending a bit longer in one place, but it's worth it. We found a local, close to our first riad and ended up getting dinner takeaway (as many do, after the last call to prayer) three times during our stay, complementing that with a salad made from vegetables also bought from the nearest souk stall. It was great simple food for a price that had the decimal point in the wrong place compared to tourist prices. Elsewhere we found a funky cafe in the new part of the city which was a nice place to escape for lunch a couple of times when the medina got a bit too claustrophobic.\n\nBut, we didn't completely stop being tourists - things to remember in Marrakesh include the impossible blues of the Garden Majorelle (once owned by Yves Saint Laurant); a fun and delicious cooking class at Clock Cafe; and the delightful views over the old city from the top of the Photography Museum (where we were joined by our friends Nik and Ange from London) or the tower in the recently restored Jardin Secret.\n\nDuring our time here I've noticed that I've stopped trying to think of this trip as a single thing and hold all of it in my head. It's good. It means I head to Italy feeling less anxious - no reason to stress about October while it's still April, eh?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7356574535369873}
{"content": "\"Birthday Orchid\"\n\n\"Birthday Orchid\"\n\"Birthday Orchid\"\n\nSunday, January 24, 2016\n\n\"Sunshine's Promise\"\n\nWhile storms on the ocean are frightening, they are also exciting and\nbeautiful!  On spring break at Cocoa Beach, Florida, there was a dramatic\nstorm with much lightning.  As things broke up and the sun started to come\nout, I saw the most beautiful rays from the sun peeking through the clouds,\n and knew it would be a fun and challenging watercolor project.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9505239129066467}
{"content": "The Ustyurt Plateau\n\nPlateau Ustyurt - Desert Between the Caspian and Aral Seas\n\nUstyurt is a plateau in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, located between the Mangyshlak and the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol in the west, the Aral Sea and Amu Darya delta in the east. The Ustyurt Plateau is a clay and stony desert with the total area of about 200 000 km². Also, there are areas of sandy desert. Very often Ustyurt is called the boundary separating Europe from Asia. The Ustyurt Plateau occupies a huge area between the Aral and Caspian Seas, and has a characteristic feature: the escarpment, a steep inaccessible slope with the height of about 150 m (the East Escarpment facing towards the Aral Sea, reaches 190 m). According to scientists, Ustyurt is the bottom of a dried-up sea, which existed here in the early and middle Cenozoic Era (21 million years ago).\n\nThis is evidenced by shell traces in the limestone, as well as ferromanganese nodules like billiard balls scattered across the plateau. These balls were formed on the bottom of the sea, and then, as more resistant to weathering, they left on the surface while other limestone and dolomites were eroded by water. Flat desert terrain broken by chalk deposits in the form of rocks and random cracks looks like the Martian landscape of Hollywood films and it seems that by an incredible chance you explore a different, unknown planet.\n\nThe Ustyurt Plateau is especially beautiful during sunrises and sunsets. The chalk rocks are an impressive picture at sunrise and sunset, when the white rocks are painted in purple colors. At first sight you may overlok flora and fauna of the Ustyurt. Gradually, getting used to the unusual weather conditions, you can see colonies of gerbils, ground squirrels and jerboas. This area is inhabited by many birds of prey, vultures and eagles, who proudly sit on the rocks of escarpments. You can also meet the saiga, although it is doubtful whether you succeed to make a photo of these shy and very fast animals. But travelers can take a picture of Ustyurt argali in their natural habitat. The presence of wild horses in the Ustyurt is the most surprising. People say that in former times there were farms of Kazakh nomads, but the horses became wild, and settled down on the plateau, where live so far.\n\n\nTags: Ustyurt Plateau", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9789431095123291}
{"content": "Exchanges / Session 3 / 21 March / 8 p.m.\n\nOier Etxeberria\n\nEconomic Agreement\n\nIn effect, a concert. It will talk aloud about the relation and parenthood between the musical instrument and musical reason; of ecstasy, hypnosis and hallucination. Acclamation, instead of democracy, as a unique way of administrating ourselves.\n\nOier Etxeberria - artist and musician", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9728904962539673}
{"content": "\n\nOh how it has changed me.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLoving more…\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nphoto credit:\n\n\n\n\n\nDiscovering Simplicity: Sustainable Living\n\n\nEnter 7. Again.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDiscovering Simplicity: Part 2\n\nphoto credit:\n\n\n\nAs you probably know, over the past few months God has been tuning my heart to hear what He has to say about excess and waste and greed and my role in all of it. I typically never thought of myself as greedy, but after analyzing my life, I realize that my actions have a tendency to show more self indulgence than they do generosity, more carelessness than intentionality. This stuff is counter-cultural to Jesus. He came and did everything with intention. He gave freely. He moved people. He changed lives. So we wanted to see if we could remove some of the dependence we have on food, on things that are unhealthy, and on cooking well (aka: spending money), and replace it with self-control and gratefulness for what we’ve been given. This is a huge lesson in stewardship and it was hard, but guess what??\n\n\nWe intentionally spent only $100 dollars on groceries for our home (actually it was $97, but who’s counting??), and it really, really worked. We didn’t go hungry, we didn’t lose weight, we just limited and cut back and had self control at the grocery store. It’s really amazing what can happen when we plan ahead, only go to the store for certain things, and cook creatively.\n\nOne caveat would be to say that we did eat out the same amount as we normally do (in April, this will be our target item to cut back on) and if we were in a hurry (meaning not if we ran out of food) we sometimes bought food/coffee at work. Mostly though, we tried to pack as much as we could, which meant that packing lunches was a part of the $100 goal.\n\nThis was an incredible month. We both stopped snacking, and we ate smaller portions, and we thought about and prayed for those who are hungry way more. We were grateful for every meal and it was amazing to find things to make for dinner even though we had “nothing to eat”… God wrecked me once again and I am so grateful that He did. This fast was incredibly successful and it’s my hope that He was glorified.\n\nWe would encourage as many people as we can to take a look at their lives and find one area where cutting back could be more helpful than harmful and challenge yourself and your family. Whatever your motivation: financial, awareness, simplicity– you will change through it for the better. I promise.\n\nSome of our friends/family asked specifically how we made this work. Remember that we chose to only live off of 30% of our typical food budget, so creativity did occur, which made it a very fun project for me. So here are some tips on cutting back that really helped our success in this endeavor:\n\n1) Pick 7 guideline foods. For us, we’ve used more than 7 in the end, but starting there gave us a foundation that was very helpful when shopping. None of these food were processed and many had “superfood” qualities. We got most of these foods from the book “7” which was the inspiration to the whole month. Our 7 foods were: chicken, avocado, apples, wheat bread, spinach, rice, and sweet potatoes. We added foods like cereal/oatmeal, grapefruit, and peanut butter/jelly, tuna, eggs, and yogurt, in order to accent the other items and to have more variety when it came to packing lunches/eating breakfast.\n\n2) Eat smaller portions. We started using our salad plates as dinner plates and we filled them to create the illusion that we were eating more. This part is a mind game and it works. We ate the first plate of food as slowly as we could and had a rule that we could only go up for seconds (and the portions the second time around had to be smaller than the first– this worked most times because the portions I cooked were less too) and not thirds. We realized that sometimes going for seconds is about hunger and sometimes its about desire (and we still wanted to enjoy the food we cooked).\n\n3) Eat less meat. We chose to make our food go further by cutting up chicken instead of eating it in whole breasts. Therefore 3 fresh chicken (skinless, boneless) tenders was enough to feed both of us when mixed with veggies and rice. This made the meat last longer in our freezer/refrigerator and we didn’t have to buy it each week which is a huge money saver.\n\n4) Shop local. As much as we could, we used Central Market as our fruit and vegetable go-to place. Dan and I really like fruits and veggies, and we tend to spend a lot of our budget on this stuff at the grocery store. At market, we spent a total of 25$ there for the whole month and ate veggies every night and fruit daily. This called for extra planning since market is only open 3 days a week from morning to early afternoon, and my work schedule didn’t always comply.\n\n5) Be on the same team. For most of this we were completely in unity. Dan was really on board with saving money and I was excited about living simply. This helped, because I can’t imagine trying to do this without him being into it. It also helped when one of us was really craving our favorite snack, or just really wanted to spend money and cook a nice meal, and we could remind each other what our goal was. For the most part, we had a lot of fun doing it together too!\n\nThank you to all of you who supported us through this. While we will not be holding strict to the $100 budget anymore, we do know that our goal is to maintain self control and learn from what we’ve been taught. This month we are going to be working on stewardship, and I will tell you a little more tomorrow about what that entails for us! We are excited to see what God will continually be doing in our lives!\n\n\nComing back from my two week writing hiatus because of exhaustion and busyness, and today happens to be Friday. On Fridays I like to stop, drop, and write for 5 minutes with no editing, back-tracking, and over-thinking. I’m doing it with the lovely ladies over at The Gypsy Mama.\n\n\nThere is an ache inside me and I’m not sure what it means. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember and I wish I could just figure it out. Sometimes I perceive it as a discontentment, sometimes a calling. Sometimes its just a yearning for more, for change, and sometimes I understand it as a simple need to roll down the windows and drive.\n\nThis ache moves me, and there is so much I just can’t figure out about it, that I hope I’m moving in the right direction. It’s the desire that spurs me to more– to be more, to do more, to love more, and to hear more. This ache can be so good, so well-used, and it can be so hard and so misunderstood.\n\nIt leads me to my passions and it determines what steps I take and I think that I misunderstand it because sometimes I say that it tells me things that I know it wouldn’t.\n\nYou see, this is a holy sort of thing, and sometimes I lay it on the dirt of my own desires and call it by names it would never answer to. And the aching is there and it wants to be used right.\n\nI heard once that the place we are called is the place where our deepest longings and God’s holy desires are combined and in that we will be most satisfied.\n\nAnd I search for that. For the finding of the fulfillment of  my ache within. And I know it will change, and I know it will grow, and that ache might never leave until we are fully dwelling in Him. So I ache for the day. And I’m learning to find it.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6308519244194031}
{"content": "Conference Agenda\n\n\nSession Overview\nRN06_11a_P: Global Trumpism - The Resurgence of Fascism?\nFriday, 01/Sep/2017:\n4:00pm - 5:30pm\n\nSession Chair: Yuliya Yurchenko, University of Greenwich\nLocation: PC.3.15\nPANTEION University of Social & Political Sciences 136 Syggrou Avenue 17671 Athens, Greece Building: C, Level: 3.\n\nShow help for 'Increase or decrease the abstract text size'\n\nThe Public, the Mass Media, and Inequality: The Prospects for Resistance in the Trump Era\n\ndaniel chomsky\n\nuniversity of texas rio grande valley, United States of America\n\nPresident Donald Trump promises to represent ordinary people. Yet his administration and his congressional allies have already signaled their intention to enact large tax cuts that would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans. In this paper, I explore the relative influence of ordinary citizens, social movements, business interests and government officials over the mass media and political outcomes. The emergence of Occupy Wall Street generated increased attention to inequality and progressive taxes in 2011 and 2012, but President Obama also adopted inequality as an issue in his campaign for reelection. So it is difficult to determine the relative impact of social mobilization or official action in that instance. The inauguration of the Trump administration may provide a clearer test. Public support for higher taxes on the wealthy remains strong and conflicts with the policy goals of the political class. I will record every reference to taxes in the New York Times during the first months of the Trump administration, collect all sources expressing an opinion on taxes, and determine the degree to which the Times favors ordinary citizens, social movements, business figures or government officials. This study should indicate whether public views are more likely to be reported when they are represented by social movements or when they are consistent with elite preferences and interests. It should illuminate the democratic possibilities for ordinary citizens, and identify the actors who exert political influence through the mass media in general and in the more hostile environment represented by the Trump administration in particular.\n\nThe return of the national imperialist state\n\nJoerg Nowak\n\n\nThe ultimate political consequence of the great financial crisis is the retreat into and renewal of the national imperialist state, centred around an authoritarian-nationalist project. But this ,return of the state’ that was never absent is deeply embedded into the neoliberal form of today´s global capitalism. It caters to working class interests of its citizens to some bigger extent (or at least promises to do so); but this remains largely a symbolic gesture. This Talmi interpellation of the national proletariat – not much unlike classical fascism – is accompanied by a profound political weakness and instability of these regimes. Not only are they haunted by their promises of welfare and employment, they also are confronted with deeply divided and fragmented state apparatuses in which different state agencies pursue radically different strategies. This goes far beyond the institutional chaos that reigned over the classic German fascism in the 1930s and 1940s with its sprawling multiplicity of state and para-state agencies, and is also completely different from the usual competition between different corporate factions that expresses itself in some extent of elite fragmentation in liberal democracies.\n\nWhat is Neoliberal about Neoliberal Policing?\n\nMalte Michael Laub\n\nKing's College London, United Kingdom\n\nMilitarisation, privatisation, tactics like stop-and-frisk and broken-windows-policing--the police appear increasingly authoritarian. Not least the cases of fatal police violence against black people and the policing of the ensuing protests in cities like Ferguson in the United States brought the topic in the middle of the public debate. Summing up recent policing transformations from increased militarisation, via a more important role for private police actors to a certain focus on the policing of poor and minority communities, the term \"neoliberal policing\" has found its way into both public debate and academic contributions. However, what does it mean? What is distinctive about neoliberal policing, what distinguishes it from styles of (authoritarian) policing in the past? What is the role of policing under neoliberalism?\n\nDrawing on political economy, sociology and criminology, this paper explores the novelty of \"neoliberal policing\" by putting recent transformations of police into both historical and theoretical perspective. Employing a range of authors like Neocleous, Wacquant, and Bruff, the relation between the neoliberal state and policing is analysed, claiming that policing is essential for the shaping of the neoliberal society. However, neoliberal policing must not be seen as utterly new but as based on rediscovered policing styles of the past.\n\nMassaging Capitalism: the US Right and its Political Resurgence.\n\nRodney Loeppky\n\nYork University, Canada\n\nThe events of November 8th, 2016 gave rise to a spectacular outcry of shock and dismay around the world. How could the US electorate bring to office a candidate so blatantly misogynistic, spiteful and politically corrosive? The turn of the Republican Party towards a demagogic figure must be placed within a political economy of the right as a space of 'resistance'. This paper seeks to explore both the contradictions inherent in the right's 'resistance' to contemporary US political trajectories, as well as the strategic aims of those who foment this 'resistance'. Since the backlash of Tea Party activists in the first term of the Obama Administration, scholars have been dissecting the motivations and authenticity of the right's most assertive groups, assessing their impact nationwide while also trying to ascertain their exact goals. This impact has been consistently downplayed and, at times, pronounced dead -- prognostications that now seem to have been unwise. Charlie Post has argued that the hard right in the US, in fact, now fills the progressive space that the Democratic Party has long since abandoned, which has bolstered their success in a way that also mystifies the Republican establishment. Nonetheless, the paper will explore how this 'progressive' movement has been nurtured along the way, strategically utilized by those seeking an austere policy agenda that promotes an less obstsructed path for capital in the US political scene. That the GOP may have got more than it bargained for in this electoral round is a secondary point -- the right wing resurgence will continue to be harnessed for the purpose of transforming the US political terrain in ways that are more conducive to enhanced accumulation.\n\nContact and Legal Notice · Contact Address:\nConference: ESA 2017\nConference Software - ConfTool Pro 2.6.112+TC\n© 2001 - 2017 by H. Weinreich, Hamburg, Germany", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.682532787322998}
{"content": "Kingdom of the Grail\n\nHere is an inventive, seldom explored facet of the Norman Invasion and the gradual settling of power in the absence of Richard Coeur de Lion from his British kingdom during the Crusades. Concentrating on the mottled history of a single barony, A. A. Attanasio contrives a revenge plot and Grail legend variation so complex that they encompass two continents, the Pope, and the King.\n\nAilena Valaise, elderly baroness of Castle Lanfranc, is forced out of her home in 1188 by her ruthless son Guy, to wander toward the Holy Land on pilgrimage until death. Ten years later, a beautiful young girl and her entourage of knights and camels appear before the gates of Lanfranc, claiming she is Ailena herself, made young again by drinking from the Holy Grail. When all tests of her identity are tried and passed, she is accepted into the castle, her “son” Guy and his knights forced to obey her by pressure of popular belief. The reader learns quickly, however, that the claimant is actually Rachel, an orphaned Jewish girl, trained by old Ailena to counterfeit the miracle.\n\nThe device provides Attanasio with a forum for discussing several perplexing topics: false and true faith, the distance between abstract Christian chivalry and its practical application in the pursuit of power, and the reconciliation of Christian and Jewish ideologies through the expedient of noting that Jesus was a Jew. Laid over the philosophical debate are a handful of love stories: the temptation of a priest-knight by a Magdelene figure (called Madelon in the book), the anguish of an acolyte lured from his faith by Rachel’s promise to the dying Ailena, a Celtic warrior’s rough affection for the maiden, and the celibacy of a knight in honor of his castrated superior officer.\n\nDespite the chivalric setting and the sometimes archaic language, this book is for adults. The story moves forward by a series of internalized anguished examinations of conscience; graphic scenes of death and love contrast with the general atmosphere of castles, knights, and other familiar medieval fare; and the universal premise of “acting on faith” is called into question on every occasion.Told in the present tense to back up through the layers of history, this novel succeeds on both the narrative and the philosophical level.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9296643733978271}
{"content": "Do i have psychic ability\n\nDo i have psychic ability help would\n\nThere are, however, many other individuals who have some interest in the field, but who never really make an attempt to become the expert or to explain the science. Be careful not to become involved with petty quarrels and arguments as these can be blown out of proportion and become serious disagreements. Psychic Advisors are Independent Contractors and are not employees or agents of Meet Your Psychic. If you wish for selfish reasons, there may be some comeback. You may want to turn your desire into a decree. When the lover is dying in getting his or her love, this spell is adopted. So think with care of your choices. We can try, but it eventually fails, even for the most sophisticated of manipulators. Casting spells on a Friday is also most advised since this is the day of Venus and requests for love are heeded more. It helps to understand the concept of free will and that in order for free will to be actively operating in our lives we have to be able to make a choice in which direction we will go. This can be a psychic chasms neon indian mp3 powerful experience. So you might be able to get do i have psychic ability with them if you are in a bind. As this inner peace and joy emanates from you, you draw in more peace and joy to you. It also has raw manga and manga spoilers. When an image is downsized to fit the tiny screen of a cellphone, text embedded with an image is un-readable. The 8 of Pentacles when it appears next to The Hanged Psychics and god may also be telling do i have psychic ability to act quickly. Being mindful and living in the moment is when we are at our most content. I got a stunned silence. The Chariot often signifies the need to balance one's relationship with one's own ambitions. You can cast spells wherever and whenever you want. Once you have a deck, just email me - tribecatarotreader or text me (but no phone calls, sorry) on 646-241-8244 and we'll set up a time and then the reading can happen in do i have psychic ability privacy of your own home - or office, or where ever you would like. Interesting and Useful for those that use those services!. Whichever method is chosen, the advice or messages will be given to the individual in a caring and sensitive manner. The Literature of Ancient Egypt is an extensive 600-page anthology of translations covering all the major texts, not only including Egyptian mythology, but also books of maxims, poetry, religious texts and historical documents. There were at several HUNDRED people who came to my mind that I wanted to share this with. Remember to meditate on your question before clicking the button to shuffle the cards. However be aware that meditation can also make do i have psychic ability more psychically receptive because it quiets the analytical mind allowing greater awareness of the intuitive mind. Spells helps people realize and appreciate your love by pushing away any bad influences, stress or anything else that might be causing this unnecessary hindrance. Affectionately, I call it Extra Salt and Pepper:). They focus on getting do i have psychic ability the roots of your problems and easing the tension and really putting things right. Change : Exchanged 2 Strength bonus for re-rolling failed to-wound rolls for other Pyromancy powers cast in do i have psychic ability same Psychic Phase by the Psyker. Yes to dealing with emotional baggage. I almost got sucked in today because it was my birthday on the 6th and tara and norah both gave simular readings. As a result of the nuclear do i have psychic ability of Kundalini awakening, the body is supercharged with the nectar of unquenchable amrita, the orbit of the molecules within all the cells of the body actually speed up; and with all the dormant regions now fully illuminated, the brain begins to function at the subatomic quantum dimension of vijnana - the highest intuitive intelligence beyond do i have psychic ability construct of the individual mind, senses and intellect. Imagine the two of you being happy together. If the debate regarding elemental strengths and weaknesses had gone a different way, it might have a place, but as it stands, its one notable aspect (no elemental affinity) is wholly irrelevant. Without writing, the literate mind would not and could not think as it does, not only when engaged in writing but even when it is composing its thoughts in oral form. today announced that TEKKEN CARD TOURNAMENT will soon available in North America, Latin America, Europe and Australasia. Hope you'll find my do i have psychic ability useful, and please let me know if I can answer any specific questions totem and psychic you.\n\n\n\n29.03.2016 at 00:29 Samugore:\nI congratulate, a brilliant idea and it is duly\n\n31.03.2016 at 10:09 Zulukora:\nIt is remarkable, rather useful idea\n\n04.04.2016 at 23:58 Mazular:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6593685150146484}
{"content": "Palouse Prairie Foundation plants & animals \n\nAnimals of the Palouse\n\nThe distinctive ecosystem called Palouse Prairie is more than just plants. Wildlife was abundant. Deer and elk fed on the Palouse Prairie plants, but bison were rare. Small mammals such as ground squirrels, gophers, and voles were common. Badgers, hawks, and owls fed on these prey species, and hummingbirds pollinated some of the more brightly-colored flowers. The Brewer's sparrow, which depends upon shrub thickets for nesting, was once abundant in the Palouse, but it has become extremely rare and now must rely on sagebrush stands outside of the region. In the spring, huge flocks of the sharp-tailed grouse gathered on dancing grounds, where male birds danced to attract females. Many other important members of the Palouse Prairie community were less obvious. A variety of insects played important roles pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds.\n\nThe environment below the surface of the soil also teemed with life. Fungi, bacteria, algae, and invertebrates recycled matter, breaking down the massive underground root systems of plants that died. The activities of these organisms affected and were affected by soil fertility and texture in complex ways. Areas with especially deep, moist soils provided habitat for giant earthworms that reached up to 3 feet in length! These worms were found nowhere else in the world. It is not known whether they still exist in the Palouse. They have not been seen in recent decades, in spite of several attempts to find them.\n\nPlants and Animals of the Palouse Palouse Prairie Species Information\n\nPalouse Prairie Species taxonomy", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9788219928741455}
{"content": "Order print\n\nIsraelTreasure main\n\nDivers Find Gold Coin Treasure\n\n\nDivers in Israel haul largest trove of gold coins in the coutry's history from ancient harbour seabed\n\nA group of five divers have discovered the 'priceless' treasure in the ancient port city Caesarea, located on Israel's Mediterranean coast, a press release of the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday.\n\n'At first they thought they had spotted a toy coin from a game and it was only after they understood the coin was the real thing that they collected several coins and quickly returned to the shore in order to inform the director of the dive club about their find,' the statement read.\n\nUsing a metal detector, the Marine Archaeology Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority's divers recovered almost 2,000 gold coins in different denominations, dating back the Fatimid period (909 to 1171). \n\nA winter storm is believed to have exposed the treasure and the Israeli Antiquities Authority hopes that future excavations will help to put the find into an archaeological and historical context and even unveil more treasures. \n\n'There is probably a shipwreck there of an official treasury boat which was on its way to the central government in Egypt with taxes that had been collected,' Kobi Sharvit, director of the marine archaeology unit at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said, thrilled by the recent discovery.\n\n\n'Another theory is that the treasure was money belonging to a large merchant ship that traded with the coastal cities and the port on the Mediterranean Sea and sank there,' he said.\n\nSharvit cocnluded that the challenge now lies in further developing the area for tourists and divers while ensuring that all divers are accompanied by inspectors or inspectors from the dive club to preserve the site.  \n\n\nLatest Articles\n\n\nDestinations Spotlight\n\n\nAqaba side finalBahamas side finalPhilippines 300x100 4\n\nMexico280 sthelena\n\nDIVE Partners\n\n\n\nRead DIVE magazine\n\n\nPCMac final\nApple finalAndroid final", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5771371126174927}
{"content": "A Look at Geometry in Grade 10: Circles\n\nFrom Handal, et al. (2013), a diagram which includes technological knowledge, also a consideration for math teachers, or any teacher using 21st century learning.\n\nPedagogical content knowledge is a type of knowledge that is unique to teachers, and is based on the manner in which teachers relate their pedagogical knowledge (what they know about teaching) to their subject matter knowledge (what they know about what they teach) (Cochran, Kathryn, 1997). This concern seems especially pertinent for math teachers. I attempt to show how subject matter knowledge and pedagogical knowledge are both essential in getting students to the point where they can be assessed on a circles problem in grade 10 academic math.\n\nTeachers are reminded at the outset that while knowing the subject is one essential ingredient, so is knowing your students and your age group. Students must be known individually, to become familiar with how they see the concepts, in their own words. This means that in a normal class setting, students must be able to be able to express themselves without fear of judgement. The teacher also needs to be familiar student IEPs, the supports in their school (student success teacher, guidance counsellors, social workers, and so on).\nThe teacher is urged to also try some geometry problems on their own. More than informing one’s content knowledge, the teacher is also learning to anticipate problems that may arise that affect lesson planning. According to Aslan-Tutak and Adams (2015), a lack of content knowledge robs teachers of being able to properly assess students real needs and strengths in the classroom.\n\nThis article takes a look at geometry in grade 10 and is written to raise awareness of the possible connectedness of aspects of geometry to other parts of the math program, and to also discuss implications for the learner.\n\nIn the Analytic Geometry strand, the Ministry (2005) gives as two of its overall expectations for the course MPM2D (Academic 10 Math):\n\n  1. By the end of the course, students will model and solve problems involving the intersection of two straight lines;\n  2. By the end of the course, students will solve problems using analytic geometry involving properties of lines and line segments.\n\nAddressing both circles and the activity here involving them, the specific expectations look like this:\n\n  1. By the end of the course, students will develop the formula for the midpoint of a line segment, and use this formula to solve problems.\n  2. By the end of the course, students will  develop the formula for the equation of a circle with centre (0, 0) and radius r, by applying the distance formula for the length of  a line segment, d^2 = (x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2.\n  3. By the end of the course, students will determine the radius of a circle with centre (0, 0), given its equation; write the equation of a circle with centre (0, 0), given the radius; and sketch the circle, given the equation in the form x^2 + y^2 = r^2.\n\nGrade 10 appears to be the first and last time circles are covered as a relation. I would also tell students about a circle centred at the point (h, k), whose equation, (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2 is not that different from the distance formula shown above.\n\nStudent maturation. The chidren in this grade would generally be between 15-16 years old, and in most cases, maturationally ready to tackle math questions of some degree of complexity, even though impusivity is still an issue for most students at that age (Price, 2005). According to Price (2005), while impulsivity can be seen as a problem for adolescents of this age group regardless of their proficiency in math, she would also say that it can be regarded as an asset, that adolescent passion should be taken advantage of, and directed toward productive ends.\n\nA task such as the three-point circle described below takes advatage of this passion, by subjecting a well-known property of circles to scrutiny. Beginning a rich task with a question starting with “Is it always true that three points always make a circle?” invites the student to try and make the idea fail. And of course, it does, sometimes. The student can then be asked, under what conditions does the idea fail, and can we re-state the conjecture that “three points make a circle” into something that is always true?\n\nBig idea: Any three points can be used to form a circle if they are not on the same line. A rich task or rich assessment built on this will take with it a substatntial amount of the analytic geometry strand, and can wind up being among the last topics covered in a unit. The idea of three points making a circle is an old geometry problem. A much simpler, but less interesting, circle problem would be to have 3 points all some distance r from the origin to make a circle, which still loses none of the grade 10 content. Whenever I teach grade 10, I aim for a circle with an arbitrary centre, since so much of grade 10 math is embedded in it.\n\nRich problems such as this can be considered along the way as the result of a series of lessons. The sequence must be determined by the teacher\n\nThis can be either performed by the student using either geometry software, or using pencil and paper. It has been my experience that the latter option requires more time for the student, and more instructional time for the teacher, especially if the circle is not at the origin, which it likely won’t be given the prior requirement of “any three points”. This almost always requires the equation (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2, since the centre will be at some arbitrary point (h, k) rather than the point (0, 0).\n\nIt has been my experience that some learners take very well to this problem, while others are in need of assistance. If time is too tight, and students generally did well in the Quadratics strand, you might consider letting your students use Geometer’s Sketchpad to help solve the problem. Below, is a video where I demonstrate and discuss the use of Sketchpad for this problem.\n\nMostly, I will emphasize the benefits of a pencil-and-paper solution. And in the next video below, I demonstrate the use of an old fashioned geometry set and paper. The background music in this video is public domain, and there is no dialog, so feel free to turn off the volume (or turn it up). Since I was emphasizing technique in this video, I did not use graph paper.\n\nA suggested lesson sequence to get to this point of the course (each of these could be one or more periods of lessons, covering other Big Ideas along the way):\n\n  1. Solving lines and linear systems — point of intersection: a) Solve by substitution; b) Solve by elimination (this could take several periods)\n  2. Midpoint of a line segment (can teach length of a line segment during this time to help confirm what we obtain from the formula \\left( \\frac{x_2 - x_1}{2}, \\frac{y_2 - y_1}{2}\\right) is really the midpoint) (1-2 periods)\n  3. Solving quadratic systems (in Quadratic relations, the part on expansion of factors and solving is essential; however, the quadratic formula is not needed for this activity). (a couple of weeks)\n  4. The equation of a circle a) centred at the origin (x^2 + y^2 = r^2) and b) centred at (h, k): (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2. Remind students of some properties of circles. For example, the circle is a collection of all points which are the same distance r from a centre point. (this can be 2-3 periods)\n  5. A look at chords, along with major and minor arcs (optional, but is helpful in establishing a terminology for the three point/circle problem). Don’t spend a lot of time on this — it is not in the Ministry, but it is in some Ministry-approved grade 10 texts for the current curriculum.\n  6. Students would need to play with trying to get three arbitrary points to make a circle for about 1 period to agree on what steps they would need to confirm the point/circle problem. They would either use software such as Sketchpad or a geometry set, but the decision must be made for the whole class. Students consolidate on what the steps ought to be to solve this problem. If software is used, I would add to the problem: find the full equation for the circle, its radius, and the centre point. If pencil and paper is used, after students have struggled, and an algorithm is decided upon, you might consider demonstrating a complete solution either on the board or using a document camera.\n  7. Once the class agrees to an algorithm, 1-2 periods would be spent on a rich task (possibly a summative). If pencil and paper is used, the question is still do-able by grade 10 students, but I find not everyone can identify the centre with algebra, and usually end up estimating the position of the centre from the graph drawn. Thus, the there would also be a loss of accuracy in computing radius. (I would give a level 4 for the algebra; level 3 for estimating).\n\nFor the latter topic, that is, the algebraic solution to finding the centre from three points on a circle, I would suggest a PDF I wrote for my students, which demonstrated a sample calculation as they were working on their problem, given to them, or demonstrated the some days before the assessment, especially if anyone is having problems. Not all steps are shown in this handout, and the student is advised to perform the steps themselves. They would also be given a worksheet to practice on. It is from the PDF above mentioned that students began to point out the resemblance between the general circle equation and the distance formula, because both are used in the activity.\n\nSupporting the teaching and learning of mathematics.\n\nGoing though with the pencil-and-paper method teaches students several things which would not be seen on a computer system:\n\n  • Students see that there is now a broader use for expanding and solving quadratics, that isn’t part of the strand on quadratic relations, but uses techniques that are not foreign to it.\n  • It is one opportunity to prepare students for the kind of math they may encounter in grade 11 Functions, grade 12 Advanced Functions, and Calculus and Vectors.\n  • This is the last treatment students get with circle relations before university. It is no longer covered in grades 11 and 12, but such relations (and much more) are covered in first-year university texts.\n  • Students see that there are parallels that can now be drawn between solving for a linear system and solving for a quadratic system — you still need two equations with the same two unknowns, for one thing.\n  • What has preceeded shows that the unit must be very carefully planned to do this activity. But once done, the reward is an activity that captures a substantial part of grade 10 academic math.\n\nSupporting high teacher efficacy.\n\nIn this page, I have covered most of the high points of this sort of lesson, and described in some detail much of the most difficult parts of it through videos and external documents.\n\nIn this page, I have told teachers how to prepare themselves and their students with suitable content knowledge, as well as what pertinent expectations are covered in the analytic geometry strand, as well as informing teachers of the maturational readiness of students, and how impusivity, re-directed as passion, can be used as an asset to student learning.\n\nWhat I have not mentioned is that it is crucial that teachers must constantly assess their students in the “for” and “as” learning phases, through observations, conversations, as well as products. Most periods should not end without some kind of assessment of this nature. This is because, with this math, finding out where your students are in their learning is critical to understand next steps for planning. The consolidation phase could be a math congress where students share their findings, ask each other questions, and, with some guiding questions and information from the teacher, come to an agreement as to their general findings.\n\nFor teachers to be successful  in this strand, they would be best off with problem-based learning (PBL), using problems of varying degrees of open-endedness. This would be done for all or most lesson on the way to this one. PBL should be in the “Action” part of the 3-part lesson. Each lesson should not go without a consolidation phase (Ministry, 2010), where students share and explain their work, while answering questions.\n\nAnother aspect of geometry is covered by another video I did, one on quadrilaterals, with the question being: “Is it always true that midpoints on a quadrilateral make a parallellogram?” To see the answer, you have to accept rectangles and squares as special cases of parallellograms:\n\n\nAslan-Tutak, Fatma, and Thomasenia Adams. “A Study Of Geometry Content Knowledge Of Elementary Preservice Teachers.” International Electronic Journal Of Elementary Education, vol 7, no. 3, 2017, pp. 301-318.\n\nCochran, Kathryn (1997). Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Teachers’ Integration of Subject Matter, Pedagogy, Students, and Learning Environments [online] Available at: https://www.narst.org/publications/research/pck.cfm [Accessed 24 Jul. 2017].\n\nHandal, Boris et al. (2013). “Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Of Secondary Mathematics Teachers – CITE Journal.” Citejournal.Org, http://www.citejournal.org/volume-13/issue-1-13/mathematics/technological-pedagogical-content-knowledge-of-secondary-mathematics-teachers/.\n\nKing, P. (2015). “Draw A Circle With Any Three Non-Collinear Points.” Youtube, 2015, https://youtu.be/ZdPQA6eSZD0.\n\nKing, P. (2017). “Grade 10 Academic – Is It Always True That 3 Noncollinear Points Make A Circle?” Youtube, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRoAbbhuwoU.\n\nOntario Ministry of Education, Office of the Secretariat. (2010). Communication in the Mathematics Classroom (Vol. 13, Capacity Building Series). Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer.\n\nOntario Ministry of Education (2005). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 and 10 Mathematics (Revised, 2005). Toronto: Queen’s Printer, Ontario.\n\nPrice, L. F. (2005). The Biology of Risk-Taking. Educational Leadership, April(2005), 22-26. Retrieved July 22, 2017.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9075515270233154}
{"content": "the band\n\nthe band\n\n\nRole of the Observer is an American progressive rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The band’s line-up includes Nick Leach (lead guitar, vocals, piano), Tyler Rhodes (guitar, vocals), Max Leach (drums, percussion) and Nate Epperson (bass guitar, samples.)\nFounded in 2012, the group has been known to take a conceptual approach to their writing. With influences ranging from classic rockbands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, King Crimson to newer progressive bands like Porcupine Tree, Tool, Mastodon, and Opeth, their sound is nothing out of the ordinary. Their exceptional musicianship brings the listener across all ranges of rhythms and their shows are an audible special that is sure to keep the listener on their feet.\nRole of the Observer has released two full length concept albums which are now available on iTunes and for free download at . In early 2014 Max Leach joined the group on drums. Since, the groups sound has developed in exciting ways and they plan to release a third album this fall.\n\n\n\nNIck Leach\n\n\nTyler Rhodes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMax Leach\n\n\nNate Epperson", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9958348274230957}
{"content": "Open Position\n\nAdjunct Faculty (Graduate/Undergraduate)\n\n\nInstruction for graduate level courses requires a Ph.D. in a related area of study or at minimum, a Master’s degree with significant work experience in the related field.  Responsibilities include developing and providing lectures; provide daily assignments, and evaluation of student’s academic progress.  This is not an all inclusive list of positional responsibilities. Divisions will have access to all application materials and will contact qualified candidates as courses become available.     \n\nQualified candidates are invited to send their cover letter, Curriculum Vita/resume, and a list of professional references to shujobs@sienaheights.edu.  In the subject line of the email, please reference if you are interested in instructing undergraduate or graduate level courses and your areas of expertise.     \n\nPlease login or register to post comments.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8108292818069458}
{"content": "Siargao Island\n\n(photo by K. V. Chua)\nSiargao Island An island sitting right next to the Philippine Deep, one of the world's deepest trenches. What with its Pacific reef wave called Cloud 9, Siargao attract surfers from all over the world. CNN Go ranked it as 8th best surfing destination internationally.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9665317535400391}
{"content": "Start Racing\n\nOnce you have completed your basic level 1 & 2 course in dinghy sailing you may well enjoy recreational sailing and cruising and the club is pleased for you to do so. However, many of the members enjoy the thrill and challenges that racing offers and the club runs 2 or 3 races a week depending on the season. There is no doubt that participating in racing will develop your sailing skills to a higher level in the shortest period of time. This will involve considerable practice on the water but the presentation below provides theoretical as well as a practical guide and tips to racing at Attenborough.\n\nPowerpoint iconView Start Racing presentation.\n\nYou will need either Microsoft PowerPoint software or the Powerpoint Viewer software that can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft website.\n\nClub races normally start at 19:00hrs on Wednesdays and 14:00hrs and 16:00hrs on Sundays (March to October). REMEMBER this is the actual start of the race, so you would be well advised to allow plenty of time to get changed, prepare your boat and get to the start line.\n\nAll you need to be is a club member. In terms of experience, you can be self taught or had formal training, but you should be at RYA Level 2 standard or above. Other than that, just turn up with your boat, or use one of the club boats.\n\n\n  1. Prepare your boat: It's a good idea to be on the water 10-15 minutes before the start of the race. This gives you plenty of time to get to the start line and view the course and plan your start. The course is either displayed in the race hut behind teh club flagpole.\n  2. Signing on: sign-on, usually in the race hut. Sign-on details may vary but you will always need your name, sail number and class.\n  3. Note down the course: The course is displayed as a sequence of buoy numbers. Each number is in green (starboard/right) or red (port/left) back ground to indicate from which side the buoy should be rounded. So a buoy number with a red background should rounded anti-clockwise (i.e. the port side of the boat nearest the buoy). All the buoys must be passed in the correct sequence and rounded from the correct side. If you are not good at remembering numbers, it's a good idea to write them down somewhere on your boat.\n\nFlags are the primary means of starting a race. In addition to flags a horn is nearly always used. The first horn blows 5 minutes before the start when the calss flag is raised. At 4 minutes another sound signal Flag I or P is shown; at 1 minute to go a sound signal and lowering of I or P flag. At 0 minutes the class flag is dropped and a sound signal given. If there is more than one start this point will signal start of next 5 minute sequence.\n\nA race will be a number of laps around the course. Generally at ASC this will range from 3-6 laps, but just keep racing until you cross the finish line and hear a single horn sound as you cross the line.\n\nLong books have been written about dinghy sailing rules and regulations, but you don't need to study these to get started in racing. For your safety and that of other sailors, you should make yourself aware of the basic principles of dinghy racing.\n\n  1. Do not hit another boat.\n    If you hit another boat (or force it to alter course to avoid you when you do not have right of way) then you must take a penalty or be disqualified. The normal penalty is a 720 degree turn, in other words 2 tacks and 2 gybes. Even if you are the right of way boat, you may be in the wrong if there is a collision, so a right of way boat may have to take a penalty turn as well. A right of way boat must do all it can to avoid a collision. If it doesn't it must take a penalty, but if it's done all it can and still cannot keep clear then it doesn't need to take a penalty.\n  2. Starboard tack has right of way.\n    A starboard tack boat is one which has the wind on the starboard side. Therefore its boom will be on the port side. A port tack boat approaching a starboard tack boat has usually two choices, either tack onto starboard tack or go round the stern of the starboard tack boat.\n  3. Windward boat must keep clear.\n    The windward boat is the one nearest to the wind. He must keep clear of the boat to leeward, and this means all of him, including his boom and rigging. Therefore, if sailing with your boom well out you need to be quite a bit away to stop your boom hitting the hull, head or rigging of the chap to leeward!\n  4. Boats on the outside at a buoy must keep clear of boats inside.\n    This rule only applies when you are approaching a buoy, which is defined as within 2 boat lengths of it. The boat on the inside is allowed room to round the buoy without hitting it, so the boat on the outside must keep clear. Therefore the inside boat will often call 'Water at the mark!' when approaching the buoy, warning the other boat to keep clear.\n  5. Hitting a Buoy\n    The penalty for hitting a buoy is a 360 degree turn, or one tack and one gybe. If you hit a buoy and do not take a penalty you will be disqualified.\n  6. Obstructions\n    There are a number of rules regarding obstructions. An obstruction is obviously a grass bank, but it could equally be another racing boat that you have to keep clear of. If you need to change course to clear an obstruction you are entitled to ask for room to do so, likewise, if someone asks for room you should give it to them. The most common call is 'water to tack'. If someone calls this to you, you should tack immediately.\n  7. Other Rules\n    There are many other rules and sub clauses, but mainly they define when and how the above rules are applied, so for starting out these rules are all that is required.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6021168231964111}
{"content": "Pin Me\n\nTypes of Ocean Pollution\n\nwritten by: Dr Mike C•edited by: Sarah Malburg•updated: 6/2/2011\n\nWe live on an ocean planet where the seas cover almost 2/3 of the surface. Much of the pollution that we produce finds its way into the sea. This article looks at some of the types of ocean pollution which stem from man's activities, but also arise from natural processes.\n\n  • slide 1 of 4\n\n    The Solution To Pollution\n\n    A friend of mine who happens to be a radiochemist once remarked to me that “the solution to pollution is dilution\"; he was only being partially serious. Ocean covers two thirds of the surface of the planet and the depth can range from a few meters in the near coastal zone to 10,923 m at the bottom of the Challenger Deep, off the Marianas Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Given that the surface of the Earth covers approximately 510 million square kilometers, it gives an idea of the volume of seawater on the planet (which has been estimated as 1.5 billion cubic kilometers), so my friend’s flippant comment does have some mileage to it.\n\n    The world ocean has been described as the ultimate sink for pollution since ultimately, any material which is released into the river system (and many sewage systems around the world) will exit into the sea. This article will consider the types of ocean pollution that may occur and indicate their sources.\n\n\n\n  • slide 2 of 4\n\n    Definition Of Ocean Pollution\n\n    Before getting into an identification of the types of pollution that end up in the ocean, we need to understand what is meant by pollution in this context. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, marine/ocean pollution \"refers to direct or indirect introduction by humans of substances or energy into the marine environment (including estuaries), resulting in harm to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrances to marine activities including fishing, impairment of the quality of sea water and reduction of amenities.\"\n\n    This definition cites the \"hazard\" as being an important criterion, but also involves a human component. In a sister article, the topic of marine eutrophication was discussed and it is clear that this potentially harmful problem can be a natural occurrence.\n\n    Of course, land-based pollution sources such as the combustion products from oil, gas, and coal based power stations (for instance), may be pushed high into the atmosphere and ultimately settle or get washed by rain into the oceans.\n\n  • slide 3 of 4\n\n    Types of Ocean Pollution\n\n    From what has gone before, it will come as no surprise that the ocean plays unwilling host to a vast array of types of ocean pollution. The most obvious types of pollution are the ones that make the news such as the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico which caused loss of life and widespread damage to the environment involving hefty clean-up bills. Rig accidents and tanker sinkings may make the news, but rare, minor spillages such as oil tankers purging their tanks, may also harm the local environment. Following the Gulf War, the UNEP set up a program to monitor the marine environment in the region (ROPME) for petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metal pollution. It involved an active ocean pollution monitoring campaign. This was necessary because of the deliberate pollution of the environment by burning oil fields carried out by Iraq.\n\n    Maritime wrecks can pose an ocean pollution hazard because of harmful products used in the vessel (fuel, for instance), but also because of the cargoes that they may be carrying. As the hulks decay, they can also cause severe (local) heavy metal pollution.\n\n    Deliberate, illegal dumping in the sea probably represents the most significant pollution hazard since it is unregulated and often times believed that the most dangerous waste pays the best premium. Certain types of dumping do remain legal (for instance, of dredged material) and these are regulated under the London Dumping Convention.\n\n    Until 1982, the dumping of certain radioactive waste at specific sites by civilian nuclear authorities was permitted. The world’s military powers have also dumped reactor cores in certain seas and of course, some nuclear powered vessels have been lost in accidents. This practice made sense since dump sites were well away from civilization and fishing activities, sources were supposedly sealed and seawater makes a good shield for any radioactivity that may have seeped out.\n\n    Much concern has been expressed about the fate of polythene bags that escape into the marine environment. Apart from the physical hazard that the plastics may cause, the breakdown products of the hydrocarbons that produce them may also be harmful.\n\n    This article just scratches the surface of this topic, but for the sake of future generations and the marine ecosystem, the solution to pollution better not be dilution!\n\n  • slide 4 of 4\n\n\n    1. The Challenger Deep -\n    2. Volume of the Earth’s Oceans -\n    3. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development -\n    4. NOLA Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010 -\n    5. London Dumping Convention -\n    6. Ocean Disposal of Radioactive Waste -\n    7. National Geographical; plastics in the ocean -", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5957424640655518}
{"content": "An underwater welder must demonstrate not only welding skills but also the commercial diving qualifications. Underwater welders are also known as the offshore welders and they must be having the ability to control and manage the heavy welding equipments in the hazardous working environment. This article will discuss in details the career path of the underwater welder and also inform any aspiring underwater welder on what he/she should do in order to pursue their career in this field.\n\nWhat are the responsibilities of an underwater welder?\n\nThey are required to work with the different types of welding equipments following the specific procedures laid down to complete the required task. Some of the duties they are required to do include: inspection and non destructive testing, underwater photography, underwater cutting, drafting, fitting and rigging. Sometimes, the underwater divers are required to work with the project planning managers. They are required to give them assistance in the management field and public relations as they are required to have good communication skills besides the interpersonal skills they have that normally assist them to work well with other employees.\n\nEducation and other requirements\n\nFind a School\n\nThe first requirement is a commercial dive certification. This certification is offered by many schools offering the diving courses. Moreover, there are other requirements that cannot be overlooked even if an individual has vast experience in the field so as to be given the certification. Such requirements include the ability to use and handle the variety of diving equipments, underwater inspections, diver communications, diving physiology, emergency procedures and the hyperbaric chamber operations.\n\nThe welder-divers are required to have welding skills with a rating of AWS D3.6 standard, and with the knowledge and abilities to prepare and set up welds. Most welding courses offered at the educational facilities in the country are approved by the American Welding Society and therefore an underwater welder can benefit from his/her underwater welding skills as he/she will be recognized. Internationally recognized training in underwater welding is exclusively given in US by Commercial Diving Academy.\nThe underwater welders are required to be in good physical condition and there is no age limit. Most companies require individuals who can pass the physical examinations. In order to maintain the certification, the underwater welders are required to undertake periodic examinations.\n\nWage potential\n\nIt is not easy to generalize the earnings potential of underwater divers due to the fact that they depend on many factors. They are paid for the individual projects and some of the factors that influence their earnings potential include: the project duration, hazard levels, the dive methods employed employer and the divide grade. Welding has been categorized as an occupation for the commercial divers by U.S. Bureau of labor statistics and the reported annual average salary in 2009 was $52540.\n\nOnline and In Campus Programs\n\nPhoto Credit:  miquelsi", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9867053031921387}
{"content": "\n\nThe above statement is made quite often when discussing coffee.  Although not strictly untrue, it is also not reflective of the reality of the field.\n\nEach individual is entitled to like or dislike anything they taste (subjective – matter of taste).  But fields of specialism create and maintain a more specific criteria for quality based on wider input.  There is an accumulation of ideas and standards that are relative to that product, a framework for judgement (objective- tangible).\n\nIt is however more complicated than this statement allows for.  I will attempt to navigate the grey areas and offer what I see as a structure that cradles the journey of tasting speciality coffee.\n\nI am effectively revisiting my “quality” post, which explored the wider idea of what makes a coffee “good”.   This article is a more specific exploration of what defines quality within the framework of speciality coffee.\n\nFirstly, I need to explain what I mean by the term speciality.   This term can be used to describe a coffee that wins a national Cup of Excellence competition right through to Jamaican Blue Mountain; and even to describe beans with added hazelnut flavouring.\n\nI am referencing “speciality coffee” in alignment with the goals of programs such as the Cup of Excellence or the SCAA and SCAE, competitions such as the world barista championships, and the world brewing championships. There is also a ground roots movement that is less easy to define, shops and roasteries whose goals are aligned with these organisations but may have a different approach to achieving these goals.  There seems to be a relationship between the two, they affect each other.\n\nSo what is it that makes a coffee exceptional?\n\nI would posit that some of the basic requirements involve eliminating negative aspects, so a good coffee can, in certain ways, be defined by what it does not have – lack of flavour taints, lack of over-roasted flavour (although under roasted coffee doesn’t allow for a full development of flavour- so roast is obviously a part of the equation – a complex one).  Exceptional quality is not yet guaranteed though.  For this process only really suggests that a cup be bland and palatable.  It requires much more than this to become a great cup of coffee.\n\nThis is where character comes in, arguably the most important assessment of a coffee’s quality, but it is also the least easy to define singularly.  Basically the judgement of a coffee becomes about what it intends to achieve.\n\nYou would not judge a washed Bourbon variety from a Rwandan co-op on the same merits as a washed Typica variety from a particular Bolivian farm, this is very important because broader terms like balance of flavour, balance of acidity, sweetness, bitterness, etc, must become more targeted.  They must assess character.  A light, citrousy coffee may be more acidic and bitter with less body and sweetness. But it works with in the context of the character, and actually aids the success of that coffee.  Therefore its type of balance is different but equally as successful as a round, nutty coffee with hints of red fruit that is sweeter and less acidic.   A good or great coffee is not ONE thing.\n\nInterestingly, there can be some exceptions to the rules.  Certain flavours that are commonly noted as taints could also possibly present themselves as a positive part of naturally processed coffees.  This is because benchmarks for quality have been based off of the back of washed or pulped coffees.  There is a call in the industry to assess natural processed coffees separately from washed or pulped coffees such as what happened in this years Late harvest Brazil Cup of Excellence.\n\nAn objective idea of quality and what positive character types are is still needed in order to curb a descent into relativist chaos – otherwise I easily could argue that a coffee’s character actively intends to be furry, astringent, gravely and burnt.  Does this mean it is then good because I have managed to justify the cup according to a certain character?  Well, no.  This is where the system cuts in and says it’s plain bad.\n\nPrevious history of what we have accredited as good in speciality coffee is also required as a strong foundation upon which to test a coffee.  This foundation does develop, evolve and change.  As we experience more flavour within one area our appreciation of certain other flavours changes.\n\nFor example, if I have tasted many different coffees from farms in El Salvador that are washed Bourbon varieties, I have built up a catalogue of what I think is good about this type of coffee.  I then taste a new farm or a new crop from a well known farm, it displays much of what I value in a coffee of this type, but it has a unique acidity or interplay of complex flavours that are rare and thus make it very special.  Rarity and uniqueness as elsewhere are highly valued.  Established boundaries need to leave room for new and exciting discoveries.  The pursuit of quality in coffee is not merely an attempt to mimic the past but is actually a search for perfection. (even if that perfection is subjective)\n\nAn intuitive reaction to a coffee being “good” is still part of the equation and possibly one of the main driving forces of where coffee is going.  One could use the character argument to imply that we could train ourselves to appreciate the nuances of the dark roast flavours or musty flavours, for example.  Our area of the industry realised that coffee had other amazing flavours to offer and decided that those balanced clean and more complex results were very desirable.  Maybe when I tasted my first real speciality coffee I simply realised that my taste pared up with what this field has defined as good, (subjective – my taste) rather than an absolute universal correctness of flavour.\n\nThere is still much heated debate and differing of opinion on which specific characteristics and complexities make a certain cup “better”.  There is not a simple agreement on quality, and there shouldn’t be.  Subjectivity will always share part of the stage.  It will help drive the industry forward, but it cannot dominate leaving us with no structure for quality.\n\nFor people new to speciality coffee, the worthwhile information for them isn’t whether the person serving it finds it tasty (taste-subjective).  It is more important to communicate what the field’s idea of quality will mean for them, to inform them that the coffee will not taste how they may expect “coffee” to taste.  There will be acidity and all sorts of unique, complex flavour.  Also, that the exact qualities that are valued will be relative to provenance and other variables (objective-tangible).\n\nThey may like it or they may not.  They may want to try another coffee or two, making sure they were just not that keen on the character of one particular coffee.\n\nUltimately, the journey of discovery when questioning the quality of a cup, not to mention questioning the enjoyment of that cup, never fails to leave me fascinated and excited.  It is a journey that is wonderful in the beginning and ever more engrossing with every cup I taste.\n\nComments Off on “Isn’t it all essentially subjective, just a matter of taste?”\n\nFiled under Uncategorized\n\nComments are closed.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5474306344985962}
{"content": "Here’s a fun fact about koalas: something like 90 percent of them have Chlamydia! Normally it doesn’t cause any problems, but when they get stressed it leads to raging, uncontrollable diarrhea and a condition called “dirty tail.” So maybe don’t cuddle them like we all know you want to. Also, “Dirty Tail” sounds like a deep cut from a Nickleback album. 3.3/5\n\nAfghan Biscuits\n\nafghan biscuits\n\nThese are made from flour, sugar, butter, crushed cornflakes, and cocoa powder, with a walnut on top. These don’t really have anything to do with Afghanistan. They’re from New Zealand. They look pretty good. I never really considered that New Zealand had it’s own food. I wonder what else New Zealand has. Electricity? Cars? A space program? 3.8/5\n\nHarry Dresden\n\nHarry Dresden\n\nNow this is a wizard. From knocking a werewolf across Chicago with Play-Doh, to stealing all the souvenirs from the Crucifixion out of a treasure room in Hell, to murdering all the vampires in the world, to making a zombie from the fossilized remains of Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, this is a guy who keeps finding new ways to say yes to the question: Is what I’m planning going to be awesome? 4.9/5\n\nQuentin Coldwater\n\n\nQuentin Coldwater (one of the best character names in all of fiction, by the way) is one of the titular magicians in Lev Grossman’s The Magicians series. He kind of grew up with his readers. He went from a high school graduate who was kind of a douche and was super-depressed all the time in the first book, to a thirty-something with back problems who was kind of a douche and was super-depressed all the time in the last one. Man, there is a lot of self-insert fanfic about me that I didn’t even bother to write. 4.0/5\n\nGooey Butter Cookies\n\ngooey butter cookies\n\nThis are cookies principally made by a few St. Louis bakeries, and, most importantly, by me, Stuff Rater. It’s kind of plug-and-play in that the recipe calls for a box of cake mix, but you can use any flavor you want until you get things like orange cookies, or carrot cookies, or butter pecan cookies with no extra work and everyone thinks you’re some kind of cookie genius. Please don’t look up the recipe for these. With every other person that knows how to make these, I become less and less special until people don’t have to invite me to things in the hope I will bring cookies. 4.9/5", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5777469873428345}
{"content": "Into the Cave\n\nCaves in Romania were always an interest to the local people who lived there and among outsiders who heard of the stories people told. Many of the locals looked at caves as “hide outs and fortifications,” and this led to an increased interest in cave exploration (p. 33). Romanian caves have been mapped since possibly one of the first caves was documented, the Veterani Cave in 1692. People believe that “caves hide treasures buried by haiduci, the local outlaws” (p. 33). Maybe these stories are true or maybe Romanians are great storytellers; either way, who doesn’t love a great cave story or a local legend that leads into some true treasure finds? The treasure that I am talking about is not gold, silver, or even jewels that I would imagine the locals describing; the treasure is instead, a cave full of bones.\n\nThe documentation for the Peștera Ponor-Plopa did not start until 2001 and this is located near Anina in Caraș-Severin (p. 5). Inside of this cave is another cave called The Peștera cu Oase. Both caves are located in the Carpathian Mountains in the southwestern part of Romania. Because this mountain range is huge and spans into neighboring countries of Eastern Europe, many speleological clubs developed in the 1970’s in order to understand the cave systems better. They established themselves in order to explore, document, and protect their karst systems. It is great to know that many people are interested in further expanding their knowledge of the caves and cave systems. Many of these caves have lots to offer about our past lives and cultures especially if human remains are found.\n\nThe Peștera cu Oase is literally called, “The Cave with Bones” (p. 8). This is a generic name that was used in order to keep this particular site of the cave system safe while it was explored. The main people involved in exploring Peștera cu Oase were Ștefan Milota, and Laurențiu Sarcină; both of these people are principle members of the Pro Acva Grup in Timișoara, which is an explorer’s club. Adrian Bîlgăr is also on the team of explorers. Oana Moldovan was from the Institutul de Speologie who was able to establish a connection to Erik Trinkaus from Saint Louis in order to help with the human mandible. Moldovan became the leader of the Romanian team. She organized the financing, legal matters, and helped to organize the project. Most of the field work was done in three seasons starting from 2003 and ending during 2005, and was followed by furthered documentation and analysis.\n\nThe three main people who were involved in this project from the start were Erik Trinkaus from the United States, Silviu constantin from Bucharest, and João Zilhão from Spain. These three helped to organize Life and Death at the Peștera cu Oase: A Setting for Modern Human Emergence in Europe that was written by the different members of the project that I have used as my monograph to obtain this information. There are 33 contributors for this project listed right after the contents page in the beginning of the book. Without each and every one of them, I don’t believe that this project could have taken place.\n\nThe archaeologists seemed to have much experience even if they had never worked on an excavation site like this one. Between the main people involved, it seemed that many of them had quite an interest in this project for various reasons and worked hard obtaining detailed and accurate information. In fact, some of them even had to learn how to scuba dive because there was a lot of water that hid the entrance of the cave. Although I did not get an exact history lesson of where the people studied or for how long it took for them to receive their education, all of them had official addresses of where they attended studies or work experience listed into the “contributors” part of the book. All of the different places of studies included Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.\n\nIn order to support the work of this project, there were many people who thankfully sponsored it. The first was the Institutul de Speologie “Emil Racoviță” in both Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest, Romania. Other sponsors include the Washington University in Saint Louis, the Wenner-Gren Foundation for the Anthropological Research, The Leakey Foundation, and the National Science Foundation. Other contributors to this project included Ricardo Rodrigo and João Zilhão from the Instituto Portugues de Arqueologia, Hélène Rougier from the Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Silviu Constantin from the Romanian National Council for Academic Research, and lastly the National Agency for Scientific Research. All of these people and organizations were listed in the preface of the book. We can see that much of the research and project was worked on by many different people who took interest in this project.\n\nIt’s kind of funny for me to note that the project didn’t appear to be one that many people at first found interesting. The American, Erik Trinkaus was emailed by Moldovan asking for advice and he basically told her to document everything she finds but that it wouldn’t be of much importance. Trinkaus did, however, agree to meet the archaeologists and flew to Europe, laying his eyes on the first skull found in the cave. Upon seeing the skull, Trinkaus agreed it appeared to be much older than he had originally anticipated and decided there should be further examination of the origins than his beginning advice. He took a sample and sent it to the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit for AMS dating and the results were 35,200 14C BP (p. 8). This mandible was dated twice, and this date was agreed upon for all those involved. Trinkaus decided he would participate in the project, with the motivation of potentially finding more human remains or artifacts.\n\nWhat I think helped further to excite people about the site was when Trinkaus “completed the first report on the Oase 1 mandible, published in 2003, in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA” and also later was published in the Journal of Human Evolution (p. 10). This was the first step to raising awareness of the find. What else I believe helped to spread the word was when Constantin, the editor  of the Theoretical and Applied Karstology asked “Moldovan for a rapid communication article on the Oase discoveries” and it was also published (p. 10). I think it is important that when a discovery is made that it is shared with the community in order for the community to first know about it and secondly to support it. How is the project going to be supported if nobody knows about it? All projects of this size and magnitude must be financially assisted as well as spiritually, physically, and mentally embraced; last but not least, the project must be supported by the community! If the community does not support it, then the project may not get done and there will be plenty of information that human civilization will fail to learn about.\n\nThere were many things about this site that made it incredibly interesting such as scuba diving to enter into the cave and a ladder was set up in order to climb into the higher parts. There were sinkholes and small passageways that the archaeologists and those on the field had to enter through in order to get there. How the cave was originally found was that Milota, Bîlgăr, and Sarcină noticed “fresh air coming through a small fissure” and “opened a narrow passageway onto a set of galleries that had remained closed, protected, and pristine since the end of the Pleistocene” (p. 7). The opening is near where they found the first skull along with many other bones. These bones were mostly cave bear bones and they were documented.\n\nDuring the field seasons, the archeological “crew was joined for periods of time by friends and cavers, who camped near the cave opening to watch over the equipment and, for those who caved, help with the work inside” (p. 12). The unexplored cave contents were definitely in need of protecting because anything moved or missing from its original place would have altered the entire project; not to mention replacing supplies is often not inexpensive. Another great concern is that “illegal international trade in bear skulls is rampant in Romania” and this unfortunately sounds like a major problem (p. 9). Romania is a country that has a high bear population, and it is unfortunate that people want only their skulls. I don’t know if bears in Romania are poached, but if they are, many poachers don’t care about the animals sacrificed for their human profit. The cave bones would have been an easy target; therefore, I am proud that these people camped outside of the cave and gave their services. They were trying to stop any looters and protect the site and archaeologists as much as possible. I believe that they did. By doing this, they also become a part of the project’s preservation, and what a great project to be a part of!\n\nBecause it was a cave, it was dark and there needed to be light. The archaeologists rented a generator but the cord was not long enough to get enough light to see, and instead they used their headlamps. The light for the photographs was “furnished by special photographic speed lights” (p. 11 – 12). The lighting was a major problem during the entire time of excavating, along with cell phone reception.\n\nIt must have been quite a challenge to be working in the dark along with entering and exiting. To get into the cave, it took about an hour, and to leave the cave, it took about 3 hours because of the “added luggage – bones to transport outside, sediments to sieve in the river, rocks and excavation debris to store in out-of-the-way parts of the system” (p. 15). So not only were they working essentially in the dark, but they were removing materials out of the cave for further examination and trying not to damage the items in the process. Special materials and supplies were purchased in order to keep the remains safe during transportation.\n\nThis project does appear to be mostly about cave bears; however, the reason this project started was because of the first human skull found lying in situ upon the emergence into the cave. Questions were then asked like: how old is the skull, what was the age of death, and what is it doing in what appears to be a bear’s hibernation den? Will there be more human remains? Other questions started to emerge such as how old is the cave? What happened to the bears that led them to their death? Because cave bears are extinct, it was a perfect site for trying to understand this. More than 5,000 faunal bones were collected and analyzed.\n\nThe background information for this site dated the cave to approximately 46,000 cal BP, which helped to preserve the cave that the bears left behind partly due to the sinkhole. Wolves and hyenas started to frequent the cave soon after by scavenging for remains. No more activity is recorded after 44 ka cal BP because “a low-energy flooding event created the Panta Strămoșilor bone jumble” (p. 123). Humans entered the scene shortly after this time. The origins of the human remains were not able to be fully confirmed in reference to the cave system. The humans may have lived in a different part of the cave. After they died, they eventually washed down the drainage system into the place that the bear remains resided. The cave was quite an active area.\n\nThere were many different methods involved, mostly excavation and dating of the archaeological finds. They dated many things using the standard method of carbon dating. The cave was placed into grids that were “1 meter2 and then they were subdivided into 0.25 m2 excavation units (A, B, C, and D)” (p. 26). Though they did count how many items they used in each dating project and even discarded things that may have been contaminated. The excavation was also done methodically.\n\nThe advantages of using methods such as the original look and see, excavation, piecing the bones back together, and dating the bones are all beneficial to the overall project and long term goals. Looking and seeing is absolutely the best first step because we must visually acknowledge our surroundings and make educated guesses about what the site contains.\n\nExcavation of the bones is a vital part of any archaeological site because things such as artifacts are not just on the surface, but get buried by time. The also get moved by animals, or in this case, by gravity along with water movement in the cave. Once artifacts are unburied, they must be dusted off in order to see them better. Some use water washing which was used in this instance. “The bones were unwrapped, washed in water, set to dry in plastic trays, labeled with square number plus either quadrant letter or specimen number, and then sorted anatomically” (p. 30). After these items were cleaned at the laboratory (which was a hotel room), they were logged into their spreadsheet that was updated when newer information was obtained. Keeping track of each item is absolutely vital and making sure they were coded correctly is equally as important. It seems that this indeed happened during this project. The final storage area for the remains are at the Institutul de Speologie “Emil Racoviță” in Bucharest for permanent curation (p. 15).\n\nAfter the bones were cleaned, they tried matching the bones with the original animal or human remains they had found. They ultimately found 99 bear skulls and remaining bones (p. 135), 2 human skulls, a fox skull (p. 181), a domestic goat found at the end of a passage (p. 120), a hyena (p. 167), a deer (p. 189), and wolf remains (p. 173). There were also an abundance of small animal remains that still happen to frequent the cave. One of the rodents even “developed a taste for the chocolate bars brought into the cave for the excavators” (p. 185). So we must note first that the site is still occupied by living animals. Next, we can see that there was a broad array of faunal remains that could help with interpreting how the diet of the animals were along with the people and possible changes in the world. These remains are important for understanding the environment of the past, especially environments that may have changed and we are still learning about; also including environments that were isolated from the rest of the world because of things like communism, or a lack of funding or interest.\n\nThe regional importance of the site is that the human remains were not quite modern. Although not all the questions that the archaeologists asked were answered, there is still much to investigate about how these humans lived. Only two human skulls were found, no neck bones, and the total teeth between these two human remains counted to 11. It is important to note that diet was examined by the remains found using DNA sampling. The question came up of possible diet change around this time along with the cave itself going through a massive change. Along with comparing the skulls to other skulls found around the world that aged around the same time, they made hypotheses that the humans during that time interbred with people of different races and learned more about trapping for food and didn’t rely on plants as much. The archaeologists were also trying to figure out where the humans had been camping. I would have liked more examination around the site or even near the spot where they dived in order to reach the cave. The other regional importance is that these remains are some of the oldest remains in Eastern Europe. These archaeologists and scientists have analyzed and debated their findings but all agreed that these bones are the earliest directly dated human remains in Eastern Europe.\n\nWhat is also important to note about the human remains is that Oase 1 is “diagnostically ‘modern’ in its overall morphology, whether considered phenetically or cladistically in a late Middle and Late Pleistocene context, but it presents a couple of unusual features, shared with few or none of the other early modern human mandibles” (p. 256). This would suggest crossbreeding between different types of people! What a great thing to discover and attempt to learn more about. Oase 2’s traits “possesses a number of archaic features but is not typical of either the archaic or the modern human groups” (p. 311). This is interesting because these skulls were found together, and both have unique attributes to them that make them all the more a mystery that I would like to solve or at least get a clearer answer to. I believe the archaeologists were expecting to find more human remains than they did. I believe they were looking for artifacts, but they only found the two skulls.\n\nWe don’t know how the humans died, but we do know that they were fairly young because of the testing for the ages of them. Their genders are not specified. For the Oase 1 mandible, they estimated the age of death was around 20 years old, give or take (p. 237). There is more information about Oase 2 because they were able to piece back together the cranium almost entirely. The established age of death for Oase 2 was approximately 15 to 18 years of age (p. 269-271). Also for Oase 2, they determined that the gender of the skull was either a “male with a short mastoid process, or a female with a rather large face. We prefer to consider Oase 2 as being of indeterminate sex” (p. 271). It is important to note that these human remains were compared to other bones dated to approximately the same time period. I find it very interesting that these two skull ages were approximately the same. To me, this suggests that they were in or near the cave around the same time in their lifespan. I wonder what was happening to these two people and if they even knew each other. Humans are social creatures so I find it strange that no more human remains were found. This of course is simply my own speculation and cannot be proved without further evidence. If water didn’t run through the cave and moved anything, perhaps artifacts would have been found?\n\nMeasurements of the bones were taken in order to compare the measurements with other bones not from this site but that dated to around the same time period. Along with measurements, there were also dating techniques. Carbon dating, radiocarbon dating, and ESR dating (Electron Spin Resonance) were used on many of the faunal remains. Some ancient DNA testing known as (aDNA) was used on some of the faunal remains as well.\n\nBecause the project is still fairly new, the project does represent a much needed study because we do not know much about cave bears considering that they have been extinct for thousands of years. We can look at modern day bears in order to compare between the two, and Romania does have a lot, but we simply don’t know why the bears went extinct and this is a very huge nest that leaves a lot of information to be collected and interpreted. What the scientists thought may have happened is that they got trapped during hibernation or they didn’t have enough fat stored up to survive the hibernation.\n\nAll of these techniques used are extremely important and beneficial to the rest of the culture and the world. They absolutely are scientific and reliable ways of not only practicing archaeology, but of analyzing the results, especially when using the date testing. We have fine technology in place that is fairly accurate considering what we know right now, and what we keep discovering in ways of improvement. It seems that everything was tagged and labeled and documented regarding where it was found, and all of these steps make for good archaeology.\n\nThere are many things to think about with this site because there was just so much information to work with. The only problem that I have is what to do with what I have learned? I chose this particular site is because I have known about it for quite some time, but I have not had the opportunity to look more deeply into it until now. The reason for my interest is because I am from Romania and I am trying to understand my past better and learn about the current culture there and what a better way to learn about it than a final project?\n\nMy first thoughts were what I had learned about from our class reading assignment book regarding how sites are supposed to be excavated and analyzed. When looking through all the pictures of the book, I couldn’t help but to notice that Ștefan Milota when holding the Oase 2 face was barehanded (p. 9). From everything I had learned about contamination, I would have wanted the archaeologists to use some sort of glove when handling the remains. I understand that the cave may have simply been too hot and humid and this was simply not possible, but what about when the remains were taken out of the cave?\n\nI am overall impressed with the field work done and how all the people came together in order to preserve and understand this site. I learned so much about archaeology and the ways that the approaches were done in this instance seemed ethical and done properly. I am saddened that it took so long for more people to become interested, but I am glad that they finally did. I wish the funding would have been more because the laboratory was a hotel room, and this doesn’t seem like a great place to have a laboratory. I understand that many laboratories are not permanent, but if hotel cleaners are doing their job, they would still request to come into the rooms, and what if they touched something or moved it? Everything else seemed to be fine. Those two things were the only things that stuck out to me as kind of strange; overall I was very impressed with this project and hope that they continue to analyze the finds and keep the remains in a safe place. Who knows, maybe one day I will be able to visit Bucharest again, which is my city of origin and visit the museum. That is a goal for sure.\n\nReference: Life and Death at the Peștera cu Oase: A Setting for Modern Human Emergence in Europe. Edited by Erik Trinkaus, Silviu Constantin, João Zilhão. Published in the United States of America by Oxford University Press. 2013.\n\nProfessor’s Notes: Interesting report of exploratory work and research done in the Romanian cave. I found the dating techniques used on the human skull and mandible to be fascinating. Unfortunately, these remains as well as the fauna specimens seem to have been moved and mixed during flooding episodes. Another interesting part of your report was how they set up the lab in their hotel room. This was a crafty but risky move. Getting in and out of the cave each day must have been long and hard work as was working in the dark. Your criticisms at the end of the report sections were good. It also would have been good to see a better presentation of the RC dates from the human remains. How is this site now being protected?\n\nScoring: Introduction: 10. Purpose: 15. Background: 15. Method: 17. Data: 18. Interpretations: 16. Total 91\n\n\nLeave a Reply\n\n\nYou are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change )\n\nTwitter picture\n\n\nFacebook photo\n\n\nGoogle+ photo\n\n\nConnecting to %s", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7131722569465637}
{"content": "We all have pivotal, defining moments in our lives. Often our greatest challenges and heartbreaks hold valuable cues pointing to our true purpose.\n\nMy family life was fraught with difficulties and losses. The moment I hit adolescence, I began seeking answers through psychology and spirituality. For many years, I embraced learning and meaningful lessons through my hardships, but still, I had the sense there was something blocking my capacity to fully express myself and my gifts.\n\nThen, several years ago I experienced the most painful event of my life, and it cracked my heart and life wide open. The two most transformative steps I took during my tough time, were to slow way down, and to face into my shadows (my fears, limiting beliefs, repressed feelings) . When we shed a spotlight on our shadows, they no longer drive our life. Slowing down, suspended my habitual ways of thinking and doing and allowed space for deep well-being to surface and point the way to my greater potential.\n\nSlowing down is the first step to activating change.\n\nAs I faced my deepest fears, I discovered my greatest gifts. As I integrated my cumulative training, life experiences and wisdom, I discovered my soul purpose. Once we have integrated the various parts of our self, alignment with our soul purpose may arrive naturally, and even quietly. A new found freedom, vitality, and sustainable self-connection emerged in my work, and my life. I want the same for you.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9913740754127502}
{"content": "Does graphing a rational function help to solve a practical problem?\n\nExpert Answers\njustaguide eNotes educator| Certified Educator\n\nDrawing the graph of a function can be a very good idea to determine the roots of a function, which can be found by noting the values of the variable that make the value of the function equal to zero. This is especially important in cases where the function is of a higher degree and it is not possible to find the roots manually.\n\nThe use of graphs can also provide an approximate idea of the roots; this provides a way of verifying if the roots determined by other methods are right or not.\n\nThe graph of the function allows us to see the slope that is made by it and note how the values of the function are changed by changes in the value of the variable. So, we can determine things like is the value of the function directly or inversely related to the value of the variable, is the function defined for all values of the variable, etc.\n\nneela | Student\n\nA rational function is of the form y =f(x) = P(x)/Q(x), where P(x) and Q(x) are the polynomials.\n\nA graph can help to solve a problem (a) dealing with rational function which is in the form of an equation  and find the roots . Graph can give us the solution, where the graph intersects with x axis.( b) To find or estimate the value of the ordinate y = f(x) at x = a, we can use a graph. (c) The continuity of y = f(x) could be judged by a graph. The discontinuity points are those values of x for which denominator becomes zero. The graph can detect the infinite jumps in ordinates and points of discontiuity if any. (d) The graph helps easily to identify in which interval f(x) is increasing or decreasing, (d)  The graph helps us to locate where the value of the function attains maximum and minimum. These are some of uses of the graph.\n\nThe graph has its demerits as well. The accuracy of the graph is always subject our choice of scale. We can not go for any abnormally small scale or very  large scale. We have to choose  suitable scale to fit the graph on a  given  location (usually paper).\n\nAccess hundreds of thousands of answers with a free trial.\n\nStart Free Trial\nAsk a Question", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9304326176643372}
{"content": "If y=(a+2)x+7 is parallel to y=3x-4, find the value of a.\n\nExpert Answers\nelectreto05 eNotes educator| Certified Educator\n\nTwo lines are parallel if their slopes are equal.\n\nThe equation of a line is as follows:\n\ny = mx + b\n\nWhere m is the value of the slope of the line and b is the intercept.\n\nSo that for each of the above lines, their slopes are:\n\ny = (a+2)x + 7      →     m = (a+2)\n\ny = 3x – 4             →     m = 3\n\nNow we match the values of the slopes and isolate the value of a:\n\na + 2 = 3\n\na = 3 – 2\n\na = 1\n\nGeneral note:\n\nIf the lines are parallel, the slopes are equal:\n\nm1 = m2\n\nIf the lines are perpendicular, the product of the slopes is equal to -1:\n\nm1 . m2 = - 1   or   m1 = -1/m2\n\naishukul | Student\n\nWhen two lines are parallel, their slopes are always equal. The formula in the problem is the slope-intercept formula. y=mx+b. M stands for the slope's value and b stands for the y-intercept.\n\n\nTo find this, since the slopes of parallel lines are equal, that means the first formula's slope must be 3 since the second formula's slope is 3. Therefore, what value of a will give you three?\n\n1+2=3. Therefore, a equals 1.\n\ny=3x+7 and y=3x-4. The slopes are the same. Thus, the answer is 1.\n\nshonasharma | Student\n\ntwo lines are parallel if they have the same slope/gradient\n\nthe general equation for the straight line is:\n\ny=mx + c\n\nwhere m is always the gradient and c is your constant/y intercept\n\nso, if the lines are parallel, the gradient should be same( the coefficient of x in your general equation should be same)\n\nnow, y=(a+2)x + 7\n\nand y=3x - 4\n\nso one equation has it clear that the coefficient of x is 3( that means 3 is the gradient). Hence, 3 must be the gradient of the other equation too.\n\nso, we assume that a+2=3\n\nwhat plus 2 will give us 3?\n\nthat's simple addition or subtraction we deal with and your answer is 1!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7771654725074768}
{"content": "Inside Science\n\n11 February 1989\n\nSubatomic forces\n\nSubatomic structure and quarks\nThe delta-double-plus particle\nField Lines between quarks\nA decaying Z particle\nWhat happens when a neutron decays\n\nInside the atom, particles interact through two forces which are never felt in\nthe everyday world. But they may hold the key to the Universe\n\nATOMS, the basic building blocks of life, are mainly empty. If the nucleus of\nan atom were a centimetre across, then the electron cloud that surrounds the\nnucleus would be a kilometre away. So why, when you bang your fist against a\nbrick wall, does it hurt? The answer is “because of the electromagnetic force”\n– one of the four fundamental forces of nature that we met in Inside Science\nNo. 15.\n\nThese four forces are all that physicists need to explain the workings of the\neveryday world, the Universe at large, and the inside of atoms. Gravity is the\nmost familiar force, and holds matter together in the form of planets, stars\nand galaxies. The electromagnetic force binds matter on the much smaller\natomic scale. It holds the electrons in place around the nucleus, and it holds\nthe atoms themselves in place alongside their neighbours. It is\nelectromagnetic interactions between atoms within a brick that prevent its\ncompression when you hit it, and transmit the impact back into your hand.\n\nThe electromagnetic force is not enough, however, to explain all the behaviour\nof matter on the subatomic scale. Two additional forces operate deep within\nthe atom. Moreover, although these forces are not apparent at larger scales,\nthey have played a part in establishing the Universe as it is today.\n\nFinding forces\n\nStrong attraction\n\nHOW do we know that these forces exist? One clue comes from the basic\nstructure of matter. Atoms consist of a cloud\n\nTo continue reading this premium article, subscribe for unlimited access.\n\nQuarterly by Direct Debit\n\nInclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.574504554271698}
{"content": "Anatomy of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis\n\nPreviously known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)\n\nFor juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the most important part of your anatomy to understand is the joints. JIA affects the various joints, and the affected joints won't be the same from patient to patient. Which joints become inflamed or swollen depends mostly on the type of JIA your child has.\nIllustration of the body with joint areas highlighted\n\n  • Polyarticular tends to affect the smaller joints (eg, fingers, wrists), although it can affect load-bearing joints, such as the knees.\n  • Oligoarticular tends to affect the larger joints (eg, knees, ankles). This type was previously known as pauciarticular.\n  • Systemic affects joints large and small\n\nThe spine's joints can be affected by JIA. There's a particular subtype of pauciarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis that affects primarily the spine: juvenile ankylosing spondylitis.\n\nTo learn more about ankylosing spondylitis, please visit our Ankylosing Spondylitis Condition Center.\n\nIn polyarticular JIA, the spine's joints can also be affected. Usually, arthritic symptoms and signs are found in the neck (cervical spine). It's not as common for this type of JIA to go into the upper back (thoracic spine) or low back (lumbar spine).\n\nThis article will talk about the joints in your spine that can be affected by JIA. It will describe the components of the joints.\n\nCervical Spine Joints\nTo reiterate, polyarticular JIA can affect the neck (cervical spine).\n\nAt the top of your spine—at the place where your spine and skull come together—you have the C1 and C2 vertebrae. The 'C' stands for cervical, and doctors number each of the vertebrae to make it easier to talk about where there are problems in the spine.\n\nC1 and C2 also get other names, though: C1 is the atlas vertebra. In Greek mythology, Atlas was doomed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. The atlas vertebra, as the first vertebra in your spine, is what your head rests on (you can think of your head as an entire world, if you'd like).\n\nC2 is the axis vertebra. It has a special bony projection that serves at the pivot point for C1, so since it helps the atlas rotate, it's called the axis. The special bony projection is the odontoid process, also known as the dens. It's labeled as the dens in the drawing below.\n\naltas axis\n\nThe atlantoaxial joint can be affected by JIA, although researchers have found that only 2% of children with JIA show effects of it at the atlantoaxial joint when the disease first develops.\n\nThe facet joints in the cervical spine can also be affected by JIA. The facet joints are also called the zygapophyseal joints. As all joints in your body do, the facet joints help you move and are very key in your flexibility.\n\nAlthough this description is of facet joints, the details apply to many other joints in the body. It's good to keep that in mind when thinking about how JIA can affect other joints, such as the fingers, wrists, and knees.\n\nThe facet joints have cartilage around them. The cartilage is there to protect bones as you move, and it makes it easier for your bones to move. The cartilage around joints is called hyaline cartilage, which is the most common type of cartilage. It is made of collagen fibers; collagen is a type of protein.\n\nSurrounding the joint is a very, very thin lining called the synovium membrane. The whole joint—cartilage and all—is covered by a thin membrane called the synovium. The synovium produces synovial fluid, which is what truly helps your joints move well. The synovial fluid lubricates the cartilage and bone.\n\nIn juvenile idiopathic arthritis, white blood cells, which are supposed to help our bodies fight infection, can turn against the synovium and cause inflammation. Because of that inflammation, the body releases certain chemicals, and those chemicals thicken the synovium. Swollen joints are caused by the thickened synovium.\n\nThoracic and Lumbar Spines\nIt's rare for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to go into the thoracic (upper or mid-back) or lumbar (low back) spines). It is possible, though. Those spinal regions also have facet joints, just like the cervical spine, so those joints can be affected by JIA.\n\nUpdated on: 05/30/17\nContinue Reading\nJuvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Symptoms May Include Painful, Swollen, Stiff Joints\nContinue Reading:\n\nJuvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Symptoms May Include Painful, Swollen, Stiff Joints\n\nThe hallmark symptoms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are painful, swollen, stiff joints. In the spine, this type of inflammatory arthritis may affect the cervical spine; the neck.\nRead More", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6787346601486206}
{"content": "« The Story of Batching to Streaming Analytics at Optimizely | Main | Stuff The Internet Says On Scalability For November 11th, 2016 »\n\nHow Urban Airship Scaled to 2.5 Billion Notifications During the U.S. Election\n\nThis is a guest post by Urban Airship. Contributors: Adam Lowry, Sean Moran, Mike Herrick, Lisa Orr, Todd Johnson, Christine Ciandrini, Ashish Warty, Nick Adlard, Mele Sax-Barnett, Niall Kelly, Graham Forest, and Gavin McQuillan\n\nUrban Airship is trusted by thousands of businesses looking to grow with mobile. Urban Airship is a seven year old SaaS company and has a freemium business model so you can try it for free. For more information, visit Urban Airship now averages more than one billion push notifications delivered daily. This post highlights Urban Airship notification usage for the 2016 U.S. election, exploring the architecture of the system--the Core Delivery Pipeline--that delivers billions of real-time notifications for news publishers.\n\n2016 U.S. Election\n\nIn the 24 hours surrounding Election Day, Urban Airship delivered 2.5 billion notifications—its highest daily volume ever. This is equivalent to 8 notification per person in the United States or 1 notification for every active smartphone in the world. While Urban Airship powers more than 45,000 apps across every industry vertical, analysis of the election usage data shows that more than 400 media apps were responsible for 60% of this record volume, sending 1.5 billion notifications in a single day as election results were tracked and reported.\n\n\nNotification volume was steady and peaked when the presidential election concluded.\n\n\nHTTPS ingress traffic to the Urban Airship API peaked at nearly 75K per second during the election. Most of this traffic comes from the Urban Airship SDK communicating with the Urban Airship API.\n\n\nPush notification volume has been rapidly increasing. Key recent drivers have been Brexit, the Olympics, and the U.S. election. October 2016 monthly notification volume has increased 150% year over year.\n\n\nCore Delivery Pipeline Architecture Overview\n\nThe Core Delivery Pipeline (CDP) is the Urban Airship system responsible for materializing device addresses from audience selectors, and delivering notifications. Low latency is expected for all the notifications we send, whether they go to tens of millions of users simultaneously, target multiple complex sub-segments, contain personalized content, or anything in between. Here’s an overview of our architecture, and some of the things we’ve learned along the way.\n\nHow We Started\n\nWhat initially started in 2009 as a webapp and some workers has transformed into a service-oriented architecture. As pieces of the old system began to run into scale issues, we extracted them into one or more new services that were designed to satisfy the same feature set, but at a larger scale with better performance. Many of our original APIs and workers were written in Python, which we extracted into high-concurrency Java services. Where we originally stored device data in a set of Postgres shards, our scale quickly outpaced our capacity to add new shards, so we moved to a multiple database architecture using HBase and Cassandra.\n\nThe CDP is a collection of services that handle segmentation and push notification delivery. These services provide the same type of data in response to requests, but each service has that data indexed in a very different way for performance reasons. For example, we have a system that is responsible for handling broadcast messages, delivering the same notification payload to every device registered to the associated application. This service and its underlying datastore are designed very differently than the services we have that is responsible for delivering notifications based on location or user profile attributes.\n\nWe consider any long-lived process a service. These long-lived processes follow a general template regarding metrics, configuration, and logging for ease of deployment and operation. Typically our services fall into one of two groups: RPC services, or consumer services. RPC services provide commands to synchronously interact with the service using an in-house library very similar to GRPC, while consumer services process messages off of Kafka streams and perform service-specific operations on those messages.\n\n\n\nTo meet our performance and scale requirements we rely heavily on HBase and Cassandra for our data storage needs. While HBase and Cassandra are both columnar NoSQL stores, they have very different trade-offs that influence which store we use and for what purpose.\n\nHBase is very good at high-throughput scans where the expected cardinality of the response is very high, while Cassandra is good at lower cardinality lookups where the response is expected to contain just a handful of results. Both allow for high volumes of write throughput, which is a requirement for us, because all metadata updates from users’ phones are applied in real time.\n\nTheir failure characteristics differ as well. HBase favors consistency and partition tolerance in the event of failure, while Cassandra favors availability and partition tolerance. Each of the CDP services has a very specific use case and as such has a highly specialized schema designed to facilitate the required access pattern as well as limiting the storage footprint. As a general rule, each database is only accessed by a single service, which is responsible for providing database access to other services via a less specialized interface.\n\nEnforcing this 1:1 relationship between service and its backing database has a number of benefits.\n\n  • By treating the backing datastore of a service as an implementation detail, and not a shared resource, we gain flexibility.\n\n  • We can adjust the data model for a service while only changing that service’s code.\n\n  • Usage tracking is more straightforward, which makes capacity planning easier.\n\n  • Troubleshooting is easier. Sometimes an issue lies with the service code, other times it is a backing database issue. Having the service and database be a logical unit vastly simplifies the troubleshooting process. We don’t have to wonder “Who else could be accessing this database to make it behave in such a way?” Instead, we can rely on our application-level metrics from the service itself and only worry about one set of access patterns.\n\n  • Because there is only one service interacting with a database, we can perform nearly all of our maintenance activities without taking downtime. Heavy maintenance tasks become a service-level concern: data repair, schema migration and even switching to a completely different database can be done without disrupting service.\n\nIt’s true that there can be some performance tradeoffs when breaking out applications into smaller services. However, we’ve found that the flexibility we gain in meeting our high scalability and high availability requirements more than worth it.\n\nData Modeling\n\nMost of our services deal with the same data, just in different formats. Everything has to be consistent. To keep all of these services’ data up to date we rely heavily on Kafka. Kafka is extremely fast and is also durable. Speed comes with certain tradeoffs. Kafka messages are only guaranteed to be sent at least once, and they aren’t guaranteed to arrive in order.\n\nHow do we deal with this? We’ve modeled all mutation paths to be commutative: operations can be applied in any order and end up with the same result. They’re also idempotent. This has a nice side-effect that we can replay Kafka streams for one-off data repair jobs, backfills, or even migrations.\n\nTo do this we take advantage of the concept of a “cell version,” which exists in both HBase and Cassandra. Typically this is a timestamp, but it can be any number you’d like (there are some exceptions; for example, MAX_LONG can cause some strange behavior depending on your version of HBase or Cassandra and how your schema deals with deletes).\n\nFor us, the general rule for these cells is that they can have multiple versions, and the way we order versions is by their provided timestamp. With this behavior in mind, we can decompose our incoming messages into a specific set of columns, and combine that layout with custom application logic for tombstoning, taking into account the timestamp. That allows blind writes to the underlying datastore while maintaining the integrity of our data.\n\nJust blindly writing changes to both Cassandra and HBase isn’t without its issues. A great example is the case of repeated writes of the same data in the event of a replay. While the state of the data won’t change due to the effort we put in to make the records idempotent, the duplicate data will have to be compacted out. In the most extreme cases, these extra records can cause significant compaction latency and backup. Because of this detail, we monitor our compaction times and queue depths closely as getting behind on compaction in both Cassandra and HBase can cause serious problems.\n\nBy ensuring messages from the stream follow a strict set of rules, and designing the consuming service to expect out-of-order and repeated messages, we can keep a very large number of disparate services in sync with only a second or two of lag on updates.\n\nService Design\n\nMost of our services are written in Java, but in a very opinionated and modern style. We have a set of general guidelines that we take into consideration when designing a Java service:\n\n  • Do one thing, do it well - When designing a service, it should have a single responsibility. It is up to the implementer to decide what’s included in a responsibility, but she or he will need to be ready to justify in a code review situation.\n\n  • No shared operational state - When designing a service, assume there will always be at least three instances of it running. A service needs to be able to handle the same exact request any other instance can without any external coordination. Those familiar with Kafka will note that Kafka consumers externally coordinate partition ownership for a topic:group pair. This guideline refers to service specific external coordination, not utilizing libraries or clients that may coordinate externally under the covers.\n\n  • Bound your queues - We use queues all over our services, they’re a great way to batch up requests and fan things out to workers that will end up doing tasks that block externally. All queues should be bounded. Bounding queues does raise a number of questions, however:\n\n    • What happens to producers when the queue is full? Should they block? Except? Drop?\n\n    • How big should my queue be? To answer this question it helps to assume the queue is always full.\n\n    • How do I shut down cleanly?\n\n    • Each service will have a different answer for these questions depending on the exact use case.\n\n  • Name custom thread pools and register an UncaughtExceptionHandler - If we end up creating our own thread pool, we use the constructor or helper method from Executors to allow us to provide a ThreadFactory. With that ThreadFactory we can properly name our threads, set their daemon state, and register an UncaughtExceptionHandler to handle the case where an exception makes it to the top of the stack. These steps make debugging our service much easier, and spare us some late-night frustration.\n\n  • Prefer immutable data objects over mutable state - In a highly concurrent environment, mutable state can be dangerous. In general we use immutable data objects that can be passed between internal subsystems and queues. Having immutable objects be the main form of communication between subsystems makes designing for concurrent usage much more straightforward, and makes troubleshooting easier.\n\nWhere Do We Go From Here?\n\nWith Urban Airship’s ability to send notifications through mobile wallet passes, its new support for web notifications and Apple News notifications, and its open channels capability to send notifications to any platform, device or marketing channel, we anticipate notification volume will grow exponentially. To meet this demand, we are continuing to invest heavily in our Core Delivery Pipeline architecture, services, databases, and infrastructure. To learn more about our technology and where we are headed please see GitHub, developer resources, documentation, and our jobs page. \n\nReader Comments\n\n\nPostPost a New Comment\n\nEnter your information below to add a new comment.\nAuthor Email (optional):\nAuthor URL (optional):", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6715985536575317}
{"content": "Sunday, September 27, 2009\n\nThe Rules of Conflict\n\nConflict isn’t automatically negative, although it certainly can be.\n\nConflict can also be an opportunity for greater understanding, a way to resolve problems, or in some trivial cases, something to be ignored or dismissed.\n\nConflict involves actual or perceived clashes of needs, wants, values, and interests, and ranges in intensity from polite conversation all the way to war. Conflicts can cause varying amounts of damage, and may be resolved well or poorly.\n\nProject management is a field where conflict is inevitable and common. Stakeholders have needs, wants, values, and interests. Resources are limited. Your goal is to manage inevitable conflict in the most effective way possible.\n\nThe Project Management Institute (PMI) identifies various strategies for managing conflict: smoothing, withdrawal, compromise, forcing, and confrontation. Of these, according to PMI, confrontation (I think “negotiation” is a better word) is the strategy normally preferred by project managers.\n\nI think that’s dangerously misleading. In fact, every single one of these strategies has a time and place for which it is the best solution. Two variables should influence your decision. First, how important is achieving your goal to you? If life and death are at stake, your goals are very important to you. If the question is where we’re going to have lunch today, your goals may matter a lot less.\n\nThe second question is a little more subtle: how important is the other person’s goal to you? If the conflict is with someone you care about, making them happy may be very important to you. Keeping customers, bosses, and co-workers happy is normally worth some minor concessions on your part. Other times, what the other person wants may not matter to you.\n\nIf you plot the PMI categories on a grid, you get the picture above. Let's look at the categories that fall inside the box.\n\n  • Smoothing. Sometimes winning isn’t the issue. You’re having Thanksgiving dinner with the extended family, and someone brings up one of those appropriate dinner table conversation topics—like abortion. No matter how passionate your beliefs, this isn’t the time and isn’t the place, so you avoid the conflict by changing the subject.\n  • Withdrawal. Sometimes, as noted, the other person’s needs are more important to you than your own, and you can withdraw or surrender. If you really hate Thai food that much, let’s go somewhere else, even though it’s my favorite cuisine. Conversely, if we’re going out to dinner with a large group and I’m the only one who likes Thai food, I know I’ll be outvoted, so I surrender to the majority graciously.\n  • Compromise. Or maybe you don’t like Thai food and I don’t like sushi, so we compromise and decide to go to an Indian restaurant instead. If we both like Indian food well enough, even though we each might like our own choice better, we can have a nice dinner anyway. But if neither of us like Indian, we’re making two people unhappy instead of making only one of us happy, so compromise isn’t always a winning solution.\n  • Forcing. I could insist that you join me for Thai food. Perhaps I have a food allergy or dietary restriction that makes it impossible for me to go along with your preference. It’s my way, or no group dinner tonight. Sometimes there's no choice.\n  • Negotiation. Finally, we could talk about what we each like about our favorite cuisine and try to find a restaurant that will serve something we each would like to eat. If we’re successful, neither of us has to compromise. We both win.\n\nNone of these strategies is inherently right, none inherently wrong. Negotiation is the route to the most satisfying long-term answer, but it takes time and skill, and sometimes there’s not enough at stake to go through the exercise.\n\nWhen conflict stays within the box, it’s manageable. When conflict breaks out, we call it war.\n\nThe opposite of war, you see, isn’t peace. Peace (preferably on your terms) is the goal of war. Pretending the conflict isn’t there doesn’t work. If the stakes are that high, the real opposite of war is negotiation.\n\nSunday, September 20, 2009\n\nA New Political Lexicon\n\nThe “loony left,” right “wing nuts,” fanatics, extremists, terrorists — how we define these people normally grows from our own political beliefs and positions. Is it possible to define these categories objectively? Let’s start with the big, general categories:\n\nCategories of Principled People\n\n  • Principled people. While some principles vary depending on political belief or position, other principles are generally accepted across the spectrum. These generally accepted principles include character, integrity, commitment, and hard work. Other principles come from our beliefs and positions, and we call others “principled” when they share and practice those same values.\n  • Indifferently principled people. This category, alas, is one most of us fall into at least some of the time. When we don’t live up to the principles we ourselves believe in and advocate, we usually know it.\n  • Differently principled people. When people share those generally accepted values of character and integrity, but hold opposing views on political issues, they’re “differently principled.” They may (or may not) be wrong on the issues, but they are consistent and thoughtful on the topic.\n  • Unprincipled people. Unprincipled people are centered around self rather than principle. They evaluate their choices and situations in terms of what maximizes personal (and usually short-term) benefit. They are not necessarily evil (but may commit evil acts), but they are almost by definition immoral.\n  • Passionate people. What passionate people have in common is a belief their cause is so important it justifies breaking at least some social rules. Passionate people cover a wide spectrum that starts with argument and ends in violence, but that’s not to say that all passionate people are cut from the same cloth. There’s a big difference between someone who insists on trying to win you to their cause verbally and someone who thinks killing a lot of random civilians is a great way to make a point.\n  • Kooks. “[T]he fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses,” wrote Carl Sagan. “They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.” Believing something outside the mainstream doesn’t by itself make you a kook. To be a kook, you have to believe that the mainstream has to prove itself to you, rather than the other way around.\n\nPassionate people. As noted, passionate people cover a wide spectrum. The best way to segment them is by the type and severity of the rules they feel entitled to break.\n\n  • Argumentative/persuasive people simply bring up their topic even when other people disagree or don’t want to hear it.\n  • Deliberately rude people believe showing bad manners to the opposition is a good strategy. Public shouting, interruptions, ad hominem attacks, and name-calling fall into this category.\n  • Civil disobedient people are willing tobreak laws they consider immoral or unjust, typically in a non-violent way.\n  • Extremists use violence or the threat of violence in support of their goals.\n\nAt different times or on different issues, we may occupy any of these categories ourselves, so it’s important to point out that even being an extremist isn’t always or necessarily wrong.\n\nIt is, however, wrong to confuse passionate people with unprincipled people. Unprincipled people are only out for themselves. Passionate people believe in what they’re doing. That dramatically influences their behavior, and if you confuse the two types, you’re likely to make huge tactical and strategic mistakes in dealing with your opposition.\n\nKooks. Extreme beliefs aren’t the same thing as extreme behavior. The extremes are determined by the norms – the opinions held by the majority of educated people on a given topic. If there is no strong and overwhelming consensus for a specific opinion, then the contrary opinions are also mainstream. When there is an almost universal consensus among educated people, contrary opinions are not mainstream. (The key is determining in each case who are the “educated” people. Shakespeare's dominance of English letters doesn't rest on whether ordinary joes like his writing, but on whether the consensus of English scholars do.)\n\nBut disagreeing with the majority doesn't automatically make you a kook. Believing it's the job of the educated majority to justify itself to you, rather than the other way around, does. “Burden of proof” is a very useful legal concept. Which side owns the burden of proof? In a criminal trial, the prosecution has the burden. Ties go to the defender. What is the burden of proof? Do you have to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, or only by the preponderance of the evidence?\n\nWhen it comes to extreme beliefs, the burden of proof lies with those who challenge conventional opinion, not those who support it. If you want to patent a perpetual motion machine, you can’t make the Patent Office prove your invention can’t work. It’s your job to prove that it can. Intelligent people who want their unconventional and extreme positions to change the world know they have to do it the hard way, by winning over educated opinion.\n\nKooks are people who believe the burden of proof falls on the mainstream, not on themselves. The world is full of people who walk around with detailed manuscripts “proving” that the Freemasons are secretly behind the Trilateral Commision and crop circles, and insist that opposing opinion is proof of a conspiracy.\n\nIt’s the insistence, not the claim itself, that is the gold standard of kookdom. Intelligent out-of-the-mainstream opinion understands and accepts the burden of proof, and works to establish it. Although social inertia makes change a slow process, in time the truth tends to win out.\n\n* * *\n\nThis is a work in progress. I’d love to hear your comments. Do these categories seem objective? Is it clear how to categorize today’s controversies? Is it fair and reasonable? Is it useful? What have I missed?\n\nSunday, September 13, 2009\n\nBrand New, Completely Original, and Just Like Everything Else\n\nAt the American International Toy Fair in New York City one year – the year the Cabbage Patch Kids were the hot new toy – my boss (a former Hasbro executive) and I were standing in a knockoff importer showroom looking at (no kidding) Broccoli Patch Kids.\n\nI made a predictably sarcastic remark, but in return my boss grinned.\n\n“You’re missing the point,” Jack said. “Intellectual property theft is what the toy business is all about. Yes, this is a stupid knock off, but there’s a brilliant Cabbage Patch knockoff at the show. See if you can find it.”\n\nArmed with the challenge, I peered at every doll and piece of plush in the show. I found plenty of other knockoffs, but none I would call “brilliant.” I gave up eventually.\n\n“You’ve got to understand what the retailer wants,” Jack said, “He wants a brand-new and completely original product that’s just like everything else.”\n\n\"Huh?\" I said. It still didn't make much sense to me.\n\n“It’s got to be brand-new and completely original, or the retailer can’t sell it,” he continued. “But if it’s not like everything else, he doesn’t know where to merchandise it.”\n\n“Okay,” I said slowly, “so how exactly do you do that?”\n\n“What’s the essential Cabbage Patch gimmick?” he asked.\n\n“You adopt them,” I said.\n\n“What else do you adopt?”\n\nAnd with that, the lightbulb finally went off. “Pound Puppies!”\n\nHe nodded. “They’re just like Cabbage Patch, only completely different. That’s the essence of business creativity.”\n\nApparent paradoxes exist many places. Because they appear unresolvable, people naturally ignore them. But at least some of these paradoxes can be resolved, and the way to do that is by facing them.\n\nWhat, for example, would a perfect test look like? Well, a perfect test provides an honest, complete evaluation – and never fails anything. An apparent paradox, but look again.\n\nWe don’t want to cheat on the quality of testing because we need to know that the product or service is of good quality. However, we don't really want things to fail testing, because it's costly to do the rework.\n\nCan these apparently contradictory aims be resolved?\n\nAsking this question can lead one to a powerful insight that’s at the core of the modern quality movement: moving incremental testing far further up in the chain so that errors are caught and corrected long before the final test is performed.\n\nWe are frustrated because our business environment forces us to do more and more with less and less. “Paradox!” screams our common sense, and morale plummets. But what if we faced the question head on? Try thinking “both-and” rather than “either-or.”\n\nThat’s SideWise thinking.\n\nMonday, September 7, 2009\n\nThe Three Americas\n\nAbdul Aziz Al Saud, first monarch of Saudi Arabia, wanted his nation’s borders based not on geography, but on the migration of tribes. The British High Commissioner, Sir Percy Cox, lost his temper and started yelling, but Ibn Saud had a good point: a nation is not necessarily the same thing as a state. A nation exists in the hearts of the people who belong to it by some combination of heredity and choice. A state, on the other hand, exists in physical space. The two can be as one (a nation-state), but they don’t have to be.\n\nIn many parts of the world, nations overlap in the same geography: Israel and Palestine; Turkey, Kurdistan and Iraq; and Tibet, China and Taiwan. Nations can overlap states, be contained within states, or be distributed in communities worldwide like the Chinese and Jewish Diasporas. Such relations tend to be uneasy, and sometimes (Yugoslavia, Rwanda) turn tragic.\n\nWhat makes a group of people into a “nation”? Culture, common geographic or ethnic origin, religion, history, numbers, and political clout all combine. Nations can self-declare, but others eventually have to recognize them as a distinct population. The Kurds and Tibetans are generally recognized as nations even if not as states. Some nations (Native American tribes) get some limited privileges of statehood. Other self-proclaimed nations (Nation of Islam, Aryan Nation) get little recognition except from their immediate circle.\n\n“Nation” can exist on a metaphorical plane as well. We can be members of more than one nation (if not more than one state) at a time. We might recognize our national, ethnic, or racial origins, or embrace the community of our religion or political movement. Regional differences form nations. In his 1981 book The Nine Nations of North America, the Washington Post writer Joel Garreau identified nine culturally distinct nations sharing our North American continent.\n\nI’d like to propose three nations of my own. Three distinct motives drove Europeans to conquer and settle the New World.\n\n  1. Business. New Romans came to conquer and build. The frontier was dangerous, but the potential rewards were great. “The business of America is business,” New Romans tell us, and pragmatically measure success in terms of wealth. It’s not an accident that Washington classical architecture is Roman in style, or that we have a Senate and do not have a king. Above all, it's no accident we maintain the world's largest military.\n  2. Faith. New Israelites, from the Puritans of New England to the Baptists of Dixie to the Mormons of Utah, came here to settle a new Promised Land, to build anew the institutions and society of God.\n  3. Society. New Athenians came from the explosive development of liberalism in Europe, which sparked a revolt against aristocracy and the divine right of kinds. Embodied by the intellectual elite that clustered around the hotbeds of political thought in great American cities like Williamsburg, Philadelphia, and Boston, they sought to build a pure Athenian democracy.\nEach of the three nations has equal roots that stretch back before the founding of the United States of America. We share, but none of us owns outright, the state, even if from time to time we all wish we could.\n\nWe are fortunate that no group is powerful enough to dominate alone. In practice, the country is governed by a shifting and inherently unstable alliance of two out of the three nations. Traditionally, New Romans, pragmatic in orientation, find it easiest to unify in a common cause with either of the other two nations, although occasionally New Athenians and New Israelites have found common cause. And there's not a simple Athenian=liberal, Israelite=conservative pattern either: libertarians are New Athenian conservatives; utopian religious communities are New Israelite liberals. New Romans occupy the whole spectrum as well.\n\nViewed through this lens, here’s our recent pattern: New Athenians and New Romans united to conquer the Great Depression and World War II. Their alliance could not withstand the philosophical discord and disintegrated over Vietnam and civil rights. Inertia sustained the cause for a while, but by the ascendancy of Ronald Reagan, the foundation had clearly crumbled beyond repair, and a new alliance of Israelite and Roman led the country into a new era, which now too appears to be at an end.\n\n(Some will argue that the Reagan Israelite/Roman alliance is merely suffering a temporary setback, but that’s not the way to bet. The fracturing and realignment is natural, and even if it can be staved off for a while, it can’t be stopped.)\n\nRegardless of your national identification, there’s a lot to like about the well-known 30-year political cycle. Ideas, like fields, need to lie fallow from time to time to maintain healthy crops. A strategy that worked on one set of problems turns into a one-size-fits-all solution, working on the well-known theory that when the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems start to look like nails.\n\nThe success and the stability of the system require the three nation tribes to live with one another. The relationship among the three Americas too often resembles something in between a food fight and the Hatfield-McCoy feud.\n\nWhen we share geography with people whose values we dislike or distrust, we have to accept that they are here, that they are not going anywhere, and that they have a right to be part of the public discourse. Nations that have not been able to recognize and accept their overlapping distant cousins as neighbors inevitably turn to the only logical alternative: get rid of them. While the United States has robust cultural and legal institutions that make such an outcome unlikely, it’s never impossible.\n\nWhen I was young, my father made a point of paying attention to news sources and ideas he found stupid, repugnant, or just plain wrong. He wanted to make sure he understood them. I know he paid attention; I’ve even known him to change his mind. That's SideWise Thinking.\n\nPeople who disagree with you can be opponents or enemies. Opponents are people with whom you have opposing interests, but a good relationship (trust, mutual respect.) Opponents keep you on your toes, make you think harder, and often stimulate your best work. Good opponents make your ideas better and your life richer. They can\n\nWhen respect and trust are absent, opponents turn into enemies, and with enemies, it’s personal and negative. \"Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer\" doesn't mean what most people think. Contact provides opportunity, either to find common ground, or to build a better relationship. While success isn't always possible, it's usually worthwhile to make a reasonable effort.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7210385203361511}
{"content": "e hënë, 16 korrik 2007\n\nBuildings uploaded on July 16, 2007\n\nHere are the buildings for today.\n\nOsaka, Japan\n\nThe Westin Osaka\n\nVirtual Umeda Project 2007 Update\n\nGate Tower Buliding\n\nOsaka Central Post Office\n\nSydney New South Wales, Austraila\n\n\nWuppertal / Germany\n\nWirker Str. 37\n\n\nBismarckturm auf der Hardtanlage\n\nElisenturm auf den Hardtanlagen\n\nToelleturm - Barmer Anlagen\n\nNeuer Hatzfelder Wasserturm\n\nWasserturm Nächstebreck\n\nKatowice, Poland\n\nKatowice - Spodek\n\nSpodek is a multipurpose arena complex in Katowice, Poland, opened in 1971 in Korfantego street. Aside from the main dome, the complex includes a gym, an ice rink, a hotel and three large car parks. It is the largest indoor venue of its kind in Poland. It hosts many important cultural and business events. Music concerts are especially common non-sport events. Spodek can hold 11,500 people, although this number is in practice limited to 10,000 or even 8,000, due to stage set-ups obscuring the view. Its name means \"saucer\" in Polish, because it resembles a tilted flying saucer. Spodek is a major contribution to the cultural significance of Katowice in Poland, especially for the younger generations. It has played host to many up-and-coming bands, such as a performance by Pantera for the Metalmania festival and Chumbawumba in 1997 as well as dozens of world famous bands including Boney M., Deep Purple, Depeche Mode, Elton John, Genesis, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Green Day, Iron Maiden, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jamiroquai, Jethro Tull, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Rammstein, Robbie Williams, Slipknot, Sting, The Prodigy, Tina Turner, U2.\n\nLondon, England\n\nTower Bridge, London\n\nBuilt in 1894, Tower Bridge is one of the most recognisable structures in London. Standing 65m above its platforms it is the tallest bridge going across the Thames. When first built, steam engines would pump to drive the 1000 ton bascules up to full height in less than a minute. Today they are powered electrically. In 1952 a red London bus jumped a 3ft gap between the bascules after a traffic light was stuck on go. A number of pilots have attempted to fly under Tower Bridge with at least one hitting the Thames and dying. The space between it is only 65m x 30m.\n\nParis, France\n\nMusée du Louvre\n\nBuenos Aires, Argentina\n\nBanco de la Nacion, Plaza de Mayo\n\nbiblioteca nacional de buenos aires\n\nrestaurantes de puerto madero (6 docks)\n\nSan Jose, California\n\n101 San Fernando Apartments\n\nPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania\n\nWalt Whitman Bridge\n\nThe steel suspension bridge spanning the Delaware river was constructed between 1953-1957. It is designed by master builder Othmar Ammann and Herb Rothman. The main span is 609 meters long and 45 meters over the river surface. The deck is held up by two suspension cables that consist of 18,666 individual wires, each. The deck has three road lanes to each direction and a seventh one that can be converted to either direction depending on demand. The total steelwork weighs some 57,674 tons and 36,500 tons of it is suspended from the cables.\n\nNew York, New York\n\n17, State Street\n\n17 State Street is a 42-story building in the Financial District of Manhattan. Completed in 1988, the building rises to 542 ft (165 m). It was designed by Emery Roth and Sons, and it is most noted for its distinct curved facade. The bottom floors of the skyscraper are home to New York Unearthed, an urban archaeology museum with approximately two million artifacts from local excavation sites. The museum was originally included as a concession to the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission, who had been unable to perform an archaeological survey of the site before construction began.\n\nEdmonton, Alberta, Canada\n\nThe Cambridge Lofts\n\nGrant MacEwan College - Residence and Parkade\n\nGrant MacEwan College - Alberta College Campus\n\nNuk ka komente:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7386535406112671}
{"content": "Tender Pack\n\n\nWhat is a tender pack?\n\nTendering is the process by which bids are invited from interested contractors to carry out specific packages of construction work. It should adopt and observe the key values of fairness, clarity, simplicity and accountability, as well as reinforce the idea that the apportionment of risk to the party best placed to assess and manage it is fundamental to the success of a project.\n\n\nWhy have a tender pack?\n\nA tender pack can be given out to different contractors to obtain a like for like quote for their construction fees.The principle of tendering is to ensure that true competition is achieved, as it is evaluated by applying certain criteria. These criteria may be expressed in terms of financial matters, comprising a simple assessment relating to tender sums, or more complex financial evaluation, including consideration of projected costs over the life cycle of the completed project.Providing contractors with just building regulation drawings you will not be able to obtain an accurate quotation as each contractor will specify different finishes therefore having you end up with very varied fees.\n\nExtension Architecture can help specify for and with you the most suitable finishes which will be followed out at the construction phase so that you can be on top of the project and have no hidden charges sprung on you. It could also address other non-financial factors such as time and proposed methods or levels of capability; or sometimes a mixture of both – collectively referred to as a ‘quality/price balance’ or ‘matrix’.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8495000600814819}
{"content": "Twenty Eighth Lecture - James Anaya\n\nTwenty Eighth Lecture - April 17, 2008\n\n\n\nToday I’d like to talk about indigenous peoples and the contribution they have made to the international human rights system. These contributions have come about within the context of a worldwide indigenous movement, in which indigenous peoples have engaged states and international institutions in discussions about their aspirations to survive as distinct communities in control their own destinies. Powerful forces have long ignored these aspirations and, worse, have actively suppressed the bonds of community and connection with place that define indigenous peoples. The history of misdealing and atrocities committed against the indigenous peoples of the American continents ever since Christopher Columbus found himself on a Caribbean island, miscalculated his location, and called his hosts “Indians,” is well known.\n\nMuch less widely known among many are the present day legacies of this sad history and the steps indigenous peoples have been taking to reverse that history.\n\nFor indigenous peoples of the Americas and elsewhere, historical acts of oppression are not just blemishes of the past, but rather translate into current inequities. Peoples indigenous to many parts of the world have been deprived of vast landholdings and access to life-sustaining resources, and they have suffered historical forces that have actively suppressed their political and cultural institutions. As a result, indigenous peoples have been crippled economically and socially, their cohesion as communities has been damaged or threatened, and the integrity of their cultures has been undermined. In both industrial and less-developed countries in which indigenous people live, the indigenous sectors are almost invariably at the lowest rung of the socioeconomic ladder, and they exist at the margins of power.\n\nIn North America the myth of the “vanishing savage” was created to embolden white settlement. But his myth has only partially been embraced by reality. Although vastly reduced in numbers, and in many case concentrated in pockets of relative geographic isolation, the indigenous peoples of the American continent are still here, as we seen manifested by the many representatives of indigenous peoples at the OAS today. In the face of tremendous adversity, indigenous peoples have long sought not just to survive physically, but to flourish as distinct communities on their ancestral territories. They have endeavored to roll back the inequities that linger from the experiences of the past. This “blood struggle,” as the author and scholar Charles Wilkinson calls it in the title of his most recent book, is one that draws its major source of strength from the remarkable resilience of indigenous peoples and from the cultural and social patterns that bind them into communities.\n\nDrawing on this strength, indigenous peoples have employed a number of strategies, including those that enlist the law and the legal processes of the world beyond their communities as agents of change. However, the limitations of the domestic legal orders of states that have emerged from colonial patterns, have all too often become apparent. Faced with legal and political barriers in their own countries, indigenous peoples worldwide have extended their legal advocacy into the international arena. Over the last three decades especially, they have been appealing to the international community and looking to the international legal system to advance their claims.\n\nBut the international legal system has its own set of limitations, which indigenous peoples have also had to confront. First and foremost, it is a system of rules, institutions, and procedures in which states are the primary actors and beneficiaries. Further, international law doctrine historically was complicit in patterns of colonization, ultimately upholding the sovereignty asserted by colonizing states over indigenous peoples and the suppression of their societies. But things change.\n\nSince the middle of the twentieth century, the structure and normative parameters of international law and relations have evolved significantly. Contributing to among the most radical changes in the character of the international is the development of an international human rights regime. Human rights were brought definitely within the fold of the international legal system in the aftermath of World War II and the adoption of the charters of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. The growth of the human rights regime takes international law and policy beyond its traditional focus on the rights and duties of states, and establishes an international concern and legal competency over matters once deemed within the exclusive domain of states. Furthermore, the international human rights regime has provided individuals and other non-state actors with access, albeit limited, to avenues of international decision-making.\n\nIndigenous peoples have seized upon the institutional and normative regime of human rights that now figures prominently within international law and politics. Responding to indigenous peoples’ demands is a human rights imperative that is now widely recognized within the international system, including the inter-American system.\n\nAnd with this recognition has come a sustained level of international institutional activity focused upon indigenous peoples’ concerns and a corresponding body of developing norms that build upon long-standing human rights precepts. Just last year, on September 13 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, affirming a constellation of rights grounded in the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and calling on states and the international community to make these rights reality. This week, here at the OAS, negotiations are ongoing on the proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in another important example of the international activity responsive to indigenous peoples’ demands.\n\nFull Speech", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9418023228645325}
{"content": "QuickBooks Equity Accounts – Understanding Them\n\nWhat is Equity anyways? For you that may not understand it completely, equity is the difference between your assets and liabilities (A-L =E). Say you sold off all your assets and paid off all your liabilities, using the funds you received from the sale of your assets, equity would be the money you have left. This would also mean that your total assets equal the sum of liabilities and equity (A=...\n\nRead More", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7440200448036194}
{"content": "Mugai ryu (??? Mugai-ryu ? ) is a Japanese koryu martial art school founded by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi (? ???? ? ) in 23 June 1680.\n\nThe founder of Mugai ryu, Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi ??? ?? was born to Tsuji Yadayu descendant of Sasaki Takadzuna, in the second year of Keihan (in 1649, the beginning of the Edo period), in the Miya-mura-aza village area ??? of Masugi ??, in the Koka-gun district ?? ? of Omi ??; what is now Shiga Prefecture. When he was 13 he went to Kyoto to study Yamaguchi-ryu swordsmanship under Sensei Yamaguchi Bokushinsai, and at the age of 26 he received kaiden (full transmission) and opened a school in Koishikawa ??? in Edo; what is now Tokyo. In order to cultivate, train and improve his spirit, mind and body, he went to study Zen and Classical Chinese literature under Zen monk Sekitan Ryouzen ???? at Kyukoji temple ??? in Azabu Sakurada-cho ?????. At the age of 32 he reached enlightenment and received from his Zen teacher a formal poem taken from the Buddhist scriptures as an acknowledgment and proof of his accomplishment.\n\nTsuji Gettan Sukemochi used the word Mugai from this poem to represent his school of swordsmanship. It is recorded that among his pupils were Ogasawara Sado-no-kami* Nagashige, a very powerful feudal lord, Sakai Kangeyu* Tadataka, a feudal lord of a castle in Maebashi, Yama-no-uchi Toyomasa, a powerful feudal lord of the Tosa area, as well as 50 daishomyo, high level samurai having a status slightly lower than that of a feudal lord level with stipends above 10 000 koku, 150 jikisan-no-shi, the Shogun's direct vassals with stipends below 10 000 koku, and 932 baishin, the vassals of feudal lords. (* These names were given to these feudal lords by the emperor and are symbols of their very high status.) Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi was unmarried and it is assumed that he had no offspring as he took the eldest son of Head priest Sawatari Bungo-no-kami ?? ?????, of Okunitama ????? Shrine in what is now known as the Tokyo provincial government area, as his successor. Shinkan Sawatari (Bungo-no-kami)'s eldest son took the name **Tsuji Kimata Sukehide ??????? after Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi and thus became Nidai, Tsuji the II. Kimata opened the dojo in Kojimachi ?? (** Although the kanji for ?? is different from the original ? the pronunciation is the same and represents a succession.) Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi was known not just as a master of the sword, but as an enlightened philosopher and scholar, and his writings Mugai Shinden Kempo Ketsu ? ????? is recognized as a superb and unique book in Japan's martial arts literature for its depth, flowing style and elegant composition. Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi died on June 23 in the 12th year of Kyo-ho ?? (1725) at the age of 79. The tombs of Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi's successors are kept at the Buddhist priest's cemetery for Nyoraiji temple ???, which is in the town of Nishioi ???? in the Shinagawa ??? area. The school retains both iaijutsu and kenjutsu in its curriculum, and has a strong connection with Zen due to Gettan's belief that the \"sword and Zen are the way of the same Truth\". [1] The name \"Mugai\" comes from the following poem: Ippou jitsu mugai\nKenkon toku ittei\nSuimo hou nomitsu\nDouchaku soku kousei\n\"There is nothing other than the One True Way Heaven and Earth profit from this single Virtue The fluttering feather knows this secret To be settled during confusion is to be enlightened and pure\"\n\nToday Mugai-ryu has splintered into several lines and there is no one soke . [2] Nakagawa Shiryo Shinichi is generally considered the last soke. He did not appoint a successor, but awarded several menkyo kaiden, and his students continue to teach the school and several new lines have been established, each with their own soke. Mugai ryu nichiryukai iaido renmei india follows its teachings under the jyu Rokudai (16th) Soke Kazo Inoue Nichiryu 8th Dan Japan Kendo Renmei and teacher of Shoshihan Mehul Vora the pioneer of Mugai Ryu Iaido in India.\n\n  Introduction | About Us | Affiliations | Aiki-Jujutsu | Jojutsu | Kenjutsu | Zazen | Instructor | Contact Us | Press | Links\n  Copyright © 2008-2009 All Rights Reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7685248851776123}
{"content": "Charged With DUI In Denver\n\nDUIMany people know that the “legal limit” for blood-alcohol content (BAC) in Colorado is 0.08%. What many people don’t understand is the science behind why this is, how it’s measured, and whether that number is appropriate. Many people also don’t realize that you can be charged with, and convicted of, DUI even if you have a lower BAC. The law was designed around the idea that the average person, if their blood contains 0.08% alcohol, will be impaired to the point where it is unsafe for them to drive. When you are pulled over for suspicion of DUI, and you test .08 or higher, you will probably be charged with DUI. This means that they can assume that you are drunk based on your BAC. However, even without this test, you may be charged with and convicted of DUI if other evidence suggests that you were drunk.\n\nHave you been charged with DUI in Denver? Speak with an experienced Denver DUI attorney immediately to protect your rights.\n\nThere are some flaws in the investigation of DUI. In some cases, DUI investigations are begun without what is known as reasonable suspicion. This means that the officer has some actual reason, and not just a hunch, to suspect that you are drunk. While there are a number of ways to establish reasonable suspicion, sometimes officers conduct investigations without it, which is generally a violation of your rights. Additionally, there may be concerns with the accuracy and validity of your BAC test results. The fact is, if you have been charged with DUI, you need to speak with an attorney immediately. DUI is a big deal; don’t let it ruin your life.\n\nDenver Criminal Defense AttorneyContact the dedicated Denver DUI attorneys at the Steven Louth Law Offices today to discuss your options if you have been charged with DUI or DWAI. Steven and Zachary Louth have helped countless Coloradans to get the best possible outcome to a terrible situation. They understand how DUI investigations are conducted, what problems to look for, and how to expose the flaws in your investigation. Whether you have made a terrible mistake, or have been accused of a crime that you did not commit, don’t put your future in jeopardy. Steven Louth, as a former prosecutor, understands how investigators and prosecutors assemble cases, and he can design the strongest possible defense for you. For more information and a FREE CASE EVALUATION, contact Steven Louth Law Offices today at (303)442-2297.\n\n\nView Larger Map\n2523 Broadway, Suite 201\nBoulder, CO 80304\n\nBy appointment 303.442.2297\nContact Us\nGet started today with a\nFree Case Evaluation.\n\nYour Name:*\n\nYour Email:*\n\n\nHow Did You Find Us:\n\n\nPreferred Method Of Contact:\nEmail Phone \n\n  I have read and agree to the Terms.*\n\nHow many fingers are on one hand? \n\n*Required Fields\n\n\n\nCriminal Defense\nLegal News Feed\nSteven Louth Law Offices\nLegal Videos\nConnect With Us\nOn Social Networks", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5187504291534424}
{"content": "Thank you for deciding to take this journey with me! I appreciate your desire to optimize your health.\n\nFill out the form below and I will get to work on providing you with detailed and valuable feedback. It generally takes between 7-10 days for me to get back to you with your answers and protocol as a PDF file.\n\nPlease understand that I cannot accept any questions related to medical conditions.\n\nI look forward to assisting you with your top 10 health related questions and I hope you enjoy the Integrative Health Protocol Series of books!\n\n\nTristan Summerfield, MA", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8833266496658325}
{"content": "Andy Middleton: Nomad’s Notebook\n\nSaxophonist Middleton has assembled a truly stellar band for his third Intuition release. Guitarist and pianist Ralph Towner and bassist Dave Holland pretty much define the soundscapes in which Middleton’s compositions unfold-and why not? Their sense of interplay would be ample inspiration for any improviser-and Middleton shows signs of being more than “just any” improviser. Drummer Alan Jones rounds out the core group, which is augmented by the acute percussionist Jamie Haddad on three tracks, two of which also feature Noah Bless on trombone. Middleton finds compositional inspiration in his travels: Afghan caravans, Muslim prayer calls, the Canadian Rockies and Tolkien’s mythical Lothlorien are among the starting points for Middleton, who writes in a broadly euphonious harmonic language, with a natural tunefulness that engages the ear with exotic airs, but never strays too far from home.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999675154685974}
{"content": "Archbishop of Canterbury’s personal address to General Synod\n\nThe Church of England’s General Synod is meeting this week. As has been reported in the press, the Archbishop of Canterbury made a personal address. As is always the way, the reporting of the address doesn’t necessarily reflect the actual meaning or context. Whenever possible, we should listen to what people have actually said, rather than repeat things second or even third-hand. Anyway, here is what he actually said.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9879052042961121}
{"content": "From Nuclear Fusion That Ended February to the Wobble That Begins March!!\n\ninfernox880_fusion-core-v2 Given all the information and understandings that came thru from February 25th thru the 27th, I was not all that surprised when I poked my antenna out into the field on the 28th and could not see anything.  I am equally grateful that that was the only antenna taken off-line by my team, because as I was searching around for the energy that would turn light into vision, I heard my precious lady's team say, no seeing today, this is a day of \"fusion.\"  The energy spirit wrapped around the word \"fusion\" was intense.  I went to handy-dandy google to understand what they really mean by \"fusion.\"  Thank you wikipedia, the explanation made total sense:\n\n\nIn our case, it would be the collision of the spiritual body with the physical body forming a new type of atomic nucleus.... US!!  March 1st couldn't arrive fast enough for my nosy spiritual self!!\n\nJust waking up out of sleep yesterday morning different.  It was as if I had two camera's sitting on my chest and I was viewing both things at once.  One of the viewing screens was my oldest daughter whom I have not spoken to since my diagnosis of cancer back in October of 2012, not for the lack of trying, but her anger and judgement is like sticking your hand in fire and pulling it back with massive blisters on it.  Not my cup of pain!  But my viewing screen was back to a time when it wasn't like that.  It was when she visited me here in New Mexico, fun and loving.\n\nWhile I was straddling that screen, I was also straddling another one playing at the same time.  Two clients, a husband and wife who recently moved to the USA from another country.  I seen them life ants, constantly in motion to serve the queen, never taking their eye off the task at hand... service to the queen.  In this viewing screen, my conversation was with the wife while the focus was on her husband.\n\nWhat a strange and intense way to wake up!!  My bladder was louder than the dual images unfolding on the screen on my chest, so I got up and started to process.  I popped an email to my clients explaining what I had just experienced.  I thought about the USA and what the queen of energy is here... money.  But I wasn't sure that is what it was referring to with them, until she wrote back.  Their work has them totally engulfed within their lives.  To the point, they do not even have the time to make for their sessions and we changed it to email readings (something I have not done in a good many years.)\n\nI started to wonder what the readings are going to be like this day.  I so wanted the party zone to unfold!!  I also kept remembering what came thru one of the readings this past week.  Spirit said the first several days of March is going to create a \"wobble\" in the field.  What could that possible mean/represent for us??\n\nI think I really understood after my first connection of the day, given my two viewing screens I woke up with.\n\nThe first thing I could see thru my lady on the field, were all these figures marching into her newly heightened magnetosphere.  People and places, even thoughts and idea's from her past, moving into her magnetosphere, circling around from the south entry (past) to the east to the north (present and future energy.)\n\nFree will still reigns!!  What I do understand, especially this morning, all of these \"old\" energies and ways of life will be amplified as well, creating perfect storms and earthquakes to finally recognize it and free it once and for all.  During this \"wobble time\" however, we can free any aspect of chaotic relationships, thoughts, alignments that can and will block your own light of True Self from you.  Even with those who have thrown themselves into constant work, I hear clearly \"All work and no play...\" of course it trails off.  Pesky spirit!!\n\nOn the other side of the spectrum...\n\nMy second lady came thru with such intensity, exactly what I was hoping to experience with March's big focus.  The moment we connected, I heard a clip of a song while the energy came down with something that really looked like Thor's Hammer.  The song was \"it's like thunder, and lightning, the way you love me is....\"  (the song stopped their.)  As the hammer made contact with the top of her magnetosphere, cathedral of creation, the billowing energy of brilliant red and blue released itself like intense flames licking upwards.\n\nI was able to move my vision into her cathedral of creation and seen her sitting on a chair in her center, looking very contemplative with her eyes trained forward.  I could so relate to the feeling I was getting from her, knowing we have arrived Here and having very little clue what to do with Here Now!! lol  I even told her, move over, I will sit with you a while! lol\n\nHer biggest question in her contemplative moments was about abundance.  She keeps feeling like she sabotages abundance for herself.  First of all, I could not even come close to picking up any sort of lack of abundance in her energy field, until a tiny light bulb went on in what she was really talking about... Money.\n\nOur (human) version of abundance and spirits true feeling/gifting of abundance not a money thing.  In spirits eyes, abundance is love, support, being cared for and provided for in each day.  Money is only a tiny element in their gift of abundance, enough to be cared for and to care for others with.\n\nSo, just to be clear here, if you need or desire more money, ask for more money.  Cuz if you ask for abundance, you will get it, usually in the form of a lot of smaller things that create an abundant day/life... less about money, all about more ways to feel and express love!!\n\nSuddenly as she and I were talking, I was completely distracted by a bird I had never heard before out in the field, my back yard.  It was so loud and so consistent in its cawing I could not take my ears off of it.  I never heard this bird before, so I went a looking.  In the deep east field (new beginnings) and to the right/north (near future) were these 3 massive birds all talking to each other in the neighbors tree.  Turkey Vultures.  Stunning and loud!!  We looked up turkey vultures and what they mean to her and it was exactly what she first started talking about when we said hello.  These precious and insistent birds are her alley's (beyond a totem) into her new world of experiencing life.  Once we ended out connection, the birds flew away and have not returned.  They flew here for her!!  I love when that happens!!  Our incredible, conscious, co-creative universe!!\n\nMy next lady on the field, we actually got so look into the realm beyond today... our upcoming near future.  I was sooooooooo excited to see energy outside of the magnetosphere, giving her a heads up about how important an upcoming meeting she has scheduled with a couple other ladies is to her future.  I could see a white energetic line moved deep into her physical life aspect in her near future, a meeting that showed three women together and how much it will effect her future movements.  What no one would tell us, because they (spirit) do not know, is the outcome and affect it will have.  But the string of energy moved back to her center and connected to the spring equinox.  OMG I didn't even get this yesterday... lol, I can be so slow on the uptake sometimes... a lot of times!!  I could see her center path and the line of energy from this meeting intersect further out in her timeline.  Time has no sense to it any longer, not like in did in the years prior.  I could see her on a pole with a tightly wound spring that was attached to her back.  Depending on what she chooses to do with the energy of this meeting, that spring will release itself and fling her forward into her future bliss!!\n\nHaha.... spring forward.  Spring... equinox... we change our clocks around there too and our time literally springs forward by an hour.  Hmmmmm... they were showing me the timeline all along, then finally gave up cuz I didn't get it, and told me outright they were showing the energy around the spring equinox.\n\nThis morning, i realize, we ALL have this incredible potential to spring forward with such a force, depending on what we do now to align ourselves with it.\n\nI was so excited to see all this and what we have laying ahead of us in this month, even without any real details, the energy is so exciting!!  And then she asked a question, and her energy changed on a dime.  Like so many of us, we have taken on more fat cells than we care to carry around and gain, like so many of us, no matter what we try to do, it just doesn't release itself from our frame.  This has her feeling trapped, as she explains it with some intense energy \"trapped in a prison.\"  Equally, that is how she feels her current life is too, trapped in a place she does not want to be.\n\nRemember always.. the creative energy of all Life has zero bias.  It is not saying well this is good or this is bad, it all IS and it creates, makes manifest in our life what we feel the strongest about in our core energy.  If we feel imprisoned, we will create more prisons for ourselves, because we are loved THAT much.\n\nFor our own sakes, we must release the remnants of old beliefs that keep is in the hellish aspect of our creative mind, and embrace every iota of our Being, fluffy or skinny... its love of ALL parts of ourselves that has spring ready to fling us forward in that love!!\n\nOn that note, I must start my day of further understandings thru you!!\n\nBig big (((HUGZ)))) of nuclear fusion of bliss made manifest to ALL!!  I love you all soul soul much!!  More (((HUGZ))))  Shine on my Love's!\n\nLisa Gawlas", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5838618278503418}
{"content": "Doris McIlwain\n\nLearn More\nThis paper presents the results of a comprehensive empirical study of the impact of integrating complex game characters in multi-player Role Playing Games across tabletop and digital formats. Players were provided with characters that had detailed background history, personality and goals. Player and character personality were assessed using the Extended(More)\n0191-8869/$ see front matter 2011 Elsevier Ltd. A doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.01.014 ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: ( (D. McIlwain), Wayne.warburton@m 1 The ability to reflect and operate on mental states This paper profiles meta-cognitive (affect-dysregulation, empathy and identity-concerns) and(More)\nRole-playing games (RPGs) are a well-known game form, existing in a number of formats, including tabletop, live action, and various digital forms. Despite their popularity, empirical studies of these games are relatively rare. In particular there have been few examinations of the effects of the various formats used by RPGs on the gaming experience. This(More)\nI introduce the seven papers in this special issue, by Andy Clark, Jérôme Dokic, Richard Menary, Jenann Ismael, Sue Campbell, Doris McIlwain, and Mark Rowlands. This paper explains the motivation for an alliance between the sciences of memory and the extended mind hypothesis. It examines in turn the role of worldly, social, and internalized forms of(More)\nThis study focuses in on a moment of live performance in which the entrainment amongst a musical quartet is threatened. Entrainment is asymmetric in so far as there is an ensemble leader who improvises and expands the structure of a last chorus of a piece of music beyond the limits tacitly negotiated during prior rehearsals and performances. Despite the(More)\nWhy is another measure of disturbed eating necessary? While there is a growing literature identifying links between certain emotion regulation styles and eating disturbances, much contention and contradictory evidence exists regarding the distinction between different specific eating disorder (ED) diagnoses in such relationships. This is possibly due to the(More)\nManaging type 1 diabetes mellitus is an ongoing and challenging process; we investigated children's experience of different treatment regimens. Interviews with 17 children (7-15 years) at two time points were analysed using the grounded theory approach. Illness phase and treatment regimen shaped how bodily cues were interpreted. Insulin pump therapy allowed(More)\nOvergeneral memories are associated with a history of depression, and are produced even when a person is not currently depressed. Whether they are antecedent or scar of depression, they are linked to poor prognosis and are thought to be markers of underlying causal processes. Such processes include difficulties experienced in depression with executive(More)\n  • 1", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5002583265304565}
{"content": "Joshua Sunshine\n\nLearn More\nObjects model the world, and state is fundamental to a faithful modeling. Engineers use state machines to understand and reason about state transitions, but programming languages provide little support for building software based on state abstractions. We propose Plaid, a language in which objects are modeled not just in terms of classes, but in terms of(More)\nElectron cryo-microscopy of 'single particles' is a powerful method to determine the three-dimensional (3D) architectures of complex cellular assemblies. The pyruvate dehydrogenase multi-enzyme complex couples the activity of three component enzymes (E1, E2 and E3) in the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to generate acetyl-CoA, linking glycolysis and(More)\nThough immutability has been long-proposed as a way to prevent bugs in software, little is known about how to make immutability support in programming languages effective for software engineers. We designed a new formalism that extends Java to support transitive class immutability, the form of immutability for which there is the strongest empirical support,(More)\nWriting concurrent applications is extremely challenging, not only in terms of producing bug-free and maintainable software, but also for enabling developer productivity. In this article we present the &#198;minium concurrent-by-default programming language. Using &#198;minium programmers express data dependencies rather than control flow between(More)\nProgramming languages can restrict state change by preventing it entirely (immutability) or by restricting which clients may modify state (read-only restrictions). The benefits of immutability and read-only restrictions in software structures have been long-argued by practicing software engineers, researchers, and programming language designers. However,(More)\nApplication Programming Interfaces (APIs) often define object protocols. Objects with protocols have a finite number of states and in each state a different set of method calls is valid. Many researchers have developed protocol verification tools because protocols are notoriously difficult to follow correctly. However, recent research suggests that a major(More)\nApplication Programming Interfaces (APIs) often define protocols --- restrictions on the order of client calls to API methods. API protocols are common and difficult to use, which has generated tremendous research effort in alternative specification, implementation, and verification techniques. However, little is understood about the barriers programmers(More)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9789945483207703}
{"content": "Anakin, Luke, Rey, Kylo Ren & Balancing the Force: Why Love is the Answer, Not Hate\n\nIt astounds me that there are people who still believe that in order to bring balance to the force it means killing all Sith/dark side force users. \n\nTime and time again throughout canon Star Wars depictions this is seen as a misunderstanding to balancing the force. However, as it is never explicitly stated exactly how one brings balance to the force in the films (just the Jedi assumptions), I can also understand why people don’t know that in order to bring balance to the force, both the dark side and the light side must exist in unison with each other (as told by cosmic entities). I also find it confusing when people brush off the importance of balancing the force in the new trilogy, when one of the very first lines of dialogue we hear in TFA introduces us to the concept and need of balance in the Force. The Force is integral to the Star Wars films, as integral as it is to Star Wars’ own universe, and the concept of balancing the Force has been prevalent throughout the instalments of the franchise. They are not going to just drop the concept in the new trilogy, especially not when they’re trying to tie all the films together by the end of it.\n\nThis meta will attempt to explain what I believe, according to what canon evidence we’ve been given, it means to “bring balance to the force”. I will also discuss Anakin’s involvement and prophecy, and then what this could all mean for Rey and Kylo Ren going forward as “dual protagonists”. Disclaimer: this isn’t to say the other lead characters aren’t protagonists, but merely that we are being told that Rey and Kylo Ren are “two halves” of a protagonist’s story, together, in conjunction with the other protagonists. It is my belief that the new trilogy will most definitely touch on this ‘balancing of the force’ based on J. J. Abram’s claims that they are meant to bring the entire saga full circle, and that Anakin’s story (as the Chosen One who will bring balance to force) will play a crucial part in this circle that Episode IX will tie into - but that will be discussed in more detail later on. I would also like to say that I believe the importance of this ideal explains Luke’s withdrawal and belief that “the Jedi must end” in Episodes VII & VIII.\n\nKeep reading\n\nIrreversible consequences\n\nI’ve noticed an interesting detail in the Russian version of the trailer. Instead of saying “This is not going to go the way you think”, Luke says: “Пойми, последствия будут необратимы” (“You have to understand that the consequences will be irreversible.”) I tried hard to figure out how, HOW could one translate Luke’s phrase the way it was translated (and I couldn’t), and then it occured to me that it might not be a translation, but a totally different phrase provided to the Russian film distributor for translation by Disney.\n\nWhat if it is the next line Luke delivers? What if it complements what we heard in the English language trailer?\n\n“This is not going to go the way you think. You have to understand that the consequences will be irreversible.”\n\nNow I’m dying to know, what will go the wrong way? What will be irreversible?\n\nRogue One/Star Wars AU | Glee\n\nThere was a choir group in Alliance High School, named Rebel Alliance. But it was abandoned because no one joins the group. Until the Latin teacher, Bail Organa, revives the group again. He recruits his goddaughter, Leia, to become the first member of Rebel Alliance. They spread the news and forms around the school.\n\nThe first members of the Alliance are having different backgrounds. Jyn moved from London but she can’t adapt in America. Cassian is a good musician and singer but he quits because of the death of his older sister. Han doesn’t want to join the Alliance but he joins it in order to get a good grades for extracurricular.\n\nWhen the Alliance is in trouble, Bail encourages them to sing their best for the sake of the club. And their club becomes popular because their successful performance in the school talent show and some of students enroll themselves to become the members of The Rebel Alliance. From the nervous Bodhi Rook to the cheerful Luke Skywalker.\n\nThe Rebel Alliance enrolls for choir competition for the first time since 5 years but they must face their old rival, the Empire Voice from Empire Academy.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5941276550292969}
{"content": "NJIT's Kamalesh Sirkar Wins a Coveted Award for Innovation in Membrane Science and Technology\n\nWritten by: Tracey Regan,\n\nKamalesh Sirkar, a chemical engineer acclaimed for his innovations in industrial membrane technology used to separate and purify air, water and waste streams and to improve the quality of manufactured products such as pharmaceuticals, solvents and nanoparticles, won the 2017 Alan S. Michaels Award for Innovation in Membrane Science and Technology.\n\nThe award, given every three years by the North American Membrane Society (NAMS), is named for Alan Michaels, a pioneer in the field credited with breakthroughs in ultrafiltration technology and major contributions to controlled-release drug delivery systems, among other areas.\n\nIn honoring Sirkar, a distinguished professor of chemical engineering, the membrane society pointed to his “long and distinguished career that has included making fundamental contributions to the field of membrane science and engineering, from membrane fabrication to transport processes and performance of membrane systems, and his lifelong service to the membrane separations community.”\n\nSirkar holds 31 U.S. patents and three in Canada. He is best known for developing the concept of membrane contactors, a process that permits two phases that do not mix, such as two liquids or a liquid and a gas, to contact each other at the pores of a membrane – without dispersing into each other – in order to introduce or extract specific compounds across it. The technology is used, for example, to introduce carbon dioxide into beverages, to produce concentrations of oxygen at much less than 1 part per billion in ultrapure water needed for semiconductor production, and to extract valuable pharmaceuticals in aqueous-organic extraction systems, among other separation or purification processes.\n\nHe also developed a novel membrane distillation technology capable of converting sea and brackish water into potable water with a considerably higher water recovery rate than the standard method, reverse osmosis.\n\nNAMS cited his service to the community, including his “seminal contributions” of two books “that serve as references to the community.” He co-edited with Winston Ho the “Membrane Handbook” in 1992, considered a standard for membrane separations, and recently wrote the more general “Separation of Molecules, Macromolecules and Particles: Principles, Phenomena and Processes” in which he integrates membranes with classical chemical engineering processes. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Membrane Science since 1989 and is the founding editor-in-chief of “Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering” since 2011.\n\nSirkar, who was elected to the NAMS board of directors in 1996 and served a one-year term as president beginning in 1998, worked with Michaels, who was also a member of the board.\n\n“He was a towering figure in our young membrane community who invented a series of membranes for ultrafiltration-based separation of proteins and macromolecules having different molecular weights,” Sirkar recalled. “That was the second big breakthrough in the field of membrane technology, the first being the Loeb-Sourirajan reverse-osmosis membranes for desalination.”\n\nHe added, “He appeared to be particularly fond of the membrane solvent extraction technique that I developed. In fact, he published a paper utilizing that technique in 1992.”\n\nLooking back on the evolution of his field, Sirkar pointed to a number of successes in addition to reverse osmosis desalination and ultrafiltration, including kidney dialysis, membrane separation of air, natural gas and organic vapors, electrodialysis and the development of membrane bioreactors for water treatment, among others.\n\nThe award consists of a $10,000 prize and lifetime membership in NAMS.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9822825789451599}
{"content": "DBSJeyaraj.com on Facebook\n\nVimukthi Jayasundara Becomes First Sinhalese To Direct an Indian Film and First Sri Lankan to Make a Bengali Movie\n\n\nBy P.K.Balachandran\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBorn in the sylvan surroundings of Ratnapura in 1977, Vimkuthi did not want to be a doctor or engineer but a painter. “Eventually I settled for film making, which in many ways, is like painting,” he said.\n\nAnd he was in love with India.\n\n“I used to go to India frequently. I drew spiritual sustenance from it as a disciple of Jaggi Vasudev at his Isha Yoga ashram in Coimbatore. I travelled far and wide in India and made many friends in the film world. As a student at the Film and Television Institute in Pune, I saw a lot of films and was particularly fond of Bengali film makers Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak,” Vimukti said.\n\nBack in Sri Lanka, the war was on. Vimukthi made a documentary film for the government on wounded soldiers. In the process of making the film he realized how some people are made to sacrifice their lives and limbs for somebody’s else cause.\n\nAs for the idea of making a film in India, it came up at a meeting with his long standing friend, Bappaditya Bandhopadhyay, a producer and director of Bengali films, in Kolkata. Bappaditya said he could rope in Vinod Lahoti, a Kolkata film enthusiast and financier, to fund the venture.\n\n“The subject and story line were left to me. But Bappaditya was always around to tell me what is not correct. He would also point his finger at cinematic clichés, and tell me to knock them off,” Vimukthi said.\n\nOn choosing the subject and story he recalls: “I hadn’t clue about what to portray. So, I decided to roam the streets of Kolkata day after day, observing the lives of the people in various parts of the city at various times. What struck me at the time, was the mushrooming of posh high rise buildings in sharp contrast to the squalor around. I saw the sharp differences existing between the rich and the poor and how the poor were duped into parting with their agricultural land for small sums of money on the promise of jobs on the construction sites.”\n\nFrom the middle classes he learnt about their aspirations and problems. I also found that at least a section of Kolkata society was aware that people were being taken for a ride, but others were indifferent.\n\n“There is a scene in the film in which an old man is trying to wake up a younger man sleeping under a bridge by telling him how the British bought the three villages which became the nucleus of the imperial city of Kolkata for a mere Rs.1,300 and that a similar thing is happening now,” he pointed out.\n\nVimukthi also saw how, despite grinding poverty, lack of employment, insanitary conditions and the mad rush to modernize Kolkata, people stuck to traditions tenaciously as seen in the annual Durga Puja celebrations. Beg or borrow, the puja had to be conducted is a grand way. The puja’s cathartic effect on the participants was brought out vividly in Chatrak.\n\nIn the story, the main facets of Kolkata’s physical and socio-economic landscape were portrayed through the lives of the successful but troubled architect, his independent minded working girl lady love, and the deranged younger brother. Vimukthi has portrayed India in all its complexity, both gross and nuanced.\n\nAsked why the architect does not die even after jumping from a multi-storied building, for her eventually open his eyes, Vimukthi said: “ I wanted to suggest that there could be renewal of hope,”\n\nAs Rahul re-awakens, a tortoise at the construction site which has been in hiding because of the destruction of its habitat, also emerges from its shell, symbolically.\n\nCourtesy:New Indian Express\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9264920949935913}
{"content": "Teacher's Values and Professionalism in the Classroom\n\nTo teach ethics to teachers is a revitalization of the correct attitude in the workplace. These professionals are taught with manners, values, and the proper behavior expected from them. Therefore they are expected to share good manners, practice democracy and fairness in the classroom. Failure to display incorrect professionalism can cause disrespect and may produce distorted values among students.\n\nPersonal values evolve from situations with the external world and can change overtime. His integrity in the application of values refers to its continuity; persons have integrity if they apply their values appropriately regardless of arguments or negative reinforcement from others. But if Filipino teacher loses his values, moral problems come in. Why? Because there will be no values to hold him from doing what is not good. So ultimately, moral problems will arise.\n\nPhilippine legal system provides due process to every person. This means that every person is given the opportunity to be notified of the accusation against him. Under our laws, before the person is convicted, he must be given the chance to defend himself by informing him of the corresponding charges in which he is obliged to answer. Generally, the burden of proof lies on the person making such accusation. Therefore, innocence of the accused is more preferred. Although discipline is an issue to deal with among teachers, corporal punishment is never an answer to discipline the students. We have to find better, more effective ways than beating to enforce discipline.\n\nCorporal punishment is of limited effectiveness and has potentially side effects. Studies show that the more children are spanked, the more anger they report as adults, the more likely they are to spank their own children, the more likely they are to approve of hitting a spouse, and the more marital conflict they experience as adults. Spanking has been associated with high rate of physical aggressive, more substance abuse, and increased risk of crime and violence when used with other children and adolescents.\n\nHaving known these negative outcomes, one must not afford to support nor appreciate corporal punishment no matter how grave the offense is. It is an act provided for the establishment to give proper discipline to all and maintenance of an integrated system of education. It is the policy of the State to establish and maintain a complete, adequate integrated system of education relevant to the goals of national development. Toward this end, the government shall ensure, within the context of a free and democratic system, maximum contribution of the educational system to the attainment of the following national developmental goals.\n\nThe Essay above is written by High School student.\n\nRelated Post\nBenefit of Team Building to the Professionals\nSuggested Project for Art Education\nTowards BPO Capital of the world\n\n\nAdd to Google\n\n4 Komento ng Ulirang Guro:\n\nas they say, \"a good leader is a good follower\". In a classroom,obviously, the teacher is the leader and the students are the followers. And in order for the followers to obey the rules implemented by the leader, the leader must first observed those rules him/herself.\n\nhi frnd, pr4 here... I have added u on my blog…… please link me back and buzz me!!! thank you……..\n\nValues are principles, qualities, or objects that a person perceives as having intrinsic worth. Every individual has a personal hierarchy of values that may include success, wealth or monetary comfort, love/companionship, a sense of accomplishment or achievement, and of course, survival. When a teacher spends time after school to help a student, he may feel he has sacrificed his own needs to the needs of the student.\n\nI know corporal punishment is not allowed but we need to discipline our students. ans it is different from just punishing them. If an act is wrong then proper disciplinary actions should be given. It has to be understood by the child. In the Bible, in the Book of Proverbs It is said that \"Spare the rod spoil the child\" I believe that there is truth there. Only adults don't know the proper way of disciplining children.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9701070785522461}
{"content": "How do Distributed Antenna Systems Increase Public Safety?\n\nA DAS, or Distributed Antenna System, provides an increased public safety benefit by improving First Responder radio coverage within a a structure or building.\n\nConstruction techniques and materials can block or obstruct wireless communication channels. Dropped calls or spotty internet service can be an inconvenience, but inadequate radio coverage for First Responder signals can be a matter of life or death. The tragic events of 9/11 emphasized the need for reliable in-building coverage, and subsequent fire codes have been revised to increase the safety of large buildings.\n\nThe International Building Code was updated in 2009 to better meet the need for increased public safety. Section 510 of the IBC deals specifically with Emergency Responder Radio Coverage, outlining optimal coverage requirements. Section 510 has been adopted (or will be adopted) by over 60% of American states to improve the safety of new construction. Radio signal strength requirements must be met in 95% of all areas on each floor of the building, a feat best achieved by the use of a Distributed Antenna System.\n\nHetNet Wireless priod", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9433759450912476}
{"content": "How it Works\n\n\n\n\nHow soon can I expect results?\n\nInstantly! Immediately upon injection when treated to full correction, BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler plumps the skin and smoothes away lines and wrinkles.\n\n\nDoes it hurt?\n\nAs with all needle injections, there can be pain associated with the procedure. Your health care provider can discuss ways to manage any discomfort during the procedure.\n\n\nHow long does it last?\n\nIndividual results may vary, but BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler may last about 6 months or more.\n\n\nHow is the treatment performed?\n\n\n\nIs it safe?\n\n\n\nAre there any side effects?\n\nJust like any injection, you may experience mild irritation, swelling, itching, redness, bruising or tenderness at the injection site. If any of these side effects persist, call your doctor immediately.\n\n\nHow long is the recovery time?\n\nThere is very little to no downtime associated with a BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler procedure. Most patients return to their normal daily activities right after their visit. Be sure to discuss your plans with your doctor during your consultation.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8561989068984985}
{"content": "Home » An Explanation Of What Is Biomass?\nAn Explanation Of What Is Biomass?\n\nIn ecological studies, biomass is the mass of living organisms present in a particular area or ecosystem. The measurement of the amount of biomass present is handled differently based on the reason for the measure and exactly what the measurement is supposed to mean. However, this definition does cover the more conventional uses of the term. We will, therefore, attempt to answer the question, \"What is Biomass?\" as it relates to energy production.\n\nIn the world of energy production, the term biomass refers to renewable sources of energy that come from living organisms as well those that have recently died. This eliminates the fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum because, while produced from ancient biomass, these fuels are bound in the earth's crust and are not part of the carbon cycle. Burning biomass does not release carbon into the atmosphere that adds to the amount of carbon already present in the normal carbon cycle. However, combustion of biomass to produce energy does put the carbon into the atmosphere faster than natural processes can accommodate and reabsorb.\n\nDifferent substances meet the definition of biomass. These include wood, both directly harvested and waste products from other processes, grasses, grains, oils produced from trees or vegetables, household garbage, and more. Industries are typically more selective when they define biomass to mean only that which is useful to their particular type of business.\n\nOne example would be ethanol used to produce fuel. This particular alcohol comes almost exclusively from corn, though experiments have shown that it can be harvested from other plants and grains. Vegetable based oils that are used in the production of the fuel, biodiesel, are also biomass products. Wood used to produce heat meats the definition.\n\nAnother type of biomass that is being researched as possible sources of energy is known as landfill gas or biogas. The primary ingredient here is methane gas, which forms naturally when plant and animal matter rot. It is also the main ingredient found in natural gas. Any plant or animal waste that produces a foul smell as it rots is producing methane.\n\nThe primary advantages of biomass lie in the fact that it is a renewable source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which exist in finite amounts, biomass is generated everyday in the form of household garbage, yard clippings, waste from industrial processing of natural fibers such as wood, and harvesting trees and agricultural products.\n\nBiomass has been shown to be useful in almost all methods of producing energy that fossil fuels can be used for. Increased use of biomass has, and will continue to result in reduced dependence on fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of the human race. As new techniques for harvesting the stored energy in biomass become available, it is possible that mankind's dependence on fossil fuels will be eliminated completely and replaced with completely renewable energy sources.\n\nAt the present time, biomass energy production only accounts for less than two percent of the energy used in the US each year to produce electricity. It is, however, becoming a more major source of fuel in the forms of biodiesel and flex fuel, a combination of gasoline and ethanol.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6167522668838501}
{"content": "1. Title 3\n\nPersonality Disorders\n\nWhat are Mood Disorders? \n\nA personality disorder is a type of mental illness in which you have trouble perceiving and relating to situations and to people — including yourself.   \n\nIn general, having a personality disorder means you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking and behaving no matter what the situation. This leads to significant problems and limitations in relationships, social encounters, work and school.\n\nIn some cases, you may not realize that you have a personality disorder because your way of thinking and behaving seems natural to you, and you may blame others for the challenges you face. There are many specific types of personality disorders and because there are too many identified types of personality disorders to explain in this context, we will only review a few.​\n\nBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD)\n\n\nThese individuals generally have great difficulty with their own sense of identity. They often experience the world in extremes, viewing others as either “all good” or “all bad.” A person with borderline personality may form an intense personal attachment with someone only to quickly dissolve it over a perceived slight. Fears of abandonment may lead to an excessive dependency on others. Self-multilation or recurrent suicidal gestures may be used to get attention and/or to manipulate others. Impulsive actions, chronic feelings of boredom or emptiness, and bouts of intense inappropriate anger are other traits of this disorder, which is more common among females. It is a mental health disorder that generates significant emotional instability. This can lead to a variety of other stressful mental and behavioral problems.\n\n\nIf you have borderline personality disorder, or love someone who does, don't get discouraged. Many people with this disorder get better with treatment and can live productive and satisfying lives. \n\nAntisocial Personality Disorder \n\nAntisocial Personality Disorder is a type of chronic mental illness in which a person's ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are abnormal — and destructive.\n\nPeople with antisocial personality disorder typically have no regard for right and wrong. They may often violate the law and the rights of others, landing in frequent trouble or conflict. They may lie, behave violently, and have drug and alcohol problems. And people with antisocial personality disorder may not be able to fulfill responsibilities to family, work or school.\n\n\nAntisocial personality disorder is sometimes known as sociopathic personality disorder. A sociopath is a particularly severe form of antisocial personality disorder. \n\nObsessive Compulsive Disorder:\n\nMost people who have OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, yet they feel powerless to stop them. They suffer from unwanted and intrusive thoughts that they can't seem to get out of their heads (obsessions), often compelling them to repeatedly perform ritualistic behaviors and routines (compulsions) to try and ease their anxiety such as excessive hand washing, placing things in order, repeatedly having to check the lights or stove are off before they leave the house, counting, etc. :  \n\nThese can interfere with a person's normal routine, schoolwork, job, family, or social activities. Several hours every day may be spent focusing on obsessive thoughts and performing seemingly senseless rituals. Trying to concentrate on daily activities may be difficult. Left untreated, OCD can interfere with all aspects of life. If you suspect you or a loved one may be suffering from OCD please seek the assistance from your health care provider or mental health specialist.\n\nNarcissistic Personality Disorder\n\n\n\nNarcissistic personality disorder treatment is centered around psychotherapy.\n\nAvoidant Personality Disorder.\n\n\nDependent Personality Disorder. \n\n\nTreatment of the Personality Disorder\n\n\n\nThere is Hope\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9329495429992676}
{"content": "D Media is the ideal resource to meet creative challenges. How do we benefit our clients?\n\n\n• We are adamant about meeting deadlines. Whether needed items are missing, feedback becomes delayed, or heavy workloads complicate the process, we are diligent about creating production schedules, asking for what we need, and staying on task to complete the project in a timely manner.\n\n\n• We focus on listening to client and project needs, understanding those needs, putting conventional thinking aside, and translating the necessary information to create a successful end product.\n\n\n• We produce materials that not only radiate creativity but also communicate key messages and achieve business objectives.\n\n\n• We understand the importance of flexibility to partner with clients—meeting deadlines, working within budgets, keeping clients informed, and delivering highly creative work during each step of the process.\n\n\nA thumbprint for your company", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9267619252204895}
{"content": "Qualities of the Best Car Rental Deals in Dubai\n\n\nTo begin with, one would need to make sure that the price of the car rental in question is affordable. While some car rentals in Dubai pose in the market as cheap, one would need to make sure that he or she evaluates them to figure out whether they have any hidden costs. Figuring the full cost of a car rental in Dubai is essential for anyone who values quality offered by his or her money. You would need to make sure that you know whether you are allowed to carry a passenger in the car or whether there is a maximum mileage by the company in question.\n\nOne would also need to make sure that the car rental company he or she settles for is known for offering quality services. You may need to make sure that the car rental in Dubai you go for is fast and friendly when it comes to hiring. You would also need to figure out whether there are return customers by the company in question. It would also be essential for one to make sure that he or she goes for easy to book car rentals in Dubai. .One would only need to get online and book a car or even just call the rental company in question and book a car The more the efficiency by a car rentals in Dubai the higher the chances you will enjoy the car.\n\nOne would need a car rental that can schedule him or her a car right as he or she arrives from abroad. A good car rental in Dubai would ensure that you don’t have trouble going to where the company is located so that they can offer you the car. Rather, they should ensure that they deliver the car to you right at the airport or at the hotel as agreed. The best Dubai rental cars also ensure that they have insured their cars such that the car and the client are insured just in case of an accident.\n\nQuotes: http://markets.financialcontent.com/", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.995009183883667}
{"content": "Executive Protection Services – Follow Up on This Company Assessment in Regards to Executive Security Services.\n\nExecutive defense provides executives with all the tools to escape and survive a kidnap attempt using brutally simple and easy effective techniques. The purpose of executive defense would be to escape, not to fight the kidnappers. The ideal method of executive defense is always to know how kidnap situations develop as well as avoid them. If, however, the kidnap situation is unavoidable, then using easy physical techniques provides you with the advantage necessary to escape. Proficiency during these techniques enables increased safety by disabling a kidnapper for a couple seconds to make an escape to an established safe haven. Whether it becomes necessary, why wait? An improved chance for escape may never come; a strategy quickly executed now surpasses a perfect plan next week.\n\nIf prevention fails, the general logic is if attacked, escape. And when trapped, stay alive. Use only executive defense for self-defense. Attack the eye area, nose groin or throat. Try to memorize details to ensure the kidnappers can later be delivered to justice. Attract help at all possible.\n\nWhen walking keep the hands free. Only carry what you need within your pockets. Be ready for all circumstances. Keep a mental note of safe havens including police stations, fire stations, embassies, hotels and hospitals. This book has trained anyone to notice the kidnap threat because it develops, maintaining high quantities of situational awareness to behave immediately to improve your odds of not learning to be a victim. When you are caught unawares, the kidnappers have got all the advantage, as well as the situation has escalated beyond the control. For this reason recognizing early indicators are of the utmost importance.\n\nExecutive defense will be the last layered approach for anti-kidnapping; it concentrates on maintaining a defense posture to avoid from potential unanticipated threats. It’s a planned organized resistance to protect against close encounter kidnap threats – immediate self-defense action and readiness. Your first defense priority can be your ability to observe and get away from pre-kidnap threats through pre-kidnap surveillance recognition. Activate your early warning radar, swiftly denying the kidnapper’s strategic and operational objectives by maximizing your environmental awareness and control.\n\nKidnappings are seldom surprises, particularly for executives who may have put a great deal of effort into learning how to avoid kidnap situations in the first place. Risks are minimized through awareness, recognition and avoidance. Trust your instincts as well as your anti-kidnap training; evacuate the location to generate a clean getaway from potential trouble you observe. Avoid talking with strangers on the street, and when a driver pulls up alongside of you, run from the opposite direction of execut1ve vehicle. If you see someone or something that is seems suspicious, react immediately. Identify safe havens along your routes for your workplace, hotel or residence. Notify the authorities if appropriate. Consult a security alarm professional when a kidnap attempt has occurred.\n\nExecutive defense is only one more aspect which should go into working on your personal safety and anti-kidnapping plan. It’s your resolve for defend yourself against injury and capture. All executives should train to secure themselves while identifying pre-kidnap stages and methods of avoidance. Executive defense provides executives together with the understanding, purpose, direction and ability for escape, providing executives with the “tools” needed to defend themselves when dealing with confrontation or possibly a kidnap attempt. Remember, really the only escape window is throughout the initial kidnap effort. Avoidance and escape will be the main goals, not using physical force to protect yourself against abductions.\n\nHowever, these defense tactics, techniques and procedures are for emergency use and really should be applied in case a kidnapper has brought too close. Resisting kidnappers works in creating an opening for the escape. Executive defense response choices are executive protection service depending on:\n\n1. Creating a fast and clear escape\n\n2. Mitigating as much risk as possible from being captured\n\n3. Rapidly exploiting targets and openings for escape\n\n4. Employing your strengths and exploiting kidnappers’ vulnerabilities\n\n5. Countermeasures as “last ditch efforts” only.\n\nTarget Areas\n\nAvoid what exactly is strong and strike exactly what is weak. Executives are best best for hit-and-escape tactics. Good targets will be the eyes, nose, throat and groin. Trouble for any one of these brilliant organs can greatly reduce the strength of a kidnapping attempt. What this means is utilizing the best defense tools that permit for rapid implementation against kidnap threats, focusing on probably the most vulnerable targets available and setting up a safe escape.\n\n1. Eyes\n\nThe eyes are soft tissue targets. A hard strike or gouge may cause involuntary watering, closing from the eyes, distorted vision or permanent eye damage. Kidnappers will automatically protect their eyes from attack, allowing vital seconds to get a quick escape.\n\n2. Nose\n\nThe nose is quite sensitive, and nasal bones are easily broken. From your hard strike the mucous membrane lining from the nose usually tears, causing nosebleed, teary eyes, distorted vision and dizziness.\n\n3. Throat\n\nA hard strike to the trachea can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing, closing of the airway and unconsciousness, which can temporarily immobilize the kidnapper and enable someone to make a clean getaway.\n\n4. Groin\n\nBecause the groin does not have the safety of muscles and bones, it’s quicker to be struck, hit or kicked. A difficult strike can produce severe pain, bruising, swelling or blood flow from the injury, resulting in the kidnapper to double over. Kidnappers will automatically protect their groin from attack, permitting critical seconds to have an escape.\n\nPersonal Weapons\n\nThere are many personal weapons a professional can utilize in a close encounter by using a kidnapper (elbows, kicks, etc.). However, executive defense concentrates only on fist strikes and eye gouges. Kicking techniques can deteriorate an executive’s stance, causing reduction in balance as well as a fall to the ground. Being in a prone position decreases the executive’s chances for escape. Your stance during a confrontation should let you move instantly in virtually any direction, making you competent at launching the most effective strike to fulfill existing situation for escape purposes only.\n\nThe Goal of Executive Defense\n\nJust strike the kidnapper nearest you as hard as you possibly can, and obtain away as fast as possible to acquire vital seconds that result in added safety. Attain speed, power and accuracy from practice at the gym and thru executive conflict avoidance training. Acquire open targets for multi-strike capability as well as maximize the distance through the kidnap attempt location.\n\n\nThese are generally defensive techniques employed to support quick escape capability to seize the initiative. These matter of moments help you in managing an escape, getting you later on from danger to your safe haven and avoiding capture. Executive defense takes a firm persistence for improving escape capabilities during “unexpected” kidnap attempts, should it become necessary. The immediate purpose is usually to create conditions and regain the initiative for escape only – to achieve a position of advantage regarding safety important to overcome the kidnapper’s power to capture you.\n\nWhen practicing executive defensive techniques, usually have the mindset to make use of maximum force on the decisive a chance to produce the conditions to have an effective escape. These weapons should be used when you find yourself in imminent danger. They are not “pretty” or “nice” and so are only to be used when confronted with situations where the stakes could mean “life or death.” Don’t second-guess yourself, and don’t hesitate – escape.\n\n1. Fist\n\nTo create a proper fist, the fingers needs to be curled tightly to the palm. The thumbs should lay tightly on top of the fingers, and the fist should remain tight. Attack vital parts of the kidnapper’s body together with the weight of the body behind the blow. Your aim should be to temporarily immobilize the kidnapper with a couple of quick strikes making an escape.\n\n2. Hammer Fist\n\nThe hand is created into a proper fist. With the bottom of the fist just as if holding a hammer, strike the kidnapper around the bridge of your nose in the downward motion with the weight of the body behind it. This would stun the kidnapper momentarily that you can evade attack and try to escape.\n\n3. Palm Heel\n\nThe palm faces forward as well as the hand is bent using the fingers curled under. The strike utilizes the heel of your palm in an upward motion aimed up and beneath the nose of your kidnapper. This ought to daze the kidnapper to get a second, that is lots of time to escape.\n\n4. Eye Gouge\n\nThe thumbs of both of your hands are brought up in a rapid motion from outside the kidnapper’s field of vision. Place both palms on the side of the kidnapper’s face with your thumbs directly over his eyes. Press in, penetrating the corneas. The structure of your face and eyes is well best for this sort of defensive technique; however, the aspect of surprise is needed. This should cause blurred vision and bleeding from your eyes and eyelids, creating the opportunity to escape from your dangerous position.\n\n5. Biting\n\nYour executive defense arsenal needs to include biting, which can inflict considerable damage when targeting soft tissue (Arms and hands are excellent targets). Vary the angle and pressure from the bite to generate maximum pain and a quick escape.\n\n6. Groin Strikes\n\nThe groin area can be a soft tissue location and it is not protected by natural protection. Groin shots, for instance a knee for the groin, can produce severe pain, inducing the kidnapper to panic and double over. Once the kidnapper is momentarily stunned, incapacitated or immobilized, this will generate an escape opportunity.\n\nBeat Kidnappers at Their Own Personal Game\n\nExecutive defense techniques are pretty straight forward, effective and shown to are employed in kidnap attempt situations as they are modeled around two critical areas – surprise and escape. Now you have the tools to defeat kidnappers at their particular game. However, you have to practice with all the with the knowledge that the conclusion of executive defense is always to protect yourself and make a rapid escape. A good escape through the scene of any kidnapping is the most frequently ignored a part of an executive defense plan. Generally have an exit strategy resolved upfront. Run as fast as you can to some safe haven, and seek police assistance immediately. The subsequent chapter discusses executive escape strategies in detail. Keep safe on the market and God Speed.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7512654662132263}
{"content": "Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte\n\nRaised by her haughty Aunt Reed, Jane Eyre grows up knowing nothing other than a rigid harshness from both her distant relatives and the strict Lowood Charity School. Even through her rough childhood, Jane manages to maintain her integrity and spirit with the secret wish that things can only get better from here.\n\nWhen she is hired as a governess by the dark and brooding Mr. Rochester, Jane finds her life taking a turn, for the better, worse, or both is unknown. Driven by her inner, unspoken desire for wider and richer love than Victorian society traditionally allowed, Jane must struggle between her own longing and moral standards in an attempt to find the best of both.\n\n\nExcuse the heavily influenced Goodreads description, but WOW!\n\nThis is my new favorite classic book. Unlike many other classic books in which many chapters go on with nothing actually happening, Jane Eyre is beautifully paced with a well though-out plot and memorable characters.\n\nThe beginning was not exactly slow, but a little confusing as to how it fits in with the rest of the story. It makes sense later, it sets up a lot of inner struggle further on in the story.\n\nThe writing style made me think very much of Emily Bronte, their tastes in guys was evident. There were also several parts in which I wondered if Dickens had co-authored in several of the brilliant, diabolical scheming scenes.\n\nOverall Rating: 4.5/5\n\nViolence: 3/10 (there was only maybe three short parts which are very creepy; I wish I could say why, but that would ruin the entire story!)\n\nLanguage: 1/10\n\nInappropriateness/Romance: 3/10 (hello! This is a romantic classic, although nothing inappropriate ever actually happens)\n\nAudience: Ages 14 and up, mostly just for the more difficult reading level.\n\nNow excuse me while I go watch the movie……\n\n\nThe Beduin’s Gazelle, by Frances Temple\n\nIn the year 1302, in the Middle East, Atiyah and Halima, cousins, have been betrothed since birth. They are nearly old enough to marry; however, Atiyah has been taken by his uncle to the city to learn to study and learn to read. Both are very attached to each other and miss each other very much while he is away.\n\nWhile Atiyah is away, Halima is lost from the tribe in a sandstorm. The ‘sand sea’ shows no mercy, and her parents give her up as lost. But when Atiyah hears of her disappearance, he sets out to find her along with his French friend, Ettiene. Can Atiyah find Halima before the sheikh of another tribe persuades her to marry him?\n\n\nThis book seemed a little flaky to me. Atiyah and Halima’s feelings, the author said, were true, but I never felt it. They felt more like two friends, so it is not as much of a romance as you would expect.\n\nWhile poetic at times, the characters felt distant and everything that happened to them was too brief. For example, Halima does not seem very scared when she is lost, and is found like three paragraphs after she realizes she has been separated from her parents. Atiyah also had a ‘walk on water’ feeling; nothing ever stopped him, and everything just seemed to fall into place for him, including the brief and unexplained ending,\n\nThe fact that the sheikh wants to marry Halima does make it a little awkward. He is relatively kind to her, otherwise, and does not force the marriage on her.\n\nTheir Islamic beliefs and myths are talked about in the book, which is interesting to hear about, and occurs often throughout the book, just as a side note.\n\nAll in all, I felt like the book fell a little short of what it could have been. Maybe it had to do with the fact that the author died the day she finished it, or just in that I didn’t care for the romance-that-wasn’t-a-romance. They never gave the exact age of the two, but I get the impression that they are pretty young.\n\nOverall Rating: 3/5\n\nViolence: 1/10\n\nLanguage: 0/10 (unless you count references to their gods)\n\nInappropriateness/Romance: 4/10\n\nAudience: Probably girls, Ages 10 and up", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8421379327774048}
{"content": "Celebration of loneliness -3 Painting\nClick on painting to enlarge or view in room below.\n\nCelebration of loneliness -3 Painting\n\nMedium: Oil on Canvas\nPainted in (year): 2000\nCategory: still-life paintings\n\nMore details\n\n$2500 USD\n\nErna Dolmazova\nErna Dolmazova\n\nCelebration Of Loneliness -3 is an original, one-of-a-kind still-life painting signed by artist Erna Dolmazova. This piece of art was created in 2000 and the painter used oil on canvas. It measures 20\" x 24\" inch (50 x 60 cm) and is available for sale online for 2500 USD.\n\n\nIn the Celebration of Loneliness-3 painting, one gets the feeling that the artist has accepted their current fate as someone who lives a solitary life and has decided to embrace it. This painting uses the image of bridges that have not fully been crossed, symbolizing a failed attempt to connect with the world. In the foreground is a large black bottle, one that might symbolize sadness or depression and the confinement that one might feel when experiencing loneliness. Still, the sun shines against the black bottle and casts its light upon everything in the painting, supporting the idea that hope should never be abandoned.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9974889755249023}
{"content": "Plant species in the woodland\n\nCumberland Plain Woodland typically has a canopy of gum trees, species of Eucalyptus, 10-20 m high with a grassy and herbaceous understorey. There may be scattered clumps or thickets of shrubs. The woodland contains many different organisms but plants are the biggest and most obvious. A few species are trees but most are groundlayer plants, which make up about 90% of the flora. They are not big showy plants like the Banksias and Grevilleas of the sandstone areas, but small delicate creatures that need a careful eye to distinguish between them. Modern photography allows us to really appreciate their delicate beauty.\n\nOur remnant woodlands at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan contain about 130 native plant species, as well as about 80 exotic weed species that have naturalised (i.e. spread into various habitats).\nThe predominant plant family is the Grass family Poaceae with 40 species (25 native and 15 exotic) followed by the Daisies - Asteraceae with 33 species (20 native and 13 exotic) the Peas - Fabaceae with 16 species (11 native and 5 exotic) and Chenopods - Chenopodiaceae with 7 species (all native). Most of the other families are represented by only a few species. There are four fern species.\n\nThe woodland flora has most affinities with dry country areas, and many of the species also grow in drier inland NSW. Mount Annan, with an average annual rainfall of 825 mm, is part of the driest part of Sydney, and most of the native woodland plants are adapted to periodic droughts and dry conditions.\n\nMany of the exotic species were introduced and spread around by domestic stock in the 19th and 20th centuries when the land was used for grazing and agriculture. A few of the exotic species are horticultural or ornamental plants that have run wild, notably African Olive *Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Cotton Bush *Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Paddys Lucerne *Sida rhombifolia and Heliotrope *Heliotropium amplexicaule.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8771206140518188}
{"content": "Welcome to the inner thoughts of my sick mind:\nI finally know the answer to the question that has been haunting me since I started working in this office:\nQuestion: Which toilet is used least, in the ladies room??\n\nAnswer: The second from the right.\n\nWhy: Because at 09:30 this morning the lid was still up. No woman in their right mind would put the lid up after peeing. If they do, they are in the wrong bathroom. It is an underwritten rule (in the world of germ-o-phobes) that in a ladies bathroom, when the lid is still up, your seat has been freshly cleaned.\nOf course I have been secretly keeping track of which stall receives the least amount of traffic. The last and first stalls are the most popular - always occupied. It is rare to see the second and third stalls filled – so I was debating between the two. Well, after 10 months of internal note taking, I have my answer.\n\nSo. Pecking order of stalls from most traffic to least traffic:\n1. first stall\n2. last stall\n3. third stall\n4. second stall\n\nP.S. Don’t everyone start using that second stall. Its mine.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9888638854026794}
{"content": " EMPIRE TOURS - Tours Operator for Czech Republic and Central Europe\n\n\nSalzburg is known especially as a town, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. It is a town in Austria.\n\nSalzburg means “salt castle”. It was named after salt mines which we can find its area. History of Salzburg started in the year 15 B.C.The Roman Empire merged the settlements into one city. At this time, the city was called \"Juvavum\" and was awarded the status of a Roman municipium in 45 AD. In 739 was founded in Salzburg bishopric, the city became the seat of the bishop. In 774, the first Salzburg Cathedral was built.\n\nSalzburg is joined mainly with the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was born in 1756 in Salzburg and was from the year 1769 to 1781 in the service of the Prince Archbishop. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most famous composers in the World. His “A Little Night Music” is a unique music arts.\n\nSalzburg is quite small town with a very nice art soul. You can feel music and 18th century everywhere.\n\nSalzburg is known by its famous type of praline, named “Mozart Balls”. It was originally created by the Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürstem in 1890. The praline is a ball of pistachio marzipan, coated in a chocolate. The praline has been and still remains a handle made product, protected by a trademark. In honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the pralines was named after him.\n\nYou could stroll the streets of the Old Town Salzburg, visit the Old Residence of the Prince Archbishops, contemplate in Salzburg Dom (Cathedral), enjoy the Fortress Hohen Salzburg or in your mind hear the Sound of Music in Mirabell Palace Gardens.\n\nYour trip will be set up by your individual needs.\n\n©2004-2017 Empire Tours", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8939947485923767}
{"content": "Войти как пользователь\nSign in with:\n\nRinad Temirbekov: Government and NGOs must learn to report about changes in society\n\n17 Марта 2017 Almaty. March 17. KazTAG - Vladimir Radionov. One of the latest trends in the non-governmental sector of Kazakhstan is the fact that the Government tends to pay for the NGOs services, while the number of grants from the international organizations has been going down replaced by the state order.\nExecutive Director of the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) Rinad Temirbekov believes the Government has different criteria  of NGOs selection for cooperation, while the public should learn to report not on the money spent, but on the changes achieved as a result of their work.\nHowever, the process of changes must be reciprocal: state bodies also need to learn how to make a long-term analysis of NGOs work, as the real effectiveness of various projects can be seen in 2-3 years of their implementation.\nOur talk with R. Temirbekov will focus on the professional level of Kazakhstani NGOs, opportunities of their cooperation with the state bodies and  public usefulness of this cooperation.\n\n- Rinad, if we talk about the work of NGOs, we should make clear, in your opinion what is their professional level? Sometimes it seems that most of our public figures are trying to play on emotions.\n\n- If we take the total number of the registered NGOs (including quasi-NGOs, existing only on paper), then the percentage of really working and useful ones won't be high. But if you look at those organizations that work, the overall level of their development is getting higher and higher. Many NGOs have already activated business processes from the point of view of the management. NGOs are not the entities isolated from society and living out of time: the society is developing - the organizations are developing as well. Among them there are formed, experienced, authoritative organizations.\n\nIn fact, conditionally NGOs are divided into the categories according to their specialization. There are some that work on the level of state bodies, when they can make proposals on equal terms with the Government members, develop bills, procedures, standards and defend them. That is, they are engaged in the development of \"rules of the game\" at the macro level.\n\nThere are NGOs which were originally created to work at the level of an ordinary citizen, they often represent the interests and protect the rights of socially vulnerable groups of people. So to say they provide legal aid. Although the right for accessible legal aid was announced in our country, the mechanisms do not function to the full. Therefore, there are always categories of people for whom certain services are not available - as lawyers do not aspire to go to the villages.\n\nI believe that if someone wants to be a full-fledged member of the dialogue at one level or another, he must be competent, he is supposed to present information objectively, and not emotionally, to be a professional. NGOs sometimes need to look at themselves from the outside and see new opportunities of mutual benefit for each other, to learn from each other. There is no competition, the practice of the NGOs shows there will be no progress if the society is based on yesterday's stereotypes.\n\nAn NGO can continuously build progressive projects up to the state level, but if the population does not feel the need for them, if there is inertia and dependency sentiments there will be no progress. Therefore, the most effective projects are those which are aimed at the interests of the community, so you need the ability to catch this mood and mobilize, to make an effort. You can scold the Government for as long as you like, but if you cannot do gymnastics in the morning or clean your yard - what has it to do with the Government?\n\n- You are talking about the welfare mentality in the society. And if you look at the other side, one can say about the NGOs the same way - \"grants eaters\" that work for their own profit. And such sentiments prevail. Why is this happening?\n\n- Because there is a reason to think so. There are NGOs created solely to attract grants. Perhaps they are excellent guys and think that they are useful. But if you only aim to get a grant and work it out,  such an organization will not go far, you need a mission, goals, vision of your achievement, consistency and systematic work to progress.\nThere are organizations that work systematically in one direction and achieve results- they change processes, and life changes in that group of people for whose interests the organizations work.\n\nAs for the improvement of work, life itself makes corrections. Lately there have been less classical sources of funding for NGOs - from the international organizations, etc. - they say, Kazakhstan is already a developed country, and the volume of aid is reduced. At the same time, financing is increasing within the state order and from the private sector - from various corporations.\nThe Government has developed its own centralized funding mechanism. On one hand, it's good as with an appropriate control everything will be systematic and transparent. But if transparency suffers and people do not understand the priorities of selection for funding - there will be restrictions.\n\nNow I see more advantages. Therefore, the challenge concerning sustainability of NGOs is deep, and this aspect - whether it is financial sustainability or a program - is least developed.\n\nWhat is \"program sustainability\"? This is a management case in which if an organization has to leave the area of work for some time, then for the previous period it should accumulate the potential partners, followers, to carry out the task, to have a chance to receive substitute support from the partner organizations. If others believe in the value of what the organization does, which is vital, then the work goes in the correct way.\n\nFinancial sustainability is also not only the balance  of the debit with a credit, but it is also an ability to accumulate resources for development - to attend conferences, engage in scientific work, and conduct research.\n\n- Since we've mentioned the state order for NGOs, I cannot help remembering the cautious attitude of the majority of public figures to it. They said that there was an intention to put them on a \"short leash\" this way. What do you think?\n\n-  Dialogue and balance should dominate in the priorities definition. The Government has the right to \"order music\" - it is also a beneficiary, state bodies in this case are interested party, they have their own vision on how to develop further. The same thing concerns NGOs - they may have the idea about pressure points and prospects. And if the work of the NGO is focused on changing, say, a whole public cluster, interaction with the state is inevitable: it can concern the changes in the legislation, normative-legal acts and etc.\n\nAnd today I can see positive trends in the activity of the state body responsible for the state order. According to the results of the second tender (they were announced recently), a third of the lots of the state order concerned the research in order to identify the needs. This is the right approach: in order to determine the focus for future work, it is necessary to collect objective information. The next stages will be the result of joint research and analytical work of NGOs and state bodies.\n\nThe second problem is monitoring of effectiveness of projects implemented for the account of the budget. We need a certain mechanism that will clearly define the following parameters: an organization got funding, it performed the work, what is the result? Social projects  are long-term, they need time. It takes a year or two to make the mechanism work. Monitoring standards are also being developed. In general, I am optimistic about this experience.\n\nBut speaking in medical language, one organ cannot be healthy, when the whole organism is prone to systemic failures from time to time: if blood circulation is broken - all the organs will suffer. And if we consider the NGOs development within the framework of the system development of the state and society - we are aware about the problems which exist. This is corruption, and the lack of systematic approaches in assessing the programs' effectiveness. New projects are being developed - national, business projects, etc., and after a while, even the deputies ask the questions: we open factories, but which of them keep on operating in 2-4 years’ time?\n\nIs the objective information available anywhere: like for a certain period of time this number of new industries was launched, of them a certain number was closed for various reasons, while a certain number of enterprises reached the production capacities and etc.? This information should be collected by grains. So the system problems will affect the effectiveness of public organizations.\n\n- Another problem of state order: the inconsistency of the allocated finances for the project with the tasks that it is supposed to resolve. The representatives of the non-governmental sector also speak much about it. Does the state save at the expense of quality?\n\n- I do not want to say that there is some evil intent. At this moment you need to look at this from two sides, every medal has two sides.\n\nI will not deny that on the one hand there are certain drawbacks in the planning of cost and volumes of work. But, on the other hand, no one forces to take this money. We often tell our partners: if you see initially that a particular  project is unrealistic - do not participate in the tender. And if all the NGOs said at once that it would not work that way and withdrew their applications, maybe it would be good too. Most likely, the life of quasi-NGOs would facilitate, which were originally created in order to take money. But this is the ethical side of the matter.\n\nWhen the first tender within the framework of the new mechanism of social partnership between the state and NGOs was announced, there was such a situation: there were programs that seemed interesting to us, but when we looked at the total cost, we immediately realized that expenses would not be covered. And we did not participate, but we gave a recommendation: operating expenses must be planned to cover trainings, high-quality analytics, and etc. And more time was needed.\n\nThe position \"do not want - do not take it\" does not mean that NGOs should lay down their hands and do nothing. If you and the society believe that your activity is necessary, there will certainly be people ready to support this activity. The work of NGOs is socially oriented services. The methods of administration and management are the same in the NGOs and in the business structures. Sources of funding should be different. People will buy valuable services. And due to this you can provide the same service for free to a certain group of people. It is necessary to approach it in a balanced way.\nDespite my critical attitude,  I have a hope that the state procurement mechanism is a good idea, but time will show what it will be like in the future.\n\nDoes the Government see partners but not \"influence agents\" in the NGOs now?\n\n- If sane people work in the state bodies, they know that NGOs can be good sources, for instance, for expertise, that NGOs can do part of the work at their own expense. There is understanding of the role of NGOs - not so long ago the Prime Minister spoke about this. So there is general understanding of partnership.\n\nBut the devil lies in the details - in the implementation, as it all happens in reality. Here there are often a lot of questions. If an official has a formal approach to this (if he needs to gather 10 NGOs in the public council - he invites those who hang upon his lips), then the result allegedly done work will be formal. But at the same time, there are agencies that understand the need to transfer as many functions as possible to the public organizations, there are examples in the regions.\n\nAnother thing is that it should be turned into the national rule, so that the best practices spread as quickly as possible, so that was a troubleshooting mechanism. We lack the system of approaches: analysis, consistency, continuity. And we do not have continuity at the highest levels: new heads in the Ministries forget what their predecessors did on this post, they try to present their vision as something new, completely without relying on the experience that had been accumulated.\n\nFor instance, about five years ago we attended one Ministry where officials told us about creation of a business incubator as an innovation. In turn, we reminded them that in 2003 the Government had already issued a decree on business incubators creation. They could have done an analysis why the idea didn't work to avoid further mistakes.\n\nIn this respect, I like the Chinese approach: they never spit in their history. Even about Mao Zedong they said that  30% of its activities were wrong, and 30% were correct. They give adequate assessment to all that happened and try to learn from the past. With this analysis they rapidly progress.\n\nWe also need to introduce as many assessments of influence as possible. Not in terms of  \"where the money was spent\" but to report what happened, whether the mechanism is effective and how the situation changes in 2-3 years. We don't have much of it in the Government and in non-Governmental sector.\n\n- Thank you for the interview!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9143927693367004}
{"content": "Purveyor of Pleasure\n\n\nCategory: Discourse (Page 4 of 4)\n\nSemantics Sunday: Gender Galaxy\n\nOne of the terms I have in my lexicon but also something that I could expound upon for quite some time. I was talking with someone recently about my idea of the gender galaxy and she said something about liking femininity, not wanting to give it up. I kind of balked at her and asked how that was what I was saying at all. I find it so ridiculous that people assume that taking gender off of a binary means that femininity must go away.\n\nOn one hand, it makes sense, because a lot of the work of the feminist movement has been, basically, to do the same work as patriarchy and discredit femininity only from the other side of it, discrediting it from the inside, because it’s constructed. One thing I love about the idea of performativity is that it names everything as a performance, the constructed nature about the way we think about gender, but it doesn’t mean that we all don’t have some sort of pull toward one or many types of gender expression.\n\nBut, I digress. The term “gender galaxy” first appeared in Expanding Gender and Expanding the Law: Toward a Social and Legal Conceptualization of Gender that is More Inclusive of Transgender People by Dylan Vade, published in 2005 in the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law. He says:\n\nI suggest a non-linear alternative conceptualization, which I call the gender galaxy. The gender galaxy is a three-dimensional non-linear space in which every gender has a location that may or may not be fixed. For instance, butch woman is one particular gender location. Feminine FTM is another gender location. These are two different valid gender locations that are not linearly related.\n\nThe article is fascinating, and I highly encourage you to read it as well, for further information of his explanations. He mentions that generally when we try to go away from the two options of (he uses male and female but to me those are sex categories rather than gender, and so I would say masculine and feminine) gender we move it onto a spectrum instead of just a one-or-the-other option. However, moving it onto a spectrum means it is still grounded in that binary, and his idea of a gender galaxy is moving away from that, as mentioned in the quote above.\n\nGender galaxy is a term that Sinclair of SugarButch has written about and defines, and I highly encourage all you who haven’t to look at his brilliant writings on the subject. One of the best examples of his writing about the gender galaxy comes from his telling of his journey of learning how to navigate within the gender galaxy and finding his identity as butch:\n\n\n\nI’m working on a post of my own personal galaxy map to femme, how I’ve gotten here, what it means to me, and I’m hoping to be done with that soon. In the meantime, you have Sinclair’s to reference and my ideas of gender galaxy to ponder, as follows.\n\nBasically I see the gender galaxy as having lots of little solar systems, with the sun or focal point of that solar system being a certain gender identity. There are some people who stay in orbit around one sun. Some are closer than others, like the difference between Mercury and Jupiter, and some are farther away and have irregular courses like Neptune. Still others are asteroids or comets, moving around multiple solar systems, moving through the gender galaxy itself without one focal point or another. Some people may inhabit two planets or three or four. The beauty of the gender galaxy is the limitless amount of possibilities.\n\nObviously, as my own gender identity includes femme and therefore includes femininity (or, femmeininity) I am not anti-femininity, nor do I believe that gender should be abolished or that the gender galaxy is getting rid of gender, on the contrary. Gender is even more emphasized in some ways in the gender galaxy, except instead of confining it the gender galaxy makes gender overly available. Opening up gender from a gender binary or even a gender continuum to a gender galaxy makes it so that there are no expressions of gender that are considered incorrect. We would no longer be able to fail at gender, either, as there is no set limits as to what gender is or could be.\n\nAnother Slight Semantic Difference\n\nSo I, basically, shun the word “slave” as many of you may know, and yet I still use the term Master. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, and the more I think about it the less I like the term “Master.” It implies some of the same things that “slave” does, only from the other end of it, my problem thus far as been the lack of a better term.\n\nThe terms Sir and Lord just are not that appealing to me either. I can appreciate the appeal, but I just don’t have a strong tie to either of them, so they don’t do much for me. While I can understand the desire for either, neither of them click with me, they don’t seem quite fitting. I hear Sir flung around like crazy online, and Lord just seems like a little much.\n\nI like the term Owner, it’s a little more neutral than Master, though has similar connotations, not all of them bad, however. Owner is closer to what I want than Master is, but it’s still not quite right. It sounds strange to call someone Owner, such as “Owner just said something funny,” it doesn’t quite work the same way Master does, it just sounds a little funny.\n\nI like the term Dominus as well, technically it means both Lord and Master, and doesn’t have all the same connotations as Master or even Owner does. I talked extensively about my use of the term Domina just last Sunday, and I feel similarly with the term Dominus, it’s regal and delicious. I left the post by asking about why people don’t use the term Dominus, and maybe I will begin to. The problem with Dominus is similar to Owner, “Dominus just said something funny,” sounds strange as well. Perhaps I just need to either shift my perspective on it, or choose one.\n\nThe biggest component of this, really, is how Master/Owner/Dominus feels about it. I haven’t really talked to him about it, but I plan on it. I like referring to him by a title, as he is the only one which I do call by a title. It takes a lot for me to call someone by a title, just as it takes a lot for me to say anything which I mean and which could make me in the least bit vulnerable. He is one of the few people that I have ever called Master, and possibly the last.\n\nSemantics Sunday: Domina\n\nSemantics Sunday is the day for me to write my own definition of a word, how I feel about a word, and how it relates to me personally and my own identities. This could be anything sexual, gender, bdsm, and poly/relationship oriented, or anything else I feel like throwing in. This is simply my definition and understanding of the word, and not meant to be the only definition that is or could be. If you have an alternate definition, if you agree with my interpretation, or if you have something to add which I left out or which needs correcting, feel free to let me know in the comments!\n\nFor my first Semantics Sunday I figured I should use a word that is near and dear to my heart. Since I have already given my lengthy definition of cuntpet I decided I should focus on the other of my identities: Domina.\n\nI recently created a new channel on irc.bondage.com, where I am quite frequently, called #Fiery_Dominas. This is the first channel with Domina in the channel name, which is part of the reason why I started it, however it has inspired comments such as “What is dominas? Dommes plural?” which is relatively ridiculous considering for one thing, Dommes is Domme plural, and for another thing Domina is a fantastic and real Latin word, unlike Domme, which is a slang term.\n\nNow, on one hand, I feel there is nothing wrong with slang terms, and think that they should be used and incorporated, and Domme basically incorporates Dom and Femme (as in french for female, not queer femme), which is not horrible in general, and is rather logical. However, now that I have discovered and embraced Domina, Domme sounds silly to me, it is nowhere near as linguistically luscious or regal-sounding as Domina is, and it doesn’t inspire the same awe. I also feel that Domina is a much more feminine term than Domme, which is partly why I’m so partial to it as well.\n\nBasically, Domina comes from the Latin root dom- found in other such words as dominate, domify, domicile, and domestic, as well as domin- such as dominant and dominus. From various sources I find that “dom-” actually relates to a household or realm, and the actual Latin translation of Domina or Dominus (the male counterpart), is “Lady or Lord of the house/realm.” This makes sense, considering dom- relating also to words such as domicile and domestic. The prefix domin- alone (supposedly) indicates regal status, such as Lady/Lord, or Mistress/Master, which is why Domina is the feminine and Dominus is the masculine (the suffix -a being feminine, and the suffix -us being masculine).\n\nThis brings us to the question, if we use Dom and not Dominus, why should we use Domina and not Domme? Well, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t ever use Domme, I’m just saying that I don’t want to use Domme, and furthermore, we could use Dominus as well, should a male dominant desire to be called that. I’m not going to condemn others for using the term Domme, but I do not identify with the term and will not be using it for myself or for others unless specifically requested.\n\nLabels: Useful but Often Problematic\n\nI posted much of this (though not all of it) on my BDSM Theory group on FetLife last night. The post is here though I believe you have to be logged in to read it. On to the ideas.\n\nI believe that labels are like nearly everything else: they have a purpose, but they are often used incorrectly. When thought of as finite and static they lose their purpose. The purpose of labels is to define someone at one particular moment in time.\n\nWe are ever-changing and ever-growing creatures. As is said: the only thing constant is change. Most contemporary psychological personality theory centers around the fact that personality changes over time and through different experiences and situations. There may or may not be some basic tenets to the personality and there may or may not be a biological component (as is debated often ad nauseam). However, just about everyone agrees that there are significant changes which happen over time in personality.\n\nSo, why would we want to think of ourselves in static finite terms? We wouldn’t! What fun would that be, to box ourselves in to one term or another, and yet we do it all the time. What are labels but nouns and adjectives? What are roles that we subscribe to but labels? The trap of labels is to believe that they are finite and never-changing, this is true of nearly any label.\n\nThe idea that we so often miss is that labels are a category, but not a be all and end all of what one person is or is not.\n\nAn example: you order a burger at a restaurant. While this is a burger, it could be made of beef, turkey, chicken, soy, vegetables, black beans, or something else entirely. It could come with: lettuce, tomato, onion, mushrooms, pickles, garlic, pastrami, bacon, swiss cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, provolone, smoked gouda, or any number of toppings. It could also have: mayo, mustard, ketchup, ranch, hummus, barbecue sauce, or any number of sauces. It could be served on: whole wheat, white, sesame seed, rosetta… I think you get my point. These combinations create an almost infinite number of variations under the common label of “burger.” So it is with any label.\n\nJust because someone adopts the label of “queer,” for instance, or “slave” it does not mean that anyone else who inhabits these labels looks at all like this person. This queer slave could be male, female, transgendered, transsexual, masculine, feminine, genderqueer, etc. and may be a service slave, a sexual slave, both service and sexual, a brat, part-time, 24/7, a pro slave, live-in, or some combination thereof. This person could have various fetishes such as humiliation, force, objectification, boots, heels, non-sexual service, rope bondage, metal bondage, pain, or anything else. This person in other aspects of life could be a CEO, an artist, an auto mechanic, a teacher, a writer, a sys admin, a starship captain, or anything else.\n\nI think you see my point with that as well. Labels are good for describing generic categories which someone is part of or embraces, but are not good for getting a specific idea of what the person is like, or even what they think, do, or feel. They give a general idea about one general area of a person, but everything else is up for grabs.\n\nWhile I think we all know this to an extent, it is hard to get away from automatic categorization and stereotyping. I will be the first to admit that I often fall prey to stereotypes, though I have been working to train myself to ignore them, they are so ingrained in us that it is nearly impossible to get out of them. If we were to see someone was a 20 year old straight female slave, for example, I’m sure just from those four descriptors most everyone who read them formed an idea of the person. Even I did.\n\nI think that labels are useful and necessary, and I definitely have a sort of OCD tendency to nitpick my own labels (so far as I have created my own label for myself as well) in order to best explain and express myself to the world, just as you said.\n\nMy point is that labels are often attached to other labels, when that may not always be the case, such as the thinking that if someone is x, y, and z, therefore they must also be a, b, and c.\n\nEmpowerment and Submission\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSome days I have very little to say D/s wise, and on these days I’m quiet.\n\nI’m working on a paper for my Queer Theory class exploring BDSM, which should be interesting. I’m having a very hard time narrowing down a concept. I’m thinking of exploring gender, using Venus in Furs and Secretary, or possibly Venus in Furs and a scene which I will describe. Another option is marriage and BDSM, I know quite a few Dommes and male subs who won’t participate in it due to the misogyny associated with it, and since it pretty much goes the opposite of their roles, similarly, in ViF Wanda asserts that she could never marry someone who was subordinate to her, if she was to marry it would be to a Dominant man. I also know many female subs who want to get married to their Dom. And then there’s me…\n\nOther than that… marriage would be easy to do, but I’m not sure if I could write twelve pages on it, though… possibly. I may add marriage into a paper on gender, and I could add something on gender supremacy within BDSM and also some things I’ve already talked about in here.\n\nMy Prof. agreed that basically at this point the hardest part for me will be narrowing down a topic. I think I just need to choose one and run with it, but there is so much that I would like to explore. Whatever I do I’ll end up posting it here, to be sure. It’s two weeks from the end of the semester, so I may be quite absent these next two weeks.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n(3) “degraded – Definitions from Dictionary.com\n\nRhetorical Gymnastics\n\nPostmodernism is “ultimately meaningless rhetorical gymnastics” according to some.\n\nYes, yes it is. And I love it.\n\nThis was posted on another site, apparently this is what it used to say before a rewrite?\n“Postmodernism’s proponents are often criticised for a tendency to indulge in exhausting, verbose stretches of rhetorical gymnastics, which critics feel sound important but are ultimately meaningless. (Some postmodernists may argue that this is precisely the point). calum, from wikepedia, Feb 19,2005”\n\n\nPower Drag\n\n\n\nWhat does it mean?\n\nWhy is it important?\n\nGender drag is to Gender as Power drag is to Power?\n\n\nPage 4 of 4\n\nPowered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6788113117218018}
{"content": "P.B.Tours Thailand TravelBeachesThailandCambodiaMyanmarLaosVietnam Thailand Travel\n\nWe Design custom tours to Thailand Cambodia Laos Myanmar and Vietnam\n\nNo.01064 No.11/2713\n\n\nThailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia. You can find almost anything here: shopping places, great food, thick jungle, crystal blue beaches, cheap beach front bungalows and some of the best luxury hotels in the world. There is something for every interest and every budget. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential identity with its own unique culture and history and a carefree people famed for their smiles.\n\nKo Tarutao\nKo Tarutao is one of the 51 islands that belong to the Tarutao National Marine Park archipelago in southern Thailand. One of Tarutao's greatest attraction is its wildlife: sea turtles, whales, monitor lizards, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer and more all call the island and its surrounding waters home. Compared to other Andaman islands the waters of Ko Tarutao are to murky to snorkel, but for most, the unspoilt beaches, waterfalls, great hiking and views more than compensate for this.\n\nAyuthaya was founded in 1350 AD by King U Thong as the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. Throughout the centuries, the ideal location between China, India and the Malay Archipelago made Ayutthaya the trading capital of Asia. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become one of the largest cities in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. The city was re-founded a few kilometers to the east of the ruins, which now form the Ayutthaya historical park. Most of the remains are temples and palaces, as those were the only buildings made of stone at that time.\n\nKo Chang\nLocated near the border with Cambodia, Ko Chang is the second largest island in Thailand and the biggest in the Ko Chang Marine Park archipelago. Ko Chang is one of Thailand's most beautiful islands with several waterfalls, thriving coral reefs, rainforests and long white sandy beaches. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including birds, snakes, deer and a number of elephants. Only very recently, in less than ten years, Ko Chang has turned itself in to a major tourist destination in Thailand, and while still far quieter than islands like Phuket or Ko Samui, it's probably better to go now than later.\n\nGrand Palace\n\nSimilan Islands\n\nChiang Mai Walking Street\n\n\nPhang Nga Bay\nLocated just over 95 km (60 miles) from the island of Phuket, Phang Nga Bay is one of the top attractions in Thailand and one of most scenic areas in the country. It consists of beautiful caves, aquatic grottoes and limestone islands. The most famous island in the bay is a sea stack called Ko Ping Kan (more commonly known as James Bond Island) which was featured in the James Bond movie \"The Man with the Golden Gun\". A popular way of visiting Phang Nga Bay is by sea kayak as they are the only way to get inside the grottoes and sea caves.\n\nKoh Tao\nKoh Tao, literally Turtle Island, is a small island located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Around 7000 new divers get certified on Koh Tao each year making it one of the most popular destinations in the world to learn to dive. Diving around the island reefs is easy and fun and you can see an impressive variety of marine species such as coral, turtles, lots of small fish, barracudas and there is a very small chance of seeing a whale shark. The average visibility is around 15-20 meters.\n\nKo Phi Phi\no Phi Phi is a small archipelago in the Krabi Province in Southern Thailand. Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants while the smaller Ko Phi Phi Leh is very popular as a beach or dive excursion. Tourism on Ko Phi Phi has exploded only very recently, especially after Ko Phi Phi Leh was used as a location for the 2000 movie The Beach. As a result of the masses of tourists Ko Phi Phi is becoming less and less attractive but for now it is still a very beautiful place to visit.\n\n\nP.B. Tours Thailand www.pbtours.com\n560/146 Klaosiam Condo Dindaeng Rd., Bangkok 10400 Thailand\nTel : 662-6424200-3 Fax: 662-2468073 Email : office [at] pbtours.com\n\nLinks : Hong Kong Hotels | Thailand Hotels and Day trips | SIngapore Hotels | Bali Hotels | Malaysia Hotels", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5576542615890503}
{"content": "Шаблон к прошоу\n\nAllows for the strength of leveling to be adjusted as needed, or even disabled. Blu-ray output can be accessed from the Publish menu, the toolbar in the Publish view, or the Publishing Formats pane. Alignment controls which direction the text expands in when additional lines of text are added. New categories make it easy to find specific profiles for common uses, like mobile devices, online services, and disc-based formats.\n\nСкачать: Метод рекомендації 11 (А5).pdf\n\nПохожие записи:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9708428978919983}
{"content": "Efficiently keeping an optimal stripification over a CLOD mesh\n\nPorcu M. B. , Sanna N., Scateni R.\n\nIn this paper we present an algorithm of simple implementation but very effective that guarantees to keep an optimal stripification (in term of frames per seconds) over a progressive mesh. The algorithm builds on-the-fly the stripification on a mesh at a selected level-of-details (LOD) using the stripifications built, during a pre-processing stage, at the lowest and highest LODs. To reach this goal the algorithm uses two different operations on the dual graph of the mesh: when the user changes the mesh resolution the mesh+strips local configuration is looked up in a table and, after a vertex split operation, the strips are rearranged accordingly, immediately after a sequence of special topological operation called &#8220;tunneling&#8221; with short tunnel length are started till the number of isolated triangles in the mesh get under 10% of the total number of strips. Moreover, when the user select a relevant LOD it can trigger a tunnelling with higher tunnel length to optimize the stripification. Using these operations we are able to keep the progressive mesh stripified in a time of the same order of magnitude of the time needed to change the resolution and, only if required, to perform a time-demanding optimization. Only the stripifications generated by explicit user requests are stored to serve as optimal starting points for further inspection. In this way we can always feed the graphics board with a triangle strip representation of the mesh at any LOD.\nThe results we present demonstrate that we can tightly couple each sequence of vertex splits used to increase the resolution of the progressive mesh with: a simple rearrangement of the strips followed by a very cheap stripification search with a predetermined strategy. A strong feature of the method is that the local rearrangement leads to an implementation that keeps almost constant the execution time. The results of the visualization benchmarks are very good: comparing the rendering of the stripified (using this strategy) and the non stripified meshes we can, on average, double the frames per seconds rate.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8026843667030334}
{"content": "pgmabel [-help] [-axis axis] [-factor factor] [-pixsize pixsize]\n[-left | -right] [-verbose] [filespec]\n\nThis program is part of Netpbm.\n\npgmabel reads as input a PGM image, which it assumes to be an image of\na rotational symmetric transparent object. The image must have a ver-\ntical symmetry axis. pgmabel produces as output an image of a cross-\nsection of the image.\n\npgmabel does the calculation by performing the Abel Integration for\nDeconvolution of an axial-symmetrical image by solving the system of\nlinear equations.\n\nAfter integration, pgmabel weights all gray-values of one side by the\nsurface area of the calculated ring in square pixels divided by 4*fac-\ntor multiplied by the size of one pixel (pixsize). With the -verbose\noption, pgmabel prints the weighting factors.\n\nWhere the caculation generates a negative result, the output is black.\n\nThe computation is unstable against periodic structures with size 2 in\nthe vertical direction.\n\nYou can abbreviate any option to its shortest unique prefix.\n\n-help Prints a help message.\n\n-axis axis\n\n-factor factor\n\n-pixsize pixsize\n\n-left Calculate only the left side of the image. You cannot specify\n\n-right Analogous to -left.\n\n\nRotate a PGM image to get an image with a vertical axis of symmetry,\nthen calculate the cross section:\n\npnmrotate 90 file.pgm | pgmabel -axis 140 >cross_section.pgm\n\npnmrotate, pgm,\n\nThis program was added to Netpbm in Release 10.3 (June 2002).\n\nVolker Schmidt (lefti@voyager.boerde.de)\n\nCopyright (C) 1997-2002 German Aerospace research establishment", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996612668037415}
{"content": "Did you know that Ayurveda only became a popular health system in India in modern times? And, that it was predominantly used in an allopathic context- that is, using herbs and treatments to minimise symptoms?\n\nInteresting, huh?\n\nIt interests me a lot, as the foundation of Ayurveda is all about understanding and harmonising our life with the laws of material nature, so we can lead a lifestyle that is conducive to spirituality. AND, one of the biggest key factors of the Ayurvedic approach to health is that it is a PREVENTATIVE health care system.\nIt’s interesting that the roots of Ayurveda have been somewhat dissolved in it’s own mother country.\n\nSo what does this mean for Ayurveda in modern times?\n\nWell, it means that there is a need for people to step into the gap, and become an important part of Ayurveda as it’s taught in modern medical history.\n\nIt means there is an exciting opportunity to learn and pass on the essential teachings of Ayurveda, from which people become empowered to take ownership of their healing journey, living life in a way that promotes optimal wellbeing, not just the absence of disease.\n\nThere is a VAST amount of knowledge making up the foundations of Ayurveda. Of which treatment is second to. Herbs and treatments are an important limb of Ayurveda, but they are not ‘Ayurveda’ in its complete sense. Just as asanas (physical postures) are not ‘yoga’, but a technique used on the path of yoga.\n\nSo! Back to being excited!\n\n…‘Ayurveda’ may not be the far out technical medicinal system that you think it is.\n\nYes Ayurvedic practices include Pancakarma, self-care, herbology, cooking, shirodhara, surgery, astrology AND MORE (awesome, right?).\n\nHowever, the foundational teachings that make up Ayurveda are something that EVERYONE can learn and apply to their life, and have little to do with the limbs of treatment.\n\nCommonly known as ‘right living’, lasting healing takes place when an individual understands and takes ownership for their life through living life properly – i.e healthy eating, exercise, meditation, sleeping well, etc. Without this, we can easily get caught on loop, going from treatment to treatment, without getting to the root cause of the problem. This ‘right living’ approach to health enables people to have some control over their own health/healing process.\n\nThis means engaging in daily activities that promote health and vitality.\nThis means not handing over their problems to a therapist; rather using therapies as part of their healing process.\nThis means not expecting that herbs alone will solve their problems; rather integrating herbs as medicine to assist in their healing process.\nThis also means, taking responsibility for their state of mind and seeking a pathway to managing their senses, energy channels and mental processes; as opposed to relying solely on a substance or therapist to relieve stress or anxiety.\n\nAyurveda promotes powerful transformation and healing, through nurturing people to discover themselves; to contemplate; to understand how their environment and lifestyle affects them; to truly know who they are; and live a life that prioritises health, happiness and spirituality.\nI 100% believe that EVERYONE can learn Ayurveda.\nAnd that EVERYONE can benefit from Ayurveda.\n\nAyurveda is a powerful method for true, holistic transformation.\nI have seen people come off drugs, let go of eating disordered behaviours, depression, and more, simply by applying the fundamental principals of Ayurveda.\n\nWithout NLP.\nWithout positive thinking and affirmations.\nWithout ‘manifesting’.\nWithout additional substances or herbs.\nWithout Pancakarma, heavy detoxing, or strict dieting.\nAnd best of all, without force.\n\nI’m not saying it’s easy, but it is the kind of system that once you ‘get it’, you’re changed forever. You don’t wrestle with dogmatic or strict guidelines. You simply know and understand, develop your awareness, and move through life with a clearer consciousness.\n\nAnd THAT’S exciting.\n\nBecause when you’re not bound up thinking about your bodily struggles or mental health issues, you have time, space and energy to contemplate and act upon what’s REALLY exciting: living for you higher purpose. Imagine the influence that would have on society as a whole?\n\nExciting, right?!\n\nLet’s do this together.\nWalk the path of knowledge and understanding.\nWhile we empower others to do the same\nNew Study Pathways Available:\nAyurveda Self Study Course 30hrs\nAyurvedic Transformation Coaching (ATC 350hrs)\nLife Coaching Masterclass (ATC 500hrs)\n**super affordable payment plans available\n\nPLUS: all students have access to the Transformation Clinic – my online group coaching program. So you can implement as you learn, and get the support you need to go through your own incredible transformation! (included in the cost of the course fees)\n\nRegister your interest via the button below to receive the course outline (which will be released in 3 days!), MASSIVE discounts, and a complimentary consult!\n\nsamantha signature\nGrab my free ebook here:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8024123311042786}
{"content": "Training Faulty Brains to Work Better\n\nNew treatments may help schizophrenics.\n\nWhenever I speak to educators and interested laypeople about neuroplasticity—the ability of the adult brain to change in function and structure—one of the questions I often get is whether neuroplasticity can be tapped to treat truly devastating brain diseases such as Alzheimer's or schizophrenia. After all, neuroplasticity has been used to treat stroke, depression, dyslexia, and other diseases or injuries of the brain. The jury is still out on Alzheimer's (though since this disease involves massive neuronal death, my bet is that the answer will, sadly, be no). But to my surprise, the answer to schizophrenia might just be yes.\n\nIn schizophrenia, which affects about 1.1 percent of American adults, patients suffer from visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, an absence of emotion, and cognitive deficits. All told, that seemed to be just too much for an approach based on neuroplasticity, which involves retraining the brain, to handle.\n\nBut it turns out that at least some of the symptoms of schizophrenia can be lifted with brain training. In a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, scientists led by Sophia Vinogradov of the University of California, San Francisco, describe what they call \"neuroplasticity-based auditory training\" to improve memory in people with schizophrenia. Basically, what they did was assign 55 patients with schizophrenia to receive a cognitive-training program developed by Posit Science or to play a computer game that required just as much time and concentration. The Posit program, similar to one the company developed to improve memory in the elderly, emphasizes basic auditory and speech perception; participants used it one hour a day, five days a week, for 10 weeks. The better they got, the harder the program got: it automatically adjusts the level of difficulty to keep the patients' performance at a constant level so they stay engaged.\n\nFisher and her colleagues found that the brain-trained group showed noticeably bigger improvements in cognition and verbal working memory than the game-playing control group. A better memory would give people with schizophrenia a better chance of doing the little tasks of daily life—remembering what and when to eat, how to dress, how to behave in public—that make them more likely to hold a job and live independently.\n\nThe emphasis on auditory training reflects the belief of UCSF's Michael Merzenich, a pioneer in neuroplasticity and cofounder of Posit, that this is the portal to improved memory and, possibly, cognition. The idea is that if you hear more clearly, then your brain makes fewer errors in encoding the information contained in speech. As Michael Green of UCLA put it in an editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry the Posit Science approach \"is unusual in that it rests heavily on neuroplasticity models ... that emphasize the consequences of a poor signal-to-noise ratio\" in hearing, \"which leads to errors and poor performance as they are fed forward for cognitive … operations.\"\n\nIt's hard to argue with even preliminary success, odd as it seems that merely hearing better could bring about such improvements in memory (and not just memory for heard words; it improves memory for seen words as well). \"This emphasis on perceptual processes is a critical insight of the Posit Science approach and a clear distinction from other cognitive-training programs,\" says Green. The significance of the new study, he says, is that \"it addresses cognitive training at a more basic neurobiological level than any previous strategy. We can hope that the dramatic effects they have reported will prove to be replicable and durable and that they will extend to meaningful effects for patients' lives.\"\n\nHope is all well and good. But schizophrenia is notable not only for its severity, but for the yawning gap between what's known to be effective and what treatments patients actually receive. Green asks rhetorically, \"if cognitive training [for schizophrenia] worked, would we not all know it by now?\" In fact, researchers do know it, and some clinicians know it, but by one estimate fewer than 15 percent of schizophrenics get it (or other treatments, rehabilitation and support that would let them live independently). In fact, in a paper earlier this year in Schizophrenia Bulletin, scientists led by Robert S. Kern of the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, were quite upbeat in their assessment of treatments for schizophrenia—none of them the problematic antipsychotic medications that in too many cases are all that people with schizophrenia receive.\n\nTake cognitive-behavior therapy. Its basic premise is that people can be taught to think about their thoughts differently. It is effective in depression (where people are taught to think about their tendency to catastrophize—\"I had a bad date; no one will ever love me because I am worthless and unlovable\"). But in something as serious as schizophrenia? Yes, Kern and his colleagues find. It turns out that, with cognitive-behavior therapy, patients who hear voices and feel persecuted can learn to see these symptoms as almost normal (in that many people experience them when, say, they are sleep deprived, under extreme stress, drunk or stoned) or as \"just\" the manifestations of a neurobiological glitch and not real. The approach is surprisingly effective, a 2008 review found.\n\nSimilarly, exercises to improve attention, learning and memory, reasoning and problem solving—which 90 percent of people with schizophrenia have problems with—also help, as this study found, and make a meaningful difference in whether the person can live independently and hold a job. The tragedy is that—due to an overburdened medical system, inadequate insurance and an inability to pay, as well as simply ignorance about how to find help—few patients with schizophrenia receive what works. The upside is that even schizophrenia might be treated by approaches that exploit the brain's ability to change in fundamental ways.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7974193096160889}
{"content": "Smart Tips For Uncovering Businesses\n\nHere’s How Your Organization Can Benefit From a Digital Transformation Digital transformation refers to the use of digital technologies by an organization to reinvent itself. In this digital age, it has become imperative for today’s companies to adapt to the newest technological trends. There are a number of benefits that come with a digital transformation, most notably improved efficiency and productivity. Let’s take a more detailed looked at some of those benefits below: Greater efficiency Consider some of the things that slow your business processes down, such as manual data entry. Manual data entry means the systems within your businesses aren’t connected to each other, which means having to waste a lot of time to get things going. There may be some process bottlenecks for some organizations. One such example is when a report has to go through the IT department, leading to unnecessary delays. A proper digital strategy could be exactly what’s needed to improve operational efficiency in your organization. With the help of a digital strategy agency, many of these bottlenecks can be eliminated by automating tasks and workflow wherever possible.\nHow I Achieved Maximum Success with Consultants\nEnhanced decision-making\nThe Path To Finding Better Services\nAs a decision maker, having access to more data can help you make better decisions. However, many organizations do not utilize this data because they do not have the tools and processes needed to process the data into meaning information. This is the reason your organization should be digitally-driven. By making use of the latest business intelligence tools, you may process the data and obtain important insights in an instant. These insights may be vital to making the best decisions for your business. Greater customer satisfaction Today’s customers’ expectations are much higher than in the past. They want to be able to access services or information at any time, with whatever device they have. Plus, they expect simplicity. So what would happen if your business is not able to provide the simplicity they’ve all come to expect? What happens when your customers get a difficult, out-of-date experience? They are quite likely to move on and look for a better experience elsewhere. On the other hand, if you can meet or even exceed the expectations of your customers, the increased customer satisfaction will ensure you’re rewarded with greater loyalty and increased productivity. Wider reach What if your clients and process could, from wherever they are and at any time, access information about your businesses and make purchases? With the rise of mobile technology, you can now put your products and services right at the fingertips of your potential customers. A digital transformation helps you to reach out to as many prospects as possible, wherever they may be. Provided you business website and applications are accessible on mobile devices, your company will be visible to prospects at all times.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.618927001953125}
{"content": "Islamic Montessori\n\nIslamic Montessori\n\nWe understand the concerns of Muslim families and our primary objective is to provide a solid foundation in Islamic studies and reinforce Islamic values in a nurturing environment. Our mission is to provide a developmentally-appropriate program based on the principles and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori and the recommendations of the latest research in early childhood education encapsulated within an Islamic atmosphere. The program incorporates Arabic language instruction and bilingual “hands on” English/Arabic interactive materials plus Islamic Studies and a beginner’s Quran recitation with Tajweed instruction designed for young children.\n\n\nGrace and Courtesy: The essence of the “Grace & Courtesy” exercises are to teach a child politeness control of their body (walking around circle gracefully), waiting turns patiently and proper manners.\n\nPractical life: The goal of Practical life exercises is to develop in a child order, coordination, and concentration, and independence. These exercises are simply various kinds of everyday household activities such as pouring water, scrubbing a table, polishing silver, sorting, lock boxes, jars and lids matching, etc.\n\nSensorial: Sensorial lessons appeal to the five senses of sound, taste, touch, smell, and sight. Children learn about shape, color, weight, size, sound, smell, and texture through concrete, hands-on experiences. This sets the basis within a child for grasping abstract ideas later on in life.\n\nLanguage: Children learn language through phonics as well as sight word vocabulary through labels in the classroom and easy-to-read books. The language materials include objects and pictures to be named, labeled, and classified to aid vocabulary development. Textured letters allow the child to feel and see the alphabet. Phonics and the “moveable alphabet” lead the child toward reading.\n\nMathematics: Montessori math work involves the children working with concrete materials to gain a solid understanding of abstract concepts. The whole math experience is very visual and kinesthetic. Children begin with hands-on pre-math work and progress in a sequential order, learning the concepts of numeration, addition, multiplication, division, subtraction, and problem solving.\n\nSocial Studies/Science: History, geography, botany, and zoology are introduced to the children in interactive and enriching ways. Students learn about our universe and our planet through maps, globes, puzzles, and other materials.\n\nArabic: The Arabic curriculum is designed to give the children impressive working knowledge of the language. The program is designed to be conversational, interesting and useful. Students learn shapes, colors and the fundamentals of the language.\n\nQur’an: Students will Insha’Allah learn 13-15 short Surahs from the Holy Quran.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8952842354774475}
{"content": "UNT Theses and Dissertations - 209 Matching Results\n\nSearch Results\n\nMobile-Based Smart Auscultation\nAutomated GUI Tests Generation for Android Apps Using Q-learning\nMobile applications are growing in popularity and pose new problems in the area of software testing. In particular, mobile applications heavily depend upon user interactions and a dynamically changing environment of system events. In this thesis, we focus on user-driven events and use Q-learning, a reinforcement machine learning algorithm, to generate tests for Android applications under test (AUT). We implement a framework that automates the generation of GUI test cases by using our Q-learning approach and compare it to a uniform random (UR) implementation. A novel feature of our approach is that we generate user-driven event sequences through the GUI, without the source code or the model of the AUT. Hence, considerable amount of cost and time are saved by avoiding the need for model generation for generating the tests. Our results show that the systematic path exploration used by Q-learning results in higher average code coverage in comparison to the uniform random approach.\nBrain Computer Interface (BCI) Applications: Privacy Threats and Countermeasures\nDetermining Whether and When People Participate in the Events They Tweet About\nThis work describes an approach to determine whether people participate in the events they tweet about. Specifically, we determine whether people are participants in events with respect to the tweet timestamp. We target all events expressed by verbs in tweets, including past, present and events that may occur in future. We define event participant as people directly involved in an event regardless of whether they are the agent, recipient or play another role. We present an annotation effort, guidelines and quality analysis with 1,096 event mentions. We discuss the label distributions and event behavior in the annotated corpus. We also explain several features used and a standard supervised machine learning approach to automatically determine if and when the author is a participant of the event in the tweet. We discuss trends in the results obtained and devise important conclusions.\nExploring Simscape™ Modeling for Piezoelectric Sensor Based Energy Harvester\nThis work presents an investigation of a piezoelectric sensor based energy harvesting system, which collects energy from the surrounding environment. Increasing costs and scarcity of fossil fuels is a great concern today for supplying power to electronic devices. Furthermore, generating electricity by ordinary methods is a complicated process. Disposal of chemical batteries and cables is polluting the nature every day. Due to these reasons, research on energy harvesting from renewable resources has become mandatory in order to achieve improved methods and strategies of generating and storing electricity. Many low power devices being used in everyday life can be powered by harvesting energy from natural energy resources. Power overhead and power energy efficiency is of prime concern in electronic circuits. In this work, an energy harvester is modeled and simulated in Simscape™ for the functional analysis and comparison of achieved outcomes with previous work. Results demonstrate that the harvester produces power in the 0 μW to 100 μW range, which is an adequate amount to provide supply to low power devices. Power efficiency calculations also demonstrate that the implemented harvester is capable of generating and storing power for low power pervasive applications.\nExtracting Useful Information from Social Media during Disaster Events\nObject Recognition Using Scale-Invariant Chordiogram\nThis thesis describes an approach for object recognition using the chordiogram shape-based descriptor. Global shape representations are highly susceptible to clutter generated due to the background or other irrelevant objects in real-world images. To overcome the problem, we aim to extract precise object shape using superpixel segmentation, perceptual grouping, and connected components. The employed shape descriptor chordiogram is based on geometric relationships of chords generated from the pairs of boundary points of an object. The chordiogram descriptor applies holistic properties of the shape and also proven suitable for object detection and digit recognition mechanisms. Additionally, it is translation invariant and robust to shape deformations. In spite of such excellent properties, chordiogram is not scale-invariant. To this end, we propose scale invariant chordiogram descriptors and intend to achieve a similar performance before and after applying scale invariance. Our experiments show that we achieve similar performance with and without scale invariance for silhouettes and real world object images. We also show experiments at different scales to confirm that we obtain scale invariance for chordiogram.\nPrivacy Preserving EEG-based Authentication Using Perceptual Hashing\nThe use of electroencephalogram (EEG), an electrophysiological monitoring method for recording the brain activity, for authentication has attracted the interest of researchers for over a decade. In addition to exhibiting qualities of biometric-based authentication, they are revocable, impossible to mimic, and resistant to coercion attacks. However, EEG signals carry a wealth of information about an individual and can reveal private information about the user. This brings significant privacy issues to EEG-based authentication systems as they have access to raw EEG signals. This thesis proposes a privacy-preserving EEG-based authentication system that preserves the privacy of the user by not revealing the raw EEG signals while allowing the system to authenticate the user accurately. In that, perceptual hashing is utilized and instead of raw EEG signals, their perceptually hashed values are used in the authentication process. In addition to describing the authentication process, algorithms to compute the perceptual hash are developed based on two feature extraction techniques. Experimental results show that an authentication system using perceptual hashing can achieve performance comparable to a system that has access to raw EEG signals if enough EEG channels are used in the process. This thesis also presents a security analysis to show that perceptual hashing can prevent information leakage.\nModeling and Simulation of the Vector-Borne Dengue Disease and the Effects of Regional Variation of Temperature in the Disease Prevalence in Homogenous and Heterogeneous Human Populations\nThe history of mitigation programs to contain vector-borne diseases is a story of successes and failures. Due to the complex interplay among multiple factors that determine disease dynamics, the general principles for timely and specific intervention for incidence reduction or eradication of life-threatening diseases has yet to be determined. This research discusses computational methods developed to assist in the understanding of complex relationships affecting vector-borne disease dynamics. A computational framework to assist public health practitioners with exploring the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue in homogenous and heterogeneous populations, has been conceived, designed, and implemented. The framework integrates a stochastic computational model of interactions to simulate horizontal disease transmission. The intent of the computational modeling has been the integration of stochasticity during simulation of the disease progression while reducing the number of necessary interactions to simulate a disease outbreak. While there are improvements in the computational time reducing the number of interactions needed for simulating disease dynamics, the realization of interactions can remain computationally expensive. Using multi-threading technology to improve performance upon the original computational model, multi-threading experimental results have been tested and reported. In addition, to the contact model, the modeling of biological processes specific to the corresponding pathogen-carrier vector to increase the specificity of the vector-borne disease has been integrated. Last, automation for requesting, retrieving, parsing, and storing specific weather data and geospatial information from federal agencies to study the differences between homogenous and heterogeneous populations has been implemented.\nNetwork Security Tool for a Novice\nNetwork security is a complex field that is handled by security professionals who need certain expertise and experience to configure security systems. With the ever increasing size of the networks, managing them is going to be a daunting task. What kind of solution can be used to generate effective security configurations by both security professionals and nonprofessionals alike? In this thesis, a web tool is developed to simplify the process of configuring security systems by translating direct human language input into meaningful, working security rules. These human language inputs yield the security rules that the individual wants to implement in their network. The human language input can be as simple as, \"Block Facebook to my son's PC\". This tool will translate these inputs into specific security rules and install the translated rules into security equipment such as virtualized Cisco FWSM network firewall, Netfilter host-based firewall, and Snort Network Intrusion Detection. This tool is implemented and tested in both a traditional network and a cloud environment. One thousand input policies were collected from various users such as staff from UNT departments' and health science, including individuals with network security background as well as students with a non-computer science background to analyze the tool's performance. The tool is tested for its accuracy (91%) in generating a security rule. It is also tested for accuracy of the translated rule (86%) compared to a standard rule written by security professionals. Nevertheless, the network security tool built has shown promise to both experienced and inexperienced people in network security field by simplifying the provisioning process to result in accurate and effective network security rules.\nAn Empirical Study of How Novice Programmers Use the Web\nLearning from small data set for object recognition in mobile platforms.\nDid you stand at a door with a bunch of keys and tried to find the right one to unlock the door? Did you hold a flower and wonder the name of it? A need of object recognition could rise anytime and any where in our daily lives. With the development of mobile devices object recognition applications become possible to provide immediate assistance. However, performing complex tasks in even the most advanced mobile platforms still faces great challenges due to the limited computing resources and computing power. In this thesis, we present an object recognition system that resides and executes within a mobile device, which can efficiently extract image features and perform learning and classification. To account for the computing constraint, a novel feature extraction method that minimizes the data size and maintains data consistency is proposed. This system leverages principal component analysis method and is able to update the trained classifier when new examples become available . Our system relieves users from creating a lot of examples and makes it user friendly. The experimental results demonstrate that a learning method trained with a very small number of examples can achieve recognition accuracy above 90% in various acquisition conditions. In addition, the system is able to perform learning efficiently.\nAlgorithm Optimizations in Genomic Analysis Using Entropic Dissection\nAutomatic Removal of Complex Shadows From Indoor Videos\nComputational Methods for Discovering and Analyzing Causal Relationships in Health Data\nComputational Methods for Vulnerability Analysis and Resource Allocation in Public Health Emergencies\nFreeform Cursive Handwriting Recognition Using a Clustered Neural Network\nOptical character recognition (OCR) software has advanced greatly in recent years. Machine-printed text can be scanned and converted to searchable text with word accuracy rates around 98%. Reasonably neat hand-printed text can be recognized with about 85% word accuracy. However, cursive handwriting still remains a challenge, with state-of-the-art performance still around 75%. Algorithms based on hidden Markov models have been only moderately successful, while recurrent neural networks have delivered the best results to date. This thesis explored the feasibility of using a special type of feedforward neural network to convert freeform cursive handwriting to searchable text. The hidden nodes in this network were grouped into clusters, with each cluster being trained to recognize a unique character bigram. The network was trained on writing samples that were pre-segmented and annotated. Post-processing was facilitated in part by using the network to identify overlapping bigrams that were then linked together to form words and sentences. With dictionary assisted post-processing, the network achieved word accuracy of 66.5% on a small, proprietary corpus. The contributions in this thesis are threefold: 1) the novel clustered architecture of the feed-forward neural network, 2) the development of an expanded set of observers combining image masks, modifiers, and feature characterizations, and 3) the use of overlapping bigrams as the textual working unit to assist in context analysis and reconstruction.\nIntegrity Verification of Applications on RADIUM Architecture\nTrusted Computing capability has become ubiquitous these days, and it is being widely deployed into consumer devices as well as enterprise platforms. As the number of threats is increasing at an exponential rate, it is becoming a daunting task to secure the systems against them. In this context, the software integrity measurement at runtime with the support of trusted platforms can be a better security strategy. Trusted Computing devices like TPM secure the evidence of a breach or an attack. These devices remain tamper proof if the hardware platform is physically secured. This type of trusted security is crucial for forensic analysis in the aftermath of a breach. The advantages of trusted platforms can be further leveraged if they can be used wisely. RADIUM (Race-free on-demand Integrity Measurement Architecture) is one such architecture, which is built on the strength of TPM. RADIUM provides an asynchronous root of trust to overcome the TOC condition of DRTM. Even though the underlying architecture is trusted, attacks can still compromise applications during runtime by exploiting their vulnerabilities. I propose an application-level integrity measurement solution that fits into RADIUM, to expand the trusted computing capability to the application layer. This is based on the concept of program invariants that can be used to learn the correct behavior of an application. I used Daikon, a tool to obtain dynamic likely invariants, and developed a method of observing these properties at runtime to verify the integrity. The integrity measurement component was implemented as a Python module on top of Volatility, a virtual machine introspection tool. My approach is a first step towards integrity attestation, using hypervisor-based introspection on RADIUM and a proof of concept of application-level measurement capability.\nMaintaining Web Applications Integrity Running on RADIUM\nComputer security attacks take place due to the presence of vulnerabilities and bugs in software applications. Bugs and vulnerabilities are the result of weak software architecture and lack of standard software development practices. Despite the fact that software companies are investing millions of dollars in the research and development of software designs security risks are still at large. In some cases software applications are found to carry vulnerabilities for many years before being identified. A recent such example is the popular Heart Bleed Bug in the Open SSL/TSL. In today’s world, where new software application are continuously being developed for a varied community of users; it’s highly unlikely to have software applications running without flaws. Attackers on computer system securities exploit these vulnerabilities and bugs and cause threat to privacy without leaving any trace. The most critical vulnerabilities are those which are related to the integrity of the software applications. Because integrity is directly linked to the credibility of software application and data it contains. Here I am giving solution of maintaining web applications integrity running on RADIUM by using daikon. Daikon generates invariants, these invariants are used to maintain the integrity of the web application and also check the correct behavior of web application at run time on RADIUM architecture in case of any attack or malware. I used data invariants and program flow invariants in my solution to maintain the integrity of web-application against such attack or malware. I check the behavior of my proposed invariants at run-time using Lib-VMI/Volatility memory introspection tool. This is a novel approach and proof of concept toward maintaining web application integrity on RADIUM.\nRadium: Secure Policy Engine in Hypervisor\nThe basis of today’s security systems is the trust and confidence that the system will behave as expected and are in a known good trusted state. The trust is built from hardware and software elements that generates a chain of trust that originates from a trusted known entity. Leveraging hardware, software and a mandatory access control policy technology is needed to create a trusted measurement environment. Employing a control layer (hypervisor or microkernel) with the ability to enforce a fine grained access control policy with hyper call granularity across multiple guest virtual domains can ensure that any malicious environment to be contained. In my research, I propose the use of radium's Asynchronous Root of Trust Measurement (ARTM) capability incorporated with a secure mandatory access control policy engine that would mitigate the limitations of the current hardware TPM solutions. By employing ARTM we can leverage asynchronous use of boot, launch, and use with the hypervisor proving its state and the integrity of the secure policy. My solution is using Radium (Race free on demand integrity architecture) architecture that will allow a more detailed measurement of applications at run time with greater semantic knowledge of the measured environments. Radium incorporation of a secure access control policy engine will give it the ability to limit or empower a virtual domain system. It can also enable the creation of a service oriented model of guest virtual domains that have the ability to perform certain operations such as introspecting other virtual domain systems to determine the integrity or system state and report it to a remote entity.\nTowards Resistance Detection in Health Behavior Change Dialogue Systems\nOne of the challenges fairly common in motivational interviewing is patient resistance to health behavior change. Hence, automated dialog systems aimed at counseling patients need to be capable of detecting resistance and appropriately altering dialog. This thesis focusses primarily on the development of such a system for automatic identification of patient resistance to behavioral change. This enables the dialogue system to direct the discourse towards a more agreeable ground and helping the patient overcome the obstacles in his or her way to change. This thesis also proposes a dialogue system framework for health behavior change via natural language analysis and generation. The proposed framework facilitates automated motivational interviewing from clinical psychology and involves three broad stages: rapport building and health topic identification, assessment of the patient’s opinion about making a change, and developing a plan. Using this framework patients can be encouraged to reflect on the options available and choose the best for a healthier life.\nUnique Channel Email System\nEmail connects 85% of the world. This paper explores the pattern of information overload encountered by majority of email users and examine what steps key email providers are taking to combat the problem. Besides fighting spam, popular email providers offer very limited tools to reduce the amount of unwanted incoming email. Rather, there has been a trend to expand storage space and aid the organization of email. Storing email is very costly and harmful to the environment. Additionally, information overload can be detrimental to productivity. We propose a simple solution that results in drastic reduction of unwanted mail, also known as graymail.\nClassifying Pairwise Object Interactions: A Trajectory Analytics Approach\nDistributed Frameworks Towards Building an Open Data Architecture\nInvestigation on Segmentation, Recognition and 3D Reconstruction of Objects Based on LiDAR Data Or MRI\nSegmentation, recognition and 3D reconstruction of objects have been cutting-edge research topics, which have many applications ranging from environmental and medical to geographical applications as well as intelligent transportation. In this dissertation, I focus on the study of segmentation, recognition and 3D reconstruction of objects using LiDAR data/MRI. Three main works are that (I). Feature extraction algorithm based on sparse LiDAR data. A novel method has been proposed for feature extraction from sparse LiDAR data. The algorithm and the related principles have been described. Also, I have tested and discussed the choices and roles of parameters. By using correlation of neighboring points directly, statistic distribution of normal vectors at each point has been effectively used to determine the category of the selected point. (II). Segmentation and 3D reconstruction of objects based on LiDAR/MRI. The proposed method includes that the 3D LiDAR data are layered, that different categories are segmented, and that 3D canopy surfaces of individual tree crowns and clusters of trees are reconstructed from LiDAR point data based on a region active contour model. The proposed method allows for delineations of 3D forest canopy naturally from the contours of raw LiDAR point clouds. The proposed model is suitable not only for a series of ideal cone shapes, but also for other kinds of 3D shapes as well as other kinds dataset such as MRI. (III). Novel algorithms for recognition of objects based on LiDAR/MRI. Aimed to the sparse LiDAR data, the feature extraction algorithm has been proposed and applied to classify the building and trees. More importantly, the novel algorithms based on level set methods have been provided and employed to recognize not only the buildings and trees, the different trees (e.g. Oak trees and Douglas firs), but also the subthalamus nuclei (STNs). By using the novel algorithms based ...\nSEM Predicting Success of Student Global Software Development Teams\nThe extensive use of global teams to develop software has prompted researchers to investigate various factors that can enhance a team’s performance. While a significant body of research exists on global software teams, previous research has not fully explored the interrelationships and collective impact of various factors on team performance. This study explored a model that added the characteristics of a team’s culture, ability, communication frequencies, response rates, and linguistic categories to a central framework of team performance. Data was collected from two student software development projects that occurred between teams located in the United States, Panama, and Turkey. The data was obtained through online surveys and recorded postings of team activities that occurred throughout the global software development projects. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) was chosen as the analytic technique to test the model and identify the most influential factors. Individual factors associated with response rates and linguistic characteristics proved to significantly affect a team’s activity related to grade on the project, group cohesion, and the number of messages received and sent. Moreover, an examination of possible latent homogeneous segments in the model supported the existence of differences among groups based on leadership style. Teams with assigned leaders tended to have stronger relationships between linguistic characteristics and team performance factors, while teams with emergent leaders had stronger. Relationships between response rates and team performance factors. The contributions in this dissertation are three fold. 1) Novel analysis techniques using PLS-PM and clustering, 2) Use of new, quantifiable variables in analyzing team activity, 3) Identification of plausible causal indicators for team performance and analysis of the same.\nVideo Analytics with Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of Activities\nSmartphone-based Household Travel Survey - a Literature Review, an App, and a Pilot Survey\nHigh precision data from household travel survey (HTS) is extremely important for the transportation research, traffic models and policy formulation. Traditional methods of data collection were imprecise because they relied on people’s memories of trip information, such as date and location, and the remainder data had to be obtained by certain supplemental tools. The traditional methods suffered from intensive labor, large time consumption, and unsatisfactory data precision. Recent research trends to employ smartphone apps to collect HTS data. In this study, there are two goals to be addressed. First, a smartphone app is developed to realize a smartphone-based method only for data collection. Second, the researcher evaluates whether this method can supply or replace the traditional tools of HTS. Based on this premise, the smartphone app, TravelSurvey, is specially developed and used for this study. TravelSurvey is currently compatible with iPhone 4 or higher and iPhone Operating System (iOS) 6 or higher, except iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 plus and iOS 8. To evaluate the feasibility, eight individuals are recruited to participate in a pilot HTS. Afterwards, seven of them are involved in a semi-structured interview. The interview is designed to collect interviewees’ feedback directly, so the interview mainly concerns the users’ experience of TravelSurvey. Generally, the feedback is positive. In this study, the pilot HTS data is successfully uploaded to the server by the participants, and the interviewees prefer this smartphone-based method. Therefore, as a new tool, the smartphone-based method feasibly supports a typical HTS for data collection.\nGeneral Purpose Computing in Gpu - a Watermarking Case Study\nThe purpose of this project is to explore the GPU for general purpose computing. The GPU is a massively parallel computing device that has a high-throughput, exhibits high arithmetic intensity, has a large market presence, and with the increasing computation power being added to it each year through innovations, the GPU is a perfect candidate to complement the CPU in performing computations. The GPU follows the single instruction multiple data (SIMD) model for applying operations on its data. This model allows the GPU to be very useful for assisting the CPU in performing computations on data that is highly parallel in nature. The compute unified device architecture (CUDA) is a parallel computing and programming platform for NVIDIA GPUs. The main focus of this project is to show the power, speed, and performance of a CUDA-enabled GPU for digital video watermark insertion in the H.264 video compression domain. Digital video watermarking in general is a highly computationally intensive process that is strongly dependent on the video compression format in place. The H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression format has high compression efficiency at the expense of having high computational complexity and leaving little room for an imperceptible watermark to be inserted. Employing a human visual model to limit distortion and degradation of visual quality introduced by the watermark is a good choice for designing a video watermarking algorithm though this does introduce more computational complexity to the algorithm. Research is being conducted into how the CPU-GPU execution of the digital watermark application can boost the speed of the applications several times compared to running the application on a standalone CPU using NVIDIA visual profiler to optimize the application.\nAutonomic Failure Identification and Diagnosis for Building Dependable Cloud Computing Systems\nDdos Defense Against Botnets in the Mobile Cloud\nPerformance Engineering of Software Web Services and Distributed Software Systems\nThe promise of service oriented computing, and the availability of Web services promote the delivery and creation of new services based on existing services, in order to meet new demands and new markets. As Web and internet based services move into Clouds, inter-dependency of services and their complexity will increase substantially. There are standards and frameworks for specifying and composing Web Services based on functional properties. However, mechanisms to individually address non-functional properties of services and their compositions have not been well established. Furthermore, the Cloud ontology depicts service layers from a high-level, such as Application and Software, to a low-level, such as Infrastructure and Platform. Each component that resides in one layer can be useful to another layer as a service. It hints at the amount of complexity resulting from not only horizontal but also vertical integrations in building and deploying a composite service. To meet the requirements and facilitate using Web services, we first propose a WSDL extension to permit specification of non-functional or Quality of Service (QoS) properties. On top of the foundation, the QoS-aware framework is established to adapt publicly available tools for Web services, augmented by ontology management tools, along with tools for performance modeling to exemplify how the non-functional properties such as response time, throughput, or utilization of services can be addressed in the service acquisition and composition process. To facilitate Web service composition standards, in this work we extended the framework with additional qualitative information to the service descriptions using Business Process Execution Language (BPEL). Engineers can use BPEL to explore design options, and have the QoS properties analyzed for the composite service. The main issue in our research is performance evaluation in software system and engineering. We researched the Web service computation as the first half of this dissertation, and performance antipattern ...\n3GPP Long Term Evolution LTE Scheduling\nBoosting for Learning From Imbalanced, Multiclass Data Sets\nDesign and Analysis of Novel Verifiable Voting Schemes\nSimulating the Spread of Infectious Diseases in Heterogeneous Populations with Diverse Interactions Characteristics\nThe spread of infectious diseases has been a public concern throughout human history. Historic recorded data has reported the severity of infectious disease epidemics in different ages. Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates was the first to analyze the correlation between diseases and their environment. Nowadays, health authorities are in charge of planning strategies that guarantee the welfare of citizens. The simulation of contagion scenarios contributes to the understanding of the epidemic behavior of diseases. Computational models facilitate the study of epidemics by integrating disease and population data to the simulation. The use of detailed demographic and geographic characteristics allows researchers to construct complex models that better resemble reality and the integration of these attributes permits us to understand the rules of interaction. The interaction of individuals with similar characteristics forms synthetic structures that depict clusters of interaction. The synthetic environments facilitate the study of the spread of infectious diseases in diverse scenarios. The characteristics of the population and the disease concurrently affect the local and global epidemic progression. Every cluster’ epidemic behavior constitutes the global epidemic for a clustered population. By understanding the correlation between structured populations and the spread of a disease, current dissertation research makes possible to identify risk groups of specific characteristics and devise containment strategies that facilitate health authorities to improve mitigation strategies.\nModeling and Analysis of Next Generation 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocols\nEmergency Medical Dispatch Protocols are guidelines that a 9-1-1 dispatcher uses to evaluate the nature of emergency, resources to send and the nature of help provided to the 9-1-1 caller. The current Dispatch Protocols are based on voice only call. But the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) architecture will allow multimedia emergency calls. In this thesis I analyze and model the Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocols for NG9-1-1 architecture. I have identified various technical aspects to improve the NG9-1-1 Dispatch Protocols. The devices (smartphone) at the caller end have advanced to a point where they can be used to send and receive video, pictures and text. There are sensors embedded in them that can be used for initial diagnosis of the injured person. There is a need to improve the human computer (smartphone) interface to take advantage of technology so that callers can easily make use of various features available to them. The dispatchers at the 9-1-1 call center can make use of these new protocols to improve the quality and the response time. They will have capability of multiple media streams to interact with the caller and the first responders.The specific contributions in this thesis include developing applications that use smartphone sensors. The CPR application uses the smartphone to help administer effective CPR even if the person is not trained. The application makes the CPR process closed loop, i.e., the person who administers the CPR as well as the 9-1-1 operator receive feedback and prompt from the application about the correctness of the CPR. The breathing application analyzes the quality of breathing of the affected person and automatically sends the information to the 9-1-1 operator. In order to improve the Human Computer Interface at the caller and the operator end, I have analyzed Fitts law and extended it so that it ...\nMultilingual Word Sense Disambiguation Using Wikipedia\nAmbiguity is inherent to human language. In particular, word sense ambiguity is prevalent in all natural languages, with a large number of the words in any given language carrying more than one meaning. Word sense disambiguation is the task of automatically assigning the most appropriate meaning to a polysemous word within a given context. Generally the problem of resolving ambiguity in literature has revolved around the famous quote “you shall know the meaning of the word by the company it keeps.” In this thesis, we investigate the role of context for resolving ambiguity through three different approaches. Instead of using a predefined monolingual sense inventory such as WordNet, we use a language-independent framework where the word senses and sense-tagged data are derived automatically from Wikipedia. Using Wikipedia as a source of sense-annotations provides the much needed solution for knowledge acquisition bottleneck. In order to evaluate the viability of Wikipedia based sense-annotations, we cast the task of disambiguating polysemous nouns as a monolingual classification task and experimented on lexical samples from four different languages (viz. English, German, Italian and Spanish). The experiments confirm that the Wikipedia based sense annotations are reliable and can be used to construct accurate monolingual sense classifiers. It is a long belief that exploiting multiple languages helps in building accurate word sense disambiguation systems. Subsequently, we developed two approaches that recast the task of disambiguating polysemous nouns as a multilingual classification task. The first approach for multilingual word sense disambiguation attempts to effectively use a machine translation system to leverage two relevant multilingual aspects of the semantics of text. First, the various senses of a target word may be translated into different words, which constitute unique, yet highly salient signal that effectively expand the target word’s feature space. Second, the translated context words themselves embed co-occurrence information ...\nPrivacy Management for Online Social Networks\nOne in seven people in the world use online social networking for a variety of purposes -- to keep in touch with friends and family, to share special occasions, to broadcast announcements, and more. The majority of society has been bought into this new era of communication technology, which allows everyone on the internet to share information with friends. Since social networking has rapidly become a main form of communication, holes in privacy have become apparent. It has come to the point that the whole concept of sharing information requires restructuring. No longer are online social networks simply technology available for a niche market; they are in use by all of society. Thus it is important to not forget that a sense of privacy is inherent as an evolutionary by-product of social intelligence. In any context of society, privacy needs to be a part of the system in order to help users protect themselves from others. This dissertation attempts to address the lack of privacy management in online social networks by designing models which understand the social science behind how we form social groups and share information with each other. Social relationship strength was modeled using activity patterns, vocabulary usage, and behavioral patterns. In addition, automatic configuration for default privacy settings was proposed to help prevent new users from leaking personal information. This dissertation aims to mobilize a new era of social networking that understands social aspects of human network, and uses that knowledge to honor users' privacy.\nQos Aware Service Oriented Architecture\nService-oriented architecture enables web services to operate in a loosely-coupled setting and provides an environment for dynamic discovery and use of services over a network using standards such as WSDL, SOAP, and UDDI. Web service has both functional and non-functional characteristics. This thesis work proposes to add QoS descriptions (non-functional properties) to WSDL and compose various services to form a business process. This composition of web services also considers QoS properties along with functional properties and the composed services can again be published as a new Web Service and can be part of any other composition using Composed WSDL.\nReal-time Rendering of Burning Objects in Video Games\nIn recent years there has been growing interest in limitless realism in computer graphics applications. Among those, my foremost concentration falls into the complex physical simulations and modeling with diverse applications for the gaming industry. Different simulations have been virtually successful by replicating the details of physical process. As a result, some were strong enough to lure the user into believable virtual worlds that could destroy any sense of attendance. In this research, I focus on fire simulations and its deformation process towards various virtual objects. In most game engines model loading takes place at the beginning of the game or when the game is transitioning between levels. Game models are stored in large data structures. Since changing or adjusting a large data structure while the game is proceeding may adversely affect the performance of the game. Therefore, developers may choose to avoid procedural simulations to save resources and avoid interruptions on performance. I introduce a process to implement a real-time model deformation while maintaining performance. It is a challenging task to achieve high quality simulation while utilizing minimum resources to represent multiple events in timely manner. Especially in video games, this overwhelming criterion would be robust enough to sustain the engaging player's willing suspension of disbelief. I have implemented and tested my method on a relatively modest GPU using CUDA. My experiments conclude this method gives a believable visual effect while using small fraction of CPU and GPU resources.\nModeling Alcohol Consumption Using Blog Data\nHow do the content and writing style of people who drink alcohol beverages stand out from non-drinkers? How much information can we learn about a person's alcohol consumption behavior by reading text that they have authored? This thesis attempts to extend the methods deployed in authorship attribution and authorship profiling research into the domain of automatically identifying the human action of drinking alcohol beverages. I examine how a psycholinguistics dictionary (the Linguistics Inquiry and Word Count lexicon, developed by James Pennebaker), together with Kenneth Burke's concept of words as symbols of human action, and James Wertsch's concept of mediated action provide a framework for analyzing meaningful data patterns from the content of blogs written by consumers of alcohol beverages. The contributions of this thesis to the research field are twofold. First, I show that it is possible to automatically identify blog posts that have content related to the consumption of alcohol beverages. And second, I provide a framework and tools to model human behavior through text analysis of blog data.\nOptimizing Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Using Multi-coaffiliation Networks\nComputational modeling is of fundamental significance in mapping possible disease spread, and designing strategies for its mitigation. Conventional contact networks implement the simulation of interactions as random occurrences, presenting public health bodies with a difficult trade off between a realistic model granularity and robust design of intervention strategies. Recently, researchers have been investigating the use of agent-based models (ABMs) to embrace the complexity of real world interactions. At the same time, theoretical approaches provide epidemiologists with general optimization models in which demographics are intrinsically simplified. The emerging study of affiliation networks and co-affiliation networks provide an alternative to such trade off. Co-affiliation networks maintain the realism innate to ABMs while reducing the complexity of contact networks into distinctively smaller k-partite graphs, were each partition represent a dimension of the social model. This dissertation studies the optimization of intervention strategies for infectious diseases, mainly distributed in school systems. First, concepts of synthetic populations and affiliation networks are extended to propose a modified algorithm for the synthetic reconstruction of populations. Second, the definition of multi-coaffiliation networks is presented as the main social model in which risk is quantified and evaluated, thereby obtaining vulnerability indications for each school in the system. Finally, maximization of the mitigation coverage and minimization of the overall cost of intervention strategies are proposed and compared, based on centrality measures.\n3D Reconstruction Using Lidar and Visual Images\nAutomated Classification of Emotions Using Song Lyrics\nAutomatic Tagging of Communication Data\nMulti-perspective, Multi-modal Image Registration and Fusion\nMulti-modal image fusion is an active research area with many civilian and military applications. Fusion is defined as strategic combination of information collected by various sensors from different locations or different types in order to obtain a better understanding of an observed scene or situation. Fusion of multi-modal images cannot be completed unless these two modalities are spatially aligned. In this research, I consider two important problems. Multi-modal, multi-perspective image registration and decision level fusion of multi-modal images. In particular, LiDAR and visual imagery. Multi-modal image registration is a difficult task due to the different semantic interpretation of features extracted from each modality. This problem is decoupled into three sub-problems. The first step is identification and extraction of common features. The second step is the determination of corresponding points. The third step consists of determining the registration transformation parameters. Traditional registration methods use low level features such as lines and corners. Using these features require an extensive optimization search in order to determine the corresponding points. Many methods use global positioning systems (GPS), and a calibrated camera in order to obtain an initial estimate of the camera parameters. The advantages of our work over the previous works are the following. First, I used high level-features, which significantly reduce the search space for the optimization process. Second, the determination of corresponding points is modeled as an assignment problem between a small numbers of objects. On the other side, fusing LiDAR and visual images is beneficial, due to the different and rich characteristics of both modalities. LiDAR data contain 3D information, while images contain visual information. Developing a fusion technique that uses the characteristics of both modalities is very important. I establish a decision-level fusion technique using manifold models.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9873498678207397}
{"content": "Colliding galaxies may be common, but cosmic cacophony on this scale is still unusual. What we have here are two galaxies merging together in your standard collision...and then a third galaxy sidling in, just to complete the intergalactic chaos.\n\nTo get the full effect, you're going to want to click and expand the image to see it in much greater detail. A NASA astronomer adds:\n\nRecorded in astronomer Halton Arp's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies as Arp 272, the pair is otherwise known as NGC 6050 near center, and IC 1179 at upper right. A third galaxy, likely also a member of the interacting system, can be spotted above and left of larger spiral NGC 6050. They lie some 450 million light-years away in the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. At that estimated distance, the picture spans over 150 thousand light-years.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9383751153945923}
{"content": "string(63) \"Failed to connect to port 1028: No route to host\" What Is Intranet Mjhs? - Okela\n\nwhat is intranet mjhs?\n\nBest Answer\n\nSorry, we don't have an aswer for this question yet.\n\n\nwhat is intranet mjhs? community answers", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.000003457069397}
{"content": "Potentially the most important legal aspect of operating a business involves payroll reporting and regulations governing the funds transfer process to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS does offer a certain amount of business management latitude to business owners who must collect payroll and social security taxes. However, sometimes business operators make the serious mistake of not transferring the deducted funds when the operation faces financial difficulties, including failure to meet the legal requirement of matching the FICA deductions for Social Security. This is a very slippery slope when managing a business, and solid attention should always be given to details concerning legal fiduciary responsibilities. The IRS is very serious about recovering these funds, and many times fines and even incarceration can be part of the final decision. That is why it is imperative to have an experienced and aggressive IRS tax relief attorney representing your case.\n\nManagement Authority\n\nMany businesses operate by allowing specific employees to sign financial instruments and and have access to bank deposit information. In most instances, these documents will also be included in the Internal Revenue Service investigators report. In addition, these particular employees will more than likely be a potential target of the investigation. The question for the IRS is always centered around the level of authority and input regarding operational procedures and operating decisions. Sometimes general authority that does not distinctly address certain operational authority and can be a problem for employees who will also be investigated. An experienced IRS tax relief attorney will understand how to craft a defense that eliminates lower level employees. In general, the lower the level of authority the more likely the employee will be eliminated from the investigation. However, when certain material case factors can reveal other legal problems for the employee, then it is more likely they will still be included. The assumption of the IRS is that signatory power is also a general management authorization. The employee and the attorney must present case facts that prove the employee is not culpable.\n\nForm 4180\n\nThe IRS investigator will do a considerable amount of case preparation before the actual formal hearing begins. Prior to a hearing the IRS will send a Form 4180 containing a list of “yes or no” questions that can directly implicate business owners, management officials, and authorized signatory employees. It is not uncommon for companies to assign responsibility for records and subsequent deposits and payroll tax transfers to human resource departments. Questions on the list are primarily directed at establishing exactly who is ultimately responsible for failure to report and transfer. When multiple employees are authorized to make payroll and tax fund reporting, confusion can occur when one employee is attempting to deflect attention away to others. Even though the form is essentially a list of definitive answer questions, written statements can also be entered into the record that prove where the true responsibility rests. Your IRS tax relief attorney will usually conduct a prior test that addresses the proper responses to Form 4180questions.\n\n\nThere are a few methods of handling an IRS tax debt investigation. The most preferable would completing the Form 4180 and delivering it to the IRS agent. The investigation component of the issue is really just a fact-finding practice before a final decision on culpability, potential fines, and a reimbursement schedule. The IRS rarely hands out incarceration penalties unless the failure to report was a premeditated decision. In addition, written statements and explanations can also be included with the form filing. A physical inspection of the documents the IRS is using as a case basis, such as bank drafts and cancelled checks, is also a good method of arriving at what actually happened. There is also an appeals process that allows 60 days to respond to an unfavorable IRS decision regarding the tax penalty. In addition, there is also a three year statute of limitations for completing the trust fund assessment and many times this time period can elapse in cases prosecuted on weak evidence.\n\nIt is important to remember that the IRS is usually just interested in the transfer of the funds in a timely and reasonable manner, even though they do have the authority to apply a significant penalty. Problems usually happen when there is little method of collecting funds when a business has failed to transfer funds while going out of business, and having a solid IRS tax relief attorney is vital.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9840348958969116}
{"content": "EEG - Europolis Entertainment Group\nEEG - Europolis Entertainment Group\n\n\n2 UNLIMITED is a Dutch-based dance project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde and original fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth . During five years of enormous worldwide popularity, the act scored 16 chart hits and have sold over 18 million records worldwide to date. Although they enjoyed less mainstream notoriety in the United States, many of their songs have become popular themes at US sporting events, particularly in the NHL.\n\nThe current line-up Ray and Kim!\n\n\n\n\nFor any further information, so on date availability at your region/market and serious inquiries\n\nplease send Email to\n\nDruckversionDruckversion | Sitemap\nEEG - Europolis Entertainment Group", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9749212265014648}
{"content": "Why is it important to have a support system in pregnancy and birth?\n\nShare the stress. Preg and postpartum are stressful and time consuming. Having someone to lift a little of the burden and let you know your doing a good job and you will be ok helps----a lot.\nSupport. Obviously for the emotional, psychological and therefore physical health of the mother, baby and family.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9961925148963928}
{"content": "AMR Seminar with Andrew Singer\n\nThe OxIMP network met on Thursday for the first of this term's seminars. Andrew Singer, Senior Scientist at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology started things off with a talk about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the wider environment, and what it means for environmental policy.\n\nAMR is now widely recognised as a pressing concern for public health agencies worldwide. In the U.K. the government has prioritised policy responses that focus on surveillance, reducing infection, the prudent use of antibiotics, and education. However, current policy responses have largely been limited to \"upstream\" issues around the use of antibiotics, and have paid little attention to the \"downstream\" issues of AMR in the wider environment.\n\nAndrew told us that 30-90% of the antibiotics we take are excreted into the sewage system. They tend to pass through the sewage system unaltered and enter the UK's rivers. Andrew's work (based on analyses of sediment in rivers) reveals that proximity to a sewage works explains up to 50% of the prevalence of AMR genes in a river - and this is despite the variable and weather-dependent effects of agricultural run-off. \n\nEU regulation is based on the notion that the threshold for intervention is when the concentration of antibiotic is high enough to kill more than 5% of the bacteria present. The 5% threshold is an arbitrary risk assessment measure, is based on the assumption that bacteria in the environment will respond exactly as those in a laboratory (with no supporting evidence that this is true), and tells us nothing about what that concentration of antibiotics does in terms of selection pressure for resistance genes in bacteria. Recent research suggests that the \"minimum selective concentration\" (the amount of antibiotic required to provide a selective advantage to a resistant microbe relative to a nonresistant microbe) could be ten times lower than the 5% mortality threshold. On that measure, our rivers are in trouble. For example, looking at the Thames catchment,  three quarters of the rivers are \"at risk\" of quinolone (a type of antibiotic) resistance. If you wanted to reduce that level to say 10% of rivers having resistance pressures, current calculations using Andrew and his colleagues' model suggests that antibiotic use in humans would need to be reduced by as much as 80-88% - an unrealistic number in contemporary public health.\n\nThe scale of AMR selection pressures raises significant questions about how policy can address these environmental concerns - particularly when you also consider the selection pressures introduced to the environment by biocides in many different forms. Biocides act in a similar way to select for AMR in microbes, because resistance genes often confer 'co-resistance' and 'cross-resistance' (i.e. the group of genes, or single gene, that is selected for by resistance pressures confers resistance to both biocides and antibiotics). And in fact, the use of metals as biocides might by far more important in co-selecting for resistance in the environment than antibiotic use in humans and animals.\n\nThe missing link in this story is transmission of AMR bacteria from the environment to humans. This is much harder to show, and is a serious data gap at present- we just don't know how much AMR in the environment links to resistant bacterial infections in humans. There are some very credible reasons to suggest this link exists, and some clues towards transmission pathways, but Andrew suggested that at present the uncertainty itself is perhaps reason enough to invoke the precautionary principle.\n\nAfter the talk, Andrew and members of the OxIMP network reconvened to discuss some of the issues raised by his fascinating talk, including reducing antibiotic and biocide usage, quantifying environmental transmission, rethinking sewage systems and pollution policy, and the prospects for long term sustainable health systems.\n\nThe next seminar in the series is on Wednesday 15th February with Hannah Landecker - more details are available here.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.942115306854248}
{"content": "L. William Kazmierczak\n\n  • Citations Per Year\nLearn More\nThe traditional vulnerability parameter connectivity is the minimum number of nodes needed to be removed to disconnect a network. Likewise, edge connectivity is the minimum number of edges needed to be removed to disconnect. A disconnected network may still be viable if it contains a sufficiently large component. Component order connectivity and component(More)\nUB3LYP/cc-pVTZ computations using C-PCM, IEF-PCM, and SMD water-solvent models have been performed for the reaction of the Hc atom with nitrous oxide (N2O) producing N2 and cOH in aqueous solution. The Hc atom attacks the oxygen atom in the N2O molecule resulting in the formation of the [H–ONN] transition state and its decomposition into cOH and N2. This(More)\nThe traditional parameter used as a measure of vulnerability of a network modeled by a graph with perfect nodes and edges that may fail is the edge connectivity λ. Of course , () p q K p λ = where p q ≤. In that case, failure of the network simply means that the surviving subgraph becomes disconnected upon the failure of individual edges. If, instead,(More)\n  • 1", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9639717936515808}
{"content": "Stem Cell Facial\n\nImagine if you could unlock your skin’s potential to stay youthful? Smooth, radiant and healthy looking skin is now at your fingertips with the introduction of breakthrough skin rejuvenating stem cell facial.  At Anushka we’re always looking for and creating results driven face and skin treatments for our exclusive Palm Beach clients and our new Stem Cell facial is no different.\n\n\nWhat are stem cells? Adult stem cells are found in many parts of the body such as the brain, bone marrow, fat, teeth, skin and hair follicles. Adult stem cells regenerate themselves naturally, under specific circumstances.   Researchers have discovered that properly formulated Age-Repair Defensins (synthetic growth factors), interacted with the skin’s master stem cells to create a wound healing effect.\n\n\nThe skin is equipped with a primitive immune system. When a disruption occurs, a stem cell located in the hair follicle goes into a cycle of self-renewal, triggered by defensins, naturally occurring messenger peptides. Defensins trigger the production of an abundance of keratinocytes. These keratinocytes migrate to the top, to form the skin’s barrier, protecting the skin against external aggression, preventing moisture loss and ensuring optimal skin health.\n\n\n\nCredit: Defenage Skincare", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.69945228099823}
{"content": "Trust is a strange thing, isn’t it?\n\nPeople have been asking me why Mr Smith and I trusted in the people and the practices we did. Why did we trust the medicine men before we’d even met them? Why did we trust in ayahuasca and not in chemotherapy?\n\nWhat is trust anyway, and what does it mean to trust? With people, we usually confer our trust in proportion to their demonstration of the character traits we think of as trustworthy. We form a mental checklist: do they keep their promises? Can someone we already trust vouch for them? With methods, we might ask, what’s the track record? Are people seeing the results we want?\n\nIf those are the necessary conditions for trust, what were we thinking, Mr Smith and I, when we went to the Amazon in search of healing? We trusted people we’d never met, people we knew very little about and practices we’d never tested.\n\nWell, we weren’t really thinking at all, by the time we set off. Somewhere along the line, we’d given up on that. Rational thought had only got us so far: when we thought through all the possibilities presented to us, they led us to places where we really didn’t want to go. So, we stopped thinking and relied more on our intuition instead.\n\nI’ve always felt that thinking is a bit overrated anyway. How many of us have chosen our friends and lovers on that basis? No amount of data or deliberation can settle the things that matter most, and the decisions before us mattered more than most.\n\nSo it was intuition and not rational thought that led us into the jungle. It was the same intuition that had brought us together and kept us together. It wasn’t the people we didn’t know or the practices we hadn’t tried that we trusted – it was ourselves. It was our ability to write our story, our way, and before we wrote it, we had to allow ourselves to live it.\n\nWe didn’t have much information to base rational judgments on anyway. We didn’t know anyone in our situation who’d done what we went on to do, so there was no precedent to trust in and follow. In any case, there was no-one in the same situation as us – like all human experience, it was unique, and only generalizable up to a point. So, with only our intuition to guide us, we went forth with something of a pioneering spirit. The folks at home, watching and willing us to do well, needed something to trust in too, and thankfully, they trusted in us. They formed a fine team of cheerleaders, and nobody ever invoked a rational argument to question our judgment.\n\nWe didn't set out to be trailblazers. We were simply following our own path, trusting in our intuition to guide us along our chosen route. Some of those we met on the path have become very dear to us; others turned out to be people we wouldn’t have trusted had we known them better at the outset.\n\nIt’s just as well we didn’t know them better. It’s just as well we didn’t use the standard checklist of trustworthiness before we embarked on this adventure. That might have overridden our intuition and prevented us from trusting in our story. Because it’s the story, and not the characters, that deserves our trust. It’s the trusting in the story and in the living of it that brings us completion in the end.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9603286385536194}
{"content": "No Increase In Water Rates In Bluewater, For Now\n\nBluewater councillors will be looking for input from residents on what to do with water and waste water costs, following the finalizing of the budget.\n\nAt a presentation this week from B. M. Ross,  council learned that the fees for waste water are not covering the operating costs. As a result, the municipality is dipping into reserves to cover that while the water rates are covering costs and creating a small surplus.\n\nMayor Tyler Hessel says a motion was passed to approve the report with no rate increase so they could renew their licence.\n\nBut shortly after the budget is finalized, the municipality would hold a public meeting to discuss water and waste-water rates in the future.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8007932901382446}
{"content": "Heart Felt Lyrics 2 and Actual Love\n\nFormat: Paperback\n\nLanguage: English\n\nFormat: PDF / Kindle / ePub\n\nSize: 5.63 MB\n\nDownloadable formats: PDF\n\nThis poses a very great dilemma for the person who wishes to criticize rock music: he can't find the biblical evidence necessary to condemn it. The beauty, as well as the productive quality, of the region to be planted, will be increased by blending the systems together, and uniting them at the same time with that of copse plantations, on which we are next about to make some remarks. dua,_ or copsewood destined to the axe, has been greatly improved by a discovery of our author, or, at least, a practice which he has been the first to recommend--- the propagating the oak, namely, by layering from the double shoot of young saplings.\n\nPages: 154\n\nPublisher: AuthorHouse (April 28, 2014)\n\nISBN: 1496903013\n\nEnrollment is limited to fifteen to twenty students, with preference given to entering freshmen , source: http://7xscoring.com/?books/k-pop-lyrics. What mattered here in the end was the form of delivery, and the energy produced by the live performance. What stood out for me was how the MC’s/rappers were freestyling in a localized Rastafarian style. The rhymes were leaning towards the early sound of reggae, but at a frenetic, locomotive speed contemporary of Drum ‘n’ Bass-syncopated, and in perfect staccato, with extreme cohesion between rhyme and beat http://gec.org.ru/?books/tributes-pay-days-poetry-vol-4-volume-4. The passable story is raised up by the incredible musical depth. Donockley's pipes and flutes really save this album, as they add a personality that would have been sorely missed. That, and the addition of violin and cello, makes for an ethnic metal sound that is hard to beat. Don't get me wrong, though, the input from the other musicians is impressive, too , cited: download epub. Some extrinsic motives are relatively heteronomous, representing what in SDT are described as controlled forms of motivation. For example, externally regulated behaviors are those performed to comply with externally administered reward and punishment contingencies pdf. The information here will be in a the form of a summary, and will not be very comprehensive in nature ref.: http://online-photo-editor.com/?ebooks/the-one-direction-music-test-how-well-do-you-know-there-music. Students read a wide variety of foundational texts from different time periods in conjunction with secondary critical studies to understand and call into question such long-established literary concepts such as period, genre, history, representation, and mode , e.g. http://es.genchina.com/lib/the-boy-in-the-song-the-true-stories-behind-50-rock-classics. This arrangement is suitable for beginner piano students who are comfortable reading on the staff notation and playing in the key of C gec.org.ru. Includes evaluation of styles in settings. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins. All life on earth is descended from a last universal ancestor that lived approximately 3.8 billion years ago. Repeated speciation and the divergence of life can be inferred from shared sets of biochemical and morphological traits, or by shared DNA sequences epub.\n\nThis page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience pdf. Do you first notice them grouping because of their shape or their size http://gec.org.ru/?books/living-lyrics? Mention should particularly be made here of two of Armstrong's other books, one on perception (1961), and one on bodily sensations, (1962). Armstrong thought of perception as coming to believe by means of the senses (compare also Pitcher 1971) , cited: http://gec.org.ru/?books/tributes-pay-days-poetry-vol-4-volume-4. Once you've chosen some chords, Hookpad can help you pick notes for your melody by highlighting the notes that are in the chords you've written gec.org.ru. Ethnomusicology, then, is currently in a phase of expansion and development wherein it is engaged in sorting out the kinds of studies of greatest importance to its development read online.\nBecause these changes would lead to a completely different answer. He knows which answer he wants to end up with, so he picks a path that will lead there. This is numerology. > For example, why does he stop adding notes to the major chord when he has three of them http://gec.org.ru/?books/belos-songs? Readings in selected topics in comparative history ref.: http://e-jobs.info/books/michael-jackson-billie-jean. The term is chiefly applied to Classical and Romantic music, but is not exclusively applicable to those eras. Transitional passage connecting two sections of a composition. That part of a stringed instrument which supports the strings pdf. The music composition search space is actually extremely large, larger than say the search space of Go. You can restrict the search space quite a bit but it's still large. > In other words, why does a particular sequence of sounds A, B, C lead to a mental state M that has particular internal qualities? If anyone is interested in learning to read music, I've been slowly building a tool to practice: http://sightreading.training/ source is here (built in react, es6): https://github.com/leafo/mursicjs It's still lacking a lot (like rhythm), but the different generators definitely give my brain a workout http://makeavatars.net/?library/song-lyrics-of-the-heather-project-companion-book-to-my-musical-life-story-by-all-means. One more thing — these numbers are only true for one type of streaming music service in the United States. If “Heartbreak Hotel” is played on a different type of service, things change read pdf. Students' research will contribute to an ongoing, periodically updated database that will eventually provide increasingly complex patterns of audio visual techniques. This special topics course is reserved for new subjects in the discipline of film studies. Advanced practice in news gathering and reporting read pdf. However, how close his learning model and our subtraction optimization (the two part (b)-s in the preceding) are to one another I cannot say as I did not study his model. However I do not see how he can get away without also assuming an additional mechanism for getting rid of powers of two, as we do in Section 2.2.2 \"Octaves: Sounds Normalized to a Factor of Two\" download.\nThis course may be taken 3 times for a maximum of 6 credits. 1 or 2 credits. 8 or 16 contact hours. One half-hour lesson or one hour lesson per week. This course is a continuation of MVS 1215 and is for the music major in the second year of study in the secondary performance area read epub. Can I receive federal financial aid for a Degree Path Certificate download? I have a vast collection of unfinished music, both on tape and in my head, and I'm pretty good at coming up with music on the spot. Writing lyrics takes more effort for me, so I tend to write complete or nearly complete lyrics, then find/write music that fits--in the sense that the lyrics sound good when sung with the music, but more importantly that the mood of the music fit the mood of the lyrics, and vice versa.. http://www.spectrum613.com/lib/so-amazing-is-your-grace-and-other-lyrics-lyrics-for-christian-songwriters-book-5. Lastly, make sure to evaluate how fairly the author treats the opposing viewpoints. Complete objectivity is very difficult to attain in writing, but try to find sources that are not incredibly subjective. Nonetheless, the most important thing is simply to be aware of possible biases so that you are not misled. Here are four approaches to assessing the credibility of the sources you find epub. We have analyzed the possible impact it can have on such organizational factors, and have utilized the empirical study and literature to make our inferences ref.: download for free. Over the last century or so, this harmonic vocabulary has evolved into a set of practices that is ideally suited to the needs of contemporary jazz performers download online. Grading: Pass/fail option; Art majors must take course for a regular grade pdf. We have heard that, in Schiller's Robbers, as acted on a certain German stage, the hero rushed in at the head of thirty horse; but we would only ask how an actor so situated is to be seen or heard pdf? History (AMH 3500) 3 credits Work is fundamental to the experiences of most people. However, the nature of the work, the arrangement of labor and the experiences of those who do the work have all been historically contingent. This course explores work as a historical development in American history, from the earliest days to the present. An overview of the history of immigration to the United States and of the immigrant and ethnic experience in American society from colonial times to the present pdf. Instead, each tone in the series is moved by being multiplied by some fudge factor. However notice that strings on the piano are made of the same stuff, at least nearby strings, and this fudge factor should therefore be somewhat consistent across strings http://gec.org.ru/?books/10-killer-country-song-lyrics-vol-2. Librettists of kunqu (chuanqi) operas wrote their aria lyrics with reference to preexisting tunes (qupai) defined by modal characteristics, number of literary-musical phrases, rhyme schemes, and other expressive structures. Words in the newly written lyrics must rigidly follow linguistic tones/ melodic contours affiliated with the preexisting tunes and their earlier texts download. This way, you will not be tempted to guess at the correct way to do something epub.\n\nRated 4.7/5\nbased on 1846 customer reviews", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9680728912353516}
{"content": "Thursday, May 4, 2017\n\nLeadership Characteristics That Are essential\n\nLeadership Characteristics That Are valuable Today\n\nQuality leadership is a indispensable asset found in every wealthy organizations. look at any well-to-do company, group, or committee, and you will find a talented leader at the back every of them. Many people ask the question, what makes a thriving leader? Is it a natural born talent, or is it something you can learn? Why accomplish some people inspire others to be augmented and make determined decisions, and others complete the opposite. Leadership skills are required of anyone who wishes to purchase a improved point of view at piece of legislation or any area in society. Some of the skills needed to be a great leader include: having sure communication skills, having a professional attitude, and beast assertive and friendly at the same time.These various characteristics of leadership are discussed in further detail below.\n\n-To begin, it is important for a leader to have sure communication skills. He or she needs to helpfully indicate what tasks habit to be curtains and in imitation of they are due. Everyone needs to be on the similar page. A truly fine leader is next always manageable to discuss any questions that members of his or her team may have. He or she will create it certain what needs to be finished if an employee runs into trouble.\n\n-Next, a fine leader is a great observer of people. This entails that he or she gets to know the personalities of every upon his or her team. The leader will know how to do something later hard employees just as capably as he or she would behind easy going ones. He or she will be relaxed at every times, even in the same way as things acquire tense.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8980574011802673}
{"content": "Blog Home  »  Users  »  GoldenElephant (Report Profile)\n\nGoldenElephant is a half-blood witch. She wields a 11¼\" Oak, Phoenix Feather wand, and is a member of the unsorted masses of Hogwarts students just off the train eagerly crowding around the Sorting Hat. Her favorite Harry Potter book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and her .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9894155859947205}
{"content": "Experimental eye research\n\nMMP-9 inhibition facilitates amacrine cell loss after ouabain-induced retinal damage.\n\nPMID 25752698\n\n\nRetinal ischemia is a common risk factor for visual impairment and blindness. Two common changes after retinal ischemia are retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and Müller glial cell (MGC)-mediated endogenous repair. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) has been shown to be responsible to RGC death. However, the effects of MMP-9 on the loss of other neurons and the reactivity of MGCs after retinal injury remain unclear. Ouabain, a Na/K-ATPase inhibitor, was injected into the vitreous body of rat eyes to induce cell death in the inner nuclear layer (INL). MMP-9 expression and activation in the retinas were examined by gelatin zymography and immunohistochemistry. The role of MMP-9 inhibitor (MMP-9i) in ouabain-treated retinas was assessed. After ouabain injection, there was an upregulation of MMP-9 activity in the inner retinas, and the activation of MMP-9 reached a maximum at 2 day. Unexpectedly, MMP-9i enhanced the thinning of the INL, the loss of Calbindin D-28k-positive cells and Syntaxin-positive amacrine cells (ACs) in the INL and decreased levels of Calbindin D-28k protein, while leaving the outer nuclear layer (ONL) unchanged. In addition, MMP-9i led to a minor increase in the number of BrdU positive cells that did not express GS in the INL. Collectively, these results revealed that the inhibition of MMP-9 activity facilitated AC loss and promoted the generation of MGC-derived cells in ouabain-treated retinas, which indicates that treating retinal diseases with drugs that inhibit MMP-9 activity should be considered with caution.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8347718715667725}
{"content": "\n\n\nOn her first return visit to Germany in 1950, Hannah Arendt went walking in the Black Forest with Martin Heidegger. They discussed revenge, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Upon her return to New York, Arendt began her diary of thoughts, her Denktagebuch. The first seven pages of Arendt's Denktagebuch argue that reconciliation—and not revenge or forgiveness—is an essential example of political judgment. The connection between reconciliation and judgment means that only reconciliation, and not revenge or forgiveness, can respond to wrongs in a way that fosters the political project of building and preserving a common world. This essay argues that the question—\"Ought I to reconcile myself to the world?\"—is, for Arendt, the pressing political question of our age.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7021055221557617}
{"content": "10 May 2017\n\nWhy be conscious: The improbable origins of our unique mind\n\nIf we ask what consciousness is for, and why it evolved, we may get closer to understanding the nature of our own minds as well as those of other animals\n\neye artwork\n\nRichard Wilkinson\n\nYOU know that you are conscious. Hopefully, you believe me when I tell you that I am, too. But is your pet dog or cat conscious? What about a tool-making crow, or a “clairvoyant” octopus or a worm? You might think it is impossible to find out. There is no distinctive pattern of brain activity that indicates consciousness, and we can’t exactly ask animals about their experiences. We don’t even fully understand what consciousness is.\n\nBut maybe there’s a way to get a handle on it. What if we tracked consciousness to its origins? Then, instead of asking what consciousness is, we ask why it evolved – in other words, what is it for? Until recently, that question has been largely ignored. But now biologists are starting to feel their way around the tree of life to consider where, when and why something resembling consciousness emerged. Their research is proving surprisingly fruitful. It’s not just shedding light on animal minds, it is also providing insights into the very nature of consciousness.\n\nThis approach has its own difficulties. “Consciousness doesn’t leave any fossil record,” says Anil Seth, a neuroscientist at the University of Sussex, UK. So we have to infer its evolutionary history by comparing animals alive today and working back to what their common ancestor might have been able to do. And, because we don’t really know what we are looking for, we have to grope our way blindly around the evolutionary tree, with only our own experience of consciousness as a guide. Then, as we observe\n\nTo continue reading this premium article, subscribe for unlimited access.\n\nQuarterly by Direct Debit\n\nInclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9929122924804688}
{"content": "Science Quiz / Virology 5240 Final Exam\n\nRandom Science Quiz\n\nCan you name the Virology 5240 Final Exam?\n\nQuiz not verified by Sporcle\n\nForced Order\nScore 0/73 Timer 20:00\nThe protection of cells infected with an HAD- virus against HAD+ viruses is _____ Interference\nThe discoverers of IFN\nThe set of polyoma genes which promotes VP Production/Apoptosis when inserted into the cell as one continuous segment\nThey discovered Viral Splicing in Adenoviridae by hybridizing hexon gene mRNA to DNA and noticing the loop outs, which were introns\nThe strain of Herpes responsible for chicken pox/Varicella Zoster Virus\n(True/False): Cells which receive more than one VP still produce IFN\nA protein which, in the IFN induction pathway, forms an active dimer when it binds dsRNA and activates NFkB, leading to IFN production\nMouse Mx accumulates in the ___; Human Mx accumulates in the ___\nThis element bound by NFkB and then binds the ISRE in the nucleus to produce IFN action-related gene products\nHerpes viruses produce proteins in three stages, each of which translocate to the nucleus to promote the production of the next stage; the first stage is called:\nMolecule produced by Polyomaviruses which pushes cells to the S phase, needed for viral replication\nThis family of enveloped dsDNA viruses with icosahedral nucleocapsids may take up a latent state in their host, forming a lifelong association with the virus\nA protein produced by flu viruses which suppresses IFN induction by 'sponge'ing up cellular TFs\nNew membrane is added to cells at these end segments, making these the areas where HA is most likely to first appear\nThese poxvirus proteins allow for viral replication\n(True/False): Vaccinia can protect co-infecting viruses from IFN effects by inhibiting PKR\nThis 'fishing' technique was used to distinguish between the two hypotheses of how DIPs functioned\nVaccinia codes for a this protein, a homolog of part of eIF2-alpha, the main target of PKR\nA compound which, when phosphorylated, mimics a nucleotide and terminates DNA synthesis; phosphorylated by a thymadine kinase present only in Herpes-infected cells\n(True/False): Adding a VSV gene to a pox virus and infecting a human with it will result in Ab against VSV\nThe interaction between different IFN families in a cell is described as:\nA name for the secreted virulence factors of pox viruses\nIt was discovered that dsRNA induced IFN through experiments with these complimentary RNA compounds (answer: nucleotide letters)\nMolecule produced by Polyomaviruses which binds p53, preventing apoptosis, promoting transformation\nVaccinia codes for this protein, which mimics PKR's ability to bind dsRNA ; adding a Reovirus gene to a deletion mutant replicates this function\n(True/False): Cells which receive one IP do not always produce a full IFN yield\nCells induced to produce IFN are also induced to produce this compound to degrade the dsRNA\nThe strain of Herpes which causes Mononucleosis in America, but causes Burkitt's Lymphoma in areas with endemic malaria\nAs IFN levels in the blood rose, the number of vaccine 'takes' for measles ____\nA gene which is activated by IFN, the product of which binds the flu virus nucleocapsid, blocking transcription of the genome\nIFN-gamma upregulates the ____ Transcription Factor for IFN-alpha/beta, thereby increasing their effectiveness\nHe infected mice with viruses and then injected them with anti-IFN, resulting in increased lethality and demonstrating the power of IFN\nEven though two infected monolayers may have received the same number of viral particles, those which were passed at high multiplicity will cyclically result in fewer PFP due to:\n1 Unit of IFN is defined as the amount which results in a __% reduction in plaque formation\n(True/False):Poxviruses (dsDNA) induce IFN through mechanisms not involving dsRNA\nA poxvirus used by Burnett to control the Australian rabbit population\nA protein in the IFN action pathway which, when activated with dsRNA, produces a protein which dimerizes and activates RNAse L\n(True/False):RNAse L preferentially degrades ssRNA which is closely associated with dsRNA\n(True/False): Production of DIPs depends on co-infection of the cell with complete virus\nStrains specific virus interference which occurs when viruses are continuously passed at high titers\nA trisomy of this chromosome, which produces the IFN receptor, will result in increased effectiveness of IFN\nIFN acts as a natural ____, stimulating slow antigen release and increased antibody production\nAccording to target theory, polyoma transforming activity declines more slowly than IP activity because _______ is the only target for transformation inhibition:\nProteins (Transcription Factors) abundant in Herpes viruses which are coded for by the virus\nLatent Herpes RNA forms this shape in the nucleus of infected neurons:\nThis compound can separate HeLa cells from a plate while leaving the underlying HA molecules attached to be visualized\n(True/False): Even if a cell is infected with an del-NS1 mutant, infection levels will remain high if the host lacks the PKR gene\nThe largest family of conventional viruses, these dsDNA viruses code for over 100 proteins and contain many TFs and Defense Mechanisms\nThe NS1 protein interacts with the polymerase complex, preventing its function\nThe set of polyoma genes which promotes transformation when inserted into the cell as one continuous segment\nDIPs may be separated from PFPs with this technique, involving a sucrose density gradient\nWhen chicken IFN was reverse transcribed into green monkey kidney cells and sequenced, the protein was found to have __ cysteines and __ glycsylation sites\nIFN Receptors function via _____ pathways, ultimately phosphorylating IkB and thus activating NFkB\nThese poxvirus proteins produce a second stage uncoating; others exit the cell and stimulate adjacent cell growth; DNA not yet replicating\nOutbreaks of this virus demonstrate the dangers other poxviruses pose in a world where no one is immune to smallpox, as poxviruses have common Ags provideing blanket pox immunity\nThis type of transcription of PFP RNA produces enough capsid proteins for DIP export in the absence of secondary transcription\nInfluenza DIPs disrupt replication because of a defective _____ subunit which outcompetes the normal protein\nInterferon secondary structure contains 5 of these elements\nSustained Large T Antigen production is necessary to maintain a transformed cell, leading to a continuously fluorescent ______ when the LTA is GFP-tagged\n(True/False): IFN Suppressing viruses are less sensitive to IFN action\nA family of dsDNA viruses with circular supercoiled DNA wrapped around cellular histones\nPoxviruses are fairly resistant to Antibody because they exit cells by _____, passing immediately into adjacent cells\n(True/False): Interferon production in chicken embryos increases with time\nAdenoviruses have this gene, which produces small dsRNA molecules that bind but do not activate PKR\nThe incredible stability of Herpesviridae allows for this technique to track the source of the infection\nA homolog of the IFN-gamma receptor produced by myxoma virus, which reduces sensitivity to IFN\nIn the IFN action pathway, elevated PKR levels remain latent until dsRNA is present, at which point it phosphorylates __, stopping translation\nNS1 (which also sequesters dsRNA) deletion mutants are equally sensitive to IFN action, but produce ___ IFN than normal virus\nDIPs form in VSV because of a 5' end of the -RNA strand which transcribes a portion of the ___ gene, which then binds cellular transcriptase at high affinity\nHerpes viruses produce these as a defense mechanism against IFN Action:\nBy infecting cells with a virus without a CPE (HAD-), waiting, and then challenging them with a virus with a CPE (HAD+), these appear on the plate\nThe most efficient inducer of IFN is a DIP of this virus\nHPV (a polyomavirus) vaccines (against types 15+18) are made by inducing this organism to produce empty viral capsids\n\nYou're not logged in!\n\nCompare scores with friends on all Sporcle quizzes.\nSign Up with Email\nLog In\n\nYou Might Also Like...\n\nShow Comments\n\n\nTop Quizzes Today\n\nScore Distribution\n\nYour Account Isn't Verified!\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7193008661270142}
{"content": "how to be a good father: a guide not written by ozai\n\nAraeph’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2\n\nVol. 1 here.\n\nIt’s Araeph’s 1000th post! Thank you so much to all my followers, people who’ve messaged me for discussion, and fans who’ve filled my inbox with such thought-provoking asks. Below is the latest master list of my essays and fiction that I’ve compiled over the past year or so, as well as a few choice reblogs from other tumblr users that are mentioned by name. Have a fantastic 4th of July, everyone!\n\nFic Recs\n\nA:TLA Friendship Recs\nFavorite Zutara writers\n\nAraeph’s fics\n\nHatchling, Part 1\nSpitting Image, Part 1\nBreath of Fire\nLove Is a Marathon\nDefiance, Part 1\nDefiance, Part 2\nDefiance, Part 3\nDefiance, Part 4\nDefiance, Part 5\nDefiance, Part 6\nDefiance, Part 7\nDefiance, Part 8\n\nOther Meta\n\nAraeph’s fandoms\nMulan: contrasting messages in pop song vs. theatrical song\nThe arranged marriage plot in Mulan 2\nMulan and Shang: military dynamics vs. a relationship\nWhat did you think of the Red John arc in The Mentalist?\nWas the Jane/Lisbon pairing in The Mentalist treated well?\nDid Lizzy marry Darcy for his money?\nWhat advice do you have for up-and-coming authors?\nWhat do you think makes a good romance?\nAre there particular directors you gravitate towards?\n\nSteven Universe Criticism\n\nWhat are your favorite critiques of Steven Universe?\nWho did Pearl belong to before she joined the Crystal Gems?\nHow Pearl responds to toughness vs. niceness\nCan autism explain Pearl’s behavior toward Greg?\nWhat do you think of Pearl’s character and her treatment of Steven?\nAre there similarities between Aang and Pearl’s clinginess to their partners?\nThe Diamonds: taking “compassion for one’s adversaries” too far\nWhat do you think of the “Rose is Pink Diamond” theory?\nRainbow Quartz: requited love\nI miss the way they used to draw Peridot\nThe decline of Steven Universe\n\nA:TLA Gen Criticism\n\nI just don’t know how to feel about Bryke!\nHow do you keep A:TLA’s flaws from ruining the show for you?\nShould Teo, Haru, and The Duke have had bigger roles in Book 3?\nShould there have been a scene where Aang mourns the dead at the end of Book 3?\nThe structure of the first half of Book 3\nIs energybending Ozai enough to delegitimize his rule?\nCould Aang lying to the tribes in “The Great Divide” have been handled better?\nWas the Fire Nation secretly looking for the Avatar in the Southern Water Tribe?\nParallels between the Fire Nation Royal Family and the SWT chief family\nDoes the GAang idealize their parents and mentors too much?\nThe significance of Momo\nHow did the characters age visually throughout A:TLA?\nWas Ozai an abusive spouse as well as father?\nDo you think the Avatar universe has a legitimate afterlife?\nDetachment and unlocking the chakras\nAvatar cosmology @peacockarehot\nWhat happens before each Avatar is old enough to master the elements?\nHow well was the challenge of being the Avatar told in A:TLA and LOK?\n\nA:TLA’s Four Nations\n\nFour Nations and childhood education\nFour Nations’ view of sex and gender roles\nFour Nations: a food contest analysis\nFour Nations eye color\nWhat is the best way for the SWT to develop?\nWhat is your opinion on Water Tribe betrothal necklaces?\nWhy an earthbender shouldn’t be able to lavabend alone\nIs the Earth Kingdom united under a cohesive value?\nWhat is your opinion on the Air Nomad council of elders?\nDid the Air Nomads get shortchanged in development?\nIs Ty Lee an untrained airbender?\nWhat kind of benders would mixed heritage kids be?\nCould firebenders draw power from the Earth’s core?\nCan waterbenders heat water to create steam? Part 1\nCan waterbenders heat water to create steam? Part 2\nWhat is your favorite nation and what type of bender would you be?\nWho are your favorite minor characters from all four nations?\n\nAlternative A:TLA Finale and Book 4 Speculation\n\nZutara would have been a better bookend, even with only 3 books\nHow would the Book 3 Zutara moments change with Book 4?\nWhat should have been the theme of the A:TLA finale?\nWhat do you find disappointing about the A:TLA finale?\nAaron Ehaz’s plan for A:TLA and beyond @kataraaandzuko @terminaschosenone\nAnything you would like to see from an A:TLA sequel?\nHow do you see the relationships of the Gaang progressing through adulthood?\nHow would hidden airbenders have been revealed?\nKoh in Book 4\n\nA:TLA Comics Criticism\n\nRosy colonialism in “The Promise”\n“North and South” : a settler’s fantasy  @fireladykatara\n“North and South” and the issue of progress\nThe A:TLA comics do not follow A:TLA’s visual style\nBryke’s interference in the comics\nWhat do you think of the role the Air Acolytes played in the comics?\n\nLegend of Korra criticism\n\nA:TLA vs. LOK: simple vs. complex beginnings\nLOK and inconsistent bending origins\nWhich element is the hardest for an Avatar to learn?\nHow would you write Korra’s development in Books 1-4?\nMary Suyin\nHow would you write Suyin Beifong?\nSuyin: complex vs. annoying characterization\nZaheer and compelling belief systems\nIs Zaheer Korra’s foil?\nThoughts on the Red Lotus\nWhat do you think of the concept of Raava and Vaatu?\nWhat do you think are the most well developed secondary characters in LOK?\nVarrick, Zhu Li, and abuse\nCould Makorra have become compatible?\nBolin and Lavabending\nWhat do you think about the Dai Li surviving into the era of LOK?\nBumi and Air Nomad colors\nBryke’s extreme responses to fan theories\nHow would a sequel to Legend of Korra play out?\n\nZutara Meta\n\nA:TLA non-canon shippers keep A:TLA fandom afloat\nZuko and Katara: Color symbolism in “Cave of Two Lovers” @marsreds\nZuko and Katara: character parallels\nZutara is toxic and unhealthy!” (again)\nZuko and Katara, twin flames @peacockarehot\nZutara parallels with Darcy and Elizabeth\nZutara parallels with Beauty and the Beast\nBlue Spirit/Painted Lady parallels\nThe Blue Spirit vs. the Painted Lady\nWere the Blue Spirit and Painted Lady connected?\nHow Zuko shows respect when saving Katara from falling rocks @theadamantdaughter\nZuko and Katara’s parenting styles\nZuko jumping in front of lightning was sacrificial\nWhat would young viewers learn from Zutara?\nOn Zuko interacting more with the GAang\nThoughts on School Time Shipping\n\n“What Would [X] Gain from Zutara?”\nUrsa and Kiyi\nThe Fire Nation and Water Tribes\nThe cabbage merchant\n\nKataang Criticism\n\nIrrefutable proof that Kataang was NOT always going to be canon @peacockarehot\nDo you think Katara felt some pressure to date Aang?\nKataang and unwanted advances (with @theadamantdaughter)\nAang’s possessive behavior toward Katara @theadamantdaughter\nWhy Aang’s behavior in “Love Is a Battlefield” is dangerous\nLove vs. attachment\nDoes Aang respect Katara?\nWhy “The Fortuneteller” is anti-Kataang\nFanon Kataang vs. canon Kataang\nCould Katara and Aang still be happy together?\nKatara is aged down in scenes with Aang\nKataang and the magic aging (with @jasubb-8)\nDoes Aang’s age excuse his unwanted advances?\nWhat if Katara couldn’t give Aang an airbender?\nWill-they-won’t-they and Kataang\nAang’s romances vs. Sokka’s romances @peacockarehot\nKataang’s lack of substance in “The Headband”\nKataang’s lack of substance in “The Cave of Two Lovers”\n\nMaiko Criticism\n\nWould Ty Mai be more compatible than Maiko?\nTy Mai and understanding each other\nWere Zuko and Mai’s relations consensual? with @theadamantdaughter\nWhy Maiko is prime for failure @peacockarehot\nMaiko, Zutara, and Conflict @theadamantdaughter\nThe pitfalls of Maiko @peacockarehot\nIs Maiko or Kataang worse?\nIs Maiko or Kataang worse? – part 2\nWhy do Maiko shippers ignore the problems in their ship?\nMai never dated the real Zuko\nPros and Cons of Maiko\n\nCharacter Analysis\n\nHow would you have written Aang’s character development from Books 1-3?\nAang exalting Air Nomad culture above everyone else’s\nShould Aang’s introspection have followed Buddhist tenets more closely?\nRewriting energybending to improve Aang’s character @terminaschosenone\nShould Aang have had a more prominent teacher or guide?\nDo you think Aang’s grief at the loss of the Air Nomads was properly presented?\nWhy was Aang not worried about killing Ozai on the Day of Black Sun?\nAang vs. the vulture wasp\nAang’s reaction to the other Avatars’ advice\nAang’s reaction to Yangchen’s advice\nAang’s response to Jetara\nAang’s anger vs. Katara’s\nDid Aang truly exhibit contrition for the EIP kiss?\nHow Aang idealizes Katara\nDid Aang really know how Katara felt because of his own loss?\nWho would be a good match for Aang?\n\nCould the dragons heal Azula?\nDo you think any little part of Azula ever loved Zuko?\nAzula’s motivations for the lightning strike\nAzula’s motivations for the lightning strike, Part 2\nWould Katara feel a moral obligation to help Azula post-A:TLA?\nHow would Azula have compelled Mai to go with her initially if Mai had refused?\n\nIroh’s character journey\nDo Iroh’s values align better with Mai’s or Katara’s?\nMaiko shipper bashes Iroh and Zuko\nZuko and Iroh’s relationship parallels with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver\n\nKatara and her emotional iceberg\nKatara would have been more independent if she’d married Zuko\nKatara puts her emotional needs in front of Aang’s\nKatara is abandoned at the South Pole\nKatara crying over Aang vs. Zuko\nDid Katara’s character development stall?\nShould Katara have been at the Boiling Rock?\nShould Katara have forgiven Zuko earlier?\nKatara lashing out at Sokka during Southern Raiders\nHow do you think Kya would feel about the Southern Raiders?\nWould it have been in character for Katara to murder Yon Rha?\nWhy does Katara’s character become so irrelevant? @zuzusexytiems\nWhy Katara is not a Mary Sue @daughter-of-water @theadamantdaughter\nWhy do people continually try to make excuses for Katara not fighting in LOK?\n\nWhat would Mai’s ideal character arc be?\nMai doesn’t understand Zuko’s values @honxrable\nWhat personality would be best for Mai’s partner?\nWas Mai originally going to be a villain?\nIs there any evidence that Mai was scared of Azula?\nDebunking Mai’s affection for Tom-Tom\n\nSokka’s quest to be a man\nOn Sokka seeing Katara’s face instead of his mother’s\nSokka’s protective nature\n\nCould Toph and her parents reconcile?\nToph and law enforcement\n\nIs Zuko emotionally unstable?\nHow would Zuko handle the issue of bloodbending?\nWas Zuko more open in Book 2 or Book 3?\nHair cutting symbolism in A:TLA\nDo you think Zuko has PTSD?\nZuko and Aang’s relationship\nLocations of Zuko’s Agni Kais and their significance\nThe symbolism of Zuko’s scar\nZuko is not stoic (@honxrable)\nWhy I Feel Zuko’s Betrayal Was to End Zutara @peacockarehot\nPiandao as Zuko’s mentor", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8499165773391724}
{"content": "We’re always waiting for our lives to begin, figuring we’ll be someone else someday. But what are we waiting for? All we have is now.\n—  One Tree Hill\nIf you’re always looking for reasons not to be with somebody, then you’ll always find them. At some point, you should let go and give your heart what it deserves.\n—  One Tree Hill\nSometimes I feel like I need to talk to every single person that's going to start watching OTH\n\nAnd I need to tell them to not fall in love with Brucas. DON’T DO IT. Because it will hurt you, even years later. You will never get over that ship, even if you go into the show knowing what’s going to happen and you think you’ll be okay with it. \n\nIs the perfection of Brucas for the short time we had it worth the incredible pain of losing them completely? \n\nSometimes I’m not sure it is. \n\nThe boy saw the comet and he felt as though his life had meaning. And when it went away, he waited his entire life for it to come back to him… It was more than just a comet because of what it brought to his life: direction, beauty, meaning. There are many who couldn’t understand, and sometimes he walked among them. But even in his darkest hours, he knew in his heart that someday it would return to him, and his world would be whole again… And his belief in God and love and art would be re-awakened in his heart.\n—  Lucas Scott ‘The Comet’\n\nbut sometimes they come back", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7794547080993652}
{"content": "Distance from Calion, AR to Hensley, AR\n\nDriving distance between Calion, AR and Hensley, AR is miles (or kilometers). If you drove an average car (using about 3.6 gallons of gas per mile), the gas would cost you around $, since you would need about gallons of fuel.\n\nLeaving from Calion, AR you would reach Hensley, AR in about if you keep an average speed of miles per hour, assuming you don’t make any breaks or get stuck in traffic.\n\nDriving distance in miles\n\n\nCO2 emissions icon\n\nCO2 emissions: kg\n\nEmission estimated with the eco2 norme\n(185 CO2 grams/mile)\n\nThis is a map overview of the best driving route from Calion, AR to Hensley, AR in which you can see the origin and destination points marked with A (Calion) and B (Hensley) respectively as well as blue line along the road route you can take. You can zoom in to see more details, including road numbers and even street names both in Calion, AR and Hensley, AR as well as every other town you may pass by on your way.\n\nFuel consumption if you drive from Calion, AR to Hensley, AR\n\n\nCost of driving from Calion, AR to Hensley, AR\n\nDepending on the fuel efficiency level of your car, driving from Calion to Hensley will cost you between and . An average car would make the trip for . We calculate the route cost using real time average gas prices for the US and other costs such as tolls are not included in this calculation.\n\nDriving directions\n\nTo help you plan your trip from Calion to Hensley, we offer a detailed map together with full, turn by turn, driving directions from Calion, AR to Hensley, AR.\n\nFlying or direct distance between Calion, AR and Hensley, AR\n\nThe flying distance represent the straight distance from Calion to Hensley, the length of an hypothetical flight trip between the geographic center of Calion, AR and the geographic center of Hensley, AR. We also offer nearby airports to both Calion to Hensley and a flight ticket price comparison form, in case you want to make that hypothetical flight real :).\n\nRecently Checked Distances\n\nDistance from Cedarville, MI Meridian, MS Distance from Wheeler, IN Portersville, PA Distance from Kings Bay, GA New Paris, PA Distance from Knoxville, AR Bagdad, FL Distance from Philadelphia, TN Kentfield, CA Distance from Denmark, WI Belvedere Tiburon, CA Distance from Shelburne, VT Calvary, GA Distance from Las Vegas, NV Page, WV", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7068133354187012}
{"content": "Plants and Society\n\nThe module is designed to increase the general knowledge of non-life sciences discipline students on the diversity and human exploitations of plants. It aims to help the students to understand the dependency of human society on the plant world and deepen the appreciation of the roles played by plants and fungi in the progress of human civilizations. The module consists of lectures, tutorials, video shows and group project works. The main topics include diversity of the world of plants and fungi, how plants and fungi get their scientific names, plants and fungi as sources of food, clothing, shelter and medicines, their industrial uses, fungi that cause human and crop diseases, and plants that protect and beautify our environment.\n\nLogin Required", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8984682559967041}
{"content": "Visitors of the Temple\n\n\nLevel 45\nStart NPC Yunadi\nFinish NPC Auto Complete\nLocation Cloying Wastes\nMission Investigate the footprints near the temple.\nDescription There’s rumors going around about the strange happenings inside the temple that recently turned into a ruin. Some say Evil Spirit lives in it, and some say people get hypnotized by strong curses. As a treasure hunter, I have to pay close attention to these rumors.\n\nSo while investigating, I found strange footprints near the ruined temple area. I don’t know who these belong to, but it’s probably related to the rumors. Investigate the footprints near the temple.\nReward exp 1381750\nReward gold 1G 13S 25C\n\nYou can get the following items\n\nItem Count Prof\nGolden Peak Emergency Bandage Golden Peak Emergency Bandage 3", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9663019180297852}
{"content": "Edge (of polyhedron) A line segment formed by the intersection of two faces of a polyhedron\n\nEdge (of prism) A line segment formed by the intersection of two faces of a prism\n\nElement A member of a set\n\nEmpty set The set with no elements, represented by 0. (Some mathematicians also use f I to represent the empty set.)\n\nEndpoint   The point at the end of a line segment or ray.\n\nEquality (of fractions) Two fractions,         a\n\nEquation   A mathematical sentence with an equals sign to indicate that two expressions name the same number.\n\nEquiangular A polygon with equal angles. (Regular polygon).\n\nEquilateral triangle  A triangle in which all sides are congruent.\n\nEquivalent equations   Equations that have the same solution.\n\nEquivalent fractions Fractions that name the same number.\n\nEquivalent inequalities   Inequalities that have the same solutions.\n\nEstimate A guess made as the answer to a problem by using numbers which are close in value to the numbers\n\nused in the problem)\n\nEvaluate an expression   To replace a variable in an expression with one of its values and then complete the\n\nindicated arithmetic.\n\nEvent A specific outcome or type of outcome.\n\nExact number The number used to express a count of objects (308)\n\nExpanded form   The method of representing a number as the sum of products of each digit and powers of 0.\n\nExpanded notation Writing a number as an indicated sum of face values times place values (13)\n\nExpected value The average value that one would expect to get over many attempts.\n\nExperimental probability An estimated probability based on the relative frequency of positive outcomes                      \n\noccurring during an experiment.\n\nExponent A number indicating how many times the base is used as a factor. In 54, the exponent is 4.\n\nExterior angle If the a side of a polygon is extended, an exterior angle is formed.\n\nExtremes of a proportion  0 The first and last terms of a proportion.\n\n                                                                                            Back to Contents", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8478623032569885}
{"content": "16 Dec 2014\n\nEquality, Efficiency and Economic Theory (Social Journal Europe)\n\nDani Rodrik, Good And Bad Inequality\nDani Rodrik\nIn the pantheon of economic theories, the tradeoff between equality and efficiency used to occupy an exalted position. The American economist Arthur Okun, whose classic work on the topic is called Equality and Efficiency: The Big Tradeoff, believed that public policies revolved around managing the tension between those two values. As recently as 2007, when New York University economist Thomas Sargent, addressing the graduating class at the University of California, Berkeley, summarized the wisdom of economics in 12 short principles, the tradeoff was among them.\nEarly this year, economists at the International Monetary Fund produced empirical results that seemed to upend the old consensus. They found that greater equality is associated with faster subsequent medium-term growth, both across and within countries.\nMoreover, redistributive policies did not appear to have any detrimental effects on economic performance. We can have our cake, it seems, and eat it, too. That is a striking result – all the more so because it comes from the IMF, an institution hardly known for heterodox or radical ideas.\nAccording to Dani Rodrik, we have to distinguish between good and bad inequality.\nOn the other hand, Venezuela’s aggressive redistributive transfers under Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro, were financed by temporary oil revenues, placing both the transfers and macroeconomic stability at risk. Even though inequality has been reduced in Venezuela (for the time being), the economy’s growth prospects have been severely weakened.\nLatin America is the only world region where inequality has declined since the early 1990s. Improved social policies and increased investment in education have been substantial factors. But the decline in the pay differential between skilled and unskilled workers – what economists call the “skill premium” – has also played an important role. Whether this is good news or bad for economic growth depends on why the skill premium has fallen.\nIf pay differentials have narrowed because of an increase in the relative supply of skilled workers, we can be hopeful that declining inequality in Latin America will not stand in the way of faster growth (and may even be an early indicator of it). But if the underlying cause is the decline in demand for skilled workers, smaller differentials would suggest that the modern, skill-intensive industries on which future growth depends are not expanding sufficiently.\nIn the advanced countries, the causes of rising inequality are still being debated. Automation and other technological changes, globalization, weaker trade unions, erosion of minimum wages, financialization, and changing norms about acceptable pay gaps within enterprises have all played a role, with different weights in the United States relative to Europe. Each one of these drivers has a different effect on growth. While technological progress clearly fosters growth, the rise of finance since the 1990s has probably had an adverse effect, via financial crises and the accumulation of debt.\n\n24 Oct 2014\n\n\n\n\nHa-Joon Chang, Political Class\nHa-Joon Chang\n\n\n\n\nWill The Juncker Commission Continue To Entrench Neoliberal Policies?\n\nLukas Oberndorfer, Juncker Commission\nLukas Oberndorfer\n\nThe Neoliberal Reform Alliance Is Targeting The Remaining Countries\n\n\n\nOld Ideas, New Candour: Enforceability For The Commission’s Recommendations\n\n\nOvercoming Democratic Obstacles\n\n\n11 Oct 2014\n\nNEW THOUGHTS ON CAPITAL - Thomas Piketty (From TED Talks)\n\n\n\n\n1 Oct 2014\n\n\nIf You Look At One Graph About Inequality Look At This!\n\nHenning Meyer\nHenning Meyer\n\n\n29 Sep 2014\n\nTh Austerity Disaster and its impact - Lessons for New Zealand? (From Social Europe)\n\nEurope’s Austerity Disaster\n\nJoseph Stiglitz, Austerity Disaster\nJoseph Stiglitz\n“If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the theory,” goes the old adage. But too often it is easier to keep the theory and change the facts – or so German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other pro-austerity European leaders appear to believe. Though facts keep staring them in the face, they continue to deny reality.\nThe European economy is still in major trouble and the policy direction is making matters worse, according to Joseph Stiglitz.\nLikewise, Italy is being encouraged to accelerate privatization. But Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has the good sense to recognize that selling national assets at fire-sale prices makes little sense. Long-run considerations, not short-run financial exigencies, should determine which activities occur in the private sector. The decision should be based on where activities are carried out most efficiently, serving the interests of most citizens the best.\n\nThe Damage Fallacies of Neo-Liberal economics cause\n\n\n\nNeoliberalism has brought out the worst in us\n\n\nCity of London and Canary Wharf\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n25 Jul 2014\n\nWhy the Super-Rich need Governments. (from Social Europe Journal)\n\nDani Rodrik\n\nThe very rich, F. Scott Fitzgerald famously wrote, “are different from you and me.” Their wealth makes them “cynical where we are trustful,” and makes them think “they are better than we are.” If these words ring true today, perhaps it is because when they were written, in 1926, inequality in the United States had reached heights comparable to today.\nDuring much of the intervening period, between the end of World War II and the 1980s, inequality in the advanced countries was moderate. The gap between the super-rich and the rest of society seemed less colossal – not just in terms of income and wealth, but also in terms of attachments and social purpose. The rich had more money, of course, but they somehow still seemed part of the same society as the poor, recognizing that geography and citizenship made them share a common fate.\nAs the University of Michigan’s Mark Mizruchi points out in a recent book, the American corporate elite in the postwar era had “an ethic of civic responsibility and enlightened self-interest.” They cooperated with trade unions and favored a strong government role in regulating and stabilizing markets. They understood the need for taxes to pay for important public goods such as the interstate highway and safety nets for the poor and elderly.\nBy contrast, today’s super-rich are “moaning moguls,” to use James Surowiecki’s evocative term. Exhibit A for Surowiecki is Stephen Schwarzman, the chairman and CEO of the private equity firm the Blackstone Group, whose wealth now exceeds $10 billion.\nSurowiecki thinks that the change in attitudes has much to do with globalization. Large American corporations and banks now roam the globe freely, and are no longer so dependent on the US consumer. The health of the American middle class is of little interest to them these days. Moreover, Surowiecki argues, socialism has gone by the wayside, and there is no need to coopt the working class anymore.\nYet if corporate moguls think that they no longer need to rely on their national governments, they are making a huge mistake. The reality is that the stability and openness of the markets that produce their wealth have never depended more on government action.\nThe super rich are now more separated from the rest of society than ever before (photo: CC 4WheelsofLux Photography on Flickr)\nIn periods of relative calm, governments’ role in writing and upholding the rules by which markets function can become obscured. It may seem as if markets are on autopilot, with governments an inconvenience that is best avoided.\nAs former Bank of England Governor Mervyn King aptly put it in the context of finance, “global banks are global in life, but national in death.”\nBut when economic storm clouds gather on the horizon, everyone seeks shelter under their home government’s cover. It is then that the ties that bind large corporations to their native soil are fully revealed. As former Bank of England Governor Mervyn King aptly put it in the context of finance, “global banks are global in life, but national in death.”\nConsider how the US government stepped in to ensure financial and economic stability during the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. If the government had not bailed out large banks, the insurance giant AIG, and the auto industry, and if the Federal Reserve had not flooded the economy with liquidity, the wealth of the super-rich would have taken a severe blow. Many argued that the government should have focused on rescuing homeowners; instead, the government chose to support the banks – a policy from which the financial elite benefited the most.\nEven in normal times, the super-rich depend on government support and action. It is largely the government that has financed the fundamental research that produced the information-technology revolution and the firms (such as Apple and Microsoft) that it has spawned.\nIt is the government that enacts and enforces the copyright, patent, and trademark laws that protect intellectual property rights, guaranteeing successful innovators a steady stream of monopoly profits. It is the government that subsidizes the higher-education institutions that train the skilled work force. It is the government that negotiates trade agreements with other countries to ensure that domestic firms gain access to foreign markets.\nThere is no reason to expect that the super-rich will act less selfishly than any other group. But it is not so much their self-interest that stands in the way of greater equality and social inclusion. The more significant roadblock is the missing recognition that markets cannot produce prosperity for long – for anyone – unless they are backed by healthy societies and good governance.\n\n8 Jul 2014\n\nYESTERDAY'S RUBBISH..why is a minimum wage different from Free Trade?\n\nAndrew Watt\nAndrew Watt\nGermany’s first post-war Chancellor Konrad Adenauer is usually held to be the origin of an often-quoted phrase „Was kümmert mich mein Geschwätz von gestern?“. Roughly: why should I be concerned about the rubbish I talked yesterday? Whatever the rights and wrongs of this attribution, the phrase – used to draw attention to someone who places political flexibility over intellectual consistency – has occurred to me numerous times over recent months in the context of Germany’s debate over the introduction of a statutory minimum wage.\n\nThe statutory minimum wage in Germany\n\nThe decision was finally taken yesterday in the Bundestag. Germany will, for the first time in its history, apply a statutory minimum wage of EUR 8.50 to almost all workers from the start of 2015. It is estimated that up to 3.7 million workers will benefit, and given very pronounced wage inequality at the bottom of the German labour market, the wage rises for some workers will be substantial. There is a two-year transition phase for pre-existing sectoral collective agreements. A number of groups of workers have been excluded, some permanently the majority for a transition period, from the minimum wage requirement, which has given rise to an intense debate in the country.\nThis debate about exemptions, as with the battle over the minimum wage more generally, has centred, unsurprisingly, on possible negative employment effects. Once the minimum wage has been introduced it will be possible to analyse its employment effects, even if this will be difficult because its impact will not be easy to disentangle from that of other factors happening at the same time. For the moment, one has to rely on studies focusing on past minimum wage introductions and increases in other countries. The thrust of that literature is that, provided the minimum wage is at a “reasonable rate”, it is very hard to identify negative employment effects in the aggregate. (For a discussion of whether EUR 8.50 is “reasonable” in the German context see here.)\nWhat we will see though is a lot of “argument by anecdote”. Firm A in region B has been forced into bankruptcy by wage increases necessitated by the minimum wage. Worker C in city D was happy about the minimum wage when it was being discussed, but now he is furious because instead of a job paying EUR 6.50 he is unemployed. Indeed, we are already seeing this argument being deployed in the form of threats and predictions. Handelsblatt, the German business daily, recently had a piece whose title asks whether the minimum wage will lead to bankruptcies (“Pleiten dank Mindestlohn?”, Handelsblatt, 15.05.14). The article answers the rhetorical question in the affirmative, based on the opinions of the director of the hotel and catering lobby organisation, the board chairman of a chain of hairdressers, and the president of the German employers association BDA. And this concern has been expressed by many liberal economists, by employer-linked think tanks such as the Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft[1], and, not least, by the German Council of Economic Advisers.[2]\n\nPolitical flexibility or intellectual consistency?\n\nWhat I find interesting here is less the specific arguments put forward (which are rather weak) than the fact that the basis for the arguments is completely at odds with the way that employers’ representatives[3], and certainly liberal economists, normally position themselves. It is as if, on the issue of the minimum wage they are collectively saying: why should I be concerned about the rubbish I talked yesterday?\nConsider the debate on free trade. A country has tariffs that protect a sector of its economy. They are removed, leading to job losses and bankruptcies in the least productive firms in that sector. Do employer representatives and liberal economists favour an anecdotal approach here and call for the reimposition of tariffs in order to protect jobs and companies? On the whole they take a very different line. The production and employment protected by the tariffs is “inefficient”. Free trade brings a welcome does of competition. It enables higher incomes and a shift of production to areas in which the country has a comparative advantage. Workers who lose their jobs move to more productive occupations or regions and everyone is better off. (At least, the more sophisticated would add, this is the case after an intervening adjustment period.) Focusing on protecting “old” jobs is a barrier to productivity and progress. One cannot judge from individual job losses that the overall employment level must fall.\nA similar argument is put forward with respect to technological change. Yes, some workers are thrown out of work when new, more efficient machinery and production processes are introduced. Others have to adjust through training. But here, too, the overall impact is beneficial (after a lag), because lost employment can be recouped elsewhere in the economy, as higher-productivity jobs pay higher wages that in turn expand employment opportunities for workers in other parts of the economy. If you are against technological change you are a Luddite and economically illiterate.\nThis begs the question why different standards seemingly apply in the case of the minimum wage. Firms facing a rise in labour costs in the wake of its introduction have a number of ways to adjust. (These are not mutually exclusive in practice but can be separated for expositional purposes.) They can increase prices. Given that the minimum wage applies across the whole economy (i.e. will not just affect individual firms) this is likely to happen. Relative prices will adjust: the prices of goods and services produced with the use of large quantities of low-skilled labour will increase relative to those using more high-skill labour and capital. The economic (not technical) productivity of the low-wage workers will rise, thanks to higher product and service prices, to match the increase in their wages. Or firms can raise their productivity (in the technical sense), through innovation and reorganisation, just like a firm facing a dose of wholesome foreign competition because tariffs have been cut. Companies may also accept a lower profitability, and the wage share would rise somewhat. (If nothing else, this would make Thomas Picketty happy).\nBut, undoubtedly, in some firms these adjustment strategies may not be practicable or sufficient. Some may lay off workers and others be forced to close. This is the basis for the anecdotal argument. But surely, given their normal argumentative pattern, business representatives and liberal economists should be vociferously pointing out that this is actually not a problem, certainly not an inevitable one. For as we have seen a minimum wage has very similar effects to a bracing dose of foreign competition or the “creative destruction” associated with technology. Induced productivity gains and higher wages generate additional income that sustains employment in firms across the whole economy. Those employers that cannot keep up are forced out of business. And the labour that is displaced will, or at least should[4], be rapidly deployed to other regions or sectors where it can be put to more productive use.\n\nYesterday’s rubbish?\n\nFrom the macroeconomic point of view it makes no sense at all to lock a large proportion of the workforce into low-paid, low-productivity jobs. If they were consistent, liberal economists and employers’ front organisations should be making that point. But they are not. It could be that they have suddenly abandoned liberal views as yesterday’s rubbish. This is implausible, however. The argument still applies in other areas; see for example the salutatory effects that such commentators ascribe to the TTIP (Transtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership).\nRather the discrepancy is presumably because the same effect is produced by two different causes: trade or technological change, on the one hand, which are seen as market outcomes, and the minimum wage, on the other, which is perceived as an market intervention. This dichotomy is wrong, or at least oversimplistic, of course. Trade and technology are also highly regulated, while many economists argue that the minimum wage (at a reasonable level) is correcting a market imperfection that gives undue power to employers. But even those who believe in it should be aware of the inconsistency of using anecdotal argument from individual companies as a stick with which to beat the minimum wage.\nIt will be quite some time before careful studies, with all the required controls, are made of the employment impacts of the introduction of the statutory minimum wage in Germany. Until they are done, expect a lot of heart-rending anecdotal argument about job losses and bankruptcies. And when you hear or read them, remember to confront those making such arguments with Konrad Adenauer, or whoever it was who said: Was kümmert mich mein Geschwätz von gestern?\n\n[1] In its „eight facts about the minimum wage“ the INSM states baldly (translation mine) „ The introduction of a minimum wage, whatever ist level, destroys all those jobs that no longer pay. And a job no longer pays when the employer gets less from it than he pays the worker. And so it is clear: the higher the minimum wgae, the greater the job losses.“\n[2] In their annual report 2013/2014. It is worth emphasising that one of the „Five wise persons“, Peter Bofinger, dissented from the majority view on the minimum wage issue.\n[3] The following may not apply to heads of individual companies, who can be very protectionist, but it usually does to those representing employer interests at national level.\n[4] The word “should” here can be understood in the sense that redeployment will happen if appropriate measures are in place to maintain aggregate demand and smooth the adjustment process through active labour market policies. And of course provided the increase in the minimum wage is “reasonable” so that the employment reallocation system is not completely overwhelmed.\n\n7 Jul 2014\n\nRobert Reich on the 7 big lies told by neo-liberal politicians.\n\nThis video is worth watching and listening to as Robert Reich exposes the fallacies that underpin the neo-liberal economics so beloved by John Key and his asset stripping cronies.\n\n\n27 Jun 2014\n\n\nThe anatomy of Dirty Tricks.\n\n\n\nNational has not played a straight bat on this story.\n\n\n\n\n\n24 Jun 2014\n\nThe Ground gets boggier under Key's shifting feet\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n22 Jun 2014\n\nMurkier and murkier - What happened on Sunday June 3rd 2007?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n19 Jun 2014\n\n\n\n\nA video of Thomas Piketty’s recent LSE lecture is available here\nPlease read our comments policy before commenting.\n\n18 Jun 2014\n\nThe murk around Donghua Lui grows each day.\n\n\nFrom The Standard:\n  • the perfectly timed OIA release.\n\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.70592200756073}
{"content": "HIV: Listening to voices not heard\n\nLondon HIV Chaplaincy\nHouse of Lords\n\nCome and hear the stories of people who have been stigmatised  by their families, friends and faith communities; come and hear what is being done in London to help people living with HIV to articulate their pain and regain self respect; come and hear the challenges their experiences offer to our church life - hosted by The Rev. Baroness Kathleen Richardson in the House of Lords on behalf of the London HIV Chaplaincy (a charity that works on your behalf and receives funding from Methodism).\n\nTo book a place email by 12noon on Monday 4 July. You will then receive an invitation letter to help you access Parliament.  Please collect your letter from the Conference Help Desk.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9180561900138855}
{"content": "\n\nBy Robert Armstrong, Mark Drapeau, Cheryl Loeb, James Valdes\n\nEver due to the fact guy took to the battlefield, biology has performed an important role—both by accident and intentionally—in clash. sooner than the invention of the germ idea of illness, so much strive against deaths have been the results of infections. or even ahead of that knowing, biology was once utilized in an offensive function. An early instance used to be the Tatars’ hurling of plague sufferers’ our bodies over the wall of the Crimean urban of Kaffa in 1346, which most likely helped unfold the Black dying. regardless of numerous treaties and protocols, offensive organic guns use has persevered to today, with the anthrax assaults of 2001 being the newest incident. Such job has resulted in a robust protecting software, with scientific technology constructing quite a few countermeasures that experience benefited either civilian and army populations. yet that's the “old” organic conflict. Covert courses for the advance of novel guns will boost; likewise, the advance of countermeasures also will proceed. the current quantity, besides the fact that, doesn't deal with those matters. really, it reports and analyzes present examine and certain destiny advancements within the existence sciences and the way they're going to considerably impact the organic fabric on hand to warfighters—not as guns platforms, yet as augmentation to presently to be had apparatus. this can be the “new” face of organic struggle. The editors of this quantity have assembled specialists in study, warfighting, and protection coverage to explain organic functions from the smallest to the biggest scale. furthermore, they express how pondering in organic phrases can enhance our procurement cycle and improve our improvement time and prices. ultimately, no description of biotechnology will be entire and not using a attention of moral and criminal concerns concerning such learn and improvement. This edited booklet is a vital contribution to the literature and well captures a few ongoing army easy technological know-how study tasks with long term implications for the dep. of safety. It doesn't purport to be an exhaustive accounting, however it is a superb creation for policymakers to garner an knowing of the place biology goes to slot into 21st-century readiness and preparedness for our scuffling with strength.\n\nShow description\n\nRead or Download Bio-Inspired Innovation and National Security PDF\n\nSimilar weapons & warfare books\n\nTerrorism and Disaster Management: Preparing Healthcare Leaders for the New Reality\n\nCatastrophe preparedness is going some distance past drafting a plan. As a healthcare chief, you need to make sure that your company has the perfect courses and knowledgeable employees in position to reply fast to any catastrophe occasion or chance. yet you'll be suffering from questions comparable to, \"Where does my facility healthy into communitywide preparedness structures?\n\nChemical Warfare, Chemical Disarmament: Beyond Gethsemane\n\nChemical guns were hired in lots of conflicts because the flip of the century, and so they proceed to proliferate because the terrible man's atom bomb. NATO has expressed expanding hindrance on the chemical battle potential of the Soviet Union and the USA has recommenced the manufacture of chemical guns after a moratorium of 18 years.\n\nEliminating Weapons of Mass Destruction: Prospects for Effective International Verification\n\nThe occasions of September eleven 2001 have altered the process palms keep an eye on meant to dispose of guns of mass destruction (WMD) and has made the function of foreign firms arguable. whether or not they can successfully ensure compliance with the WMD treaty regime has now been puzzled by way of the us.\n\nSecret History of Chemical Warfare\n\nКнига о истории развития химических вооружений в разных странах.\n\nAdditional info for Bio-Inspired Innovation and National Security\n\nExample text\n\nThe expansion of knowledge in the life sciences, however, is not only rapid, but it is also deep, broad in that it encompasses a wide range of disciplines, and widely available. Moreover, the knowledge that is being gained is being put to use; that is, it is not just remaining in the realm of basic science. More and more of that knowledge is applied in forms that are increasingly making it a commodity. This “commoditization” has several significant implications. Most importantly, it demonstrates that the civilian sector—both science and business—is the key driver in pushing this scientific and technological advance.\n\nSome will simply not be deterrable. It is time to rethink our priorities. Our current commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan provide us with a unique opportunity to do so. Reset for What? The extensive wear and tear on our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has altered the debate about the future military force. Many have come to the conclusion we will have to focus our efforts on resetting rather than transforming the force. ” Do we rebuild our forces to fight a near-peer competitor? Or to fight a smaller state?\n\nThey can take several forms including bacteria, or small, single-celled organisms; viruses, or organisms requiring living cells in which to replicate; rickettsia, or microorganisms with characteristics similar to both bacteria and viruses; and toxins, or poisonous chemical substances produced by living things. Examples of traditional biological weapons that fall into these categories include the bacteria anthrax, brucellosis, and plague; the smallpox virus as well as viruses that produce dengue fever or hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg; and rickettsia such as Q fever or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.\n\nDownload PDF sample\n\nRated 4.02 of 5 – based on 32 votes", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7905179262161255}
{"content": "\n\n\n\n\n\nBefore I get into movements, let’s start with how you should hold the bar. Many people grab a dumbbell or barbell with a \"suicide\" grip. This is a hand grip where the thumb is not around the bar. This grip works OK for some movements but if you are looking to improve your hand strength during training, there is a better option.\n\n\n\n\nChallenging the grip during training is another way to build functional strength. Today’s exercises will definitely challenge your grip. I like to use a basic \"farmers walk.\" It conditions the entire body to carry heavy loads. Although this exercise is normally done with dumbbells, today’s modification is done holding plate-style weights. This is because there are generally no handles on barbell plates.\n\nYou’ll find that even light weights will prove menacing. I like the plate \"farmers walk\" because it forces the entire hand to get involved. The four fingers and thumb squeeze opposing sides to suspend the weight as you walk. Holding that vice grip for the duration of your walk will do wonders for your strength.\n\n\n\n\nExercise instructions/Get a grip\n\nInstructions for Farmers Walk\n\n\nStand with the feet hip width apart. Contract the glutes, core and back. Hold a weight plate in each hand so the top of the wrist is facing out. Pull the shoulders back and hold the head neutral.\n\n\n\nPerform two to four sets. Form flaws include letting the back bend, shoulders come forward or knees crash inward. These flaws manifest when the hands fatigue and the body tries to compensate with an altered movement pattern.\n\nInstructions for Towel Row\n\n\nWrap a towel around a pole at chest height. Grip it at each end and stand arms-length away from the pole. Contract the glutes, core and back.\n\n\nPull the hands toward the ribs to perform the row, then controllably release to the starting position.\n\nPerform two to four sets of 10 to 20 repetitions. Form flaws include letting the back round or the shoulders migrate forward. Sometimes people will pop the hips when coming out of the row.\n\nProgress this exercise by walking the feet toward the pole so the body begins in a more declined position.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.987155556678772}
{"content": "Day 148: Herman is feeling playful\n\nAfter he got over the initial disappointment that forrest moss couldn’t be eaten, Herman found that it could be useful in other ways. For one thing, because it was softer it was easier to burrow in. He also found that the moss made a nice, if temporary, hat.\n\n\nDay 146: Herman has a strong objection\n\nYesterday had been a very long day for Herman. He did not want to get up when the lights went on in his home and, unexpectedly, the guardian did not seem inclined to make him. What he did not realize, what he could not have imagined, though, was that his reluctance to rise and greet the day would mean that the guardian would leave his food bowl empty that morning. Actually, that wasn’t entirely true. Mocking him, in the centre of an otherwise empty dish, was the new cuttlebone the guardian had been trying to convince him to try the night before. Although he didn’t have any specific objections to cuttlebones, he did have a strong objection to missing breakfast.\n\n\nBeing the resourceful fellow that he was, Herman spent the morning digging around looking for food. He felt that although the dish was empty (as far as he was concerned), it didn’t necessarily mean that there was no food available. The new moss floor had a tendency to cover up leftover lettuce, so Herman felt optimistic that with some work he could find an overlooked, almost fresh piece of escarole or radicchio if he dug around a bit. The majority of his time was spent focused on his food dish, but he also searched the pond, the climbing rock and all around his tree trunk. Around noon, the search improved dramatically when the guardian appeared and fed him.\n\nDay 144: Herman tries again\n\nHerman had quite enjoyed the home decorating he’d done yesterday and, although it hadn’t been successful, his enthusiasm for the activity had not diminished. However, he took such great care to keep his route over the pond wall to his food area clear that he ended up blocking the basking area from the rest of his home. He could have easily scaled the pond wall, but having the cactus in his way distracted him and he forgot. Fortunately, he’d made sure to eat breakfast before rearranging his home, so he was perfectly happy taking a nap at the base of his climbing rock. But he did decide that he’d leave all future home decorating to the guardian. She seemed to enjoy that sort of thing anyway.\n\nDay 143: Herman does some home decorating\n\nWith the addition of the climbing rock, there was now less space for Herman’s cacti and the guardian was having a hard time figuring out where they should go. Since it was his home, Herman felt that he should contribute by offering some suggestions. When the guardian returned home she discovered that Herman had managed to move the round cactus to the other side of his home. After a brief consultation, however, it was decided that the new location would impede Herman’s pond wall scaling activities and it was agreed that it should be moved back until a better location was found.\n14.03.25.Herman(pictured above: where the guardian put the cactus; below: Herman’s suggestion)\n\nDay 140: Herman gets a climbing rock\n\n14.03.22.HermanEvery home needs to be freshened up from time to time, and Herman’s home was no exception. After initial efforts to maintain moderate levels of humidity in his home failed, the guardian sought expert advice and it was decided that forest moss was the solution. The new flooring was softer and, though his exploratory mouthfuls proved that this new green stuff was not edible as he had hoped, Herman approved the change. Although he didn’t particularly care much about the flooring, the change included a new climbing rock and he was quite excited about that. Unlike the pond, the climbing rock had an easy and a difficult slope that he challenge himself with. It also gave him an excellent vantage point to stare back at Lucy, who often spent her mornings watching him from her perch on the bed.\n\nDay 127: Herman’s strategy for dealing with a long winter\n\nAs the dark days of January and February slid quietly into March, Herman noticed that the prolonged winter seem to be wearing the guardian down. In the morning, her usual greeting was becoming less cheerful and when she pulled the blinds down, she would sigh at the thin, weak light coming in. Herman felt sad about that and wished that he could somehow explain to her his secret for thriving during the long winter months. He knew that guardians felt that remedies like bundling up and engaging in winter activities or traveling to somewhere warm were helpful in making the season less arduous, but he felt that he’d discovered the true secret to winter happiness. And that secret was kale. Also, endive, radicchio, and sometimes escarole. The guardian didn’t seem to eat much lettuce as far as he could tell, and Herman was sure that if she ate more lettuce she would be happier.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.646570086479187}
{"content": "Though the holy month of Ramzan is associated with deprivation, overeating is a common practice once the sun goes down. In many hospitals, the month means a sharp rise in inpatients.\n\nArticle continues after the advertisement\n\nDoctors often complain that they see a fair increase in digestive-related complaints with an uptick in cases of indigestion, gastroenteritis and peptic ulcer disease in Ramzan.\n\nThough experts agree that fasting itself isn’t the problem, so much as how it’s practised. The month which is associated with self-discipline is spent overeating, sleeping, and taking more calories than usual.\n\nIn Gulf countries, thousands are hospitalised due to fasting-related illnesses. It’s a combination of overeating or binge eating, and reduced immunity due to dehydration and bad sleeping habits.\n\nHeat stress due to dehydration, particularly among construction workers, is a particular problem. There is also an increase in traffic accidents, which many attribute to fasting-related drowsiness.\n\nAccording to doctors, fasting and poor sleep aid this. They lead to tiredness and a lack of concentration.\n\nFasting-related illnesses have become an increasing problem in Gulf countries. In 2011, the Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha reported 7,700 cases in the first week of Ramzan alone.\n\nThere’s a surge in uncontrolled diabetes cases during Ramzan. Flare-ups are often aggravated by the fact that many with the disease forgo their medication during this time.\n\n\n\nOf 173 families interviewed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, two-thirds reported weight gain among some or all of the family members after Ramzan. Many pointed to the rich food and lack of exercise.\n\nSleeping through a fast may sound inspired, but it sabotages good health in several ways. First, more time is spent awake during the fasting hours. And disrupted sleep cycles affect hormones that act on metabolic rate and appetite. The body responds by eating more.\n\nDoctors have advised to start with a soup like a lentil, have some salad and meat stay away from Ramzan sweets or have a little only. If done with proper guidelines, fasting can help you to lose weight and decrease stress.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9822236895561218}
{"content": "“Call Me Crazy,” But We Love Anna Miller’s “Crazy” Podcast\n\nPerhaps you were not aware, but the Digital Scholarship Lab works hard to build partnerships with professors and classes. And as digital media becomes more and more prevalent in education, our role on campus and in the classroom is expanding. Elizabeth Gibes, librarian and director of the DSL, was embedded in Dr. Theresa Tobin’s Spring 2017 Feminist Philosophy class this past semester, and helped the students to create a magazine of essays on Medium, each exploring an intersection between gender and philosophy and society.\n\nAnna Miller’s project took a unique format — instead of writing an article, Anna wrote out and recorded a podcast for the assignment.\n\nIn the podcast, Anna traces the rhetoric of the word “crazy” as it’s been applied to women across modern culture and history. She focuses especially on the point where two definitions of the word interact in a way that minimizes and oppresses the agency and voice of women. Calling upon feminist philosophers and academics such as Sandra Bartky, Claudia Card, Elaine Showalter, and more, Anna exposes how “crazy” as “mental illness” and “crazy” as “female sexuality” are employed by the patriarchy to undermine women’s self-worth, contributions, and existence. Calling women crazy, Anna says, “shapes how we think, how we interact with the world, how we interact with our bodies,” and ultimately, how we perceive our ability to react to sexism and oppression in our society.\n\nSo, why a podcast? Why not just a regular essay on the topic?\n\nAnna says that she chose a podcast for a couple of reasons, and not just because she loves them herself. The appeal, she tells us, are the possibilities for presenting information in a different way than you would in a regular term paper. A podcast is less an argument, and more the telling of a story, and it uses a different style of language and rhetoric than an academic paper would. Not to mention it gave her the chance to feature not just examples but clips from the songs and television shows she was referencing as she explained her point.\n\nIt’s exciting to think about, the way digital media opens the door to thinking about the presentation of information in new and interactive ways. Sitting and listening to Anna’s podcast tonight, I was able to engage with the information in a much different way than if I’d been reading a paper on the topic. And it was certainly quite enjoyable.\n\nIf you’d like to learn more about podcasting or the tools the DSL offers for creating, recording, and publishing podcasts, please stop by and introduce yourself. Our group of librarians, staff, and student tutors will be happy to help!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9521957039833069}
{"content": "If you go down to the woods today...\n\nGenerational changes and UK Forest School Leaders' identities\nSelected f ndings from doctorate research, Mel McCree, University of Gloucestershire, 2012 i Forest School? A type of outdoor play and learning for all ages, developed in the UK for 15 years and across Europe in different forms. The ethos aims for eco-social flourishing; deeper relationships with nature and a holistic view of the child. Children follow their interests and lead their own learning within as wild an environment as possible, ideally woodland. Repeat visits are made and many schools, nurseries, clubs and groups deliver it as part of their activities. There are over 4000 providers in the UK and this is increasing rapidly. Ecological Identity This was important for the leaders as an influential factor in why they did their role, often due to early experience in nature in their own life (Chawla, 1999). It can be defined as: “ways people construe themselves in relationship to the earth as manifested in personality, values, actions & sense of self” so that “nature becomes an object of identif ication” (Thomashow, 1995) “direct, personal, immediate & emotionally significant experiences with the natural world that change the individual's understanding of self” (Clayton & Opotow, 2003)\n\nGenerational changes in childhood. What makes a Forest School Leader? Adult behaviour presents barriers to children This ethnographic study follows 9 trainee accessing free play outside in natural leaders over a year as they begin to practice. settings, or within their education and care. What impact does the training have? Key areas of concern for the leaders were: Or as visualised by the artist Hundertwasser: What factors influence the leaders? How do they act and adapt in their new role? • Free range childhoods. • Childhood to be accepted rather than Findings developing 'citizens of the future' Several key themes emerged from the study. • A lost generation with little experience or The ownership of an ecological identity and relationship in the natural world the impact of generational changes were a • Decreasing green spaces and signif icant part of the findings. independent mobility • Increasingly industrial, sedentary and Why go outside? indoor lifestyles Why stay inside? It is an assumption that • The impact of consumerism and the play and learning has to be indoors. The commercialisation of childhood research investigated where the present • Removal of choice & freedoms to space indoor culture comes from and the socioand thought, prescriptive education and cultural change surrounding Forest Schools culture, controlled play and behaviour. and other outdoor play & learning.\n\nSign up to vote on this title\nUsefulNot useful", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5338526964187622}
{"content": "School Information\n\nSign up for text updates!\n\nParents and community members can now sign up to receive SMS text messages from ASD or our school. ASD will use this service to communicate school closure information and general district news. Our school will use this service to share news and updates with families. Additionally, ASD’s Transportation Department will send a text message when school buses are more than 20 minutes late.\n\n\nText messages will only be sent to people who opt-in to receive texts. Users can opt-out at any time. This service is not intended to replace existing communications, but rather help enhance them.\n\n\nIt is possible to sign up from a mobile device, but you may find it easier to complete using a desktop computer with a larger monitor.\n\n\n\nText Messaging FAQ\n\nASD Text Updates Link", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7013491988182068}
{"content": "Translation from English\n\nSaturday, October 1, 2016\n\nAbout Voting: From my old friend Bill V.\n\nSome of you have heard my statements starting last Spring that I intend to vote for Thomas Jefferson Paine for President of the U.S. in November. My argument is that I refuse to support either Hillary or Donald, or any of the other \"official\" candidates, but that I do feel a duty to vote, at least in honor of those who have given the last full measure of devotion to protecting that privilege. Here is a short piece by Richard J. Maybury in his October 2016 Early Warning Report about that subject:\n\n➥ About voting: Numerous odd experiences have convinced me that the universe really does contain something, or perhaps many somethings, that care about what each individual does, and react to it. The visible effects are known by several tags such as karma or, what goes around comes around, you reap what you sow, and poetic justice. All my life, people have been voting for the lesser of the two evils. This means they have been voting for evil, and that is exactly what we have been receiving. However, there is a bright side to voting, which is that your one ballot is a drop in the ocean and cannot possibly change anything. Therefore, you are completely free to vote your conscience, to cast your ballot for whatever you sincerely believe is good. I hope you will do that. View voting not as a public duty, but as a private one between you and the something. Write in someone. If you cannot think of anyone, write in yourself. But send your little drop-in-the-ocean message to the powers that be, both in DC and in the universe, that you are interested in good, and you refuse to participate in the lesser-of-the-two-evils hoax.♦\n\nEnjoy exercising your privilege.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5727664232254028}
{"content": "Utilizing info from archaeological excavations, patent filings, and advertising catalogs, this publication presents a vast view of the advent, unfold, and use of heavily produced coffin in North the United States. on the book's middle is a standardized typology of coffin that acknowledges stylistic and useful alterations and a clean examine the meanings and makes use of of many of the motifs and ornamental components. in the dialogue of heavily produced coffin in North the United States is new paintings connecting the North American with its British antecedents and a clean research of the leading elements that ended in the advent and unfold of heavily produced coffin undefined. widely illustrated with examples of coffin to assist students and execs in identity.\n\nShow description\n\nRead Online or Download Coffin Hardware in Nineteenth-century America (Guides to Historical Artifacts) PDF\n\nSimilar Antiques Collectibles books\n\nHow Does Aspirin Find a Headache? (Imponderables Series)\n\nContemplate, should you will . .. Do snakes sneeze? Why did not the 3 musketeers hold muskets? What occurs to the holes which are punched out of looseleaf paper? Why do not humans smile in previous images? popular culture guru David Feldman demystifies those questions and masses extra in How Does Aspirin discover a Headache?\n\nA Jacques Barzun Reader: Selections from His Works\n\nAll through his occupation Jacques Barzun, writer of greater than thirty books, together with such a lot lately the recent York occasions bestseller From sunrise to Decadence, has consistently been referred to as a witty and swish essayist, one that combines a intensity of data and a unprecedented facility with phrases. In A Jacques Barzun Reader, Michael Murray has conscientiously chosen from Barzun's oeuvre 80 of the main artistic, complete, and insightful essays, now to be had for the 1st time in a single magisterial quantity.\n\nFirearms from the Collections of the Prince of Liechtenstein\n\n\"The princely collections of Liechtenstein contain one of many final nice armories in vital Europe to outlive within the ownership of the unique relatives. The armory contains plate armor and edged guns, firearms and artillery, however it is the hand firearms (guns and pistols) which are of maximum historic and creative curiosity.\n\nEnglish Sentence Structure (Intensive Course in English)\n\nA part of the vintage Michigan Rainbow sequence. English Sentence constitution provides and clarifies all features of the sentence for starting and intermediate scholars. Oral drills, examples, and written workouts shape a development of normal overview and self-evaluation. every one lesson is coordinated with English development Practices.\n\nAdditional resources for Coffin Hardware in Nineteenth-century America (Guides to Historical Artifacts)\n\nShow sample text content\n\nRated 4.43 of 5 – based on 32 votes", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9983528256416321}
{"content": "Author: Benjamin S. Jeffries\n\nPublisher: Schiffer\n\nISBN-10: 0764353071; ISBN-13: 978-0764353079\n\nThe personification of all that is most feared has been present in the form of the boogeyman for countless generations, ever since cavemen cowered in fear at seeing shadows against the wall from unknown creatures lurking in wait to pounce upon them while they slept. Benjamin S. Jeffries, author of Lost in the Darkness: Life Inside the World’s Most Haunted Prisons, Hospitals and Asylums, Grim Shadows Falling: Haunting Tales from Terrifying Places and Vile: Peeking Under the Skin of Murderers now brings us the riveting drama of Beelzebub incarnate, in a range of distorted forms stretching across the centuries, and first given literary form in the epic saga, Beowulf, in the shape of Grendel and his hideous and unremittingly evil mother. Jeffries shows how, over the ages, the concept of what was originally the Boogg, a medieval creature symbolizing both winter and death, came to be rendered in many different guises, including that of the Pied Piper of Hamlin and of flesh-eating vampires that were nothing like the glamorous Bram Stoker version.\n\nDespite the reference to an interview in the title, most of Interview with the Boogeyman: A Monster for all Times is, in fact, written in straightforward narrative form: the interview with Tenebris, the Boogeyman, serving as an introduction to the remainder of the text. The initial interview format is not only contemporary in its approach, but it also leads into a celebration of the fully fleshed out ‘man’ himself. Jeffries’ approach is direct and startling, providing fascinating insights into how the conceptualization of the Boogeyman changed in both adults’ and children’s minds over the years. Although clearly glorying in the dark and forbidding nature of his tale, Jeffries goes far beyond the bounds of mere emotional appeal to explore the rationale behind the various guises assumed by the Boogeyman, seeing them as manifestations of cultural differences across the world. Fear is all-pervasive, even in the modern day, leading to a more technologically sophisticated version of the ancient monster, but one that is, nevertheless, still omnipresent.\n\nInterview with the Boogeyman is clearly signposted throughout with insightful chapter titles, and numerous straightforward headings that clearly indicate the nature of the contents to be covered in the following paragraphs, with most being focused on the various apparitions involved (“The Black Annis” and “The Dullahan” being two instances of the same—with the latter being, notably, anything but ‘dull’). The text is well illustrated with black-and-white drawings and facsimiles of paintings, adding, in many cases, to the gruesomeness of the text. Jeffries revels in the written text, and had a vast body of material at his disposal. Undaunted by the need to cover such a wide field, as he delves into the subject from West to East to back again, his logical and carefully structured presentation provides an understandable, and coherent, way into the world of the macabre. Yet there is also levity in the work, as the Boogeyman is seen not only to be a fearsome creature, but one who also has a keen sense of humor, being quite capable of making a wisecrack or two. (He claims, for instance, that Stephen Spielberg owes him royalties for his purloining of the concept of gremlins from him.)\n\nInterview with the Boogeyman: A Monster for all Times is fully capable of stirring the imagination, as well as chilling the backbone, of any reader who is drawn to unravelling the impetus behind the darker side of life. Delving into the character of the essentially unknowable and unfathomable provides a springboard for the imagination, so that all who possess a creative instinct would do well to heed the dire implications of this text.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9466454386711121}
{"content": "BPQ Home   BPQ32 Home\n\nRobust Packet and the BPQ32 switch.\n\n\nIf you have a single port SCS PTC (the PTC-IIex or PTC-IIusb, but not the PRO models) you can run Robust Packet as well as Pactor on the same port. You can scan for and make calls in either mode.\n\nTo enable this feature, add the following commands to your SCSPactor configuration:\n\n PAC BAUD R600           ; Sets the PTC Packet Modem to Robust Packet Mode\n SCANFORROBUSTPACKET n   ; The PTC will listen for Robust Packet calls for the first n seconds\n                         ; of each scan interval, and for Pactor for the rest\n USEAPPLCALLS            ; PTC will respond to connects to your APPLCALLS \n\nTo enable monitoring of Robust Packet activity to the BPQTerminal Monitor window, add\n\n\nAs by default Robust Packet mode retries connects every 5 seconds, I suggest you set SCANFORROBUSTPACKET 7, and your Rigcontrol Scan Interval to 10. The PTC will then listen for Robust Packet for 7 seconds, and Pactor for 3.\n\nMaking Calls.\n\nTo call in Robust Packet mode, enter RC Callsign, instead of C Callsign\n\nJohn Wiseman GM8BPQ/G8BPQ\n19th December 2010", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9088822603225708}
{"content": "Discovery Surveys, Inc.\nSpecializing in Employee Opinion and Customer Satisfaction Surveys\nImproving the Workplace\n\nBy Bruce L. Katcher, Ph.D. President of the Discovery Consulting Group, Inc.\n\n1 out of 2 employees say senior managers in their organization do not work well together.\n\nThe results were clear from a recent employee survey I conducted for a manufacturer of medical instruments. Morale was very low in one of their operating units. Senior management asked me to visit the facility to learn more about the problem. After spending time interviewing the employees and their managers, the reasons for the low morale were also clear. The heads of the manufacturing and engineering departments were constantly fighting.\n\n\nUnfortunately, this is a common problem. Our research in more than 90 organizations has shown that, on average, 1 out of 2 employees say that senior management in their organization does not work well together as a team.\n\nThe problem is much like what happens to children when their parents fight. Children of parents who are in continual conflict exhibit many similar behaviors.\n\n  1. They notice the conflict even when the parents argue behind closed doors.\n\n    Senior managers may think that their arguments and disagreements are private, but they usually are not. Employees can sense when there are constant disagreements. They can see it in their facial expressions, glean it from their email messages, and feel it when they are in the room with them. If the managers happen to publicly express their feelings even just once, it spreads like wildfire throughout the organization.\n\n  2. They do poorly in school and have difficulty thinking (i.e., with problem solving, abstract reasoning, and memory).\n\n    When senior managers constantly quarrel, the quality of the work in their organization or work units suffers. Deadlines are not met, employees feel less comfortable expressing their views openly, creative ideas are less forthcoming, collaboration between departments is poor, and employee engagement declines.\n\n  3. They often speak ill of one parent to the other.\n\n    Employees frequently take sides with a particular manager. Warring camps develop which stifle cooperation and communication.\n\n  4. They experience persistent anxiety and health problems (e.g., insomnia).\n\n    Instead of enjoying their work and their coworkers, when senior managers are in conflict, there is a constant tension in the air that permeates the work environment, as well as the personal lives of employees who are exposed to it. I have often seen that the constant pressure of feuding managers leads to decreased energy among employees, and an increase in absenteeism and turnover.\n\n  5. They do not interact well with other children and often act out by displaying behavior problems, anger, or violence.\n\n    It is very common for the tenor of the relationships between senior managers to mirror their way throughout the organization. For example, if senior managers yell and scream at each other, more of this type of behavior often happens at lower levels of the organization. If senior managers withhold information from each other, the same thing is more likely to occur at all levels.\n\n\n\nHere are several things that organizations can do to when senior managers are bickering.\n\n  1. The senior-most executive must get involved.\n\n    He or she must let the managers know that their behavior is adversely affecting employees and is unacceptable. Further, he or she should say that no matter what their past or present contributions to the organization, unless they correct the situation, there will be serious consequences.\n\n  2. Involve human resources professionals.\n\n    Before the problem escalates, human resource professionals should intervene by conducting individual and group coaching sessions with the parties involved.\n\n  3. Make certain the guilty managers recognize the problem and commit to resolving it.\n\n    Unless the offending parties recognize the problem and sincerely agree to resolve it, no amount of intervention by senior management, human resources, executive coaches, or anyone else will make a difference.\n\n  4. Have them make public apologies.\n\n    Employees need to hear from the guilty parties that they recognize the problem, understand that it is having a negative impact on the organization, and apologize to each other and to the organization.\n\n  5. Hire an executive coach.\n\n    In many cases it is best for human resources to step aside and defer to an outside executive coach who specializes in solving these types of problems. Such coaches can offer a more objective and neutral perspective than an insider can provide.\n\n  6. Conduct the JFK Exercise\n\n    Although not a yet common term in the organization development literature, my \"JFK exercise\" fits the bill here. My frequent readers will recall that this exercise asks conflicting parties to refocus their energy from finger-pointing to asking what they can do to help the other party. When both parties do this, the problems will gradually disappear. It does, however, require that both parties be sincerely interested in improving the situation. I am proud to say that I have had great success using this approach in many organizations.\n\n  7. Recognize positive behaviors.\n\n    This is where senior management must step in again. When they see improvements in how the warring managers are working together, they should praise them for it both privately and publicly.\n\n  8. Use the performance management process.\n\n    If all else fails, senior management must use the organization's performance appraisal system to document the problem, identify improvement goals, and monitor the progress or lack thereof. Termination of one or both parties should not be ruled out.\n\n\nJust like fighting parents traumatize children, employees suffer when their managers are in conflict. Use the approaches described above to improve the situation. Doing nothing is just bad business.\n\n\nAll material is © copyright , Discovery Consulting Group, Inc.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5106669664382935}
{"content": "Plant DecisionsThis image shows the experimental setup used to determine whether pea plants weigh the risks in deciding how to grow.Photo Courtesy of: Hagai Shemesh\n\n\nIn making tough, life-changing decisions, people often weigh the risks associated with the options before them and choose accordingly. Now researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on June 30 have found that pea plants also make choices about how to grow based on an assessment of risk.\n\n\"To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an adaptive response to risk in an organism without a nervous system,\" says Alex Kacelnik of Oxford University in the UK. \"We do not conclude that plants are intelligent in the sense used for humans or other animals, but rather that complex and interesting behaviours can be theoretically predicted as biological adaptations, and executed by organisms, on the basis of processes evolved to exploit natural opportunities efficiently.\"\n\nRelated Article: Tracking Sugar Movement in Plants\n\nPlant DecisionsIn this image, a pea plant grown in two pots weighs the risks in deciding how to grow.Photo Courtesy of: Hagai ShemeshIn the study, Kacelnik and his colleagues at Tel-Hai College in Israel grew pea plants with their roots split between two pots. The plants were faced with a decision about how much effort they should allocate to growing roots in each one.\n\nIn the first experiment, the researchers found that plants grew more roots in the pot with more nutrients, much as animals spend more time foraging in richer food patches. They then split the roots of each plant between two pots that offered the same nutrient levels on average. However, one pot offered a constant level of nutrients. In the other, nutrient levels varied over time. The question was whether plants would choose to grow more roots in one pot or the other.\n\nBased on theoretical analyses of how decision makers such as humans or animals should respond to such choices, Kacelnik and his colleagues predicted that plants might prefer the more variable pot, accepting more risk, when the average nutrient level was low. In that setting, the more variable environment is still a gamble, but one that could pay off. When the average nutrient level was high, they predicted the plants would choose just the opposite. There would be no reason to accept the risk associated with the more unpredictable environment.\n\nPlant DecisionsThis photo shows the growth of a pea plant that was grown in two pots and had to weigh the risks in deciding how to grow.Photo Courtesy of: Hagai ShemeshThe researchers compare the choice that the plants had to make to a person choosing to take $800 or to toss a coin for a 50 percent chance of winning $1,000 and a 50 percent chance of winning nothing. Most people realize that the first option would pay more on average, and would prefer it if there are no other restrictions, Kacelnik says. But now imagine that you are stranded with no money in a remote place and $900 could get you home. Under those circumstances, the coin toss gives you a 50 percent chance of providing what you need, while the less risky option falls just short.\n\nThe researchers say they don't yet know how the plants' sense variance, or even if their physiology is specifically adapted to respond to risk. Nevertheless, the findings show pea plants as surprisingly \"dynamic strategists\" with the ability to make decisions much as an intelligent being would.\n\n\"I used to look at plants as passive receivers of circumstances,\" says Efrat Dener, who is now a master's student at Ben-Gurion University in Israel. \"This line of experiments illustrates how wrong that view is: living organisms are designed by natural selection to exploit their opportunities, and this often implies a great deal of flexibility.\"\n\n\"To see that decision-making models developed by economists for human decision makers and by zoologists to understand animal behavior can predict the behavior of plants facing similar choices is fascinating,\" adds Hagai Shemesh of Israel's Tel-Hai College. He says that they are now eager to present plants with additional tasks requiring adaptive responses, to explore the extent to which \"optimality considerations proposed for brained agents anticipate the solutions evolved by plants.\"\n\nRelated Article: Scientists Uncover What Makes Plants 'Clot'\n\n\nThis study was funded by a Tel-Hai College internal research support grant.\n\nCurrent Biology, Dener et al.: \"Pea Plants Show Risk Sensitivity\"\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6821030378341675}
{"content": "KAIST team uses nanotech to solve vehicle battery problem\n\nKorean scientists have discovered a way to improve the energy output and lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries by applying nanotechnology in the development of lithium manganese oxide for use in cathodes. The materials have been studied over the years as an alternative to lithium cobalt oxide to boost power and life expectancy of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles. However, the dissolution of manganese during the chemical reaction process to create the compound has shortened the life cycle of lithium-ion batteries.\n\nA team of scientists and researchers led by professor Choi Jang-wook at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s Graduate School of Energy, Environment, Water and Sustainability have found a way to deter manganese dissolution. It said that the team was able to realign the atoms in the crystal structure of lithium manganese oxide by applying nano materials, which were able to boost the activity of both manganese and lithium-ion chemical elements.\n\nThis process led secondary batteries to generate five times as much power as existing batteries with lithium cobalt oxides, and have three times their life expectancy.\n\nFor full article, see Korea Herald.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9880592226982117}
{"content": "The Catholic Church of Nigeria explains why Father Ejike Mbaka was transfered\n\n\nThe Catholic Church in Nigeria has cleared the air concerning the transfer of outspoken Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka.\nThe Catholic Priest was transferred by Catholic Bishop of Enugu Most Reverend Calistus Onaga from Christ The King Parish Enugu to Our Lady Catholic Church, Emene in Enugu.\n\nJudging by the controversies surrounding the priest and his open support for President Muhamadu Buhari before and after the 2015 general elections, many people have come to the conclusion that the sudden transfer was a punitive measure to put the Priest in check. It is widely believed that the Catholic Church was pressured by the PDP to effect the transfer of the Fr. Mbaka.\n\nThe Catholic Church has however denied that the said transfer was politically motivated.\nThe Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Reverend Father Ralph Madu, while reacting to the claims made by Fr. Mbaka that  the said transfer was a “calculated move” to make him suffer”, said his transfer would make him more useful in his service.\n\nMbaka’s transfer is not an exception; the Bishop has the right to post any priest wherever he feels his service would be more useful to the church.\nHis posting should have been a privilege, not a punishment which the Bishop can do because he has the power. If he says it’s a punishment, then it’s open for further investigation. Posting is a regular thing, a priest can be transferred after two, three, four, or more years. It depends on the discretion of the Bishop. That ministry (Adoration Ministry) is his private ministry. It does not belong to the church. Overseeing a parish is a full time job. Overseeing a ministry is a bigger task. If the church decides to take him somewhere where he’ll have more time to carry out his ministry, how is it punitive? That should not be the language.”\n\nHe further said that although Fr. Mbaka had in the past broken so many rules, he has never been punished by the Catholic Church.\n\n“He is supposed to be a missionary. What if the Bishop had closed down the ministry , which is within his power to do? Sometimes, transfers can be for the good of the priest as something can be going wrong which he might not be aware of. The Bishop is free to move any priest at any time, it is his prerogative.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6775128841400146}
{"content": "TR Member Perks!\n\nJames Lambert, creator of the documentary You Don’t Know Hitler, wrote a blog post explaining that the documentary had been taken down from YouTube over a copyright claim. The copyright claim was sent by the record label BR Enter Music, which was seemingly acting on behalf of Deutsche Nationalbibliothek(DNB), also known as The German National Library. However, DNB contacted TorrentFreak, saying BR Enter Music does not represent them. Even though DNB has distanced themselves from the claim, the video remains unavailable on YouTube at the time of this writing.\n\nAccording to the claim, the video was taken down because it contained a portion of the song “Horst Wessel Lied,” which was used as an anthem for the Nazi party from 1930 to 1945. Specifically, it claimed that DNB held the sound recording rights to a specific performance of the song. Lambert filed a counter-notification, but criticizes the process YouTube has set up. He is particularity critical of the fact that there is a limited number of characters allowed to make his argument that the video is not infringing. In the counter-notification he wrote:\n\nIn my expert opinion, as a documentarian and a professor of film, with an MFA in my field, I am confident that my documentary should not have been removed. I have composed a lengthy argument 1) Explain why Nazi Propaganda is in the Public Domain, and 2) Why, even if it was not in the Public Domain, everything I have done in this film meets the four criteria commonly used to define Fair Use in U.S. Courts. Unfortunately, YouTube’s ridiculous system limits the number of characters I can type here.\n\nIn the blog post, he has a longer explanation than could be provided in the counter-notification system. He argues that the song in question is in the public domain. He argues on moral grounds, that the Nazis were so evil its unthinkable that they retained their copyrights after being defeated by the Allies. He mentions other documentaries which used Nazi material without permission. He also cites a Hollywood filmmaker Frank Capra who made use of clips from the German propaganda film Triumph of the Will in his own series of propaganda films called Why We Fight, and the U.S. government seemingly did not consider that to be a violation of copyright law. The song used in Lambert’s documentary was taken from the same German film.\n\nHowever, even if the sound clip is somehow still protected by copyright, Lambert has a fair use defense to fall back on. He argues that that film is a documentary, meant to educate people about the Nazis. It is also transformative work, which arranges clips alongside narration to make important arguments. The video is not monetized and Lambert makes no profit from the documentary. He also only uses a short clip rather than the entire song. For these reasons, he believes that this is a clear example of fair use.\n\nFor now, the documentary is still available on Vimeo.\n\nShould copyrights on Nazi propaganda be enforced today? Do you think this is a copyright troll? Leave your comments below.\n\nMax Michael\n\nSenior Writer\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6607626676559448}
{"content": "An artist’s rendering of a cosmic-ray air shower with a water-Cherenkov detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory in western Argentina. Photo: A. Chantelauze, S. Staffi, L. Bret\n\nFifty years ago, scientists discovered that the Earth is occasionally hit by cosmic rays of enormous energies. Since then, they have argued about the source of those ultra-high energy cosmic rays—whether they came from our galaxy or outside the Milky Way.\n\n\n\n“We are now considerably closer to solving the mystery of where and how these extraordinary particles are created—a question of great interest to astrophysicists,” said University of Wuppertal Professor Karl-Heinz Kampert, spokesperson for the Auger Collaboration, which involves more than 400 scientists from 18 countries. “Our observation provides compelling evidence that the sites of acceleration are outside the Milky Way.”\n\nCosmic rays are the nuclei of elements from hydrogen to iron. The highest-energy cosmic rays, those of interest in this study, only strike about once per square kilometer per year—equivalent to hitting the area of a soccer field about once per century.\n\nSuch rare particles are detectable because they create showers of secondary particles—including electrons, photons and muons—as they interact with the nuclei in the atmosphere. These cosmic ray showers spread out, sweeping through the atmosphere at the speed of light in a disc-like structure, like a dinner plate but several kilometers in diameter. \n\nAt the Auger Observatory, the shower particles are detected through the light they produce in several of 1,600 detectors, spread over 3,000 square kilometers of western Argentina—an area comparable to that of Rhode Island—and each containing 12 tons of water. Tracking these arrivals tells scientists the direction from which the cosmic rays came.\n\n\n“This result unequivocally establishes that ultra-high energy cosmic rays are not just random wanderers of our nearby universe,” said Paolo Privitera, UChicago professor in astronomy and astrophysics, who heads the U.S. groups participating in the project.\n\n\n“The imprint detected in their arrival directions—a tantalizing evidence for extragalactic origin—required several years of observations with a detector working, in Jim Cronin’s words, ‘like a Swiss clock.’ It was a tribute to Jim’s vision to build an observatory and unveil the mystery of the origin of the most energetic particles in the universe,” he said.\n\nEven at these high energies, cosmic rays may be significantly deflected by magnetic fields in outer space; thus the excess found by the Auger Collaboration in a broad section of the sky cannot yet determine which extragalactic objects might be the specific sources, the authors said. The observatory is looking to examine even higher-energy cosmic rays—rarer, but less likely to be deflected—which may provide a clearer route to their sources. Work on this problem is targeted for the observatory’s upgrade, scheduled to be completed in 2018.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9959266781806946}
{"content": "Quota Management and Thin Provisioning\n\nSimple, Scalable and Flexible Quota Management and Provisioning.\n\nFile-based data continues to grow at an astronomical rate—nearly doubling each year—making the need for optimized data storage solutions more important than ever.\n\nTo help enterprises maximize the long-term value of their critical business data and drive down storage management cost and complexity, Isilon offers SmartQuotas: a simple, scalable and flexible quota management and provisioning software application that integrates with Isilon’s OneFS® operating system.\n\nQuotas and Thin Provisioning\nSmartQuotas allows administrators to control and limit storage usage across their organization and provision a single pool of Isilon clustered storage to best meet their unique storage challenges. Using SmartQuotas, storage administrators assign quotas that seamlessly partition a highly scalable, single, shared pool of storage into easily managed segments, with industry-leading flexibility for quotas at the cluster, directory, sub-directory, user and group level. SmartQuotas spans across the entire cluster, regardless of the number of nodes, enabling IT managers to easily administer storage from a single point of view while supporting growing storage demands.\n\nSmartQuotas’ thin provisioning capability allows administrators to present more storage capacity to applications and users than is physically installed. Administrators can limit their actual physical storage resources to what is only needed today, and automatically add storage resources on-demand to meet changing business requirements tomorrow.\n\nStorage capacity can be automatically increased with minimal administrative overhead, so enterprises can purchase less storage capacity up front, defer capacity upgrades to match actual business usage and save on power and cooling costs associated with keeping unused disk capacity spinning.\n\nWhen actual capacity begins to approach its threshold, SmartQuotas’ simple, configurable notifications inform administrators that more storage is required—Isilon IQ storage or EX nodes can then be joined to the cluster in less than 60 seconds. The result is unprecedented pay-as-you-grow flexibility and value for enterprises struggling to cost-effectively keep pace with rapid storage growth.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5083021521568298}
{"content": "24% of Georgia's college freshmen aren't ready for college-level work and spend their tuition gaining remedial skills they should've received for free in high school.\nGeorgia has joined in formally adopting a set of core standards for kindergarten through high school in English language arts, mathematics, and grades 6-12 literacy in science, history/social studies, and technical subjects. Implementation began in 2013.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997316598892212}
{"content": "Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems: A Primer by Claudius Gros\n\nBy Claudius Gros\n\nWe reside in an ever extra advanced international, an epoch the place human activities can for that reason gather far-reaching prospects. complicated and adaptive dynamical structures are ubiquitous on the planet surrounding us and require us to evolve to new realities and how of facing them.\n\nThis primer has been constructed with the purpose of conveying a variety of \"commons-sense\" wisdom within the box of quantitative advanced procedure technology at an introductory point, supplying an access element to this either attention-grabbing and very important subject.\n\nThe strategy is modular and phenomenology pushed. Examples of rising phenomena of ordinary significance taken care of during this e-book are:\n\n-- The small global phenomenon in social and scale-free networks.\n\n-- part transitions and self-organized criticality in adaptive systems.\n\n-- lifestyles on the fringe of chaos and coevolutionary avalanches caused by the unfolding of all living.\n\n-- the concept that of dwelling dynamical platforms and emotional diffusive regulate inside of cognitive procedure theory.\n\nTechnical path necessities are a uncomplicated wisdom of standard and partial differential equations and of information. each one bankruptcy comes with workouts and proposals for additional analyzing - ideas to the workouts also are provided.\n\nShow description\n\nRead Online or Download Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems: A Primer PDF\n\nBest system theory books\n\nReactive systems: modelling, specification and verification\n\nFormal equipment is the time period used to explain the specification and verification of software program and software program structures utilizing mathematical common sense. a number of methodologies were constructed and included into software program instruments. a major subclass is sent structures. there are various books that examine specific methodologies for such structures, e.\n\nSelf-Organizing Networks\n\nWith the present explosion in community site visitors, and mounting strain on operators’ company case, Self-Organizing Networks (SON) play a very important position. they're conceived to lessen human intervention in engineering techniques and whilst enhance method functionality to maximise Return-on-Investment (ROI) and safe client loyalty.\n\nQuantitative Conservation Biology\n\nConservation biology is based not just at the common strategies, yet at the particular equipment, of inhabitants ecology to either comprehend and are expecting the viability of infrequent and endangered species and to figure out how most sensible to regulate those populations. the necessity to behavior quantitative analyses of viability and administration has spawned the sphere of \"population viability analysis,\" or PVA, which, in flip, has pushed a lot of the new improvement of worthwhile and lifelike inhabitants research and modeling in ecology typically.\n\nAC Electric Motors Control Advanced Design Techniques and Applications\n\nThe complexity of AC motor keep an eye on lies within the multivariable and nonlinear nature of AC desktop dynamics. contemporary developments up to the mark concept now give the chance to accommodate long-standing difficulties in AC cars regulate. this article expertly attracts on those advancements to use quite a lot of model-based regulate designmethods to numerous AC cars.\n\nAdditional resources for Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems: A Primer\n\nExample text\n\nLog[1/3] log 3 50 2 Chaos, Bifurcations and Diffusion 1 2 5 4 6 3 7 8 Fig. 8 Left: The fundamental unit of the Sierpinski carpet, compare Fig. 7, contains eight squares that can be covered by discs of an appropriate diameter. 2 Adaptive Systems Adaptive Systems A general complex system is neither fully conserving nor fully dissipative. Adaptive systems will have periods where they take up energy and periods where they give energy back to the environment. An example is the nonlinear rotator of Eq.\n\nWe are interested in vertices with large degrees k; the scaling relation Eq. 63) is defined asymptotically for the limit k → ∞. 64) where Π (ki ) = ki / ∑ j k j is the attachment probability. The overall number of new links is proportional to a normalization constant A, which is hence determined by the sum rule ∑ ki ∑ Δ ki (t) ≡ m = A ∑ ji k j = A , i where the sum runs over the already existing nodes. At every time step m new edges are attached to the existing links. The total number of connectivities is then ∑ j k j = 2m(t − 1).\n\nFor all γ > 0 the motion approaches one of the equivalent global fixpoints (2π n, 0) for t → ∞ and n ∈ Z. Phase Space Contraction Near an attractor the phase space contracts. We consider a three-dimensional phase space (x, y, z) for illustrational purposes. The quantity Δ V (t) = Δ x(t)Δ y(t)Δ z(t) = (x(t) − x (t)) (y(t) − y (t)) (z(t) − z (t)) corresponds to a small volume of phase space. Its time evolution is given by d Δ V = Δ x˙Δ yΔ z + Δ xΔ y˙Δ z + Δ xΔ yΔ z˙ , dt or Δ V˙ Δ x˙ Δ y˙ Δ z˙ = + + = ∇ · x˙ .\n\nDownload PDF sample\n\nRated 4.37 of 5 – based on 17 votes", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9533233642578125}
{"content": "Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, has officially commenced investigation into the N28billion bailout that was accessed by the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.\nA highly placed source at the ICPC at the weekend told Nigerian Pilot that the operatives of the commission were currently investigating some senior officials of the Benue State government, including some civil servants, particularly in the accounts section, over their alleged role in the diversion of the bailout funds.\nAccording to the source, the operatives of the commission had written to the Benue State government to furnish it with the details on how the bailout funds were applied and why the state government still owes salaries of civil servants‎ for four to five months.\nHe said that Osun, Imo and other two states that accessed the bailout funds were under ICPC watch list for allegedly diverting the bailout funds too.\nAlready, the ICPC will soon be writing to the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Barrister Tagema Takema, the Commissioner of Finance,‎ David Olufu, and the Accountant General of the state, Asen Kwaghar, to appear before the team that is investigating the matter at the headquarters in Abuja.\nNobody is investigating the governor due to the immunity for the president, vice president and governors enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended).\nPresident ‎Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the chairman of ICPC, Mr. Nta Ekpo, to commence investigation on how bailout funds to states to clear civil servants salaries were allegedly diverted.\nThis is according to a report by ICPC signed by Mustapha Hussain on behalf of the commissioner on Public Enlightenment released recently in Abuja, which monitored how states spent the N338billion bailout fund given to them by the federal government.\nNigerian Pilot recalled that Buhari had last year approved the sum of N338billion for 27 states that were unable to pay salaries.\nSome of the states had been unable to pay over 10 months salary arrears and pensions.\nVice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who heads the National Economic Council, had explained that the loan was repayable at an interest rate of nine percent over a 20- year period and it is “solely for the purpose of paying the backlog of salaries.”\n\nREAD ALSO  Paris refund: FCT minister urges council chairmen to pay salary", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8043200969696045}
{"content": "Alliance and Suicide Prevention Lab\n\nSuicide Prevention Initiatives\n\nReferral & Linkage\n\nThis aim focuses on the process involved in successful referrals which consists of identifying an at-risk client and mental health resources and services that would be beneficial to that client. Individuals working with mental health or human service entities (e.g., hospitals, private practitioners, behavioral health organizations) then link at-risk youth to mental health services. This process not only places emphasis on the importance of linking youth to services, but also emphasizes the importance of improving continuity of care strategies to ensure youth remain in needed services. This typically involves collaborating with the youth's family or other helping professionals, thus strengthening systems of care for at-risk youth. The following initiatives have been implemented as part of this aim:\n\n    Care Coordination Services\n\n    This is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy to find services that meet an individual's and family's comprehensive health care needs through the use of community resources. While care coordination services can be performed in a variety of ways, the ultimate goal is to optimize client functioning and prevent individuals from \"falling through the cracks\" of an uncoordinated system of care. Prior projects have created care coordination positions, such as a County Case Manager whose role was to monitor linkages over a 90-day period in order to ensure connections to services had been successfully established and maintained. Eventually on a different project, care coordination teams were created to assess suicide risk, link youth to services, and monitor care over an extended period of time. Two goals of these teams was to create and maintain cross-system care coordination teams that would collaborate with agencies and construct an evidence-based, suicide risk assessment and care coordination tool for use during assessment and follow-up processes.\n\n    The Linking Individuals Needing Care (LINC) Care Coordination Training\n\n    An innovative, research and consumer-informed program that provides enhanced training to care coordinators on how to provide wraparound service facilitation to at-risk youth and their families. While there are people who exist in the care coordination roles, a large number of these individuals lack the training and some of the elements that are potentially necessary for coordinating care for suicidal individuals. Thus, this training was developed in response to poor coordination and follow-up from identification and emergency services to treatment services. The program uses a community-based research approach which involves soliciting feedback and recommendations from care coordinators on what would help them better engage with a suicidal youth and what information would be pertinent to include in a training of this kind.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8907626867294312}
{"content": "When I first started researching about amicable numbers, I was confused on what they were.  Not only that but I felt like I should know what they are because one of the the first websites I opened about them stated that if your are familiar with number theory you should know what amicable numbers are.\n\nAfter reading more into it and exploring other websites, the explanation of what they were finally clicked. After that I remembered learning about these numbers in class, however I do not recall learning about them prior to my senior year capstone class in college.  Therefore, I would not find it surprising that others do not recall what they are or how they work.\n\nI found through research that there are 42 pairs of amicable numbers below 10^6 with 9 new ones found.  Finding these pairs require a lot of time and precision.  I would not say it is “hard” work to find them once you get the hang of the pattern, but it is most definitely time consuming.\n\nHow I understood these numbers and the best way for me to explain this concept is through looking at an example as to how they work.\n\nThe simplest form of amicable numbers is the pair (220,284).  To start off we will like the factors of both of those numbers.\n\n\n\n\n1, 2, 4, 71, 142\n\nNow that we see the factors of both numbers, our next step is to add up all of the number in 220 and then again in 284.  When added together, we see the following:\n\n\n\n\n\nSince the factors of 220 add up to 284 and the factors of 284 add up to 220, this is therefore an example of a pair of amicable numbers.\n\nA list of more, found from my research is found at my given websites:\n\nLink 1\n\nLink 2\n\nWhy am I telling you about these numbers? Well, I was just interested at seeing how many pairs were out there.  Clearly there are more than six, in fact, as said earlier, there are more than 42 pairs which is a lot more than people originally thought.  The first pair, displayed above was said to be originally founded by Pythagoras.  Although there is no yet use for these numbers other than to compare with one another within the pair, when discovered, these pairs did more than just that for the people of that time.\n\nDuring the time of the discovery, these numbers were said to be magical.  They were used by astrologers to prepare horoscopes.  They were also known to create special ties between two individuals. (I believe that is because of the special tie the numbers had in the pair.)\n\nBack on how many pairs there are.  Even though the research I have found has said that there are around 42-51 pairs of amicable numbers, I have continued my research to find that there are 390 pairs of these numbers.  The people involved in this discovery included the following:\n\n  • Fermat\n  • Arab al-Banna\n  • Descartes\n  • Euler\n    • Who found a huge amount\n  • Escott\n    • offering the other pairs adding up to 390.\n\nSo now my research is up to 390 pairs, but I believe there to be much more.  In fact, with infinite being the highest form of a “number” we have, I think that there must also be an infinite number of amicable pairs.  I have no clue how I would solve or prove this, but I am sure it has been or needs to be done.\n\nI liked doing this research.  I feel much more knowledgeable about the subject and found the whole thing very interesting.  I was intrigued by the subject just because of how many unknowns there still are within this subject matter.  I am curious to know if more research is being done and when/if anything more will be discovered.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8109498023986816}
{"content": "Care and Planting Instructions\n\nTransplant outside when all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 6″ apart, in rows at least 12″ apart in well-drained but relatively poor soil in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Once plants are established they will require little care. Plant height 1”.\n\nThyme plants are susceptible to fungal diseases, avoid over watering. Wetting their leaves, while watering, also reduces their fragrance. Once established it is a drought tolerant groundcover. Deer and rabbit resistant.\n\nTo keep plants from becoming too woody, cut back plants by one half after flowering, to encourage new growth. To overwinter – keep sheltered from cold winds by mulching. In climates where the temperatures regularly go below 10 degrees F, plants should be heavily mulched or potted and brought inside during the winter months.\n\nThyme, Minus\nthymus serpyllum ‘Minus’\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9986527562141418}
{"content": "\n\nArt is an explorative odyssey with no boundaries.  To me, art is about capturing these moments, so that they are frozen in time. The moments that I depict are ones that capture the warmth and vibrance of relationships.  To impress this effect on the viewer, I work with rich, earthy colors and with subjects that celebrate simple emotions woven to form complex bonds.  I aim to put a little bit of myself in each brushstroke, and for my work to make people dream, think and smile.  My paintings and photography are both a celebration of life.\n\nI dream of a world where there is a strong sense of global community in which we can all help lift each other up…where men and women are equal in every way.  In a world filled with hatred and violence, I like to travel back to a simpler, more innocent time from my childhood, and celebrate love, happiness and all things good and pure. My art showcases a utopian world - a world where women can and will always walk hand in hand with a man, a world where there is no judgment or differences based on gender, race or faith.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9949012994766235}
{"content": "\n\nFeminism is for everyone\n\nfeminism is for everyone\n\nThis, her latest book, is a basic guide to feminism, a passionate argument that lends Designed to be read by men and women alike, Feminism is for Everybody. Buy Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics on ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders. A friend of mine recently challenged me to read the book Feminism Is For Everybody by Bell Hooks. He told me that, as a gender studies major. Feminism is for Everybody has ratings and reviews. Samadrita said: Not until recently had I emerged out of the rock I was living under and loca. Feminism is for everybody: passionate politics / Bell Hooks. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN - ISBN 3. Feminism is for Everybody [bell hooks] on *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A study of black and post-colonial writing in Britain - and the extent.\n\nFeminism is for everyone - adskiller\n\nBut even worse is the poor grammar and the problems with punctuation and believe me, if I notice poor punctuation and grammar it means something because I am not very good when it comes to punctuation. Imagine living in a world where we can all be who we are, a world of peace and possibility. Feminist policies have resulted in less involvement from fathers, and total matriarchal control of the household. Sorry, we just need to make sure you're not a robot. This book has interesting topics, but it's sooooooooooo slow and dense. She goes on to explore how the upper and even middle classes use inequality to exploit others for their own benefit often while not even seeing how the very lives they live are built on the services of other people. Alexa Actionable Analytics for the Web. feminism is for everyone\n\n\nWe should all be feminists\n\nFeminism is for everyone - Monrad: Vilhelm\n\nAnd who wouldn't want a taste of that? Feminism strives to end the discrimination, exploitation, and oppression of people due to their gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and other differences and supports people in being free to determine their own lives for themselves. Actor, comedian, journalist and novelist. Before I get into the issue of whether Hooks fulfills her stated purpose, I'd like to say that there is plenty she says and ideas thrown out that make this book worth the read. Anything by bell hooks is great. She deftly interweaves feminism with the idea of politics, class struggle, physical beauty, love, religion, marriage, reproductive rights, parenting, masculinity and race to present before us a realistic picture of what truly internalizing its precepts can mean for us and our future. Details if other :.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6834101676940918}
{"content": "Posted on\n\nPro/Con list\n\nPro/Con list, originally uploaded by dgray_xplane.\n\nIt’s rare that we can clearly establish the provenance of a Gamestorming approach, but it’s very nice when we can. The Pro and Con list is a good example: It was invented by Benjamin Franklin and described by him an a 1772 letter to Joseph Priestley. Here’s the description in Ben’s own words:\n\nTo Joseph Priestley\n\nLondon, September 19, 1772\n\nDear Sir,\n\nIn the Affair of so much Importance to you, wherein you ask my Advice, I cannot for want of sufficient Premises, advise you what to determine, but if you please I will tell you how.\n\nWhen these difficult Cases occur, they are difficult chiefly because while we have them under Consideration all the Reasons pro and con are not present to the Mind at the same time; but sometimes one Set present themselves, and at other times another, the first being out of Sight. Hence the various Purposes or Inclinations that alternately prevail, and the Uncertainty that perplexes us.\n\n\nAnd tho’ the Weight of Reasons cannot be taken with the Precision of Algebraic Quantities, yet when each is thus considered separately and comparatively, and the whole lies before me, I think I can judge better, and am less likely to take a rash Step; and in fact I have found great Advantage from this kind of Equation, in what may be called Moral or Prudential Algebra.\n\nWishing sincerely that you may determine for the best, I am ever, my dear Friend,\n\nYours most affectionately\n\nB. Franklin\n\nSource: Mr. Franklin: A Selection from His Personal Letters. Contributors: Whitfield J. Bell Jr., editor, Franklin, author, Leonard W. Labaree, editor. Publisher: Yale University Press: New Haven, CT 1956.\n\nNote about the image: I couldn’t find an example of a Pro/Con list by Benjamin Franklin, but I found this image as part of a Connecticut Historical Society blog post about the Rev. William Patton, who made this Pro/Con list as he considered the relative merits of living in Boston vs. Hartford.\n\nImage: Pros and cons of moving to Hartford, Rev. William W. Patton diaries and account book, 1835-1889, Ms 68129. CHS, Hartford, CT\n\nOnline Pro/Con List\n\nPro/Con ListGiven Benjamin Franklin’s large and distributed social network, we’re pretty sure that he would have enjoyed playing this game with his friends and colleagues. And while dear Ben couldn’t engage his network very easily, we’re pretty sure that he’d be really happy to learn that you can engage your distributed team in an online Pro/Con game.\n\nHere is another image of the Pro/Con List Game. But this one is special – clicking on this image, will start an “instant play” game at In this game, there will be two icons that you can drag on your online Pro/Con List:\n\n  • Blue Pluses: Use these to capture Pros.\n  • Cons: Use these to capture Cons.\n\nWe’ve organized this game using multi-layered regions so that you can keep track of the importance of each item. There are High, Medium, and Low importance regions on the game board. As you’re moving items around, use these regions to help you keep track of the most important ideas.\n\nKeep in mind that that this is a collaborative game. This means that you can invite other players to play. And when they drag something around – you’ll see it in real time!\n\nPosted on\n\nHow-Now-Wow Matrix\n\nWhen people want to develop new ideas, they most often think out of the box in the brainstorming or divergent phase. However, when it comes to convergence, people often end up picking ideas that are most familiar to them. This is called a ‘creative paradox’ or a ‘creadox’.\n\nThe How-Now-Wow matrix is an idea selection tool that breaks the creadox by forcing people to weigh each idea on 2 parameters.\n\nObject of play: This game naturally follows the creative idea generation phase and helps players select ideas to develop further.\n\nNumber of players: 1 to 30\n\nDuration of play: 10 to 40 mins\n\nWhat you’ll need: Flip-chart sized paper, some markers, lots of voting dots in 3 colors (blue, yellow, green)\n\n\n  1. Draw a 2-by-2 matrix as above. The X axis denotes the originality of the idea and the Y axis shows the ease of implementation.\n  2. Label the quadrants as:\n    1. Now/Blue Ideas – Normal ideas, easy to implement. These are typically low-hanging fruit and solutions to fill existing gaps in processes. These normally result in incremental benefits.\n    2. How/Yellow Ideas – Original ideas, impossible to implement. These are breakthrough ideas in terms of impact, but absolutely impossible to implement right now given current technology/budget constraints.\n    3. Wow/Green Ideas – Original ideas, easy to implement. ‘Wow’ ideas are those with potential for orbit-shifting change and possible to implement within current reality.\n\nHow to Play:\n\n  1. List down the ideas that emerge from the creative ideation phase on large charts of paper stuck around the room.\n  2. Give each player 3 sticky dots of each color – that is, 3 blue, 3 yellow, 3 green. 9 dots per person is typical, but go ahead and reduce/increase that number based on the time at hand and number of ideas generated.\n  3. Ask each player to step forward and vote for 3 best ideas in each category.  They need to do this by sticking a colored dot in front of each idea they choose.\n  4. In the end, count the number of dots under each idea to categorize it. The highest number of dots of a certain color categorizes the idea under that color.\n  5. In case of a tie:\n    1. If blue dots = green dots, the idea is blue\n    2. If  yellow dots = green dots, the idea is green\n  6. You now have a bucket of Now/Green ideas to work on further. Make sure you also collect the low-hanging blue ideas for immediate implementation and the yellow ideas to keep an eye on for the future.\n\nNote: Check your yellow dots in advance to ensure that they can be seen from a distance. If not, go ahead and replace them with another color. FYI, in the original matrix, WOW ideas are red.\n\nOnline How-Now-Wow Matrix\n\nHow-Now-Wow MatrixHere is another image of the How-Now-Matrix. But this one is special – clicking on this image will start an “instant play” game at In this game there are 20 light bulbs that you can drag on your matrix. We’ve organized this game into a set of regions that match the How-Now-Matrix described above. As you’re placing these items, use these regions to help you keep track of the most important ideas.\n\n\nHow-Now-Wow MatrixHere is another version that based on Martien van Steenbergen’s comments, in which he recommends flipping the y-axis.\n\nThe How-Wow-Now Matrix is adapted from work done by The Center for Development of Creative Thinking (COCD). Information about the COCD Matrix was published in the book, “Creativity Today” authored by Ramon Vullings, Igor Byttebier and Godelieve Spaas.\n[starrating template_id=4 select=”]\n\nPosted on\n\nArgument map\n\n…complex situations and infoglut.\n\nYou need a good oversight to think about your future, or to really understand your clients. You are committed to empathically include everybody’s reasoning and arguments. You want to make wise and just decisions.\n\n✣  ✣  ✣\n\nMaking the right choices and decisions is crucial. Often too, we need to decide fast. Do we need to vaccine the world population against swine flu? Should we enter this new market? Can we still trust science after Climategate? Are we going to bail out Greece and Ireland? Can computers think? Do we need a new monetary system?\n\nThe [[argument map]] is a systematic approach to mapping a debate in a pleasant and high-quality way as a [[big visible chart]]. It’s process invites every stakeholder to carefully listen to each other’s arguments. It moves away from debate and towards mutual understanding, encouraging empathy. When people are forced to examine other peoples’ points of view there’s a chance for a real conversation.\n\n\nGenerate, collect, prune, and cluster all arguments for and against in a tree-shaped structure on a single A3 sheet of paper.\n\n✣  ✣  ✣\n\nUse the [[force field analysis|force field map]]  to chart weighted forces that direct change.\n\nThe [[argument map]] is originally conceived by the Argumentenfabriek.\n\nNumber of Players: 5–30\n\nDuration of Play: 1–3 hours\n\nObject of Play\n\nPublic debate often diverts into endless low quality discussions and exhausts both the debaters and audience. At the end, you still can’t make a well-informed choice. Many conversations suffer from lack of a central theorem or stand, scarce arguments in favor, or ignored counterarguments.\n\nThe goal is to get out all of the issues and arguments before talking about any one issue. Real-life dialogue makes this a challenging goal, yet it is the goal nonetheless.\n\nIf you immediately explore the first one or two issues instead of getting a complete argument list, you risk the following:\n\n  1. You will never get the complete list and may miss significant opportunities.\n  2. You will end up talking about an issue, which is not the most important issue.\n  3. Even if you eventually discover the most important issue, you may have depleted the scarce resources of time and energy.\n\nPeople have trouble to remember a lot of connections between statements and arguments, and suffer from infoglut—masses of continuously increasing information, so poorly catalogued or organized (or not organized at all) that it is almost impossible to navigate through them to search or draw any conclusion or meaning.\n\nA [[big visible chart]] like the [[argument map]], [[force field analysis|force field map]], or [[hoshin kanri]] gives oversight. Visualizing reasoning helps in practicing critical thinking: clean reasoning, focusing on errors of reasoning, unspoken assumptions, and psychological digressions. [[big visible charts]] will increasingly take over long-winded texts. There is simply no time to read and understand the ever growing thickets of documents.\n\nHow to Play\n\nEither use a whiteboard or flip chart or a computer projection and some handy outline software. Step through the process below, and everything important will surface. You will be complete and not miss any important issues or arguments. And you will be able to make a just decision.\n\n  1. Just the Facts—Create a [[facts map]] and briefly share facts and figures related to the topic. No opinions, just (verifiable) facts, please.\n  2. Quiet Brain Dump—Take ten minutes or so to find causes and consequences, pros and cons. Jot down any argument you can find in favor or against the case.\n  3. Take Turns and Share—Take turns and share a single argument with the group at each turn. Got nothing more? Just pass. Write down the argument on the whiteboard or type in on the computer.\n  4. Prune Your Arguments—Delete any argument on your list that someone else also brings up as soon as you hear it.\n  5. Be Terse—Relentlessly end any discussions, long-winded stories, or salvo of arguments.\n  6. Exhaust Yourself—She or he who passes last, ‘wins’. Still not exhausted? Loop back to 3.\n  7. For or Against—Take two flip charts. Label one as “For” and one “Against”. Collect the arguments on their appropriate flip chart. If you are using an outliner software program, simply drag each argument in its appropriate “For” or “Against” class.\n  8. Shape, Organize and Thicken—Shape, organize and thicken the arguments. Cluster and categorize the arguments into ‘themes’, facets or aspects. Pick one to three key words for theme name. Within each theme, further subcluster arguments and  label each cluster as a theorem, proposition, opinion, or stand, listing the arguments below. Often you will find similar themes and labels in both “For” and “Against”, but this is not a requirement; they can differ.\n\nInstead of listing arguments and copying them to flip charts, you can also write them down on sticky notes, one argument per sticky note, and put those on the flip chart. Crumple any duplicate stickies.\n\nRepeat this process with other groups of stakeholders.\n\nIf you have the time and money, process the harvest into a colorful tree-structured schema like the examples below. Make sure it fits on a single and handy A3-sized sheet of paper, while keeping it legible, of course.\n\nReasoning errors\n\nExempli gratiā\n\nThis article is a copy of Pareltaal » Argument Map and formatted like a pattern from a pattern language.\n\nPosted on\n\nImpact & Effort Matrix\n\n\nImpact & Effort Matrix, originally uploaded by dgray_xplane.\n\nObject of Play\n\n\n\nHow to Play\n\n\nThe source of the Impact & Effort Matrix game is unknown.\n\nImpact & Effort\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPosted on\n\nForced Ranking\n\nGeneva workshop\n\nObject of Play\nWhen prioritizing, a group may need to agree on a single, ranked list of items. Forced ranking obligates the group to make difficult decisions, and each item is ranked relative to the others. This is an important step in making decisions on items like investments, business priorities, and features or requirements—wherever a clear, prioritized list is needed.\n\nNumber of Players: Small group of 3–10 participants\n\nDuration of Play: Medium to long; 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the length of the list, the criteria, and the size of the group\n\nHow to Play\nTo set up the game, participants need to have two things: an unranked list of items and the criteria for ranking them. Because forced ranking makes the group judge items closely, the criteria should be as clear as possible. For example, in ranking features for a product, the criteria might be “Most important features for User X.” In the case of developing business priorities, the criteria might be “Most potential impact over the next year.”\n\nIf there are multiple dimensions to a ranking, it is best to rank the items separately for each criterion, and then combine the scores to determine the final ranking. It is difficult for participants to weigh more than one criterion at a time, as in the confusing “Most potential impact over the next year and least amount of effort over the next six months.”\n\nIn this case, it would be best to rank items twice: once by impact and once by effort. Although there is no hard limit on the number of items to be ranked, in a small-group setting the ideal length of a list is about 10 items. This allows participants to judge items relative to one another without becoming overwhelming. By making the entire list visible on a flip chart or whiteboard, participants will have an easier time ranking a larger list.\n\nTo play, create a matrix of items and the criteria. Each participant ranks the items by assigning it a number, with the most important item being #1, the second most important item as #2, and so forth, to the least important item. Because the ranking is “forced,” no items can receive equal weight.\n\nOnce the items have been ranked, tally them and discuss the prioritized list and next steps.\n\nCreating a forced ranking may be difficult for participants, as it requires they make clear-cut assessments about a set of items. In many cases, this is not the normal mode of operation for groups, where it is easier to add items to lists to string together agreement and support. Getting people to make these assessments, guided by clear criteria, is the entire point of forced ranking.\n\nThe original source of the Forced Ranking game is unknown.\n\nPosted on\n\nDot Voting\n\nDot Voting by @benry\n\nObject of Play\nIn any good brainstorming session, there will come a time when there are too many good ideas, too many concepts, and too many possibilities to proceed. When this time has come, dot voting is one of the simplest ways to prioritize and converge upon an agreed solution.\n\nNumber of Players: At least 3 participants; in larger groups, tallying votes will be more time-consuming\n\nDuration of Play: Short\n\nHow to Play\nFirst, the group needs a set of things to vote on! This may be something they have just developed, such as a wall of sticky notes, or it may be a flip-chart list that captures the ideas in one place. Ask the group to cast their votes by placing a dot next to the items they feel the most strongly about. They may use stickers or markers to do this. As a rule of thumb, giving each participant five votes to cast works well.\n\nParticipants cast their votes all at once and they may vote more than once for a single item if they feel strongly about it. Once all the votes are cast, tally them, and if necessary make a list of the items by their new rank.\n\nThis prioritized list becomes the subject of discussion and decision making. In some cases, it may be useful to reflect on ideas that didn’t receive votes to verify that they haven’t been left behind without cause.\n\nThis technique is used to collaboratively prioritize any set of items. It could be used to hone a list of features, to agree on discussion topics, or to choose among strategies and concepts. Giving participants five votes is enough to be meaningful while still asking for individual prioritization; however, this is not a hard rule.\n\nThe original source of the Dot Voting game is unknown.\n\nPosted on\n\nScenario Slider\n\n\nAfter coming up with great ideas, the next challenge is figuring out the best way to make them happen. This exercise is one of many types of “scenario” games which can be used to test ideas and try out different approaches to bring them to life.\n\nWhen having discussions about how to do something, we often get overwhelmed by all of the variables and reasons why it might not work, and can end up working in circles questioning our assumptions before we’ve even tested the idea. Setting stakes in the ground can clear the space we need to get down to it and discuss how to try something new under more specific circumstances…and doing it across groups helps to think through very different ways of doing the same thing.\n\nOBJECT of the GAME: To get groups to model a business approach based on several extreme scenarios, using two to three variables.\n\nWHEN to USE: After a brainstorming or prioritization exercise where a new idea, model, business or product has been selected.\n\n\n  1. In advance, select two or three variables which would impact how your idea would be implemented. If it’s a project, it could be “money, people and time”.\n  2. It’s helpful to set some context for your variables. Money could range from $10k to unlimited funds, for example, while time might be “done in 3 months” to “as much time as you need”.\n  3. Set two or three different scenarios, adjusting the “sliders” in your three variables to a couple of possible extremes. Don’t be worried if this is actually the case in reality; playing with the extremes helps to find unexpected answers. One scenario might be “unlimited funds, all the people you need, must be done in three months.”\n  4. Working with a number of groups in parallel, assign one scenario to each group. Ask the groups to come up with an approach based on that scenario. Instruct the groups to take the scenario as a given – don’t say it’s impossible in three months; tell us how you’d do it.\n  5. Allow the groups to all share their work with the others, outlining their approach as well as explaining the tradeoffs and shortcomings based on the constraints of their scenario.\n  6. Debrief as a large group to identify ideas that people agree should go forward, and which variables and constraints the group believes to be non-negotiable.\n\nFACILITATOR NOTES: Getting the groups to produce something for the report out helps them crystallize their thinking and gives the broader group a something tangible to work with when debriefing. Getting them to draw models or doodles to illustrate their ideas can help get them focused on delivering a product.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6748112440109253}
{"content": "The Pascal/Fibonacci hardware\nHome | What is the KOFH Educational Universal? | The KOFH Lotus Leaf Tutorial: How to utilize this concept in the academic classroom. | The Catalogue | Educational Products | Samples available | searching for better understanding since 1980 | The Physiological basis of the Mental Pattern | The Philosophical \"Kant's\" | The Underlying Neurology | Editorial Page | Talent? join us! | KOFH NEWSLETTER | Email homework aid | Freudian Bible Interpretation | email, or write\n\nThe Fibonacci/Pascal Triangle hardware of brain:\n\nThe cube's tetrahedron is the neuron processor.\nThe five geometries have physiological analogy with the brain\n\nNot everyone would care to read exactly how the neurons grow, through the process of cell mitosis, into a heirarchy of nerves arranged in a binary organization relative to one another. For those who would like more details concerning the Fibonacci growth pattern of mitosis, and the mathematical relationships between that series of neuron connections and Pascal's Triangle of binary row alignments, get the KOFH publication, \"Mindography, the one thing that explains understanding.\"\n\nBut, notice the 2-D format of the cube in the illustration above, it is important to our practical application of these theories, particularly in regard to KOFH Academic Products for the K-12 Classroom and KOFH Educational Materials for Bible Study.\n\nNotice that, twelve large congruent triangles around the border of the square, actually frame another smaller square in the center of the diagram. That smaller center square is analogous to the Central Pattern Generator, CPG, of the tetrahedronal binary processor in our computer-like brain. A close look shows that this smaller square is further divided into congruent triangles, also.\n\nThe twelve triangles which ring those in the center correspond to the twelve faces on the outside of the cube. The eight triangles in the smaller center square correspond to the eight faces inside the cube. Each 2-D triangle corresponds one-to-one with a triangular face on the 3-D cube. In this way, it becomes possible to represent the content of the three sets of numerically grouped triangles. That content can be set down on paper and examined in a classroom setting. Hence, the theory lends itself to educational pursuits which utilize the two concepts, the world of the Fuller \"cubism\" which can be understood by the Mindography that explains it in our mind.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8429901599884033}
{"content": "Alhassan Mu’azu Danasebe is from Kogi State. He was born on the 20th of August to a family of Six. He attended Christfield nursery and primary lokoja, Kogi State and had his secondary education at Harmony secondary school lokoja, Kogi State. He also did an A’ level program and is currently a 400l law student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.His likes are honestly and sincerity.. while dislikes includes dishonesty, lying and backbiting.\n\nWhat made you choose your career path?\nMy role model (Dad) made me choose it and I had always admired the course. Society’s view also contributed, because they tend to believe all lawyers lie. I guess I wanted to prove to them that not all lawyers are liars … like the saying that goes ” All lawyers are liars but not all liars are lawyers”. so I want to make the society believe that they are lawyers out there that fight for justice for the masses . But most of all,I guess the respect and honor they get triggered me. (Laughs)\n\nWhat are your other interests/hobbies?\nMy interest includes putting smiles on the face of people that i can reach especially the less privilege, motivating inspiring them, designing, reading when I am in the mood and sometimes watching movies .\n\nHow do you think the North can move towards sustainable development?\nUhm. I think by job employment and also motivating the youth because the youth are the key to the development.\nCreating job for individuals should be a priority in order for them not to engage in illegal activities in society and also providing employment will motivate others to see the importance of education.\nIn doing so, the children roaming about the street can also be engaged in several activities since their parent are incapable of providing for them or organizing a program to educate them if they show the zeal to learn .\nAnd when I say the youth are the key to development in the northern society,I am trying to say they are the ones that are somehow managing and controlling the in and out in the society either directly or indirectly. So when the youth are oriented and are engage in one or two things,the society will definitely develop by HIS grace.\nBut always have this in mind ,Life is all about negotiation and reciprocation.\n\nAre there areas in your state you wish are better?\nEverywhere needs development or some kind of improvement by providing what a state needs to be considered a standard state.\nInfrastructure such as good equipment, good road,good healthcare and educational systems, good drainage and gutters. Social amenities such as light, Water, etc are very much needed as well among other things.\n\nWhat makes you a proud Northerner?\nThe food and the simplicity of our lifestyle and also the believe of this saying ” what’s yours will never pass you by”.\n\nWhat is your advice to other Northern Youths like you out there?\nOkay.. My advice to them is for them to be prayerful and to be themselves in any situation. They should learn to be hard working and smart.\nThey should not always follow the saying that goes ” the patient dog eat the fastest bone and being smart is also important in hustling for a better life.\nAnd lastly they should have this words that I call my motto and philosophy of life, that goes ” THE GREATEST OF ONE’S WEALTH IS THE RICHNESS OF THE SOUL”.\n\nWhat three words best describes you?\nHonest ,Sincere and Peaceful.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6554380059242249}
{"content": "Surubelnita Club - Night bars in Bucharest - Nightlife\n\nSurubelnita Club\n\nDance club in Bucharest downtown, 100 Mosilor Road, Surubelnita (The Screwdriver) Club  tries to recreate the atmosphere of Vama Veche in the midle of the city. Find there the sand, fishing nets, lifebuoys, good music, happy people and hammocks.\n\nAddress: 100 Calea Mosilor, Bucharest\n+40 756 375 426\n\n\nDirections to place:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000100135803223}
{"content": "Other Info\n\nDiabetes Insipidus\n\nDiabetes insipidus is a uncommon condition characterized by the body's inability to retain enough water to meet its needs. Usually the hormone vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone, allows the kidney to conserve water. However, in diabetes insipidus the hormone is deficient or inactive and the patient will lose massive amounts of water. Symptoms include excessive thirst and frequent urination. If the disease remains untreated, the patient can develop complications.\n\nIf water is not readily available, the excessive output of urine will lead to severe dehydration.  Diabetes insipidus can also cause an electrolyte imbalance.\n\nIt is a rare condition, affecting approximately 1 in every 25,000 people.\n\nCentral Hypothyroidism\n\nCentral hypothyroidism is due to a failure of the pituitary gland to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). This is usually caused by a tumor in the area of the pituitary or hypothalamus.\n\nCentral hypothyroidism is characterized by weight gain, intolerance to cold, decreased sweating, coarse skin, hair loss, puffy face, hands and feet, slow speech, tiredness, and weakness.\n\nGrowth Hormone Deficiency\n\nGrowth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a medical condition, caused by problems arising in the pituitary gland, in which the body does not produce enough growth hormone.\n\nChildren with growth hormone deficiency have a slow or flat rate of growth, usually less than 2 inches per year. The slow growth may not appear until a child is 2 or 3 years old.\n\nThe child will be much shorter than most or all children of the same age and gender.\n\nChildren with growth hormone deficiency still have normal body proportions, as well as normal intelligence. However, their face often appears younger than children of the same age. They may also have a chubby body build.\n\n\nPostural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome\n\nPostural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia. POTS is a subset of orthostatic intolerance that is associated with the presence of excessive tachycardia on standing.\n\nMany POTS patients experience fatigue, headaches, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, exercise intolerance, nausea, diminished concentration, tremulousness (shaking), syncope (fainting), coldness or pain in the extremeties, chest pain and shortness of breath.\n\nSome patients have fairly mild symptoms and can continue with normal work, school, social and recreational activities. For others, symptoms may be so severe that normal life activities, such as bathing, housework, eating, sitting upright, walking or standing can be significantly limited. Physicians with expertise in treating POTS have compared the functional impairment seen in POTS patients to the impairment seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure.\n\nMotor Dysgraphia\n\nMotor dysgraphia is due to deficient fine motor skills, poor dexterity, poor muscle tone, or unspecified motor clumsiness. Letter formation may be acceptable in very short samples of writing, but this requires extreme effort and an unreasonable amount of time to accomplish, and it cannot be sustained for a significant length of time, as it can cause arthritis-like tensing of the hand. Overall, their written work is poor to illegible even if copied by sight from another document, and drawing is difficult. Oral spelling for these individuals is normal, and their finger tapping speed is below normal. This shows that there are problems within the fine motor skills of these individuals.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8631606101989746}
{"content": "Chapter: ‘The contributions of family and local historians to British history online’\n\nParticipatory Heritage, edited by Henriette Roued-Cunliffe and Andrea Copeland, has just been published by Facet.\n\nMy chapter is ‘The contributions of family and local historians to British history online‘. My abstract:\n\nCommunity history projects across Britain have collected and created images, indexes and transcriptions of historical documents ranging from newspaper articles and photographs, to wills and biographical records. Based on analysis of community- and institutionally-led participatory history sites, and interviews with family and local historians, this chapter discusses common models for projects in which community historians cooperated to create digital resources. For decades, family and local historians have organised or contributed to projects to collect, digitise and publish historical sources about British history. What drives amateur historians to voluntarily spend their time digitising cultural heritage? How do they cooperatively or collaboratively create resources? And what challenges do they face?\n\nMia Ridge is a Digital Curator in the British Library’s Digital Scholarship team. She has a PhD in digital humanities (2015, Department of History, Open University) entitled Making Digital History: the impact of digitality on public participation and scholarly practices in historical research. Previously, she conducted human-computer interaction-based research on crowdsourcing in cultural heritage.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997137188911438}
{"content": "The other day I wrote about the nature of true love from a biblical perspective. I indicated that true love is demonstrated in self-sacrifice. In an attempt to guard against people who might think that because they do a lot for others or give a lot to others that they were being loving, I mentioned that love is not just giving, but giving up something. Yet as I have examined my own life, I have become increasingly aware that I do not know what love really looks like. I say that I love God, but what does that look like? I say I love others, but what does that look like.\n\nOver the next few weeks I hope to look more closely at what love really looks like using 1 Corinthians 13 as a guide. As I consider the question, I will attempt to approach it from a biblical perspective. Considering first that “we love, because God first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). Then I will proceed to show who we should demonstrate that love to God and to others. So for each characteristic of love I will attempt to answer three questions:\n\n  1. How does God show love to us? \n  2. How do we show love to God? \n  3. How do we show love to others?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7867907285690308}
{"content": "Open Access\n\nUnequal representation of genetic variation across ancestry groups creates healthcare inequality in the application of precision medicine\n\nGenome Biology201617:157\n\nPublished: 14 July 2016\n\n\nAn important application of modern genomics is diagnosing genetic disorders. We use the largest publicly available exome sequence database to show that this key clinical service can currently be performed much more effectively in individuals of European genetic ancestry.\n\n\nClinical diagnostics Precision medicine Disease-associated genes Healthcare inequality Genetic ancestry Genetic variation Geographic ancestry Next generation sequencing Rare variants Sequence interpretation\n\n\nIt has long been argued that the concentration of large scale genomic data generation on individuals of European ancestry can contribute to healthcare inequalities [1, 2]. Currently, in the search for a genetic diagnosis, much of the effort in the diagnostic sequencing paradigm is focused on candidate variants among known disease-associated genes that are either absent or sufficiently rare in available control reference cohorts, each of which is considered carefully as a possible explanation for the relevant presentation. Need and Goldstein specifically argued in 2009 that our ability to effectively filter variants to identify pathogenic ones as sequencing becomes clinically routine would be very different amongst different ancestry groups unless our knowledge of genetic variation is made more equal across ancestry groups [1]. Unfortunately, now with clinical sequencing becoming routine this fear has been clearly realized. The common experience is that when this clinical service is done today in patients of European ancestry, the number of candidate variants is significantly less than in other geographic ancestry groups.\n\nWhen searching for genetic aberrations responsible for Mendelian disorders, the expectation that pathogenic genotypes will be under strong negative selection instructs us to focus on genotypes at low or unobserved frequencies in the general population [35]. As population reference cohorts increase in size we capture lower allele frequencies with improved resolution [6]. The recently released Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) dataset [7, 8], which contains aggregated exome sequence data from 60,252 individuals with an assigned geographic ancestry, aids in identifying allelic frequencies at an approximately sixfold lower resolution than what was available from the combination of two pre-existing datasets, the Exome Sequencing Project (ESP) and the 1000 Genomes Project. Approximately 60.9 % of the samples in this ExAC reference cohort are of European ancestry, compared with 13.7 % of South Asian ancestry, 9.6 % of Latino ethnicity, 8.6 % of African (African American) ancestry, and 7.2 % of East Asian ancestry.\n\nHere, we evaluate the consequence of geographic ancestry on the effectiveness of interpreting a genome among a collection of 5965 individuals sequenced for various studies at the Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM). We use a principal component (PC) approach [9] to assign samples into geographic ancestry groups (Additional file 1). Our cohort comprises 5094 (85.4 %) individuals of European genetic ancestry, 505 (8.5 %) of primarily African ancestry, 93 (1.6 %) of Latino ethnicity, 61 (1 %) of East Asian ancestry, and 38 (0.6 %) of South Asian ancestry; 174 (2.9 %) samples were allocated to an “unassigned” ancestry group (Fig. 1a).\nFig. 1\n\na Percentage representation of the 5965 IGM reference cohort across six geographic ancestry groupings. b A semi-transparent overlaid histogram representing the tally of candidate variants between IGM’s 5094 European (Eu) individuals (blue) and the collection of non-European individuals (red) (Mann–Whitney U test p < 1 × 10−320). The non-European distribution reflects individuals with a: Latino ethnicity (La), East Asian (EaAs), South Asian (SoAs), primarily African (Af), and unassigned (Un) ancestry. Estimates indicate the mean number of singleton non-synonymous variants among OMIM disease-associated genes. Singleton variants are identified based on a reference cohort of 5965 IGM sequenced samples. c Percentage representation of the combined 66,217 IGM and ExAC reference cohorts across six geographic ancestry / ethnic groupings. d Similar to b but singleton variants were identified based on the absence among the combined IGM and ExAC reference cohorts accumulating to 66,217 samples\n\nGeographic ancestry, rare variants, and disease-associated genes\n\nWe previously described “narrative potential” [10] as the opportunity to construct variant-disease narratives given that every genome will contain rare variants predicted to be damaging by in silico tools. To illustrate the value of ancestry matched controls, we generated rare variant distributions for the different ancestry groups. The distributions reflect the number of rare non-synonymous variants found among the 3393 current disease-associated genes from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database.\n\nThe first assessment (Fig. 1b) compares the European (blue) and non-European (red) distribution for the number of singleton non-synonymous variants each sample has among OMIM disease-associated genes (Additional file 1). The minor allele frequency (MAF) is based on the internal database of 5965 IGM samples. Due to the reduced access to ethnically matched controls, when comparing the distribution between the European and non-European ancestries, we find longer candidate lists among non-Europeans (Mann–Whitney U test p < 1 × 10−320).\n\nAfter further removing variants reported in the ExAC reference cohort (Fig. 1c) [7, 8], individuals with European ancestry have, on average, 6.6 candidate singleton non-synonymous variants that overlap OMIM disease-associated genes. In comparison, we see 9.9 candidate variants in individuals with primarily African, 10.9 in Latino ethnicity, 12.3 in East Asian, 12.7 in South Asian, and 8.3 in the unassigned ancestry group (Table 1). While this illustrates that growing and diverse datasets are a critical step towards harmonizing the distribution of candidate variants, it is evident that the problem is not yet solved (Fig. 1d; Mann–Whitney U test p = 5 × 10−91). As a simple illustration, randomly selecting a European representative finds six candidate OMIM gene variants, one within a dominant gene. In comparison, randomly selecting a South Asian representative results in 13 candidate OMIM gene variants, eight occurring in dominant genes (Additional file 1). This is a challenge currently faced by research, clinical, and diagnostic sequencing labs. While the numerical difference sounds small, when you consider that you may need to act on the basis of the patients’ genetic diagnosis, every additional candidate has a true implication on interpretation.\nTable 1\n\nGroup summaries for the number of singleton non-synonymous candidate variants in OMIM disease-associated genes among IGM’s 5965 samples\n\nGeographic ancestry / ethnic group\n\nNumber of individuals\n\nNumber of singletons using internal reference cohort (n = 5,965)\n\nNumber of singletons using internal and ExAC reference cohorts (n = 66,217)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfrican (African American)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLatino ethnicity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEast Asian\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth Asian\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nData reflect using only the internal reference cohort and then subsequently supplementing the IGM internal reference cohort with variant information from the ExAC reference cohort of 60,252 controls of convenience\n\nSD standard deviation\n\n\nThese analyses illustrate how unequal representation of genetic variation can negatively affect present genomic interpretation in individuals of non-European ancestry. While the results are unsurprising given our understanding of population genetics, there are still important lessons. Firstly, these data show that it is instructive to assess the allele frequencies of non-European cases in their matched ancestry group(s). Secondly, increasing diversity of geographic ancestry and sample size among sequenced reference cohorts greatly ameliorates the problem (Fig. 1).\n\nGiven that sample sizes are about to explode with the US national initiative and other large-scale international sequencing studies, it is vital that we ensure the most equitable distribution of the generation of genomic data possible. Enriching our knowledge of genetic variation in different ancestry groups remains the most effective solution to this problem. With initiatives like the recently announced Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) Cohort Program, this must be recognized as a high priority for the field as we move towards an era where precision medicine is a reality. If not, genomics could further contribute to healthcare inequalities.\n\n\nExAC, Exome Aggregation Consortium; IGM, Institute for Genomic Medicine; OMIM, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man; PC, principal component\n\n\n\nThe authors would like to thank the Exome Aggregation Consortium and the groups that provided exome variant data for comparison. A full list of contributing groups can be found at SP is a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) CJ Martin Early Career Fellow.\n\nAuthors’ contributions\n\nSP and DBG conceived and designed the study. SP and DBG drafted the manuscript. SP and DBG read and approved the final manuscript.\n\nCompeting interests\n\nThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\n\nEthics approval and consent to participate\n\nIGM participants provided written informed consent.\n\n\nAuthors’ Affiliations\n\nInstitute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University\nDepartment of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital\n\n\n  1. Need AC, Goldstein DB. Next generation disparities in human genomics: concerns and remedies. Trends Genet. 2009;25:489–94.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar\n  2. Bustamante CD, Burchard EG, De la Vega FM. Genomics for the world. Nature. 2011;475:163–5.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar\n  3. Bustamante CD, Fledel-Alon A, Williamson S, Nielsen R, Hubisz MT, Glanowski S, Tanenbaum DM, White TJ, Sninsky JJ, Hernandez RD, et al. Natural selection on protein-coding genes in the human genome. Nature. 2005;437:1153–7.Google Scholar\n  4. Kimura M. The Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983. Cambridge Books Online.\n  5. Carmi S, Hui KY, Kochav E, Liu X, Xue J, Grady F, Guha S, Upadhyay K, Ben-Avraham D, Mukherjee S, et al. Sequencing an Ashkenazi reference panel supports population-targeted personal genomics and illuminates Jewish and European origins. Nat Commun. 2014;5:4835.Google Scholar\n  6. Gravel S, Henn BM, Gutenkunst RN, Indap AR, Marth GT, Clark AG, Yu F, Gibbs RA, Genomes P, Bustamante CD. Demographic history and rare allele sharing among human populations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108:11983–8.Google Scholar\n  7. Lek M, Karczewski K, Minikel E, Samocha K, Banks E, Fennell T, O'Donnell-Luria A, Ware J, Hill A, Cummings B, et al. Analysis of protein-coding genetic variation in 60,706 humans. bioRxiv. 2015.\n  8. ExAC: Exome Aggregation Consortium. Accessed July 2015.\n  10. Goldstein DB, Allen A, Keebler J, Margulies EH, Petrou S, Petrovski S, Sunyaev S. Sequencing studies in human genetics: design and interpretation. Nat Rev Genet. 2013;14:460–70.Google Scholar\n\n\n© The Author(s). 2016", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9152710437774658}
{"content": "Saturday, May 3, 2014\n\nButter and Steak\n\nThe Paleo Diet is, in my opinion and in the opinion of other folks, terrific.  It gives me extra energy, with the bonus of lower orchestral and lower triglycerides.  In the strictest adherence of the diet, it eliminates all grains (breads, etc), potatoes, dairy products, sugars, and vegetable oils.  It does not eliminate fresh fruits and vegetables.  It was a personal delight to read a major article printed in The Wall Street Journal.  \n\nWithin the pages of this noteworthy newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, the weekend edition, Saturday/Sunday, May 3 - 4 2014, in the review section, is an article titled, Fat Reconsidered......The dubious science behind the anti-fat crusade.  It features a cow on the page.  I will not give you the link.  If you are interested, you will google it.  It's a great piece.  Within it you will find.......\n\n- How bad science and politics, coupled with ambition, has dictated how and what we eat for over 60 years. \n- Why any kind of vegetable oil is not good for you and why butter and even lard can be better.  \n- Why grains (cereal grains) are not good for you. \n- How the facts of heart disease have been distorted.\n-Why fat does not make you \"fat\" or diabetic; carbs do.  \n- How Proctor and Gamble helped to create and fund The American Heart Association (AHA), and how this influenced the USDA.  \n- How since the 1940's, it has been known that when vegetable oils are heated (like in fryers), they produce by-products that can lead to cirrhosis or the liver....and death.  \n- Before the end of WWII, many health issues of today were rare.  \n\nIt's hard for me to say that bad science should be given a pass; it should not.  A person's general health and well being is essential to a long, prosperous, and productive life.  Over 60 years ago, a select few, prompted by what appeared to be righteous science, \"fixed\" what was truly not broken within our diet. I do not blame these people.  They believed that the science was correct.  Today we know better. Hence my advocacy of the Paleo Diet.  \n\nForget those oils, fire up the grill and prep the meat.  Eat those veggies and fruits.  And use those cereal grains to make beer; fermentation eliminates harmful microbes.\n\n                                                 Copyright @2014 Terry Unger\n\n\nA Sample, Nick Hammer - The Lost Girls\n\nA sample from Nick Hammer - The Lost Girls ... None of this data gave White any measure of solace.  It made him angry, at a l...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9942650198936462}
{"content": "A+ A A-\n\nShamanic Self-therapy (workshop)\n\n\n(This is a very different kind of text, and I had some initial hesitations about posting it because it’s simply a practical handout for one of my workshops, rather than the crafted, quasi-poetic essays I’ve usually written. But perhaps its practicality makes it that much more relevant – so I’m sharing it in the hope that the ideas, exercises and guided meditations described in it will find their resonance in the right hands, and hearts…)\n\nThe essence of shamanism is dreaming; all the different external rituals of shamanic traditions are secondary. Shamanic dreaming is a wake up call from our habitual sleepwalking, or what Charles Tart called our “consensus trance” … into a non-ordinary reality, in which thoughts communicate with each other like filaments of light, bodies morph and become animal, plant and mineral, and humans soar on the wings of eagles to pluck sacred symbols from the clouds. Australian aborigines describe this non-ordinary reality as dreamtime. In the Mohawk language, a shaman is called dreamer, or “ratetshents.” The original Siberian word “šamán” means one who is lifted up in ecstatic trance to receive the gift of gnosis. Gnosis has a double aim: attaining inner sovereignty by recognizing and integrating one’s subpersonalities and dark shadows, and a direct download of cosmic consciousness, or what in magical-esoteric traditions is called communion with one’s higher self.\n\nIn his writings about shamanic psychotherapy and psychomagic, Alexandro Jodorowky describes the dreamworld as tapping into the language of the unconscious – both the personal subconscious and a cosmic unconscious that is a collection of the dreams of all that has been and all that will be. This unconscious dreamworld is outside of linearity, reason, and time. In dream logic there is no beginning or end, and no cause and effect. The world of dreams is populated by fantastical beings and miraculous landscapes; it is the land of archetypes, mythical creatures and animal guides, where it’s possible to bend the laws of nature, cure illness by magical incantations and create new worlds by occult symbols and hand gestures. Entering a trance journey or “dreaming awake” is about traveling between worlds, between the ordinary and nonordinary, between lower, middle and upper-worlds. The hypnogogic trance taps into a theta brain wave frequency that is a gateway to unlocking the unconscious, and the seemingly magical things that happen during the journey have the power to dissolve neuroses, change beliefs and alter behavior. Or as Terrence McKenna was fond of saying (in the context of psychotropic substances like ayahuasca, although it applies equally well to self-induced trance), journeying to dreamworlds effectively crashes and re-builds our basic operating system. Psychotherapists who use hypnosis do something very similar – they tap into the dream language of the unconscious to transform core beliefs and perceptions and their corresponding ingrained behaviors. The difference is that in shamanic journeying we use our own power to heal, integrate our shadows and become more whole, rather than hand it over to an expert who does it for us.\n\nThis workshop fuses shamanic techniques for trance journeying with psychological approaches to working with subpersonalities. In the hermetic-kabbalistic tradition, the self is envisioned as a triad of the personal unconscious, the ego’s executive power of will, and the higher self which taps into divine, cosmic consciousness. The lower self or Nefesh is like a spontaneous, awe-inspired, magical child that is connected to nature and its rhythms. It can be thought of as a pool of water that is initially still and clear, but as we experience traumatic events, to defend against their pain, our personality becomes splintered into murky fragments and congealed energies that are thrown down into this pool and cause all kinds of unruly ripples and chaotic distortions. Once these distortions are cleared, the water of the pool becomes limpid and can mirror the Neshama or divine self. In Sanskrit, the word divine simply means to shine, to be in the flow, to be in harmony and joy, to be without inner conflict. The more the murky, distorted pool of the personal unconscious is cleared by doing inner dialogues with our subpersonalities, which unburdens their congealed pain, the more the playful, magical child and the intuitive voice of our higher guidance can emerge as dominant energies in our lives. The aim of this workshop is to teach techniques for clearing the murky pool in order to achieve the first aim of gnosis, inner sovereignty or self-mastery. It represents a preliminary work, and doesn’t engage with the second aim of gnosis – attaining communion with the higher self – because some groundwork of decontaminating the waters of the personal unconscious and attaining a relative balance from inner conflict is necessary before tapping into the guidance of the higher self.\n\n> Working with subpersonalities or multiple, fragmented selves\n\nMost of us believe that we’re a consistent self, singular personality or unique “I”. Different philosophical, esoteric and psychological traditions have diagnosed the many I’s, contradictory drives, fragmented parts, multiple selves, or subpersonalities that we each harbor. Theories of subpersonalities or multiple selves require seeing what we usually see as moods as complex persons, similar to boisterous, unruly children. This interpretation is not just a conceptual construct, it has material effects in our lives since it influences how we view ourselves and relate to the world. We don’t need to believe that there are literal energetic-entities inhabiting us to be able to engage in inner dialogue with fragmented parts of ourselves. For me, interpreting the different, often contradictory, aspects of my personality as similar to real persons, and, even more concretely, as misguided children – with their own unique beliefs, motivations, emotions, patterns of behaviors, and mechanical re-actions to external triggers – and having dialogues with them to figure out what they’re about has been a useful framework for understanding myself better and for achieving a sense of distance, balance, and heightened sense of compassion for my vulnerabilities and mistakes.\n\nThere are two psychological approaches that use similar techniques of working with inner dialogue to access and transform subpersonalities: Hal and Sidra Stone’s voice dialogue, which relies on a distinction between primary and disowned selves, and Richard Schwarz’s Internal Family System therapy (IFS), which uses the terminology of parts rather than multiple selves, and uses a distinction between protectors and exiles. I find voice dialogue more accurate in outlining the cluster of dominant personality traits that make up the ego, and IFS more useful in understanding that subpersonalities are not isolated fragments but form complex relationships with each other. Both approaches view subpersonalities as protective defenses that initially arose to guard us (as children) against pain associated with an original traumatic event.\n\n1. Primary Selves\n\nThe primary selves – or what we usually think of as the ego – take shape as a cluster of fragmented, protective selves that have internalized different parental and social voices and have created unspoken rules for our behavior. These primary selves are like bodyguards that search for dangers and determine how to guard us against the negative effects of experiencing pain or of disclosing our vulnerabilities. As we grow into adults most primary selves continue to function as if we’re still children, which means they’re not only obsolete but often destructive, and they significantly limit our ability to freely choose and direct our lives. The aim is to become aware of this multiplicity of selves in order to live more freely and consciously. By having a dialogue with each one individually, we can directly experience how they operate in our daily lives – simply as witnesses, not as judges and juries – and increasingly free ourselves from unconscious automatisms.\n\nThe cluster of primary selves are highly individualized and idiosyncratic, but since we pick them up from typical child-parent relationships and social interactions they exhibit general patterns and it’s useful to first give them generic labels and then come up with more individual characteristics and even with names as the practice of inner dialogue develops more insight into their behaviors. Some common primary selves can include:\n\n  • the controller: who sets up rules, imposes regular patterns, and tries to control all unpredictable elements of one’s environment by excessive planning, order and rigidity,\n  • the inner critic: who hammers us with judgments of everything we do wrong and everything that is deficient in our personalities,\n  • the pusher: who pushes and exhausts us into achieving more and better, and is famous for interminable to-do-lists\n  • the perfectionist: a particularly rabid combination of the inner critic and pusher, for whom nothing is ever good enough and it’s always necessary to strive to do better,\n  • the pleaser: who puts on a chronic smile and happy face and seeks above all to be likable and be considered nice by others, thereby suppressing our authentic voice,\n  • the overly-responsible maternal type: who always takes care of others, and has an overdeveloped sense of duty and ethic of self-sacrifice,\n  • and the rebel without a cause: who, due to experiencing excessive control, tries to break all rules and fight all authority, even when the rules of authority are not harmful or problematic.\n\nAnother dominant primary self that most of us harbor because it’s so common in our culture is the outer critic, external judge or chronic negator, which can manifest in two forms: (1) moralistic, righteous, and typically quiet persons who don’t lash out but harbor an inner resentment of others for committing injustices, and who feel like they’re constantly being wronged or fucked over or getting the short end of the stick, and (2) loud condemners who put others down in verbally aggressive ways in order to acquire a false sense of superiority over them. Both are examples of what Nietzsche called “ressentiment,” which stems from feeling a lack of real power in one’s life, and attempting to compensate for that lack by creating an imaginary sense of being morally or intellectually superior to other people. And both harbor a pleasure of negating simply for the sake of negating, as opposed to constructive criticism, which is usually cooperative, empathic and seeks to be helpful to others by offering suggestions rather than to put them down through condemnation.\n\nThese primary selves, each with its own distinct voice, form a kind of basic operating system that runs our lives and determines our values, preferences, identifications, beliefs and behaviors on autopilot – in other words, most of what we consider to be part of our freely chosen identity or self-constructed personality. The reason some protectors cluster into the primary selves that make up the ego-personality is because society usually condones their type of defenses as useful. The controller, pusher, perfectionist and pleaser mimic the parental and social voices that guided us in childhood, and their behavior is designed to make us fit in, conform, be productive, and be liked by others. So they’ve been constantly reinforced in our life and have become increasingly stronger over the years. But for every primary self that has come into being there are other (different and even opposite) selves that have been hidden away, buried, or disowned because their behavior has met with disapproval while we were growing up. They include childlike selves that have been suppressed – vulnerable and wounded children, as well as playful and magical children. Together these form a cluster of energies that’s usually referred to as the “inner child” in psychological literature. But there are also darker, socially unacceptable shadows, which often explode in bouts of rage, aggression, hatred, selfishness or uncontrollable addictions.\n\n2. Exiles and inner children\n\nThe main role of the primary selves is to avoid the kind of emotional pain that is triggered when certain situations in our current life recall something we felt overwhelmed by in childhood. They are protectors and what they are protecting are exiles. Exiles are fragmentary, childlike selves born out of specific pains and fears – the fear of abandonment, loneliness, abuse, being rejected, not measuring up to external standards, not being able to trust anyone and seeing the world itself as a hostile, dangerous place – which can usually be traced back to some traumatic experience that happened when we were too young to be able to work through the emotions and process them properly. Whenever a current situation threatens to set loose the old pain we once felt, the protectors go into action to suppress the pain through defense mechanisms.\n\nFor example, the primary self of the controller might exhibit extremely rigid, compulsive and orderly behavior because it is protecting an exile that had several traumatic experiences which left it believing that it can’t trust anyone and that the world is dangerous and unpredictable. When a current situation mirrors the unpredictability of the past traumatic event, it starts to activate the pain and fear of the mistrustful exile, which makes the controller immediately go into overdrive to rigidly plan and control the situation in order to try to eliminate all unpredictability and prevent the exile from experiencing a similar pain again. Other exaggerated behaviors of primary selves can include the inner critic which criticizes us so that it won’t hurt as much when other people do it, or the stoic who withdraws behind a flat, non-emotional shield and refuses to open up to people for fear of being rejected. For IFS, the key to working alchemically to transform both types of subpersonalities would be to first develop a trustful relationship with a primary self and then to engage in a sustained dialogue with the exile until it is able to reprocess the traumatic memory and release or unburden its old pain and fears. Once the exile has been unburdened, it is no longer in need of extreme protection, and the protector or primary self can start to give up some of the excesses of its defensive role or even transform its function into something entirely different. In a sense, neither of these subpersonalities (the one belonging to the surface of the ego, or the other that is latent in the deeper unconscious) are rejected or banished, they are reparented or re-educated so that their beliefs and behaviors can be brought out of the past where they are stuck or frozen, and relate to the present in a way that is more free and empowering.\n\nAll of this internal dialogue work engages with the inner child. It is important to see this not as a single child, either a real entity that inhabits our psyche, or a memory of ourselves from the past that we can activate in the present. The inner child is a cluster of contradictory energies and behaviors that were formed in our childhood but are still very much present in our lives now, often in unconscious ways that are outside our daily awareness. This includes the energies of the playful and magical child, which connect to freedom, creativity, awe and an enchanted perception of the world, but also more subterranean and painful energies that have been disowned and pushed deeper into the unconscious recesses of the psyche and only erupt to the surface in explosive, extreme circumstances – for example: the mistrustful child, the temper tantrum toddler, or the withdrawn, apathetic loner who is afraid to be touched or hugged. We can think of exiles as the wounded parts of the inner child. Although it is important to tap into the energy of the playful/magical inner child – because it’s a powerful life-energy we all possessed before our conditioning began to push it underground behind the mask of the socially acceptable personality – the more important work is that of dialoguing with the exiles and getting them to unburden or release their pains and fears. Once the exiles are unburdened, the role of the protector tends to shift automatically because its tactics of protection are no longer needed, at least not in such extreme forms. So the inner dialogues with exiles can often occasion the most dramatic and visible shifts in one’s personality.\n\n3. Shadows\n\nAround the age of 2, as we plunged into language and developed a sense of identity, the world became carved up into right and wrong, good and evil. Through this demarcation of experience, many parents, especially emotionally inhibited ones, have inadvertently taught their children to repress feelings. A little boy who fell and cried might have been told “Men don’t cry.” A little girl who yelled “I hate you” at her brother might have been admonished, “It’s terrible to feel that way, you don’t really feel it.” Repeated suppression of these emotional charges leads children to disown their feelings, by ceasing to experience them both physically and psychologically. Carl Jung used the term “shadow” to describe the energy patterns and parts of the personality that we have disowned or repressed because we internalized parental messages that they were bad or shameful. Robert Bly popularized this idea in A Little Book on the Human Shadow, which describes how we are born into a “360-degree personality,” but gradually learn to censor the full range of our expression by putting the unacceptable parts into a bag that we painfully drag behind us. When they’re shoved into the bag of unconsciousness, shadows don’t disappear; by going underground, they secretly control us. When stress or feelings of overwhelm build up, shadows tend to explode in emotional excesses, at the worst possible moments.\n\nIt’s important to note that Jung also talked about golden shadows, like creativity, imagination, and playfulness – which can also be disparaged and driven underground as we grow up if our parents favored more rational, pragmatic behavior. But this has the effect of making shadows a vague synonym for whatever is unconscious, which renders it too broad to be useful. To fit the concept of the shadow into a context of working with subpersonalities, it’s useful to draw some more precise distinctions. The primary selves that make up our ego are the behaviors that were praised by parents and reinforced by society because they match dominant cultural values, so they developed into the dominant sides of our personalities. The inner critic, judge, pusher, perfectionist, controller and pleaser arose as defense mechanisms, as adaptive behaviors that got approval and served to protect us from experiencing pain. The exiles, or wounded inner children, can be seen as congealed forms of pain and fear that have split off from the rest of our personality – when experiences of the pain of rejection, abandonment or abuse froze into a kind of time capsule – and which we are protected from re-experiencing in the present by the primary selves (not quite successfully, since exiles do break out into awareness from time to time). There are also other congealed forms of experience that have split off from the rest of the dominant personality – anti-social traits and behaviors that were deemed inappropriate and repressed, like selfish displays of greediness, anger or extreme rage, hitting or lashing out against others, rebelling and being insubordinate, wanting to be lazy and refusing to do anything, lying, or openly displaying sexual behavior. It is these that are best understood as shadows, as the “dark sides” of the personality. They are not suppressed because they threaten to flood us with pain, but because they are judged to be socially unacceptable and contradict the sense of identity or idealized self-image that we have created. They’re at the opposite end of the spectrum from the socially productive, conformist behavior of the primary selves.\n\nBecause shadows are disowned, unnacceptable parts we don’t want to recognize in ourselves, they manifest indirectly, by being projected onto others. And when we spot them in others, we go into a kind of righteous fury and indignation, condemning and being appalled by their behavior. Shadow projections carry a high emotional charge – the behavior of others gets under our skin and triggers all kinds of extreme allergic reactions. This is not to say that when we notice that someone else is manipulative, selfish, belligerent or arrogant we are completely hallucinating it, or that it’s entirely arbitrary who we project it on. The other’s behavior “hooks” us because it matches what we’ve repressed in ourselves. The thing about projections is not that they’re false, but that they’re exaggerated, righteous (in a “they are evil I am good” sense) and mechanical; there is no freedom to choose when we’re caught in an extreme emotional over-reaction. Projections are the most obvious indirect manifestation of our shadows. Other behaviors in which we can spot our shadows include: when we’re criticized by others and get extremely defensive (because it echoes an internal self-criticism we already carry, otherwise it wouldn’t bother us); or when we’re doing atypical things by “accident” that are sabotaging our conscious intentions (those “I don’t know what came over me” moments); or when we repeat the same, painful, reactive patterns in relationships with completely different people.\n\nShadows are our blind spots and do not manifest directly. We cannot not see them when meditating or practicing simple awareness of the here and now. Because of this many eastern spiritual traditions, from Buddhism to non-dual Advaita, completely ignore the phenomena of shadows. And many “gurus” continue to carry their shadows into their enlightenment, which is why there are so many scandals about how they sexually prey on young disciples, or attack others as if their own teaching is the only correct model, or condemn everyone else for being self-centered and controlling while failing to see those qualities in themselves. Something other than simple awareness is needed to draw out the hidden aspect of shadows. When noticing an extreme reaction of anger or revulsion to someone else’s behavior, we can go on endlessly “witnessing” what our thoughts and emotions are. But this doesn’t capture the real dynamic that is taking place behind the scene – the fact that the story isn’t really about what we feel towards the other, but about what we’re suppressing in ourselves, about the disowned aspects of our own story. Instead of witnessing what is already present in our awareness, the point is to bring the latent, hidden, unconscious content to the light of awareness in the first place.\n\nOne of the more well-known shadow work techniques is Ken Wilber’s 3-2-1 process, which involves three steps: spotting the shadow, dialoguing with the shadow and re-owning the shadow. Spotting the shadow means noticing it as it manifests in projections and other forms of over-reaction. Dialoguing refers to an inner dialogue in the imagination, not an actual dialogue with the person who is triggering us. We can withdraw from the actual, heated situation and imagine dialoguing with the person who is irritating us and let it all out, without censorship, in a way that we wouldn’t if we were actually speaking to them. For example: “You’re an arrogant asshole and you’re bossy and controlling! You always think you know what’s best for everyone else and it really pisses me off!” In dialoguing with the shadow, we start to notice what it is that specifically bothers us. In the above example, it’s arrogance (extreme over-confidence) and control (feeling superior and wanting to command the behavior of others). The aim of dialoguing with the shadow is to ask precise enough questions to figure out the source of the emotional over-reaction, what the repressed feelings and underlying motivations are, what its roots are in past experiences, what the effects of suppressing that particular behavior or emotion has on our life, and what positive desire the shadow might be expressing.\n\nSeeing things in terms of opposites is a limiting concept – it’s more accurate to see both primary selves and shadows as expressing a kind of core energy that exists along a fluid continuum. Sometimes it swings to one extreme, sometimes to the other. And if we uncover the underlying desire behind both primary selves and shadows, it’s possible to strike a balance, to re-harness the so-called “negative” energy into a positive manifestation. For example, laziness is at one extreme end of a continuum of movement and rest. The primary self of the pusher is on the other extreme, driving us to exhaustion by constantly striving to do more and become better. But there’s a purposefulness in resting, in being still and doing nothing. The point is to harness it so that instead of manifesting as mindlessly watching TV, it can find a more life enhancing expression, like sitting silently in a park and appreciating the surroundings or practicing mindfulness. But even heightened and aware forms of doing nothing can’t become 100 percent of life; striking a balance is necessary. In a similar way, arrogance can be seen as an extreme, over-developed form of self-confidence that becomes condescending and superior to others. It’s on the other end of the pendulum swing from an utter lack of self-confidence that might manifest as self-deprecation or self-loathing. Someone who is triggered into disgust and anger when meeting arrogant people may be suppressing the energy of self-confidence or self-assurance in themselves. And a small, homeopathic dose of that arrogance, if it’s harnessed as a genuine belief in and appreciation of oneself, may help to get out of a self-deprecating rut. There is a positive desire behind most emotions and behaviors that are considered negative. Anger may lash out unfairly against others, but it is essentially about the need to create boundaries that protect us from invasion and feeling violated. Transmuting shadows means uncovering the positive desire behind their negative type of energy, seeing how their current manifestation limits our life and how it could potentially be turned into something life-enhancing. It means cooperating with the shadow tendencies in ourselves rather than trying to banish them. When we resist shadows, we don’t escape them – they continue to influence our lives through uncontrolled reactions and self-sabotaging behaviors. By engaging in shadow work we can acquire a deeper knowledge of ourselves and also learn how to communicate more authentically with others (by avoiding to project our stuff on them, and by becoming more compassionate to their vulnerabilities and weaknesses since we can recognize that we also share them). Integrating shadows is a way of healing the fragmentation in our psychic life and becoming more whole. But the process shouldn’t be idealized as some meditative high of tapping into overflowing bliss. Shadow work means being honest to our real experience and being open to discovering things about ourselves that may be painful to see.\n\n> Integration and developing an aware self or ego\n\nThe way we usually relate to these fragments or subpersonalities – primary selves, exiles and shadows – is that we’re either completely immersed and ruled by them without any sense of separation, and hence we’re swayed into automatic and reactive behavior, or, when we do become aware of them it’s from a point of extreme separation and we adopt a judgmental, negative view, condemning them as parts of ourselves that we hate and wish we could get rid of. Both of these perspectives are unhelpful for attaining a more balanced awareness of the complexities of our psyche, and for achieving a greater sense of freedom and ability to direct our lives. The key to having insightful dialogues with subpersonalities is to be in the non-immersed and simultaneously compassionate perspective of the aware ego or wise self, which means being open and curious to understand these parts and figure out what makes them tick, rather than being critical, judgmental, resentful or impatient. It also means to see them not as evil enemies that must be banished (as the “ego” is sometimes portrayed in spiritual literature), but as lost children who have good intentions but misguided actions. It’s helpful to remember that the beliefs and behavior patterns of subpersonalities were developed as defenses against pain, usually occasioned by some traumatic childhood event, and meant to prevent repeating similar painful situations. Most of these defensive and protective triggers came into being while we were children, when we lacked a mature ability to reason from cause to effect (the logical processes of thought start to develop around the age of 8) and also to cope with painful emotions. Most subpersonalities that were formed in childhood exhibit flawed ways of understanding the world based on the resources that were available at the time, so they operate in our adult lives in what seem like weird, excessive and exaggerated ways that don’t correspond to the actual situations.\n\nBy dialoguing with the multiplicity of selves we can learn separate from them – not by rejecting them or trying to kill them off, but by listening, acknowledging and giving them space and attention – and thus to become more aware of their rules, demands and fears. Once we can recognize and separate from them, we need no longer be overly influenced by their default beliefs and behaviors and can stand between them and exercise some conscious choice about which of them we want to favor. In voice dialogue, this is considered a two step process of first developing a simple form of awareness that doesn’t intervene but simply observes, and then gradually allowing an aware ego to come into being, which oversees, intervenes and makes conscious choices about which of the multiple selves to downplay or amplify. But since this goes beyond detached, impartial awareness and includes elements of empathy and developing heart resonance, I like to think of the aware self or ego in more personalized terms as stepping into the perspective of a kind, wise kindergarten teacher, who is able to manage and negotiate between all the shy, angry, playful and crazy children in the house, without allowing the ones who are having tantrums to run the show, while also encouraging the shy ones to come out of the closet and show off their gifts.\n\n\n1. Breathwork (clearing energy blockages/hyperventilation for light trance)\n\nThere are two approaches to breathwork: (1) controlling breathing in order to observe where there are blockages (abdomen, chest, throat) that prevent the energy from flowing freely – for which the main aim is to clear energetic blockages so that life energy can flow freely and restore a sense of health and well being; and (2) using breath control, especially breath retention and hyperventilation, to induce states of altered consciousness. In the eastern, yogic tradition, pranayama exercises have been used for both purposes, though its main aim is to allow the body to take in more prana, which is understood not just as air but as the life force that circulates in the universe. But pranayama also creates feelings of lightheadedness, as energy is released, and has been used to induce meditative trance states to tap into higher forms of consciousness. In the western tradition, Wilhelm Reich is most well known for breathwork and bodywork that are used to release energetic blockages from the body so that life-energy (orgone) can start to flow freely and induce feelings of well-being and joy. Although the focus is on working with the body, the release of energetic blockages also resolves past emotional and psychological pain or “stuckness.” Stanislav Grof’s holotropic breathwork is mainly used to induce trance states; but the trance is a means to an end, and the real aim is to clear emotional and psychological blockages, and also to tap into the flow state of oceanic consciousness.\n\nThis exercise is an adaptation of Reich’s breathwork technique – specifically his use of the pelvic breath – but with a faster pace that induces hyperventilation. It clears energetic blockages, which gives off a feeling of tingling or vibration as these are released, and, as a byproduct, it also induces a light, dizzy, trance state. Although it can be used on single instances to facilitate going into trance journeying, this is not the main purpose of breathwork. I would recommended doing this exercise as a daily practice that will gradually release congealed blobs of trapped energy from the body and restore a healthier flow of prana or life-force.\n\nBegin by shaking your limbs to discharge excess energy, and bending over to anchor hands to the ground as a way of grounding and tapping into a feeling of solidness and stability. Then lie down on the floor with knees bent and feet flat, and arms to your sides, palms down. On the inhale (gently through the nose) push your ass into the ground, and on the exhale (hard through the nose) rotate your hips and pelvis slightly upward. The movement is generated from your hips and not by the power of your thighs and legs. Do not bring your ass and lower back completely off the floor. It’s a gentle rocking, and not a harsh, jerky up and down movement. Begin by doing it at a comfortable pace, and when you have the hang of it as a smooth, continuous movement, you can increase it to a fast pace and do it for as long as it is comfortable (1-2 minutes). Then take a break, alternating with deep, slow abdominal breathing. Repeat the fast pelvic breath movement for 3 cycles, resting and returning to slow abdominal breathing in between. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to increase it to 6, 9 or 12 cycles. This breathing exercise induces hyperventilation, so it’s normal to experience some lightheadedness, dizziness and tingling sensations, especially in the hands and feet, as energy circulates and is released. Enjoy the high while it lasts, and be careful to get up slowly if you’re feeling lightheaded (you can faint and injure yourself if you get up too quickly). You can also go from this exercise directly into the drumming trance journey or the inner dialogue meditation.\n\n2. Drumming trance journey to visualize encounter with child-self\n\nDifferent techniques have been used in shamanic traditions to reach a hypnogogic trance state – drumming, ecstatic dance, fasting and sleep deprivation, and psychotropic plants. The common element is being able to tap into the dreamlike trance, or what Terrance McKenna has called the Gaian mind or, following James Joyce, “the mama matrix most mysterious.” Drumming is one of the fastest and most effortless techniques for reaching a theta brain wave, and for this reason it’s the most used by neo-shamanic practitioners who have introduced shamanic techniques to the Western contemporary world (including Michael Harner, Sandra Ingermann and Robert Moss). You can also use binaural beats to enter more easily into a theta brainwave.\n\nPersonally, this is my least favorite technique as my strongest sixth sense is clairaudience and most of my journeys involve hearing messages and engaging in dialogues with subpersonalities or higher guides, and the drumming sounds interfere with hearing this dialogue. But it is the technique I’d recommend as the most simple introduction to journeying. You can set an intention to meet your child-like, magical, playful self, and focus simply on the visual encounter with yourself at different ages (infant, toddler, 6-7 year old) and on the emotional resonance of how the encounter feels, without engaging in any dialogue. People often set intentions to meet animal guides (or the animal spirit they’ve repressed and want to re-integrate) on their drumming trance journeys, but I think this is more difficult to work with at an early stage, if you don’t know the meaning of the animal symbolism – which is always somewhat personal to your own system of associations, so you can’t simply look it up on google.\n\n3. Guided inner dialogue journey (to connect to lower self /inner children):\n(link for guided countdown meditation: http://picosong.com/myJ8/)\n\nThis self-hypnotic induction aims to get into a trance state that is activated when the brain slows down and goes into a theta brainwave. Beta is your normal active state of consciousness, alpha is a very relaxed state that is usually activated in meditation, and delta is dreamless sleep. Theta is in between alpha and delta, and it’s the brainwave state you’re in while you’re dreaming. One signal that you’re in this brainwave is a visual sense of flickering which happens because your eyeballs are moving like they do in REM sleep. Another is a tingling sensation at the top of your head, in the crown area, but you can be in a hypnogogic state without experiencing either. Theta is the brainwave state in which the boundary to the subconscious (dreams, long forgotten memories, exiled subpersonalities, archetypal symbols, etc) is most fluid. Most self-hypnosis inductions try to create a feeling of deep relaxation and a sense of heaviness and warmth, coupled with some kind of descending countdown. What follows is a personalized self-hypnotic induction that I came up with intuitively, after experimenting with different techniques. It’s good to create your own variations, but only if you’ve become somewhat proficient first. So I’d suggest sticking to this simple script for a few weeks, before attempting to change details.\n\nWith eyes closed, roll your eyes backward in your head three times, and then focus on relaxing the muscles in your face, starting with the forehead, passing down into the cheeks and jaw, and then feeling the sensation of relaxation spread down your neck and arms and hands, down your spine, back of the legs and exiting out your toes. You can either play the Mp3 with the guided countdown in the link above, or memorize the following repetitive script so that you can say it to yourself. I like to say it silently, but if you find you have a tendency for your mind to wander and not stay focused, it will be more effective to say it out loud:\n\n1, 2, 3, My feet are getting heavy\n1, 2, 3, My hands are getting heavy\n1, 2, 3, My head is getting heavy\n1, 2, 3, I am going into a deep trance sleep. Nothing can disturb me. Each and every time I suggest trance sleep to myself I will go deep, deep, deep, between wakefulness and sleep.\n\n1, 2, 3, My feet are getting heavier\n1, 2, 3, My hands are getting heavier\n1, 2, 3, My head is getting heavier\n\n1, 2, 3, My feet are heavy\n1, 2, 3, My hands are heavy\n1, 2, 3, My head is heavy\n1, 2, 3, I am going into a deep trance sleep. Each and every time I suggest trance sleep to myself I will go deep, deep, deep, between wakefulness and sleep. I am going deep, deep, deep…\n\nI am at the top of the stairs going down into my unconscious. It is safe for me to go down. (See yourself stepping, and feel the physical sensation in your feet, then begin counting down). 19, 18, 17 … 4, 3, 2, 1. I am at the bottom of the stairs.\n\nWhen you’ve reached the bottom, visualize a mirror-door that becomes like liquid plasma, with rippling circles, when you touch it, and then see yourself going through it by putting your left leg through it first and emerging on the other side. It’s important that your access isn’t blocked, so if you feel hesitant about going through the mirror, or see some figures in front of it, or get stuck in it, thank your or primary selves, or whatever is causing the resistance, and formally request permission to step through the threshold and meet your exile in order to help it. After stepping through the mirror-door, see yourself emerging on the other side in a natural setting that feels good to you, like a forest landscape or a beach. The only intention you’ll set for the meditation is to either meet one of the primary selves or to go further to dialogue with the exile it is protecting. Leave the sequence open to unfolding spontaneously, and treat it like a kind of trance journey with unexpected surprises rather than a script you’ve written out in advance. If your intent is to dialogue with an exile, try to find out what kind of pain it feels and what memories are associated with that pain. Work slowly to get to know the emotions and memories of the exile, and don’t try to rush by asking it to reprocess the memory or to unburden its pain right away – rushing makes the process ineffective because the feeling of impatience takes you out of the perspective of the aware, wise self. Aim for understanding and building a trusting connection rather than for achieving an immediate transformation.\n\nBelow is a generic description, in steps, of a what a complete inner dialogue with a protector and an exile might look like. Many inner dialogues will be just fragments of this.\n\n1. Getting to know a protector or primary self: recalling a memory when it was recently activated and trying to sense the feeling concretely in your body (what kind of sensation it is, does it have a color, smell) or even to get a clear image of what this self looks like. If you feel flooded by overwhelming emotions you have become identified with the primary self, so try to create a sense of distance by seeing yourself step back from it. When engaging in dialogue, aim to discover what the protector’s beliefs, its main protective function, and what its underlying positive intentions are, or how it is trying to protect either an exile, or you as the more comprehensive personality, from the pain an exile carries.\n2. Getting permission to dialogue with an exile: ask the protector or primary self to let you meet the exile it is protecting so that you can understand why the exile is in pain and how to help it. This request a kind of formality, just to make sure you don’t have anything that is subconsciously blocking the process. If this “permission” does not flow smoothly, you might need to engage in a deeper dialogue with the primary self and reassure it that your intention is cooperative and helpful, and that there is nothing to fear since you will be able to contain the pain of the exile.\n3. Getting to know an exile: try to sense the energy of the exile in your body (by localizing it, feeling its sensations), or even to get a clear image of what it looks like, or an auditory sense of its voice. If you feel flooded by painful emotions, see an image of the exile at a greater distance from you or ask it to contain its feelings so that you can remain present as the aware self and help it. Ask the exile what it feels, what it is that makes it feel scared or hurt. Let the exile know that you want to hear its story and that you feel warm and compassionate towards it – and notice how it is responding to you.\n4. Witnessing the childhood origins of the pain: ask the exile to show you an image or a memory (or series of memories) of when it learned to feel scared or hurt. Ask how the event made it feel more concretely, and reassure the exile that you understand how bad it felt.\n5. Reparenting or re-educating: ask the exile what it needs from you in order to heal or to reprocess what happened. This might be your stepping in to intervene, for example, the adult you stepping in and telling a parent to stop the behavior and explain how it makes the child feel. Or it might mean removing the exile from that situation and bringing it in some place in your life or into an imaginary, comforting landscape. Or it can involve seeing a scene in which the parent is older and is no longer the same uncaring or mistrustful person you knew in your childhood, or a scene in which the parent transforms and also becomes a child (and so is no longer threatening) and the two children can play together and have a greater sense of interacting or understanding each other. Sometimes the reprocessing can be an actual rewriting of the memory with a different outcome, and even if your conscious self knows this is not true, seeing the memory play out differently changes the feelings and beliefs associated with it.\n6. Unburdening: ask the exile to put a name on the burden (the feeling or belief) it is carrying and if it is willing to give up that burden. The burden can be something general like shame, or loneliness, or rejection, or something very concrete like being shamed when wetting the bed or some school incident like being made to stand in the corner. Ask the exile how it carries the burden in or on its body, if the burden has a shape and a color, and how it wants to release the burden. Releasing it to the 4 elements usually works well – washing it by water, letting it be swept away or carried upwards by the wind, burying it in the earth, or burning it in a fire. Once the burden is gone, ask what positive qualities or emotions the exile now feels.\n7. Integration: make sure the protector or primary self knows that the exile has been transformed. Ask the primary self if it realizes that its role of protection is no longer necessary, and invite it to choose a new role in your psyche. If the protector insists to cling to its role, ask it if it can relax its function now that it knows it has an ally in you (as the aware self or ego) and reassure it that you will take over some tasks so that it is no longer so overwhelmed.\n\n4. Analytic shadow work\n\nUse the following 7 columned chart as a guideline to analyze the character traits and behaviors in others that provoke extreme emotional over-reactions in you. The point of the exercise is to discover your suppressed shadow self.\n\n(1) Column 1: What are you judging or condemning in others – list of their traits:\nExample: I’m annoyed by flaky people who are late or cancel plans. They break promises, can’t commit, lack self-discipline, are untrustworthy, irresponsible, unstable, and let others down.\n(2) Column 2: How people you’re condemning probably see you – list of your traits:\nExample: Flaky people might see me as rigid, constricting, controlling, intolerant, excessively demanding, having too high expectations, anxious, stressed, hard to be with.\n(3) Column 3: Worst case scenario of column 1 – most exaggerated condemnations:\nExample: My judgment against flakes taken to extreme is they have no clue who they are, they can’t be true to themselves, they don’t give a fuck about anyone else, they’re selfish and self-absorbed, they’re immoral and lack a personal ethics, they’re worthless.\n(4) Column 4: Worst case scenario of column 2 – exaggerated view of your flaws:\nExample: Flakes might see me in the worst light as neurotic, obsessive-compulsive, lacking compassion, having no feelings or empathy for others, alienating people, making others feel bad about themselves, judging, punishing, superior, condescending.\n(5) Column 5: How you’ve also displayed the same behavior you condemn in others:\nExample: I’ve canceled plans by faking illnesses. I’ve broken promises and commitments in extreme ways by quitting a PhD, leaving a relationship by moving to another country.\n(6) Column 6: How a tiny dose of what you condemn in others would improve your life:\nExample: In taking a bit of irresponsibility and flakiness, I might become less rigid, less bound to pre-made plans and obligations, more flexible, more spontaneous, more tolerant of others when they break plans, more compassionate. Other people might feel more relaxed around me.\n(7) Column 7: Based on traits in column 6, what are the qualities of your suppressed self:\nExample: Behind my condemnation of “irresponsible, flaky” people, I see that what I’ve suppressed is my own “spontaneous, free, playful, not-taking-myself-so-seriously” self.\n\nThe purpose of the chart is to help you understand how a certain shadow has been created, through an analytic exercise or a process of deduction and inference. (To access the energy of this shadow more deeply and more directly, you can use the second technique below of engaging in an inner dialogue with the shadow while you’re in a trance state.) What the chart is meant to reveal is that at some point in your past you became so frightened of what is in column 3, either because you were chastised for it or because someone in your life displayed this kind of behavior – in the above example, being judged as irresponsible, immoral, selfish, self-absorbed and not giving a fuck about others, hence … worthless – that you tried to completely suppress any behavior that resembled column 1 (breaking promises) and swung completely to the other side of the pendulum, in this example, by creating a hyper-responsible primary self. Doing the chart has helped me to see how developing a hyper-responsible and controlling primary self meant that my spontaneity, desire for freedom, ability to follow my inclinations and intuitions, and feelings of being from obligations, carefree and playful … also got pushed into the shadow bag I carry on my back. Often people can fall completely out of balance because they swing so much on the one side of the pendulum that they refuse to acknowledge anything that goes in the other direction. That is the purpose of the alchemical reversal in column 7 – to be able to glimpse the positive desire behind what’s being suppressed into our shadow, and understand how taking a tiny dose of it (of precisely those “evils” that we condemn in others) could actually improve our lives by bringing us into balance.\n\n5. Heart resonance meditation to connect to shadow\n\nThis is a meditation focused on sending your awareness down from your head into your heart, with the intention of meeting your shadow – it’s so simple, that I didn’t see a need to create a guided version using my own voice. Most people are able to enter a light trance easily by imagining their awareness sliding down their body, which functions as a kind of countdown. But you can also practice the pelvic breathwork or relaxation technique with the countdown from 20-1 immediately before, or you can use the sounds of binaural beats on headphones as a background, if you find these take you there more easily.\n\nIf you have difficulty imagining the interior of your body, you might want to look at some anatomy diagrams to make the images more concrete. Begin by visualizing your awareness (as a small ball of light, if it helps) resting inside your head, between your eyebrows, and then imagine it slowly moving down into your nose (feeling the nose cavity from the inside, while focusing on the sensations of breathing air into the nose), then trickling down into your mouth (feeling the softness and warmth of the mouth cavity, focusing on the sensations in your tongue), then swallowing and sending your awareness down into your throat (feeling its softness, and experiencing the air passing around the soft fleshy part as you breathe), then sending it further down into your chest cavity (feeling the hardness of the bones of the sternum in contrast to the throat), and finally sending it leftwards into a dark tunnel and then entering the chamber of the heart. Visualize the heart as a kind of cave or inner chamber that is not made of rock but of something warm, soft and fleshy (almost like the texture of liver, if you’ve ever touched it). Take some time to simply breathe into the heart, feel the chamber expand and contract, and feel the heartbeat resonate in it, reaching a kind of rhythmic flow or sense of ease of breathing into the heart before beginning the rest of the visualization. Then see yourself materialize as your actual body inside the heart chamber and also your shadow in the concrete image of the person who is triggering or annoying you. You can simply meet the person face to face and look into their eyes, or you can engage in a dialogue, or you can imagine a kind of integration by embracing or actually blending with them. It’s possible that the encounter will lead to a transmutation of the shadow you carry in yourself into a different type of energy (and even to a symbolic re-baptism in which the energy receives a different name). However, don’t approach the encounter with a desire for changing anything, but simply with an open curiosity of discovering and understanding something about yourself and about your relationship with the other person, who is a mirror or a projection of your own shadow.\n\nSource Here\n\n\nCrystalWind.ca is free to access and use.\nॐ Namasté - Blessings!\n\n© 2017 crystalwind.ca. All rights reserved.\n\nFree Reading Here!!\n\nCut Through The Illusions!\nAvailable On The\nApple  / Android / Amazon\nNEW Expanded Version - 53 cards!\nshare knowledge1\n\nArchive: Andels Journeys\n\n\nPositive SSL", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7944051623344421}
{"content": "How to Calculate the CFM of a Room\n\nKeeping your home at a comfortable temperature is an extremely important consideration for most homeowners. The term \"CFM\" is an acronym that stands for \"cubic feet per minute,\" a term used to describe a fan's efficiency in terms of airflow. Determining the CFM of a room is a mathematical process of figuring the room's cubic area as well as the rate at which you desire the air to circulate throughout the room. Calculating the CFM of a room helps when choosing a fan.\n\nElectric fan\ncredit: Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images\nAir movement affects air quality.\n\nStep 1\n\nMeasure the room's width and length. Also measure the height of the room from the ceiling to the floor.\n\nStep 2\n\nMultiply the three measurements from step 1 to determine the cubic footage of the room. For instance, if a room is 8 feet wide, 10 feet long and 8 feet high, multiply 8 times 10 times 8 to get 640 cubic feet.\n\nStep 3\n\nMultiply the cubic volume of the room by the number of times you want the air to turn over or exchange in an hour. For example, if you expect the air to be exchanged twice per hour, multiply 2 times 640 to get 1,440.\n\nStep 4\n\nDivide your answer from step 3 by 60 to calculate CFM. In this example, you would divide 1,440 by 60 to get a CFM of 24.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9949135184288025}
{"content": "Inbound to USA Cargo Screening for Passenger Aircrafts\n\nAs you are aware, the TSA- Transportation Safety Administration has mandated the physical screening of all cargo transported on passenger aircraft departing from the United States. We have provided you with information and details on Kuehne + Nagel's ability to meet these requirements through prior correspondence.\n\nIn addition to the requirement for outbound cargo screening, we recently have been advised through our carrier partners of a new requirement for the screening of all cargo inbound to the USA transported on passenger aircraft.\n\nAs this program has been exclusively managed between the TSA and Air Carriers to date, Kuehne + Nagel have reached out to our core carrier partners to solicit feedback and to ascertain any impact to inbound US cargo movements. To date, we have only been advised of certain carrier changes in cut-off times for cargo booked on passenger flights. This is obviously subject to change, and as updates are made available to us, we will provide you with a concise and aggregated summary.\n\nShould you have any questions on the above, feel free to contact your respective Kuehne + Nagel Sales executive.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.848723828792572}
{"content": "Our Mission.\n\nOur mission at Bay State Gymnastics Academy is to provide a talented trained staff to teach, coach, encourage, and support physical, emotional, and all-around growth for all. At BSGA we strive to provide the highest quality customer care so that each employee who works with our families is prepared to cater to the various needs and demands of our families throughout their time with BSGA. Our expectation is to provide a clean and safe environment… “WHERE LEARNING AND GROWING ARE ALWAYS FUN.”\n\nMartha Lally", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9725068807601929}
{"content": "A: When using LiveFX inside Serato you can pick to have 16:9 or 4:3 output, all our content is designed to work perfectly for whichever aspect ratio you are working with. If you set the Serato Video settings to centre cut, then it will make sure your output scales correctly.\n\n\n← Support", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9150915741920471}
{"content": "Current Projects\n\nSTART System\n\nThe START Natural Language System understands and generates language and answers questions that are posed to it in natural language. As a question-answering system, START parses incoming questions, matches the queries created from the parse trees against its knowledge base and presents the appropriate information segments to the user, providing \"just the right information\".\n\nBoris Katz, Sue Felshin\n\nDetailed Interpretation of Object Images\n\nThe goal of this project is to model the process of ‘full interpretation’ of object images, namely the ability to identify and localize all semantic features and parts that are recognized by human observers. Our approach is based on interpreting multiple reduced but still interpretable local regions that comprise the complete object. In such reduced regions, interpretation is simpler, since the number of semantic components is small and the variability of possible configurations is low. To identify useful components and relations used in the local interpretation process, we consider the interpretation of 'minimal configurations’, which are reduced local regions that are minimal in the sense that further (small) reduction will make them unrecognizable and uninterpretable. We study implications of ‘full interpretation’ for difficult visual tasks, such as recognizing actions and social interactions.\n\nGuy Ben-Yosef\n\nLanguage Learning from a Computational Perspective\n\nLanguage learning is a fundamental aspect of human intelligence. Our project takes an interdisciplinary approach to this topic, integrating methodologies and theories from linguistics and psychology with modern computational modelling tools from Natural Language Processing (NLP) and computational linguistics. We conduct empirical studies of language production (writing) as well as language comprehension (reading), with particular focus on the role of a first language in second language acquisition and processing. We harness insights from such studies to develop NLP applications for learner language.\n\nYevgeni Berzak\n\nInferring “Theory of Mind” with vision and language\n\nHuman agents are known for having \"Theory of Mind (ToM)\" ability to infer others’ mental states, e.g. intention and belief. Some early studies suggest language development help ToM reasoning.In this project, we aim to build a vision and language system, which learns and understands the world like a child. The way it understands other agents’ intent is from its interpretation of visual perceptions. Here, the interpretation is the other agent’s plan to achieve her goal (i.e. ground perception in planning) and the system can describe and evaluate this interpretation in natural language.We know humans formulate complex goals and we know those goals are influenced by language. So, this project is both an effort to shed light on the fundamentals of human planning and how we conceive about plans and at the same time an effort to understand videos at a higher, more human-like, level.\n\nYen-Ling Kuo\n\nGenerating Plans for Agents using Video and Language\n\nHuman cognition is extremely flexible. We can easily adapt to new tasks, generalize about the world around us and use perception to learn from our environment. When we think about models of artificial intelligence, often the opposite is true: the models cannot generalize to novel tasks, they perform in constrained environments, and they are often disconnected from perception. I aim to build models grounded in perception that tackle classical planning problems in AI in a new realm. I use a joint approach that combine techniques in natural language processing and computer vision. Using language and vision, my works aims to observe agents in videos and generate plans for optimal goal accomplishment.\n\nCandace Ross\n\nSemantic Parsing using Vision\n\nMany existing approaches to learning semantic parsers require annotated parse trees or are entirely unsupervised. In contrast, children acquire language through interacting with the world around them. We aim to learn language in a manner more similar to children: by distant supervision through captioned videos. Our model is a joint vision-language system that use learns the meaning of words by observing actions from a sentence depicted in a video. This work means more robust parsing that incorporates perception.\n\nCandace Ross, Battushig Myanganbayar, Andrei Barbu, Yevgeni Berzak", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9838509559631348}
{"content": "The Darla system was a Delta Quadrant star system.\n\nIn 2377, the system was part of the Antarian Trans-stellar Rally's course. In this system, the number eight ship cut off the number three ship. In an effort at making up for lost ground, the number three ship changed course by using the gravity of a gas giant in this system to boost its speed. (VOY: \"Drive\")\n\nAccording to the Star Trek: Star Charts (p. 94), the gas giant was the fourth planet in the system.\n\nAd blocker interference detected!\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9874649047851562}
{"content": "Dak Prescott explains why he should’ve also played soccer growing up – CBSSports.com\n\nDak Prescott is the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s coming off a phenomenally successful season, and if his play in the future bears any resemblance to what he did in 2016, he’ll be in that position for a long, long time.\n\nSo, why does Dak wish he played soccer as a kid?\n\nHere’s how he explained it to Pro Football Talk while answering a question about his favorite non-football sporting events to attend (via Joe Machota):\n\nI have a personal favorite, honestly, going to watch FC Dallas soccer games. That’s a sport that I didn’t play growing up and obviously I could not play now. My feet are nowhere well enough to play soccer, so I admire those guys. The way they control the ball, that I’m fortunate to do with my hands, but they control it with their feet. It’s beyond belief to me. … \n\n“I’m not going to say I would’ve [picked soccer over football if I could go back in time] but I definitely would’ve played soccer. One, just to improve my footwork. To get that base and to get that start at a young age, playing soccer and getting my feet quick.”\n\nThat actually makes a pretty decent amount of sense. \n\nPlenty of professional athletes talk about the benefits of playing multiple sports growing up, but Prescott has a very specific reason for wanting to have played this specific sport. Footwork is one of the most important elements of a quarterback’s skill set, and being able to maneuver in and out of tight spaces would surely help almost any passer elevate his game. \n\nThings turned out just fine for Prescott. He made his way to the NFL, after all, and won Offensive Rookie of the Year as well. But maybe he could’ve been even better.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5423874258995056}
{"content": "Goals are the basis for all speech and language therapy treatment. Without a clear goal or plan, therapy can appear confusing and irrelevant, leading to a lack of motivation and disengagement1. Often however, the process of setting speech therapy goals for aphasia can be much harder than it first appears.\n\nPut simply, a goal is a shared agreement between the client and the therapist about the direction of therapy. Speech therapy goals for aphasia rehabilitation should always be set by the therapist in collaboration with the person with aphasia and the people who are important to them, such as family, caregivers, and close friends.\n\nSetting Speech Therapy Goals for Aphasia\n\nBut my patient has aphasia! How do I include them in the goal setting process?\n\nFirstly, you need to describe what a goal is, and explain the goal-setting process to your patient and their family in an accessible way. It’s probably not a concept they are familiar with, so they need to understand what goals are all about before they can take part.\n\nYou will have already carried out your assessments and learned a great deal about your patient’s language profile. You should use this information to utilize their communicative strengths to help them take part in the process of setting goals. Make use of communication strategies, including written words, gestures, and visuals.\n\nTalk to their family and friends (with permission), and use questionnaires to gain an idea of what they are interested in, as well as the specific situations in which their aphasia causes them problems. Create an aphasia-friendly questionnaire to give to your patient so they can have their say too! Supported conversation using Talking Mats can work really well here.\n\nThe bottom line is, be creative. Use your skills as a SLP to empower your patient and their family to have their say in future treatment. Once you’re all on the same page about the goals of therapy, your job will be much easier.\n\nWhat speech therapy goals for aphasia rehabilitation do people want to work on?\n\nUnfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Aphasia affects everyone in different ways. An important part of the goal-setting process is trying to gain an understanding of the specific impact of aphasia on your patient. When goals are classified according to the World Health Organization’s ICF framework for health and disability, most people with aphasia place the highest value on treatments that increase their participation in daily life2.\n\nIn general, the aims of aphasia treatment as described by ASHA include:\n\n  • restoring lost language abilities\n  • strengthening intact communication skills\n  • compensating for impairments by teaching strategies and using AAC\n  • training caregivers to communicate more effectively\n  • facilitating generalization of skills to various contexts\n  • educating all involved about aphasia and the course of treatment\n\nHow these aims are incorporated into intervention, however, will very much depend on the individual needs and wishes of your patient, as well as your skills as a therapist.\n\nSo I have an idea of what my patient wants to achieve. How do I write my goal?\n\nSpeech therapy goals for aphasia usually have both long- and short-term elements. In a nutshell, the short-term goals are the steps your patient needs to take to reach their long-term goal.\n\nA useful framework to use when writing goals is to make them SMART:\n\n  • Specific\n  • Measurable\n  • Attainable\n  • Relevant\n  • Time-Based\n\nSetting SMART Speech Therapy Goals for Aphasia\n\nBe aware that goal setting is a dynamic process – goals will change over time as the skills and needs of your patient change. It is important to review goals regularly and update them when appropriate.\n\nTake a look at this example. Can you identify each element of the SMART framework?\n\nLong-Term Goal\n\nBy the end of the 6-week therapy block, Mrs. T will use semantic feature analysis (SFA) to prevent communication breakdowns occurring during conversations with her husband with 90% success.\n\nShort-Term Goals\n\n  • Mrs. T will remove any environmental distractions prior to engaging in therapy tasks (e.g. turn off the radio).\n  • Mrs. T will practice the technique of semantic feature analysis with the support of the therapist.\n  • Mrs. T will make use of SFA when faced with a word finding difficulty in structured conversation.\n  • Mr. T’s confidence and skill in supporting conversation with Mrs. T will increase as measured on a self-rating scale.\n\nUse Naming Therapy to practice semantic feature analysis. Then use Conversation Therapy to practice the technique in structured conversation.\n\nAnd another one…\n\nLong-Term Goal\n\nAt the end of the 8-week block of therapy, when someone telephones, Mr. K will be able to write down key pieces of information and leave a message for his wife with 80% success.\n\nShort-Term Goals\n\n  • Mr. K will be able to write 3-word phrases to dictation.\n  • Mr. K will be able to identify the key pieces of information within a spoken message.\n  • Mr. K will be able to write down phone numbers accurately.\n  • Mr. K’s confidence in this task will have increased from a 2/5 to a 4/5 on a self-rating scale.\n\nUse Number Therapy to practice saying, understanding, and writing phone numbers, dates, and times. Numbers are so important in aphasia therapy!\n\nGet the idea? Some people like to write goals using the first person pronoun (“at the end of the 8-week block of therapy, I will be able to….”) but it doesn’t matter too much unless your patient has a particular preference for one style over the other.\n\nIs there anything else I need to be aware of when setting speech therapy goals for aphasia therapy?\n\nSometimes, your patient may struggle to think of a goal beyond simply “I want to be able to talk better.” If this is the case, you need to work on the specific and measurable aspects of the SMART framework and support your patient to think of particular situations in which they want to be able to communicate more effectively. You can then tailor therapy tasks around this relevant situation to make your therapy more focused and make measuring success a whole lot easier.\n\nUse the time-based factor within a SMART goal carefully. It’s useful to have points at which you review your goals, but if your patient isn’t on target to reach their goal as quickly as was originally thought, they run the risk of becoming frustrated or unmotivated. If you are concerned your patient may not reach a goal within a given time frame, consider lowering the success rate (e.g. from 80% success to 50% success). If your patient is still motivated to continue to better their performance after the review period, you can always increase the success rate. Consider the attainable aspect of the SMART framework carefully to help you make this decision.\n\n\nTactus Therapy apps make it so easy to measure progress with built-in reports and data tracking. And scientific research shows that improvement follows!\n\nRemember, goals are dynamic. They do not have to be fixed and may change with the patient’s needs in response to the environment or improving communication skills. If a goal is met before the review period, fantastic! If your patient decides that the goal is no longer a priority, that’s okay! Work with your patient to develop new goals that fit in with what they need at that time.\n\nFinally, it’s easy to become bogged down in the detail, but try not to overthink goal setting in aphasia rehabilitation. Treat a goal like your therapy map – it will help to guide what you do within your sessions and ultimately help your patient do more of what they want to do in their life. A goal is the first step in the journey to success.\n\n\n  1. Hersh, D., Sherratt, S., Howe, T., Worrall, L., Davidson, B. and Ferguson, A. (2012). “An analysis of the ‘goals’ in aphasia rehabilitation.” Aphasiology, 26(8), 971-984.\n  2. Worrall, L., Sherratt, S., Rogers, P., Howe, T., Hersh, D., Ferguson, A. and Davidson, B. (2011). “What people with aphasia want: their goals according to the ICF.” Aphasiology, 25(3), 309-322.\nHelen Fraser, SLT\n\nBlogger Bio\n\nHelen Fraser BSc(Hons), HCPC Reg., MRCSLT is a UK-based speech and language therapist specializing in adults with acquired communication, swallowing, and voice difficulties. She has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings and strives to deliver therapy that will improve well-being and quality of life. Helen is passionate about raising awareness of communication and swallowing issues to help create a more informed and inclusive society. You can contact her at helen.maggie.fraser@gmail.com or via her website yourwaytherapy.com.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7081660628318787}
{"content": "The Sport of Kings\n\nOne of the world's oldest and most exhilarating of games \n\n\nRules of the Game\n\n\nA player is permitted to ride into another player as to spoil his shot. The angle of collision must be slight, causing no more than a jar. The faster the horse travels, the smaller the angle must be. A good bump can shake your dentures loose.\n\n\nA player may spoil another’s shot by putting his mallet in the way of the striking player. A cross hook occurs when the player reaches over his opponent’s mount in an attempt to hook. this is considered a foul.\n\n\nA ball which is under the horse’s neck from either side.\n\nSudden Death\n\nIn the event of a tie score at the end of the final chukker, there will be a five-minute intermission to allow the players to catch their breath and change to a fresh mount before beginning a “sudden death” chukker in which the first team to score wins the match.\n\n\nA chukker begins and many plays resume with the umpire bowling the ball between the two ready teams.\n\n\nAll registered players are rated on a scale of -1 to 10 (the higher the better). The handicap of the team is the sum total rating of its players and in handicap matches the team with the higher handicap gives the difference in ratings to the other team. For example, a 6-goal team will give two goals to a 4-goal team.\n\n\nShould a team, in an offensive drive, hit the ball across the opponent’s backline, the defending team resumes the game with a free hit from their backline. No time-out is allowed for knock-ins.\n\n\nThe right-hand side of a horse.\n\n\nEach of the four team members plays a distinctly different position. Since polo is such a fluid game, the players may momentarily change positions, but will try and return to their initial assignment. No. 1 is the most forward offensive player. No. 2 is just as offensive but plays deeper and works harder. No. 3 is the pivot player between offense and defense and tries to turn all plays to offense. No. 4 or the Back, is the defensive player whose role is principally to protect the goal.\n\n\nHitting the ball behind and across the horse’s rump.\n\n\nAlso called a period. There are six chukkers in a polo game (four in arena polo) each lasting 7 minutes plus up to 30 seconds in overtime.\n\nNear Side\n\nThe left-hand side of a horse.\n\n\nAlso known as a “stick.” The shaft is made from a bamboo shoot and the head from either the bamboo root or a hard wood such as maple. These vary in length from 48 to 54 inches and are very flexible in comparison to a golf club or hockey stick.\n\n\nThis occurs when two riders make contact and attempt to push each other off the line and the ball so as to prevent the other from striking. The horses are the ones intended to do the pushing, although a player may use his body but not his elbows.\n\n\nTwo mounted umpires (one for each side of the field) consult each other after each infringement and impose a penalty only if they agree. If they do not agree they ride to the sidelines to confer with the third man, known as the referee.\n\n\nBlack may bump white and force him across the line of the ball and then take possession.\n\n\nTwo players riding at a ball in the open must both give way to the left and take the ball on the right side.\n\n\nEven though the angle is slight, black may not cross the line of the ball if the pace is fast.\n\n\nIn a bump or ride-off black would commit a foul if at the instant of contact, black’s mount’s shoulders were ahead of those of the white man as in diagram.\n\n\nIt is not necessary for black to come parallel with white before bumping. Black may bump white at full gallop as long as the angle is safe.\n\n\nBluewater Creek Polo Roster", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9423547387123108}
{"content": "Get your own Little Black Book.\n\n\nAlready have an account?\n\nOpinion and Insight\n\nHow We’re All Having More Millenni-lols IRL, Just Don’t Call Us That...\n\nYou might have heard that everyone my age is taking less drugs, having less sex and are less likely to believe in love and get married... but now thank god we’re partying more. Hallelujah\n\n\nThe revelation comes from a study by specialist creative agency ZAK, in their research searching for alternative ways to define under 30’s other than the usual stereotype favoured by the media of ‘millennials.’\n\nZAK points out the label that first came about in 1991, is used to define anyone born between 1981 - 1996, and it definitely seems simplistic to suggest everyone born during a 15 year period can be defined as the same... Instead, they propose new ways of defining the characteristics of under 30’s by exploring young people’s instinctive and cultural relationships with risk, novelty and - my favourite - belonging.\n\nWe were the generation that witnessed the demise of scheduled telly; can’t-miss TV events that we might have invited mates round to watch with us, or at least discussed at uni or work the next day. In the age of on-demand viewing we can watch or catch-up on the big events anytime, anywhere, there is no TV you can’t-miss. And as the guinea pigs of (anti) social media, Katie White MD at i-D magazine explains: “our media consumption is fragmented and abundant and accessible. Things lose value. (As a result) young people are craving shared moments in space and time...”\n\nNothing, says ZAK, proves our inherent need to hang out with like-minded souls IRL more than the huge rise of ‘live.’ In the UK over the past year, attendance to music concerts and festivals has increased by 3 million. Sure, in part we’re keener than ever to show off our Glastonbury ticket on Instagram. But more than just attendance-based social kudos, festivals (amongst other shared events) create a tangible sense of community. We create and reinforce bonds by sharing the experience, and it’s not (very often!) like you can slip off in an uber to go watch Netflix with just your social anxiety for company the next morning - so you share the good, the bad and the ugly, and the bonds are further enforced.\n\nZAK reckons our hunger for real life experiences seep into our relationship with novelty too. This is evidenced by a recent surge in vinyl sales- a signal of young people’s’ hunt “for more from entertainment and media choices.” Paul Noble, founder of the Spiritland music shop notes that the emergence of streaming services means “the way that we consume music has become like a utility - just another one of your bills at the end of the month.” He’s basically saying anyone can stream Future’s mixtape the day it’s released, but ‘real’ Future fans might buy one of the 500 limited edition vinyl copies - as the success of Omerta inc, a small British label pressing underground US Hip Hop onto vinyl will testify.\n\nI wonder if the novelty of ‘the chase’ is also enticing to us, in an age when getting all kinds of stuff - from Spotify, Asos, Uber and Deliveroo is almost too easy. “The spike in ‘analogue’ interests represents a way to cultivate a deeper connection to things, for sure” says Emmy Favilla, Buzzfeed’s copy chief.\n\nYou only have to note what happens at the latest trainer drop, or when a new Supreme collaboration hits. For many, it’s not enough to just click and wait. Groups gather outside hours prematurely, not only to ensure a place in the queue but to soak up the hype. To share the feeling that other people are into the same thing - the brand that unites them serves as an offline touchpoint with a likeminded human who may look completely different but shares a common point of view. The lines between seeking out the new and finding a sense of shared belonging are blurred. Are the queues a slightly gross ode to capitalism? Definitely. But the novelty of the new shoes isn’t enough, we need the meaning of the people we meet along the way.\n\nIs this why young people are hooking up with each other less, taking fewer drugs and just generally swapping all nighters for a juice bar and a sober day rave? Are we searching for meaning?\n\nEmily Favilla reckons “millennials are perhaps taking risks (both in their careers and in relationships) with less trepidation than previous generations.” Are we making ourselves more meaningful? No longer hiding behind a social profile but proudly displaying who we are, what we want and what we stand for. 20% of Millennials say they are something other than straight (vs 7% of ‘baby boomers’) and 1 in 2 young people say they are not 100% heterosexual. \n\nUltimately there’s never been a generation so exposed to technology as ours, we’ve definitely developed some first world ailments (short attention spans and phantom phone vibration anyone?!) and still don’t know the long term physiological effects of being glued to social media. Fundamentally though, our relationship with culture and its ever changing state due to technology, means that whatever traits we end up with because of it will exhibit themselves differently. Not only to other generations, but to other individuals and therefore we can’t be defined as one group.\n\nZAK’s research is an interesting investigation into young people’s characteristics and relationships with the world around them, and a strong case for abolishing lazily branding of all young people as millennials. But what else shall we call them that rolls off the tongue? Answers on a postcard.\n\nThis article was written by Google's Youth Advisor, Georgia LA.\n\nGenre: People , Storytelling , Strategy/Insight", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7366827726364136}
{"content": "A Century of Service. Giving for Good.\n\nSupporting Organizations\n\nSupporting organizations offer the flexibility and convenience of a donor advised fund but provide a more formal giving structure for donors. These independent foundations are legally affiliated with the Community Foundation, but have their own boards, grantmaking programs, and investment structures. While they typically require substantial charitable assets to start, they benefit from our public charity status and avoid much of the regulations, complexity, and cost associated with a private foundation. They also benefit from the Community Foundation’s recordkeeping, accounting, grants management, and consultative services that support all our donors in their commitment to make a significant difference through charitable giving.\n\n\n\nSt. Louis Community Foundation\n\n#2 Oak Knoll Park, St. Louis, MO 63105", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9849357604980469}
{"content": "web builder software\n\nNote from MCFC President, Ardi Reyes\n\n\"The mission of McPherson City FC is to develop well rounded individuals who exhibit good sportsmanship, ethical and moral behavior, as well as good citizenship. We aim to leverage the challenges and life lessons of striving for excellence in competitive soccer, into molding young boys and girls to understand the value of teamwork, sportsmanship and hard work while fostering an environment that allows players to reach their full potential and love for the game.\"\n\nMcPherson City FC will primarily focus on individual skill development. There is an unhealthy bias towards promoting athleticism rather than taking time to develop players at the younger ages. We believe in age appropriate coaching which ensures that we are teaching not only the right things, but moreover, teaching them the right way with an emphasis on long term development rather than the short term wins.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999615550041199}
{"content": "Recently a couple of guys with metal detectors were doing their thing in Gloucester, England, when they were surprised to come across a cache of broken bronze artifacts. These pieces were from the time when ancient Romans had colonized Britain. Archeologists think that the pieces had most likely been purposely broken down by a metal smith who was planning to melt them down for reuse. There was one unbroken piece in the cache -- that was of a licking dog.\n\nRoman Licking Dog\nRoman Licking Dog\n\nThe detailed bronze work has the dog on all four paws with its mouth open and its tongue hanging out in a friendly fashion. It is definitely the star of the find since this is the first time that one of these statues has ever been found in Britain. The archaeologists believe that the dog is a healing statue that may have come from a temple that has yet to be discovered. A more likely scenario is that it came from a temple called Nodens that has already been discovered in the small town of Lydney in Gloucestershire. Other dog statues have been found in the Lydney area, but none of the licking variety.\n\nIn ancient Rome dogs were considered healing spirits since the licking of their own wounds would aid in healing. Dogs were also believed to be able to see ghosts -- in particular they were able to see the goddess Trivia who was the queen of ghosts. She was said to sneak up on people silently to prey upon them but dogs would be aware of her first and the dogs would bark to scare her away. That was how they explained how dogs often seemed to bark at nothing.\n\nThe cache has been dated to around the 4th century A.D. It is being studied by archaeologists and their findings will be displayed at the British Museum later this year. The exact location of the find is being kept secret to avoid a stampede of treasure hunters trampling the countryside.\n\nSources: Science Alert, Ancient History Encyclopedia, Wikipedia\n\n\nShare Your Thoughts!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7817678451538086}
{"content": "03 April 2015\n\n\nCompany union\n\nA company or \"yellow\" union is a worker organisation which is dominated or influenced by an employer, and is therefore not an independent trade union. Company unions are contrary to international labour law (see ILO Convention 98, article 2). They were outlawed in the United States by the 1935 National Labor Relations Act §8(a)(2), due to their use as agents for interference with independent unions. Company unions persist in many countries, particularly with authoritarian governments.\n\nSome labor organizations are accused by rival unions of behaving like \"company unions\" if they are seen as having too close and cordial a relationship with the employer, even though they may be recognized in their respective jurisdictions as bona fide trade unions.[1]\n\nInternational law\n\nA \"company union\" is generally recognised as being an organisation that is not freely elected by the workforce, and over which an employer exerts some form of control. The International Labor Organization defines a company union as \"A union limited to a single company which dominates or strongly influences it, thereby limiting its influence.\"[2] Under the ILO Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) article 2 effectively prohibits any form of company union. It reads as follows.\n\n\n2. In particular, acts which are designed to promote the establishment of workers' organisations under the domination of employers or employers' organisations, or to support workers' organisations by financial or other means, with the object of placing such organisations under the control of employers or employers' organisations, shall be deemed to constitute acts of interference within the meaning of this Article.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6291646957397461}
{"content": "Site hosted by Build your free website today!\n\nThe Sound and Music of Progressive Rock\n\nRoots of Prog Rock: Avant-garde, Classical, Folk, Jazz, Psychedelic and Rhythm and Blues.\n\nWhat Prog Rock took from Psychedelic was the way of building up an atmosphere and a mood like lazy, tired and the alienation. And the Prog Rock musicians took the harmonic vocals arrangement from the folk movement. Tape effects, electronic sounds and noise were used, which most of these ideas was taken from avant-garde. Also, the Blues and Jazz were playing an important role in different bands. But the most important element to Prog Rock was the classical music.\n\nKing Crimson and Pink Floyd did take the advantages from avant-garde (sound experiments), Jazz, rhythm & blues (the instrumentation and improvisation). As the Prog Rock pieces featured long instruments passage and solo, vocals only took about 40% of a piece. And as a challenge to formal pop music and to express their ideas, plenty of their songs were longer than 20mins, which had dramatic arrangements, layers of texture, and involve key and tempo change.\n\nAnd in the late 60's and early 70's, number of bands (not only Prog Rock bands) actually started recording with symphony orchestra, like The Moody Blues, and then the Nice, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Yes, etc. A trend of rock bands to dig in classical music was formed. Though not all result in successful, the groups drew on electric and electronic keyboards (many of them creations of the 60's) to simulate the classical tone colours that were so important to the genre.1\n\nAs keyboard players became concerned in the psychedelic era, this feature also passed to the Prog Rock movement, or simply bands at the time needed a new texture of sound. And most keyboard player in Prog Rock bands (Tony Kaye, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emersion) were classical trained. It's paradoxically to discuss whether the classical trained keyboard players brought classical influenced in rock music, or simply bands at the time needed a new texture of sound so asked keyboard players to join.\n\nDuring the Prog Rock movement, acoustic instruments like acoustic guitar (Steve Howe) and flute (Ian McDonald, etc), which previously had played no role in rock music were used. Bass player and drummer also took their instrument to a new boundary, they played their instruments as melodic source rather than harmonic and rhythmic accompany:\n\nThe bass, is just as much a solo and melodic instrument as the guitar and even organ. - Chris Squire (the bassist of Yes) 3\n\nProg Rock drummers always had large drum kit on stage, more than any genre of rock. These percussion instruments were used to create an interesting sound rather than to emphasize the beats. And the Prog Rock drummers tended to use the upper part of the drum set (snare, toms, etc) more than kick drum, which could create an intricate set of rhythmic patterns that often contradict the downbeat.\n\nHow classical be digested were in few ways: to play classical pieces in rock style (ELP), or to arrange the song/album as a classical piece from instrumentation and multi-movement form (Yes). Furthermore, the Prog Rock bands used the term 'concept album' were in the same sense that 19th century composers used the term 'program'.3 In fact, I find that Prog Rock has some similarities to 19th century Romanticism and a table is drawn below:\n\nFor these series of genres, instruments fusion, we can say that Prog Rock was a movement that the musicians were all searching new sounds by different experience.\n\n1 and 3. From Rocking the Classics by Edward Macan.\n\n2. Quoted in Leonard Ferris, 'Yes' Bassist Chris Squire,' Guitar Player 7 (July 1973).\n\n4. From All Music Music Glossary: Styles.\n\nThe Lyrics of Progressive Rock\n\nAs the table on the former pages, I wrote that the lyrics of Prog Rock were spiritual, philosophical, fanatical and mythical.\n\nExcept Pink Floyd who talked about real life problems (Money, Us and Them, etc), other Prog Rock bands took more surrealistic subjects. The ideas may come from Bibles, astrology, literature,1 fairytales and folklore. The lyrics were used to be implicative, which needed a deep reading to get the truth meaning. For this way of implication, I think it's about the middle class background of the musicians.2 And the mythical and spiritual lyrics were emerged from psychedelic movement, which greatly fascinated by the oriental religions.\n\nSome may doubt the Prog Rock lyrics were escapism, but the truth meaning was always about life (Yes). Prog Rock lyrics also involved protest (Pink Floyd, ELP), political (Genesis, Pink Floyd). Most of the time we can see the lyricist strongly related to existentialism,3 which emphasized the loneliness of human nature and the drowning of human soul within a capitalize, materialize world.\n\n1. Gensis' Selling England by the Pound was impressed by T. S. Eliot's The Wasteland; Yes' Close to the Edge was based on Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha and Pink Floyd's Animals was based on George Orwell's Animal Farm.\n\n2. I'm going to discuss about this in the later chapter.\n\n3. Existentialism was first announced in Paris by Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 - 1980) in 1945. Developed from the studies of Nietzsche (1844 - 1900) and Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855). Albert Camus (1913 - 1960), who wrote L'Etranger (1941). was also seen as an existentialist. \n\nThe Visual of Progressive Rock\n\nThe visual played an important role in Progressive Rock: the album sleeve art and the live stage decoration. They acted as the extension of the sound and lyrics from the album, which also made the album to be a complete art work. And they were the elements to make so called concept album.\n\nCover Art\n\nMaybe the use of visual art was started from the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's again; the Beatles acted as a member of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the cover and the mysterious cover was open to different interpretations on the songs and lyrics. Also this was the first rock album contained the complete lyrics of all songs.\n\nThe cover art usually reflected the album's concept or otherwise the most significant track. The media involved paintings, colleges and photography, or the combination of them. Most of them were in the style of surrealism, fantasy and mythological scenes, which could be found in the lyrics. And the covers themselves could be existed as individual art with their own beauty.\n\nRoger Dean's on Yes\n\nMost of the Prog Rock bands had their exclusive designer, Storm Thorgerson (the founder of Hipgnosis) on Pink Floyd, Paul Whitehead and Betty Swanwick (Selling England by the Pound) on Genesis, William Neal and H.R. Giger (Brain Salad Surgery) on ELP, Roger Dean on Yes.\n\nThe paintings Roger Dean did for Yes are another great work, which can even act as a visual symbol for Prog Rock. What he painted were some images of outer space, surreal landscape. They could be read as the places for escapists, or to me, I read them as subconscious, the inner sense of human and the ancient memories. My favourite Roger Dean works on Yes are the Tales from Topographic Oceans and Yessongs.\n\nRoger Dean's on Yes\n\nAnd sometimes the covers can be read as a series of related story. The spaceship (or the flying object) on Yes was going to land on a star in Fragile (the first cover Roger did for Yes), and the following albums were like what you've seen on the star and the spaceship reappeared again. And the Genesis' Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot by Paul Whitehead. You can see the characters from Nursery Cryme again on the Foxtrot cover.\n\nPink Floyd's covers design will be discussed in here for more details.\n\nLive Performance\n\nLight effects, make up, installations, dry ice and smoke, etc. were used to decorate the stage as an extension to their concept of music in live. In fact, compare with other genre, Prog Rock musicians were not active on stage, except Keith Emerson and Peter Gabriel. It maybe the reason that multi media were used in live performance.\n\nPeter the flower, Peter the fox!\n\nThe performance of Peter Gabriel in Genesis was always theatric and dramatic, as he would wear different handsets (flower, triangle, pair of wings, etc) and make up to act the characters in his music, I think it's an echo that Prog Rock did to the Glam Rock.\n\nThe live experienced of ELP seemed much simpler than the rest of other bands, mainly lights show and dry ice, etc. But they were the most powerful and energetic bands between, Keith Emerson played around huge of different synths were always a selling point.\n\nRick Wakeman surrended by synths _ If Jimi Hendix played Hammond,burning Hammond by Keith Emerson\n\nWhat Yes was difference from them were the installations Roger Dean and his brother Martyn designed, they showed their fantasy landscape on stage.\n\nYestage: On & Off\n\nIn the early period Pink Floyd did lots of light shows in live concert, and when they got to the stadium, huge installations were used. Their concerts at Earl's Court Exhibition Hall in London on May 18 and 19, 1973 are described as follows:\n\nThe concert opened with the familiar 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun and 'Careful with that Axe, Eugene.' Dry ice smoke falling like a waterfall on' Echoes' led to the interval.\n\nDark Side of the Moon was played in its entirety. The stage was littered with landing beacons and spotlights searched the sky for airplanes. Finally a plane appeared followed by a spot [light] as it slowly flew over the audience and crashed into the stage, exploding in a ball of fire. The audience went wild... - Miles from Pink Floyd.\n\nFloyd's on stage, take care of your eyes!\n\nAt the beginning it maybe a point to make the concert special but lately it became more important for playing in front of many audience in stadium, as they could not barely see the performers. Slowly, the gap between the musicians and the audiences grew.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7386645078659058}
{"content": "What’s new on Enig’matik Records?\n\nFew months ago, we’ve posted about Painting Pictures On Silence v2, the second compilation of Enig’matik Records. This Australian label had a busy month and few EPs have been released. If you like glitch beatmakers like Mr Bill and Mindbuffer, this EPs gonna blow your minds. Enjoy, you glitch lovers.\n\nMore infos on Enig’matik’s bandcamp\n\n\n« Enig’matik presents the first of the “Singles Series”, which focuses on spotlighting an Artist/Track and coupling it with a remix, both bringing to the table new artists and Enig’matik regulars, exploring a vast array of genres and environments, as usual, presented in a future fuelled world of microscopic life.\n\nKicking things off with Shwex & Mumukshu two extremely talented up and coming producers from the United States, Elements Of Antiquity is a Sound Design laden piece comprising of a dense wall of granular sculpted effects, laden over lush atmospherics and laid back beats, with ripping formant leads giving a nod to the inspirational dave tipper whilst pushing the wall of sound into slightly more denser territory, drenching listeners with dizzy granular tremolo’s and a daze of dream laced atmospherics taking hold and guiding the listener into a sombre spell of antiquity.\n\nPresented Alongside a highly impressive re-work from Whitebear, bringing a mystifying array of ethnic percussive chops and carefully crafted glitch-work, Elements Of Antiquity showcases some of the youngest artists on the Enig’matik roster but also some of the most promising and imaginative. »\n\n\n« The Mollusk unveils a deeper side of his production toolkit with his new mini album Dust, a deep and thought provoking journey that gently transports the listener to a sun drenched world, carefully guiding them to a plethora of meticulously crafted environments, presenting the listener with deep vapourous soaked spaces to fill with their own imaginings and roaming thoughts of times that once were.\n\nfrom the infectious melody driven vibes of oxygen, its sun drenched reverbs glistening and igniting the past to come rushing to your neurons, as if painting your first picture as a child, to the dream fuelled synth work of Sine Wave Love, showcasing a remarkable ear for melodics and captivating talent for creating transformational spaces, The Mollusk provides 6 tracks of the perfect summer soundtrack which will no doubt be stuck on repeat of many sound systems for months to come.\n\nThe perfect release for finding a quiet space with a nice view, soaking it up with some innovative downtempo beats, The Mollusk provides a lush array of well crafted melodics with just a splash of glitch to form a cohesive and beautifully crafted journey from start to finish and is a unique and definitive addition to the Enig’matik Catalog. »\n\n\n« Enig’matik presents the next in its ongoing singles series, showcasing a track from Australian based producer Phsiris. Synth leads swell and sirens fire in a dense apocalyptic lashed environment, slowly lulling listeners into a rich tapestry of thought before unleashing a of barrage of experimental drum and bass vibes, fuelled with digtal laced micro edits, its intricacies and hidden nuances oozing from every crevice of the frequency spectrum inviting the listener to explore.\n\nItsu brings a solid melodic approach on the remix, exploring extensions of the original and catapulting minds into a feedback driven glitch exploration through some impressive programming and synth work, whilst staying true to the original and staying on track to provide a definitive remix. »\n\n\n« Enig’matik welcomes another future thinker to the growing collective, this time in the form of Nina Georgieva, a highly talented female producer out of Macedonia, who packs an immense punch with her crunched out snares and haunting atmospherics. Incorporating a barrage of foley sound sources and the use of subtle distortion, Nina transverses through aural worlds, enticing listeners into war torn ethnic expanses, igniting primal energies to the surface where they are met with a delicate array of hyper-edits and noise laden expanses.\n\nFrom the war torn vibes thrown down in “Homo Necans”, its bone shattering weaponry percussion roaring through the streets where ethnic lashed vocals intertwine with haunting air raid sirens, providing a dense, visual induced journey, To the cheeky swung out beats of “Makes Run” where depth of field and phase are carefully crafted to pull the listener through a series of alternate realities. The release then continues with a take on Mloski’s “An Introduction to a Labyrinth” where Nina laces her trademark distorted bass layers with a deluge of crunchy metallic percussional chops which makes for an inspiring soundscape, meticulously crafted across the stereo field.\n\nThe release is coupled with a set of incredible remixes of Homo Necans from some of the globes most inspiring and abstract sound designers, Balkansky heads things up with a rich and dense interpretation, encapsulating an extra dimension of the original with dream laced pads and digital noise manipulations, Woulg never ceases to amaze, with incredible production techniques, he explores abstract swing, seemingly falling in and out of sync, coupled with his inspiring fill work and trademark noise layers, he provides some stand out frequencies here, the release is concluded with a sound design wonderland from Dusty Fungus, a real emphasis placed on the ethnic undertones of the original, Dusty expands on this and provides total immersion through audio, soaking the listeners in an array of carefully crafted frequencies, all having their own precise place in a immense stereo field crafted for the wayfaring journey. »\n\n\n« Quanta returns with his second EP release on Enig’matik, carrying on from the dubbed out monster vibes from his debut EP “Overflow”, “Vibratory Fields” continues enriching his signature sound with further infusions of ground shaking sub bass and sonic squelches, seemingly slicing the human psyche’ into a scattering of psydub daydreams bound with rich atmospherics and masterful production.\n\nEncapsulating from the start, the title track “Vibratory Fields” shreds the audio spectrum into a unlimited expanse, a rich tapestry of purposeful microscopic detail,hidden with nuances seemingly coaxing the listener to explore the capacity of their imaginations.Travelling wayward into an exploratory expanse, he layers subtle additive synthesis basslines morphing the track into a primal driving apparatus, every small part of machinery coming together to form a dense embodiment of engaging frequencies. Carrying onto “Sensiverse” an ethnic laced dub biosphere of linear dimensions, Quanta shows immense production skill, concreting electronic frequencies to that of its natural neighbour, in brass stabs and natural percussion, the result is an inspiring rolling safari through the depths of ethno-glitch land. “Create Culture” slightly shifts the balance to a more organic pallette of frequencies, coupled with an inexhaustible offering of ground shaking bass drums and sub-nautical frequencies, a light scattering of Terence mckenna suggestively guiding aural cosmonauts to let go of sonic inhibitions and create their own reality.\n\nThe release is topped with a truly inspiring remix from the ever evolving sound of Griff, with rubber modulated basslines sinking into a soothing sequence of dub entrenched delays and triplet grooved drum rhythms, ever morphing into his constantly enticing design of catchy melodies and contrasted sombre vibes, providing a thought provoking closing to a captivating release that we hope you enjoy as much as we do.\ncredits »\n\n\n« Enig’matik expands on its sound palette by infusing the infectious grooves of Grouch. An artist no stranger to life on the road, Grouch has been constantly touring for the last 24 months all around South and North America, Europe and Australasia, gathering inspiration amongst the new sights and faces to drop into his melting pot of tight rolling percussive grooves and dub drowned synth stabs, igniting dancefloors with an uplifting, focused vibe which is known for its infectiousness all around the globe.\n\nAwakening senses with the immense Rolling bassline of Reverse Entropy, incorporating a shift from common time signatures to form a unique cohesive journey laced with wobbles and squelches, to the dub laced glitch monster that is Perfukt, drenched with a cheeky charismatic vibe that quickly throws the listener back into the depths of inspiring fills and gating work. Organik Mechanic showcases Grouch’s unique eclectic production skills which span across a multitude of genres, solidifying himself as one of the most versatile producers in circulation today.The release is topped of with the debut appearance from Hedflux on Enig’matik Records with a incredible remix showcasing inspiring reverse engineering skills, masterful production traits utilizing the full stereo spectrum and tight knit grooves topping off a rock solid release from start to finish.\n\nPart 1 in a series of EP’s from grouch on Enig’matik, expect to hear this all around the globe on dancefloors in the coming months immersed within a deep, focused, cheekily lashed dancefloor that these audible tales ignite.\ncredits »\n\nPainting Pictures On Silence v2\n\nEnig’matik is set to catapult listeners into a glitch fuelled daze of aural anti-gravity, with the highly anticipated second volume of their eclectic compilation series « Painting Pictures On Silence ». a 22 track journey encompassing some of the most original and unique producers from vast corners of the globe. From respected pioneers such as Si Begg and Fine Cut Bodies to artists such as Mindtree who represent an exciting new brand of youth wizardry, v2 is a release that will cement Enig’matik at the forefront of intricate and eclectic glitch based productions.\n\nA place to get lost in the details, to imagine a world that doesn’t exist and to catapult your senses and imagination skyward, Enig’matik and its ever growing collective of artists constantly push boundaries with cutting edge digital technology, choosing to jack into a digital world where their fingertips create unfathomable expanses, exploring and ever reaching into a limitless world of sonic creation.\n\nas a collective, Enig’matik is a breed of producers staying true to their own individual journeys into the unknown territories of sound exploration, whilst expressing themselves in a pure form of energy vibration. Intertwining personal experiences and distant memories with experimental lashings of abstract frequencies on their sonic canvas’s, each individual artist has their own unique stories to share, presented alongside likeminded artists in a future fuelled environment of microscopic life.\n\nin a world of aural experimentalia where words can often be superfluous, Enig’matik invites you to strap in and make your reality what you CHOOSE to believe.\n\nCheck out for the « painting Pictures on silence V1 »:\n\nMore infos: Bandcamp", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9082787036895752}
{"content": "Youth Forward scholarship 2016 – Defining a Volunteer\n\nName: Brandt van Soolen\nFrom: Monmouth, Oregon\nGrade: College Senior (Bachelor's Level)\nSchool: Western Oregon University\nVotes: 19\n\nDefining a Volunteer\n\nWhat does it mean to volunteer? For some it is a simple commitment\nof your time, an agreement to forego some of your weekend, or\npersonal time, to help the causes that you are most passionate about.\nFor a veteran it is different. In 1992, I took an oath. In that\noath, I swore to protect my country from all enemies foreign and\ndomestic. That oath was not forced on me, nor was it a requirement\nthat I took the oath. It was simply a commitment of my time, an\nagreement to forego my personal freedom in the pursuit of a greater\nideal viz., the defense of all freedom enjoyed by the citizens\nof the United States.\n\nHowever, 1992 was not the only time I took that oath. I could easily, and factually,\nclaim that I took that oath an additional three times over the course\nof a twenty year career in the military, but the truth is, I took\nthat oath every day; 7,437 times in total. This is not me exhibiting\nhubris; this is me distinguishing the difference ways that\n“volunteer” could be defined. There is, sometimes, a belief that\nvolunteering is something you do to “get ahead”. Perhaps, many\npeople have said, “if you want show a potential “insert here\ncollege, employer, etc.,” then volunteer. This seems to cheapen\nthe intent and the purpose of volunteering. On the other hand, would\nshould be said is that volunteering is showing you are passionate\nabout the things you believe in.\n\nWhether it be great ideals, such as, freedom, social justice, and civil liberties, or\nsimple things, such as, being a big brother, helping those less\nfortunate than you, or even donating anonymously to a charity. All\nthese are definitions of volunteerism, and each one of them is\ninstantiated through a recognition that we are all compassionate\nbeings by nature. The only way we can truly be human is to recognize\nboth the tremendous heights, and the unfathomable lows of the human\nspirit. When we help those less fortunate than us, when we agree to\nforego our personal liberties and freedoms for the sake of others, we\nare making a choice. We are choosing humanity before self-interest.\n\nWhy do I enjoy volunteering? I enjoy it because I know that I am radically free to\nchoose everything I do in life. I know that when I make choices, the\neffects of those choices are wide reaching. They do not just affect\nme; those who may not have the same natural privileges of health or\nbirth as me also feel them. I volunteer, because I believe that\npeople matter. Each person is precious, and each person is entitled\nto the same amount of freedom and liberty that I am.\n\nSo, what does it mean to volunteer? It means an incredible amount more than just a\ncommitment of time.\n\nJoin our Facebook group \"Volunteers for a Better World\".", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9599691033363342}
{"content": "Explore the ways in which pride is used as a theme in Antigone. Consider the dramatic techniques used by Sophocles and show how his choices of language, structure and style shape the meaning.\n\n  • Google+ icon\n  • LinkedIn icon\n\nPride is used as a theme in Antigone throughout the play, and in many ways it is the central theme. Despite the fact that the eponymous character Antigone can be viewed as the tragic heroine, it makes far more sense that the tragic hero be Creon, the king, who has a fatal flaw of hubris. Hubris in classical Athenian tragedy often incorporates violent characteristics and the desire to humiliate others to assert authority, and this description is apt for Creon. However, hubris is not the only form of pride that is evident in the play. There are also associations between pride and honour, and its antithesis of shame, as well as folly. Yet pride can also be linked to duty and love, and pride in oneself as opposed to pride in others. Pride is such a strong and deep emotion that it is prevalent in Ancient Greek theatre and tragedy in particular, and Sophocles is able to present a clear socio-political message in his play by using it as a theme, and presenting it in different ways through the characters of Creon, Antigone, Haemon and Ismene, as well as the Chorus who represent the community.\n\n            Pride in one’s own honour is very prominent in the play, in Antigone and Haemon in particular. Antigone shows this early on in the play, where in her pride she refuses to obey the laws of the state, and rails against them to bury her dead brother, Polyneices. She even admits that her actions are perhaps “folly”, but she believes them to be right and that they will “please // The dead”.  The use of the word “folly” is important as it recurs several times in the play. Also, her desire to “please // The dead” emphasises the religious and spiritual aspect of Greek theatre. Just how the Gods will punish Creon for his hubris, they will be pleased by Antigone who respects those who have died. This is where she differs from Creon who does not realise the potentially negative aspects of his actions, and sees himself in such divine right until the end where he admits his “folly”. Antigone also exhibits pride in her honour from her chosen method of death, as she commits suicide which was seen as noble. Not only this, but she robs Creon of the victory over her, as he at first wanted to stone her to death, then wanted her to starve and she took both of these from him by taking her own life. Her death is tragic, but also cathartic for the audience as there is pathos. Similarly this can be seen with Haemon, who “leaned upon the blade” of “his own” sword. This is significant as falling on one’s sword was an extremely noble death, and it was Haemon’s pride in his honour that, like Antigone, he would rather defy his father and live in the underworld with Antigone, which is what the Greeks believed would happen. The similarities between their two deaths unite them, just as they had planned to be united in marriage, so structurally this is Sophocles again generating pathos and a sense of resolution for these two characters. Therefore it can be seen how pride in one’s own honour is presented by Sophocles through language, character and structure.\n\nPride as hubris is the most prominent aspect of pride in the play, as it is the tragic flaw that encompasses Creon and inevitably leads to his downfall at the end of the play. The structure of the play begins with Creon as king and exerting his authority by decreeing that “none // Shall give [Polyneices] funeral honours or lament him”. This introduces the idea of hubris. He is drunk with the power of his kingship to the extent that he is willing to condemn Polyneices’ soul to wander rather than be buried so that he can go to the Underworld. Creon creates this law because he thinks he has a divine “right” to do so on “the throne” with “royal power”, and this makes him punishable by the Gods as no law created by him can equal divine right. Creon craves power, and ironically states that “love of gain // Has often lured a man to his destruction”, and this foreshadows the end of the play. Seeing Creon abuse his authority this early on in the play makes it all the more cathartic when he loses everything at the end, as he brings about the deaths of Antigone, Haemon and Eurydice, but he also loses his hubris. Also at the beginning the Chorus tell Creon “none are so foolish as to long for death”, and by the end he “prayed for death”. Hence Sophocles’ structure of the play and his use of foreshadowing and irony at the opening to maximise the catharsis at the end shapes the meaning of the play to show how pride can be a fatal flaw and how the Gods can punish you for it. This is especially crucial since the Greeks were highly religious and the role of fate in their lives was important to them.\n\n\n            There is also evidence of the pride of the people and this is presented through the Chorus in the Strophes and Antistrophes within the play. The people believe that Creon deserves to suffer for his folly to the extent that by the end of the play when he has nothing left and “prayed for death”, they tell him that “Proud words of the arrogant man, in the end // Meet punishment, great as his pride was great”. These are lines from the final speech of the play, and there is repetition in the speech of “wisdom” and “great” as well as references to the Gods and to “pride”. These are clearly the elements of the play that Sophocles wanted the audience to take with them, as they will be most prominent in the minds of the audience as they close the play. They Chorus, before the closing speech, tell classical tales of Danae, Bacchus and Zeus which all point to the conclusion that pride will result in punishment by the Gods. Structurally, Sophocles is foreshadowing the end of the play whilst reinforcing the socio-political message behind it, which is that pride, especially as hubris, is a negative deadly sin and will not go unnoticed by the Gods or by the people, which is the message put forward in the closing speech. The people are so proud in their decree that the Gods will be done, that they deny Creon his one release. He has lost his son, his wife and his people’s respect and admitted his wrongs, and yet they wish to torment him further until he dies after being “schooled in wisdom”. The people are governed by their dedication to the Gods, and they think in turn that this gives them a right over Creon. Saying this, the audience does still experience catharsis with this ending, and are glad that Creon will receive his comeuppance, but they are able now to feel pity for him within the irony that he shall be taught and “schooled” in wisdom now after he has lost everything and not when he could prevent it. Therefore it can be seen how Sophocles uses the pride of the Chorus and hence the pride of the Gods to emphasise the socio-political message of the play within the Strophes, Antistrophes and epilogue to the play.\n\n            In conclusion, pride is used as a theme in many different ways, but the most important are its exposure as hubris, particularly in Creon; as honour and nobility for Antigone and Haemon; and as divine right as in the case of the Gods and the Chorus who represent the community and enact the beliefs of the Gods. Structurally and linguistically, Sophocles uses foreshadowing, irony and repetition in order to present a strong and powerful socio-political message which he aimed to transmit to the audience at a theatre competition. The play centres around the idea of fate and the role of the Gods in our lives, as Antigone’s noble acts were done in the hope of pleasing the dead and hence not violating divine law, and Creon’s ignoble acts were punishable by the dead for violation of divine law, and the people act as the Gods on Earth.      \n\nEmma H. IB Chemistry tutor, GCSE Chemistry tutor, IB Physics tutor, G...\n\nAbout the author\n\nis an online GCSE English Literature tutor with MyTutor studying at Leeds University\n\n\n95% of our customers rate us\n\nBrowse tutors\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9018530249595642}
{"content": "Stefan Jäger\n\nLearn More\nText line segmentation in freestyle handwritten documents remains an open document analysis problem. Curvilinear text lines and small gaps between neighboring text lines present a challenge to algorithms developed for machine printed or hand-printed documents. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on density estimation and a state-of-the-art(More)\nThe National Library of Medicine (NLM) is developing a digital chest X-ray (CXR) screening system for deployment in resource constrained communities and developing countries worldwide with a focus on early detection of tuberculosis. A critical component in the computer-aided diagnosis of digital CXRs is the automatic detection of the lung regions. In this(More)\nClassifier combination methods have proved to be an effective tool to increase the performance of pattern recognition applications. In this chapter we review and categorize major advancements in this field. Despite a significant number of publications describing successful classifier combination implementations, the theoretical basis is still missing and(More)\nCurvilinear text line detection and segmentation in handwritten documents is a significant challenge for handwriting recognition. Given no prior knowledge of script, we model text line detection as an image segmentation problem by enhancing text line structure using a Gaussian window, and adopting the level set method to evolve text line boundaries.(More)\nIn this paper, we present a multiple classifier system for script identification. Applying a Gabor filter analysis of textures on word-level, our system identifies Latin and non-Latin words in bilingual printed documents. The classifier system comprises four different architectures based on nearest neighbors, weighted Euclidean distances, Gaussian mixture(More)\nMost researchers would agree that research in the field of document processing can benefit tremendously from a common software library through which institutions are able to develop and share research-related software and applications across academic, business, and government domains. However, despite several attempts in the past, the research community(More)\nTuberculosis is a major health threat in many regions of the world. Opportunistic infections in immunocompromised HIV/AIDS patients and multi-drug-resistant bacterial strains have exacerbated the problem, while diagnosing tuberculosis still remains a challenge. When left undiagnosed and thus untreated, mortality rates of patients with tuberculosis are high.(More)\nClassifier combination has turned out to be a powerful tool for achieving high recognition rates, especially in fields where the development of a powerful single classifier system requires considerable efforts. However, the intensive investigation of multiple classifier systems has not resulted in a convincing theoretical foundation yet. Lacking proper(More)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.997818112373352}
{"content": "Changing pattern of infectious agents in postneurosurgical meningitis\n\n\nBACKGROUND The rates of postneurosurgical infections, particularly meningitis and the most common pathogens have been reported variable during the recent years. The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of postneurosurgical meningitis and its current spectrum of infectious agent. METHODS In a descriptive study, the postneurosurgical patients' cerebrospinal fluid was cultured on blood and MacConkey agar plates and evaluated at Microbiology Laboratory. 55 significant isolates as species level were recognized by bacteriological techniques. RESULTS Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) was the most common organism [29(52.7%)], followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae [8(14.5%)], Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [6(10.9%)], Staphylococcus saprophyticus [5(9.1%)], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [3(5.5%)], Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus [3(5.5%)], and Enterococcus faecalis [1(1.8%)]. The majority of A. baumannii isolates were carbapenem-resistant. CONCLUSION Our research revealed that the rate of postneurosurgical meningitis due to carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii has been increased. This finding emphasized the importance of preventive strategies against A. baumannii. The changing pattern of infectious agents in postneurosurgical meningitis over time suggests the necessity of other studies.\n\nExtracted Key Phrases\n\n1 Figure or Table\n\nCite this paper\n\n@inproceedings{Yadegarynia2014ChangingPO, title={Changing pattern of infectious agents in postneurosurgical meningitis}, author={Davood Yadegarynia and Latif Gachkar and Alireza Fatemi and Alireza Zali and Niloufar Nobari and Mitra Asoodeh and Zahra Parsaieyan}, booktitle={Caspian journal of internal medicine}, year={2014} }", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9586594700813293}
{"content": "How to Render a Wall\n\nLoading comments ...\n\nIn this video you will learn how to render a wall.\n\nThe tools that you will need are:\n\nMortar pan\n\n\n\nSpirit level\n\n\nPlumb bob\n\nWooden float\n\nand Metal Float\n\nThe material that you will need is,\n\nCement Mortar\n\nDon’t forget to use Personal Protective Equipment, including:\n\nSafety Gloves\n\nReflective Jacket\n\nSafety Helmet\n\nSafety Shoes\n\nand Dust Mask\n\nRendering or Surface Finishing refers to the application of a render made of cement mortar or plaster to form a protective layer on masonry structures. The advantages of Rendering includes better waterproofing, improved fire rating as well as a more attractive appearance.\n\nBegin rendering on a clean and soaked surface.\n\nMake a small amount of mortar paste and apply a 10 millimeter patch on each corner of the surface that needs to be rendered. These reference patches will guide you to achieve a uniform thickness.\n\nEnsure that the mortar patches are all equal in thickness using the the Plumb Bob and Straightedge before allowing them to set.\n\nUse a straightedge and mason’s square to ensure that the reference patches on either wall are at 90 degrees to each other. This will ensure that the finished surfaces are at a right angle.\n\nScoop up mortar from the Mortar Pan using the Trowel and flick it against the surface of the wall with a quick motion of the wrist. Repeat the process till you’ve reached the desired thickness of mortar.\n\nOnce the Mortar has been applied on the surface, use a second Straightedge to level the Mortar. Hold the First Straightedge firmly in its position using one hand. With your other hand use the Second Straightedge to plane the surface vertically in line with the position of the First. Check the vertical plane using the Plumb Bob.\n\nUse a horizontal sweeping motion of the Straightedge to spread the level uniformly. Make sure you hold the Straightedge without any tilt such that the plain makes full contact with the surface.\n\nUse a wooden float to apply pressure against the surface in order to compact the layers of mortar and fill any air gaps. Hold the handle of the Wooden Float firmly with one hand and position the plain against the surface without any tilt such that it makes full contact. Create sweeping motions, applying light pressure against the Mortar.\n\nRepeat the whole process on the second wall.\n\nApply Mortar.\n\nLevel the sides with the Straightedge\n\nCheck the vertical level.\n\nFlatten the mortar holding the Straightedge horizontally.\n\nSmoothen the surface with the Wooden Float.\n\nNow, use a metal float to create the final smooth finish with sweeping motions, applying little pressure against the Mortar.\n\nClean up your workspace using a broom.\n\nYou have now learned to render a Wall.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.796191930770874}
{"content": "Google Track\n\nTuesday, September 17, 2013\n\nThe Data Science Mindset\n\n\nNames like ‘R’, ‘SQL’, and ‘D3’ make data science seem more like alphabet soup than a deliberate practice of working with data. It’s so easy to get lost in the sea of acronyms, packages, and frameworks that we often find our students prematurely optimizing for the right toolset to use, unable to move forward until they have researched every available option. In reality, data science isn’t just about the tools. It’s a mindset: a way of looking at the world. It’s about taking advantage of our modern computers and all of the information that they’re already collecting to study how things work and push the limits of human knowledge just a little bit further. We have a favorite saying around here — data is everything and everything is data. If we begin with this mindset, a lot of data science approaches naturally follow.\n\nStore Everything\n\nStorage is cheap. Collect everything and ask questions later. Store it in the rawest form that is convenient, and don’t worry about how or even when you’re going to analyze it. That part comes later.\n\nUse Existing Data\n\nWe’re already storing data — let’s use it. When faced with questions, data scientists regularly adapt the query so that it can be approximately answered with an existing and convenient dataset. The best part of data science is discovering surprising applications of existing stores of data. For example, there is a plethora of satellite imagery of Earth. We can use this data to learn about fertilizer use in Uganda, or use pictures of the Earth at night to estimate rural electrification in developing countries.\n\nConnect Datasets\n\nWe’re storing everything, all over the world, inexpensively, for the first time in history. There are many lessons to be learned by utilizing more of this treasure trove. Don’t worry about making the best use out of a single source of data. Focus on connecting disparate datasets rather than tuning your models. Conventional statistics teaches a lot about how to choose analysis methods that are appropriate for your data collection approach and how to tune the models for a specific dataset.\nEffective data science is about using a range of datasets, connecting the dots between one set of data and another, such as predicting restaurant health scores based on Yelp reviews. In machine learning speak: it’s often better to collect more features rather than spend days optimizing hyperparameters.\n\nAnything Can Be Quantified\n\nOur culture loves to quantify. If you can turn it into a number, that number can be put into a table. Importantly, that table can now be processed by a computer.\nA spreadsheet about sewer overflows is clearly data to most people, but what about a calendar? At first, a calendar might not seem like the sort of data that you analyze with statistics. However, you can also represent a calendar as a spreadsheet and as a graph.\n\nData science becomes a creative endeavor when peeling away the obvious variables presented to you. Maybe you have a bunch of PDF documents. You could easily extract the text in the PDFs and search through the content. Depending on the problem you are solving, these files hold more interesting information than just the text. You can get the page count, the file size, and the shapes of the pages and the program that created it. There is information hidden in many datasets that goes beyond what’s immediately obvious.\nThere is a lot of talk about the difference between different kinds of data. There’s “qualitative” vs. “quantitative” and “unstructured” vs. “structured.” To me, there isn’t much difference between “qualitative” and “quantitative” data, nor is there between “unstructured” and “structured” data because I know that I can convert between the different types.\nAt first, the registration papers of company might not seem like interesting data. They begin as paper, most of the fields are text, and the formats aren’t particularly standardized. But when you put them in a database in a machine-readable format, qualitative data becomes quantitative data that can be used to supplement other data sources.\n\nSend Boring Work to Robots\n\nWe no longer live in an era where “computer” refers to someone who carries out calculations. Find yourself doing something over and over? Give it to the bots. As far as data analysis goes, modern computers can be far more effective at rote tasks, such as drawing new graphs with every update of a dataset.\nData collection is a prime example of a task that should be automated. A common scene in university research labs is swaths of grad students handing out paper questionnaires to participants of studies. The data scientist says: collect the data automatically and unobtrusively, using existing systems whenever possible. The supercomputers we carry in our pocket are a great place to start.\nThis mindset can be applied not only to the data, but also to the process itself. Rather than learning and remembering your entire analysis process, you can write a program that does the whole thing for you, from the original acquisition of the data, to the modeling, to the presentation of results to another person. By making everything a program, you make it easier to find mistakes, to update your analyses, and reproduce your results.\n\n\nOnce inside the data science mindset, solving interesting problems becomes a function of data acquisition and processing. Computers can fit models and make predictions about datasets that are too big to wrap your head around and convert paper documents into electronic tables. They probably know more about you and your habits than you know yourself! Use the tools available to you, but don’t get caught up on the tools themselves.\nProperly discussing these relevant tools is another post (maybe a book), but here’s one thought. While it always helps to have more education, you don’t need a PhD in math or computer science in order to create useful things. Loads of wonderful algorithms have already been implemented for you, and simple algorithms often work quite well. If you’re just getting started, focus on the “plumbing” that connects different datasets and systems together.\n\nData Science Mindset at Zipfian Academy\n\nOur course teaches many data science tools, but we also teach the data science mindset, because you need both to be a great data scientist. To this end, we organize our 12-week course by projects — such as a recommendation engine or spam filter — rather than software packages or algorithms. We teach the various tools in context of applied projects so students learn how to choose the appropriate tool and how to build the plumbing that connects them.\nIn the end, it’s not about the newest, trendiest framework or fastest data analysis platform. It’s about finding interesting insights from your data and sharing it with the world. Start small, get your hands dirty, and have fun!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9627208709716797}
{"content": "[Coral-List] \"Coral Reef Biogeochemical Cycles\" at 11th ICRS\n\nGreg Jacoski gjacoski at nova.edu\nThu Nov 8 11:04:37 EST 2007\n\nGreetings Coral-Listers:\nWe would like to invite you to participate the ICRS Mini-Symposium\n\"Biogeochemical cycles in coral reef environments\". The 11th ICRS will be\nheld in Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 7-11, 2008. The ICRS Science Program will\naddress scientific questions within the framework of a series of\nMini-Symposia developed to address problems and issues on contemporary coral\nreefs that will assist management to sustain future reefs.\nThe central topics of \"Biogeochemical cycles in coral reef environments\",\nMini-Symposium 19, are as follows:\n1) What are the sources, sinks, regeneration, and stoichiometry of nutrients\nin coral reef ecosystems?\n2) What is the importance of diazotrophy in coral reef ecosystems? How much\ndo benthic and planktonic communities contribute to N2 fixation in coral\nreef ecosystems?\n3) What are the improvements for estimating new and excess production on\ncoral reef ecosystems?\n4) What are the origins, roles, and fluxes (i.e., import / export) of\norganic matter, dissolved organic matter, and particulate organic matter in\ncoral reef environments?\n5) How is the stability of coral reefs linked to the biogeochemical cycles?\nWhat processes and mechanisms link biogeochemical cycles to the health of\ncoral reef ecosystems?\nSubmissions that address these questions are encouraged but not mandatory.\n\"Biogeochemical cycles in coral reef environments\". When submitting your\nabstracts, please use the session code: Mini-Symposium 19.\nDECEMBER 15, 2007. \nMini-Symposium 19: Biogeochemical cycles in coral reef environments\nBeatriz Casareto\nLoic Charpy\nYoshimi Suzuki\nThank you.\n\n\n\nGregory Jacoski\n\nThe National Coral Reef Institute\n\nNSU Oceanographic Center\n\n8000 North Ocean Drive\n\nDania Beach,  Florida 33004\n\nphone: (954) 262-3678\n\nfax: (954) 262-4027\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore information about the Coral-List mailing list", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.645283043384552}
{"content": "Wednesday, April 16, 2014\n\nBromeliad me!\n\nThe brain has  been silent in the past few weeks but this week it was jump started by great sites. important one.  Monday was a very exciting day at work.  My team and I had the opportunity to visit a few green houses in Samoa.  It was a day for shiny eyes, a nice change from the pink eye disease! (I I have been resilient thus far) There were soft pinks, peach, dramatic burnt orange, sweet lavender, gutsy black, earthy browns, royal velvet blue and misty white plants to covet.  You can imagine the 'ooohs' 'ahhhhs' and 'wow wows' from my team when we feasted our eyes on the beautiful plants. Interestingly, there were not many native  plants under the green nets.  Perhaps the native plants can grow easily, requiring less assistance from the growers unlike those that are imported.  Imported plants require more attention and care so they can adapt and grow successfully.\n\nOne plant that is new to Samoa, taking up residence in all the green houses is the very flamboyant  Bromeliad.  If it was a person, I'd compare it to an unpredictable designer of futuristic things or creator of  impracticable outfits that can never be worn with a normal face.\n\nThe Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) are a family of monocot flowering plants of around 3,170 species originally from the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the American subtropics and in west Africa.  The most well known bromeliad is the pineapple. The family contains a wide range of plants including some very un-pineapple like members such as Spanish Moss (which is neither Spanish nor a moss). In general they are inexpensive (not in Samoa), easy to grow, require very little care, and reward the grower with brilliant, long lasting blooms and ornamental foliage. They come in a wide range of sizes from tiny miniatures to giants (Bromeliad Society International, 2014).   Like Samoans, Bromeliads have learned the art of adaption which means they can grow in a number of different climates. \n\n\n I have a few of these plants in my garden and I have to say both the leaves and flower compete for attention.  A well painted plant that is great for pot plants or shaded gardens around the house.  Similar to my other favourite plant, anthuriums, bromeliads enjoy mild sun shine and a lot of shade, depending on the species. \n\nSome of the common species of bromeliads include Earth Star, Urn Plant, Scarlet Star,Flaming Sword, Blushing Bromeliad, Pink Quill (Booth, 2006)We had a great time visiting the green houses.  The day ended too soon with a brilliant sunburn and we were still discussing the gardens two days after.  Since Easter is upon us, this visit reminded me that the end result is not necessarily the best reward.  Think of the hard work that goes into creating and tending to all these gardens.   Robert Louis Stevenson said  “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” While so many of us are out smelling the flowers, we do hope more people are planting some.  If we don't plant, we'll have nothing but grass.   As much as we'd like to find out the purpose for most  things, I'd like to think that plants exist for our enjoyment.  Happy Easter everyone.\n\nEhhh..your grandmother was hot too!\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7369732856750488}
{"content": "A Fine Point about Fine Print: Dealing with Indemnification Provisions\n\nIn my last post, I noted that businesses should pay attention to several contract drafting and negotiation practices that can protect them from significant, or even catastrophic, liability. Now, I want to focus in on a potentially important aspect of these issues: the relationship of indemnification and liability limitation provisions.\n\nFirst, it is common to seek to prevent liability for certain types of indirect or remote types of damages, such as from business interruption, lost profits and government sanctions. Second, companies frequently try to cap their liability related to a contract either to the amount of their revenues or some other reasonable sounding level, such as $100,000 or $1 million. Third, there are many instances where businesses agree to indemnify and \"hold harmless\" the other party from all damages (including the incurrence of attorneys fees) arising from, on the broad side, their breach of the agreement or law, or, on the narrow side, their intentional misconduct or gross negligence.\n\nIn my experience, these tendencies often result in some unanswered contract questions: Is the indemnification obligation subject to the limitation on the types of damages? And, similarly, is the indemnification obligation subject to the cap on the total amount of damages? If not, then the entire effort to manage exposure or risk will be undermined - particularly if the indemnity is very broad.\n\nFor example, if the indemnitor must hold harmless the indemnitee for any breach of the agreement, no matter the degree of maliciousness or culpability, then the breaching party not only faces unlimited exposure, but may have to pay the indemnitee's legal expenses as well. So, the indemnitor should try very hard to make sure that the remedy and damages limitations expressly apply to the indemnification. However, if there's a much narrower obligation, such as indemnification only for intentional misconduct, or personal injury, then it is more difficult to argue that a cap should apply.\n\nSo, it is essential to remember to think through limitation and indemnification mechanisms and make sure the relationship has been addressed. Otherwise, there may be a gaping hole in the efforts to make a contract armor-plated or bulletproof.\n\nOur Chicago business lawyers have extremely deep experience with all types of contracts and agreements, including the risk management points discussed above. Contact us to speak to a Chicago contract lawyer about your particular needs. We are available for meetings in Chicago and Deerfield and many surrounding towns.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9910733699798584}
{"content": "transesophageal echocardiography\n\nAlso found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Acronyms, Encyclopedia.\nRelated to transesophageal echocardiography: cardioversion, Cardiac catheterization, Transesophageal echocardiogram\n\nTransesophageal Echocardiography\n\n\n\n\n\nSince the esophagus is right next to the heart, transesophageal echocardiography provides a very clear picture of the heart. It can provide information on the size of the heart, its pumping strength, and the location and extent of any damage to its tissues. It can detect abnormal tissue growth around the heart valves. It is also good at detecting abnormalities in the pattern of blood flow, such as the backward flow of blood through partly closed heart valves, known as regurgitation or insufficiency. It is especially useful in cases in which conventional echocardiography (a test where the transducer is kept on the patient's chest) cannot offer a good image, such as when the patient is obese or has a thick chest wall. It is useful for monitoring heart function during cardiac surgery and detecting blood clots in the left atrium of the heart.\n\n\nPatients should avoid consuming alcohol for a day or so before the procedure, since alcohol may amplify the effects of the sedative used with the procedure.\n\n\nEchocardiography creates an image of the heart using ultra-high-frequency sound waves—sound waves that are much too high in frequency to be heard by the human ear. The technique is very similar to ultrasound scanning commonly used to visualize the fetus during pregnancy.\nA transesophageal echocardiography examination generally lasts 30-60 minutes. The patient is given a mild sedative and the back of the throat is sprayed with a local anesthetic, in order to suppress the gag reflex. Next, a special viewing tube called an endoscope, containing a tiny transducer, is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus. It is carefully moved until it is positioned directly next to the heart. Essentially a modified microphone, the transducer directs ultrasound waves into the heart, some of which get reflected (or \"echoed\") back to the transducer. Different tissues and blood all reflect ultrasound waves differently. These sound waves can be translated into a meaningful image of the heart, which is displayed on a monitor or recorded on paper or tape. The transducer may be moved several times during the test to help doctors get a better view of the heart.\n\n\nThe patient may be given a mild sedative before the procedure, and an anesthetic is sprayed into the back of the throat in order to suppress the gag reflex.\n\n\nAfter the test, it is important to refrain from eating or drinking until the gag reflex has returned-otherwise, the patient may accidentally inhale some of the food or beverage. If a sedative has been given, patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 10-12 hours. They should avoid consuming alcohol for a day or so, since alcohol may amplify the effect of the sedative.\n\n\nTransesophageal echocardiography may cause gagging and discomfort when the transducer is passed down into the throat. Patients may also experience sore throat for a few days after the test. In rare cases, the procedure may cause bleeding or perforation of the esophagus or an inflammatory condition known as infective endocarditis. The patient may have an adverse reaction to the sedative or local anesthetic.\n\nNormal results\n\nA normal transesophageal echocardiogram shows a normal heart structure and the normal flow of blood through the heart chambers and heart valves.\n\nAbnormal results\n\nA transesophageal echocardiogram may show a number of abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart, such as thickening of the wall of the heart muscle (especially the left ventricle). Other abnormalities can include blood leaking backward through the heart valves (regurgitation), or blood clots in the left atrium of the heart.\n\n\n\n\nKey terms\n\nEndoscope — An instrument used to see and examine the inside of a body cavity or organ.\nGag reflex — A normal reflex consisting of elevation of the palate, retraction of the tongue, and contraction of the throat muscles.\nRegurgitation — Backward flow of blood through a partly closed valve.\nUltrasound — Sound waves at a frequency of 20,000 kHz, often used for diagnostic imaging.\n\ntrans·esoph·a·ge·al ech·o·car·di·og·ra·phy\n\nrecording of the echocardiogram from a transducer swallowed by the patient to predetermined distances in the esophagus and stomach.\n\ntransesophageal echocardiography (TEE)\n\n\ntransesophageal echocardiography\n\nTwo-dimensional transesophageal color-flow Doppler echocardiography Cardiology An ultrasonographic imaging modality used to examine cardiac structures–valves, chambers and inflow and outflow tracts and function in which a transducer is placed immediately behind the heart in the esophagus and stomach; because there are no interfering air spaces or bone, the image is superior to that obtained with transthoracic echocardiography and is of particular use in evaluating the status of the endocardium–eg, to identify vegetations on the cardiac valves Indications for TEE ID cardiac source of embolism–35%, prosthetic heart valve malfunction–20%, endocarditis–16%, aortic dissection, cardiac tumor, valvular disease, and others, based on a series of 5000 Pts. See Biplane–intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, Echocardiography.\n\ntrans·e·soph·a·ge·al echo·car·di·og·ra·phy\n\n(tranz'ē-sō-fā'jē-ăl ek'ō-kahr'dē-og'ră-fē)\nRecording of the echocardiogram from a swallowed transducer.\nSynonym(s): transoesophageal echocardiography.\nEnlarge picture\n\ntransesophageal echocardiography\n\nAbbreviation: TEE\n\n\n\ncontrast echocardiography\ntransesophageal echocardiography\n\nPatient discussion about transesophageal echocardiography\n\n\n\n\n\nMore discussions about transesophageal echocardiography\nReferences in periodicals archive ?\nSuperiority of transesophageal echocardiography in detecting cardiac source of embolism in patients with cerebral ischemia of uncertain etiology.\nTransesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging are useful and highly accurate tools in the diagnosis of PFE.\nTransesophageal echocardiography is often the diagnostic modality used for evaluation of cardiovascular sources of cerebral emboli.\nUsefulness of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in recognition and management of cardiovascular injuries after blunt chest trauma.\n9] Suprahepatic balloon positioning is accomplished with the aid of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).\nRight upper lobe pulmonary edema caused by acute mitral regurgitation diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography.\nMounting a standard transesophageal cardioversion electrode onto the head of a transesophageal echocardiography probe creates a novel hybrid device that enables a cardiologist to first make sure no clot is present in the left atrium, then immediately apply a very-low-energy shock to convert the patient to normal sinus rhythm--all during a single sedation of the patient, explained Dr.\nTransesophageal echocardiography did not show vegetations or other evidence of endocarditis.\nthe developer of the world's only hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE[TM]) management device, announced that the first in a planned series of symposia presenting hTEE study findings and cases was held October 14(th) in Lisbon, Portugal.\nAfter a historical perspective of 3D echocardiography, opening chapters deal with the integration of 3D echocardiography in routine clinical practice, overview the different 3D transesophageal echocardiography systems, and review normal mitral valve anatomy and measurements.\nPerioperative Two-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography is an excellent practical guide to cardiac surgically-relevant transoesophageal echocardiography in the operating room and the intensive care unit.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7179180383682251}
{"content": "world wide wonderground\n\n5 ian. 2008\n\nMusically, Elsiane is a hybrid of styles and influences. Their evocative compositions organically blend a pop sensibility with influences that range from classical music through jazz, rock and electronic. At once universally appealing and surprisingly intimate, their songs combine a polished surface and musical virtuosity with emotional depth and a highly personal vision.\n\nMai multe despre ELSIANE.\n\ndescarcati HYBRID aici.\n\nmultumim filebox.\n\nNiciun comentariu:\n\n\n\nArhivă blog", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9986386895179749}
{"content": "Franz von Stuck\n\nIn 1891, when the Bulgarian Ministers saw the recent acquisition of Prince Ferdinand they were so scared that crossed in front of work of art.\n\nThe sensing of the viewer of the power of «Lucifer» by Franz von Stuck has not diminished today too. The work painted in oil on canvas in 1890 fascinates and captivates, inspires horror and chills the blood.\n\nFranz Stuck (in 1906, when he gets a knighthood his name will have the prefix «von») was born in 1863 in Tettenweis (near Passau) in a Catholic family, farmers and millers.\n\nBy age six he was already doing caricature drawings for local residents. Father did not approve of the wish of boy to become a painter, but the mother as say von Stuck in an interview in 1901 «thought well of my ambitions». His parents sent him to Munich to study art at the School of Applied Arts when he was 8. At the age 18, he entered the Academy of Fine Arts. After completing his education, Franz Stuck has earned a living doing cartoons and illustrations for magazines and newspapers of different publishers, including «Flying Leaves» (Fliegenden Blätter) and «Youth» (Jugend). Since 1887, he began to experiment with oil painting. Being a member of the art exhibition of 1889 in «The Glass Palace» (Glaspalast), Franz Stuck received a gold medal for his painting «The Guardian of Paradise» (Der Wächter des Paradieses). This exhibition brought Franz Stuck not only a prize of 6,000 gold marks; he has become a recognized symbolist. In 1892, he was among those who founded the Munich Secession. In 1893, the painter won a prize for his painting «Sin» (Die Sünde) at the Chicago World’s Fair.\n\n\n\nThe Guardian of Paradise (Der Wächter des Paradieses), 1889. Oil on canvas, 250 × 167 cm. Sammlung H. J. Ziersch, Munich\n\n\nIn 1895, Franz Stuck received a professorship at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he once studied, with more attention to color theory. Among the disciples were future luminaries of art: Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Josef Albers. During this time he designed and built the Villa Stuck, which demonstrated the marked ability of the painter in architecture, sculpture, design, interior decoration. Furniture created for the Villa earned him yet another gold medal at the world’s fair of 1900 held in Paris. In 1906, Franz Stuck received the order «for merit of the Bavarian Crown» and he became a nobleman, having a great creative way, from Franz Stuck to Franz Ritter von Stuck. In 1913, in all his glory, Stuck began to build a Studio next to the Villa. The structure completed in 1914 had two floors. On the first floor housed the sculpture; on the second one had paintings. Unfortunately, with the outbreak of the First World War Stuck off the sculpture and in this area he is not realized himself.\n\nOne of Stuck’s most famous sculptures, «Amazon Throwing a Spear», now stands at the entrance the Villa and is the main icon of the house (the Museum of Art Nouveau today). Shortly before his death in 1928, Stuck received an honorary doctorate of the Technical University of Munich for the making of the Villa. Franz von Stuck died on August 30, 1928; he has been buried in the Munich Waldfriedh by his wife Mary, and memorialized as «the last prince of art of Munich’s great days».\n\n\n\nAmazon Throwing a Spear. Villa Stuck\n\n\nFranz von Stuck created in the era of great artists and visionaries. Richard Wagner’s «The Ring of the Nibelung» set the standard for musical and theatrical works, hitting the roof. Karl Marx championed class struggle as the determinant of political and economic power.\n\nFriedrich Nietzsche declared: «God is dead» and the revolution in philosophy. Charles Darwin reached the starting point in the past and discovered natural selection, which was to become the ruling power of existence. Sigmund Freud has penetrated into the mind and became the father of the psycho-analysis. In the second half of the 19th century, a bold thinking desperately tried to keep up with the rapid pace of technological progress that threatens to swallow human values. In painting still persisted representation of academic art and the approval of definite classical methods.\n\nIn France, Adolphe William Bouguereau idealizing mythological and pastoral motive was the well-known exemplar of salon academic art. Painting of Bouguereau and other, so-called painters of humanists is fine, but it is impossible to call it ingenious or incomparable. «Stepping back», the art ignored scientific, philosophical, social development era what artists of the new generation, who were considered informal and «alternative», tried to investigate and explore in according to their understanding.\n\nThe first Secession movement was formed in 1890 in France. The Munich Secession to which Stuck belonged was the second in Europe. It followed by the Berlin Secession and later the Vienna Secession, whose most famous member is Gustav Klimt. Munich painter’s works such as Albert von Keller, Gabriel von Max, and Franz von Stuck show similarities and essential distinctions. They considered liminal states but each of them was inspired in their own way.\n\nIn 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered surprising X-rays in Würzburg. In 1900, he moved to teach to Munich, where his scientific revelation about transparency of a body inspired Keller, which painting counterbalances permeability of a flesh with a spirit materialization. This liminal state between physical and extrasensory he thoughtful in the biblical scenes of the resurrection, landscapes with a bright yellow aura, associated Keller with the spiritual realm.\n\nGabriel von Max was interested in infinitely thin membrane between life and death, but not affirming the existence of the individual spirit, he addressed the issues of awareness and oblivion, wakefulness and sleep. Von Stuсk, in some respects the most impudent of them of three, addressed to the theory of Darwin and interpreted classical plots with especial brutality. Just as Freud probed the darker sexual side of human psyche von Stuсk painted the wild side of human nature, marginal state between man and animal.\n\nClassic images in Stuсk’s painting are many, his style is masterly, and he’s even less secessionist, being meanwhile the founder of the movement. But he is faithful to the ideals of the secession and does not apply to these images as the epitome of human beauty. The painter interprets familiar forms from many classical sources ambiguously. Even a very picturesque scene exposes dark and primitive, opposing them to carelessness of the academic art of the time. Bright to that an example is female images in his works. The Secessionists rejected aspects of the academic art, but for most male spectators woman represented the idealized image of the.\n\nStuсk put in female images startling control, will and authority and even when the woman in his works takes a traditional and decorative pose it is compensated by presence of the men competing for her attention. Stuсk painted many such paintings («The Duel», «The Struggle for Woman»), each treats the theme differently, but together taken they declare that the doctrine of Darwin «the strongest survives» and the sexual competition rules even the most «civil» society; men bear arms, and women bear armies.\n\n\n\nThe Struggle for Woman (Der Kampf ums Weib), 1905. Oil on panel, 90×117 cm. Hermitage Museum, in Saint Petersburg\n\nImmodest depictions of «Sin» and «Sensuality» show the female form which is obviously tempting the spectator. «Sin» is one of the most powerful work of the painter which won to it glory and financial success. There are some versions of «Sin». The version of 1893 with some classical characteristics and in golden tone represents the dark-haired Eve invitingly inviting the spectator «to Bite the Apple», with pure passion without some rage.\n\nThe version of 1908, having many meanings, in greenish painful tone, shows conscious development of the painter everything farther from the academic art.\n\nThe snake draped around the shoulders of woman in «Sin» and rising from the woman’s loins in «Sensuality» is a phallic symbol and the direct offer to sexual communication. The snake which is among the desperate souls in «Inferno» with a spiteful grin looks directly at the viewer. Just as the woman for Stuсk becomes a figure representing civilization, the snake for him is chthonic, primary force, assuming a chaotic state; from it we arise, through art and Darwinian evolution which the painter was so fascinated. Franz von Stuck saw need have balance between ideal and instinctive, well understanding dark aspects of the last.\n\n\n\nThe Sin (Die Sünde), 1893. Oil on canvas, 94.5×59.5 cm. Neue Pinakothek, in Munich\n\n«Most of my paintings feature a ‘he’ and a ‘she’. I would like to glorify the strength of man and the soft pliancy of woman. Even in my religious paintings, I seek to highlight the human aspect, that which is universally understandable. In my mind, a savage would be able to see that it is a noble man here who is nailed to the cross between two barbarians.»\n\nMen in Stuсk’s works are not only the cat’s paw in hands of a woman or brute beasts. If the feminine form is the inspiration that is crying for change, the soul, the male form is the personification of active energy. In a portrait of «Samson» the divine athlete breaks off a jaw to a lion, and the spectator «hears» a crunch of bones. Both figure the painter paints equally motionless as rocky clump, representing the tangle of limbs with muscles in high relief. Stuсk interprets the biblical theme for Darwin.\n\nIn «The Fantastic hunting», two centaurs race across a long, horizontal canvas (one catches up with another, having wounded him fatally). The lateral composition suggests the speed and action. But also it reminds rock paintings, and modern spectator perceives it as cinema shots.\n\n\n\nThe Fantastic hunting (Phantastische Jagd), 1890. Oil on canvas, 74×184 cm. Museum Villa Stuck, Munich\n\nThe painter uses a long canvas in his art researches for different effects. In «Pieta», dead Christ (Stuсk represented himself) lies on a pedestal as in a crypt, but the composition offers inertia, the clenched arms and body showing strength even in death. The perpendicularity of Mary, who buried her face in her hands, reinforces balance between two gender visions divine, fastening their strength and their loss. Mary’s grief also shows in her aura, is so thin that it seems like it may burst at any time.\n\nIn «Golgotha», the mourners and crucified figures are dark, rough, merged with the darkened dead landscape. Thieves on both parties of Christ are visible not completely on forward and a background, but they hang over the earth while Christ’s feet are lowered on the earth and he almost falls before a look of the hidden witnesses.\n\nStuсk makes the divine available for understanding of the common people. He puts in this huge power or shows its weakness — and these are aspects of the people, but not something ultra-boundary. The civilization is still connected with the natural world in conscious balance of forces. When Stuсk shows this balance, it seems delicate and intense.\n\nHe also often shows opposing forces separately, in isolation from each other to enucleate their frightening strength and power. Dionysius (chthonic, wild, and instinctive) and Apollo (heavenly, ideal, and discreet) are two categories which Stuсk studied, allocated and united, constantly to them came back, including in the Villa. The Villa is created as the general work of art in which these forces have to be balanced as the temple devoted to human existence. The Villa is expression of individual skill of contradictory elements and forces within the boundaries of humanity. It includes the altars devoted to both dark and light aspects.\n\nThe theme of Stuсk’s works are based on religious plots and classical mythology, after the tradition opened by Arnold Böcklin, inspired by Freud’s theory, the concept of Darwin about an origin of the being, fight for existence in the nature and selection process. Large forms dominate in the majority of his paintings that shows his love to a sculpture. The character of «Sisyphus» has skin lighter than the surrounding landscape of the underworld, but the muscles of his body like boulders and rocks. Stuсk consistently does not change the meaning of the work of using paint; sometimes colors and forms coalesce in the darkness, and the shade is not the source that defines the boundary between the foreground and background of the composition, the flesh and stone.\n\nIn «Evening Star» the background completely absorbs kissing couple. A spiritual element — the star in the sky acting from a canvas — takes away a look from them. Humanity in work and tender passions is forever attached to a material world, is its emanation, but is touched by that call Divine.\n\n\n\nFranz von Stuck’s masterpiece is «Lucifer».\n\n\nThe fallen angel is off center, with widely opened, pale, furious eyes gets through the spectators, hypnotizing them. They are as the light source of hot, magmatic, burning inside, as the sparks of the soul, cast into hell. In his muscular nudity he appears strong and courageous, but his head leaning against his left hand opens mind focused in thought, and this gesture allows you to see the status of searing sadness. He who laid down broken wings, reminiscent of his fall, but chewing revenge is the greatest symbol of the return order. Once divine, now demonic, once loved, and now the enemy, he sees the essence of humanity through material aspects and understands how it can be used to undermine the divine order.\n\nSome painters, who understand the general idea, can turn it only in one masterpiece, but the true quality of a great painter is the ability to create whole worlds from a single idea. Franz von Stuck studied humanity, not only in heaven and hell, but here on Earth through biblical history, ancient myths and colorful traditions of Europe.\n\nUnfortunately, not always great ideas analyzed correctly. Any list that includes Wagner and Nietzsche’s names runs the risk of being listed as a fascist ideology. Franz von Stuck’s art caught sight once to Adolf Hitler shortly after the painter died. Of course, Hitler saw in it only what he wanted to see, distorting its meaning for the sake of own purposes. On a twist of fate von Stuck joined after World War I requirements imposed to allies to forgive Germany for the sake of the cultural and art heritage perverted by Nazis two decades later. But if art again and again tells something to new generations, it means eternal truths which embodied Franz von Stuck. It is difficult to look away from his works which always strike with a powerful force of nature of the person.\n\nTo read about the most important moments of artist's life on Facebook in our weekly publication.\n\nFollow us:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8385041952133179}
{"content": "Thyme Will Tell\n\n\n\n\nseed database\n\nmy books\n\nmy garden\n\n\n\nPeerless Peach\n\nBy Audrey Stallsmith\n\nPrunus persica\n\nThe ripest peach is highest on the tree --\nAnd so her love, beyond the reach of me\nIs dearest in my sight. . .\n\nWhy -- why do I not turn away in wrath\nAnd pluck some heart here hanging in my path? --\nThe ripest peach is highest on the tree!\n\n“The Ripest Peach” by James Whitcomb Riley\n\nYears ago, Mom planted a row of rareripe peaches beside her garden.  (They can be grown from seed, producing small fruits which mature early.)  Since peach trees don’t hold up well in Zone 5, she probably thought she’d need many trees to retain a few.  About 15 have survived, but they often don’t fruit here due to late frosts, which was the case this year--except for a few out-of-reach specimens like those mentioned by Riley above!\n\nSo I bought a bag of peaches at the grocery store recently, only to discover that--though unblemished on the outside--they had turned a dull brown shade inside.  As a result, their flavor was far inferior to those smaller peaches that (sometimes!) grow on Mom’s trees.\n\nA member of the rose family, Prunus persica actually originated in China.  There, it was much revered as a symbol of vitality and immortality and a defense against evil spirits, because its pink blossoms open before its leaves do. Peaches eventually spread to Persia and were known as “Persian apples” by the time that country’s conqueror, Alexander the Great, carried them to the rest of his realm.\n\nThey reached the New World by the 1500s, probably first planted in North America near St. Augustine, Florida.  Jefferson cultivated them at Monticello, and they mostly remained a  homegrown fruit until farmers made an effort to turn them into an agricultural crop in the late 1800s.  Fortunately, a seedling of a variety which had been known as 'Chinese Cling' produced a particularly handsome yellow freestone peach.  It was named 'Elberta' for the wife of Samuel Rumph, the man who made that cultivar a commercial success.\n\nThe esteem in which peaches were held during the Victorian era is proved by their meaning in the Language of Flowers:  “Your qualities, like your charms, are unequalled.”  Their common English name derives from the French peche.    \n\nTheir branches once were a favored wood for water witching.  According to Ozark Magic and Folklore by Vance Randolph, superstitions also hold that you should fertilize a peach tree with old leather shoes buried near its roots—and hammer nails into the trunk to force it to produce fruit or to prevent that fruit from falling too soon.  A wind in the south on Groundhog’s Day or Valentine’s Day reportedly is a bad omen for the crop, which might be just as well, since a heavy yield of peaches supposedly means less of more traditional farm crops or vice versa.   \n\nI take leave to doubt that, since all of our crops were down this year.  We blame that on the excessively wet weather for much of the season, but part of it could be due to the fact that Mom wasn’t here to tend the garden ones.  Still, as our pastor pointed out at her funeral, the many peach tree seedlings she gave away continue to bloom and bear fruit--a sign of the immortal life which now is hers.\n\n\nThe image of Prunus persica is by L. Batsch from Revue Horticole, courtesy of", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8664778470993042}
{"content": "The emergence of a global marketplace requires multinational teams in order for organizations to stay competitive and continue growth and expansion. Yet the current research of global virtual team dynamics and effectiveness does not provide a universal understanding.\n\nPast studies on the dynamics and effectiveness of global virtual teams has been inconsistent. Most proved that face to face groups were more effective than virtual groups, while other studies proved quite the contrary. Research on multinational teams was limited, but most consistently agreed that although multinational teams held the most potential for success, this fact was rarely realized.\n\nA study of three global virtual teams was conducted over twenty one months to collect data on the dynamics of virtual teams and to determine if they are effective. The areas of study included proper selection of technology mediums, realization of the potential that multinational teams and the use of social interaction to maintain relationship building and corporate culture.\n\nThe study revealed both the success and failure of companies that implemented global virtual teams. Effective teams selected the best technology mediums based on the level of an incident in the decision process. Email and fax were only used for brief communication, while video conferencing and face to face meetings were held for larger and more complex decisions. Unsuccessful companies often used email, fax or teleconferencing for in depth processes and rarely held in person team meetings.\n\nEffective teams also understood that the larger the difference in cultural background and wider distance between members, the more complex the technology medium needed to be and more detailed the messages. Ineffective teams often failed to communicate on a consistent basis and often neglected cultural differences.\n\nEffective global virtual teams established a rhythm of face to face meetings to salvage the social interaction of corporate cultures. The face to face meetings were used mostly for higher level decision processes, complex messages and relationship building. SellTech and MakeTech both conducted intense face to face meeting with intense agendas for complex business issues and decision making. Ineffective teams were inconsistent with the use of in person team meetings and the complex decision making was often communicated via improper technology mediums.\n\nIn conclusion, virtual global teams are effective when the uses of the technology mediums are properly selected and other successful management strategies are maintained. Multinational teams hold great potential to learn from and teach each other as long as the potential is realized. Also, a rhythm of face to face meetings allows a team to develop relationships and preserves the corporate culture.\n\nMaznevski. M. L. and Chudoba K. M., (2000). Bridging Space Over Time: Global Virtual Team Dynamics and Effectiveness. Organization Science, Volume 1 (Issue 5), pp. 473 – 492", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9984982013702393}
{"content": "Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability for Deep Vein Thrombosis?\n\nPatients who are living with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) know what a potentially dangerous condition it can be. A blood clot deep in the vein of a patient’s lower leg can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation in the leg, and it’s possible for the clot to break off and become lodged in the heart, brain, or lungs—putting a patient at increased risk of an embolism.\n\nHow to Qualify for Disability If You Have DVT\n\nDue to the particular risks of DVT, the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows patients who are unable to work due to DVT to collect disability benefits. Whether you qualify for disability benefits for a deep vein thrombosis will depend on:\n\n  • Your prognosis. Patients must prove that they have been diagnosed with DVT, and their condition is expected to continue for at least 12 months or last the rest of their lives. Many DVTs respond well to treatment and can be resolved in a few weeks, so patients will likely need to show other outstanding factors that make their condition difficult to treat or require constant intervention (chronic conditions).\n  • Your employment. People who have deep vein thrombosis may be advised not to work, as strenuous activity increases the risk of dislodging a blood clot. To qualify for disability payments, you must show that you are not able  to do your past work or any other work.  \n  • Your medical evidence. Most DVTs can be diagnosed using blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, or by tests that measure blood flow capacity through the legs. Your application should include evidence of your diagnosis and the details (and potential side effects) of your treatment—including blood thinners, hospitalization, immobilization, or surgery. Your doctor should provide a comprehensive overview of your restrictions, such as how long you can sit and how much you can carry, in order to help SSA determine your functional capacity.\n  • Your functional capacity. The SSA will use all of the evidence in your application and medical records to determine your ability to perform sustainable work—this is called your residual functional capacity (RFC). For example, your DVT may prevent you from walking long distances and restrict you from sitting for longer than an hour, or the blood thinners you take make you dizzy. When making a determination, the SSA is required to consider all of the restrictions on your working ability, including your age, job skills, and education.\n\nHow Can I Help Ensure My Disability Application Will Be Approved?\n\nYour application should include as much information about your disability as possible and contain any other related conditions that could also qualify you for disability. To find out how to build a strong disability case, download our free guide, The Five Deadly Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Social Security Disability Case and How to Avoid Them. Or call us (402) 933 5405.\n\n\nSean D. Cuddigan\nSSA and VA Disability Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6381050944328308}
{"content": "National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Coming Up!\n\nShare This\n\nFebruary is National Eating Disorders Awareness Month. Eating disorders effect 1 or 2 out of every 100 children and are becoming more common, but many children and adults are able to hide eating disorders from their families for months or even years because they wear loose fitting clothes and appear to eat a healthy diet. Several of the causes for this increase in eating disorders include constant pressure from sports, movies, television and magazines to be abnormally slender. Many sports such as wrestling and gymnastics dance and acting also make weight and body image a huge issue. If you don’t weigh what the coach or director wants, you don’t compete in the big meet or get the best part in the play. Magazines at the grocery checkout, where I get my up-to-date medical information, always have articles featuring the thinnest people.\n\nThe two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia and bulimia are very similar, but people with anorexia are usually very thin and underweight and people with bulimia may be a normal weight or even overweight. People with anorexia or bulimia frequently have an intense fear of being fat or think that they are fat even if their weight is normal. People with eating disorders also can have serious physical health problems, such as heart conditions or kidney failure and in severe cases suffer from severe malnutrition and may even die. The best-known example of a tragic outcome from an eating disorder is that of Karen Carpenter, the great singer, who died of heart problems after struggling for years with anorexia nervosa.\n\nPeople with anorexia have an extreme fear of weight gain and a distorted view of their body size and shape and try to maintain a very low body weight. Some restrict their food intake by dieting or exercising for hours. The small amount of food they do eat becomes an obsession. People with anorexia become very thin; weigh themselves at least once a day; count calories and portion the food they eat very carefully; only eat certain foods; withdraw from social activities; and may door poorly in school because they get lightheaded and are unable to concentrate because they are starving.\n\nCompared to people with anorexia who eat almost nothing, people with bulimia usually eat a huge amount of food, such as pizza, cakes, cookies or ice cream that almost dissolve in your mouth without chewing. They only stop eating when they are too full to eat any more or run out of food. Then they try to get rid of the calories they ate by vomiting, exercise for hours or use laxatives to not gain weight. People with bulimia also have health problems because constant vomiting can damage your stomach and kidneys; cause tooth decay from the stomach acids you throw up; and the loss of minerals such as potassium which can lead to heart problems and death.\n\nI treat children and adults who have eating disorders by helping them to establish new patterns of thinking about food and to deal with their disordered eating patterns. I help children to think about their body size, shape, eating, and food. I also use nutritional counseling, and individual and family therapy because parents and other family members are vital to help children see their normal body shape is fine and that being excessively thin can be dangerous.\n\nAs a mother, your own eating habits and how your deal with your own body image is a great influence on how your children think about food and how they look. Create a healthy lifestyle for your family by involving your kids shopping for and cooking healthy, nutritious meals. In addition to the nutritious meals, make exercise a fun, rewarding, and regular family activity.\n\n\nDr. Grubb is Board Certified in Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is a member of the Behavioral Health Team at the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, MD specializing in pediatric and family issues with weight. Dr. Grubb is a staff psychiatrist at the Columbia Counseling Center and can be reached by contacting the Center.\n\nMen and Women in the Military. Studies also show a higher-than-average risk for eating disorders in men and women in the military. A study of eating behavior on one Army base reported that 8% of the women had an eating disorder, compared to 1 – 3% in the civilian female population.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9524837732315063}
{"content": "Geographic Perspectives on Sustainability and Human-Environment Systems\n\nWorld Development Throughout History\n\n\nThere is one more point to consider about the GDP map shown earlier: It only shows one point in time. The map tells us something about development around the world today, but it doesn’t explain how we got here. Even the Rosling video, which shows an animation over time, doesn’t offer much in the way of explanation. This leaves out the important question: Why is it that some countries are more developed – or at least have more money – than others?\n\nUnderstanding the patterns of development we see today requires understanding the history of development around the world. Historical geography is the study of the historical dimensions of our world and is very important here. It turns out that certain aspects of the environment have played important roles in the history of development on Earth. This is a very old story, and it’s worth starting at the beginning: at the origin of agriculture. Agriculture is an important starting point for development because the increased food supplies enable larger populations and enable some people to devote their time to tasks other than producing food. This labor specialization is necessary for the diverse other human activities required for development.\n\nAgriculture originated independently in several regions around the world. In the map below, the green areas are regions where agriculture originated and the arrows show directions that agriculture spread from its areas of origin.\n\nThis image shows agriculture originating and spreading out from the following locations: 1) The fertile crescent of Mesopotamia 11,000 years before present; 2) central China 9,000 years before present; 3) New Guinea 9,000 to 6,000 years before present; 4) Northern Andes of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia 5,000 to 4,000 years before present; 5) Southern Mexico 5000-4000 years before present; 6) the current U.S. midwest 4,000 to 3,000 years before present; and 7) possibly an east-west strip across subsaharan Africa 5,000 to 4,000 years before present.\nFigure 5.5 Centers of Origin and Spread of Agriculture\nCredit: Work found at Wikimedia Commons / (CC BY-SA 3.0)\n\nBut all agriculture is not equal. Some agriculture is more productive than others. Likewise, some of these regions where agriculture originated are likely to develop more successfully than others. Key factors include the region’s growing conditions (including temperature, precipitation, latitude, and soils) and the types of plants and animals available for planting and domestication. Many regions had good growing conditions, but of all the regions in the world, one had especially rich plants and animals to use. That region is the Fertile Crescent, which is located in the Middle East as seen on the map above.\n\nConsider This: The Fertile Crescent’s “Geographic Luck”: Guns, Germs, and Steel\n\nGuns, Germs, and Steel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by geographer and physiologist Jared Diamond. In the book, Diamond seeks to answer a question posed to him by a man in Papua New Guinea: Why does Diamond have so much more “cargo” than the Papua New Guineans? “Cargo” here essentially means “stuff,” including advanced stuff like helicopters. Note that Papua New Guinea has had agriculture for a long time – it is the green space located just north of eastern Australia on the map above. Why didn’t Papua New Guinea’s agriculture lead to advanced civilization as it did elsewhere? The explanation that Diamond comes up with is that Papua New Guinea had less “geographic luck:” It had less in the way of resources conducive to successful agriculture, in particular, plants and animals. In contrast, the Fertile Crescent had better resources.\n\nIn order to learn more about Diamond’s ideas, please watch part of the National Geographic video made based on Guns, Germs, and Steel. Please begin at Episode 5, at time 4:30. Then watch Episode 6 from the beginning through time 8:25. As you watch the videos, consider this: What are the major parts of Diamond’s arguments? What are critiques that others have made? How does Diamond respond? Is his response successful?\n\nEnvironmental Determinism\n\nThe idea that the outcomes of civilization were determined entirely by environmental factors is known as environmental determinism. Environmental factors like plants and animals for agriculture can help explain some major patterns in development, such as why advanced civilization developed in Eurasia but not in Papua New Guinea. However, it cannot explain everything. For example, it cannot explain the major differences in development found today between adjacent countries such as the Dominican Republic (richer) and Haiti (poorer) or South Korea (richer) and North Korea (poorer). The distinction between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is even visible from space\n\nGreen Forested Domincan Republic and Brown Deforested Haiti as viewed from space.\nFigure 5.6 Satellite image of Haiti (left) and the Dominican Republic (right)\nCredit: NASA\n\nIn this image, Haiti is on the left and the Dominican Republic is on the right. This part of Haiti is almost completely deforested, as is much of the rest of the country, but the deforestation ends abruptly at the political border. From our systems perspective, this is clearly humanity impacting the environment, not the environment impacting humanity. What is important to understand is that the patterns of development that we see have both environmental and social causes. The environment can explain some of why advanced civilization emerged on Eurasia instead of elsewhere, but only social factors can explain why, for example, the Dominican Republic is richer than Haiti or South Korea is richer than North Korea. In other words, environmental resources can contribute to development trajectories, just like many other geographic factors such as culture, climate, topography, proximity to major waterways, etc. But no single one of those components is ever the determining factor.\n\nEnvironmental determinism came to prominence in the early twentieth century but its popularity declined over time. This is partly due to its shortcomings, and also a recognition that it was often used as a justification for colonial conquest and slavery. In contrast to the unidirectional conceptualization of human-environment relationships, environmental possibilism arose as a mild notion where the environmental constraints are still recognized but the freedom and capability of humans to change and structure the environment are highlighted. Environmental determinism and possibilism represented geographers’ first attempts at generalizing what accounts for the pattern of human occupation of the Earth’s surface in modern times.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6544437408447266}
{"content": "Comprehensive Assessment Services\n\nJulie Kovac Ray, Ph.D.  \n\nPsychological-Educational-Neuropsychological - ADHD - Admissions  Evaluations\n\nParent Coaching and Training\n\n\nDr. Julie Kovac Ray received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University in 1997 and conducts a wide range of assessments for children, adolescents and adults.  These assessments are designed to clarify an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in different areas which may include cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning. Neuropsychological assessment helps to identify inefficiencies in brain functioning, which may contribute to learning and social/emotional difficulties.  Parent training involves teaching parents and caregivers how to increase desirable child behavior, reduce children's misbehavior, improve parent-child interactions, and bring about a positive family atmosphere.\n\n\nDr. Ray is committed to providing quality services where each individual has a comfortable, positive experience and deliver evaluation results in a timely manner.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8510396480560303}
{"content": "A2iA DocumentReader: Advanced OCR, ICR and IWR Technology\n\n\nA2iA DocumentReader is a powerful document classification and key-field extraction toolkit that drives successful workflow automation for even the most complex of documents. Backed by more than 25 years of research and development, A2iA’s key differentiator is its ability to provide tangible results by automatically classifying all types of data, including complex and cursive handwriting, and locating key fields for recognition.\n\nComplex documents are known to be problematic for businesses trying to automate their workflow. Typically relying on human paper-handling to evaluate, decipher and classify the information, this slows productivity and increases costs and processing times.\n\nA2iA DocumentReader eliminates these operational headaches by automating the unnecessary manual tasks, translating into improved access to information, data accuracy and company profitability.\n\nIt’s that simple.\n\nDownload the datasheet to learn more.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8545619249343872}
{"content": "In South Dakota, parts of Iowa, and in many other parts of the humid States, artesian wells lifting water to the surface in great volume are quite common. They are utilized for irrigation of fruits and crops, but the gain is not as great as is usually suspected. It is not often that the position of the well is favorable for irrigating as large an area as the volume of water would indicate. If water is raised a few feet to a reservoir on the highest ground in the near vicinity it can be utilized at time of greatest need over a large area by troughs or pipes. But it seldom happens that an artesian well can be made to run the water into large reservoirs high enough to be used over as much surface as the water will cover in a humid State. But in the relatively few localities where artesian wells can be obtained at the highest points they will prove very valuable if the surplus water can be stored in late winter and spring for use in the dry season.\n\nIn relatively flat countries with some undulation artesian water is distributed to good advantage when the pressure of water will lift it to a height of fifteen feet or more. In the Libyan desert of north Africa are now found hundreds of such wells furnishing water for immense plantations of date-palms and other tropical fruits. But where water comes within twenty feet of the surface and the supply is plentiful, the modern gasoline pumps raise and carry the water to elevated reservoirs at a cost so moderate that it is trifling when compared with the usual cost of water in the arid districts. Indeed, the reservoir system has been the main one used in ancient and modern times. In the arid regions the water of the wet season is stored in immense ponds or lakes for use in the dry period, usually in mountains, or by damming mountain streams. In the dry season this stored water is used on large tracts during a long period. In the humid States the dry period is short. Hence our friends from the arid States need not make sport of the smaller ponds filled by pumping from stream-beds or wells.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5264135599136353}
{"content": "Distance from Powhatan, AR to Driver, AR\n\nDriving distance between Powhatan, AR and Driver, AR is miles (or kilometers). If you drove an average car (using about 3.6 gallons of gas per mile), the gas would cost you around $, since you would need about gallons of fuel.\n\nLeaving from Powhatan, AR you would reach Driver, AR in about if you keep an average speed of miles per hour, assuming you don’t make any breaks or get stuck in traffic.\n\nDriving distance in miles\n\n\nCO2 emissions icon\n\nCO2 emissions: kg\n\nEmission estimated with the eco2 norme\n(185 CO2 grams/mile)\n\nThis is a map overview of the best driving route from Powhatan, AR to Driver, AR in which you can see the origin and destination points marked with A (Powhatan) and B (Driver) respectively as well as blue line along the road route you can take. You can zoom in to see more details, including road numbers and even street names both in Powhatan, AR and Driver, AR as well as every other town you may pass by on your way.\n\nFuel consumption if you drive from Powhatan, AR to Driver, AR\n\n\nCost of driving from Powhatan, AR to Driver, AR\n\nDepending on the fuel efficiency level of your car, driving from Powhatan to Driver will cost you between and . An average car would make the trip for . We calculate the route cost using real time average gas prices for the US and other costs such as tolls are not included in this calculation.\n\nDriving directions\n\nTo help you plan your trip from Powhatan to Driver, we offer a detailed map together with full, turn by turn, driving directions from Powhatan, AR to Driver, AR.\n\nFlying or direct distance between Powhatan, AR and Driver, AR\n\nThe flying distance represent the straight distance from Powhatan to Driver, the length of an hypothetical flight trip between the geographic center of Powhatan, AR and the geographic center of Driver, AR. We also offer nearby airports to both Powhatan to Driver and a flight ticket price comparison form, in case you want to make that hypothetical flight real :).\n\nRecently Checked Distances\n\nDistance from Pueblo, CO Augusta, GA Distance from Etna, NH Fredericksburg, VA Distance from Prairie City, OR Falls Mills, VA Distance from Riverton, WV Belle Plaine, MN Distance from Minerva, NY Liberty, TX Distance from Delphos, KS Liberty Corner, NJ Distance from Sugar Grove, WV New York, NY Distance from Glencoe, IL Bliss, ID", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8900855183601379}
{"content": "Distance from Reyno, AR to Proctor, AR\n\nDriving distance between Reyno, AR and Proctor, AR is miles (or kilometers). If you drove an average car (using about 3.6 gallons of gas per mile), the gas would cost you around $, since you would need about gallons of fuel.\n\nLeaving from Reyno, AR you would reach Proctor, AR in about if you keep an average speed of miles per hour, assuming you don’t make any breaks or get stuck in traffic.\n\nDriving distance in miles\n\n\nCO2 emissions icon\n\nCO2 emissions: kg\n\nEmission estimated with the eco2 norme\n(185 CO2 grams/mile)\n\nThis is a map overview of the best driving route from Reyno, AR to Proctor, AR in which you can see the origin and destination points marked with A (Reyno) and B (Proctor) respectively as well as blue line along the road route you can take. You can zoom in to see more details, including road numbers and even street names both in Reyno, AR and Proctor, AR as well as every other town you may pass by on your way.\n\nFuel consumption if you drive from Reyno, AR to Proctor, AR\n\n\nCost of driving from Reyno, AR to Proctor, AR\n\nDepending on the fuel efficiency level of your car, driving from Reyno to Proctor will cost you between and . An average car would make the trip for . We calculate the route cost using real time average gas prices for the US and other costs such as tolls are not included in this calculation.\n\nDriving directions\n\nTo help you plan your trip from Reyno to Proctor, we offer a detailed map together with full, turn by turn, driving directions from Reyno, AR to Proctor, AR.\n\nFlying or direct distance between Reyno, AR and Proctor, AR\n\nThe flying distance represent the straight distance from Reyno to Proctor, the length of an hypothetical flight trip between the geographic center of Reyno, AR and the geographic center of Proctor, AR. We also offer nearby airports to both Reyno to Proctor and a flight ticket price comparison form, in case you want to make that hypothetical flight real :).\n\nRecently Checked Distances\n\nDistance from Santa Paula, CA Wray, GA Distance from Uvalde, TX Dalton, NY Distance from Lusby, MD Lesterville, SD Distance from Trussville, AL Winthrop, MA Distance from Brookfield, MA Hyder, AK Distance from Salem, OR Silverthorne, CO Distance from Rose Hill, NC Fredonia, AZ Distance from Beldenville, WI Walworth, NY", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.969593346118927}
{"content": "Rev. Shirley Ranck\n\nThe Grandmother Galaxy\n\nHome / Session 4 – The Multi-Cultural Imperative\n\nSession 4 – The Multi-Cultural Imperative\n\nChalice Lighting:  Light the chalice and say: Centuries ago the Hebrew prophet Amos posed a question that still haunts us today. He asked, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”\n\nReflections:  Allow up to five minutes for questions or comments that have come up since the previous session.\n\nIntroduction:  Read or put into your own words the following:  The multi-cultural imperative calls us to set aside other unexamined assumptions—that light is better than dark, that bull-dozing the sacred lands of indigenous people does not interfere with their freedom to practice their religion, that it is superstition to believe that the ancestors have become part of the earth, the water and the trees.  What are we assuming here?  That our culture, our religion, our values are the highest, the best that human beings have created.  Our language in its use of light and dark is just one indication of the assumptions carved into our imaginations.\n\nMany of the indigenous spiritual traditions around the world, although patriarchal in many ways, have retained strong elements of honoring woman and honoring the earth.  In the past we have called those traditions primitive but now we find that they have important truths to teach us.  One truth found in many traditions is respect for the old women, the grandmothers of the community.  They are often considered to have special wisdom and are granted the power to make important decisions and judgments for the whole community.  We can no longer afford to romanticize or demonize other cultures.  Our task is to get to know each other as human beings searching in our own peculiar ways for the same creature comforts, fulfillment and satisfaction.\n\nRepeat the question: Can two walk together except they be agreed?\n\nJournaling:  Have the following questions on newsprint:\n\n  1. Are there diverse cultures in your community? Which ones?\n  2. How well do you know them?\n  3. What might the old women have to teach us?\n\nAllow ten minutes for writing.  Put responses on newsprint and discuss.\n\n\nInformation:  Read or put into your own words the following:  In the early 19th century Ralph Waldo Emerson and the young Theodore Parker insisted that Christianity was true only to the extent that it was an authentic expression of a universal religious impulse that all religious people share.  Universal, going beyond the boundaries of Christianity.\n\nOne hundred years later Sophia Fahs made important contributions to our awareness of other traditions.  Her multi-cultural perspective prepared the way for our Unitarian Universalist acceptance and celebration of diversity.  Her book Beginnings of Earth and Sky, a collection of creation stories from around the world, was published in 1938.  It includes the biblical story as one among many.  Her book From Long Ago and Many Lands was first published in 1948.  In the introduction she writes that an important principle in selecting the stories for this collection “has been to choose stories from a wide variety of different cultures, races and religions so that early in life children may begin to feel some of the human universals that bind us together in a common world kinship.  Our finest moral and spiritual ideals have been shared by many peoples.”\n\nIn the 20th century we were challenged when large numbers of humanists joined our churches, non-theists, people who did not believe in a supernatural deity, but did believe in our human potential for goodness and ethical living.  The civil rights movement called upon us to acknowledge the racism deeply ingrained in many of our old assumptions.  The women’s movement urged us to root out the sexism in our theologies, our language and our organizational structures.  Gay and lesbian and transgendered people, rejected by so many other traditions, came into our churches hoping we really meant the acceptance we proclaimed.  We have continued to affirm that yes, we can walk together and respect not only a variety of views but a variety of persons.\n\nThe curriculum Rise Up and Call Her Name attempts to take us on a journey into the indigenous religions of many lands and peoples, but that effort is a very risky enterprise.  We Unitarian Universalists are after all predominantly white middle class Americans.  How dare we claim these native religions as our own?  As one Native American woman said, “I feel as if you are invading my religion just as you invaded my land.”\n\nJournaling: Have the following questions on newsprint:\n\n  1. Have you explored other traditions on your spiritual journey? Which ones?\n  2. What did you learn?\n  3. How did you feel?\n\n\nExtinguishing the Chalice:  Extinguish the chalice and read the following quote by Luisah Teish:\n\n“I will not wear your narrow racial jackets as the blood of many nations runs sweetly thru my veins.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9851630926132202}
{"content": "October 11, 2015\n\n\nHow to slow cook duck legs\n\nCooking duck legs is deceptively easy and yet it's so intimidating for many because it's considered \"fancy food\". We love eating gourmet food but as a family of five always on the go, we need a quick recipe (at least with very little prep time). Using the slow cooker is the best way to cook duck legs especially if you're a beginner chef. This easy weeknight dinner recipe allows me to put all the ingredients in the Crockpot and then forget about it till we come home for dinner. Here's a basic recipe on how to slow cook duck legs but I've added an Asian flair to it by using soy sauce and a few Asian spices. Just know that you need about 1/2 cup of liquid in the slow cooker so if you're not up for soy sauce, substitute it with a simple broth and add your own vegetables in the last 30 minutes. It goes to show that you don't need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to eat well. Once you've figured out your slow cooking, you'll be Crockin' it!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999718427658081}
{"content": "Route Planner\nRegister     Forgot Password ?\nMadhya Pradesh\n\nMadhya Pradesh is a state in North-central India. The capital city of the state is Bhopal, and the largest city is Indore. Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in India with a population of over 75 million. Madhya Pradesh literally means Central Province and due to its geographical location it is often referred to as the Heart of India.\n\nThe region was ruled by the major dynasties of India, including the Mauryans, Gupta Empire, Harshavardhana, Rajputs, Paramaras, Chandelas, Bundelas, Tomaras, Mughals and Marathas. The region is dotted with innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces. The state is rich with cultural heritage of Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Buddhism. There are three UNESCO World Heritage sites in the region: Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka.\n\nMajor tourist sites in Madhya Pradesh include: Khajuraho Erotic Temples, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Gwalior, Orchha, Sanchi Stupas, Maheshwar, Mandu, Ujjain, Omkareshwar.\n\nSpectacular mountain ranges, rivers, hills, lakes, dense forests – Madhya Pradesh has it all. Madhya Pradesh is home to 11 National Parks and a number of nature preserves including: Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Satpura National Park, Sanjay National Park, Madhav National Park, etc.\n\nMadhya Pradeshstate is also known for a number of festivals and fairs. Major festivals and fairs in the state include: Khajuraho Festival of Dance – a week-long event with Indian classical dancers performing amid floodlit temples, Shivaratri Mela with up to 100,000 Shaivite pilgrims, sadhus (spiritual men) and Adivasis (tribal people) attending celebrations at Mahadeo Temple, Magh Mela - a huge annual religious fair held on the banks of the Shipra River at Ujjain, Ahilyabai Holkar’s Birthday - the Holkar queen’s birthday celebrated with palanquin processions through the Maheshwar town, Navratri – a festival of Nine Nights, Tansen Music Festival – a four-day music festival attracting classical musicians and singers from all over India.\n\nThe cuisine in Madhya Pradesh varies regionally. Dal bafla is a common meal, consisting of a steamed and grilled wheat cake dunked in rich ghee which is eaten with daal (lentil, pea or various types of bean) and ladoos (ball-shaped sweets made of flour, minced dough and sugar).\n\nMadhya Pradesh is home to a large tribal population and number of ethnic groups. Majority of people follow Hinduism (91%). The official language of the state is Hindi. The other widely spoken language in the region is Marathi.\n\nMadhya Pradesh has a subtropical climate with hot dry summers (April–June), followed by monsoon rains (July–September) and a cool and relatively dry winter.\n\nMost Popular Destinations", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9902674555778503}
{"content": "Songwriter - guitarist\n\nPre-Chorus and Bridge: The Similarities and the Differences\n\nThe most recognizable section of practically any song will be the chorus. That’s because it’s likely to contain the “hookiest” part – the melodic/rhythmic idea that everyone will recognize. The verse melody is also going to be recognizable for the fact that it starts the song — it’s the first thing people hear. Get “The Essential […]\n\nMomentum and Musical Energy: What the Pre-Chorus Does For a Song\n\nThere’s a quick answer to why you’d ever use a pre-chorus in your song: by the time you get to the end of the verse, it feels too soon for the chorus. A pre-chorus is that little optional section that sits in between the verse and chorus. Choruses tend to be more energetic than verses, and […]\n\nPiano - Songwriter\n\nCan Songs Be Too Short?\n\n\nSinger - Band Rehearsal\n\nHere’s Why Your Song’s Pre-Chorus Isn’t Working\n\nIt’s easy to understand why a song uses verses and choruses. The chorus tells the listener the essence of the song. The verse explains the situation behind the emotions of the chorus. That part is usually pretty cut-&-dried. But there are other miscellaneous sections your songs might use. And a commonly-used section (also a commonly-misunderstood […]\n\nHow Design Saves a Song and Pulls the Audience In\n\nWhen you talk about the form or design of a song, most people understand that you’re likely talking about the overall structure of a song — the verse-chorus-other aspect. Non-musicians likely know that most songs will move from the intro to the verse to the chorus, and then they might know to expect to hear a pre-chorus or […]\n\n6 Songwriting Tips for Energizing a Chorus\n\nYour song’s chorus is often going to be the most energetic part of your song, with the possible exception of a bridge that might really take things to new levels. But even in songs where the bridge is energetic, you’ll find that the return to the chorus afterward is all the more dynamic and lively. In […]", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8296001553535461}
{"content": "About Berkeley\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHadley Baldwin, Partner\n\nHadley Baldwin\n\nView Hadley now\n\nThe people\n\n\nBridging the gap from Strategy to Delivery\n\nBridging the gap from Strategy to Delivery\n\nDefining the right strategy is a critical part of any business and a significant achievement. The subsequent challenge of moving into delivery has never been easy, yet business leaders are under increasing pressure to define their strategies more quickly and to deliver them more cheaply – which often increases risk and makes this transition even harder.\n\nThe risk can be mitigated by taking practical steps to progressively evolve and refine the strategy, whilst ensuring that the business is ‘operationally ready’ to drive delivery. Reflecting on our experience, we have identified some key considerations to build confidence in execution.\n\n1. Trial the strategic concept\n\nTesting that your strategy will work in the real world before you move into full delivery is a sound investment allowing you to tweak, finesse or even have a wholesale rethink of those elements which don’t meet your strategic aspirations.\n\nIf your strategy is dependent on technology that is new to your organisation, prototyping the solution can help to prove the technical concept and highlight any capability gaps within your operating model. Set clear objectives for what you are trying to prove – and make sure senior stakeholders understand them.\n\nBeyond proving a technical concept, consider testing the strategy in the market through a live pilot. But be clear on what a pilot can realistically achieve: if it is not possible to test a strategy well without substantial new capabilities being in place, then a pilot may not be the best approach.\n\n2. Establish the right governance\n\nGetting the right people around the table frequently to kick start a strategic initiative will certainly provide early direction and lean decision making. As the initiative gathers pace and branches out to other operational areas, it’s important to evolve the governance group to build buy-in and maintain alignment across the broader organisation.\n\n3. Validate the Commercial & Legal Feasibility\n\nWhen trialling, using key performance indicators such as transaction volumes, revenue uplift or customer feedback can provide early insights to the potential commercial impact of your strategy allowing you to flex it accordingly.\n\nIf relevant, validate that the legal feasibility of the strategy. This might include testing market regulations, employment law, competition law and so on. Identify potential risks and confirm pragmatic and actionable mitigations.\n\n4. Identify the Operating Model Impacts\n\nIt is important to make sure that the business can operate the strategy on an ongoing basis once the programme to implement it has been delivered.\n\nTesting the strategy will help  assess what new capabilities will be needed, but understanding who is going to establish them is paramount to operational success. For example, when speed is of the essence, acquiring capability externally can help to prove the strategy, but developing a long-term roadmap for if and how that capability will be built into the organisation, is a crucial element of ensuring the operational success of the strategy.\n\n5. Involve delivery teams early on\n\nThose who will be responsible for delivering the strategy should be part of the team working out how to put it into operation.\n\nThis will test feasibility before the strategy radiates out further and will help shape a realistic implementation approach, build an understanding of the business requirements and drive engagement from the delivery team.\n\n6. Maintain the business case\n\nAs the strategy evolves through trialling, so should the underpinning business case. As more is understood about what will be needed to achieve the strategic outcomes; expected costs and benefits should be modelled to make sure the case for change is still compelling, generating confidence when transitioning into delivery.\n\nThese ‘strategic testing’ considerations require investment and rigour, but if overlooked can have a real impact on the cost and success of the subsequent delivering the strategy.\n\nDownload article     Download full PDF\nClose cookie warning", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7019824385643005}
{"content": "Create Funeral Program\n\nCreate Funeral Program, Funeral programs and stationery should be reflective of the deceased’s life. Death care professionals should recognize that client families no longer will accept limited, generic and pre-printed options.\n\nFuneral programs and personalized funeral stationery are a wonderful addition to any funeral or memorial service. Providing client families with the option to choose from hundreds of themes can set not only the funeral program apart, but your funeral home as well.\n\nCreate Funeral Program\nCreate Funeral Program\n\n\nstarttoday Funeral Program 8.5 x 11 (Letter Size)\n\nClient families are looking to create funeral programs, keepsakes and other funeral stationery that visually speaks to them about their loved ones life.\n\n\n\nHaving generic stationery and funeral programs in this day and age is unacceptable. Pre-printed funeral stationery definitely cannot offer the options and reflect the individuals unique qualities.\n\n\n\nTaking blank stock, a laser printer and some easy to use print-on demand software, death care professionals are able to create a funeral program that reflects the interests, hobbies, occupation or religious affiliation of the deceased.\n\n\nPlus, when other funeral stationery such as funeral register books, memorial folders, prayer cards, book marks, dvd packaging and funeral candles are created using this same software, the overall finished presentation of keepsake items is remarkable.\n\n\nstarttoday Funeral Program 8.5 x 11 (Letter Size)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9927670955657959}
{"content": "They visited the flowers first. The red tubular flowers planted specifically to attract them. But the tiny birds appeared rarely and randomly. My desire to see hummingbirds in the garden on a regular basis led to the addition of hummingbird feeders under the dogwood tree and on the porch window. It took about a week for them to find the feeders. For the rest of the summer and into the fall we had hummingbirds in the garden all day long.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.997397243976593}
{"content": "Woman's Record of Time Spent\n\nHere's one of the books I made last week, Woman's Record of Time Spent. It's made from the cover of an old foreman's log books, which I used the pages of for something else. I did the sort of making last week that was less thinking and planning and more about arranging and intuition. There's something about the photograph of the three women that made me think about my grandmother, my mother and me, our similar experiences as women and our vastly different experiences as women of different generations. How in another time I would be an anomaly for being 30 and unmarried and not wanting children, and how my mother's generation made it possible for me to have the choices I have had. It's a lot of stuff for such a small book.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9706054329872131}
{"content": "Arthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay - essays on citizenship\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\narthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay\n\narthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essayArthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay -But, in actuality, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is also the author of adventure stories, which are probably less known to the mass audience, but still reveal writing skills and talent of the author.It is clear from Holmes’s summing up at the end of the tale that the rational detective was at no point impressed by claims of supernatural forces stalking the Baskerville family.The disappearance and surprising reappearance of Holmes is a stock-in-trade used before by Doyle to mask the solution to a riddle and, ostensibly, by Holmes in order to lull a villain into a false sense of security.Thus, is a compilation of the narrative and plot techniques that made the Holmes stories so popular.Many of his works became basis for the creation of movies.Though they relied on and even fostered what might be called a space for only men, they almost certainly had no time for homosexuals.The Stapletons’ actions are puzzling only if one does not know that Sir Charles’s brother had a son—Stapleton.Het is echter in een enkel geval mogelijk dat door omstandigheden de bezorging vertraagd is.Deze Loeb-editie, door Frank Berserik nogal letterlijk vertaald, lijkt wat te veel van het goede.Holmes’s appearance in the story with his lucid, analytical approach would prematurely debunk the legend and dissipate the gothic atmosphere.Doyle uses it on multiple occasions in service of his plotline and in dialogue with other themes.These characteristics of his writing style may be traced in practically all his works, including “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and “The Lost World”.Holmes is free of the confusing influences of the other characters and is therefore able to see more clearly into the heart of the mystery.He is, in fact, the only person who is determined enough to mark a safe passage through the treacherous bog that has swallowed up so many creatures.See full summary » During WWII several murders occur at a convalescent home where Dr. He summons Holmes for help and the master detective proceeds to solve the crime from ...Superstition is linked to weakness (as with the infirm Sir Charles), but most prominently with lower class status.Speaking about “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and “The Lost World”, it is important to underline that these works represent two different genres.The supernatural plays a major role in The Hound of the Baskervilles.In all probability, the author understood that Holmes book could overshadow the rest of his literary works and, this is why he attempted to create a totally new character.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is one of the most prominent writers of the late 19th – early 20th century, whose literary works are still popular.arthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essayIn this respect, it is possible to speak about the influence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle not only on literature but also on other forms of art.This split is not occasional because, in actuality, it is possible to speak that by the early 1900s, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had attempted to shift from writing Holmes books to some new books, which could be interesting for the audience and bear a significant artistic value.De whodunit-kant ervan is niet de sterkste zijde, maar de sfeer van de mistige moerasvlakten in Devonshire, waar Sir Charles Baskerville op onverklaarbare wijze de dood vindt, is onovertroffen.Doyle’s fascination with the subject persuaded his friend to take Doyle on a small walking tour of the area.Holmes’s absence also accentuates his mental acuity, since he is not present to be misled by false evidence.It probably makes the most sense to take the middle road, to situate classisms and racisms in their appropriate cultural context, while at the same time insisting on their inappropriateness in our modern world.How do images of modernity interact with mystical legends of the past?One critic notes that the references to “light” and “darkness” in this tale represent, as in previous stories, Holmes as the light of reason opposed to the darkness of both evil and ignorance.Despite his own disinclination to continue the Holmes stories after he had established himself as the author of such novels as (1891), Doyle nevertheless began again.However, when he and Watson witness the agonizing end of a small moor pony as it sinks into the ooze, Stapleton is notable for his cold-blooded lack of concern, thus demonstrating that, despite his determination, he lacks compassion for living beings.The story draws the reader in, not only to the world of the misty moor and strange goings-on, but also to the works of Conan Doyle.It would also make withholding the solution much more difficult, for it is his appearance that brings the answer to some of the most vexing questions in the mystery.By contrast, if Sherlock Holmes were telling the story, we would have little opportunity to solve the mystery ourselves: witness, for example, Holmes' various and sundry revelations of the truth, which preclude our participation by effectively beating us to the punch.Still not committed to the idea of reviving Holmes, Doyle used the simple expedient of setting the tale in the time before Holmes’s apparent death at the Reichenbach Falls. The barren and forbidding moor of Devon, the Grimpen Mire, the spectral hound, dark and old Baskerville Hall, all create an atmosphere that is both more exotic and more gothic than any possible venue in London.In this novel he displays his own interest in the , alongside Sherlock Holmes’s talent for keen scientific detection, in a story that is full of atmosphere, suspense, and unexpected turns.His literacy career began at the age of twenty, inventing Sherlock Holmes at the age of twenty-six.Why does Holmes get involved in this case in the first place?He is very much a part of the gothic horror of the story.Er zijn al verschillende Nederlandse edities van op de markt.His admiration for Poe’s plots was nearly matched by the impression made upon him by the American author’s ability to create gloomy ambience. arthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay As a writer of detective stories, he made no secret of his admiration for Edgar Allan Poe and Poe’s creation, the French detective Dupin.Some, believing implicitly in Holmes’s existence, were convinced either that Watson had made an error or that the stupid intermediary, Doyle, had garbled the information.The Barrymores’ actions are not pertinent to the solution of the problem.The villain is described by Holmes quite early in the story as being “worthy of our steel.” Stapleton, alias Baskerville, is an unusual entomologist who thinks nothing of dashing into the dreaded Grimpen Mire in pursuit of a butterfly for his extensive collection.Pocketuitgave, volle bladspiegel.(Biblion recensie, Redactie...) Levertijd We doen er alles aan om dit artikel op tijd te bezorgen.Only a slow-witted lackey like Watson is fit for the job.Even if Holmes' character can give us a chance now and then by keeping his conclusions to himself, he is still too quick a thinker to take on the onerous task of relating all the facts in detail.In the first place, Watson is not as intuitive as Sherlock Holmes.With his degree, he practised medicine at South Sea in the 1880s as well as other different locations.It is worth mentioning the fact that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was traditionally known as the author of detective stories about Sherlock Holmes, who became probably the most famous detective in the world.Through Watson’s observing but undiscerning eye and ear, the reader senses the implied threat of the moor and is witness to the animal-like visage of Selden, the mysterious actions of the Barrymores, the contradictory and alarming behavior of the Stapletons, the horrifying sounds of the unseen hound, and even the sinister presence of the mysterious stranger who is actually Holmes.Welke opties voor jouw bestelling beschikbaar zijn, zie je bij het afronden van de bestelling.It is the descriptions of the moor and the oppressive Baskerville Hall that provide much of the chilling atmosphere that pervades the novel.Until Holmes unravels the mystery and kills the great hound, it is as if Stapleton is in league with the great bog and the moor.In other words, “The Lost World” may be viewed as a product of Doyle’s experiments in his efforts to find some new characters and heroes that could replace his Holmes who had already become extremely popular.At the same time, many of his works possessed a great artistic value and were positively accepted by the mass audience.Further, it is a novel-length tale that is as cohesive as any short story, with all the action concentrated in one locale.When Holmes' character does appear, he serves more as a catalyst for the action in the story, bringing things to a quick and exciting climax.Its combination of mystery and gothic techniques as well as its length makes it a standard by which Doyle’s and other writers’ efforts are measured.Thematically, the supernatural ties together questions of class, which run throughout the novel. arthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay He studied at Stony Hurst as a member of the Society of Jesus which was a religious order founded in the early sixteenth century.On the one hand, there is a classical detective story, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, while on the other hand, there is an adventure story “The Lost World”.At the same time, it is worth mentioning the fact that the novels were written within a decade, namely, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” was published in 1902, while “The Lost World” was published a decade later, in 1912.Even the fog rolls in at precisely the wrong moment and forces Watson, Holmes, and Lestrade to retreat during their ambush.Two arguments can be made: one, that the prejudices of the past cannot be judged by the standards of our current cultural moment and two, that Holmes and Doyle were racist and sexist.Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859.In this way, became a Holmes story, some would say the best known of all the Holmes stories.Both Holmes and Doyle come from a very specific and presumably similar cultural milieu in which gave privileges to the educated white male and denigrated virtually every other kind of human experience.The expenses of his home and family after success had been achieved continued to increase beyond even his expanded earning power, and the public refused to believe that Holmes was dead.In this sense, he allows the reader to join him as he attempts to live up to the master's standards.The second reason Doyle uses Watson as a narrator is that it allows for the pace he is looking for.He graduated in medicine from Edinburgh in 1881, winning his doctorate in 1885.In this case, the plot came to him before he began to consider the character he would use to unify it.Traditionally, his works were oriented on the mass audience, but it should be said that his works were interesting not only for ordinary readers but also for literary critics.The series of tales in , a novel-length story that Doyle wrote after an acquaintance told him a similar tale one day on Dartmoor, when damp and dismal weather made playing golf impossible.Doyle’s descriptive powers are given full reign by the stratagem of absenting Holmes from the body of the story, leaving the narration to the letters and diary of the far more credulous and impressionable Watson.In this sense, it is interesting that Doyle regularly refers to the superstitious commoners but only rarely lets us meet them first hand.At the same time, however, he evinces a strong faith, at least in Holmes, of a logical, rational explanation for even the most mysterious occurrences.However, in spite of the considerable difference between his detective and adventure books, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle preserved his original style and he always paid a lot of attention to details, even if they seemed to be insignificant at first glance.From moving to London, he transferred the characters Sherlock and his partner Carr told him the stories about ghost hounds and headless riders which encouraged Doyle to write the novel at hand. arthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay The disappearance and surprising reappearance of Holmes is a stock-in-trade used before by Doyle to mask the solution to a riddle and, ostensibly, by Holmes in order to lull a villain into a false sense of security. arthur conan doyle hound baskervilles essay\n\nStatus: FreeWare\nOS: Windows|Mac OS\nAutors 400\nUpdate: 26-Nov-2017 18:05\nCat: Home »", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7458574771881104}
{"content": "As you study scripture, it is really good to have some understanding of the way of life of the people in Israel when the Bible was being written. In our trek through the 23rd Psalm, verse 5 contains words that are so picturesque and they relate a story that that is such deep meaning.\n\nIn Biblical days, when a stranger came into a town in Israel, some family would invite the stranger to stay in their home for the night. They would prepare a meal for them and they would take care of them for the evening. This was done because there were people at night that would be considered their enemy and would take advantage of them in many ways if the person was found out in the dark, alone.\n\nWhen the stranger entered the home of the host, the host would see that the feet of the stranger were washed because wearing sandals would mean dirty feet, and the anointing oil of gladness would placed on their head and then they would sit for the meal. At the close of the meal, the host would refill the wine glass with wine for the fellowship time.\n\nIf the host filled the wine glass full, this signified that the guest was welcome that night but they would be on their way the next day. However, if the host filled the wineglass to overflowing, this meant that the guest would always be welcome in that home just as a family member would be welcome anytime. In other words, my house is your house forever.\n\nNow line this history up with Psalm 23:5. “You (the Shepherd) prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”\n\nAccording to this verse, the Shepherd has invited us into His home and has prepared a meal for us in the midst of our enemies, has given us the anointing oil of gladness and the Holy Spirit and has poured our glass of wine to overflowing, thus telling us we are always welcome in His home. We are members of His family. The Lord is my Shepherd! Is He yours?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9295118451118469}
{"content": "Production Name 1982Feb11, Kawamura noh stage, Daie\nProduction Alternate Name Kawamura kennoukai, February 1982 (migrated production name)\nPerforming Arts Type(s) Noh\nProduction Type Single event\nLocation(s) of Production Kawamura noh stage\nPiece(s) in Production Daie\nPeople in Production Kawamura Nobushige (Musician) Kakei Kōichi (Musician) Hisada Shunichirō (Musician) Maekawa Mitsunaga (Musician) Morita Junto (Musician) Kawamura Teiji\nNotes Kawamura noh stage; sponsor: Kawamura kennoukai; p [qy, Sept06] Probably the same production as \"Saigyouzakura\"\n\nAssociated Items\n\nRepresentations of the production 1000503, 1000508, 1000509, 1000511, 1000513, 1000512, 1000505, 1000506, 1000504, 1000507, 1000502", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9223198294639587}
{"content": "Ending Discipline Time Positively\n\nThis is a very helpful tip that I received from an email subscription. I would like to share it with you…\n\nDisciplining children day-to-day often leaves tension in the parent/child relationship. Children feel angry, guilty, or fearful and their parents can be left with lingering frustration. One helpful solution for both parent and child is to have a debriefing after every discipline time. We call it a Positive Conclusion.\n\nDuring the Positive Conclusion, talk about what went wrong, why it was wrong, and what the child might do differently next time. With younger children you might simply develop a routine, asking them questions in a gentle, non-accusing tone. With teens, a discussion is often helpful covering the same issues.\n\nThis kind of Positive Conclusion not only helps clear the air between parent and child but it also helps children think rightly about mistakes as they get older. Instead of self condemnation, a child learns to confess a mistake, determine why it was wrong, and then plan a better response for next time.\n\nBe sure to end the Positive Conclusion with an affirmation like “Okay, go ahead and try again.” It’s the same kind of affirmation that Jesus gave to the woman caught in adultery in John 8 when he said, “Go and sin no more.”\n\nThis parenting tip was taken from the book, Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read to Your Kids, by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.\n\n\n  1. Lovely tip!\n\n  2. Ending positively was in one my parenting books. It makes a huge difference on the disciplining, they feel more secure and confident in themselves afterwords. I like reassuring them that they are good kids that make mistakes like everyone else.\n\n  3. hanks for this Chris, I am actually having issues with my daughter's attitude and this helps a lot.\n\nSpeak Your Mind", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5825764536857605}
{"content": "Impact Factor: 0.566\n​5-Year Impact Factor: ​0.711\nJournal Citation Reports® 2015\nRelated Journals\nTurkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2006, Vol 6, Num, 2     (Pages: 117-122)\n\nSome Characteristics and Size of Carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) Population in the Lake Karamık (Afyonkarahisar/Turkey)\n\nİsmet Balık 1 ,Hıdır Çubuk 2 ,Remziye Özkök 2 ,Rahmi Uysal 2\n\n1 Mediterranean Fisheries Research, Production and Training Institute, PO Box: 190, Antalya, Turkey\n2 Eğirdir Fisheries Research Institute, 32500 Eğirdir, Isparta, Turkey\nViewed : 1139 - Downloaded : 1461 In this study, some population characteristics such as age, length, weight, condition, growth, mortality rates and size of carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) population in the Lake Karamık were investigated. The ages, fork lengths and weights of the examined 108 individuals ranged between I-X years, 9-70 cm, and 16-8780 g, respectively. The mean condition factor of the population was calculated as 2.022. The length-weight relationship and von Bertalanffy growth equations were W = 0.0245*L2.952 (r2 = 0.996) and Lt = 130*[1-e-0.0754*(t+0.2452)], respectively. The total (Z), natural (M) and fishing mortality (F) rates were Z = 0.40 yr-1, M = 0.16 yr-1, and F = 0.24 yr-1, respectively. The number of fish longer than 25 cm in the population and their respective biomass were estimated as 47,847 individuals and 53,893 kg. In addition, it was determined that the maximum sustainable yield could be obtained with 60% of the present fishing effort. Keywords : Growth, mortality, biomass, maximum sustainable yield", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.99207603931427}
{"content": "Steak, mushroom & ale pie\n\n  • Preparation time: 30 minutes\n  • Cooking time: 2.5 hours\n  • Total time: 3 hours\n\nServes: 6\n\n\n2 tbsp vegetable oil\n800g essential Waitrose British Beef Diced Braising Steak\n2 large onions, chopped\n4 rashers smoked streaky bacon, roughly chopped\n4 tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting\n300ml Theakston Old Peculier\n400ml beef stock\n2 tsp light brown muscovado sugar\nBunch thyme or rosemary\n2 carrots, cut into chunks\n200g button mushrooms\n500g shortcrust pastry\nMilk for brushing \n\n\n1. Heat half the oil in a large saucepan and cook the diced steak for 5 minutes until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the pan and cook the onions and bacon for 5 minutes until softened.\n\n2. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute then stir in the ale, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Stir in the stock, sugar, herbs, carrots and browned meat then cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer very gently for 2 hours until the beef is tender.\n\n3. Preheat the oven to 220ºC, gas mark 7. Stir the mushrooms into the filling then transfer to a 25cm pie dish (or other ovenproof dish). Dampen the rim of the pie dish with a little water. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface and place over the filling. Trim the edges, pressing down well, then use the trimmings to cut out leaves to decorate the top. Make a hole in the centre of the pie then brush all over with milk. Place on a baking tray and cook for 30 minutes until the pastry is dark golden. Serve with mash and steamed greens.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6350084543228149}
{"content": "Public Release: \n\nIntel joins forces with University of Luxembourg in securing autonomous cars\n\nResearch towards self-healing cars\n\nUniversity of Luxembourg\n\n\nIMAGE: Intel joins forces with SnT in securing autonomous cars. From left to right: Dr. Marcus Völp, Dr. David Kozhaya, Professor Paulo Esteves-Veríssimo. view more \n\nCredit: Copyright for the picture: © University of Luxembourg\n\nIntel Corporation has signed a Partnership Framework Agreement, joining forces with the University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT). As autonomous vehicles gain in complexity, it becomes increasingly difficult to secure them against hackers. Through this agreement, SnT and Intel will therefore work together to make such vehicles more resilient, allowing them to neutralise attacks automatically, and even 'self-heal' before an attacker can compromise too many essential functions.\n\nThe agreement follows SnT's involvement in the Intel Collaborative Research Institute for Collaborative Autonomous & Resilient Systems (ICRI-CARS), with the work being carried out by researchers from SnT's Critical and Extreme Security and Dependability Research Group (CritiX). Their research will focus in particular on solving security issues impacting safety, caused, for example, by the need for self-driving cars to 'collaborate' with one another.\n\nPowerful on board computers capable of handling driving functions, such as parking and lane keeping, are already a reality. In the move towards fully autonomous cars, however, less attention has been given to the need for such vehicles to collaborate with one another; in order to drive safely these cars will need to share information about their environment, from roadworks and weather conditions to pedestrians stepping out into the road.\n\nUnfortunately, the complex software and extensive connectivity necessary for such collaborative autonomous driving makes these systems more vulnerable to attack. For example, hackers could interfere with sensor devices or communications between vehicles to take control of several cars and block an emergency route, or to appropriate police and military vehicles. Driving control systems could even be hacked to cause accidents.\n\nUsing current methods, this would be prevented by ensuring that systems are free from the software faults and vulnerabilities that hackers exploit, but this is no longer feasible. \"We can realistically aim to verify only 15,000 lines of code in a piece of software - the equivalent of 13 experts working fulltime for a year,\" says Research Scientist Dr Marcus Völp. \"To give that some context, Windows 10 has around 50 million lines of code. Therefore we need to accept that attackers will find vulnerabilities and hack into cars, meaning that we need systems capable of real time response and rejuvenation while under attack.\"\n\nUsing the methods currently being developed by CritiX, any one system within a car - for example the engine control system, responsible for fuel injection and air calibration - will be made up of multiple independent software components, rather than just one. More than a third of these components would need to be compromised in order for a hacker to manipulate the system. Further, with CritiX's approach we can imagine that each component is like a labyrinth, and in order to compromise it a hacker needs to find the way to the heart of that labyrinth. While this is happening, however, any previously compromised components will self-heal and 're-design' themselves, so a hacker would constantly be faced by an array of new labryinths.\n\n'This isn't only a theoretical challenge, but also a practical one', says FNR PEARL Chair Prof. Paulo Esteves-Veríssimo, head of CritiX. 'One of the major difficulties here is to ensure that the rejuvenation can happen in real time without overheating critical systems.' Similarly, the team must guarantee that while individual components rejuvenate the remaining components remain operational and safe.\n\nThe team's work on autonomous driving has already borne fruit - in 2016 their paper Towards Safe and Secure Autonomous and Cooperative Vehicle Ecosystems identified significant gaps between the measures taken to ensure that cars are safe and those taken to ensure that they are secure. Through their current work they are developing the methodologies, protocols and solutions necessary to address this gap, moving towards the ultimate goal of automatic resilience against attack.\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5246758460998535}
{"content": "What is Combinatorics?\n\nCombinatorics is a branch of mathematics that focuses on the permutation, enumeration, and combination of sets of elements. Sometimes, mathematicians use the word “combinatorics” to denote a larger subset of discrete math that includes graph theory. What is commonly referred to as combinatorics, in that case, is then called “enumeration’.\nFirst combinatorial problems were studied by ancient Greek, Arabian and Indian mathematicians. Interest in combinatorics increased during the 19th and 20th century, with the development of graph theory and the four color theorem. Blaise Pascal, Jacob Bernoulli and Leonhard Euler are some of the leading mathematicians.\nThe most classical area of combinatorics is enumerative combinatorics. It focuses on counting the number of some combinatorial objects. While counting the number of components in a set is a quite broad mathematical problem, numerous problems that arise in applications boast of a relatively simple combinatorial description.\nAnalytic combinatorics focuses on the combinatorial structures enumeration using tools from probability theory and complex analysis. Compared to enumerative combinatorics that use clear generating functions and combinatorial formulae to describe the outcomes, the aim of analytic combinatorics is to obtain asymptotic formulae.\nOther subfields and approaches of combinatorics are partition theory, design theory, finite geometry, order theory, matroid theory, extremal combinatorics, probabilistic combinatorics, and algebraic combinatorics, combinatorics on words, infinitary combinatorics, arithmetic combinatorics and topological combinatorics.\nCombinatorics has numerous applications in other mathematics areas, including coding and cryptography, graph theory, and probability.\n\n\n\nWhy is Your Computer Freezing?\n\nIf you find your computer unresponsive at times, it’s time to get an in-depth check of your system. First, you need to identify the cause behind computer freezing to detect if it is hardware related or software specific. Identifying the cause helps users to resolve the problem quickly. They are many types of computer freeze issues, and each type is detected by system behavior. System freeze can be grouped into hang, generic freeze, random hang and single-app freeze\nHang— every time a specific set of a procedure is carried out on a PC, it hangs up and requests to be restarted to recover.\nGeneric freeze—the system becomes unresponsive and automatically goes to usual functional state without troubleshooting.\nRandom hang— occurs when the PC turns unresponsive often at regular intervals of time, and the user has to restart it.\nSingle-app Freeze —this occurs when PC freezes abnormally when the user attempts to start a particular program, a game or a heavy browsing website.\nThe main reasons (software as well as hardware) that cause a computer to hang are too many apps running, driver issues, operating system issues, excess heating up, hardware misconfiguration, insufficient RAM, BIOS settings, power issues, external devices, and hard drive malfunction.\n\nWhat is Geometry?\n\nGeometry is a branch of mathematics that focuses on questions of size, shape, the properties of space, and relative position of figures. Mathematicians who work in the geometry field are referred to as geometers.\nIn several early cultures, geometry arose as a practical approach for dealing with volumes, areas, and lengths. While geometry has changed significantly over the years, there are several concepts that are more or less basic to geometry. These concepts include points, surfaces, angles, curves, and lines.\nGeometry is applied in many fields, including physics, architecture, art, as well as other branches of mathematics. Modern geometry has several subfields:\nEuclidean geometry—this is geometry in its classical sense. It has applications in crystallography, computer science, and various branches of contemporary mathematics.\nDifferential geometry—this subfield uses techniques of linear algebra and calculus to study problems in geometry.\nTopology –This subfield deals with the geometric object’s properties that are unaffected by continuous mappings.\nConvex geometry –examines convex shapes in the space of Euclidean and it’s more abstract analogs.\nAlgebraic geometry– studies geometry using multivariate polynomials or other algebraic methods.\nDiscrete geometry—it mainly focuses on relative position questions of geometric objects, such as lines, points, and circles.\n\nWhat is Cybercrime?\n\n\nYou often hear the word ‘cybercrime’ discussed nowadays. Due to the high number of connected devices and people, cybercrime is very common. But what is it exactly?\nCybercrime is a crime that involves a network and a computer. The computer may be the target, or it may be used in a commission of a crime. Cybercrime can also be defined as an offense that is committed against an individual or a group of individuals with a motive to intentionally cause mental or physical harm, using modern telecommunication networks such as mobile phones and the internet.\nCybercrimes may threaten a nation or person’s financial health and security. Types of cybercrimes include hacking, unwarranted mass-surveillance, copyright infringement, child grooming, and child pornography. Other common types of cybercrime are online scams and fraud, attacks on computer systems, identity theft and prohibited or illegal online content. Globally, both government and non-state actors are involved in cybercrimes, including financial theft, espionage, and other cross-border crimes. Sometimes, an activity that involves the interest of at least one country and cross-international borders is referred to as cyber warfare.\nIn the past, computer-related crimes were committed mainly by individuals. Nowadays, we are seeing very complex cybercriminal networks bringing together people from various parts of the world in real time to commit offenses on an unprecedented scale.\n\nThree Greatest Mathematicians of All Time\n\nMathematics is important to the understanding of the world. Often referred to as the language of the universe, mathematics has made an impact in almost all place, from the satellite that beams your TV to the faucet in your kitchen to your home. Based on their contributions to mathematics, the following are top three greatest mathematicians:\nLeonhard Euler\nLiving from 1707 to 1783, Euler is the greatest mathematician to have ever walked on earth. It is believed that all mathematical formulas were named after the next person after being discovered by Euler. His primary contribution to the field of mathematics includes the introduction of mathematical notation such as the concept of a function, shorthand trigonometric functions, The Euler Constant, the letter ‘/i’ for imaginary units and the symbol pi for the ratio of a circumference of a circle to its diameter.\nCarl Friedrich Gauss\nAlso referred to as the ‘Prince of Mathematics,’ Gauss is known for his outstanding mental ability. He made several important contributions to mathematics. For instance, he introduced the Gaussian gravitational constant and proved the fundamental theorem of algebra.\nG. F. Bernhard Riemann\nBorn to a poor family in 1826, Bernhard Riemann rose to become one of the most prominent mathematicians in the world in the 19th Century. He has many theorems bearing his name including Riemannian geometry, the Riemann Integral, and Riemannian Surfaces.\n\nWhat is a Spreadsheet?\n\nA spreadsheet is a computer program or application that allows the user to arrange and collate data. Also referred to as a worksheet, a spreadsheet is made up of columns and rows that help to sort data, organize data, and calculate numerical data.\nThe ability to calculate values using the data in cells and mathematical formulas is what makes a spreadsheet program unique. Spreadsheet enables users to adjust any stored value and note the effects on calculated values. For example, a spreadsheet may be used to create an overview of an individual’s bank’s balance.\nSpreadsheets have completely replaced paper-based systems in the business world. Even though they were first developed for bookkeeping or accounting tasks, today they are used widely in any setting where tabular lists are made, sorted, and shared.\nBesides performing arithmetic and mathematical functions, spreadsheets offer built-in functions for common statistical and financial operations. Below are several uses of spreadsheets:\nFinance– spreadsheets are best for financial data, such as checking account information, transactions, and budgets.\nForms–form templates are created to handle evaluation, inventory, quizzes, performance reviews, and surveys.\nSchool and grades—teacher use spreadsheets to calculate grade, track students, and identify any relevant data.\n\nWhat is Graph Theory?\n\nIn mathematics and computer science, graph theory is the study of graphs, mathematical structures that show the relation between variable quantities. A graph is made up of vertices, points, or nodes which are connected by arcs, lines, or edges. In discrete mathematics, graphs are one of the main objects of study.\nGraphs are used to model numerous types of processes and relations in biological, physical, social and information systems. Graphs can be used to represent many real-world problems. Emphasizing their application to practical systems, the term network is occasionally defined to mean graphs in which attributes are associated with the edges and nodes.\nIn computer science, graphs are mainly used to represent data organization, networks of communication, the flow of computation, computational devices, etc. For example, a website link structure can be represented by a directed graph. In this case, directed edges will represent links from one page to another, and the vertices will represent web pages. A similar approach can be used to represent problems in biology, social media, computer chip design, travel, and many other fields. Therefore, the development of algorithms that handle graphs is of major interest in computer science.\n\nWorld Maths Day: An International Mathematics Competition\n\nWorld Maths Day is an online international mathematics competition that is powered by educational resource provider 3P Learning. It is an annual event that encourages thousands of students to take a break from standard mathematics lessons; instead, they participate in competitive math-themed games. Students who take part in the games have a chance to win prizes and certificates. The aim is to help raise numeracy standards.\nSince it was first held on March 14, 2007, World Maths Day has been held the 1st Wednesday in March in every year. Despite the origins, the phrases “World Math Day” and “World Maths Day” are trademarks and should not be confused with other days such as Pi Day or competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad. World Maths Day made a Guinness World Record for the Largest Online Maths Competition in 2010.\nIn 2011, the team behind World Maths Day added a second event known as World Spelling Day. The event was later rebranded the World Education Games. World Science Day, the third event, was added in 2012. World Education Games and World Maths Day are now sponsored by Samsung.\nSince it was founded, the World Maths Day has seen its popularity grow fast. It links schools from many parts of the world. Children as young as five years participate, competing against others from overseas in real time. This year, the event took place on 14th March 2017.\n\n\nIntroduction to Probability\n\nProbability is the study of the likelihood of an event happening. Simply, it is how likely something is to happen. Probability plays a role in all activities, directly or indirectly. For example, we may say that tomorrow will probably be sunny because most of the days we have observed were sunny days.\nMany events cannot be predicted with certainty. When people are unsure about the outcome of an event, they can talk about the probabilities of specific outcomes—their likelihood. The analysis of events that are governed by probability is known as statistics.\nTo understand probability, the best example is flipping a coin. There are two possible outcomes: tails (T) and heads (H). What is the probability of the coin landing on Tails or Head? The probability of the coin landing T is ½, and the probability of the coin landing H is ½. Another example that can help you understand probability is throwing a dice. When a die is thrown, there are six possible outcomes. The probability of any one of them is 1/6.\nIn general, the probability of an event = (Number of ways it can occur) / (total number of outcomes).\nThese lessons on probability often include the following topics: the probability of events, samples in probability, theoretical probability, probability problems, experimental probability, tree diagrams, independent events, mutually exclusive events, dependent events, permutations, factorial, combinations, probability, probability in statistics, and combinatorics.\n\n\nWhat is Combinatorial Game Theory?\n\nCombinatorial game theory is a branch of theoretical computer science and mathematics that studies sequential games. The study has been mainly confined to two-player games with a position in which players take turn changing. Traditionally, the combinational game theory has not studied games of chance or games that use incomplete or imperfect information, favoring games that provide complete information in which set of available moves and state of the game is always known by both players. As mathematical techniques advance, however, the types of games that can be analyzed mathematically expands, therefore, the boundaries of the field are constantly changing.\nExamples of combinatorial games are Go, Checkers, Chess, and Tic-tac-toe. The first three games are categorized as non-trivial while the last one is categorized as trivia. In combinatorial game theory, the moves in these games are represented as a game tree. Some one-player combinatorial puzzles (such as Sudoku) and no-player automata (such as Conway’s Game of Life) are also categorized as combinatorial games.\nIn general, game theory includes games of imperfect knowledge, games of chance, and games in which player’s moves simultaneously, tending to represent actual decision-making situations.\nAn important notion in combinatorial game theory is that of solved game. Tic-tac-toe, for example, is considered a solved game because it can be established that if both players play optimally, a game will result in a draw.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9679072499275208}
{"content": "Don’t Wait Until The Consultant’s Bags Are Packed\n\nWhy do clients hire consultants for ERP projects in the first place? Simply put, consultants fill the missing gaps in technical skill or business process knowledge that are critical for a technical project to succeed. While employees come up to speed on what’s possible (i.e. what the new technology can do), consultants learn how this system needs to be designed differently from prior implementations. Each side goes through a learning process, adjusting their expectations about what’s needed to “go-live”.\n\nThe challenge is that the focus of both consultants and clients is primarily concentrated on the act of going live. In most cases, there is very little early dialogue about how the transition of ownership will happen, as both parties assume it will be addressed at some later time. Once the consultants complete their piece of the engagement (“The system is live!”), it becomes painfully clear that the employees are not prepared to take on the work alone.\n\nLet’s be clear that this is not about a lack of commitment on the part of consultants or a failing on the client’s side. It is simply the case that in the early stages of a project, turnover is an ambiguous topic; one that the client is often unprepared to address. The perception is that there is so much work and internal learning that needs to happen before the organization can begin to address issues of turnover.\n\nWith this in mind, here are some strategies that can help both sides begin to look at this issue so that it doesn’t come crashing down at the eleventh hour.\n\n1. Break the “I’ll do it myself” habit\nIn the workplace, we must recognize our unconscious habit to “just do it ourselves.” How many times have you been faced with the option of completing a task that probably could have been performed by someone else, but chose not to let him or her fumble through it? Nine times out of ten, people will just do it themselves, even if it’s in their best interest to step back and let others struggle through some learning.\n\nBoth consultants and clients need to become more conscious of this tendency so that more opportunities for learning happen while the system is in the design phase. Giving tasks away may appear to slow down a process; but in the long run, it will contribute greatly to uncovering who in the organization is capable of taking on new responsibilities after the switch gets turned on.\n\n2. Prepare a turnover plan early in the game\nWhen consultants operate at their best, they’re equally focused on being topical experts and helping clients develop self-sufficiency. In a large technical project, consultants must place more emphasis on the roles that an organization needs to inherit, and to do this earlier in the process. Although this effort is often met with resistance or appears to fall low on the priority list, both sides must recognize that without a clearly defined turnover plan, the internal groups will be left with an incomplete solution.\n\nMinimally the question should be asked, “if the system were turned over today, who would do what?” If nothing else, this will begin a dialogue and negotiation about what the current assumptions are for turnover and how much work needs to happen to make this real.\n\n3. Create a Transition Team\nOne way to assist Project Management in a turnover plan is to establish a separate group whose charter is to focus on how the project can successfully get through the period when the consultants roll off the project.\n\nA Transition Team can be comprised of members of the project team, along with employees in the organization. This group can be a critical set of eyes for project management, making increasingly important recommendations around turnover tasks. They can help articulate internal training needs for employees who will inherit the system; knowledge or skills that need to be transferred from person to person, and new internal structures that need to be put in place for the organization to succeed on its own.\n\nIt’s never too early to start a dialogue about how the system will run after the formal project is complete. The alternative is often an extended project timeline and lack of ownership by the clients themselves.\n\nRemember, technical projects require a balance between the needs of the moment with the recognition that success is measured after the consultants leave. Don’t wait until the consultant’s bags are packed to at least begin this conversation.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7805920243263245}
{"content": "Overcoming hidden bias to unlock talent's potential\n\nHidden biases involving factors such as race, gender, and age can make businesses lose out on great talent and opportunities. The good news is that these biases can be overcome.\n\nAt a recent dinner party the conversation turned to work, and I listened as another guest described candidates for a senior role in her organization. \"Mary is more experienced, but she has nothing in common with the rest of the team,\" she said. \"Finding the right fit is really important in my organization, so I hired Sue, who is more like the rest of the team.\" Many around the table nodded in understanding, but I thought the guest may have just let her unconscious bias rob her and her organization of the best candidate.\n\nUnconscious bias is an automatic reaction. It's a subconscious preference for or against a person, thing or group. It's different from an explicit or conscious prejudice, but no less destructive. We all have these hidden biases — what's more, they've probably already affected our choices.\n\nBiased, me? No way! That was my reaction when I first encountered the concept. Like many, I have strived to reject prejudiced behaviour in myself and others. But a growing field of research, led by Harvard University Prof. Mahzarin Banaji, shows that in spite of one's best intentions, most people harbour deep-seated resistance to the \"different.\" That difference may involve factors such as race, gender, age or physical characteristics, or subtle qualities such as background, personality type or experiences.\n\nHaving these notions of normal or different, good or bad, doesn't mean we are bad people. Hidden biases exist in spite of our desire to be bias-free, and often in contradiction to the attitudes we believe we have. For example, a CEO of a Canadian corporation earned a good reputation for promoting women to senior management roles. Yet he was shocked to learn that he'd been ignoring ideas presented by these women executives, while accepting the very same ideas from their male colleagues. Once alerted to this unintentional behaviour, he was able to listen mindfully to all contributions.\n\nThere's positive bias, too, compelling us to favour personal connections and those with whom we share common experiences. Because I was an underdog who'd bucked the trend and expectations in my early career, I still over-identify with others in a similar position — meaning I sometimes help them unequally.\n\nWhat's the impact? Though a growing number of companies have embraced diversity and its business benefits, hidden biases are likely shaping our workplace actions, affecting hiring, promotion, performance evaluations, budget decisions and openness to sources of ideas and innovative solutions.\n\nThe stakes are high. Talent languishes and leaves, innovation stalls, client service suffers and the organization may lose out on business opportunities.\n\nThe good news? It is possible to overcome hidden bias. We just need to outsmart ourselves.\n\nIt starts with identifying biases. Three good places to start include exploring the Implicit Association Test (implicit.harvard.edu), which helps companies and individuals identify their subconscious social attitudes; asking yourself whether you typically hire or promote the same type of person or personality; and considering your team. If everyone looks and behaves like you, you know that's not representative of our diverse society.\n\nOnce we acknowledge that our brains are hardwired this way and explore our blind spots, we can take steps to overcome them. Some tips: establish clearly defined criteria for evaluating interview candidates. Ask HR or other colleagues to observe if you are applying them fairly; sponsor people who are not like you — be purposeful about seeking out those who are different from yourself; set parameters around the way you help \"special\" connections to avoid helping one group unequally; and evaluate your actions regularly and seek feedback from trusted yet objective colleagues.\n\nOvercoming hidden biases takes courage and vigilance. But research shows that leaders who confront their unconscious responses are better at building effective teams and delivering better results. Now is the time to improve our businesses and ourselves.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8283836841583252}
{"content": "Floor Treatments\n\nA closer look at the bottoms of those shoes and you'll find oil, dirt and heaven only knows how many tidbits of left over dog deposits. Small wonder why your floors stubbornly refuse to come clean. Do wear slippers or socks inside. The oil from the bottom of your feet also dirties the surface.\nAlways vacuum or dust hard floor surfaces before mopping. Start in the far corner of the room and work in small sections. If you don't have a rope mop, just use a hand towel or soft sponge to wipe the tile clean.\n\nPolish Chrome\n\n\nClean Tarnished Brass\n\n\nBaking Soda\n\nAlso known as Sodium Bicarbonate, the same qualities that make baking soda a tenderizer and a leaven, also make it a great cleaning product. Baking soda is weakly alkaline. As such, it acts to neutralize acids and break down proteins.\n\nBaking soda’s finely gritty texture makes it an excellent, gentle abrasive cleaner. It is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, fragrance-free, and safe for nearly all surfaces, making it ideal for household use. As a mild abrasive agent, baking soda can also be used in place of toothpaste.\n\n\nAs an acid neutralizer, baking soda is a great first-aid tool. Dissolved into a lukewarm bath, it will soothe the discomfort of sunburn and the itch of poison ivy. Made into a paste with cool water and applied directly to the skin, it will ease the pain of bee stings. One-half teaspoon baking soda mixed into 4 ounces (120 ml) of water can be taken as an antacid. Note: Those taking prescription medications or following a reduced-sodium diet should check with a physician before consuming baking soda.\n\nSprinkled around the exterior entrances to and foundations of homes, it may prohibit ants and other insects from crawling in, as it is irritating to their chitinous exoskeletons and they avoid it.\n\nBleach-Free Toilet Bowl Scrub\n\n\nCheck out this toilet bowl scrub recipe that worked for me:\nCombine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Throw this into your toilet and scrub away! It always gets my toilet clean.\n\nMake up a batch and keep a bottle by the WC, but remember to shake well before using.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.819287896156311}
{"content": "Date of Award\n\n\nDegree Type\n\n\nDegree Name\n\nDoctor of Philosophy\n\n\nSchool of Natural Sciences\n\n\nFaculty of Computing, Health and Science\n\nFirst Advisor\n\nDr Ray Froend\n\nSecond Advisor\n\nDr Jeffrey Turner\n\n\nSeasonal changes exist in source-water utilisation by Banksia woodland species overlying a shallow aquifer on the Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia These were studied to identify the importance of groundwater as a water source to this vegetation. Intra-and interspecific variation in seasonal water use was investigated across the dominant overstorey and understorey species, with particular emphasis on species of different rooting morphologies. Seasonal water use was investigated across a topographical gradient ranging from a groundwater depth of 2.5 to 30 metres, a scenario representative of the coastal sand-dune system. An examination was also made of the response of woodland vegetation to an induced and rapid temporal separation from the groundwater able, beyond the normal range of groundwater fluctuation. To investigate a species' seasonal water usage, measurements of the naturally occurring stable isotope of hydrogen in water (deuterium, δ2H) were used to distinguish among potential plant water sources. Isotopic ratios from vascular water of the study species were compared with those of potential sources of precipitation, soil moisture and groundwater. The primary assumptions of this method were validated for the study species in laboratory experiments, and field-sampling strategies were developed. Through this process, the water sources available to plants were identified. Mixing models were employed to calculate the proportion of groundwater used. The results of this study confirm that groundwater is an important water source to both overstorey and understorey components of the woodland. Phreatophytic species were characterised by a deep root system, in which the tap root played a significant role in groundwater uptake. These species derived some of their water from groundwater throughout the dry-wet cycle. With the onset of the hot, Mediterranean summer, they increased their use of deep moisture sources, including groundwater. Variability in groundwater usage was observed at the interspecific and intraspecific level. This was dependent on root-system distribution and maximum root depth. For those species capable of using groundwater, the degree to which it was utilised was dependent on the proximity of groundwater (i.e. the depth to the water table), and the availability of moisture in shallower horizons of the soil profile (i.e. the season). For individuals occurring at shallow depth to water (< 8 m), groundwater was an important water source: whereas, at greater depths (≥8 m) its importance decreased as it was used in lower proportions and/or for shorter durations. Comparisons of within-species variation revealed disparities in groundwater usage, and possibly dependency, between the dominant overstorey Banksia species. Banksia ilicifolio, a species confined to habitats where groundwater depth is ≤8 m, was dependent on groundwater during the dry summer period (up to 90% of water used was groundwater) and may be considered a summer obligate phreatophyte. B. attenuata is a summer facultative phreatophyte, occurring where groundwater depth is 2 to >30m with groundwater accounting for between 5 to 75% of water used depending on depth to the water table. These results suggest the possibility of an obligate-facultative phreatophyte distinction. The response of phreatophytic Banksia species to changes in the groundwater regime beyond the normal range of groundwater fluctuation confirmed the seasonal nature of groundwater dependence, and varied sensitivity of individuals according to their position within the sandplain landscape (i.e. proximity to groundwater).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9247123599052429}
{"content": "Wednesday, April 21, 2010\n\nWhat are your values?\n\nPeople often take values to be simple goods or commandments as in the ancient category of virtue. Therefore there is supposed to exist a certain class of people, usually regarded as the \"bad guys\", who lack values. To be sure, there are bad guys in the world, but none of them lack values. The most abject, degraded soul, say, a Ted Bundy, or Charie Manson\nhas certain values. But their values are rather chilling and disturbing ones involving\ncontrolling or harming others, or seeking thrills at the expense of others. But it would\nbe a great mistake to say these lowest of examples are examples of meaninglessness or nihilism.\nThose two criminals were extremely motivated people in their milieu. Had they followed\nPascal and stayed in their room - if solitude were their highest value - much suffering\nwould have been spared. In their own way they were as motivated as was Obama in his fight\nfor the White House but motivated to destroy the soul of girls and women.\n\nI am saying that we need to retain a more neutral understanding of the word values, whereby the name refers to qualities or conditions of the soul, or attractions and repulsions of various kinds.\n\nNow every epoch puts forth certain character or biography as the best or most desirable.\nSince the presidency of Clinton, the most desirable traits are those of extreme giftedness in social\nrelations, of a kind of extraversion of a kind of uncanny excellence at being able to give\npleasure to others in some way or \"feel their pain.\" Exceptions are made for those\ntinkerers and inventors who create things we value which is why allowances are made for\nsocially impaired computer guys for example. But in general the Clintonian type (Obama is\nthe newest example) is most admired. The love for this particular personality type has been\nbemoaned by those enamored with older, more \"masculinist\" types, but society has surely\nbenefited from individuals like Obama and Clinton.\n\nIn earlier times other types were put forth as a model: maybe it was stubborn adherence to a set of ideas, or the\nability to solve technical problems that was more admired. That had its virtues as well.\n(An example would be LBJ forcing integration in the South rather than listening to the Southern point of view in a spirit of diplomacy).\n\nI feel Marxism in particular and sociology in general to be utterly wrong in placing impersonal classes and social\nstructures at the helm, unless those classes can be said to share psychological traits in common that are emulated by the masses. But large groupings have too much internal diversity for any one\ncharacteristic to be emblematic.\n\nThat is what Emerson means when he says that \"there is no history only biography\".\n\nI think the renewed interest in virtue ethics confuses the issue and blinds people to just how powerfully the individual character shapes global affairs. Virtue ethics takes certain traits as\nsimply the best traits but fails to notice how many other traits historically embraced but just as soon discarded have had as much salutary results; indeed some values might become vices in a given moment: obsession with technicalities, the ability to focus on one thing at a time, (“single-tasking”) sensual\nindulgence, stubborness at holding values that are unpopular (this last to be distinguished from courage). Virtue ethics blinds people to the many varieties\nof the good and collapses genuine variety under rather unspecified categories like \"courage\" or\npreserverence. Buddhism, (otherwise relatively unimpeacheable) makes this mistake as did\nAristotle and Aristotelianism.\n\nNow human acts and habits may have a good or evil character in something like an absolute sense. But more often, the verdict is a matter of bias or historical convenience. I take value to mean whenever any human being responds\nnegatively or affirmatively to an external stimuli. Indeed, such initial responses, our\nlikes and dislikes, is a precondition for the possibility of human choice. That is, each of us RESPONDS, and in responding creates a self and, with all others, makes a world. Lance Armstrong, or Billie Jean King at first responded to a pleasure in\ncertain physical exertion, and achievement and recognition at that athletic endeavor. But before such figures become who they are as far as the media or admiring public is concerned, they\nmust first have some kind of initial liking for a certain bodily activity. To complicate matters, this kinaesthetic agility may be\nmixed with an initial positive response to fame or reward (and punishment). For Lance Armstrong or King certain practices matter - cycling and tennis- and maybe\nother things matter too - like status recognition, and in Billie Jean King's case, a need to\nidentify with her fellow females and represent them. Whatever the specifics, these leaves of\nlikes and dislikes shoots through all of life and any inquiry that starts from unconscious motivation or departs from people’s stated or acted desires is bound to miss something crucial.\n\nThe main conflict in human life is that there are so many human ends and aims and for every Lance Armstrong there is a sedentary scientist or thinker in their book lined room making another kind of contribution. And all of these types of people go through life evaluating the world around them and the people they meet from their own biases. This is what Thomas Nagel calls “mutual imaginative incomprehension” and an earlier philosopher named George Ramsey called “self-hugging” (as researched by Steven Reiss at Ohio State). We seem to have a natural narcissism wherein we truly want to see ourselves in others, or want others to be very much like ourselves and cover over this truth with slogans like \"live and let live\" and \"different strokes.\"\n\nI am saying everything involving human affairs has this value question at the root. There\nis a great deal of debate about value in philosophy these days, all of it in fact valuable\n- about internalism and externalism and cognitivism and realism. But before we come to these questions we must first come to terms with our values and our diversity.\n\n\n  1. It's important to think about these things, as so few people do. I agree with you in essence that the lack of awareness of different values (which leads ultimately to the assumption that one's own values are the ONLY values that exist, or that are worth preserving) is a sad and even dangerous thing in culture. There are good and bad things about this new global economy, but one of the worst and most tragic things about it has to be the feeling of us all being one world family with one set of cultural values, and the systematic erasure of all other values. One can see this narcissism you speak of at play in myriad struggles and misunderstandings in everyday life, in a world in which eccentricity, singularity, and difference are, worse than being not tolerated, not even recognized. This is surely a regression from the time that people recognized different values and were threatened by them! Today if you present different values to people, you get not opposition, but only a blank stare.\n\n  2. Anna: Are you saying that the ideal of \"that's only my opinion\" robs us of the grounds for genuine disagreement or even robs us of a kind of passion borne of a feeling of connection to something objective in our values? That would certainly make sense. I see problems on both sides, where sometimes people refuse to take a stand because they can't see its larger necessity; and at other times act moralistic (rather than moral) and make their personal life the standard for others.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.579361081123352}
{"content": "Other Nations Involved\n\nThirty-four other nations contributed food, medicine, technical advisors,\nequipment, training, economic aid and the like. Four more - Australia, New\nZealand, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea - all furnished combat troops. A\nfifth - the Republic of the Philippines - provided a civic action group that\nhad its own security force of infantry, armor, and artillery. The total of\nforeign troops was 68,800. This was more than had fought under the United\nNations in Korea.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8264206647872925}
{"content": "Call Today:(800) 263-9547\n\nMeniere's Disease\n\nWhat is Meniere's Disease?\n\nMeniere's disease is a disorder caused by increased fluid pressure in the inner ear. The fluid chamber of the inner ear that has increased pressure is called the endolymphatic chamber and therefore the disease is also known as endolymphatic hydrops (increased fluid pressure in the endolymphic chamber). The exact cause of the disease is unknown, though genetic and environmental causes are thought to contribute to its development. \n\nWhat are the Symptoms of Meniere's Disease?\n\nThere are 4 main symptoms associated with Meniere's disease. These are: episodic vertigo (spinning dizziness), tinnitus (roaring or ringing in the ears [usually just one ear]), fluctuating hearing loss, and pressure sensation in the ear. An episode of Meniere's usually starts with a pressure sensation in the ear with increasing roaring sound in the ear and hearing loss and a sudden attack of vertigo. The vertigo generally lasts at least 30 minutes and may last up to or greater than 24 hours. Once the vertigo stops, the patients generally experience some imbalance which takes days to weeks to resolve. The hearing generally returns, but over time, the hearing and balance function are lost with each attack of the vertigo. Some patients may just have fluctuating hearing loss without vertigo or episodic vertigo without hearing loss. These are termed cochlear hydrops and vestibular hydrops respectively.\n\nWhat Causes an Attack to Occur?\n\nThere are some known triggers of a Meniere's attack, which include, high salt foods, too much caffeine, drinking alcohol, and stress. While the triggers differ between patients, the above 4 triggers are found most commonly.\n\nI Know I have Meniere's Disease, What Will Happen To Me?\n\nApproximately 60% of patients with Meniere's disease stop having attacks after a few years (also called the disease burning out). The rest continue to have problems. Of these, a high percentage (60%-80%) are controlled with a very strict control of their diet and lifestyle changes and sometimes medications. The strict diet includes limiting your diet to a daily sodium of 1500 mg, eliminating all caffeine (not even decaf coffee, which has caffeine), and no alcohol. The lifestyle change includes reduction of stress by biofeedback, meditation, yoga, daily exercise, etc.\n\nSome people (20%-30%) may develop the disease in the other ear after a few years. A small percentage of the patients will continue to have episodes which may occur every day to once a few months or years. When despite maximal medical therapy and lifestyle changes the patients continue to have frequent episodes of Meniere's disease and the disease is affecting their daily life, then surgery is considered for treatment.\n\nWhat Is the Treatment of Meniere's Disease?\n\nThe treatment of Meniere's disease follows a stepwise fashion from diet and stress control to medical treatment to surgical treatment. The dietary/lifestyle changes for treating Meniere's Disease are discussed above. The next step is taking medications which are believed to decrease the inner ear fluid pressure. The medicines that cause reduction of fluid pressure in the inner ear also make you lose extra water from the kidneys. These medications, called diuretics, include Dyazide, methazolamide, furosemide, among others.\n\nFor controlling the dizziness or imbalance, medications such as meclizine (Antivert), Robinul, scopolamine patches, among others is used. These medications decrease the abnormal signal that the  diseased inner ear sends the brain.\n\nOther treatments include the use of the Meniett Device. The Meniett device is a device that is used after placing a small tube in the ear drum. It is used in the ear 3 times a day for 5 minutes each time. It is successful in controlling the symptoms in ~50% of patients. Unfortunately it is not always covered by health insurance companies and the cost is ~$3000.\n\nThe newest treatment for Meniere's disease is the placement of medications behind the ear drum. In a recent study, over 90% of patients with Meniere's disease were found to have significant control of their symptoms with intratympanic steroid (anti-inflammatory medications placed behind the ear drum). The injections (using dexamethasone or methylprednisolone [Solu Medrol]) are generally given after a local anesthetic in the office and are repeated every 2 to 4 weeks until the attacks stop. In our experience at UC Irvine, most patients with Meniere's undergoing intratympanic steroid treatment have only required 2-3 injections for full control of their symptoms. We recommend it for patients prior to doing any surgery or in those with a history suggestive of autoimmune Meniere's disease or those who are unable to take steroids by mouth. \n\nThese injections are different from gentamicin injections that cause destruction of the inner ear balance cells. We rarely use gentamicin injections in the ear for Meniere's disease due to the destruction of the inner ear it causes. Gentamicin injection is reserved for patients with end stage Meniere's disease with very little hearing or balance function.\n\nSince starting intratympanic steroid therapy for Meniere's disease a few years ago, we have not needed to use any surgical treatment for patients suffering from Meniere's disease.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6883274912834167}
{"content": "Here’s more evidence that proper public transportation tied to appropriate land-use planning can have have a major impact on climate change.\n\nNASA Goddard reports on new research in an article entitled, “Road Transportation Emerges as Key Driver of Warming.” In the analysis,\n\n\nWe already know how to use this information, so we should get to it. Better cars, whether hydrogen powered or electric, are not a solution. We need to vastly improve growth and planning approaches,  so that public transportation works best. Besides, sprawl, and the accompanying traffic that goes with it, is bad, and we all know it.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9375013709068298}
{"content": "Karen Calder\n\n\nKaren has practised Iyengar Yoga since 2000 and gained her teaching certificate in 2009. She really enjoys the challenge Iyengar Yoga gives her and has opted to carry on training and now holds the Intermediate 3 teaching certificate. She has visited Pune to work directly with the Iyengar family and has attended conventions with both Geeta and Abhijata Iyengar - all deeply humbling experiences. She has also attended workshops with visiting senior teachers Glenn Cerescoli and Christian Pissano. \"There is always so much more to learn, every time I return to my mat I make a new discovery, there are an infinite number of variables within every pose - it is an incredible journey\".\n\nA distinguishing feature of an Iyengar class is the use of props, e.g. blocks, belts and chairs so students with less flexibility or strength are able to work correctly and achieve their full potential.  This means everyone, from beginners to advancing students will gain something from the week.\n\nDuring the course of the week we will explore the poses in detail and advance and develop practice to suit ability. I love meeting new students and introducing them to the joy of yoga and equally enjoy challenging those with more practice.  I look forward to meeting you!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9929893612861633}
{"content": "Nettime mailing list archives\n\nFelix Stalder on Thu, 1 Jul 2010 13:31:00 +0200 (CEST)\n\n\n\n[This is my contribution to the current issue (#19) of 'open. Cahier on Art \nand the Public Domain.' which focuses on 'Beyond Privacy. New Notions of \nthe Private and Public Domains.' In this text, I try to analyze why the \nnotion of privacy seems to be loosing its capacity to function as a \npolitical category, despite all the privacy commissioners and NGOs fighting \nto protext privacy. Felix]\n\n\nOne way to characterize Western modernity, the period we are just leaving, \nis by its particular structure of control and autonomy. It emerged as the \nresult of two historic developments â one leading to large, hierarchic \nbureaucracies as the dominant form of organization, the other to the \n(bourgeois, male) citizen as the main political subject. Privacy played a \nkey role in maintaining a balance between the two. Today, this arrangement \nis unraveling. In the process, privacy loses (some of) its social \nfunctions. Post-privacy, then, points to a transformation in how people \ncreate autonomy and how control permeates their lives.\n\nBureaucracies and Citizens, 1700-1950\n\nThe first of these developments was the expansion of large-scale \ninstitutions, first state bureaucracies, then, since the late nineteenth \ncentury, commercial corporations.1 Their attempts to organize social \nprocesses on a previously unimaginable scale â in terms of space, time and \ncomplexity â required vast amounts of information about the world, most \nimportantly about the subjects in their domain. In 1686, the Marquis de \nVauban proposed to Louis XIV a yearly census of the entire population, so \nthat the king would be âable, in his own office, to review in an hourâs \ngrandeur, his wealth, and his strengths.â2 At the time, such an endeavour \ncould not be conducted for practical reasons, but the vision spawned an \nentire range of new theoretical approaches to render the world available in \nsuch a way. In 1749, the German political scientist Gottfried Achenwall \n(1719-1772) brought them together under the term âstatisticsâ, defined as \nthe âscience dealing with data about the condition of a state or \ncommunityâ. Yet, handling such data became ever more difficult as the drive \nto collect intensified. In the late nineteenth century, the US census, held \nonce a decade, reached a critical juncture when the processing of the data \namassed could not be finished before the next census was to be held. The \nhistorian James Beniger put this âcontrol crisisâ at the beginning of the \ncomputer revolution and the information age enabled by it.3 Without the \nsystematic gathering of standardized information and its processing into \nactionable knowledge, none of the functions of the modern state, or the \nmodern economy, could have developed, beginning with centralized taxation, \nstanding armies, social welfare provisions, or international trade and \nproduction of complex goods and services. Thus, modernity, and particularly \nhigh modernity, was characterized by an expansion of control by large \nbureaucracies based on massive amounts of information, conceptualizing \npeople as standardized data-points to be manipulated for their own, or \nsomeone elseâs, good. But as long as life was lived in a largely analogue \nenvironment, the comprehensive gathering of data remained such an extremely \nlabour-intensive affair that only massive bureaucracies were capable of \nconducting it, and even highly developed states could do it only once every \nten years. Under such conditions of limited information processing capacity \n(as we can see now), the drive to scale up these bureaucracies created \nstrategies to radically reduce complexity, rendering them rigid and \n\nYet, during the same period of expanding centralized control, new spaces of \nautonomy were created. People, or, more precisely, educated townsmen, \nforged a new type of subjectivity. They began to think of themselves less \nas members of larger collectives (the guild, the church) and more as \npersons individually endowed with capacities, self-responsibility and, \nthus, a certain freedom from these collective entities. Central to this new \nsense of individuality was the secular notion of an inner life.4 It was \ncharacterized by the innate capacity to reflect and reason. This is, \nperhaps, the central notion of the enlightenment which celebrated the \nability âto use oneâs understanding without guidance from anotherâ, to use \nImmanuel Kantâs famous definition (1784). While these capacities were \nlocated in the inner world of the individual, the enlightenment thought of \nthem as universal. In principle, every man (though not necessarily women) \nshould reach the same reasoned conclusion, if presented with the same \nevidence. Based on this universality of reason, the subject could \njustifiably contradict authority and tradition.\n\nThe notion of privacy protected this inner world (and by extension, the \nhome and the family life) from interference by authorities and thus \nprotected the ability of the person to come to reasoned opinions about the \nworld. In the liberal conception, this protected inner world provided the \nfoundation of the ability of each man to form his own opinions to be \nexchanged in the public sphere in a rational deliberation of public \naffairs.5 This capacity for reasoning, in turn, provided the legitimacy for \nthe inclusion of these reasoned men (and later women), elevated to the \nstatus of citizens, in governing the state. Indeed, this claim to power was \nincreasingly regarded as the only legitimate one, superseding tradition as \nthe main source of authority. Much of the concerns about the loss of \nprivacy today stems from a commitment to this tradition of liberal \n\nStarting in the late nineteenth century, however, the conception of the \ninner world changed radically. With the emergence of consumer capitalism, \npersonal identity became a project and a problem with an urgency previously \nunknown. Inner life was no longer viewed as comprised of a relatively \nnarrow set of coherent universals, but as an infinite expanse of \nconflicting drives and influences, forming a dynamic pattern unique to each \nperson. Sigmund Freud, as the historian of psychoanalysis Eli Zaretsky \nargues, became the leading interpreter of the psychological tensions \ntriggered by the consumer society.7 The inner world came now to be seen as \nthe ground on which individual identity (rather than universal reason) was \nanchored. Privacy protected the complex, and potentially dangerous \nexploration conducted by the individual as he or she tried to come to terms \nwith the pressures and desires at the core of individuality. If we follow \nZaretskyâs approach of charting the transformation of subjectivities (and \nof psychoanalysis as the conceptual framework to articulate one type of it) \nalongside the transformations of capitalism, the type of subjectivity \ndescribed by Freud started to lose its dominance in the 1960s.\n\nNew social movements began to react to the pressures and opportunities \ncreated by yet another transformation, towards what was then called the \npost-industrial society and is now called, more accurately, the network \nsociety. Rather than focusing on introspection, the new social movements \npromoted a new type of subjectivity emphasizing expressiveness, \ncommunication and connection. At the same time, feminists began to develop \na sustained critique of privacy, understanding family relations not as the \ncounteracting force to capitalism, but rather as its continuation. Thus, \nprivacy would not shield from domination, but transfer it from the field of \neconomics to that of gender relations.8 However, despite the emergence of \nthese freedom-oriented social movements, hierarchical bureaucracies \nremained the dominant form of social organization, and despite the feminist \ncritique of privacy, it could still function as an important concept to \nshield people against the grip of these institutions. In Germany, for \nexample, popular resistance against the national census (VolkszÃhlung) \narose in the mid 1980s, mainly on grounds of privacy protection against the \npreying eyes of the state.\n\nNetworked Individualism and Personalized Institutions\n\nFast forward 30 years. Many countries, including Germany, no longer conduct \nnational censuses because the data has already been collected and can be \naggregated flexibly from the various databases at the heart of government. \nAn ever growing number of people is willing to actively publish vast \namounts of information about themselves online for everyone to see and is \nhappily using services that collect very fine-grained data about very \npersonal affairs. While people still claim to be concerned about privacy \nwhen asked in surveys, their practices seem to indicate that such concerns \nhave largely vanished in daily life. What happened? Here, I want to focus \non two pieces of this puzzle. The first concerns the transformation of \nsubjectivity on a mass scale. The second the changing relationships between \nindividuals and institutions concerning the delivery of personalized, \nrather than standardized services.9\n\nFirst, subjectivity. The values of the social movements of the 1960s, \nsevered from their political roots, have spread throughout society. They \nare now dominant. Flexibility, creativity and expressiveness are regarded \ntoday as generally desirable personal traits, necessary for social success, \nand, increasingly, seen as corresponding to the âtrue natureâ of human \nbeings. As traditional institutions are losing their ability to organize \npeopleâs lives (think of the decline of life-long employment, for example), \npeople are left to find their own orientation, for better or worse. While \nthis has often been seen as primarily a negative process of atomization,10 \nwe can now also see new forms of sociability emerge on a mass scale. These \nare based on the new infrastructures of communication and (relatively) \ncheap transportation to which vast amounts of people have gained access. \nBut the sociability in this new environment is starkly different from \nearlier forms, based largely on physical co-presence. In order to create \nsociability in the space of flows people first have to make themselves \nvisible, that is, they have to create their representation through \nexpressive acts of communication. In order to connect within such a \nnetwork, a person has to be, at the same time, suitably different, that is \ncreative in some recognizable fashion, and abide by the social conventions \nthat hold a particular network together. There are both negative and \npositive drivers to making oneself visible in such a way: there is the \nthreat of being invisible, ignored and bypassed, on the one hand, and the \npromise of creating a social network really expressing oneâs own \nindividuality, on the other. This creates a particular type of subjectivity \nthat sociologists have come to call networked individualism. âIndividuals,â \nManuel Castells notes, âdo not withdraw into the isolation of virtual \nreality. On the contrary, they expand their sociability by using the wealth \nof communication networks at their disposal, but they do so selectively, \nconstructing their cultural worlds in terms of their preferences and \nprojects, and modifying it according to their personal interests and \nvalues.â11 Since these networks of sociability are horizontal forms of \norganization, based on self-selected, voluntary associations, they require \nsome degree of trust among the people involved. While trust deepens over \nthe course of interaction, as it always does, there needs to be a minimum \nof trust in order to start interacting in the first place. What could be a \nchicken-and-egg problem is in practice solved by the availability of the \ntrack record of interests and projects that each person creates by \npublishing â as an individual and voluntarily â information about \nhim/herself, what he or she is interest in, passionate about, and investing \ntime in. In other words, being expressive â about anything â is the \nprecondition of creating sociability over communication networks, which, in \nturn, come to define people and their ability to create or participate in \nprojects that reflect their personality.12 This need to express oneâs \ndesires and passions in order to enter into a sociability that creates \noneâs identity slowly but surely erodes the distinction between the inner \nand outer world, so central to the modern subjectivity, forged in the \nGutenberg Galaxy. Subjectivity is being based on interaction, rather than \nintrospection. Privacy in the networked context entails less the \npossibility to retreat to the core of oneâs personality, to the true self, \nbut more the danger of disconnection from a world in which sociability is \ntenuous and needs to be actively maintained all of the time. Otherwise, the \nnetwork simply reconfigures itself, depriving one of the ability to develop \noneâs personality and life.\n\nSecond, large institutions. One of the progressive promises of the modern \nliberal state, and modern bureaucratic institutions in general, was to do \naway with privilege and treat everyone equally, based on the premise that \nno one is above (or below) the law and that all decisions are taken in \naccordance to the law (or, more generally, written procedure). Rigidity and \nimpersonality have long been defined as core features of bureaucracies. Max \nWeber, at the beginning of the twentieth century when bureaucracies grew to \nan unprecedented scale, famously feared that their superior rationality \nwould force society into an iron cage. Today, such impersonality is seen \nneither as a liberation from the injustices of privilege nor as rational, \nbut as the dead hand of bureaucracy. Because, neoliberal ideology holds, we \nare not equal, but each unique. This creates both a push and a pull \nprofoundly transforming the relationships between institutions and \nindividuals. Even very large institutions are faced with demands to treat \neveryone individually. This is best visible in new institutions that have \nhad to contend with these demands since their inception. The corporations \nthat make up Web 2.0 are all about personalization, recommendations and \nindividualized results. For that, they demand vast amounts of personal \ndata, either directly provided by the user (by filling out registration \nforms, uploading personal contact lists and calendars, designating \nfavourites and exchange partners) or indirectly collected (through log-\nanalysis, processing of user histories, etcetera). Google, of course, is \nthe most ambitious in this area, but in principle, itâs not different from \nother Internet companies.13 But this is not an isolated development in one \nsector, but symptomatic for the uneven transformation of the economy as a \nwhole. On the level of manufacturing, this is expressed in the shift from \nthe Fordist model of standardized mass production to a networked model of \nhighly flexible production for precisely defined niches, all the way down \nto the size of one. On the level of services, this is expressed in the \nshift towards the delivery of personalized services. Virtually all \nconsumer-oriented industries and services are today employing customer-\nrelationship management (CRM) vastly increasing the amounts of personal \ndata collected across the board, allowing the delivery of highly targeted \nproducts and services. Of course, there is also a very strong pull by the \ncorporations themselves to learn as much as possible about their \ncustomers/users, in order to fine-tune each relationship to maximize \nprofit. There seems to be an implicit deal, accepted by the vast majority \nof consumers/users: in exchange for personal data, one receives personal \nservice, assuming that personalized is better than standardized. In order \nto succeed in such an environment, bureaucracies, even large-scale ones, \nstrive to become less hierarchical, more flexible and highly personal, \nentering into intimate relationships with the people they deal with.\n\nAutonomy and Control\n\nThe old balance between autonomy and control, represented by the figures of \nthe citizen and the large bureaucracy, sustained by privacy, is in the \nprocess of disappearing. Autonomy is increasingly created within \n(semi)public networks, held together by mass self-communication and more or \nless frequent physical encounters.14 New projects to increase autonomy â \nthat is the ability for people to lead their own lives according to their \nown plans â are being created on all scales and with the greatest variety \nof definitions of what autonomy actually looks like. What is characteristic \nto all of them is that the condition for autonomy is no longer understood \nas being rooted in the inner world, withdrawn from the social world, but in \nnetworked projects deeply engaged in the social world. Such projects range \nfrom the global justice campaigns, to the resurgence of local identities, \nfrom loosely coordinated political pressure campaigns to support groups \nthat help people cope with personal traumas. They can be left-wing or \nright-wing, destructive or nurturing. Engagement in such projects is \nvoluntary and they are held together by common protocols of communication \nand based on trust among their participants. Trust, in turn, is enabled by \nthe horizontal availability of personal information about each other. In \nsome ways, the dynamics of traditional offline communities â where everyone \nknows everyone â are being transported, transformed and scaled-up to new \ncommunities based on online communication. Of course, what âknowing a \npersonâ means is rather different, and often distributed communities are \ntoo large to even superficially âknowâ or count as a âfriendâ everyone \ninvolved. Yet, if need be, everyone can be looked up and become suitably \nknown very quickly, because everyone, voluntarily or involuntarily, leaves \npersonal traces than can be accessed in real time or after the fact with \ngreat ease. While this, in itself, is not an entirely unproblematic \ncondition â what about the freedom to have certain acts fade from memory?15 \nâ it provides the basis for the rise of new voluntary associations. This \ncan help to increase real autonomy of people, because it is focused on \ncreating inter-personal worlds in which autonomy can be lived on a daily \nbasis, even if its extends only to some fraction of oneâs life.\n\nMore problematic is the shift towards personalized institutions. With the \nrising complexity of the services delivered, personalization does have its \nbenefits and the dead hand of bureaucratic formalism often can be, indeed, \nrather deadly. Yet, personalization also increases the power and control \nthat such institutions can exercise, rather than the opposite. All the \nknowledge that goes into framing the character of the personalization \nresides at the end of the corporation that gets an ever increasing range of \ntools to fine-tune each relationship to optimize the pursuit of its own \ninterests (usually profit maximization). As long as the actions of the \nuser/customer are aligned with those of the corporation, they are supported \nand amplified through the granting of privileges, such as discounts, extra \nfeatures and opportunities, faster delivery, and so on. However, as soon as \nthe actions are no longer aligned (because they are hostile or not \nprofitable), personalization turns into discrimination, based on whatever \nmechanisms are programmed into the underlying algorithms.16 For the user, \nconfronted with subtle, entirely opaque and unaccountable decision-making \nmechanisms, it is nearly impossible to tell if one is being privileged or \ndiscriminated. There is no more standard against which this can be \n\nThus, the possibilities to create meaningful autonomy are being expanded \nthrough voluntary, horizontal associations that directly express their \nmembersâ interests and desires. At the same time and through the same \ninfrastructure, the return of privileges and discrimination expands the \nability of institutions to subtly or overtly shape other peopleâs lives \naccording to their agendas. Thus, we can observe a structural \ntransformation of the conditions for autonomy as well as the practices of \ncontrol. Privacy no longer serves to mediate between them. What should \nreplace it are two things. New strategies for connective opacity extending \nboth horizontally â modulating what those outside a particular network can \nsee of what is going on inside â and vertically â modulating what the \nproviders of the infrastructure can see of the sociability they enable. In \na way, this can be seen as privacy 2.0, but it takes as its unit not the \nindividual, but an entire social network. But that is not enough. We also \nneed mandatory transparency of the protocols, algorithms and procedures \nthat personalize the behaviour of these newly flexible bureaucracies, so \nthat the conditions of discrimination can be contested.\n\nAmerican Business (Cambridge, MA/London: Harvard University Press, 1977).\n\n2. Quoted in: James C. Scott, Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to \nImprove the Human Condition Have Failed (Yale: Yale University Press, \n1998), 11.\n\n3. James R. Beniger, The Control Revolution: Technological and Economic \nOrigins of the Information Society (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University \nPress, 1986).\n\n4. Charles Taylor, Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity \n(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989).\n\n5. JÃrgen Habermas, The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An \nInquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society, translated by Thomas Burger \nwith the assistance of Frederick Lawrence (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1989 \n\n6. See, for example, Wolfgang Sofsky, Privacy: A Manifesto, translated by \nSteven Rendall (Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2008), \nor, if you read German, Beate RÃssler, Der Wert des Privaten (Frankfurt am \nMain: Suhrkamp, 2002).\n\n7. Eli Zaretsky, Secrets of the Soul: A Social and Cultural History of \nPsychoanalysis (New York: Vintage, 2005).\n\n8. Catherine MacKinnon, Toward a Feminist Theory of the State (Cambridge, \nMA: Harvard University Press, 1989).\n\n9. I have addressed the role of the preventive security regimes elsewhere. \nFelix Stalder, âBourgeois Anarchism and Authoritarian Democraciesâ, First \nMonday, vol. 13 (2008) no. 7 (July).\n\n10. The classic here is: Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and \nRevival of American Community (New York: Touchstone Books/Simon & Schuster, \n2000). A recent addition to this perspective: Jacqueline Olds and Richard \nS. Schwartz, The Lonely American: Drifting Apart in the Twenty-first \nCentury (New York: Beacon Press, 2009).\n\n11. Manuel Castells, Communication Power (Oxford: Oxford University Press, \n2009), 121.\n\n12. Christophe Aguiton and Dominique Cardon, âThe Strength of Weak \nCooperation: An Attempt to Understand the Meaning of Web 2.0â, \nCommunications & Strategies, no. 65 (2007).\n\n13. For an analysis of Googleâs comprehensive data-gathering strategy, see \nFelix Stalder and Christine Mayer, âThe Second Index: Search Engines, \nPersonalization and Surveillanceâ, in: Konrad Becker and Felix Stalder \n(eds.), Deep Search: The Politics of Search beyond Google (Innsbruck/New \nJersey: Studienverlag/Transaction Publishers, 2009), 98-116.\n\n14. For the relationship between communication and travel, see Jonas \nLarsen, John Urry and Kay Axhausen, Mobilities, Networks, Geographies \n(Aldershot: Ashgate, 2006).\n\n15. Viktor Mayer-Schoenberger, Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the \nDigital Age (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2009).\n\n16. David Lyon (ed.), Surveillance as Social Sorting: Privacy, Risk and \nAutomated Discrimination (London/New York: Routledge, 2003).\n\n-> http://felix.openflows.com/node/143\n\n*|Deep Search.The Politics of Search Beyond Google.Studienverlag 2009\n\n#  distributed via <nettime>: no commercial use without permission\n#  collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6367297172546387}
{"content": "Agora Collection by Segis\n\n\nAgora is a collection of upholstered seating, tables and partition panels which takes its name from the ancient Greek polis whose Agora was the center of the city’s life.\n\nLounge chair, sofa, bench, ottoman and partition are the elements that make up the pleasurable environment by creating comfortable waiting and meeting spaces. The versatile collection is represented by well sized products that can be easily placed in different contexts. Tables of varied heights and dimensions create a unique and elegant mood.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9961310029029846}
{"content": "PUST in the news\n\n\nA couple notes on the article:\n\n  • While the school may have 250 acres if the affiliated cooperative farms are included, the actual campus is much smaller, with ~10 buildings built around two sports fields.\n  • The supposition of leverage is, I feel, more nuanced than expressed in the article. Detentions of Americans have and continue to occur across the different engagements. While PUST got unlucky this time, it provides no more benefit to the regime in that regard than the tourism or other ongoing aid projects, which have also experienced similar actions in the past.\n  • PUST is not even close to the largest foreign community in the country, as stated, that honor goes to the Chinese\n\nProjects like PUST are an opportunity to put a human face on Americans in the minds of the next generation of educators and empowered thinkers in Pyongyang. It’s hard to overstate the value of that engagement.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8278013467788696}
{"content": "You are here\n\nOur working relationship\n\nSubmitted by Education on Mon, 09/11/2015 - 15:07\n\nAs part of our Poplar Partnership project, artist educator Adam Walker worked with artist-in-residence John Mayson and a group of Key Stage 2 students from Manorfield Primary School to explore the question “Can a conversation be an artwork?” The project took this question as the basis for a collaborative and open-ended exploration inspired by the Philosophy for Children approach to questioning and enquiry. Adam and John used practical sessions to explore the idea of the conversation itself as an artwork, including creating spaces for conversation to happen and exploring ways of sharing meaning and understanding that go beyond language. Here they discuss the benefits of collaborating on the project:\n\nADAM: A major benefit which I really enjoyed was the large amount of risk and not-knowing which was able to be carried through the project. John and I had many conversations before and during the workshops, and this enabled a really free exploration of ideas to take place, with the pupils seeing immediately that they were genuine collaborators: they weren’t being taken along a pre-determined path but were instead themselves determining the direction the project took. The level of understanding John and I had built up meant he really understood and enhanced the ideas I was seeking to explore, so trusted me to me to take the group down a route of exploration where the outcome was very much unknown until approaching the end.\n\nJOHN: I don’t believe in the stereotype that artists work best in an empty room with only their own thought process to contend with. I think that creativity is like a virtuous common cold that spreads and grows with every sneeze and this was why it was great to have Adam come and work with us on our philosophical/conceptual art project. Bow Arts really understood the aims of the project and the pupils of Manorfield Primary School and by selecting Adam to work with us they ensured that our pupils, and myself, were challenged appropriately. \n\nADAM: While we had distinct roles (with me bringing the initial idea and continuing to develop and lead the project conceptually, and John of course knowing the pupils and handling practicalities from the school side), it was the blurring of these distinctions and shared excitement and language we developed around what we were exploring, and the way we both shared this with the pupils, that really made the project a success.  The unknowingness, freedom and risk that collaborating with John enabled, meant that this project really reflected the way I work as an artist and the distinction between the educational and non-educational parts of my practice was even less distinct. \n\nJOHN: It was great to work with another artist who was generous with sharing his thoughts and ideas but sensitive enough to always combine the ideas of the group to move the project forward in really interesting and unexpected ways. Because Adam and myself trusted each other’s way of working and constantly fed back to each other how we felt the sessions went, it meant that we could ensure that the pupils were exposed to new ways of working artistically but that the pupils were supported throughout the entire project. In many ways, because our way of working is so different to each other, we were also challenged to work outside of our comfort zone meaning that we were more sensitive to the pupils experience of the project and that meant the project was exciting and weird and fresh for everyone involved. \n\nJohn Mayson has been artist-in-residence at Manorfield Primary since 2006\n\nAdam Walker is an artist who graduated from Camberwell College of Art in 2011. He has led Education projects for Bow Arts, Tate and Camden Arts Centre", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7909654378890991}
{"content": "ChesterRep Collection: Mon, 11 Dec 2017 11:40:18 GMT 2017-12-11T11:40:18Z Production of DNA aptamers with specificity for bacterial food pathogens Title: Production of DNA aptamers with specificity for bacterial food pathogens Authors: Kärkkäinen, Riikka M. Abstract: Aptamers are biomolecular ligands composed of nucleic acids. They can be selected to bind specifically to a range of target molecules and subsequently exploited in a fashion analogous to more traditional biomolecules such as antibodies. In this study a method for selecting new aptamers which specifically bind whole live bacterial cells is described. A non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli K12 was used to develop the method. A DNA library containing 100 bases long random nucleotide sequences was produced and the aptamer selection process was repeated nine times. An enzyme-linked technique was first used to detect bound aptamers thereafter fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy methods were used for the detection. The aptamers were cloned and sequenced and the cloned aptamers produced with fluorescent labels. The E. coli K12-binding aptamers were used to demonstrate the detection of the bacterial cells in a complex food matrix, namely probiotic yogurt, by using fluorescence based detection method. The aptamer selection method with some modifications was also used to select aptamers with specificity for the food pathogens E. coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, L. innocua, S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis. The aptamers against E. coli O157 and S. typhimurium were cloned and the sequences and the binding properties of these aptamers were analysed. The use of E. coli K12 as a target organism and the aptamer sequences presented in this study, have not previously been published in scientific literature. This is also the first report where the aptamers have been used in detection of live bacterial cells in yogurt. Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT 2012-09-01T00:00:00Z Vitamin D and cardiometabolic disease risk: A RCT and cross-sectional study Title: Vitamin D and cardiometabolic disease risk: A RCT and cross-sectional study Authors: Agbalalah, Tari Abstract: Given the strong evidence for a beneficial role of vitamin D in diabetes and CVD pathogenesis, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation has been advocated for the prevention of cardiometabolic disease. To provide information on the effects of 5,000IU (125µg) vitamin D3 on cardiometabolic risk, a double blind, RCT in a cohort of overweight and obese UK adult males with plasma 25(OH)D concentration < 75nmol/L for a duration of 8 weeks was conducted. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first RCT to investigate the effect of 5,000IU (125µg) vitamin D3 on cardiometabolic markers in vitamin D insufficient, non-hypertensive and non-diabetic overweight and obese adult males. Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT 2017-01-30T00:00:00Z Investigating the role of heatshock on diabetic wound healing Title: Investigating the role of heatshock on diabetic wound healing Authors: Contractor, Taha Abstract: The increasing occurrence of diabetes in the general population as a result of over nutrition and increasingly inactive lifestyle has led to an obesity epidemic which is set to grow over time. With an ever increasing obese population type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications are set to become the major causes of human mortality. Chronic non healing wounds are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes. They are predominantly caused by macrophage dysfunction and a lack of migration of fibroblasts into the wound. This study aimed to investigate diabetic wound healing through development of an artificial scratch assay. An in vitro scratch assay developed in WS1 cells. The effect of heat shock treatments from 39°C to 45° was tested to determine if cell migration increased; however, no significant difference was seen. Mitomycin C was used to determine if wound closure occurred as a result of cell proliferation and migration or migration alone. 10μg/ml of mitomycin C inhibited cell division by 79.9% without exhibiting cytotoxicity over a 12h period. The effect of hyperglycaemia and heat shock was also tested and showed no significant difference when compared to control conditions, suggesting that fibroblast migration in vivo is hindered through other factors such as debridement or macrophage dysfunction in the wound. GLUT4 is present in insulin sensitive organs (liver, adipose and muscle) and is the major glucose transporter responsible for the clearance of glucose from the blood after a meal, thus playing a central role in glucose homeostasis. Monocytes are precursors to macrophages and can easily be isolated from whole blood. They have also been shown to express GLUT4 in response to insulin and could be used as model to assess inflammation in diabetes. A glucose uptake assay was developed in U937 cells using a fluorescent glucose analogue, 2NBDG. 2NBDG fluorescence was shown to be competitively inhibited by increasing concentrations of glucose suggesting that 2NBDG enters the cell through glucose transporters. 2NBDG uptake was also assessed at different pH and in presence of membrane fluidizers (DMSO, benzyl alcohol and phenethyl alcohol). Extremes of pH significantly reduced cell viability and only at pH 4 was 2NBDG fluorescence significantly reduced. Treatment with DMSO showed that at high concentrations (≤ 1.56%) cell viability was reduced with a concurrent reduction in 2NBDG fluorescence. The effect of benzyl alcohol and phenethyl alcohol was foundto be insignificant at the concentrations and time points tested. The presence of GLUT4 was also determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting and found to be situated in the cytoplasmic region of the cell. This study indicates that monocytes and macrophages could be a potential therapeutic target to improve diabetic wound healing as they are a source of growth factors and cytokines that can bring about resolution of inflammation and it is their dysfunction in diabetic wounds that causes poor clinical outcomes. Mon, 01 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT 2017-05-01T00:00:00Z A retrospective analysis of talent selection and progression within England’s Rugby Football Union Elite Player Performance Pathway Title: A retrospective analysis of talent selection and progression within England’s Rugby Football Union Elite Player Performance Pathway Authors: Velentza, Elisavet Abstract: The England Rugby Football Union (RFU) Elite Player Performance Pathway (EPPP) is a player development system, structured into five playing squads (Under 18 [U18], Under 20 [U20], National academy [NA, age: 18-23 years], Saxons [Saxon, age: 18+ years] and Senior National Squad [SNS, age: 18+ years]), which attempts to develop players to play within the SNS. Despite its importance however, there is yet to be any scientific appraisal of its efficacy in successfully producing SNS players. Appraising the performances of 396 players enrolled on to the EPPP between 2008 and 2014, the purpose of this programme of research was therefore to investigate the nature of player transition and determine the key features associated with match performance between respective squads of the EPPP. To achieve this, the progression rates to subsequent squads, and the anthropometrical and position-specific technical performance data was quantified in conjunction with individual player progression within the EPPP system. Of the 396 players assessed within the thesis, 121 reached the SNS. Involvement in the EPPP was defined by high rates of de-selection during progression to subsequent squads and this was most apparent within the U18, U20 and NA squads. Analyses revealed the proportion of selected players for higher squads was 48.70%, 37%, 57.10% and 61% for U18-U20, U20-NA, NA-Saxon and Saxon-SNS squads, respectively. Within the SNS (n = 121), only 5.80% experienced a linear development (U18-U20-NA-Saxons-SNS) whereas all other players displayed variability with respect to squad pathway trajectories (NA-SNS 0.82%, Saxon-SNS: 50.4%, U20-Saxon-SNS 4.95%, NA-Saxon-SNS 12.39%, U18-U20-NA SNS:2.57%, U18-U20-Saxon-SNS 3.30%, U20-NA-Saxon-SNS 2.47%, side entries [selection from outside the EPPP system] 17.35%) within the EPPP. Thus, progression within the talent development (TDE) system was typified by variable patterns of sequential selection and de-selection processes throughout U18 to senior squads. The prerequisite level of technical performance indicators (TPI), related to generic and position-specific performance characteristics, and anthropometrical features (body mass and stature) specific to six predefined positional groups (front row [FR], second row [SR], Back row [BR], scrumhalf [SH], inside backs [IB], outside backs [OB]), were examined. The SNS revealed similar TPIs to the Saxon squad in all positional groups, only SNS FR were heavier (p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.18) and taller (p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.25) than Saxons FR. Likewise, the results demonstrate that anthropometrical characteristics consistently differentiated respective squads though, on occasion, there were aspects of TPIs that discriminated youth (U18) adult (U20, NA) and senior (Saxons, SNS) age international squads for the six positional groups within the EPPP. Used in isolation therefore, TPIs might offer benchmarks across the respective squads, however the extent of the observed differences between younger (U18 and U20) and older (NA, Saxons & SNS) squads suggests they could be used in conjunction with coach intuition to improve the objectivity of player selection to future squads. Where the performances of progressed and non-progressed players were considered results revealed that taller and heavier players, competing within a higher number of matches, for an increased period of time, were the most important variables influencing progression or deselection from the programme. Where the match TPIs were considered, there were stochastic differences between groups though it appeared as though selected players typically outperformed the non-selected group albeit by small margins and there were fewer differences between progressed and non-progressed in older age squads. Finally, in players selected to progress and those deselected, there was notable within-group variation in the technical demands. Such variation was typified by overlapping IQRs when groups were compared meaning selected players could perform more, or less, effectively than deselected players in any given match. Clearly, such an issue suggests that the technical performance during competition cannot be used to determine talent in such instances. Collectively, the results provide insight to the key requirements of the EPPP, which could be used to develop future coaching, scouting methods, player TDE systems by providing normative levels of attainment for aspiring players, both enrolled or not, within the elite player developmental system. Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT 2017-02-01T00:00:00Z", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9727978110313416}
{"content": "The Crown Chakra\n\nThe crown is where our personal energy field becomes one with the universe, where we experience the oneness of all.  Whatever we understood intellectually and then intuitively now becomes complete comprehension.  With the six lower chakras we are able to control and influence whereas when the 7th chakra is open, we let things happen through us.  We’re in the flow, so to speak\n\nYour Energy Tip of the Month: Ever try to think things through looking for an answer but intellectually you weren’t getting it?  But if you let your thoughts go for a couple of hours or overnight, the answer seems to show up effortlessly the next day?  That’s not unusual.  But it does show how often you do rely on your crown chakra for answers, without even knowing you’re doing it.  Imagine the calm you would derive if you were to consciously decide to just let go more often and let the answers to simply come to you.\n\nWeek 2: Breath\n\nAssume the posture mentioned last week. Begin by counting to four as you breath in, hold (4), exhale (4), hold (4).  And repeat this process at least 5 times, morning and night.  It can be invigorating or calming depending on your state of mind.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9621365070343018}
{"content": "Rogue planet could bring end of days this weekend, numerologists say\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"There is no credible evidence whatever for the existence of Nibiru,” Dr. David Morrison, a scientist with NASA, said to the U.K.’s Daily Express. “There are no pictures, no tracking, no astronomical observations.”\n\nEarth destroyed in collision - 3D artwork illustration of planetary explosion\n\nNibiru, also known as Planet X, was originally supposed to destroy our world on September 23 according to a Christian Numerologist who said it was to collide with Earth.  (iStock)\n\nMorrison adds that there’s proof positive that Nibiru does not exist and is not a threat to Earth.\n\n\n\n“FEMA partners with NASA to develop guidance on preparing for any potential impacts to Earth from natural space objects,” a FEMA spokesperson said to Newsweek. “Upon notification from NASA of an impending impact threat to the United States, FEMA would take the lead to notify appropriate federal, state and local authorities and emergency response institutions.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9967924952507019}
{"content": "The migration of wildbeasts once in every year into kenya in company of other animals like  the Zebras Eland and Impala is something that attracts lots of  tourists into the country.\n\nWildebeest migration animal facts African photo safari Masai mara safari wildebeest migration Masai mara national park Kenya safaris in Africa amazing beautiful wildebeest animal photosTheir movement is quite predictable.Their migration is thought to be aimed at achieving quality food and water.They move from Serengeti National park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara National park in Kenya.Once they get to Maasai Mara they don’t stay together but  spread out, and you can find them on different locations of the park to fulfill their mission of finding greener pastures.\n\nWildebeest_Running_In_River_In_The_Serengeti_Tanzania_Africa_600                            At the period when they are around one can spot them creating a beautiful scene while crossing river Mara.As time moves by they will be spotted moving towards western Loliondo and Serengeti’s southern part Lobo. In October,they start migrating from Kenya to Tanzania and the same thing happens the next year.wildebeests-jumping-kenya_28400_990x742As this happens many of us will be heading to Maasai Mara to witness the most anticipated wonder of the world.\n\nThis activity has made  Maasai Mara gain popularity both locally and internationally  attracting tourists thus making massive profits.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9880991578102112}
{"content": "Friday, May 9, 2014\n\nWiFi Of The Body: Our Biomagnetic Field\n\nOur Nervous System And Signalling\n\nOur nervous systems operate by signalling our brain of activity in our sensory receptors be they sight, sound, touch, taste or smell. This signalling occurs by electrical impulses which travel the length of our nervous system from the source of the sensation to our brain, where we perceive it and it becomes a sensation to us that occurred in a location in our body. The actual sensation occurred not in the area the event took place, but in our brain and mind. It started as an event, us touching an object, the nerves in our fingers create a chemical based electrical charge initiated by pressure and temperature. That signal has a particular signature that that travels all the way through the nerves of our arms, to our spinal column and the spinal cord and up into our brain where it is deciphered and translated into a sensation. All of that happens as a result of our biochemistry (temperature and pressure create the electrical current resulting from our touching the object), bioelectric current (a minute electrical charge which travels the length of our nervous system) and our brain which deciphers the electrical impulse and tells us that we fell something.\n\nOur Nervous System And Substances That Affect Us\n\nThe same thing applies to substances that we consume. For instance some substances that we eat can make us feel good. It is a feeling that is much like the sensation of touch, though it effects our overall mood rather than acting as a feedback to interaction. Some sweets for example can have that affect upon people as consuming them causes the body to produce endorphins and sometime even dopamine, both of which are feel good hormones naturally produced by the body. The same process is going on except this time the signal occurs as a result of our taste buds and perhaps digestion to a small degree. Our taste buds produce and electrical current biochemically upon sampling whatever had happened to come into contact with them. The current travels through the nerve fibres to our spinal column and spinal cord and up into our brain. There is is interpreted by our brain (usually our hypothalamus) which signals our endocrine system to produce a hormone such as an endorphin or dopamine which gives us the sensation of feeling good.\n\nBioelectricity Is To Network Cables What Biomagnetism Is To WiFi\n\nAny electrical current that travels through a conductive medium produces a magnetic field around the area electrical current travels, following it. A magnetic field if it were visible would resemble a three dimensional haze emanating from the area around the current. It would fluctuate in time to as a result of its interaction with the charged particles in the air and the level of current that produced it. The fluctuations in the level of current are likely how the body encodes information for the nervous system and the brain to decipher and to propagate the resulting input into sensory output or perception and cognition of some form. This information would be encoded into the level of current created and how it fluctuated over time in response to the sensory input such as that of touch or taste. This information would then also be encoded into the magnetic field that was produced as a result of that current as stated by Maxwell's Laws of Electromagnetism. Considering that the nervous system and spinal cord are alight with such electrical activity nearly constantly as such information passes between our senses and our brains, that must also mean that our bodies are surrounded by a constantly fluctuating magnetic field that contains all of the encoded information being communicated along our spinal column. \n\nWhen a magnetic field travelling through the air passes through another conductor, it creates a resonant electrical current in the conductor mirrored by that of the magnetic field. Our bodies being conductors are just perfect for such a thing. What would stop this biomagnetic field from stimulating someone else's nervous system? In such a case that would make it like a WiFi signal that could connect to other bodies. If the signalling was interpreted similarly in the brains of the two people whose biomagnetic fields interfered in such a way, then those two people would likely feel the same sensations as the other that were compatible to the ability of the hypothalamus and other parts of the brain to interpret the signals and produce hormones via the endocrine system. That would mean that a person who was attempting such a thing could conceivably make another person feel the same way that they were feeling. That is if they ate a sweet that stimulated good feelings in their body, they could make someone else's body feel the sensations associated with eating that sweet. Likewise if the person had a high degree of anxiety or anger, they could make someone else feel that way biochemically as the endocrine system produces cortisol and adrenaline in such cases. Conceivably someone could affect someone else's body state from a distance via these methods as everything that I've mentioned here is valid scientifically and some of it is in the early stages of research.\n\nThe truth is that there are many people who practice this sort of thing as a form of healing art such as Qigong, Reiki and Yoga. While there are some that practice it invasively as a means to manipulate others emotionally as I've discussed on this blog in other sections. If our actions can be influenced at least in part by our emotions and our emotions can be influenced by the level of hormones in our body, then this would definitely be a way to affect someone emotionally. The truth is that there are many people that conduct this sort of activity without the consent of others and with complete disregard for their well being. Some even use it as a form of punishment and conditioning to further their ideology. So how do we protect ourselves and deal with this in the future and what moral implications does this hold for us?\n\nA Simple Breakdown Of How It Works:\n\nMaxwell's Law Of Electromagnetism states that an electrical current passing through a conductor creates a magnetic field and vice versa, a magnetic field passing through a conductor creates an electrical current in that conductor.\n\nThe nervous system utilizes electricity (electrochemical signals) as a means of sending signals from one part of the body to the part of the brain that decodes the meaning of the signal and back to another part of the body to create a response or reaction.\n\nMost of these signals involve information received from our senses in response to perception or interaction with the world around us.\n\nThe human body produces a magnetic field of its own called a biomagnetic field.\n\nThis biomagnetic field contains all of the information encoded in real-time pertaining to the communications taking place between our senses, nerves, nervous system and our brain.\n\nBecause this biomagnetic field contains information that might be compatible from body to body and as it can be decoded by the original body that produced it, if this field passes over into the body of another person it might by way of the body being an electric conductor turn to an electric current that might be interpreted by the nervous system and brain of the body that it connects with.\n\nBecause much of the functioning of the nervous system is geared around producing hormones from the adrenal and endocrine glands, when another person's body is affect by the magnetic field from someone else's body, there is a chance the receiving person's body might respond to the signalling of the nervous system of the person from it originated. If there are instruction to produce hormones from the adrenal or endocrine glands, then the other person's body might also produce those hormones as well.\n\nSo if the transmitting person feels healthy or happy, then the receiving person might feel the same by the resulting production of dopamine and serotonin from the transmitting body.\n\nIf the transmitting person feels angry or in the midst of anxiety, then the receiving person might feel anger or anxiety by the resulting production of cortisol and adrenaline from the transmitting body.\n\nThe same would be the case from a person who was using a narcotic of some form or under the effects of some hormone enhancing/reducing drug.\n\nIn a future post I will discuss this in detail and hopefully arrive at some conclusive awareness for us all.\n\nFor the time being, suffice it to say that I believe that people who conduct the activity against the free will of another human being are conducting a great injustice upon them and I am sure that many people would agree.\n\nStay Well And Be Safe\n\nBrian Joseph Johns\n\n\nSignals and signs in the nervous system: The dynamic anatomy of electrical activity is probably information-rich by Theodore Holmes Bullock\n\nBioelectricmagnetism Portal\n\nBioelectricmagnetism by Jaakko Malmivuo and Robert Plonsey\nA book full of information on the phenomenon. Chapter 21 is highly recommended as it pertains directly to stimulation of the nervous system by an outside means, in essence the simulating of the signalling involved in nerve responses. These responses directly affect the output of the adrenal and endocrine glands which play a big role in anxiety and a number of other mood effectors.\n\nCanadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety\nEndocrine Disruptors\n\nNervous System by Wikipedia\n\nEndocrine Gland by Wikipedia\n\nAdrenal Gland by Wikipedia\n\nAs related to healing\n\nThe International Center For Reiki Training\n\nThe International Institute Of Medical Qigong (Canada)\n\nNo comments:\n\nPost a Comment", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5410523414611816}
{"content": "Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2017 Ballon d'Or.\n\nRonaldo also won the award last year, four out of the past five years and five times during his career.\n\nLionel Messi finished second while Neymar finished third. Gianluigi Buffon, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe, N'Golo Kante, Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane rounded out the top-10.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9828665256500244}
{"content": "Sokurov's `Elegy' a tribute to Tarkovsky\n\nAugust 09, 2002|By Patrick Z. McGavin. Special to the Tribune.\n\nAlexander Sokurov's \"Moscow Elegy\" is a poetic, experimental documentary by the country's greatest living director on Russia's most important postwar filmmaker, Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986).\n\nSokurov is a formalist, an artist whose rigorous, severe, though often staggeringly beautiful work is grounded in references to painting, literature and music. Unlike an earlier documentary made on the life and work of the Russian director, the conventional, prosaic \"Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky,\" Sokurov's \"Moscow Elegy\" achieves a spellbinding, haunting quality.\n\nTarkovsky was the son of a prominent Russian poet, Arseniy Tarkovsky, and he was also Sokurov's friend and mentor who helped Sokurov with his first job at Lenfilm Studios. After Tarkovsky's death, Sokurov was commissioned by the Professional Union of Cinematographers to produce a documentary portrait of him. Sokurov proved as intransigent and uncompromising as his late friend, and this film was withheld for more than a decade.\n\nTarkovsky (\"Andrei Rublev,\" \"Stalker\") made enigmatic, haunting, devastating movies (Steven Soderbergh is currently remaking his 1972 masterpiece, \"Solaris\"). \"Moscow Elegy\" underlines Sokurov's profound affinity with the late director's films in the densely layered images, sounds and camera placement. We see Tarkovsky in fragments and bursts of imagery, though the movie offers little in the standard grammar of documentaries. \"Moscow Elegy\" is far more attuned to mood, Tarkovsky's personal meaning to Sokurov, and his significance in the greater Russian culture.\n\n\"Moscow Elegy\" is defined by absence--Tarkovsky,the man and artist, was harassed by state authorities producing long stretches of inactivity, allowing for only seven movies in more than 26 years. The movie also mourns a national cinema that has never recovered from his forced exile and tragic death. \"Moscow Elegy\" is structured as an inquiry into the man, what film meant to him, and the profound loss in his work when he was forced by political and economic complications to live his final years in the West.\n\nThere is an extraordinary scene where Sokurov displays Tarkovsky's passport photos doubled up, as if copied in a split screen, followed moments later by Tarkovsky passing through a door, in what was the final time--March, 1982--that Tarkovsky would ever inhabit his native country.\n\n\"Moscow Elegy\" is fraught with images of loss (the most astounding image of the film is an extended tracking shot that moves through the dank, vacant house where Tarkovsky lived with his second wife and two sons). After extracts from Tarkovsky's most autobiographical film, \"The Mirror,\" are interpolated with some of his father's own poetry, \"Moscow Elegy\" focuses on Tarkovsky's time spent in Italy, making \"Nostalgia,\" and on an isolated Swedish island where he created his final masterpiece, 1986's \"The Sacrifice,\" despite suffering from advanced complications of lung cancer.\n\nTarkovsky conceives filmmaking in the manner of a novelist or painter. He is completely absorbed and drawn into its complexities, mysteries and wonder. Brilliantly shot in wintry, shimmering black-and-white, Sokurov draws on landscape, cloud formations and open fields, in opposition to the depraved, cold, sterile Moscow street locations (there is an amazing shot of dreary lines of Muscovites attending the state funeral of Leonid Breznev). The film closes with the director in consultation with his technical collaborators, including the great cinematographer Sven Nykvst.\n\nAndrei Tarkovsky was a poet of the cinema. Alexander Sokurov is his aesthetic heir who brings the remarkable man and his work vividly back to elliptical though overwhelming life.\n\n\n\"Moscow Elegy\" ((star)(star)(star)(star)) plays at 1 p.m. Sunday at Facets Multimedia, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.; 772-281-4114. In Russian, Italian, French and English; English subtitled.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.655704915523529}
{"content": "Finalist 2016: Isobel Davis, VIC\n\nHome»Finalist 2016: Isobel Davis, VIC\n\nName: Isobel Davis\n\nCommunity, State: Balmoral, VIC\n\nSchool: Balmoral Community College \n\nAge: 17, Grade 11\n\nWhy is gender equality important to you and your community?\n\nThe word community has various different dictionary definitions, yet the one I found most profound was “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.”\n\nPersonally my community is not reserved to my small township of Balmoral, nor to my country, yet my community goes far beyond that due to my involvement and passion for the Agricultural industry, my small community depends on farming.\n\nI believe a community should evoke a sense of safety and love and it should also exhibit equality. All types of equality or lack-of are important in our modern world and have been present in society for many years. One spectrum of equality that is immensely important to myself not only as a female but also as an aspiring influential leader in Agriculture, is gender equality.\n\nMy community and the survival of not only our town but our entire country has depended on the Agricultural industry and the people involved in it, however women only make up 32.0% of the workforce in Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry Industries (according to data found by the ABS (2015), Labour Force, Australia, and complied by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency). This means that women hold greatly less power in this area compared to men yet we have so much to offer.\n\nThere is a negative stereotype surrounding the Agriculture industry and specifically farming as a career that is very gender specific. A woman’s role has always been restricted to the “farmer’s wife” act, yet women are powerful, strong and knowledgeable and we posses countless great skills to bring to the table as farmers. Unfortunately I believe this stereotype has deterred young girls and women from pursuing such a rewarding lifestyle and career in farming.\n\nGender equality is important to my community and myself because our future survival depends on it. I hope to inspire young girls and women to join my community and see that being involved in the Agricultural industry is not just a job but a rewarding and empowering lifestyle where women can be treated equally and respectfully because:\n\n“…everyday, three times a day, you need a farmer”-Brenda Schoepp,\n\n And I believe female farmers make the very best farmers!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6977627277374268}
{"content": "VCU Libraries\n\nResearch Guides\n\n\nWhy Do I Lose Access\n\nMost of the licensing agreements with the publishers/vendors of the journals and databases we subscribe to require that remote access be limited to current students and faculty.\n\nWhen Do I Lose Access to VCU Libraries Resources\n\n\nYou usually lose access shortly after graduation. VCU changes student status from 'student' to \"former student' on a scheduled basis, and VCU Libraries uses student status to restrict access to current students.\n\nNOTE: Students who are employees are exceptions; there should be no lapse in access.\n\nFaculty and Staff\n\nYou usually lose access the day you are no longer on the VCU payroll. VCU changes faculty or employee status to 'former faculty' or 'former employee,' and VCU uses faculty or employee status to restrict access to current faculty and employees.\n\nNOTE: Retired faculty and emeritus faculty are exceptions as access can continue provided your school/department enters you into the VCU Affiliate database.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.963696300983429}
{"content": "Follow by Email\n\nMonday, July 7, 2014\n\nDancing with Anxiety\n\nPhoto by Kevin Tomasello\nAnxiety in writers is like the common cold. It's easy to catch and hard to let go. When I feel anxious, I go to nature. These orchids offer their quiet beauty, reminding me to take a deep breath. Breathe in, exhale slowly...okay, not working. So, I will go to writing. Bear with me, I will try to resolve this issue by the end.\n\nOf course, writers are not the only people to suffer anxiety. Any number of people can carry this affliction at any one time. But, I do believe writers have an edge when it comes to this problem. We may turn it into a character: Anxiety is a sharp-chinned rogue, too restless--or afraid-- of being ripped open with all its entrails hanging forth. Or Anxiety crept up behind her, its icy tendrils slithering up her back , encircling her throat until her breath was a gurgle. Or even: Yo, b*tch, Anxiety here, that's right, I'm baaaack. Yes, Anxiety is usually an antagonist.\n\nBut, couldn't Anxiety be a good guy (or gal, let's not discriminate)? What if it is simply The Spark? The effects of anxiety often come from indecision or lack of knowledge or lack of confidence, right? Maybe that tremor in your voice or the sweat on your palms is a sign. Maybe your heart is beating out of your chest to make you pay attention. Maybe--shall I go out on that thin limb--maybe it's a gift. That's right, you heard me. A gift.\n\nOh yes, I know, it's not a good feeling. Anxiety and I have a long relationship, but that doesn't mean we are soul mates. I am still learning how to dance with this bastard, er, gift. But, how, you may ask? How do we tame the savage beastie? Natalie Goldberg talks about alleviating writer's anxiety in her powerful book THUNDER AND LIGHTNING: CRACKING OPEN THE WRITER'S CRAFT. She suggests (for writers, at least, it is a book for writers, after all) that we not beat ourselves up for missing a day of writing, or two, but instead, SCHEDULE IT IN. If you only have a free half hour on Friday after the kids go to bed, put that time on your calendar for writing. Anxiety hates structure. It thrives on chaos and disarray. Turn the lion into a purring kitten. Goldberg reminds us that if we structure our time for writing, we won't be thinking about it while we're at our kid's soccer game or talking to our spouse or consoling a sick friend. We can focus on the present thing. We know we will have that time, no matter how small, to devote to the thing we are compelled to do. I think this could work for anything we want to do: writing, painting, meditation, working out, researching things we are passionate about, animal welfare, thinking up cool crafts for the kids, designing the perfect tattoo--whatever! Why not?\n\nDon't give up your dream. If you are passionate about something, if you can't stop thinking about it, if it wakes you up at two in the morning or even if it's long buried, but kicks to the surface at odd times, it is worth putting it on your \"to do\" list and marking time on your calendar for it. I've had a burning desire to write all my life. I wasn't sure what to write exactly, but I knew I was meant to do it. I kept journals on and off, started articles and short stories I never finished, and  puttered around for years doing other things that I was also passionate about, but writing always bobbed its little head out of the water. I finally put it on my schedule. And I wrote a novel. I get to see it published next year. I can't wait to see what Anxiety has in store for me then! But, the point is, I went for it full throttle despite my anxiety. Keeping some structure allowed me to stay in my stride so Anxiety couldn't step on my toes. Perhaps you will do the same. I would love to hear how you manage anxiety and your plans for following your dreams.\n\nAnd don't forget to breathe! Thank you for scheduling a moment with me.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5076438188552856}
{"content": "Assemblywoman wants to review how sexual harassment claims are handled in state government\n\nIn the wake of the flood of sexual harassment accusations against powerful men in politics, entertainment and media, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to immediately convene a task force charged with reviewing existing policies and making recommendations for a uniform standard to handle claims and investigations involving state workers and elected officials.\n\nGalef’s proposal for a coordinated task force would include representatives from the Assembly, Senate, and the offices of the Governor, Attorney General and state Comptroller. It would be required to develop a recommendation for a consistent sexual harassment policy spanning across all state agencies and departments within three months of its formation.\n\nBoth houses of the Legislature and the Executive Branch, which includes all state agencies, have workplace rules to address sexual harassment complaints. However, different systems are in place for each institution and no clear standards exist for all government workers and elected officials, Galef said.\n\n“We have seen only the very beginning of these charges as more people feel braver about coming forward,” said Galef, D-Ossining. “Performing thorough investigations will be hard enough. Compounding the challenge will be how we apply different processes to investigate these allegations.”\n\nAssemblywoman Galef\n\nA comparison of the Assembly and Senate sexual harassment policies show marked differences in how both manage employee grievances, including investigation procedures and time frames for the entire process once a complaint is formally filed, the assemblywoman notes.\n\n“If you are a member of the Assembly, the Senate or are employed by the DMV, you still work for New York state, and as such you should have the same standard apply and to know there is a straightforward process,” she said.\n\n“The goal of the task force will be to consolidate the … policies and provide an unambiguous policy for anyone who receives a paycheck from the state.”\n\nWorkplace harassment is illegal in New York and is a violation of the state Human Rights Law and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which forbids discrimination and harassment based on a person’s sex. Every employee in New York is entitled to a working environment free from sexual harassment.\n\nIn 2015, the governor signed into law Galef’s legislation that allowed all workers to file a complaint of sexual harassment with the state, regardless of the size of their employer.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9402170181274414}
{"content": "Donuts and Milkshake Isabella Belly – healthy living\n\nNourish the brain, make it better able to concentrate and absorb, so it is better to eat balanced food for students; because they need constant nourishment of their mind\n\nIncrease the ability of the immune system to cope with diseases; it increases the production of antibodies in the blood capable of resisting bacteria and microbes.\n\nBuild muscle and cells properly; protein found in large amounts in balanced food gives this benefit. Strengthen the digestive system and help digest food quickly, so that the availability of fiber in it significantly", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9568090438842773}
{"content": "The Gamesmen: PiXelTraX – Season 3, Episode 2\n\nWant to win $20 worth of PSN, XBL, or Wii points? This is the Season 3, Episode 2 of The Gamesmen: PiXelTraX, the show where YOU put your video game soundtrack knowledge to the test against your peers in order to win fantastic digital currency!\n\nHere’s how PiXelTrax works:\n\nEach episode, you, the listener, will be given six audio tracks from various software titles across a vast array of platforms. Every aural example will be accompanied by a verbal clue as well and each correct answer is worth one point, thus making a pure perfect score for each show a total of six. But, that’s not all- collectively, all of the tracks together will share a corresponding “theme” of sorts. Guessing the correct answer for what ties the music together is worth an additional two points. How do you submit your entry sheet, you ask?\n\nSend your numbered responses to [email protected] and they will be incorporated into the leaderboards as they arrive.\n\nRead Full Story >>\nThe story is too old to be commented.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999921977519989}
{"content": "Talk 28\n\n4th February, 1935\nTalk 28.\n\nD.: What is the interrelation between regulation of thought and regulation of breath?\n\nThought (intellectual) and respiration, circulation, etc. (vegetative) activities are both different aspects of the same - the individual life. Both depend upon (or metaphorically `reside' or `inhere' in) life. Personality and other ideas spring from it like the vital activity. If respiration or other vital activity is forcibly repressed, thought also is repressed. If thought is forcibly slowed down and pinned to a point, the vital activity of respiration is slowed down, made even and confined to the lowest level compatible with life. In both cases the distracting variety of thought is temporarily at an end. The interaction is noticeable in other ways also. Take the will to live. That is thought-power. That sustains and keeps up life when other vitality is almost exhausted and delays death. In the absence of such will-power death is accelerated. So thought is said to carry life with it in the flesh and from one fleshy body to another.\nD.: Are there any aids to (1) concentration and (2) casting off distractions?\n\nPhysically the digestive and other organs are kept free from irritation. Therefore food is regulated both in quantity and quality. Non-irritants are eaten, avoiding chillies, excess of salt, onions, wine, opium, etc. Avoid constipation, drowsiness and excitement, and all foods which induce them. Mentally take interest in one thing and fix the mind on it. Let such interest be all-absorbing to the exclusion of everything else. This is dispassion (vairagya [?]) and concentration. God or mantra [?] may be chosen. The mind gains strength to grasp the subtle and merge into it.\nD.: Distractions result from inherited tendencies. Can they be cast off too?\n\nYes. Many have done so. Believe it! They did so because they believed they could. Vasanas (predispositions) can be obliterated. It is done by concentration on that which is free from vasanas and yet is their core.\nD.: How long is the practice to continue?\n\nTill success is achieved and until yoga-liberation becomes permanent. Success begets success. If one distraction is conquered the next is conquered and so on, until all are finally conquered. The process is like reducing an enemy's fort by slaying its man-power - one by one, as each issues out.\nD.: What is the goal of this process?\n\nRealising the Real.\nD.: What is the nature of the Reality?\n\n(a) Existence without beginning or end - eternal.\n(b) Existence everywhere, endless, infinite.\n(c) Existence underlying all forms, all changes, all forces, all matter and all spirit. The many change and pass away (phenomena), whereas the One always endures (noumenon).\n(d) The one displacing the triads, i.e., the knower, the knowledge and the known. The triads are only appearances in time and space, whereas the Reality lies beyond and behind them. They are like a mirage over the Reality. They are the result of delusion.\nD.: If `I' also be an illusion, who then casts off the illusion?\n\nThe `I' casts off the illusion of `I' and yet remains as `I'. Such is the paradox of Self-Realisation. The realised do not see any contradiction in it. Take the case of bhakti [?] - I approach Iswara and pray to be absorbed in Him. I then surrender myself in faith and by concentration. What remains afterwards? In place of the original `I', perfect self-surrender leaves a residuum of God in which the `I' is lost. This is the highest form of devotion (parabhakti), prapatti [?] , surrender or the height of vairagya. You give up this and that of `my' possessions. If you give up `I' and `Mine' instead, all are given up at a stroke. The very seed of possession is lost. Thus the evil is nipped in the bud or crushed in the germ itself. Dispassion (vairagya) must be very strong to do this. Eagerness to do it must be equal to that of a man kept under water trying to rise up to the surface for his life.\nD.: Cannot this trouble and difficulty be lessened with the aid of a Master or an Ishta Devata [?] (God chosen for worship)? Cannot they give the power to see our Self as it is - to change us into themselves - to take us into Self-Realisation?\n\nIshta Devata and Guru are aids - very powerful aids on this path.\nBut an aid to be effective requires your effort also. Your effort is a sine qua non. It is you who should see the sun. Can spectacles and the sun see for you? You yourself have to see your true nature. Not much aid is required for doing it!\nD.: What is the relation between my free-will and the overwhelming might of the Omnipotent?\n(a) Is omniscience of God consistent with ego's freewill?\n(b) Is omnipotence of God consistent with ego's freewill?\n(c) Are the natural laws consistent with God's free-will?\n\nYes. Free-will is the present appearing to a limited faculty of sight and will. The same ego sees its past activity as falling into a course of `law' or rules - its own free-will being one of the links in that course of law. Omnipotence and omniscience of God are then seen by the ego to have acted through the appearance of his own free-will. So he comes to the conclusion that the ego must go by appearances. Natural laws are manifestations of God's will and they have been laid down.\nD.: Is the study of science, psychology, physiology, philosophy, etc. helpful for:-\n(1) this art of yoga-liberation.\n(2) the intuitive grasp of the unity of the Real?\n\nVery little. Some knowledge is needed for yoga and it may be found in books. But practical application is the thing needed, and personal example, personal touch and personal instructions are the most helpful aids. As for the other, a person may laboriously convince himself of the truth to be intuited, i.e., its function and nature, but the actual intuition is akin to feeling and requires practice and personal contact. Mere book learning is not of any great use. After realisation all intellectual loads are useless burdens and are thrown overboard as jetsam. Jettisoning the ego is necessary and natural.\nD.: How does dream differ from waking?\n\nIn dreams one takes on different bodies, and they re-enter this body when one dreams of sense-contacts.\nD.: What is happiness? Is it inhering in the Atman or in the object, or in the contact between the subject and the object? But we do not see happiness in our affairs. When does It actually arise?\n\nWhen there is contact of a desirable sort or memory thereof , and when there is freedom from undesirable contacts or memory thereof, we say there is happiness. Such happiness is relative and is better called pleasure.\nBut men want absolute and permanent happiness. This does not reside in objects, but in the Absolute. It is Peace free from pain and pleasure - it is a neutral state.\nD.: In what sense is happiness our real nature?\n\nPerfect Bliss is Brahman. Perfect Peace is of the Self. That alone exists and is conscious. The same conclusion is arrived at: (a) judged metaphysically, and (b) inferred by Bhakti Marga [?] (Path of Devotion). We pray to God for Bliss and receive it by Grace. The bestower of bliss must be Bliss itself and also Infinite. Therefore, Iswara is the Personal God of infinite power and bliss. Brahman is Bliss, impersonal and absolute. The finite egos, deriving their source from Brahman and then Iswara, are in their spiritual nature bliss only. Biologically, an organism functions because such functions are attended with happiness. It is pleasure that helps our growth; food, exercise, rest, and gregarious qualities. The psychology (and metaphysics) of pleasure is perhaps this; Our nature is primarily one, entire, blissful.\n\nTake this as a probable hypothesis. Creation is by the entire Godhead breaking into God and Nature (maya [?] or prakriti [?]). This maya is of two parts: (para [?]) - the supporting essence and (apara [?]) the five elements, mind, intellect, and ego (eightfold). Ego's perfection is suddenly broken at a point and a want is felt giving rise to a desire to get something or do something. When that want is cured by the fulfilment of that desire, the ego is happy and the original perfection is restored. Therefore happiness may be said to be our natural condition or nature. Pleasure and pain are relative and refer to our finite state, with progress by satisfaction of want. If relative progress is stopped and the soul merges into Brahman - of the nature of perfect peace - that soul ceases to have relative, temporary pleasure and enjoys perfect peace - Bliss.\n\nHence Self-Realisation is Bliss; it is realizing the Self as the limitless spiritual eye (jnana dristi) and not clairvoyance; it is the highest self-surrender. Samsara [?] (the world-cycle) is sorrow.\nD.: Why then is samsara [?] - creation and manifestation as finitised - so full of sorrow and evil?\n\nGod's will!\nD.: Why does God will it so?\n\nIt is inscrutable. No motive can be attributed to that Power -\nno desire, no end to achieve can be asserted of that one Infinite, All-wise and All-powerful Being. God is untouched by activities, which take place in His presence; compare the sun and the world activities. There is no meaning in attributing responsibility and motive to the One before it becomes many. But God's will for the prescribed course of events is a good solution of the free-will problem (vexata quaestio). If the mind is restless on account of a sense of the imperfect and unsatisfactory character of what befalls us or what is committed or omitted by us, then it is wise to drop the sense of responsibility and free-will by regarding ourselves as the ordained instruments of the All-wise and All-powerful, to do and suffer as He pleases. He carries all burdens and gives us peace.\n\nTalk 27 Talk 29", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5801128149032593}
{"content": "Archive for July, 2008\n\nMusic Piano and Life Skills\n\nI am bilingual.  My second language is music, specifically piano. It has taught me life skills. To play or sing on an accomplished level requires a commitment to working daily, focusing  only on the task at hand, setting daily practice goals, and sticking with it until it is right.  It really is grunge work.  Once the piece is learned it becomes “play”.  \n\nPractice is lonely.  It is just you and the instrument.  It is tedious.  You have to do the passage right 3 times.  It is rewarding.  No one can understand unless they are a musician the feeling of hearing yourself ‘do it right’. \n\nCommitment, goal setting, determination, learning to hear what I was doing and maintaining the standard of the music are just a few of the life skills I have learned and polished through my music.  We’ll talk about the brain training in a later post. \n\nAll music is a language.  Like any language if we can’t understand what is being said it just becomes gibberish to us.  Those who love complex music are born with the ability to hear and understand it.  We study music just like we study our native language to get a deeper understanding of its intricacies. The longer I study and teach piano the more I appreciate the miracle that any of us can play, hear and comprehend the beauty of complex music.\n\n I knew at the age of 12 that I wanted to be a piano teacher.  That is one of my core values.  I have discovered on this journey that it is complex music that I enjoy.   I am grateful that the gift of complex music was given to me and that the desire to use it, develop it and enjoy it were also given to me.\n\nTo all musicians of complex music thank you for contributing to global beauty.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9649312496185303}
{"content": "BY: Bill GertzFollow @BillGertz\nNovember 23, 2016 5:00 am\nTOKYO—China is escalating a campaign of military maritime coercion against Japan’s Senkaku Islands, according to Japanese intelligence data disclosed as part of a joint Pentagon-Japan research program.\nAdditionally, China is doubling the size of its coast guard forces over the next five years to prevent the disruption of oil supplies that travel from the Middle East through the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, according to Pentagon-sponsored reports about the joint U.S.-Japan collaboration. Two reports produced by a contractor for the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment, a secretive research group, provide a rare glimpse of Japanese intelligence assessments of Chinese military activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea.\nIn addition to adding large numbers of new coast guard and navy ships to its fleets in Southeast Asia, China is building military facilities on newly created islands in the South China Sea. It …", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.733666181564331}
{"content": "\n\nCurrent Issues\nCover of Issue\nLogistics Partnering Lessons\n\nWhile deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 07–09, the logistics training and advisory team (LTAT) of the 47th Forward Support Battalion (FSB) “Modern Pioneers,” 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, executed numerous partnership events. The 47th FSB (now the 47th Brigade Support Battalion) was tasked with the mission of training and mentoring the 9th and 17th Iraqi Army (IA) Divisions on logistics. The objective was to teach a method of self-reliance that would enable the Iraqi logisticians to sustain and equip their army.\n\nOver the course of the deployment, the Pioneers conducted more than 55 classes and trained more than 300 IA soldiers from the two divisions. The LTAT provided weekly training to the divisions based on the logistics priorities of their G–4s and motorized transportation regiment (MTR) commanders. Training topics included maintenance operations, supply management, driving, convoy security, staff development, and medical support.\n\nIntroduction to the Command Team\n\nBefore initiating each partnership, the Pioneers participated in a key leader engagement—one of the most critical initial steps in any partnership. Through these engagements, the command team built a bond and a sense of mutual respect with the IA command team. Establishing a relationship with the leaders ensured that the IA trusted the Pioneers and felt comfortable working with them to determine how best to use the LTAT personnel to train, give advice, and make recommendations to the IA command, staff, and soldiers.\n\nGetting Started\n\nThe first step was to create the LTAT, which comprised subject-matter experts from all fields of logistics. The LTAT members were required to attend a 5-day course at the Phoenix Academy in Camp Taji, Iraq. There they learned how to provide relevant and viable sustainment training packages for maintenance, supply, medical, and other readiness support in order to achieve IA self-reliance. The attendees also learned the logistics policies and procedures of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense.\n\nNext, the Pioneers provided the 9th and 17th IA Division G–4s and the 17th IA Division MTR each with an embedded liaison officer (LNO). The LNOs served as liaisons among the command teams. They were beneficial for situational awareness, planning, and tracking procedures. The LNOs provided a constant presence for mentoring and training the division G–4 and his staff on a daily basis. It was vital for the LNO to support and show faith in the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense procedures throughout all training and assistance.\n\nThe embedded LNOs took the lead in finding the IA’s daily logistics problems and then provided the IA with recommended solutions to their problems. The LNOs advised IA personnel on how the IA system should work and helped them build the confidence needed to address their problems through the IA system, using the coalition force only for reporting and follow-up procedures.\n\nBest Practices\n\nThe LTAT initially trained each IA soldier separately from the officers and senior noncommissioned officers (NCOs). But the LTAT personnel soon discovered that the more they interacted with the IA soldiers, the more the lower enlisted soldiers came to the LTAT instead of their own leaders for guidance.\n\nThe LTAT eventually focused on developing strong, confident leaders. One method used was to train the leaders for a day or two and then have the leaders present the class they had just attended to their soldiers. This worked very well with the developmental staff courses and the supply classes, but it did not work as well with other classes that had more technical information. For example, the senior leaders were unable to teach the maintenance course with confidence, so the LTAT had the senior leader assist the LTAT trainer in presenting the information. Although it was not IA led, this kept the IA leader in the front of the class, which built the confidence of the IA soldiers in their leaders.\n\nThe LTAT often used a “crawl, walk, and run” method of training for the IA soldiers. Since all of the personnel had a different level of knowledge in different areas, it was easier to start with the basics to ensure that all personnel learned the necessary tasks.One procedure the LTAT found to be useful was to use a sign-in roster. The IA platoon leaders and junior staff officers had a hard time planning and managing personnel for future training and missions. On many occasions, the LTAT would start a training series with one group of personnel and end it with an entirely different group. The implementation of sign-in rosters helped the trainers assist the staff officers and platoon leaders to more accurately manage their personnel training. This also kept the LTAT from training the same person twice and allowed the students to move on to training that was more technical.\n\nBecause the sign-in rosters could be used to verify course completion, the LTAT was able to present the IA personnel with certificates during an awards ceremony. The certificates, which were signed by the 47th FSB commander and command sergeant major, certified the recipients to train their soldiers in a formal training environment. The award ceremony gave the IA soldiers a great sense of pride and accomplishment, which made them eager to continue training at the next level. The IA leaders and soldiers wanted the coalition forces to know they were capable of performing their missions, and for some, this was the first certificate of schooling that they ever received. The IA was proud of the things that they learned and would constantly request feedback from coalition forces. It is important to always let the IA know how well both the leaders and soldiers are doing and how much their efforts are appreciated.\n\nThe LTAT often used practical and written examinations during training. The IA students were required to pass the practical exams to advance to the next training event. This allowed the LTAT to monitor their progress and ensure that they were retaining the material being covered. After implementing this step, it became evident that the IA personnel were following English instructions and understanding coalition force equipment better than the trainers thought. During after-action reviews, the IA soldiers expressed how intimidating the English instructions had initially been to them because most of them did not speak or read English. (Many did not even read Arabic.) Yet with the training they received, they were able to understand the instructions clearly. This was vital because most technical manuals for their equipment have not yet been translated into Arabic.\n\nStaff Development Course\n\nAnother beneficial event was the Staff Development Course, which was a 2-day block of staff-related training for 17th MTR instructors (usually two or three officers or NCOs). The course was led by the 17th MTR military transition team (MiTT), which was partnered with the MTR in January 2009 to mentor and train them alongside the Pioneers. After attending the course, the IA instructors presented a 3-day block of instruction to their staff officers and NCOs.\n\nEach MiTT facilitator structured the class presentation to meet the content of the course. For example, during the staff estimates class, each student was required to develop an estimate for a mission and apply the concepts learned to a hands-on application. The most difficult constraint was keeping the students enrolled in the class. However, after adjusting the program of instruction to allow leave opportunities within the 17th MTR, the program flow was much smoother.\n\nDuring the Pioneers’ partnership with the 17th IA Division MTR, one of the most beneficial events was the staff visit to Camp Striker, where the Pioneers hosted selected MTR command and staff members at a site visit of their shops and commodity areas. Each visitor was matched with his coalition force counterpart. The visit gave the MTR staff a firsthand view of the situations that a coalition force logistics battalion faces while providing support to its BCT and the courses of action that have been either effective or ineffective. The Pioneers also wanted to illustrate to the 17th MTR how they conducted sustainment operations for the 2d BCT, coalition, and Iraqi Security Forces during OIF 07–09. The visit gave the MTR a firsthand explanation of why and how the Pioneers train and advise the MTR.\n\nThe train-the-trainer concept was very beneficial because it removed the language barrier from IA soldiers’ primary instruction. The ease and accessibility of the class placed the LTAT and MiTT one step closer to transitioning ownership of the training to the IA leadership, which is one step closer to the IA’s self-reliance.\n\nChief Warrant Officer (W–2) Julian Price is the brigade ammunition officer for the 24th Brigade Support Battalion. He served as the logistics training and advisory team officer in charge while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom 07–09. He is a graduate of the Warrant Officer Candidate School and the Warrant Officer Basic Course.\n\nWWW Army Sustainment", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9556323885917664}
{"content": "Do a Meatzvah!\n\nPassover is just around the corner. Kick this year off right!\nPick up a whole delaney barbecue brisket for this year's dinner.\n\nThis year we'll be preparing a limited number of whole briskets for pickup or available for delivery to Brooklyn or Manhattan.\nQuantities are limited, so ordering will be on a first-come, first-served basis.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.952461302280426}
{"content": "The Gasification Process\n\nGasification comprises the heating of a solid in a very low-oxygen environment, so that all the organic elements turn into a mixed gas, called a “syngas”. This is the process used by the Victorians to produce town-gas from coal. The process operates in a partial vacuum and the amount of oxygen introduced is carefully controlled to be just sufficient to maintain the temperature at the right level (350 to 550 degrees Centigrade) to produce a rich syngas.\n\nBecause the conversion of the organics in the biomass is so complete in the gasifier (5), there is very little solid matter left. Most of this falls to the bottom of the gasifier where it is removed, and any remaining gas borne particles are removed by a cyclone (6) as the syngas exits the gasifier. This solid is an inert vitreous material and can be used for the production of aggregates for the building industry.\n\nThe syngas is then burnt in a conventional boiler (8), which raises steam (9) to drive a steam turbine (not shown) and generate electricity in the conventional manner.\n\nBecause the boiler is burning a gas, the air conditions can be easily managed to control the production of nitrous oxides and the flame temperature can be controlled to eliminate the production of pollutants associated with burning solid matter. This makes the overall process extremely clean and emissions are well below the required maximum levels. Just to make sure that any lingering traces of nitrous Oxides (a product of burning anything in air) are properly dealt with, there is a final stage filtering system (10, 11) for the outlet gases.\n\nNews & Updates\n\nGlobal demand for energy grew by 5.6 per cent last year, the fastest rate since 1973\n\nThe amount of carbon dioxide released from the use of energy grew at its fastest rate [...]\n\nEnergy challenge: Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party\n\nShort-termism is bad for us and the planet. The Government should use the Green Investment Bank [...]\n\nLow carbon energy: vast potential rewards for a greener UK says Chris Huhne\n\nThe transition to a low carbon UK will be a mammoth task and will in time [...]\n\n\nMiddlebury College’s biomass plant, USA\n\nMiddlebury College in the USA shows how gasification generates clean, green energy with this short virtual [...]", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6467688679695129}
{"content": "Senior Recruiter\n\nAmazon - Seattle, WA\n\nback to search\n\nJob Description\n\nTo be great in this role the candidate must be able to successfully manage, prioritize and close searches against a timeline and have experience setting benchmarks, metrics, and understand how to prioritize to hit all customer SLAs. They thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment, can roll up their sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done. Additionally, this person should possess ability to influence and drive outcomes spanning the team. The best candidates will draw on extensive knowledge of Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Acquisition and functional areas of the business, forging dynamic relationships with business leaders, hiring managers, recruiting peers and HR business partners. They have a reputation for being exceptional at candidate generation, client/account management, organization, possess strong verbal and written communication skills, have an ability to prioritize their time, demonstrate push back and a sense of urgency, and understand the value of providing amazing customer service.\n\nDuties and Responsibilities\n\n-Partner with Recruiters and hiring teams to build effective diversity sourcing, assessment, and closing approaches with an ability to manage customer/partner expectations through a deep understanding of return on investment.\n-Be able to understand how to recruit passive diverse candidates and share your knowledge across team.\nBuild and maintain network of potential passive diverse candidates through pro-active market research and on-going relationship management; conducts in-depth interviews of potential candidates, demonstrating ability to anticipate hiring manager preferences through high offer-to-interview ratios.\n-Recommend ideas and strategies related to diversity recruitment that will contribute to the long-range growth of the company, implementing any new processes and fine tuning standard processes for recruiting that fits within Amazon’s mission to deliver the highest quality results to the customer.\n-Articulate in writing a plan with deliverable timelines and a formal tracking process.\n-Interview candidates within the framework of the position specification. Possess strong ability to screen, interview and prepare an ideal candidate slate within an appropriate and consistent timeline.\n\n\n\n· 8+ years of recruiting experience in a tech environment\n· MS Office- including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.\n\n\n· experience with passive candidate generation using a variety of techniques.\n· Passion for and proven success creating and implementing successful diversity strategies\n· Experience managing and prioritizing multiple searches, projects and client relationships.\n· Strong communication skills, organizational and negotiation skills.\n· Self-sufficient and able to work with little direct supervision.\n· Bachelor’s degree.\n\n[mc4wp_form id=\"178\"]", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9979571104049683}
{"content": "You are previewing the next generation search page.\n\nBecause we are changing things, you may find areas that are broken or act funny.\n\nAdvanced: subject:(moving household) branch:(\"Olathe Library - Indian Creek\" OR \"Olathe Library - Downtown\") category1:\"BkYouthCirc E Fiction\" formatcode:(BK)\n\nModify my search\n\nFilter your results by...\n\n1 to 25 of 57 items\n  RSS, opens a new window", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9841126799583435}
{"content": "시간 제한 메모리 제한 제출 정답 맞은 사람 정답 비율\n1 초 256 MB 19 11 10 55.556%\n\n\nYou are the manager of a chocolate sales team. Your team customarily takes tea breaks every two hours, during which varieties of new chocolate products of your company are served. Everyone looks forward to the tea breaks so much that they frequently give a glance at a wall clock.\n\nRecently, your team has moved to a new office. You have just arranged desks in the office. One team member asked you to hang a clock on the wall in front of her desk so that she will not be late for tea breaks. Naturally, everyone seconded her.\n\nYou decided to provide an enough number of clocks to be hung in the field of view of everyone. Your team members will be satisfied if they have at least one clock (regardless of the orientation of the clock) in their view, or, more precisely, within 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right (both ends inclusive) from the facing directions of their seats. In order to buy as few clocks as possible, you should write a program that calculates the minimum number of clocks needed to meet everyone’s demand.\n\nThe office room is rectangular aligned to north-south and east-west directions. As the walls are tall enough, you can hang clocks even above the door and can assume one’s eyesight is not blocked by other members or furniture. You can also assume that each clock is a point (of size zero), and so you can hang a clock even on a corner of the room.\n\nFigure D.1. Arrangements of seats and clocks. Gray area indicates field of view.\n\nFor example, assume that there are two members. If they are sitting facing each other at positions shown in Figure D.1(A), you need to provide two clocks as they see distinct sections of the wall. If their seats are arranged as shown in Figure D.1(B), their fields of view have a common point on the wall. Thus, you can meet their demands by hanging a single clock at the point. In Figure D.1(C), their fields of view have a common wall section. You can meet their demands with a single clock by hanging it anywhere in the section. Arrangements (A), (B), and (C) in Figure D.1 correspond to Sample Input 1, 2, and 3, respectively.\n\n\nThe input consists of a single test case, formatted as follows.\n\nn w d\nx1 y1 f1\nxn yn fn\n\nAll numbers in the test case are integers. The first line contains the number of team members n (1 ≤ n ≤ 1, 000) and the size of the office room w and d (2 ≤ w, d ≤ 100, 000). The office room has its width w east-west, and depth d north-south. Each of the following n lines indicates the position and the orientation of the seat of a team member. Each member has a seat at a distinct position (xi, yi) facing the direction fi, for i = 1, . . . , n. Here 1 ≤ xi ≤ w − 1, 1 ≤ yi ≤ d − 1, and fi is one of N, E, W, and S, meaning north, east, west, and south, respectively. The position (x, y) means x distant from the west wall and y distant from the south wall.\n\n\nPrint the minimum number of clocks needed.\n\n예제 입력\n\n2 10 6\n4 4 E\n6 4 W\n\n예제 출력\n\n\n예제 입력 2\n\n2 10 6\n2 4 E\n6 4 W\n\n예제 출력 2\n\n\n예제 입력 3\n\n2 10 6\n3 2 S\n6 4 W\n\n예제 출력 3\n\n\n예제 입력 4\n\n6 10 6\n1 5 N\n7 1 N\n8 2 E\n9 1 S\n4 4 S\n3 3 W\n\n예제 출력 4\n\n\n예제 입력 5\n\n4 10 6\n4 3 W\n2 4 N\n4 4 W\n3 3 S\n\n예제 출력 5\n\n\n예제 입력 6\n\n4 100000 40000\n25000 25000 S\n20000 30000 S\n75000 25000 S\n80000 30000 S\n\n예제 출력 6", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7381664514541626}
{"content": "Jack Spade\n\nJackSpadeFunction and style are both foundations of Jack Spade’s philosophy. Beginning with bags, Jack Spade created a line of functional bags that made sense of the bag’s most essential utility. Expanding into a full collection, the clothing and sportswear is both stylish and sophisticated, while staying simple.\n\nBrands Include", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6136715412139893}
{"content": "God of the impossible\n\nThis might seem like a strange verse, but my focus is that with God nothing is impossible. Even death could not keep its hold on Him. Acts 2 ver & PicNow I don't know about you, but I have never seen someone rise from the grave. I have stood at gravesides and have even watched a loved one take her last breath, but I have never seen life revived from someone who has died. (I'm not looking to get into a near-death or death-to-life experience here. I'm talking about end of life reality.) As Scripture puts it, \"It is appointed to men once to die and after that the judgment.\"\n\nJudgment is another topic also, which I believe is coming in either reward or wrath, because our Creator does hold the right to judge based on the fact that He created us and He makes the rules. In a sense that can be comforting, can't it? We know that someday evil will meet its end. But we don't always like the idea of being judged ourselves.\n\nBut the one who conquered death (that's a pretty big deal) is also the One who does the judging. He didn't come the first time to judge or condemn but to save. And if we are in Him, meaning if we know Him at a heart level (not just with an \"I believe\" intellectual level) but where it transforms our hearts, then we do not have to fear judgment or condemnation. He came to free us from that fear and He conquered death to prove He could.\n\nHow about you? Do you fear death? Do you fear the One who has the power over death--fear Him in the way that we all should--with deep reverence and awe and humility and a cry for mercy and grace?\n\nBecause when it all comes down, it's not about what we can accomplish in our lives or how much better we can make the world. It's not about us at all. It's about the only One who can do the impossible. The one who can save us from death. Not an earthly death as most all of us will face that someday, but an eternal one, which can so easily be avoided by a simple act of childlike faith.\n\nDo we trust Him enough to do the impossible in our lives and set us free from the fear of death and judgment? Because if He could raise Jesus from the dead, or anyone else from the grave, He can do anything.\n\nSelah~ #liveloveprayhope #withgodallthingsarepossible #mygodcandotheimpossible #trusthisheart", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6061049103736877}
{"content": "Enjoying EarthSky? Subscribe.\n\n269,995 subscribers and counting ...\n\nShedding light on the moon’s dark side\n\nImage via US Naval Observatory\n\nTonight – October 27, 2017 – the moon is at or near its first quarter phase, which means the portion of the moon we see from Earth is 50% illuminated by sunshine and 50% engulfed in the moon’s own shadow.\n\nFirst quarter moon arrives on October 27, at 22:22 UTC (at U.S. time zones: 6:22 p.m. EDT, 5:22 p.m. CDT, 4:22 p.m. MDT and 3:22 p.m. PDT; translate to your time zone).\n\nHalf the moon is always illuminated in space. In other words, the moon has a day side and a night side, just as Earth does. Due to the angle between the sun, Earth and moon, we’re seeing about equal portions of its day side and night side tonight. Because the moon is now waxing, we’re bound to see more of its day side each evening until the night that the moon turns full on the night of November 3-4, 2017.\n\nThe part of the moon that isn’t in sunlight is often called the moon’s dark side. Just realize that – because of the moon’s motion around Earth – the portion of the dark side that we see from Earth constantly changes.\n\nThere is a permanent far side of the moon. But there is no permanent dark side of the moon, because any given lunar location experiences night for about two weeks, followed by about two weeks of daylight.\n\nThe moon does rotate on its axis. But billions of years of Earth’s strong gravitational pull have slowed it down such that today the moon takes as long to rotate as it does to orbit once around Earth. Astronomers would say that the moon is tidally locked with Earth. For that reason, one side of the moon always faces Earth, but it is not always dark – as you can see just by looking at the sky tonight.\n\nIncidentally, the moon’s gravitational effects on Earth are much smaller, but – given billions of years of time – the Earth will slow down and keep one face always toward the moon.\n\nBottom line: A far side of the moon remains hidden from Earth, but doesn’t stay permanently dark.\n\nLarry Sessions", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999995827674866}
{"content": "Depopulation and Education in a Mexican Migrant Town: Schools in Villa Juarez, San Luis Potosi, 1942-2000\n\nMagda Banda, Loyola University Chicago\n\n\nWhile educational systems have been governed by the policies of the nation-state and have been contained within state borders, the transformations brought about by the economic, social, and political repercussions of globalization have added layers of complexity to issues in education. This is true in particular of agrarian communities, such as Villa Juarez, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. National educational policies have led to new challenges in agrarian societies as they undergo not only ideological exchanges but the movement of populations that have led to international and national demographic shifts. One of the main issues that this research will investigate is the relationship between education and migration, and whether the changing conditions of that rural setting have had any effect on how locals perceive the purpose of education.\n\nThis study examines the way teachers, students and government officials view the purpose of education in the agrarian village of Villa Juarez that, like other communities in central Mexico, is undergoing the influence of globalization, manifested most notably in emigration to the United States. If post-basic education competes with international migration as another form of economic mobility, as William A. Kandel discusses in his study of traditional migrant communities, then what is the purpose of education as\n\nviewed by teachers, students and government officials in a rural community? Villa Juarez, a town with a long-standing history of migration to the United States, has experienced continually diminishing depopulation and school closings since the Bracero Program of 1942, which marked the onset of a pronounced trend of migration to the United States for temporary employment opportunities. The effects of a culture of migration and globalization on education in the municipality and town of Villa Juarez have led to the undermining of education as a vehicle to social and economic mobility for future generations of students.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9469606876373291}
{"content": "297 posters,  10 topics,  260 authors,  189 institutions\n\nePostersLive® by SciGen® Technologies S.A. All rights reserved.\n\nThe management of a traumatic foot wound using an enzyme alginogel\n\nPrimary tabs\n\n\nNo votes yet\n\n\n286 reads\n\nThe management of a traumatic foot wound using an enzyme alginogel\n\n\nCrush injuries constitute a force applied to the tissues caused by the impact of a blunt force. They carry a higher risk of infection than simple lacerations because of the amount of devitalised tissue present. Once the blood supply is compressed, healing is impaired as the immune system's effectiveness is reduced. In traumatic wounds there is the added risk of anaerobic organisms gaining access to the deeper tissues and finding the perfect conditions for their multiplication.1\n\nThis case study assesses the treatment of a 60 year old woman who had a trauma wound at the top of her left foot after an accident with a ladder whilst putting a Christmas tree away in the loft. She had no relevant medical history, was mobile, living alone, independent, and worked part time.\n\nShe was assessed in the emergency department and there was a suspicion that her wound was infected and she may need admission for intravenous antibiotics. She had an x-ray at the minor injuries unit and sharp debridement of the wound by the orthopaedic team in an outpatient clinic. Following a wound swab she was commenced on clarithromycin. Regular analgesia was taken for pain relief and she had just started taking sleeping tablets. The patient was depressed as she felt isolated due to being unable to go out because of her pain and she was unable to wear shoes.\n\nOn presentation to the tissue viability nurses the wound had been present for approximately 4 weeks and measured 6 cm by 5 cm at the surface, but nursing staff were unable to determine the depth. Wound exudate levels were low and the wound tissue consisted of 75% necrotic tissue, 5% slough, and 20% granulation tissue. There were no signs of infection or odour.\n\n\nThe treatment plan aims were to hydrate the dry necrosis in order to debride the wound and liaise with the orthopaedic team. Flaminal Hydro was commenced, in conjunction with a non-adherent, non-adhesive foam dressing, which was held in place with a bandage.\n\n\nThe patient was under the care of the tissue viability nurses from 21st January until 21st April for a total of 13 weeks. Dependent on the wound exudate levels the dressing choice varied between Flaminal Hydro and Forte. Both dressings are enzyme alginogels, Flaminal Hydro contains 3% alginate and is indicated for low to moderately exuding wounds, whilst Flaminal Forte contains 5.5% alginate and is indicated for moderate to heavily exuding wounds. The patient was taught to dress the wound herself and both dressings were used until healing.\n\nThroughout the course of treatment the wound remained infection free and pain was reduced allowing the patient to wear slippers, regain her independence, and resume her normal activities. She was able to stop her sleeping tablets and analgesia on week 2.\n\nThe patient stated “when I went to Hayley I was in a very bad state but as soon as she started treating my wound with Flaminal the results were amazing from day one…Every single day I could see the wound closing and healing, the relief was wonderful. A miracle treatment in my opinion.”\n\n\nAutolytic debridement is the breakdown of the devitalised tissue by the patient’s own enzymes and this can be promoted by maintaining a moist environment at the wound bed.2 Flaminal is an enzyme alginogel which manages the bacterial bioburden of a wound in three ways: the enzyme complex kills bacteria, while the alginate component removes bacteria from the wound bed by debridement, creating a moist wound environment, which stimulates the host’s immune system. Only absorbed bacteria are destroyed by the enzyme complex and not the cell walls of human cells within the wound bed.3\n\nAn open-label case series by Durante (2012) assessed patients with a variety of conditions treated with Flaminal (n=23), including 3 patients with traumatic wounds. The percentage of wounds covered by necrosis and fibrin decreased during the 60-day evaluation period, whereas percentage of wound area covered by granulation and epithelial tissue increased. Pain scores in all groups also decreased over the evaluation period.3\n\n\nThis case study demonstrates the effectiveness of an enzyme alginogel in assisting autolytic debridement, wound healing, and reduction in pain in the treatment of a traumatic foot wound enabling the patient to become independent again.  \n\nEnter Poster ID (e.gGoNextPreviousCurrent", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9881724715232849}
{"content": "The following is abstracted from Drewes & Altig, 1996. Anuran egg predation and heterocannibalism in a breeding community of African frogs. Tropical Zoology 9: 333-347. When the rainy season begins in a tropical area that is normally waterless, do all the frog species that live there emerge at the same time and all breed at once?\n\nDuring the long rains of 1992 in the Arabuko-Sokoke, scientists were able to document frog species in this forest emerging at different times to begin breeding; thus, there are \"early\" breeders and \"late\" breeders. On the night of August 27, 1987 Academy scientists watched as a spiny reed frog approached a foam nest as it was being constructed by two male and a female foam-nest treefrogs, about 8' above the water.\n\nThe spiny reed frog actually thrust the entire forward half of its body into the foam nest and appeared to be eating eggs within the nest. This behavior was unexpected as frogs usually eat living insects. the stomach contents of this frog and other spiny reed frogs collected during that season, plus more collected during the rains of 1992 were examined.\n\nThe scientists found some insects but mostly the eggs of other frogs, embryos of other frogs and something they called \"mystery stuff\".\n\nSynopsis of What Scientists Found.\n\nExcised spiny reed frog stomach containing eggs of tinker reed frog. In some stomachs, eggs of other spiny reed frogs were found.\n\nExcised spiny reed frog stomach containing embryos of foam-nest frog.\n\nScanning electron micrograph of \"mystery stuff\" from spiny reed frog stomach. This turned out to be the spiny reed frog's own shed skin. Frogs often eat their own shed skins when recently emerged from long periods of inactivity like hibernation or estivation.\n\nThese results indicated that the spiny reed frog is the first terrestrial amphibian known to be a predator on the eggs and larvae of other frogs species. It is also the first African frog known to prey on the eggs of members of its own species, a phenomenon called \"heterocannibalism\".", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7754936218261719}
{"content": "Should Everton really be selling their best players if they want to progress?\n\nEverton's John Stones\n\nFollowing the departure of John Stones to Manchester City, should Everton be selling their best players if they want to be challenging for Europe?\n\nAfter a summer of speculation, it was finally confirmed today that John Stones would be joining Manchester City from Everton for a record fee of £47.5 million.\n\nAlthough the news came as no surprise to Everton fans, losing the defender who has the potential to be one of the best centre-backs in the world will come as a blow to the Toffees.\n\nEverton's John Stones\n\nSince the arrival of new manager Ronald Koeman, Everton have been relatively quiet in the transfer market. The Toffees will be looking for a replacement and reinforcements elsewhere to strengthen the squad.\n\nWith Ashley Williams set to join Everton from Swansea for £12 million and Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace for £25 million. Koeman will be determined to add more depth into the squad before the transfer window closes.\n\nEverton manager Ronald Koeman\n\nLosing Stones will no doubt divide opinion - the defender under-achieved last year, he frequently lacked urgency and fans were left frustrated by unnecessary risk-taking which often saw Everton concede late goals and throw away points. With an offer of £47.5 million and a player who wanted to leave, Everton had no choice in letting Stones go.\n\nHowever, losing a player like Stones just days before the start of the Premier League season is an unwanted distraction for any team. Koeman's next task will surely be ensuring that he can prevent Romelu Lukaku from leaving the club.\n\nEverton's Romelu Lukaku\n\nIt has been heavily rumoured that Lukaku could follow in Stones' footsteps and leave Goodison to re-join former club Chelsea. According to the Express, Chelsea are willing to wait until deadline day if it means re-signing the striker.\n\nHowever, Everton are determined not to let their leading goal-scorer go. Koeman will be hoping to lead Everton back to the top half of the table and challenging for a European spot. Without their star striker that will be a difficult job for the new manager.\n\nDespite a new billionaire investor and a seemingly bright future for the club, it seems that Everton are still not able to prevent their top players from leaving and that doesn't send the best message long term, even if they are acting quickly to buy replacements.\n\nRegister for EVERTON team updates\n\nRegister for HITC Sport - Daily Dispatch", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9146472811698914}
{"content": "• Network with the leading players in the market and hear about new opportunities....\n  • Record audience expected at the 11th Annual London Resi Development Conference on 7th March....\n\nEvents Diary\n\n\nThe conference takes place on Tuesday 7th March 2018 at ETC Venues in the heart of the City of London\n\nThe leading conference for the London Residential Development Market returns in March, with hundreds of the leading organisations and investors attending.  The Event combines high level market analysis with excellent networking opportunities, and is now in it's 11th year. \n\nThe agenda completely updated to allow delegates to be fully up to speed on all the key issues in London Resi Development and offer a look into the future of the New Homes Market. We always look to move beyond the usual topics with a more holistic approach.\n\nThere will be a detailed market update, looking at what the political landscape means for the market, plus detailed analysis of sales, supply and demand, rental values, delivery and investment. The event will also examine which areas are performing well, and provide case studies of key developments in the current London Market, to understand what the sector is looking for and delivering. The event also looks towards innovation, why the market is changing and how this is an opportunity area for those involved in Resi Development. We will look at modern collective/micro living models, technology in property and modern methods of construction. We will also look at the blurring on the lines between traditional development, and emerging 'alternative' residential sectors - Build to Rent, Student Housing  and Retirement Living, and where these now fit in the London Resi Market.\n\nThe conference provides a packed agenda of crucial information and is likely to sell out again so please book early to guarantee your place.\n\nTo see who attends please click here\n\n\nConference Timetable\n\n\nMorning Session – Includes Networking Coffee Break\n\nHousekeeping and Chairman’s Opening Address\n\nWhat is happening in the Current London Residential Development Market?\n\nChallenges and Opportunities in development in the current market\n\nWhere are we, what is happening with demand and which sections of the market are performing and which aren’t?\n\nAre we really worried about Brexit?\n\nWhat do we see happening to values in London in the next 5 years and why?\n\nIs this really an opportunity for the canny operator?\n\nWhere should an investor in the London market put his money?\n\nThe Mayor’s Strategy for Delivering New Homes in London – The Progress so far & The Plan Going Forward\n\nIs it going to take longer than first thought and if so what are the obstacles?\n\nUnderstanding both Policies & the Practicalities of how they will work\n\nWhere does the Mayor stand on PRS, Land Policy, Planning, Viability & providing funding & land for development?\n\nHow will the GLA accelerate delivery and what opportunities are there for developers?\n\nGiven the wider uncertainty Politically, what certainty can the GLA offer Developers to mitigate their risk?\n\nHousing White Paper, Government Policy, Planning, Starter Homes\nGovernment Housing Policy - what does this mean for development in London?\n\nHow much political will is there to really deliver housing? Where does it really stand on the political agenda and how many votes does it win?\n\nThe Suburban Spread – is this now the real opportunity for a developer?\n\nIs Outer London and the Home Counties the solution to actually building the Housing London needs?\n\nWhat is happening with Outer London land prices, sales & end values?\n\nWhat should developers be looking at and what are the key features of this market?\n\nFirst time buyer and second stepper markets\n\nAside from Transport, what are the key driving factors for buyers in 2017 and beyond?\n\nWhat is happening with rents in the current London Resi market?\n\nWhich areas are seeing the best rents and rental growth?\n\nRent Levels - how can we get reliable Rental statistics and values to support investment in the London Market?\n\nLooking at Modern Methods of Construction – what is happening and what is their potential?\n\nWhat is the real relevance of off-site construction and how will this evolve?\n\nUnderstanding the key link between delivery models and tenure models\n\nWhere is the opportunity to significantly reduce costs & deliver more?\n\nHow seriously should contractors & developers now be taking it and where does it fit in the overall construction picture?\n\nWith types of project does the off site method work best?\n\nWho are the big players in this market and what are they planning?\n\nLooking to the Future - The Evolution of Technology in the Property Sector\nProducts that enhance the building & delivery process\n\nTechnology that enhances the professional & sales process\n\nThe role of Technology in the modern market - what opportunities are there and what is available?\n\nWhat are the new millennials and other target markets now looking for & what is important to this growing group of customers?\n\nHow can technology disrupt the sector & take it into a new era?\n\n\n\nNetworking Lunch Session\n\n\n\nAfternoon Conference Session\n\n\nThe Future of Residential Development & Regeneration - Is the way we live changing?\n\nDo Co-Living, Private Rented Sector & Build to Rent Properties really hold the big future opportunities and where do they fit in with private sale?\n\nHow can a developer integrate PRS, Student Housing & Retirement Living into a Scheme? Should this be something that more developers really consider?\n\nWhat are the drivers for a developer to include these ‘Alternative Residential’ tenures into a regeneration? Is this 'mixed community' a key to success?\n\nUnderstanding the Alternative Residential Markets - where do these fit in with Traditional Market Sale Models and where is the growth?\n\nHow are Student Housing, Micro/Co-Living, PRS & Retirement living now performing?\n\n\nHow have these asset classes grown in the last 5-10 years and where will they be in another ten years time - Which Alternative Residential Assets are growing fastest?\n\nWho is investing and on what kind of scale?\n\nPanel session on the future of the Changing Nature of the way we live.\n\nThe modern PRS market & the evolution of the Micro Living & Co Living Markets\n\n\nWhat is capacity for growth?\n\nUnderstanding the Micro Living, Grad Living & Collective Living markets – what are they?\n\nWhere has this come from and why is it a key growth market?\n\nWhy is innovation and communal living now such an attractive proposition?\n\n\nIs flexibility, service and style now important than pricepoint?\n\nHow is the product evolving to fit modern lifestyles?\n\nHow important is technology and what kind of products are we seeing used?\n\nWhat kind of innovations are we seeing and what can we expect going forward?\n\nWhat are the rental aspirations of the operators involved in the micro living & collective living markets?\n\nWhat kind of scale might be achieved?\n\nLogistics & Management - What is required to make large scale PRS  & Collective Living actually work?\n\nWhat really matters to renters and where do Technology, Facilities, Communal Areas and Management fit in to the jigsaw?\n\nWhat is happening in the Private Residential Sales market and what are the key factors to getting a scheme sold in 2018?\n\nWho is buying in the current London Resi Market?\n\nWhat does the discerning buyer look for and where are they coming from?\n\nWhich markets are selling and which products are not hitting the mark?\n\nWhy Life style & convenience are now key to sales – how should they impact design?\n\nUnderstanding the key role that service and amenities play when selling a Residential Development\n\nWhat do the market leaders produce?\n\nCase Study – Goodluck Hope: Delivering a new Riverside Island Location in London for New Homes & a Cultural Hub\n\nHow do we deliver Innovative & Modern places where people want to live in 2018 & how can developers deliver a desirable area to live and maximise value\n\nCase Study Two – Delivering ‘Barcelona on Thames’ and Beyond – a new Mixed Use Town Centre for Barking\n\nHow can we deliver real homes, for real people and a fantastic new location to drive supply in East London?\n\nWhat other aspects need to be delivered to make it work and how do technology & innovation fit in?\n\nAlong with Transport, what other Infrastructure are needed to make Barking and it’s River Banks a desirable location and one where people want to visit?\n\nWhat is the ideal modern mix of tenure to make it all work?\n\n\nClose and Networking Drinks Session\n\n\n\nTo see who attends this event: click here\n\n\nTo learn how to book a place, please click here\n\nlatest news\n\nLondon Residential\n\nHugely Popular London Resi Development Event will return for a 11th Year on 7th March 2018\n\nLondon Residential\n\nThe leading players in the sector will attend the Annual London Resi Development Conference on 7th March\n\nLondon Residential\n\nSuperb panel taking shape at the Annual London Resi Development Event. Likely to be a very popular event once again #LDE Property #LondonResidential", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9694320559501648}
{"content": "Frequently Asked Questions\n\nWe've prepared a list of questions and answers that reflects most of the things guests want to know\n\nIf this list doesn't include your question, just ask!  We'll be happy to answer it, and who knows -- maybe it will end up this list too!  Here goes:\n\n\nNo, bedding is provided for all beds in our cabins, including clean sheets, blankets, comforters, and pillows. Exception: If you plan on using the Pack-and-Play crib, you will want to bring bedding suitable for your baby's age and size.\n\nWhat cooking/eating utensils will I need?\n\n\nDo you provide gas for the grill?\n\nIf your cabin is equipped with a gas grill, it is either piped to a fixed tank, or propane canisters and spares are provided. In the unlikely event you should need a third canister, you can call the contact numbers in the cabin and one will be brought out for you. There is no additional charge for this amenity.\n\nDo you provide charcoal for the grill or campfire pit?\n\n\nDo you provide wood for the fireplace or campfire pit?\n\n\nWhere can I fish, and what licenses do I need?\n\nVirginia state law allows fishing without a license from private property with the permission of the property owner; the booking instruction/confirmation email that you receive constitutes this permission. If your chosen property is directly on the river, you can fish from the property's riverbank without a license. If you want to wade out into the river or fish from a canoe, or fish from a public access point elsewhere in the area, you'll need a state fishing license, which can be purchased from the Luray Walmart. You will have to provide your own fishing equipment.\n\nWhat are the river conditions?\n\n\nWill my cellphone work in your cabin?\n\nProbably not, unless it is a modern smartphone that can use WiFi – all our cabins (except Echo Valley, Deer Forest Lodge, and Heaven's Hideaway) offer free high-speed Internet and WiFi. Most of our cabins (except Echo Valley and Deer Forest Lodge) have a private telephone landline with unlimited national long-distance.\n\nAre there any limits on Internet usage?\n\nWe do not actively throttle or block any particular websites or Internet protocols. Our Internet connections can be used to stream Netflix and hold Skype conversations. However, please bear in mind that our properties are in a mountainous rural area, and Internet connection speed and reliability cannot be guaranteed. In the event of any problems, please contact us and we will work with the provider to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible. Also, please be aware that Echo Valley, Deer Forest Lodge, and Heaven's Hideaway do not have internet access, though it is being worked on.\n\nDo I have to clean up after myself?\n\nWe do not expect you to do your own laundry; you didn't go on vacation to clean house, after all! However, we may assess an extra cleaning charge if the cabin is left in an unusually filthy state, e.g. mud tracked all over the carpets, dirty caked-on dishes, etc. If you're reasonably decent, there won't be a problem.\n\nWill I be hit with charges for consumables or minor damages?\n\n\nIs horseback riding available?\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat do I do for food?\n\n\nCan I check in early/check out later?\n\nPossibly, depending on when the next guest will be arriving, but you need to specifically ask and receive an answer beforehand. You must ask within 1 week of your arrival, and at least 24 hours ahead of the extra time you want.\n\nIf there is a guest arriving/departing on the same day, no early/late check is possible.\n\nIf there is no other arrival or departure, we usually permit up to 2 extra hours. Beyond that requires payment of an additional fee. Taking early/late checkout without arranging it with us beforehand and obtaining written permission, will incur a sizable additional fee.\n\nPlease note: early check-in and late check-out may be rescinded later on if a different group reserves the nights immediately before or after your booking. If that happens, we will contact you and let you know that your early check-in or late check-out is no longer possible. While rare, this does happen from time to time, so please be aware of the possibility. If you wish to lock in your early check-in or late check-out, we offer an \"All Day\" check-in and check-out option, for a fee, that blocks off the preceding or following nights so that others cannot book that time. Please let us know if you wish to have this option.\n\nCan I bring my pet?\n\nYes, you may bring your pet to most (but not all) of our properties. There is an additional cost per pet that you see under the Rates section of each cabin's main page. Please note that this is a pet rent fee, not a cleaning fee; you may still be charged an excess cleaning fee if your pet leaves a mess. Also, if your party is renting multiple properties, your pet must stay at the property for which you have paid the pet fee, and is not permitted at any properties that do not allow pets.\n\nSometimes our guests invite friends to come and spend the day, but not overnight, and those friends bring a pet. Since the pet isn't spending the night, there is no pet fee. However, please be aware that we may assess an excess cleaning charge if necessary.\n\n\nThe extra-guest charges are for guests staying overnight. You do not have to pay to have people visit for the day as long as they do not stay the night.\n\nIs there an extra charge to use the hot tub?\n\n\nDo your cabins allow smoking?\n\n\nWhen will the fall foliage be the prettiest?\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDo you have hiking trails?\n\n\n\nWhat is your cancellation policy?\n\n\nOur policy in our Renter's Agreement is:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow do I get into the cabin I rented?\n\nAbout a week before your scheduled arrival, we send you an email with directions and an access code to a lockbox at the door of the cabin. This way, you can arrive however late suits your schedule and you don't have to worry about meeting anyone in person. If you have multiple cars coming, you can give everybody the code, and whoever gets there first can unlock the door and get in.\n\nIf for some reason you don't receive this email, check your SPAM folder or write us to have it re-sent to you.\n\nAre your cabins handicapped accessible?\n\nAs private single-occupancy residences, our cabins are not required to meet ADA accessibility standards, and so most of them do not. Some of them would be flat-out impossible for the wheelchair-bound. However, Westcott House is wheelchair accessible and handicap friendly, depending on the extent of the handicap. If you're not sure, feel free to contact us.\n\nSeveral of our properties are usable by people with limited mobility who can handle one or two steps, and use a spacious toilet or shower stall with assistance.\n\nIt is best to discus your specific needs with us before you make your reservation so you'll know what to expect.\n\nWhat if my guest numbers change after I make a booking?\n\nNo problem! You can simply change your guest numbers up or down by letting us know, and we'll adjust the charges accordingly.\n\nPlease note that we cannot allow reduction of guest numbers within 2 weeks of arrival (and 30 days for Westcott House), because we've already started stocking and preparing for the numbers you gave us. We may, however, still be able to increase guest numbers right up to arrival. Please contact us for confirmation.\n\nWho counts as children?\n\nWhen counting guests at our cabins, children are defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. This includes infants but does not include those yet unborn.\n\nDo you accept service animals?\n\nAny of our properties which accept pets can also accommodate service animals by prior arrangement, for which there will be an additional cleaning charge. Documented, government-issued proof of service animal status is required.\n\nHow can I get to the river?\n\nIf your cabin rental is advertised as riverfront, you will have a private stretch of riverbank for your own use. We do not provide boat launching ramps, but small craft like canoes and kayaks can be carried down to the river.\n\nIf you do not have a riverfront cabin, or you want to go on a longer, one-way river trip, you can find a map of publicly-accessible boat launching facilities here:\n\nWhy do you charge extra for additional guests? We're renting the whole property anyway, aren't we?\n\nOur cabins can vary greatly in size, sometimes housing only 3 or 4 and other times 15 or 20 or more. It isn't fair to charge one couple the same as for a whole group. So based on the size of the house, we include a few people in the rate, and then charge beyond that.\n\nIn effect, smaller groups are given a discount off of what the normal rate would be. If you have a larger group, the rates you see for extra adults aligns with the normal rate of a full house.\n\nThis system may not be perfect but it seems to mostly work out reasonably well for everybody.\n\nCan I park my bus/RV at the cabin?\n\nYou are welcome to park any vehicle that you can make fit. However, our cabins are designed as private residences and not as commercial parking lots. You will generally have a very difficult if not impossible time squeezing very large vehicles into the driveways, and of course you would be liable to any damages to the property or grounds.\n\nBasically, if it's larger than a 15-passenger van - don't count on it.\n\nHow deep is the river?\n\nAt the shoreline, the water is very shallow - just a few inches or feet in most places.  It is very easy to wade out or push the canoes out into the water.  At its deepest, the river is 5-9 feet deep in most places, but that can vary depending on many factors, including winter melts and heavy rains.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6511949300765991}
{"content": "Studying a metal asteroid for insights into planet formation\n\n\nKarin Valentine\n\nAn ASU-led proposed mission to the asteroid Psyche was featured in Sunday’s London Times. Lindy Elkins-Tanton, School of Earth and Space Exploration director and principal investigator of the proposed mission, is leading a national and international team of scientists and engineers who propose to travel to the metal asteroid to map it and study its properties.\n\nAs a metal asteroid, Psyche differs from the ice and/or rock worlds explored so far by humans. Deep within the terrestrial planets, including Earth, scientists infer the presence of metallic cores, but these lie unreachably far below the planets' rocky mantles and crusts. Psyche, located between Mars and Jupiter, is most likely the survivor of violent hit-and-run collisions, common when the solar system was forming. As such, it may be able to tell us how Earth’s core and the cores of the other terrestrial planets came to be.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9993439316749573}
{"content": "Foundations of Democracy – Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey\n\n\nThere is little that is encouraging about the current situation in Egypt. After the army removed the Morsi-led government, the Egyptian society found itself in a conundrum: in the name of democracy, an elected leader was deposed through that most undemocratic institution, the army; in the name of democracy, a ruler who was criticized for acting undemocratically was removed forcibly, wiping away the consequences of the elections that brought him to power.\n\nIn any regime, the army would possess the brute power to remove the political leadership. The reason it does not do so has to do with political culture: a constitutional consensus, lack of popular support, and the long-term lack of prospects; but it is never for lack of capacity. And, as we can see in Egypt, such a brute act, even if coming from “the best of intentions”, carries implications that simply can not be squared with the idea(l)s of liberal democracy.\n\nThe Egyptian army’s intervention into the social and political life of the country is very much reminiscent of recent Turkish history. During the second half of the twentieth century, it was the Turkish army that guaranteed and upheld the secular, “democratic” state – which was not really democratic, but was (at least partially) secular. The consequences of those decades of muted oppression and silent violence were the rise after the year 2000 of religiously-inspired political forces, who have now been in government, quite successfully, for the last ten years. Recent trials directed against attempts by military groups to remove this democratically elected regime through coups d’état have benefited from the support of the majority of the population. But Erdogan’s religiously-inspired AK Party has also learned from those decades of military-backed secular rule. They have learned to thread a careful path, knowing that a good part of the population is in fact culturally secular, and still very much supportive of the original, Atatürkian blueprint of the Turkish republic. Notwithstanding those lessons, Erdogan’s government could not help itself derailing here and there from the expectations of that part of the population – and the recent string of popular protests has demonstrated just how difficult this project is: to rule in a democratic political system, but also to try to shape it, from an Islamist-influenced perspective.\n\nYet that seems to be Erdogan’s project, and this is why he was also very much involved with, and supportive of, the Morsi-led Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt. He was hoping to help them carve out a path through which an Islam-influenced political group would prove that it can successfully hold power in a democratic system, while also leading the polity in the right direction, according to their ideology. An ambition apparently not very different from any other democratic party’s ambitions – to come to power, and to implement policies, based on a specific ideology.\n\nBut the dictum, “politics is the art of the compromise”, is learned by force of necessity, and not by choice. In Egypt, Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood clearly did not have the benefit of a similar set of experiences; unlike in Turkey, which was an illiberal democracy under the watchful guardianship of the military (but still a sort of democracy),  Mubarak’s Egypt was an authoritarian state, where all and sundry were equally oppressed. And this lack of democratic political experience is true for all the political forces in Egypt: the Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafi party, and the very fragmented “opposition groups” (those who opposed both Mubarak, and Morsi as well, in the name of the 2011 Revolution). Case in point regarding this lack of political experience is Morsi’s economic record, which was dismal, showing that they did not understand that the first and foremost duty of any government, notwithstanding ideology, is to provide for the physical security of the population: food, order, basic services, the ability to earn a living.\n\nMeanwhile, neighboring Tunisia is another site for a similar experiment: Islamic parties are in power, a natural consequence of surviving decades-long oppression, having well-established structures, and benefiting from the popular capital that opposition forces have, at the time of a regime change. So what is happening in Tunisia? Although the governmental forces are at pains to distance themselves from some of the more extreme Islamic groups, recent assassinations of prominent opposition figures, supposedly by some of these groups, have brought the people unto the streets, in protest against the government, which is accused of being secretly behind these acts.\n\n\nWhat do Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia have in common? In all three countries, Islamic parties have been trying to come up with a modus vivendi, and a modus operandi, to govern in a democratic setting. In all three societies, there are significant parts of the population that are culturally secular(ized) – and another good part, in fact a majority, that are culturally religious (and have voted these governments into power). The distinctions, as always, are not clear cut.\n\nBut one should also note here that “secular” means something, if used to describe to a life-style or philosophy, and a different thing, if used to describe a political system. To give an example, the religious denominations in Western Europe, even in the countries with established religion like the United Kingdom or Denmark, are politically secular; they look at politics as a sort of neutral means to regulate decision-making in a democratic polity. These “neutral” means, then, depending on who is elected into office, can be oriented in one or another ideological direction, according to the ruling party’s philosophy (which might be closer or less so, to the principles of these religious denominations; eg. the ruling Christian-Democratic Union in Germany).\n\nYet what appears to be clear-cut is always a bit more complicated, a bit more confuse, when looked at closely. Take, for example, the difference between the French understanding of the secular state (laïcité), and the traditional American understanding of the same concept. In France, the legacy of the French Revolution shaped a secularism that is a-religious, verging on the anti-religious. In the US tradition, the idea of the secular state implies a coexistence, in which the institutions of the state (which possess the power) do not impose their power, favorable or unfavorable, over religious institutions. These are the models, at least on paper. Yet a closer look at how these are actually lived out shows that even in the countries that produced these models, the situation is not clear. For example, there are plenty of American political actors (or regular citizens) who understand the state from a French perspective, and French citizens who naturally lean toward a model much closer to the American one.\n\nIt is no surprise, therefore, if confusions or questions about these issues appear in countries where such models have not yet been established or tried out – like Egypt, or Turkey, or Tunisia. There are religious people (as most Egyptians are, for example), who have a secular image of politics; and secularized citizens who support an Islamic-influenced government (as in Turkey); or, on the other hand, secularized or religious people, who understand this identity in a very militant way, and would like to enforce it on the others, democratically or not.\n\n\nIn the video below, a remarkable young Egyptian presents with astonishing articulateness the complexities of the situation in Egypt, while also reflecting the complexities of Egyptian society (he accuses the Muslim Brotehrhood of not being true to religion), and the challenges the Morsi-opponents face in making the distinction between political adversary and full “enemy”  ( a crucial distinction).\n\nMany of the anti-Morsi political actors seem to dismiss all too easily the concern that, in a democratic political system,  the only legitimate way to remove a government is through the mechanisms of the system. But, they could say, these mechanisms are excruciatingly slow and imperfect; and they could also say that they were justified, because they are right. As true as both these statements may be (or not be), they do not change the nature of these undemocratic actions. In a democracy, “being right”, even “being certain of being right”, is not reason enough to forcibly remove a government. Politics, just like living in a society, or in a family, is indeed “the art of the compromise”: a slow and imprecise process during which one is obliged to fight even the worse positions of the political adversary, through the established mechanisms of political and civic action.\n\nBut this is not to imply that the secular-minded (in the political sense) forces are alone with this impatience and irascibility. Their action was provoked by, and was met by, the equally impatient and irascible politics of the Morsi-led Muslim Brotherhood government, whose actions have indeed veered undemocratically. And the of the MB was surely “I am right.” Yet “I am right” – ideologically, morally, or metaphysically – is simply not enough of a justification to bypass by force the rules of the democratic political system (at least according to the current status quo about what democracy is).\n\nThese secular and religious forces in Egypt are not alone in this struggle to deal with the cognitive dissonance between the clarity of their moral principles, and the imperfection of democratic mechanisms. Even in the more established democracies – like in the US, for example – the borders between shaping policy according to one’s ideology, and manipulating the very mechanisms of politics, based on the same ideology, are confusing and fickle. The saving grace is that the exaggerations of a political actor can be checked by the other political actors, who have this ability by virtue of the same democratic political system (through elections, checks and balances, separation of powers etc.). What makes this work, more or less, is that all political actors have subscribed to the basic ideology of the system itself, by adhering to the Constitution. What makes the situation difficult for the political actors in Egypt or Tunisia is that they did not have yet the chance to internalize the rules of liberal democracy. And this applies equally to those who support the Islamic governments and to those who do not.\n\nIs this, then, a vicious circle – that the basic institutions of democracy have a hard time being established, because they did not already exist, and viceversa? A vicious circle is synonymous with an impossible situation, but there is no such thing, politically speaking; what is needed, is a slow learning process; and the best that Western well-wishers, governmental or nongovernmental, can do, is to support this process of democratic enculturation.\n\n\nSuperficial commentators might voice opinions to the effect that the problem is with Islam itself (theology? culture?). That would ignore the democratic experience of the largest Muslim-populated country, Indonesia (as complex as it is). Yet it is true that in the Middle East and North Africa there have been very few experiments, and those only of late, of an Islamic political force governing a liberal democracy; which is why, again, the fate of Erdogan’s project is of such interest.\n\nYet the problem is much broader than the current events in Egypt or Tunisia or Turkey. The questions of the ethical, philosophical, and even metaphysical assumptions of the modern liberal democracy are studiously avoided, or remain unsatisfactorily answered, even in the West. The problem is that the modern (i.e. liberal, Enlightenment) model of democratic political systems is itself based on moral and philosophical assumptions, which have not been challenged, but which are constantly being “tried and tested” on an unsuspecting population. At the basis of this model there seems to be an impetus toward individualism, and toward individual liberty as the ultimate value – but also towards the state as the ever more powerful Leviathan that ensures the programmatic pursuit of these objectives. Yet these values, mentioned here, are very specific values, belonging to a specific ideology. They are not absolute universal values, neither horizontally (in different places, today), nor longitudinally (at different points in history). Working under the assumption of an immutable “march of history” in one specific direction is both irrational and clearly ideologically biased. In other words, the “neutral means” of democratic politics is not as neutral as it seems.\n\nIt is easy to understand, then, the unease of some of the newer political actors, in some of the more inexperienced democracies. After all, what in France looked like an inherent consequence of the basic principles of the French status quo, namely the ban on publicly-worn religious symbols, was met with incredulity and incomprehension in many other countries (for example in the United States). But just a few years later, the Barack Obama-led US government needed to be harshly rebuked by a rare unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, when ideological motivations led the government to trespassing on a long established constitutional clause, which was meant to provide for the free and peaceful co-existence of different philosophical/ ideological/ theological systems. So the dilemmas the Islamic-oriented political forces in Turkey or Tunisia are facing point towards deeper unsolved questions, about the basic assumptions of the modern democratic model.\n\nWe will not solve these questions here, but this awareness might help us see how seemingly unrelated issues, such as these difficulties in the MENA region, and the conflict between Hungary’s Viktor Orbán government and some of his EU counterparts, might have surprisingly similar roots.  After all, part of the untold revolt of some Western European chancelleries had to do with the fact that the new Basic Law of Hungary makes explicit reference to the cultural heritage of the country, and it contains the flag and coat of arms of the country; unusual, perhaps – but is this not an innocuous detail? The irksomeness of these details in the eyes of some Western chancelleries points again to the fact that there are unexamined, fundamental assumptions, under which different democratic regimes work; clearly, these chancelleries have a specific interpretation of what the modern democratic model means or implies; to approach it somewhat glibly, one might say that “they have taken the Enlightenment and ran with it”. Whether one or the other interpretation is right or wrong, is not our concern. A more important question is if we could distinguish between a neutral, universal basis for democracy, or is it all just one ideology, which now has come to dominate the world? This is very relevant, from the point of view of the struggles of Islamic political forces, trying to be successful within the framework of functioning liberal democracies.\n\nAs with all things political, we usually make sense of things as they happen, or after they happened; and the strongest proof is always in practice; it is the tried that proves true or untrue. There is no question that the modern representative democracy is astonishingly attractive and appears germane to most people around the world. Successive opinion polls taken in the Middle East and North Africa before the Arab Spring have consistently showed that a large majority of those populations desire and are fond of the democratic model. One should not be reluctant then to say that some of democracy’s central principles – but not all! – clearly appeal to traits shared by all human beings (hence the universal popular appeal). On the other hand, one can not forget either that the actual, historical sources of the model are the Enlightenment, Judeo-Christian, and Classical Greek culture (probably in this order).\n\nBut how do we distinguish between what is universally valid, and the ideological excrescences? between freedom of religion, and the ban on religious symbols? Or, to turn around the question, is it not possible that there is a universal appeal, and there are universally valid traits, but they are developed slightly differently (yet equally democratically) in different cultural spaces? After all, religion vs state means very different things in the US and in France – and both are truly democratic. This is a most difficult question, as many illiberal democracies or even authoritarian regimes have excused their trespasses, by making reference to “cultural differences”. At this point, such references have almost become markers of something fishy going on.\n\nBut it might also be the case that the current experiments in Turkey, Tunisia, even Egypt, with this model of modern liberal democracy entering a relatively new cultural area, is an occasion to purify what is essential and universal about it, from what are ideological and cultural excrescences.\n\n\nAs said, the recent deposition of an elected government by an undemocratic institution left Egypt, its politics and its society, in a deep impasse. The tragic nature of the situation could not be better evidenced than by the recent bloodshed on the streets of Egypt, as a result of both the brutal actions of the army against a part of the Egyptian population (the Morsi-supporters), and by the violence inflicted by some of the latter on their co-citizens (see the burning of Coptic churches). Obviously, Egypt can not survive divided, yet the cleavages existing in the Egyptian society are only exasperated by such acts of violence. One such act generates a reaction, a reaction deserves a response – an unending cycle of violence, all under the illusion that “the other side” can actually be silenced, eliminated, terminated.\n\nPolitics and, more specifically, the institutions of representative democracy, are made for the management of inherent societal conflicts. The existence of sharply differing ethical, philosophical, ideological positions in a society is an inevitable reality; what stops these conflicts from being fought on the streets is the consensus of all political actors, and of a great majority of the population, that the legitimate means of solving these divergences is through the institutions of (democratic) politics, especially through parties, which coalesce differing opinions into structured programs; and through parliaments, where these positions are allowed to clash through debate, and to generate a course action through the shaping of policy. In other words, if these institutions are not allowed to play out their role, politics fails, and violence speaks.\n\nOne could thus say that the only possible “solution” for the current situation, is a return to functioning democratic institutions, which could channel these societal conflicts. The problem is that the army seems to act under the impression that it can first eliminate these conflicts, and then reestablish democratic politics. This, clearly, is false. What compounds the degree of difficulty in the current situation, is that no side seems ready, able, or willing to talk to the other; instead, one seems to notice on both sides the illusion that “we can solve the situation, once and for all”, that “we can defeat them” – through force. That, however, is the opposite of democracy, and its perfect poison, both short- and long-term.\n\n\nA good example of the range of cultural identities existing in the societies mentioned above is the Harlem Shake staged by Tunisian high school students (below), and the varied reactions it engendered.\n\n\nA New President of Iran (Part 2)\n\nAs noted in the first part of our overview of the recent presidential elections, power and influence in Iran depend on the interplay between the different sources of political legitimacy, the formal and informal institutions of the system, and the networks of connections in the society. Among the main sources of legitimacy are, on the “official” side, the relationship with the figure of the founding Leader and the 1979 Revolution, the appeal to the teaching of Islam, to velayat e-faqih, or to the  Constitution, and the religious or political stature of the person. On the “unofficial” side, one’s involvement with previous moments of popular revolt (eg. the Green Revolution of 2009), the relationship with the informal leaders of the “opposition” (Moussavi, Khatami), or with other “moderate” figures (Rafsanjani), are similarly relevant.\n\nAlthough there are no official political parties in Iran, the formation of coalitions of interests is a natural process within any society; these networks might take different forms or names, but they are generally recognized as representing different positions. Within Iran, one can distinguish a spectrum ranging from, on one end, those most faithful to the original intent and spirit of the Revolution and to Khomeini’s legacy (and thus most closely following his specific interpretation of Shia Islam) – to, at the opposite end, groups and people associated with the recent movements of popular protest, who have been excluded, or have excluded themselves, from the official political process. In-between these there is a broad political middle, trying to be a part of the process, with some walking a centrist line while having their bearings more in the traditionalist direction, and others belonging to the reformist camp.\n\nOf course, various readings are possible; in the media, very often the political life is simply divided into traditionalists and reformists, But a bare bones description does not do justice to the complexity of the situation on the ground. For example, the traditionalist direction, usually identified as “the principalists”. is by no means monolithic; an important dividing line has formed recently between the “deviants” or radicals, as Ahmadinejad’s populists are called, and those who are closer to the Supreme Leader Khamenei and to the clerical circles. This conflict burst out in 2009, when Ahmadinejan “walked out” of cabinet meetings for almost two weeks, in protest to Khamenei imposing his people and influence within the government.\n\nGiven the exclusion from the official political competition of those who had a direct involvement in the 2009 events, the centrist-reformist part of the spectrum covers a broad range as well, but is generically where the dissatisfied place their hopes and votes. Within this group there are many figures who have occupied or still occupy important positions in the system, and who have been a part of it for decades, and thus possess not only popular appeal (being a reformist voice), but also official, institutional legitimacy. Among them, Hassan Rouhani has been known for a long time as a not-so-prominent moderate voice.\n\nGiven the complexity of the factors listed above, it is easy to understand that the Council of Guardians probably did not have an easy job vetting and selecting the candidates “qualified” to run for the presidency. At the end of the registration process there were almost 700 people who manifested their intention to run in the election; true enough, most of them had no chances of being taken into serious consideration. For example, among them there were several women, although the Constitution prescribes that the President must be a male Shia Muslim. From the CoG’s perspective, however, the most important decisions had to be made about a small number of prominent players, who possessed the political and religious backgrounds that made them acceptable for the regime, and were (at least potentially) attractive to the people. Two of these, Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, were especially interesting cases, Rafsanjani because of representing the moderate pragmatic line and having a reputable political past (friend of Ayatollah Khomeini and two-time Iranian president), and Mashaei because of enjoying the forceful backing of Ahmadinejad’s camp (which certainly did him no good with either Khamenei or the Council of Guardians).\n\nAt the end of the selection process, the Council of Guardians ended up with a brief list of eight suitable and suited candidates (biographies), including, on the traditionalist side, the Khamenei-backed mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf; the adviser to the Leader, Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel; the former head of the Iran Revolutionary Guard and adversary of Ahmadinejad, Mohsen Rezaei; and the chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, strongly supported by the Ahmadinejad people. On the centrist, or pragmatic-reformist side, the approved candidates were Ali Akbar Velayati, a former Foreign Minister close to the Rafsanjani circles; a former vice-president of Iran, current member of the Expediency Council, and prominent friend of Khatami, Mohammad-Reza Aref; and a lesser-known cleric and former chief nuclear negotiator named Hassan Rouhani. An unknown quantity, perhaps straddling the two camps, but with a long political-administrative record, was the eighth and last approved candidate,  Mohammad Gharazi.\n\nSince these candidates were not selected so as to have only one representative of each faction (as they are not officially recognized), during the campaign that followed (and which included televised debates) they had to take some strategic decisions in order not to dilute the vote that would go in support of the direction they represented. Accordingly, Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel withdrew in order to strengthen the so-called “conservative” camp. In the reformist camp, it was important, but for a long time not clear, behind whom would Rafsanjani and Khatami throw their support; finally, their choice was Hassan Rouhani. In consequence, Mohammad-Reza Aref withdrew, for Rouhani’s benefit. Slowly but surely, through careful messaging and key endorsements, Rouhani rose to become the candidate representing the reformist direction. With his established past and moderate reformist rhetoric, he became the attractive choice for pragmatists, moderates, reformists – and, by default, for those who had been engaged with the opposition movement. An interesting contrast arose, therefore, between a carefully calibrated, generically encouraging, yet moderate rhetoric from the candidate, and the increasingly larger and louder crowds of supporters (who at one rally even chanted the name of detained opposition leader Mir Hussain Mousavi).\n\nThe possibility of such a broad, popular coalition forming behind Rouhani has its explanation in the generalized unhappiness with the state in which Iran finds itself – with inflation, recession, youth unemployment, a conflict-ridden foreign policy, and general insecurity about the future. No amount of ideological rhetoric, not even the most exacerbated one, can supplant the failure of a regime to provide these basics elements of security, and there is no factor that undermines a government’s messaging more, than a failing economic situation.\n\nThis large and widespread disaffection with the regime – including Ahmadinejad’s administration of the economy and the Khamenei-lead control over the society – and the safety that both the people and possibly also the regime could find in such a centrist, experienced, economically-minded candidate like Rouhani, might explain why he was both successful in the campaign, and tolerated by the powers that be. Rouhani’s messaging, meanwhile, maintained his moderate positioning, and he kept his statements generic and well-meaning enough, to contain hints both toward the Green Movement people, and the ideological power establishment.\n\nBut what do we know about Rouhani? Hassan Rouhani is a Shiite cleric, born in 1948. Until the June elections, Rouhani has been serving on the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts; before that, he was a leading member of the Majlis for 20 years. His security and foreign policy background also goes back a long way, starting with the leadership role he played during the Iran-Iraq war; afterward, for 16 years he was a member (and then the head) of the Supreme National Security Council; and until recently he lead the Center for Strategic Research. In 1999 he came out forcefully against the popular protests, on the side of maintaining public order. Between 2003 and 2005 he was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, brokering agreements with the EU. In recent years he was a constant critic of Ahmadinejad’s mishandling of both the foreign policy and the economy.\n\nDuring the campaign, he carefully defined his position: “I have no problem working with Principalists or Reformists, I have a problem with extremists… and I have come to replace extremism with moderation.” He further clarified this self-definition when he mentioned by name the three key representatives of these factions (Supreme Leader Khamenei, Rafsanjani and Khatami), connecting himself neatly with all of them: “my close relationship with all three men began before the revolution and God-willing it will remain that way.” Thus, a moderate figure – but one of reform and pragmatism, against the thick ideological overtones of the previous president and of some hardliners. He said things that sounded good to the people, while not alienating the regime, as when he advocated for the need to pay attention to the impulses toward change that arise from “religion, freedom, and the people’s movement towards democracy.” No wonder that the people responded, pinning their hopes – for change, for a different voice, for a channel for their discontent and frustration after the uprising of 2009 – on him.\n\nAnd the people expressed this support on the polling day, at the voting booth.  In Iran, the president is elected by popular vote, in two rounds. In the first round, all candidates are in the run (six, in our case). If no candidate obtains over 50%, a second round is organized, with only the top two candidates participating (those who obtained the most votes); in the second round, the candidate with the most votes (surely a majority) wins the elections. On June 14, the date of the first round of voting, there was an atmosphere of expectation, waiting to see if the regime would simply impose its will (as it did 2009), and who would qualify to the second round. To most people’s surprise, not only was the regime quick in making public the results, but the winner became apparent already from the first round of voting: it was Hassan Rouhani, with about 51% of the vote (results; results). According to the authorities, 72 % of the 50 million Iranian voters (including Iranians from abroad) participated in the elections. The win was clear and quite overwhelming – especially given the precedents.\n\nAs for Rouhani, in his first press conference after winning the elections, his emphasis did not change a bit; the word he kept repeating was “moderation”. Then. on August 4, 2013, he was inaugurated as the new President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.\n\nOf course, the challenges for him and for the Iranians who greeted his election with immense enthusiasm are just starting. After the task of forming a government (i.e. making the right selection for members of the cabinet), the people of Iran (and also the rest of the world) will look eagerly to see if he will be willing, as the new President, and if he will be able, within the limits of this position, and the intricate Iranian political system, to transform his talk about moderate reform, economic pragmatism, and less tense foreign relations – into effective action.\n\n\nAn excellent source documenting the campaign and the elections was Wilson Center’s Iran Election Update series, prepared by Hanif Zarrabi-Kashani (Scribd). Al Jazeera also followed very closely and reported abundantly on the process.\n\nA New President of Iran (Part 1)\n\nOn Sunday, August 4, Hojatoleslam Sheikh Hassan Rohani was inaugurated as the new president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Previously, on June 14, the Iranians had voted overwhelmingly to elect him as president, already from the first round. The result was greeted with great elation on the streets of Iran, and with surprise in the West. But what does this election mean, and how did it come about?\n\n\nFor the past eight years, the Western media was dominated, in all things Iran, by the figure – at times grotesque, at times comical – of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In the eyes of the media he stood for all things threatening or questionable about Iran’s Islamic government – and also, quite problematically, he stood for “Iran” itself. Yet this image neglected an important fact – that Ahmadinejad was only the President of Iran, namely the holder of an elected position limited to two mandates, of an office that is in no way the most important or influential one, in the Iranian political system.  “President” might sound like a grand title, but it is not. It is a position of power, indeed, but one of the many, in the intricate web of formal and informal institutions that constitute the Iranian political system.\n\nAt the heart and foundation of Iran’s political system are an originating event, a founding figure, and a grounding theory; respectively, the Revolution of 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini, and the ideology of velayat e-faqih. The Islamic Republic was founded as a result of a popular uprising against the brutal regime of the Shah, regime that had been established and maintained with the visible support of the governments of US and of Great Britain. Turning against this regime in 1979 was a broad coalition of varied forces, from Marxists to Islamists – and, of course, the population. Yet, no matter how wide the ideological range of those who rose against the Shah, the best organized and most prominent were the determined followers of the charismatic (previously exiled) leader, Khomeini. And after the removal of the Shah, they proceeded to swiftly purge the institutions of the state, and the country itself, from the competing revolutionary groups, and to establish a political system and a society that would be based on Khomeini’s own theory of government, the “guardianship of the jurisprudent” (velayat e-faqih).\n\nMost Iranians belong to Shia Islam, and more particularly to Twelver Shia Islam, whose peculiarity is that the believers live in expectation of the return of the twelfth Imam, a descendant from Muhammad’s line who was supposed to become the next leader of the Muslims, before he disappeared in the year 874 CE. This is very important because, following Muhammad’s model, the leader of the Muslims is supposed to be the leader in all aspects of life – including what concerns us, the political. This is in keeping with the fact that, within Islam, ideally there is no justifiable separation between the religious and the social, between what is known to be right and just, and what is practiced, in all aspects of life (even if historically these spheres became separated not very long after the Prophet’s death). Therefore, since the (religiously) legitimate ruler of the Shia Muslims, the Imam, is not present, the question emerges as to who can rule them, and under what circumstances, so that they can live in faithfulness to the Quran and to the Islamic traditions. While in exile, Ruhollah Khomeini sat down to formulate an answer to this question, and the resulting theory, velayat e-faqih, became thus the fundamental principle of the new socio-political arrangement. In its essence, it states that, until the return of the Twelfth Imam,  the community of the (Shia) Muslims is put under the “guardianship” of the “jurists”, namely under the temporary guidance and rule of the trained scholars and clerics who know best, through their vocation and education, how to interpret Islam and apply it to the challenges of the day. A fairly commonsensical solution, given the premises; yet a solution that is by no means accepted by all Shia clerics and scholars, a number of whom consider it an abuse or deformation of Islam; and rightly so, since who gave Khomeini the authority to establish such “rules of the game”?\n\nAnd here comes the second of the aforementioned foundational elements of the Republic of Iran: the figure of Ruhollah Khomeini. His intellectual and concrete leadership in overturning the Shah’s regime and establishing a new one, and his day-to-day rule over the newly formed republic, with him as ultimate decision-maker in all matters social, political and religious, make Khomeini the founding father of the Iranian polity as we know it. He is the source of the original ideology of the state, and he is also the revolutionary leader who established the new Islamic state. One could compare his figure to those of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Catro or, more recently, Cesar Chavez; but also to the more appealing  figures of the Framers of the American republic, Konrad Adenauer, or Charles De Gaulle: people who have shaped the founding principles of a state both through their ideas and through their actions, their actual leadership.\n\nThirdly, the other original source of legitimacy of the Islamic Republic is the 1979 Revolution itself, namely the social and cultural re-action to the authoritarian regime of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Given that that regime had been established and propped up through the very active involvement of Western interests, namely of Great Britain and the United States, against the will and desires of a good part of the people (see the 1953 intervention), the Revolution itself, at least in some circles, had a pronounced anti-Western, anti-American and anti-British coloring, as they were turning against the Shah and his backers.\n\nThe relevance of the three foundational elements of the Islamic Republic presented above is neatly evidenced in the preamble to the Constitution of Iran (which embodies the “guardianship of the jurists” theory, although it does not mention it); and this Constitution, together with velayat e-faqih, constitute the basic principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran.\n\n\nTo understand the role and relative importance of the presidential position, one needs to understand the system of institutions and functions that try to implement in reality the principles laid down in the Constitution and prescribed by the “guardianship of the jurists”. In keeping with the Islamic view of society, a polity will be moral and just only if it lives  in accordance with what is know to be true and right, namely the word and example of the Prophet, and the Islamic tradition. At the same time, within Islam, all believers are equal; even in religious matters, the “voice  of the people” can play a very important role. The Islamic Republic, therefore, is constituted so as to embody both these sources of legitimacy, and thus has two sets of institutions, one corresponding to each.\n\nThis situation is similar to that of other ideologically-grounded regimes, such as the People’s Republic of China. As the name states it, China is “the people’s republic”; accordingly, it has a set of institutions that is meant to make the people’s voice heard (the principle of representation), and also a parallel structure (the institutions of the Communist Party), which constitutes the ideological check on the system and on the representative institutions. Both in Iran and in China, the set of institutions that is more powerful is the one that provides the ideological leadership to the political system; accordingly, the representative institutions are weaker, and are kept in check (through the selection of candidates, or perhaps through sheer manipulation), so that they do not deviate from the ideological direction of the country.\n\nIt is worth noting here, perhaps, that such mechanisms or such an internal logic of the system are also found in what we consider to be liberal democracies. For example, in many countries the constitutional court is an unelected body that has the last say (or check) on the functioning and power of the representative institutions, based on a set of principles (or ideology) embodied in the founding principles (constitution, revolution) of that country. This is by no means a remark intended to create a false equivalency between the political systems of an Iran, a China, and a Germany, for example. It is however useful to understand the inner logic of a system, and to see that all these systems have a set of ideas at their basis, ideas which their supporters claim to embody the “truth” (i.e. the best form of government possible). The consensus today is that a form corresponding to the principles of representative democracy, freedom  (of speech, action, opinion), and what is broadly called “human rights”, is the optimal form of government, or what we usually call, in shorthand. “democracy”.\n\nSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei meeting President Putin\n\nSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei meeting with President Putin\n\nReturning to our discussion, it is relevant to note that, notwithstanding the similarities with China, the Iranian political system has a much stronger and more vocal “representative” component. Also, the ideological power is more diffused in Iran, within a range of formal and informal arrangements; unlike in China, where the Party’s institutions are more streamlined. But let us look at Iran.\n\nAt the top of the  political, social and religious structures of power in Iran is the Supreme Leader – currently, the Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. Khamenei is only the second Leader after the founder, Khomeini. He was elected (since the Leader is elected by another institution) after the Khomeini’s death, in 1989, as a compromise candidate between various factions. Co-worker of Khomeini, he was President of Iran under him during the 1980s.\n\nImmediately below the Leader, on the next rung of power, is the Council of Guardians. As the name suggests, this organ is at the heart of the system, expressing the idea of the guidance of the Islamic jurists over the direction of the society and of its institutions. Accordingly, the CoG has many powers, and a central role in making sure that both the institutions and the individual actors in the state follow the Quran and the Constitution. Of its twelve members, six are elected by the Parliament, and the other six are appointed by the Leader.\n\nThis being the heart of the ideological system, there are two other institutions that, although with more ideological rather than representative functions, are situated somewhere between the “democratic” (demos + cratos) and the “theocratic” dimensions of the system.\n\nThe Assembly of Experts is the institution that elects the Leader; again as illustrated by its name, this institution gathers people with theological studies (86 of them), who need to pass examinations in order to qualify; however, they are voted in by the population, through universal elections happening every ten years. As it is with most other elected positions in the system, however, the candidates are vetted and pre-selected by the Council of Guardians. It is interesting to note that theoretically the Assembly of Experts also possesses the power to dismiss the Leader, if found unfit.\n\nThe Expediency Council is a more recent institution, established not long before Khomeini’s death, and its role is to mediate the legislative and decision-making conflicts between the elected Parliament and the Council of Guardians. These being its formal roles, informally it is also an institution that gathers many of the most powerful individual actors in the Iranian polity: military leaders, top clerics, government ministers etc. Given that it is the Leader who appoints them to the EC, it can also be seen as a way for him to gather and maintain the informal support of the power players of the country.\n\nOn the “purely” representative side of the political system, Iran looks like a combination of a presidential and a parliamentary system. Its legislature is constituted by the unicameral parliament, the Majles, which is directly elected by the population, through universal suffrage, every four years.  Although both men and women can be members of Parliament (unlike in the institutions mentioned above), in order to run for election one needs to be a Muslim; there are however spots in the Majles that are reserved for the members of the religious minorities – Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians. In order to run for elections, the candidates need to be vetted by the CoG; and not all qualify. Nonetheless, the Parliament is a relatively powerful and active institution; it is after all the characteristic of any institution that, once formed, it tries to cut itself as large a slice of power as it possibly can.  Just like other parliaments, the Majles debates and passes laws, and is able to check on the government (executive); at times, it has not shied from passing decisions (which never became laws) trying to check on the power of the Council of Guardians.\n\nThe executive branch is constituted by the President (who is its head) and the Cabinet (ministers). The President is directly elected by the population, every four years, and is limited to two terms. Of course, the list of candidates for the presidency is first vetted by the Council of Guardians; some of the basic requirements are that the candidate be male, a Shia Muslim, and an ethnic Iranian (i.e. not an ethnic Kurd or Armenian, for example). The President shapes a good part of the policy (which makes him a relatively forceful head of government), but he does not have the last say over the overall direction of the country. For example, while he signs international agreements and appoints ambassadors, the general thrust of the external policy is in the hands of the Leader and of his circles of power. Most pointedly, given much of the West’s concerns, the President is only an executor, and not a shaper of policy,  in what regards Iran’s nuclear plans, The Cabinet functions as a “council of ministers”; its members are appointed by the President and are approved by Parliament.\n\nThe President (with his Cabinet) is essentially in charge with running the day-to-day business of government, but his appointments and initiatives need to be approved or passed by the Parliament, which can also remove Cabinet members. In this sense, given also the reality of a very activist Majles, one could say that governing power (on the “representative” side) is somewhat equally divided between legislature and executive. Their activity (meant to express the intentions of the people, and to benefit them) is ideologically checked for corresponding with the grounding philosophy of the regime: Islam and the legacy of the Revolution.\n\nThere are additional institutions, such as those necessary for maintaining order and control over the society and its institutions: the Army, the Police, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the judiciary, the judiciary’s secret police etc. As is to be expected, these are very large, numerous, and relatively secretive; and maintaining control over them is crucial. On the other hand, there are also quasi-nongovernmental (quango?) or para-statal organizations, with roots in the Iran’s social culture and its recent past. Such are the Foundation of the Disinherited, the Martyrs’ Foundation, the Foundation of the Oppressed; these are large, sprawling even “foundations” that fulfill social and economic functions. For example, they might distribute benefits to the veterans of the war between Iraq and Iran, which has left the deepest marks on Iranian society; on the other hand, they also have economic interests and activities so large that they are some of the main employers in the country.  These parastatal structures constitute therefore very important sources of patronage; and the last say over their activity and leadership belongs to the Leader. Another very influential social organization is that of the Friday Prayer Leaders. Having control over what and how is communicated to the population at the Friday prayer, given that within Islam there is no ecclesiastical hierarchy, and thus no institutional check over the clerics’ or scholars’ activity, is of course very important. Consequently, the ultimate influence over this body rests with the Leader.\n\nIran pol sys 10\n\nIt is important to have a picture of this network of formal or less formal institutions and relationships, in order to understand that to have and wield power in Iran is a not a simple, unidimensional challenge. After founding father and revolutionary leader Khomeini’s death, in the absence of his towering figure, the system had to negotiate a modus operandi, which in actuality looks like a sum of compromises and relationships between various centers of power. Even the fact that the current Leader, Khamenei, was initially a “compromise” and relatively non-threatening candidate illustrates that having and maintaining power in this system is not as simple or straightforward endeavor as it could seem. Here one can notice again some similarities with China, with the plays on and for power within the structures of the Communist Party. One needs to create a rely on a network of institutional, ideological and individual supporters, or interested actors – and the population itself is one of these actors. After all, no regime can survive a complete loss of legitimacy.\n\n\nThis is why it is very relevant and important that Hassan Rohani was elected so overwhelmingly, obtaining over 50% of the vote from the first round, and that his election was received with such a huge cheer by the population and the “reformist” forces . But it is perhaps even more significant that, of a field of candidates that initially included almost 700 names (anyone could register), the Council of Guardians, surely with the acknowledgment of the Leader, vetted and selected eight persons, one of whom was Rohani.  Thus let us take a look at the circumstances of his election, the interplay of the various influences, and the interesting profile of the newly-inaugurated Iranian president, Hassan Rohani, in the second part of our analysis.\n\n[VIDEO: Raucous Rohani Campaign Meeting]\n\nItalian Elections: The Triumph of Alice? (Part II)\n\nAs mentioned in the first part of our overview, the (very) wild card of the recent Italian elections has been Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement. Let us take a closer look at it, and then at the possible solutions to the post-electoral conundrum.\n\nThrough the Rabbit Hole: Beppe Grillo’s Movement\n\nBeppe Grillo has played the role of acidic (and comedic) commentator of Italian public life since the 1980s. In the last two decades or so, he has moved away from the public media, but continued to do the same through national theater tours and, increasingly, through the internet. Slowly but surely, and especially since the economic crisis, he has become the focal personality channeling the anger of many Italians at the failures of the political elite. Grillo then took up consciously this role of conduit and mover, and founded a political movement (“not a party”) intended to be a direct expression of the will of the citizens, and an anti-political alternative to the political-media establishment.\n\nAfter participating in local and European election, his Movimento 5 Stelle started preparing for the 2013 elections, which were called after yet another failure of the main political forces, right and left, to support  a stable government in a time of crisis. M5S’s organizing and campaigning efforts respected its non-establishment roots: shunning traditional media, they concentrated on public meetings and on creating a huge online network of communication  – inspired and guided by Grillo’s Internet guruGianroberto Casaleggio. A sort of direct democracy, using the oldest as well as the newest forms of mass communication. The roster of candidates and the party platform were constituted in similar ways: the potential candidates posted their CVs and self-introductory videoclips, and the online organization voted for them; the main policy objectives included some of the original ideas of M5S (ecology), but most of them were collected and discussed on online forums.\n\nThe resulting platform reflects both its originating process as well as the nature of the movement: halving the size of the legislature; anti-corruption laws; state support for the people affected by the economic crisis; incentives for small businesses; an end  to public financing of political parties and of the media;  a new electoral system, based on proportional representation; support for renewable energy;  free and universal internet access; voting age reduced to 16 for the Chamber of Deputies  (from 18), and to 18 for the Senate (from 25); online referendum on leaving the Euro. Also, M5S representatives will serve only two terms and will accept only a part of their salary.\n\nIn translation: replacing the current political class; cutting the connection between power and the media; direct democracy as the alternative to politics as usual; the internet as the means of this new direct democracy; common sense ideas from ordinary people; the new generation as the solution to the problems of the old; enlarging the social protection network, to help the growing number of Italians descending into poverty every day; aiding regular people who have small businesses; making sure that the newly elected people are different, and will not profit from political power, but will be there only to serve the ideas of the Movement.\n\nTo put it even more directly: we are tired of the same people, who are only pursuing their own interests, and the ones dictated by the international structures of powers. such as “the markets”, the World Bank, IMF, and the European Union. What we need is the idealist politics of the young generation and the common sense solutions of good, ordinary citizens. We will change the political elite, using the horizontal, democratizing force of the internet.\n\nIn the run-up to the elections, Grillo skewered Monti’s technocratic cabinet, because of the austerity solutions they implemented in response to the economic crisis – saying that these were imposed at the bidding of the markets and of international capital. Instead of austerity measures, Grillo said that he wants to use the money wasted on the government itself and on subventions, and redistribute it to those affected by the crisis and to small businesses. If his proposals sound familiar, it is because you have heard them before, from other populist movements.\n\nOne of the key challenges of populist movements is that it is easy to ride the wave of popular anger at the given situation (economic crisis, political immobility), as voters and candidates are united by their opposition to the status quo. Once in power, however, it becomes obvious that no amount of revolt or outcry can provide, in and of itself, the solutions to the problems. Furthermore, it usually turns out that those simple solutions, which sounded so energizing during the campaign – “eliminate waste,” “use the internet to increase efficiency” – never actually produce large enough outcomes, to cover ambitious programs such as expanding the social net. \n\nAnother main challenge of populist movements is that, in order to actually have an impact in politics, they need to develop the internal structures necessary for unitary and effective action.  In other words, what starts as an inchoate, granular, horizontal revolt, needs to coalesce into institutions (which are, of necessity, structured and hierarchical). Without a group of people acting in a concerted way, with consistency over time, and in pursuit of the same goals (i.e. institutions), no lasting results can be achieved.\n\nThese challenges became apparent for M5S immediately after the elections, during the voting for the Presidency of the Senate, when several representatives “defected” by choosing to support the candidate of the center-left, thus going against Grillo’s injunction which rejected any cooperation with the existing political forces. The idea of organizing as a network sounds attractive enough, and it did work in the campaign; in fact, Beppe Grillo himself said that he does not know and has not met all the M5S candidates who ran in the elections; and Grillo himself did not run for Parliament,  as a consequence of a manslaughter sentence from the ’80s. But a decentralized network does not act as one entity, and then who is to assure that the ideas of the movement are actually followed and pursued with constancy.\n\nWell, it turns out that it is Grillo himself (and Casaleggio) who do have the institutional power to make sure that the movement remains true to its ideas. For example, during the campaign local representatives of M5S have been thrown out of the movement (by Grillo); however, he rejected the accusations of undemocratic behavior thrown at him on the online forums: “Don’t come and break my balls, me of all people, about democracy. I’m getting fed up, I’m getting angry, seriously angry”. And so it happened after the Senate debacle that a new informal policy was introduced, by which Grillo would constantly keep in touch with the M5S members in the Parliament through text messages, thus ensuring that they would toe the party line.\n\nThe problem with equality is that it requires a Leviathan to enforce it, a Leviathan who is the guarantee of ideological purity.\n\nAfter the Elections: The Impasse\n\nIn a parliamentary political system, getting to power means obtaining a majority in the Parliament, which the allows those political forces to choose their own people as head of the executive (prime minister) and as members of the cabinet. In addition to the executive, other key positions in the Italian political system are those of President of the Chamber of Deputies and President of the Senate. In fact, filling these positions is the first thing to do, after the legislature gets together for the first time; but this is not an easy thing to do, if the initial goal is not met – that of having a working majority of seats in the houses of the legislature.\n\nAs presented before, this is indeed the situation after the last elections. The coalition of parties on the left, led by Pier Luigi Bersani, does have 55% of the seats in the lower house, but only a slim plurality in the Senate (see updated results).  Their main rivals are the center right coalition (the main parties being Berlusconi’s Poppolo della Libertà – PDL, and the regionalist-separatist Lega Nord), which, while receiving only 0.3% less of the national vote, lost the majority in the Chamber of Deputies (due to the electoral system) and is only a few seats behind in the upper house. Coming third in terms of voting percentages and seats obtained, receiving a quarter of all the votes, and getting close to becoming the largest single party in Italian politics, is Beppe Grillo’s M5S.  The fourth and last political group, with about 10% of the votes and of the seats, is Mario Monti’s civic coalition.\n\nGiven that the center-left and the center-right have been at each other’s throats for a good long time, and that Grillo has rejected any cooperation with the other parties, Bersani was in a very difficult situation indeed, when it came to trying to constitute the necessary, however slim, majority in the Senate needed to elect its president. In the end, he managed to do that, by relying on a combination of abstentions and dissident votes from M5S (hence the scandal), and also by nominating for these positions politically neutral personalities (and thus the impact of M5S’s electoral success is already felt).\n\nGiven how tortuous these votes were, the perspectives of the negotiations for the nomination of a prime minister became even more daunting. According to the constitution, the President of the Republic is supposed to ask the party (or coalition) that came first in the elections, and that has the highest chance of forming a stable majority, to try to form a government.  Although the center-left is the closest to this description, it does not fit these bills completely – and yet they had to take the initiative.\n\nWhat are Bersani’s choices?  Theoretically, they would be:\n1. to attempt to gather a parliamentary majority in alliance with other coalitions / parties; in exchange for this support, these partners could either take part in government (receive positions in the cabinet), or they could support  a “minority government”, only with their votes in the legislature, without becoming members of the executive.\n2. a grand coalition between the two major political forces, of center-left and center-right, the kind Germany had between 2005 and 2009.\n3. to organize cross-party support for a government of technocrats\n\nWhat complicates the situation even further is that Italy is in the middle of an economic and social crisis, and no matter what government is formed, it needs to have a strong enough support to pass some of the necessary (and presumably highly debated) economic measures; or at least to pass some urgent measures and prepare for snap elections.\n\nLet us examine the aforementioned choices, starting with the last one, of a technocratic government. Well, although it has proven to be a solution for Italy in similar situations before, it would not be possible at this time, for the simple reason that these last elections were preceded and partially brought about by the collapse of political support for the technocratic government of Mario Monti.  In fact, Silvio Berlusconi has openly ruled out supporting a second technocratic government.\n\nSo, could the center left form an alliance or system of alliances, that would give them a majority support in both houses of Parliament? (Recall that they have 55% of the seats in the lower house, but only about 123 of the 319 seats in the upper house.) The only “natural” ally (from the point of view of political pragmatism) would be Monti’s political group; however, the latter have only 21 seats in the upper house. The only other,  theoretically amenable political group, would be the Five Star Movement; but, as we know already, they are against giving support to the existing political forces, even “from the outside”. Bersani’s strategy, as evidenced by his nominations for the leadership of the chambers, has been to propose figures or policy points in which M5S could find a reflection of their own political ideas. Up to this point, however, his attempt has failed.\n\nMeanwhile, M5S has declared that it would expect the president’s invitation to form a government, at which point they would reveal the names of the candidates and the policy program. Of course, the other political forces are not very receptive to such a cat-in-the-bag plan of action. Let us also not forget that Beppe Grillo has stated that he expects new elections to happen soon; in this context, letting the other political forces fail, separately or together, would only prepare the grounds for a more sweeping electoral success for the Five Star Movement, which would fit their goals of replacing the entire political class.\n\nAs for the center-right, it absolutely rejects the formation of a center-left minority government – a “governicchio”, but it might not be opposed to the other alternative, that of entering into government themselves.\n\nThen how about a grand coalition between the center-left and the center-right? Such an alliance would surely have enough votes both in the lower and in the upper houses – comfortably so (within the bounds of Italian political fragmentation, of course).  Nothing is impossible in politics, but Bersani and the center-left seems to reject this idea quite fiercely, because of their personal opposition to Berlusconi (whose figure does dominate the center-right coalition), out of fear of his hidden or not-so-hidden intentions, and because of a lack of trust in the perspectives of such a government  (given last year’s events) . The center-right has made it clear that it would only support a government in which some of the key positions in the state would go to them. This would include not only cabinet positions, but also the Presidency of the Republic. Why the Presidency? It is widely agreed that this has to do with Berlusconi’s personal concerns: he is currently involved in several trials whose outlook does not look very promising; the President, however, has the power of pardon. \n\nBecause, to further complicate the matters, Italy does not only need a stable government in the midst of economic and social crisis. In addition, the mandate of the current President of the Republic is constitutionally set to  expire in a few days (May 15), and by that time they need to have already chosen a new president.\n\nHow About the Italian President?\n\nThe Italian president is elected for a seven-year mandate by a special assembly of grand electors, constituted of all the members of the Chamber of Deputies and of the Senate, and delegates chosen by the governments of the 20 regions (3 from each, with a few exceptions). In order to be elected, a candidate (usually nominated by a major political coalition) needs to gather 2/3 of the votes; if, after three rounds of voting, this is not achieved, in the fourth round a majority (50%+1) is enough.\n\nGiorgio Napolitano – the current president – is running out of time. The assembly to elect the new president will have to be called on April 15, 30 days before the expiration of his mandate (according to the constitution). At the same time, the developments of these presidential election will surely be influenced by the current negotiations for the formation of a cabinet – and they are currently are going nowhere. A possible outcome of the presidential elections would be for Bersani’s center-left to gather enough votes for a majority in the fourth round (perhaps with the aid of Monti’s civic coalition); however, the bad blood created by not agreeing during the previous rounds to a consensus, 2/3 candidate would probably doom any prospect of forming a cabinet afterwards. One must recall that the head of state in a parliamentary system is supposed to be the guarantor of the stability of the state, and to situate himself (or herself) above party politics. Perhaps by finding a presidential nominee who would also fit M5S’s profile – maybe that would open doors for a post-election formation of a stable government? But that would take us into June, and the effects of the political instability are already being felt on the economy.\n\nIn any case, President Giorgio Napolitano has made it clear that he will do his utmost to try to help the formation of a government while his mandate lasts; and he reminded everybody that there is still a caretaker government in place, managing the country, namely Mr. Monti’s government of technocrats (their mandate only ends when a new cabinet is elected).\n\nIn a move inspired by the models of government formation in Netherlands or Belgium,  on Tuesday, April 2, Napolitano announced the beginning of (maximum) 8-10 days of consultation with two groups of “wise men”, gathered both from the political and from the civic-economic sphere. The role of these “facilitators” is to help formulate a set of policy priorities for the country, around which the political parties can gather and which they can support. In other words, this is about supporting specific policy measures, and not personalities. One might assume that, once and if such a governing program is delineated, the parties would have to agree on  a cabinet either from their ranks (a sort of grand coalition) or from the outside (again technocrats), who would pursue a very specific,  limited agenda. One might also assume that the life-span of this target-specific cabinet would be strictly defined as well, and that among their key goals would be to organize new elections, within the next 6-10 months. It is not clear if Napolitano’s strategy of asking them to focus on urgent policy targets, rather than on people or parties, will work; right now, the turmoil goes on.\n\nA Land of Wonders\n\nItaly is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, both in terms of natural beauty, and of historical and cultural riches. It has one of the highest life expectancies in the world; its life-style, from the propensity to enjoy good life, to the siesta, to its family-oriented daily rhythms, make it a favorite destination both for tourism and for comfortable living. Its politics is also full of wonders: intricate, regionally and ideologically fragmented, filled with strong personalities. Its state budget seems to be chronically mismanaged, yet under the leadership of some of its technocratic governments it has produced some of the most impressive economic turnarounds of the last decades. Its system of public administration is widely considered to be inefficient, corruption is seen to be pervasive. Its politics seem to be dominated by the same people, and little seems to change structurally, no matter who gets into the seats of power.\n\nInto this realm and against it comes Beppe Grillo’s movement, proposing an alternate land of wonders, somewhere at the intersection of dreams and pragmatism, that would turn the current reality upside down. One wonders, however, if one does not also hear the Queen of Hearts running around and asking “off with their heads!” In Lewis Carroll’s story, Alice slides into an alternate land of wonders; yet by the end of the narrative, we sigh with her of breath of relief, as she gets back into the (slightly less interesting) land of rules, reason and normality – no matter how fascinating (and frightening) that world of wonders was. At this point, we are right in the middle of the story of Italian elections, and the best we can do is to follow its developments.\n\nAddendum: the Negotiations\n\nBefore the recent consultations between Bersani and the M5S representatives, the latter insisted that they would only agree to discuss, if the meeting would be broadcast live, on the internet. This happened, and Bersani made it a point to state that he was happy to oblige. Complete transparency; open politics to the masses, with the aid of the internet.\n\nIn the follow-up to that meeting, Movimento 5 Stelle needed to decide on the strategy to be pursued during the negotiations to come; the line its representatives should follow, especially given the Senate vote debacle. Thus, the leadership of M5S met behind closed doors to discuss and strategize; no media access, nobody from the outside was allowed. Some secretiveness seems to be in order.\n\nYou can watch the entire streaming broadcast of the Bersani – M5S meeting here:\n\n[FEATURE] David Cameron’s EU Speech\n\n\n\n\n\nRead the rest of this entry »\n\nElections in Slovenia\n\nOn December 4, 2011 Slovenians voted for parties vying to win a proportion of the 90 seats of the lower house of Parliament – the National Assembly (Državni Zbor). In fact, this is the only directly elected chamber of the Parliament in this small, two million strong country.\n\nThe National Assembly\n\nThe upper house, the  National Council (Državni Svet), containing 40 seats, is constituted based on corporatist principles, its members representing either the regions of Slovenia, or each major socio-economic group in Slovenian society. Thus, the NC has 18 seats reserved for representatives of business, trade unions, farmers, crafts, students etc., while 22 seats are elected by regional electoral colleges. This arrangement reflects the strongly consociative nature of the Slovenian political system, another sign of which being the relatively frequent (constitutional) use of the referendum, as a means of passing decisions (in Europe, this might be second only to Switzerland).  Another feature of Slovenian politics, namely its decentralized nature, might be a reflection of the peculiar history of the country, who only acquired independent existence very recently (early 1990s);  throughout history, Slovenians have been just one group among many, or a smaller part of, large and powerful states (mostly under Austrian / German influence). The German connection is still very much evident, in the daily life of both politics and the economy, and also in the political self-understanding of the Slovenian society. Indeed, corporatism, regionalism and consociational arrangements are key aspects of German politics and society.\n\nBut back to the elections for the National Assembly: they were early elections, called after the center-left government of Borut Pahor was toppled, through a vote of no confidence, as a result of general dissatisfaction with its economic policies, its overall performance, and recent corruption scandals. This came only two years after Pahor’s Social Democrats had won the elections, replacing Janez Janša’s center-right Slovenian Democratic Party, notwithstanding the economic boom Slovenia had experienced under that government.\n\nZoran Janković\n\nIn the preamble to these early elections, several new forces appeared on the political stage in Slovenia. Was this a sign of general disappointment with the entire spectrum of the existing, established parties, in addition to the growing economic difficulties? It is very possible, given that the main parties and leaders have been around basically since independence (early 90s). This is also confirmed by the profile of the new political groups: Zoran Janković’s List – Positive Slovenia is formed around the attractive populist profile of a successful businessman, former head of the handball federation, and current mayor of Ljubljana. Although with some previous affiliation with the Social Democrats, his entry into national politics (only about a month and a half before the elections, when he formed the new party) has not been greeted with cheers by the establishment. The other brand new political force is the Citizen’s Alliance of Gregor Virant; again, formed only about a month and a half before the elections, around a stand-out personality. The non-ideological,  generic and positive names of these new groups, and their very recent “history” suggest a  generalized rejection of the political establishment, and of the existing partisan alternatives – and the need for fresh faces, and (possibly) new solutions.\n\nRead the rest of this entry »\n\nLibya: The End of the Gaddafi Regime, and the Responsibility to Protect\n\nThis is a real moral victory for “the West” (if there is such a thing), “whose” intervention to protect the thousands of civilians threatened by Ghaddafi with imminent death has been accompanied, from the beginning, by ignorant recriminations from the general public about “starting yet another war in the Middle East.” Echoes of this mood affected even the political scene of the primary campaign in the US, as evidenced by some of the populist isolationist rhetoric exhibited during their first debate by most Republican candidates, some of whom have been very muscular at the time of the Iraq intervention (which was anything but a humanitarian intervention).\n\nFor once, the governments of European countries and the US had the courage to intervene when genocide was imminent. One would think that, after Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, Sudan the general public would be more aware of what happens when… nothing happens; when those who can do something, do nothing. Most of it is ignorance, all too often accompanied by some of those wonderful conspiracy theories, from the usual “it’s all about oil”, to other, more darkly elaborate and farther removed from reality ones. For once, however, the governments of influential countries in the West dared to invest money, resources, and human lives, to save the lives of thousands of people.\n\nThe conquering of the capital Tripoli by the so-called “rebels” – who are in fact ordinary Libyans who rose up against Gaddafi regime – comes at a moment when there were renewed discussions about the will and the ability, both political and material, of these Western governments, to continue the aerial and logistical support they have been giving to the battered members of the uprising.\n\nOf course, the fact that a genocide has been stopped, and that the population has removed Gaddafi’s regime from power, does not mean that Libya will become a safe, democratic country – not overnight, and perhaps not even on a longer term. The intervention was about saving people, about stopping a murderous ruler’s forces from carrying out the massacre of the population. For anyone not remembering what this was about, here is a short reminder: “140 ‘massacred’ as Gaddafi sends in snipers to crush dissent“. But we have to look no further than today’s events, to remind ourselves of the true nature of Gaddafi’s regime:\n\n(See this timeline of events in Libya, from the beginning of the uprising, for a memory refresher.)\n\nLibyan society is divided by tribal allegiances, and there are tribes who have been close to the Gaddafi regime, and have probably profited from it. This predicts serious challenges to establishing a functional, perhaps democratic political system. This, at its turn, raises new questions about the Western governments’ duties with regards to a continued commitment. Do they want that? Should they get involved? To what degree? In what sense? These are not easy question, but for now let us just state that, for once, the responsibility to protect has been assumed by the international community, and that is undoubtedly a good thing.\n\nSee the website of the The International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP) for more information on this recently assumed new principle in international relations:\n\nRecognizing the failure to adequately respond to the most heinous crimes known to humankind, world leaders made a historic commitment to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity at the United Nations (UN) 2005 World Summit. This commitment, entitled the Responsibility to Protect, stipulates that:\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6065850257873535}
{"content": "\n👷 Game development🎨 Assets📚 Comics\n🎉 Sales🎁 Bundles\n(Edited 5 times) (+1)\n\nBug Report:\n\nOn Linux Build: - Once installed, at first run game starts with main volume setted to zero;\n\n- Down-Arrow key isn't functional so I can't drive backwards if I get stuck in front of some ambient obstacle;\n\n- You should make the driver's head camera not rigidly constrained by the vehicle movements (expecially the fast going up/down that occurs driving over bumps and gutters) because, without a minimum visual shaking absorbement (like our bodies naturally does while driving) after a while you could experience an effect of eye fatigue and/or nausea;\n\nAnyway, thanks for your attentions and your work.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.99996018409729}
{"content": "Protagonist and Henry Lawson\n\nTHE HOUSE THAT WAS NEVER BUILT BY HENRY LAWSON I’ve choosed The House That Was Never Built by Henry Lawson as a subject for me to discuss on the relevant theories in it. After reading and analysing the story, I’ve discoverd psychoanalytic criticism is the most relevant theories that suit with the main character and the narrator himself. What is Psychoanalytic Criticism? Psychoanalytic Criticism here means when the narrator apply methods of treating emotional and psychological disorders in literature.\n\nSometimes it also reflect the narrator’s childhood traumas, family life, sexual conflicts, fixations, and such will be traceable within the behaviour of the characters in the literary works. At the beginning of the story, everything seems normal where the narrator describes about the place and the life of the people. Then, when the narrator talk about the main character that is the bushman he starts to describe him as a madman through bushman’s actions and words. …..\n\nAt first I thought he was going to built a stone hut in the corner, but when I got close to him I saw that he was working carefully on the original plan of the building: he was building the unfinished parts of the foundation walls up to the required height…… ” ….. “That house must be finished by Christmast. ” “Why? ” I asked, taken by suprise. “What’s the hurry? ” “Because,” he said , “I’m going to be married in the New Year-to the best and dearest girl in the bush. ”….. I sense madness in the bushman’s behaviour when he wants to continue building the unfinished house alone.\n\nThe work that need several men such as carpenters and bricklayers sounds impossible for a man like him to build a two storied house himself. He also mentioned about finishing the house by Christmast clearly showed to us that nobody can make it on time alone. He tried so hard to realise his dreams ignoring on what the other people’s think or say about him. The bushman also having a mental disorder when he mentioned about married a girl in the New Year. He was mixing up with his past and the present. The actual situation was, he already married the girl nd the girl died a year after she was admitted to the assylum. The pressure he had to face changed him from a normal person to a madman. ….. ”Could you postpone the marriage? ” I asked. “No! ” he exclaimed, starting to his feet. “No! ” and he looked round wildly on the darkening bush. There was madness in his tone that time, the last “No! ” sounding as if from a man who was begging for his life. “Couldn’t you run up a shanty then, to live in until the house is ready? ” I suggested, to soothe him. He gave his arm an impatient swing. Do you think I’d ask that girl to live in a hut? ” he said. “She ought to live in a palace! ”…… …. ”I am sorry,” he said, “that there’s no one at home. I sent the wife and family to Sydney for a change. I’ve got the two boys at the Sydney Grammar School. I think I’ll send the eldest to King’s School at Parramatta. The girls will have to get along with a governess at home and learned to help their mother. ”…… The narrator uses the physic energy (libido) when he creates the bushman as the person who always in dreams and fantasies.\n\nHis desire was the motivating force for him to keep on going with his dreams. An inordinate desire to win honour and the love of women make his madness became worst. He lives in his own world, he tried to realised his dreams even though his actions were out of the track as a normal person. The narrator creates the character of the bushman as a person who never smile, always avoid eye contact, try to make his impossible dreams come true, talk about his wife and children that was never exist, and his unstable character.\n\nWe can see clearly the unstable character of the bushman and mental disorder when he talk about his never exist family and how he manage the children to the best school in Sydney. Who is the Bushman? He is the son of the richest people in the bush. He is known as young Brassington the person that all the people were talk about whom getting married to a girl that comes from another richest family. The planned was, to build a big house and while waiting they are going for their honeymoon for twelve months and when they came back, the house should be finish and ready for them.\n\nAll his plans were ruined, the honeymoon was cancelled, his wife died a year after she was admitted to the assylum and the constructions were stop. This issues provides a great impact and caused him mental disorder. …. I don’t suppose he looked at me half a dozen times the whole while I was is his camp. When he spoke he talked just as if he were sitting yarning in a row of half dozen of us…. ….. He folded his arms tight, and seemed to me to be holding himself. After a while he let fall his arms and turned and blinked at me and the fire like a man just woke from a daze or rousing himself out of a deep reverie. Oh, I almost forgot the billy! ” he said. “I’ll make some tea-you must be hungry. ”…… …… One thing I noticed about him;when he spoke as a madman, he talked like a man who had been faily well educated (or sometimes, I fancied, like a young fellow who was studying to be a school teacher); his speech was deliberatel and his grammar painfully correct-far more so than I have made it; but when he spoke as an old bushman, he dropped his g’s and often turned his grammar back to front….. ……\n\nThe hatter warmed the tea-billy again, got out some currant buns, which he had baked himself in the camp-oven, and we were yarning comfortably like two old bushmen, and I had almost forgotten that he was “ratty”, when we heard the coach coming. I jumped up to hurry down to the road. This seemed to shake him up. He gripped my hand hard and glanced round in his frightened, haunted way. I never saw the eyes of a man look so hopeless and helpless as his did just then. “I’m sorry you’re going,” he said, in a hurried way. “I’m sorry you’re going. But-but they all go.\n\nCome again-we’ll all be glad to see you. ” I also sense a personality disorder at young Brassington’s character when sometimes he act as he was talking to a dozen of people and suddenly he will change into a normal person. When he is the bushman, he can talk normally, make some tea and serves some meal to his guest even though he never knew who his guest was, where he came from or what he was doing in those area. He could talk about his experiences through wandering all over Australia and his speech slightly change, he dropped his g’s and often turn his grammar back to front.\n\nHe was able to regain his sanity when he had a company, a person he could talk with and shares his stories. But, when he as a young Brassington, he brings all his dreams around him. Loneliness, hopeless and helpless will suddenly change him from a normal person to a madman that act as all the person in his dreams were alive. The way he talks will change deliberately with correct grammar, like a true gentleman. Through reading and analyzing the main character of the story, I strongly believe that Henry Lawson put himself as the character of young Brassington.\n\nThe character and the story line were related to his life. Based on his depression and unsuccesful marriage, he creates the character in order to unleash his mental ilness and depression. He describes young Brassington as a loneliness and hopeless person closely related to him as he was suffering deafness and facing the unhappy marriage. He was able to regain his sanity through his writing just like young Brassington who was able to be normal when he has someone to talk with.\n\nIn conclusion, the criticism in this story clearly showed to us how a person transfer his mental ilness and depression to another medium. As we can see, the narrator put all his life experience and feelings to the story and the young Brassington gather all his effort to built the house himself due to remain his sweet memories. Although Henry Lawson and young Brassington were facing almost the same problems, whether they were insane or not, the most important aspects is their spirit on making their dreams come true should motivate us to keep on going with our life.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9449114203453064}
{"content": "Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome\n\nPatellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of knee pain in both adolescents and adults.  It is especially prevalent in runners and is sometimes called “Runner’s knee”. PFPS is typically characterized by pain at the front of the knee.\n\nb.pfsmlThe patellofemoral joint is comprised of the patella (knee cap) and the femur (thigh bone). The patella sits in a groove on the femur. When the knee bends, the patella moves along this groove. This is referred to as “patellar tracking”. A combination of dynamic (quadricep muscles and ITB)  and static (articular capsule, medial and lateral retinacula, bony structure and ligaments) stabilizers control patellar tracking.\n\n\n\n  • Pain around or under the patella\n  • Aggravated by activities such as squatting, going down stairs, kneeling, lunging, running and prolonged periods of sitting\n  • Knee may feel stiff\n  • May notice clicking or grinding with knee movement\n  • Minimal swelling\n\nThere are 3 primary contributing factors that increase the risk of PFPS.\n\n1) Muscular imbalance\n\n  • Quadricep muscle weakness can impair patellar tracking. When the inner quadricep muscle is weak and the outer quadricep muscles and ITB are tight, the patella is pulled towards the outside, impairing its tracking. Tight hamstrings and calves can also contribute to PFPS. Furthermore, weak gluteus muscles decreases pelvic stability and increase the force placed on the knee which increases risk of PFPS.\n\n2) Malalignment\n\n  • Large Q-angle (wide hips), knock knees and asymmetrical kneecaps can contribute to PFPS. Additionally, over pronation (excessive rolling-in) of the feet can cause the lower leg to rotate inwards, increasing stress on the knee joint.\n\n3) Overactivity\n\n  • Increasing your running/training mileage, speed, intensity and hill work  too quickly without enough rest are common training errors that can cause PFPS.\n\n\nPhysiotherapy can effectively treat PFPS. The first step of treatment is identifying the cause of the problem. A treatment plan will then be created to deal with the cause and prevent injury recurrence. Initially, resting and icing the knee will be important to decrease pain and inflammation. A variety of soft tissue techniques, andjoint mobilization, as well stretching and strengthening exercises will be used to further rehabilitate the knee and surrounding structures. If necessary taping techniques, knee bracing and foot orthotics may recommended to deal with malalignment issues. It is important to note that addressing this issue early will promote faster recovery.\n\n\n\nMuscle cramps: Why you get them and what you can do\n\ncalf-crampMuscle cramps are involuntary muscle contractions of one or more muscles. These spasms can be quite painful lasting a couple seconds to 15 minutes or longer. A muscle cramp can recur several times before it resolves.  Muscles of the feet, calves, thighs, hands, arms and abdomen are  prone to spasm. Whether you are out for a run, in the car or  going to sleep, muscle cramps come without warning.  A common question we get at our clinic is what causes these cramps and how can you relieve them?\n\nPotential Causes of Muscle Cramps\nInjury: Following an injury, muscle cramps can occur as a protective mechanism. Muscle spasms help to minimize movement, stabilizing the injured area.\n\nVigorous activity: Exercise related cramps are likely caused by muscle fatigue. In normal functioning muscles, inhibitory messages are sent to the muscle to prevent it from contracting too strongly. When the muscle fatigue, this inhibitory message is decreased causing overstimulation to the muscle. This results in a muscle cramp.\n\nDehydration: Dehydration can occur through excessive fluid loss when sweating and/or inadequate fluid intake. Dehydration increases the likelihood of muscle cramps.\n\nMuscle cramps can also be caused by an underlying factor:\nMineral deficiency: Low levels of calcium or magnesium in the blood causes increased excitability of the nerves and the muscles that they stimulate. Increased muscle stimulation can result in muscle cramping.\n\nNerve compression: Spinal nerve irritation or compression can cause cramp-like pain.\nThis may be accompanied by weakness or sensory changes.\n\nPoor circulation: If blood vessels become narrow due to arteriosclerosis, blood supply to the extremities become decreased. This can result in muscle cramps that are more likely to occur when you are walking or exercising but stops with rest.\n\nKidney, thyroid, hormone and liver disorders: Muscle cramps can be complications of an organ disorder. For example, hypoglycemia and anemia can cause muscle cramps.\n\nDrug side effect: Various drugs such as those used for blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, high cholesterol and others can cause muscle cramps.\n\nWhat can you do?\n\nStretch: Most muscle cramps will relax if the muscle is stretched. This can sometimes be accomplished by standing up and walking around or changing positions. Stretching the specific muscle group in spasm may also be required. For instance, if your calf is in spasm, stretch is by performing these 2 stretches. CalfStretches\n\nMassage: Gently massaging the muscle in spasm may help to relax the muscle.\n\nHeat: Applying a heat pack to the muscle cramp or having a warm bath may also help to get the muscle to relax.\n\nPrevent the cramp: There are a number of things you can do to prevent muscle cramps from happening in the first place:\na) Stay well hydrated\nb) Ensure adequate dietary intake of nutrients and minerals\nc) Stretch before and after physical activity\nd) Rest: get enough sleep and allow sufficient time for muscles to rest and recover after exercise\n\nPhysical therapy: If your muscle cramp is the result of an injury, physical therapy can help to decrease muscle tone and spasm and rehabilitate underlying injuries.\n\nNote: Cramps that are a result of organ disorders, nerve compression, poor circulation or drug complications may need further medical investigation for appropriate treatment.\n\n\nBronze with a Broken Rib\n\n1297523994615_ORIGINALThe Sochi 2014 Olympics are now underway and it has been a great day for team Canada. The day started with a bronze medal finish by our very own, Mark McMorris, in Men’s Slopestyle Snowboard. Winning Canada’s first medal is quite an accomplishment, especially given the athlete’s injury.  McMorris fractured one of his ribs 2 weeks before the Olympics, which posed a big concern for the medal hopeful. However, with determination and intensive therapy, McMorris persevered  in order to fulfil his Olympic dream.  This is an incredible feat as most would be unable to compete with such an injury.\n\nWhat is a rib fracture?\nA rib fracture is a break of any of the 12 rib bones. The ribs form a cage around the torso, attaching to the spine at the back and traveling around to the front of the chest. Ribs 1-7 attach to the sternum, ribs 8-10 attach to the rib above via cartilage, and ribs 11-12 are considered ‘floating ribs’ because they do not attach to the chest.\n\nFractures are typically the result of trauma to the chest caused by a fall, direct impact to the chest, or motor vehicle accident. In serious cases, the rib can be become displaced, which may result in organ damage to the lungs, liver, kidney, spleen or blood vessels.\n\n\nSigns and symptoms of a rib fracture can include:\n-chest, midback, side pain that may radiate into the shoulder, neck or back\n-pain with breathing\n-pain in the chest with coughing and sneezing\n-pain with movement, especially bending and twisting (McMorris was doing a lot of this)\n-visible bruising on the chest\n-tender to touch the area of the fracture\n\nRib fracture treatment:\nDepending on the severity and presentation of symptoms, physiotherapists utilize a number of techniques to treat rib fractures. These include: advice on activity limitations/restriction, taping, postural correction, protective padding, soft tissue work, joint mobilization (post fracture healing), graduated return to sport/activity plan, electrotherapy, fall prevention programs and exercises to improve range of motion, strength and flexibility.\n\nIt is amazing the Mark McMorris fought through this injury today to bring home the bronze. We are so proud of all of our Canadian athletes and look forward to more inspiring stories to come. GO CANADA GO!\n\n\nEasing Your Neck and Shoulder Tension\n\nThe neck and shoulders are often the victims of stress and pain.  Although there are multiple potential causes of neck and shoulder pain, symptoms are frequently the result of structural stress caused by our day-to-day activities. For instance, activities such as holding a phone between your shoulder and ear, doing repetitive overhead work (e.g. painting or lifting boxes), and typing at a keyboard that is too high can all cause muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. Additionally, sitting and standing in a poor posture with the head and shoulders forward and upper back slouched causes strain and tension in the muscles. Anxiety and chronic stress can also contribute to this problem as it can cause the body to adopt a self-protection posture with the shoulders raised, jaw clenched and neck jutting forward.\n\nThere are things you can do to decrease tension in your neck and shoulders:\n\n1) Maintain good posture throughout the day. You can check out our previous post here for more information.\n\n2) Drink plenty of water. Water is necessary for proper muscle and joint function. Try to drink at least 8, 8oz glasses of water a day.\n\n3) See a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can assess your neck and shoulders to determine the cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan to address any issues.\n\n4) Stretch. Check out our newest video for an easy shoulder and neck yoga sequence that will help to decrease tension and stress.\n\n\nDon’t Get Trapped in the Boom-Bust Cycle\n\nDo you have a persistent injury that just does not seem to go away? Do you get better for a while but are plagued with set backs? Do you ever feel  like you are never 100% recovered from your injury? If so, you might be trapped in the boom-bust cycle.\n\nChronic injuries are undoubtably very frustrating and rehabilitation can feel painstakingly slow.  People with persistent injuries tend to ‘overdo’ an activity which causes a ‘pain flare’ and results in a set back.  This process is known as the boom-bust cycle.\n\nBoom-Bust Cycle\n\n\nSo, what is the solution? How can you prevent this boom-bust cycle? Here is some advice:\n\n\nWe hope this advice will help you avoid the boom-bust cycle and lead you on the path to recovery.\n\nFor more information about Kinetic Physiotherapy, visit our website:  Contact Kinetic Physiotherapy via e-mail: or phone: 905-637-1414 to set up an appointment.\n\nSuccessful New Year Resolutions\n\n  • new-years-resolution-for-siteIt is hard to believe that 2014 is already here. With a new year just beginning, many people are thinking about self-improvement and the term “New Year Resolution” has been a popular topic of conversation. Everyone has high hopes of… getting  fit, losing weight, eating better, spending more time with family etc. Although motivation  is high right now, enthusiasm tends to dwindle as the month and year continues. The question is, how do we stay motivated to successfully accomplish our New Year’s Resolutions?  One way to succeed is by creating SMART goals. We use these types of goals in the physiotherapy setting to help people succeed in rehabilitation. However, the same principles can be applied to any goal you have and can help you succeed with your New Year resolution.\n\nA “SMART” goal is:\n\nSpecific: Goals should be simplistically written and clearly state exactly what you want to achieve (who, what, where, when, which, why, how). You are more likely to accomplish a specific goal than a general one.\nExample of a general goal: Get fit.\nExample of a specific goal: Join a gym and work out 3 days a week.\n\nMeasurable: Goals should be measurable so that you can evaluate when the goal has been met. To determine if your goal is measurable ask questions such as: how much, how many and how will I know when it is accomplished?\nExample of a non measurable goal: Get healthy.\nExample of a measurable goal: Become more healthy as measured by lowering my blood pressure to a healthy range (120/80 mmHg).\n\nAchievable: Goals should challenge you but be achievable. This requires you to reflect on the strengths, weaknesses and resources that you possess that will enable you to reach your goal.\n\nRealistic: Goals must represent an objective that you are both able and willing to work towards.\n\nTime-Bound: Goals should be grounded within a time frame. This will provide a sense of urgency to help you start working towards your goal.\nExample of a goal that is not time-bound: Learn something new.\nExample of a time-bound goal: Take a cake decorating class within the next 3 months.\n\nReflect on your New Year Resolutions. Are they SMART? If not, revise them so that they are. Write your goals down and tell someone to help keep you accountable. We wish you all the best in this New Year and hope these principles will help you succeed with all of your New Year Resolutions.\n\n4 Exercises You Can Do at Work\n\nMany Canadians spend the majority of the work day sitting at a desk. Although sitting may not seem like a high risk activity, sedentary jobs can have a negative impact on overall health. These types of jobs contribute to obesity and can lead to various other health issues such as tendonitis and neck and back strain injuries. Fortunately, there is something you can do. Here are 5 exercises that you can do at work to help keep you active, healthy and injury free at work.\n\n1. Stretch\n\nStretching regularly will help to decrease tension and tightness in your muscles. Here are 10 simple stretches you can do at your desk. Try to perform a few of these stretches, 3-4 times a day. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds. Stretching should be pain free. (If any of these stretches cause pain, numbness or tingling, contact a health care professional)\n\n2. Strengthen Muscles\n\n-Glute squeeze: while sitting at your desk, tighten your buttocks, hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times\n\n-Heel raises: if you are taking a standing break, raise up on the balls of your feet by lifting your heels off the ground. Repeat 20 times\n\n-Chair Squat:  without using your hands stand up and sit back down in your chair. Repeat 10 times\n\n-Leg raises: When sitting, tighten your thigh muscle and kick your leg out straight. Hold for 5 seconds, repeat 20 times.\n\n3. Stand Up\n\nEvery 15-20 minutes, take a break and stand up. Standing helps to improve circulation and posture, relieves stress and can decrease low back pain.\n\n4. Go for a Walk\n\nOn your lunch break, go for a walk. Walking for just 10 minutes can help to control blood sugar and cholesterol, burn fat, increase energy and decrease stress. If possible, change into walking shoes to ensure your feet are well supported.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9888684153556824}
{"content": "ROI is a natural concept: I’ve no problems in spending 50€ for a book but I’ve been struggling for 2 years to buy a 10000€ bike. Why?? Because I can’t figure out a reason that’s good enough to convince me. I need it? May be. Could it help in some way? Probably. Is there a real value for me? Hard to say ….\n\nWe tend to use this Natura ROI concept only over a ‘certain level’ of effort / money / value. It’ a kind of ALERT system.\n\nIn our corporate life, all over the world, the ROI concept is often and often driving choices. And … it’s applied exactly in the same way: someone sets the bar high, and to spend above the bar you need to calculate it!\n\nSo what? Stay below the bar!\n\nSplit stuff and start working small: adjust, correct, small steps, small releases, small decisions, continuous feedback, small failures, adjust, small steps …. be driven by what’s good for your customer. The value will emerge!\n\nIs this idea sustainable??? Give me your feedback!\n\n(Thanks Roberdan for the great chat about this topic)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5832928419113159}
{"content": "Funky, colorful Hotel del Sol is strategically located in the family-friendly Marina District, just a couple of blocks from the bustling thoroughfare of Lombard Street. Children will be thrilled to know they are not far from the Disney Museum, and hiking trails of the Presidio, as well as the noise and excitement of Fisherman’s Wharf. When little ones tire of touring, they can cool off in the hotel’s sparkling outdoor heated pool. Two-bedroom family suites are available; make sure to ask about the “Kids-are-VIP’s” program featuring books, toys, and movies. Rooms are light and airy, with colorful decor—think more 1970s funk than old world Victorian like most of the city. Though it’s built in the style of a mid-century motor lodge, it has all the style and amenities of a boutique hotel.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9718616604804993}
{"content": "The foundation was formed as a means to thoughtfully extend support to greater Wilmington area non-profit organizations.  Our grant award process results in a valuable contribution to smaller organizations that are often underfunded, making a major impact on the vital needs of our community.\n\n97% of donations go directly to grants and scholarships\n\n\n$4.2 MILLION in grants\n\nfunded since it's inception in 1995 to small, local, nonprofit organizations.\n\n\nawarded since 2006.\n\n\nawarded to student employees since 2005 totaling $207,400.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9984435439109802}
{"content": "Kenya Tourism Board Addresses Recent Violence; Tourist Sites Unaffected\n\nlamu, kenyaViolent attacks in Kenya over the past two days reportedly left an estimated 65 people dead. According to the New York Times, militants killed at least 15 people people on Kenya’s coast overnight, a day after they conducted a nighttime raid on the coast that left at least 48 people dead.\n\nKenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta blamed the assaults on “local political networks,” and denied that they were carried out by the Shabab, a Somali extremist group that has claimed responsibility for the violence.\n\n“The attack in Lamu [mainland] was well planned, orchestrated and politically motivated ethnic violence against the Kenyan community,” President said in an address to the nation. “This, therefore, was not an al Shabab terrorist attack. Evidence indicates local political networks were involved in the planning and execution of the heinous crime,” he said. “This also played into the opportunist network of other criminal gangs.”\n\nHe said police officers who had been unable to prevent the attacks had been suspended and would be immediately charged in court.\n\nIn a statement, the Kenya Tourism Board said that the raiders are believed to have invaded a police station before they attacked various business premises in the area. \"This incident comes at the backdrop of heightened measures to enhance security throughout the country with the President currently leading a campaign that is asking all Kenyans to be vigilant as well as warning those perpetrating crime of the consequences,\" the statement continued. \n\nThe Tourism Board also claimed that Lamu Island, one of Kenya's primary tourist resorts, was \"in no way\" affected by the assault, and that the Kenyan coastline was also unaffected. \"The majority of visitors traveling to Lamu arrive by air into the local airport,\" the statement noted. \"All tourist activity continues as normal throughout the country with holiday-makers visiting the country for safari circuits and the popular coastal resorts of Diani, Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi and Lamu among others...We wish to give the Kenya Tourism Board's assurance that the Government considers the security of tourists and Kenyans alike to be of paramount importance.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6018377542495728}
{"content": "Piaget's Theory: The 4 Stages of Cognitive Development\n\nBackground and Key Concepts of Piaget's Theory\n\nPiaget's stages of cognitive development\nBlend Images - JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images\n\n\nPiaget believed that children took at active role in the learning process, acting much like little scientists as they perform experiments, make observations, and learn about the world.\n\nAs kids interact with the world around them, they continually add new knowledge, build upon existing knowledge, and adapt previously held ideas to accommodate new information.\n\nHow Did Piaget Develop His Theory?\n\nPiaget was born in Switzerland in the late 1800s and was a precocious student, publishing his first scientific paper when he was just 11 years old. His early exposure to the intellectual development of children came when he worked as an assistant to Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon as they worked to standardize their famous IQ test.\n\nMuch of Piaget's interest in the cognitive development of children was inspired by his observations of his own nephew and daughter. These observations reinforced his budding hypothesis that children's minds were not merely smaller versions of adult minds. Up until this point in history, children were largely treated simply as smaller versions of adults. Piaget was one of the first to identify that the way that children think is different from the way adults think.\n\nInstead, he proposed, intelligence is something that grows and develops through a series of stages. Older children do not just think more quickly than younger children, he suggested. Instead, there are both qualitative and quantitative differences between the thinking of young children versus older children.\n\nBased on his observations, he concluded that children were not less intelligent than adults, they simply think differently. Albert Einstein called Piaget's discovery \"so simple only a genius could have thought of it.\"\n\nPiaget's stage theory describes the cognitive development of children. Cognitive development involves changes in cognitive process and abilities. In Piaget's view, early cognitive development involves processes based upon actions and later progresses to changes in mental operations.\n\nA Look at Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development\n\nThrough his observations of his children, Piaget developed a stage theory of intellectual development that included four distinct stages:\n\nThe Sensorimotor Stage\nAges: Birth to 2 Years\n\nMajor Characteristics and Developmental Changes:\n\n  • The infant knows the world through their movements and sensations.\n  • They are separate beings from the people and objects around them.\n\n\nA child's entire experience at the earliest period of this stage occurs through basic reflexes, senses, and motor responses.\n\nIt is during the sensorimotor stage that children go through a period of dramatic growth and learning. As kids interact with their environment, they are continually making new discoveries about how the world works.\n\nThe cognitive development that occurs during this period takes place over a relatively short period of time and involves a great deal of growth. Children not only learn how to perform physical actions such as crawling and walking, they also learn a great deal about language from the people with whom they they interact.\n\nPiaget also broke this stage down into a number of different substages. It is during the final part of the sensorimotor stage that early representational thought emerges.\n\nPiaget believed that developing object permanence or object constancy, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, was an important element at this point of development. By learning that objects are separate and distinct entities and that they have an existence of their own outside of individual perception, children are then able to begin to attach names and words to objects.\n\nThe Preoperational Stage\nAges: 2 to 7 Years\n\nMajor Characteristics and Developmental Changes:\n\n  • Children at this stage tend to be egocentric and struggle to see things from the perspective of others.\n  • While they are getting better with language and thinking, they still tend to think about things in very concrete terms.\n\nThe foundations of language development may have been laid during the previous stage, but it is the emergence of language that is one of the major hallmarks of the preoperational stage of development. Children become much more skilled at pretend play during this stage of development, yet still think very concretely about the world around them. \n\nAt this stage, kids learn through pretend play but still struggle with logic and taking the point of view of other people. They also often struggle with understanding the idea of constancy.\n\nFor example, a researcher might take a lump of clay, divide it into two equal pieces, and then give a child the choice between two pieces of clay to play with. One piece of clay is rolled into a compact ball while the other is smashed into a flat pancake shape. Since the flat shape looks larger, the preoperational child will likely choose that piece even though the two pieces are exactly the same size.\n\nThe Concrete Operational Stage\nAges: 7 to 11 Years\n\nMajor Characteristics and Developmental Changes\n\n  • They begin to understand the concept of conservation; that the amount of liquid in a short, wide cup is equal to that in a tall, skinny glass, for example.\n  • Their thinking becomes more logical and organized, but still very concrete.\n\nWhile children are still very concrete and literal in their thinking at this point in development, they become much more adept and using logic. The egocentrism of the previous stage begins to disappear as kids become better at thinking about how other people might view a situation. \n\nWhile thinking becomes much more logical during the concrete operational state, it can also be very rigid. Kids at this point in development tend to struggle with abstract and hypothetical concepts.\n\nDuring this stage, children also become less egocentric and begin to think about how other people might think and feel. Kids in the concrete operational stage also begin to understand that their thoughts are unique to them and that not everyone else necessarily shares their thoughts, feelings, and opinions.\n\nThe Formal Operational Stage\nAges: 12 and Up\n\nMajor Characteristics and Developmental Changes:\n\n  • At this stage, the adolescent or young adult begins to think abstractly and reason about hypothetical problems.\n  • Abstract thought emerges.\n  • Teens begin to think more about moral, philosophical, ethical, social, and political issues that require theoretical and abstract reasoning.\n  • Begin to use deductive logic, or reasoning from a general principle to specific information.\n\nThe final stage of Piaget's theory involves an increase in logic, the ability to use deductive reasoning, and an understanding of abstract ideas. At this point, people become capable of seeing multiple potential solutions to problems and think more scientifically about the world around them.\n\nThe ability to thinking about abstract ideas and situations is the key hallmark of the formal operational stage of cognitive development. The ability to systematically plan for the future and reason about hypothetical situations are also critical abilities that emerge during this stage. \n\nIt is important to note that Piaget did not view children's intellectual development as a quantitative process; that is, kids do not just add more information and knowledge to their existing knowledge as they get older. Instead, Piaget suggested that there is a qualitative change in how children think as they gradually process through these four stages. A child at age 7 doesn't just have more information about the world than he did at age 2; there is a fundamental change in how he thinks about the world.\n\nImportant Concepts in Cognitive Development\n\nTo better understand some of the things that happen during cognitive development, it is important first to examine a few of the important ideas and concepts introduced by Piaget.\n\nThe following are some of the factors that influence how children learn and grow:\n\n\nA schema describes both the mental and physical actions involved in understanding and knowing. Schemas are categories of knowledge that help us to interpret and understand the world.\n\nIn Piaget's view, a schema includes both a category of knowledge and the process of obtaining that knowledge. As experiences happen, this new information is used to modify, add to, or change previously existing schemas.\n\nFor example, a child may have a schema about a type of animal, such as a dog. If the child's sole experience has been with small dogs, a child might believe that all dogs are small, furry, and have four legs. Suppose then that the child encounters an enormous dog. The child will take in this new information, modifying the previously existing schema to include these new observations.\n\n\nThe process of taking in new information into our already existing schemas is known as assimilation. The process is somewhat subjective because we tend to modify experiences and information slightly to fit in with our preexisting beliefs. In the example above, seeing a dog and labeling it \"dog\" is a case of assimilating the animal into the child's dog schema.\n\n\nAnother part of adaptation involves changing or altering our existing schemas in light of new information, a process known as accommodation. Accommodation involves modifying existing schemas, or ideas, as a result of new information or new experiences. New schemas may also be developed during this process.\n\n\nPiaget believed that all children try to strike a balance between assimilation and accommodation, which is achieved through a mechanism Piaget called equilibration. As children progress through the stages of cognitive development, it is important to maintain a balance between applying previous knowledge (assimilation) and changing behavior to account for new knowledge (accommodation). Equilibration helps explain how children can move from one stage of thought into the next.\n\nA Word From Verywell\n\nOne of the most important elements to remember of Piaget's theory is that it takes the view that creating knowledge and intelligence is an inherently active process.\n\n\"I find myself opposed to the view of knowledge as a passive copy of reality,\" Piaget explained. \"I believe that knowing an object means acting upon it, constructing systems of transformations that can be carried out on or with this object. Knowing reality means constructing systems of transformations that correspond, more or less adequately, to reality.\"\n\nPiaget's theory of cognitive development helped add to our understanding of children's intellectual growth. It also stressed that children were not merely passive recipients of knowledge. Instead, kids are constantly investigating and experimenting as they build their understanding of how the world works.\n\n\nFancher, RE & Rutherford, A. Pioneers of Psychology: A History. New York: W.W. Norton; 2012.\n\nSantrock, JW. A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill; 2016.\n\nPiaget, J. The Essential Piaget. Gruber, HE; Voneche, JJ. eds. New York: Basic Books; 1977.\n\nContinue Reading", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8764883279800415}
{"content": "Xiaomi signs with Warner Music to expand its music library\n\nxiaomi with warner music\n\nXiaomi and famous music company Warner Music has signed an agreement to expand its music library.\n\nThe Warner Music is the world third largest recording company that owns Atlantic Records, Warner Bros. Records, Parlophone Records.\n\nWith three top listed record company, Xiaomi’s new agreement with Warner Music will enable users to access to this large digital music library.\n\nWith this agreement, millions of Xiaomi fans will allow accessing songs from a wide range of foreign and local musicians.\n\nxiaomi with warner music\n\nIn addition, both companies have also shared agreement to access to songs from Universal Music, Sony Music, Decca Records and more than 30 others.\n\nMoreover, Xiaomi has recently updated MIUI music app with a bunch of new features.\n\nThe new music app adds an immersive mode, advanced search mode, cloud sync, artist’s info page, lyrics feature, and lots more.\n\nThe deal with Warner is considered as a big deal for Xiaomi in the profitable music industry.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9908835291862488}
{"content": "Saturday, December 24, 2011\n\nMonuments of Delhi - Humayun tomb\n\nMonuments of Delhi – Humayun’s Tomb\nHumayun the gentle Mughal Emperor was known for his knowledge & his penchant for books. He had regained his empire from Sher Shah after much struggle & tribulations. He is credited with the creation of the Mughal style of painting and was a lover of Astronomy & Astrology. His life & works is detailed in his biography ‘Humayun Nama’ written by his sister Gulbadan Begum on request of his son Akbar. Humayun was known to be a religious person and one of the most moderate & tolerant of the Mughal Emperors and he is credited with starting his own religion known as Din-e-Ilahi. He died on 25th February, 1556 having succumbed to his injuries sustained while descending the steps of his library at Purana Quila. The story surrounding his death goes that being a deeply religious person, while descending the steps of his library with armful of books, consequent upon the evening prayers calls given by the nearby Mosque’s Muezzin, he knelt down on the stairs as a sign of reverance and his robe got entangled and he tumbled down the stairs which resulted in his untimely death.\nSubsequent to his death, the present day masoleum situated in Nizamuddin area in New Delhi was ordered to be built by his wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 and completed in 1569. This masouleum, which is now known as the ‘Humayn Tomb’ has since been declared as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. It is said that his body was initially buried in the Purana Qila, later moved to a temporary burial tomb in Sirhind, due to the invasion of Hemu in 1556. His body was again brought back to Delhi and buried in the Sher Mandal when Akbar defeated Hemu and thereafter shifted to its present location when the mausoleum was competed in 1569. The building style is a combination of Persian architecture and indigenous building styles and said to be modeled on the lines of the famous Gur-e-Amir mausoleum at Samarkhand, which is also known as the precursor of the Taj Mahal also.\nThe Humayun tomb is located at the centre of a garden complex, which can typically be divided mainly into four compartments in the famous Mughal Char-bagh style, with causeways, water channels and water pavilions at regular intervals. The tomb complex is enclosed by a high rubble wall and entered through an entrance gateway on the west side of the complex. The tomb proper is constructed over a huge and elevated platform 6.5 m in height, the outer façade of which is covered by a series of arched openings on all four sides, except four entrance stairs, one each at the centre of four sides. The ascending stairs at the centre of each of the four sides of the elevated platform leads to an open platform, at the centre of which is located is the main tomb. The main tomb akin to Taj Mahal is located below the monument and is approached through a horizontal passage located to the east of southern stairway. The main tomb is octagonal in plan and rises to a level of two storeys and at the four diagonal corners of the octagon are placed four chambers.\nThe octagonal central tomb is surmounted by a double dome which in turn is supported by a series of supporting arches. This employment of double dome architecture in a mausoleum is the first of its kind in this tomb and this adaptation provides the architect the advantage of building an imposing dome structure of enormous height, tactfully concealing the presence of the double domes from the outside. While the exterior height gives an imposing look, the low ceiling of the lower dome provides for a proportionate height for the interior features. T he exterior of the mausoleum is veneered with white marble stones in contrast to the largely red sandstone building, the interior on other hand is also furbished with different kinds of stone and the white marble as the bordering inlay laid out in decorative patterns. The red sandstone jali (filigree work in sandstone) decorations can be seen at the middle level arch openings which in turn are placed at its lower dome level.\nThe Humayun’s Tomb complex also houses many other small buildings which are examples of architecture style prevalent during the period preceding and succeeding Humayun. The prominent amongst them are detailed as under -\nBarber’s Tomb\nThe tomb is located at the southeast corner in the garden complex. The person interned in this tomb is unknown, the local name of the tomb is Barber’s Tomb (Nai ka Gumbad).\n\nNila Gumbad\nThe monument is located outside the eastern enclosure wall, which is locally known as Nila Gumbad, due to the blue coloured dome. It is believed to contain the remains of one Fahim Khan, the attendant of Abdur Rahim Khan, who lived during the reign of Jahangir. The attendant died in 1626 A.D.\nAfsarwala Mosque\nThe mosque is located to the southwest of the west gate of the main mausoleum. Prayers are offered by the local populace during Fridays when specific gates are opened to felicitate the offering of Namaz/prayers.\n\nThe sarai was built by the widow of Humayun in 1560-61 to house the three hundred Arab priests, who were said to have been brought with her from her pilgrimage to Mecca. Another version is that the building housed the Persian workers and craftsmen who were actually engaged in building the Humayun’s Tomb.\n\nGarden of Bu Halima\nThe visitor entering the Humayun Tomb complex first enters into a garden complex, known as the Bu Halima garden. However, the origin of the name is not known.\nTomb and Mosque of Isa Khan\nThe tomb and mosque of Isa Khan who was a noble in the court of Sher Shah is located to the south of the Bu Halima garden. An inscription on a red sandstone slab indicated that the tomb is of Masnad Ali Isa Khan, son of Niyaz Aghwan, the Chief Chamberlain, and was built during the reign of Islam Shah, son of Sher Shah, in 1547-48 A.D. This structure pre dates of the Humayun Tomb by about 20 years.\n\n1 comment:\n\n  1. Delhi is full of many monuments which are very awesome and mesmerizing, same as Delhi, Agra is the another city which holds some beautiful monuments like Taj Mahal.\n    taj mahal private tour\n    india private tour packages", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9374624490737915}
{"content": "How an Autoimmune Disease Changed My Perspective\n\nTen years ago, at the young age of 29, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.  Graves’ Disease affects less than 3% of the population and occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid. While it’s treatable, there’s no cure. It took almost 2.5 years and two treatments before I was on my way back to wellness.\n\nBesides the health aspect giving me quite the scare, it also made me view my future a little differently.  Both my endocrinologist and GP confirmed that once you have one autoimmune disease, you are at a slightly higher risk to develop another. Graves’ is bad, but the thought of getting MS, RA, or lupus terrifies me. Those are degenerative and can be truly debilitating. My doctor has downplayed this connection but it’s still a very real possibility.\n\nBy no means do I live my life in fear. I try to take good care of myself (although I could do better, if I’m being honest) and I see my doctor annually. But after one health scare, I’m fully aware of what can happen and just how hard on the body it is. What if I get sick and can’t work until I’m 67? Sure, there’s disability via Social Security, but would that be enough?\n\nBeing sick is not something I’m planning on but it’s certainly something that I want to be prepared for. By setting a goal to be financially independent by the time I’m 50, I feel much better about what may come. Knowing that I wouldn’t have to deal with a full time job while battling an illness brings me peace of mind. I’ve done it once and definitely don’t want to do it again. Even if I don’t have enough saved to officially retire, I know that I could take a couple years off and return to the workforce once I’m healthy again.\n\nHaving an autoimmune disease hasn’t made me fear for my health or my future. But it has definitely opened up my eyes and made me determined to be better prepared for whatever the future may hold. It’s my responsibility, and mine alone, to ensure a secure financial future. I have the benefit of dealing with an illness while being covered by comprehensive medical insurance, where other people have not been so lucky. This has allowed me to recover without suffering financially, and has given me time to prepare for the future.\n\nHave you ever faced an illness that changed your perspective, for better or for worse?\n\n3 thoughts on “How an Autoimmune Disease Changed My Perspective\n\n  1. Hi Kate! I’ve been thinking about your post all week, and raring to reply! My mom has Hashimoto’s, so I always knew there was a chance I’d get diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, too, though I assumed it would be hypothryroid, too. (Turns out my thyroid is still working just fine at age 36, so yay.) The scary thing was that the AI I first got diagnosed with was… MS. For years I had tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, and then I started getting more stumbly. My feet just didn’t seem to be working right, and my balance was getting worse. It was pretty terrifying to be only 30 and feel like my mobility was going to be gone soon. I’ll spare you all the middle details, but I also had restless legs syndrome, and in trying to improve that, I inadvertently stumbled upon gluten as a potential agonist, which led to a celiac disease diagnosis. At first I thought I had two AIs, but over the course of the first two years of going gluten-free, my MS symptoms totally disappeared. Lesson: figure out all potential causes! My neurologist now thinks that I never had MS (or it’s possible that I do have it but have slowed it dramatically by going GF), but instead had a form of celiac that impacts nerves. I feel SO lucky to have an AI that is treatable with food choices alone, doesn’t require drugs and doesn’t require surgery. I still have an elevated risk of developing other AIs, along with intestinal lymphoma, but given the choice of AIs, I feel really fortunate. So now I am pretty evangelical about trying a gluten-free diet. I don’t think gluten is evil or that everyone should be GF, but I certainly think anyone with an AI should at least *try* it for a few months to see if it helps. Worst case, no change, and then you can eat all that delicious gluten to your heart’s content. But best case, it might actually help or even completely pause the disease. It’s worth a shot!\n\n    Like you, I feel like the AI stuff has given me a renewed sense of urgency in getting our finances in order to be free sooner rather than later. If the MS does come back, I want to know that I still have a few good years of climbing mountains before I’m stuck in a chair!\n\n    1. Wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience! I tried for 2 years to go into remission, but we couldn’t get it to happen so I had to do the radioactive iodine treatment, which was really easy and painless. But I’m relieved to have an AI that is easily treatable, although it means that I have a non-functioning thyroid and will need to take synthetic hormone for the rest of my life. Things could be so much worse.\n\n      Totally agree with you on the diet aspect. Once I was diagnosed I cut out all soda, drinking only water, coffee, and tea (with nothing added to any of them). A few years later I switched to a vegetarian diet, concerned about the chemicals and disease in factory farms. I still eat meat on rare occasions — holidays or at a relative’s farm only. It’s a diet that has worked well for me.\n\n      It’s crazy that we were both around 30 when we were diagnosed. I often wonder what is driving the increase in autoimmune diseases. Part is probably more awareness, especially with celiac’s, but I wonder if there’s something in our environments triggering the disease.\n\n    2. Interesting. You may enjoy a book called ‘Grain Brain’ which implies gluten as a trigger for many neurological diseases including Alzheimer dementia, depression, MS, migraines, etc.\n\n      It is so easy to go gluten free it seems almost silly not to experiment with it to determine if you have celiac or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.\n\n      I feel so much better off of gluten (cognitive function, GI, allergies, energy levels, headaches). When I did the experiment I was absolutely shocked at the change (I linked to the article in my name). I thought the way I felt on gluten was just normal, turns out it was not. Going into the experiment I thought the gluten free movement was crazy, now I’m a believer.\n\nComments are closed.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8736174702644348}
{"content": "\nCollusion is an experimental add-on for Firefox and allows you, for the first time, to see all the third parties that are tracking your movements across the Web. It will show, in real time, how that data creates a spider-web of interaction between companies and other trackers.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9444192051887512}
{"content": "Security has always been a major focus of computer science research, and with the explosion of Internet use by commerce, the need for secure transactions has taken on more urgency. Most recently, cyber-thieves demonstrated that true security on the Internet is going to require a new level of understanding of how to protect personal data, and more importantly, financial transactions. This lesson introduces two important concepts: public key encryption and one-way functions. It provides an opportunity for students to understand the underpinnings of almost all Internet security: they will come to appreciate that any lock can be eventually broken, and that theoretical computer scientists study ‘hard’ problems to lengthen the time it will take to break a lock. Note that this is not a lesson in encryption, but in how mathematics is used to secure information.\nWith the mass production and availability of low cost and robust head-mounted displays (HMDs), there has been increasing interest in virtual reality technologies - for example the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Samsung VR Gear, Microsoft HoloLens, and Sony’s PlayStation VR. These display technologies are based around artificial stereo images, and provide a view with illusions of 3D depth in virtual environments. Students will use the scientific method to study ‘anaglyph’ (movie 3D) technologies to model computer science design and learn how stereo images create the illusion of 3D.\nIs it true or false that Discrete Structures and Discrete Mathematics are the same thing? This is the kind of question that is asked in this field – or both fields if they are indeed different. Most Middle School students see a mix of discrete and continuous math without ever noticing the difference. This lesson introduces them to areas of mathematics that computer scientists use to do computational problems. Search techniques through discrete structures are illustrated through graph traversal and graph coloring.\nFor a half century computing technology has played an increasing role in how we create visual imagery. Vector graphics was the original method for rendering images on a display screen. It fell out of favor in the 1990s as increasing memory size allowed raster, or bitmap images, to be stored. Within the last decade there has been a resurgence of vector graphics to efficiently support graphic displays as large as billboards and as small as postage stamps. Vector graphics are dependent upon functions. This lesson introduces vector graphics and functions through a collaborative design activity.\nLesson focuses on how mathematic models help to solve real problems and are realized in computers. Students work in teams to build a graph model of their city map while learning how mathematic models work. Student should be encouraged to use this model to solve real problems.\nThis lesson allows students to playfully understand algorithms and complexity.\nLesson focuses on exploring how the development of search engines has revolutionized Internet. Students work in teams to understand the technology behind search engines and explore how they can retrieve useful information using search engines.\n\n\nSearch Lesson Plans\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9209654331207275}
{"content": "Meet the Staff: Heather Gill, Educational Aide\n\nDecember 7, 2017\n\nFollowing the success of our introductions to our new staff members with the \"Meet the New Staff\" feature stories, we would now like to take time to introduce the community to all of our staff members throughout the district! Each week, we will feature members of the Deer Park family with a short question and answer session.  We hope this allows everyone to become familiar with all of the wonderful faculty and staff around Deer Park!\n\n\nHeather Gill, Educational Aide \nDeer Park Jr./Sr. High School\n\nFive years ago...My family and I were living in Fairfield until we moved to Reading.\nFive years from now...I will be living in Harrison and working at Deer Park High School.\nThe farthest I have ever traveled from home is...Cancun, Mexico\nMy favorite place in the world is...Spending time with my husband and boys in Florida or the beach.\nWhat is the last book you have read? Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen\nWhat is the last movie you've seen? Lego Batman\nWhat is your favorite kind of music? Country\nWho is your favorite sports team? Cincinnati Bengals\nWhat is an activity you do in your free time? I love to work on pallet projects and play sports with my kids.\nWhat excites you most about the start of a new school year? Meeting new friends\nYou are given $5,000. How do you spend it? I would give it to homeless veterans.\nWhat three words best describe you? Outgoing, talkative, giggles\nThe title of a book about my life would be... I'm in the Same Room. I Can Hear You Talking.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.98985755443573}
{"content": "Test test\n\nPresentitis Self-Assessment\n\nPresentitis Risk Assessment (PRA)\n\nThe PRA measures the probability that you will suffer, or already are suffering, significant symptoms of presentitis. Knowing this important information, you can then take the appropriate steps to prevent or treat the condition.\n\nAfter responding to the questions below, you will be told your PPRSS (Potner Presentitis Risk Scale Score). This score corresponds to four levels of presentitis risk (no risk, mild risk, moderate risk, severe risk) and you will learn which of these categories you fall into.\n\n\n\n1.Has your frustration about working on a presentation project ever led you to refer to PowerPoint as... (select all that apply)\n2.Do you have several versions of a PowerPoint presentation with files names that resemble any of these? (select all that apply)\n3.Have you ever found yourself in any of the following situations while working on an important presentation project? (select all that apply)\n4.Which best describes the frequency with which you use PowerPoint?\n5.Family history may play a role in presentitis. Which of your relatives have a habit of violent vocal or physical reactions to uncooperative computers or software? (choose all relationships that apply)\n6.Which of the following best describes the concept of version control for you?\n7.Which of the following best describes who you email presentations to?\n8.I know the keyboard shortcut in PowerPoint for the following action. (select all that apply)\n9.With which of the following statements do you agree? (select all that apply)\n10.When I work from home, my primary method of connecting to the internet is...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9975204467773438}
{"content": "skip navigation\n\nU 10 Evaluations\n\nU10 Step 1, 2, 3 Evaluations\n\nRingette Alberta has provided the following document to help determine where an athlete is placed in the U10 program.\n\nThose associations with 1-2 teams may need to combine their athletes and place them in a Step where the team will have competitive games throughout the year.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9783942699432373}
{"content": "A Little Nudge\n\nThe Government’s Nudge Unit (or, to give it its correct title, the Behaviour Insights Team) has been in the news again recently. Their latest investigation involves an attempt to reduce the number of inappropriate calls to the 101 number (the number where one can report crimes, traffic accidents and minor offences). The problem which they are addressing is that 20% of calls to this number are classed as inappropriate and involve matters which are not of police concern, such as failure of the local council to empty the bins, or the high price of a restaurant meal. They found that delaying answering for 6 seconds reduced inappropriate calls by 75%.\n\nNudging people to behave takes many forms but one of the most successful is to make things easy for people. Thus healthy options are at the front in the cafeteria, many streamed TV programmes automatically go on to the next episode and, more importantly, British workers are automatically enrolled in work-place pensions unless they opt out.\n\nThe Nudge Unit was established in 2010 to help government departments improve their success rates in diverse areas by taking account of the way people behave. For example an experiment in vending machines in Australia resulted in a 20% switch from the most sugary drinks to alternatives simply by labelling the most sugary ones in red. Writing letters to the GP surgeries prescribing the most antibiotics, telling them that neighbourhood surgeries prescribed less, resulted in a 3% fall in prescriptions.\n\n\nPort Talbot & A’level economics\n\nA’level economics students frequently moan  that what they have been taught is not relevant to what is going on around them while economics teachers complain that students do not relate what they have been taught to the real world!\n\nThe recent events at Port Talbot provide an ideal example to use economics concepts.\n\nThe multiplier can be used in assessing the costs to the area should Port Talbot close since not only will steel jobs be lost if the plant closes, additional jobs will also be at risk as steel workers suffer lower disposable income and cut back on expenditure,  particularly in non-essential areas.\n\nIn considering the type of unemployment created, one can use the idea of structural unemployment since many of the steel workers affected will not have the skills needed in newer, growing industries.\n\nThe possible closure of the plant is relevant to the arguments about the benefits of free trade and the theory of comparative advantage whereby UK steel purchasers benefit from cheaper steel imports from China which need to be set against the  job losses among UK steel producers. This aspect can be expanded to consider whether the Chinese are dumping steel on the world market and, if so, what action should be taken, especially in the light of the tariffs on Chinese steel imposed by the USA and those imposed by China on imports of steel from the EU and elsewhere.\n\nA final example is in the  field of market failure where Tata have complained that the UK Government’s environmental policies have raised energy prices and helped make UK produced steel (and heavy industry generally) uncompetitive. UK electricity prices are almost double those in the rest of the EU and more than double those in China and while these high prices help to subsidise renewable forms of energy, they make life difficult for UK firms.\n\nThe market for legal advice in the UK – competitive market or cozy cartel?\n\nA report in today’s Independent newspaper suggests that the cost of legal advice from one of small number of well known firms in the UK, collectively known as the “Magic Circle”, has risen by around 100% in real terms since 2003.  The market structure for this industry seems to display all the hallmarks of an oligopoly, and one which might tend towards some form of collusion; demand is inelastic, there are a small number of interdependent firms and customers have difficulty collecting good information about substitutes.\n\nIn addition, beyond these largest firms a form of price leadership structure may be in operation.  As these large firms ratchet up their charges smaller firms outside the Magic Circle take the opportunity to increase their fees in a clear example of what is commonly referred to as Stackelberg equilibrium.  The economic rents enjoyed by these firms in the form of supernormal profits may be quite considerable.\n\nThe question is, as economists should we care, and if so, what can be done?  The availability of good legal advice at a reasonable price may well have positive externalities as it protects the functioning of a market economy and also allows smaller firms to compete in all markets with larger ones as they do not face the barrier to entry in any market of very high legal costs associated with operating in the market.  In short, high legal costs may make a host of markets much less contestable.\n\nThis suggests some government action is necessary.  Everyone with a knowledge of economics should be able to recommend lots of policies to make any given market more competitive, and the market for legal advice is no exception.  A reduction of barriers to entry, a requirement for transparency in pricing, an investigation into possible anti-competitive practices and the use of large fines for those found guilty might all be relevant.  However, as we have seen in the energy market action by consumers may also be needed.  A willingness by customers to shift their business to cheaper firms and an attempt to make firms move to a fixed price model by supporting those firms which do will certainly give the Magic Circle something to think about.\n\nUltimately, a combination of government action and consumer action will be needed but nobody should be under any illusion; the legal profession generally and the “Magic Circle” will fight against it tooth and nail.  Economic history suggests that those enjoying economic rent seldon give it up easily.\n\nPaying for flood defences – an example of the public good problem?\n\nAt some point during each year everyone studying microeconomics will come across the idea of public goods, usually in connection with market failure.  The concept is pretty simple; a public good is non-excludable.  This means that people can benefit from the product or service whether they have paid for it or not.  This means that nobody pays for it as they will wait for everyone else to do so, allowing them to benefit for free.  This is known as the free-rider effect and means that the product or service is never provided.\n\nSo much for the theory.  Examples of public goods tend to revolve around things such as national defence, lighthouses and flood defence.  As you may have noticed, flooding is very much in the news and large numbers of people have recently been adversely affected by flooding, in some cases very adversely.  Understandably they are keen that more flood defences are provided, but who should pay for them?\n\nAs a public good it is clear that taxes need to have a key role in this.  If individual households are asked to voluntarily pay then each will refuse, reasoning that if all the other households in the flood risk area agree to pay then they can benefit from the defences for nothing as the defences are non-excludable.  As everyone thinks this then no money will be collected and no defences will be built.  Some kind of tax is needed, but who should it be extended to?  Just the people in the flood risk area?  Everyone in the country?  The government has considered this problem and come up with an idea related to council tax, which is a tax paid to local authorities by residents of an area based, very roughly, on the value of their houses.  This article from the Daily Telegraph explains:\n\n\nThe question which the government needs to consider is simple.  Who pays for the flood defences and how much?  It will be interesting to see how this develops.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7852176427841187}
{"content": "Summer Salad\n\n\n\n\nThis salad is super easy, very quick and so yummy!\n\n1 large head broccoli\n\n4 slices bacon\n\n2/3 cup 0% Greek yogurt\n\n\n1/2 cup light cheddar cheese, shredded\n\n1/4 cup raw pepitas (sunflower seed centres)\n\nSalt & pepper to taste\n\n\n\n\n\n\nbroccoli salad\n\n\n\n\n\nBBQ Pizza\n\n\nPizza sauce of choice (we love Unico garlic and basil)\nDried oregano to taste\nYour favourite pizza toppings\nOlive oil\nMozzarella cheese, grated\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n– J.\n\nSmokey Burgers with Lattice Bacon and Donkey Sauce\n\nWhat is Donkey Sauce you ask? I said the same thing the first time I was introduced to it. It is (not surprisingly) a product of Guy Fieri’s culinary genius – and he says he called it Donkey Sauce because, “You’re an ass, if you don’t like it!”. It was stumbled upon by my husband when he was reading Maxim…for the article of course. Turns out, there was actually a pretty good article that had this gem of a sauce in it. I would put this stuff on damn near anything!\n\nDonkey Sauce:\n\none large head of garlic, roasted\n\n1 cup mayo (I used light, olive oil based)\n\n5 dashes Worcestershire sauce\n\n1t yellow mustard (yup just standard French’s)\n\n1/4 salt\n\npepper to taste\n\nTo start preheat your oven to 400F then cut the top off of a clove of garlic and drizzle with oil.\n\n\nWrap the garlic in tinfoil and throw it in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour. When it’s done, it’ll look like this, all warm and golden and fragrant:\n\n\nLet the garlic cool until you can handle it, then you’re going to need to squeeze it into out of its skin and into a food processor. Or, if you have a Kitchenaid immersion blender that came with one of these attachments, I highly reccomend using it:\n\n\nIt’s my favourite thing ever for making sauces and marinades. Once you’ve squeezed in your garlic, add the rest of the ingredients and blend!\n\n\nLattice Bacon:\n\nOne package applewood smoked bacon (I like President’s Choice)\n\nCover a cookie sheet with tin foil. I usually cover it with heavy duty BBQ strength tinfoil, and then again with a layer of the Alcan Slide tinfoil.\n\nCut three strips of bacon in half and lay three of the halves down parallel to one another:IMG_0446\n\nThen pull the centre piece back just a tiny bit at one end and lay another of the halves perpendicular to the first three:\n\n\nPut the middle piece back and pull the outside pieces up about half way on the opposite end and lay another piece perpendicular to the first three:\n\n\nFinally, put the outside pieces down and pull up the centre piece from that same end, putting your final piece of bacon in perpendicular to your first three again before putting the centre piece down:\n\n\nPut the cold pan in a cold oven, and turn it on to 400F, then just walk away for twenty minutes! When you come back, your bacon should be getting crispy. Keep a close eye on it, and when it’s as crispy as you like it, take it out of the oven. Let it cool on the pan for a few minutes then transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain.\n\n\nSmokey Burgers:\n\n750g medium/regular ground beef\n\n2t liquid hickory smoke\n\n1T Worcestershire sauce\n\n1/4c finely chopped red onion\n\n1 egg\n\n1T minced garlic (I cheated and used jarred)\n\n1/2c (ish) seasoned breadcrumbs (enough to make the mix not too wet)\n\n\n\nextra old cheddar cheese\n\nred or green leaf lettuce\n\nroma tomatoes, thinly sliced\n\ngarlic dill pickles, thinly sliced\n\nPut the ground beef, egg, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, minced garlic and red onion in a bowl until combined.\n\n\nPut the formed burgers on a plate and cover with plastic wrap, then put them into the fridge for firm up for a bit while you heat up your BBQ. Guy Fieri says you can use a grill pan but I love to barbeque 🙂\n\nSpray the burgers with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Once the barbeque is at medium low, put your burgers on sprayed side down and close the lid. Once the burgers start to form grill mark, turn them 180 degrees to get a pretty cross hatch pattern (and to make sure they get cooked through).\n\nFlip the burgers and cook a few minutes more until you start to get grill marks on the opposite side, turn 180 degrees again and put on your cheese and bacon lattice. Close the lid again and cook until the cheese has melted and the burger is cooked through. All-in-all, it takes about fifteen or twenty minutes to cook the burgers.\n\nTo assemble, put some of the Donkey Sauce on a pretzel bun (we also like bakery ciabatta-type buns if you’re not into baking them yourself) and then layer on the burger, lettuce, tomato and pickles (plus whatever out you like…maybe some sliced onion?)\n\n\nAnd that’s it! My little brother-in-law said he loved me when he ate his, so I guess they must be good! Coming sometime this week (or maybe next) Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins…and Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7663552761077881}
{"content": "Busy. Please wait.\n\nshow password\nForgot Password?\n\nDon't have an account?  Sign up \n\nUsername is available taken\nshow password\n\n\n\n\nAlready a StudyStack user? Log In\n\nReset Password\n\nRemove Ads\nDon't know\nremaining cards\n\nPass complete!\n\n\"Know\" box contains:\nTime elapsed:\nrestart all cards\n\n\n  Normal Size     Small Size show me how\n\n\nAutism - Language and Communication Module Assessment\n\nWhat is language? Language is a formal symbol system that has structural qualities, including morphology, semantics, and syntax.\nWhat is speech? Speech is one means of expressing language. It is the ability to use all the speech sounds in a particular language.\nWhat is communication? Communication is an interactive exchange between two or more people to express needs, feelings, and ideas.\nName some of the unique communication characteristics of individuals with autism. -Difficulty understanding nonverbal communication -Difficulty with reciprocal interaction -Difficulty understanding how to point out things of interest -Impaired ability to initiate and maintain conversation -Ritualized communication\nWhat is autism? Autism is a complex disorder characterized by three core symptoms: social impairments, communication impairments, and repetitive behaviors.\nWhat are examples of nonverbal communication? Eye gaze, gestures, and facial expressions\nWhat is linked to an increase in language competence? A child's ability to integrate his or her personal experiences, social experiences, and knowledge base in a flexible way.\nWhat is receptive language? Receptive language is the ability to comprehend the meaning of what others say.\nWhat is expressive language? Expressive language is the ability to use oral and written language in a conventional way.\nWhat do children do in the absence of understanding how to communicate in conventional ways? -use a range of positive and negatives behaviors to communicate their needs and feelings -seek to communicate with others in routine, ritualized ways\nWhat is reciprocal interaction? Reciprocal interaction mean \"back-and-forth interaction,\" \"taking turns\" and \"sharing experiences.\"\nWhat is joint attention? Joint attention is communicating to share.\nWhat is communicative function? Communicative function refers to the many purposes or reasons to communicate a single message.\nGive examples of what is required in a conversation. Conversation requires: paying attention to another's verbal and nonverbal message, interpreting the meaning of another's verbal and nonverbal message, understanding the perspective of another, expressing ideas related to the topic of conversation,etc.\nName some reasons communication rituals occur in individuals with autism. -the communication rituals are social and the individual's best effort to interact -the communication rituals are used to express anxiety -the communication rituals are calming -the communication rituals show poor inhibition\nName some of the benefits of using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)for non-speaking individuals. -Increased communication competence -Increased rate of developing speech -Decreased rate of problem behaviors associated with poor communication skills\nWhat are verbal rituals? Verbal rituals are any use of language that is repetitive, insistent, and often expressed with intense emotion.\nHow should echolalia be viewed in individuals with autism? -a way to learn syntax/grammar -a way to learn language meaning -a way to maintain social interaction -a way to communicate with you\nWhat is echolalia? A repetition of other's speech that may our immediately after hearing a message or significantly later.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9810566306114197}
{"content": "MACD and Inside Bar\n\nForex strategy on the MACD and Inside Bar\n\nForex strategy on the MACD and Inside Bar - a simple strategy of following the trend movement already formed in the forex market, currency pair - either by a time interval can be chosen so as desired, as these patterns are formed on all ranges.\n\nFormation Inside Bar (inside bar) - the case when there is a bar chart (candlestick) with a lower high and also a higher low than the previous bar graph. Usually, this pattern is interpreted as a small respite in the forex market, at a time when the market is in a state of uncertainty of further price movement. The breakdown is this \"inner bar\" is usually quite volatile movement.\n\nConclusion deal to buy :\n\nMACD indicator located above the zero line - above the maximum price formed the \"inner bar\" have a pending order buy stop (+ value spread). Ie From this it follows that we expect the breakdown of the prices up, because MACD indicator is currently in the shopping area.\n\nIn cases when the MACD indicator is below zero and there is an \"inner bar\", then we only sell order at the lowest price + value spread.\n\nsafety stop-loss hosts a minimum of \"Inside Bar\" for the transactions for the purchase and a maximum of \"Inside Bar\" for the transactions for the sale. Although this value is usually small, but it is quite sufficient for trading on the forex strategy and the ratio of risk to reward ratio is very good.\n\nGo on the strategy recommended by the trailing stop.\n\nimportant addition: should only be used inside bars in the trend direction . In the case of lateral motion of the \"inner bar\" should be ignored\n\nForex strategy on the MACD and Inside Bar.\n\nConsider the examples in the picture:\n\n1) MACD histogram are below a zero line, and so we have a bullish moving average MACD, besides they are the same rasspolozheny below the zero line. Correspondingly, when an inside bar, we count with a pending order to sell below the low of the inner bar. Safety stop-loss - over a maximum of the inner bar.\n\n2) We notice that the MACD crossing happens from the bottom up and closes the histogram above the zero line. This indicates upward momentum. Correspondingly, in this case we place a pending order to buy the appearance of the inner bar. Safety stop-loss - a minimum of the inner bar.\n\n3) in this case was set buy stop, according to all rules of the forex strategy, which also worked out nicely in this case.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5478121042251587}
{"content": "Health Benefits Of Soursop\n\nSome of the most impressive health benefits of soursop include its ability to kill off parasites, reduce inflammation, improve respiratory conditions, sedate the body and mind, heal the skin, treat certain kinds of cancers, boost the immune system, soothe the stomach, and relieve pain.\n\n\nIf you have traveled extensively in Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of South America, then you have likely seen the soursop tree, which is an evergreen tree with the scientific name Anonna muricana. The taste of the soursop fruit is a delicious combination of strawberry and pineapple, with other sweet and citrus notes that make it very popular in these parts of the world. It is also cultivated in Africa, and occasionally in Southeast Asia, and even in Florida. However, it is most popularly grown for individual consumption as a garden fruit. The soursop is only one type of Annona, and one of the largest as well, with a number of different uses. The soft pulp and fiber of the fruit is used for beverages, desserts, smoothies, and candy, as well as a wealth of traditional medical treatments that are used in many parts of the world.\n\n\nWhile the flavor is enough to make this a popular fruit, the rich vitamin and nutrient content within the fruit includes vitamin C, vitamin B, and a number of antioxidant compounds. The juice from soursop has been usedtopically, while pulverized seeds and decoctions made of leaves are also popular forms for natural remedies. You can also use the leaves and pulverized seeds to brew a powerful tea, that also has a number of impressive effects on the human body. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the many health benefits of soursop.\n\nHealth Benefits Of Soursop\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5739846229553223}
{"content": "Friday, August 20, 2010\n\n\nIt is already the end of sixth week of the semester in UTM. This time, I have been given a group of students from \"Fakulti Kejuruteraan Awam\" - translate: the Faculty of Civil Engineering. My class comprises of 34 students, and there are more international students. There are people from Somalia, Turkey, Ethiopia, Palestine etc. One good thing about this faculty is it is easy to find a parking space even in the bright daylight. But the negative side of it, if for example, I need to have a replacement class at night and need to book a room, I have to write in and ask for permission which is definitely a tedious task to do.\n\na few minutes before 8 in the morning, my car is the only one visible at the parking lot\n\nThere is a big change for the course taught this semester. Students have to use new textbooks and there is a change in the course outline, content and evaluation. Therefore, I have to do some homework before going to class. There are also listening activities which require the teacher to carry the notebook, speakers (and extension wire) to class but I enjoy this session a lot because in a way someone else is reading for me from the CD. I wanted to shift the classes at night like what I used to do before but the students insisted to carry out the lessons in the morning. Nevertheless, the irony of it, attendance up until now is very poor (if compared to my previous classes) and people always come late every time.\n\nWe are almost halfway through the semester but I am still hoping for things to improve. Or perhaps, should I be a stricter teacher, like I am in school?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5698885917663574}
{"content": "22 May 2017\n\nWorld's largest Muslim youth organisation calls for re-examination of Islamic text\n\nThe world’s largest Muslim youth organisation Gerakan Pemuda Ansor (GP Ansor) - the youth wing of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation Nadlatul Ulama (NU) - on Monday (May 22) called for a re-examination of Islamic text to adapt it to modern civilisation.\n\n.... “A wide discrepancy now exists between the structure of Islamic orthodoxy and the context of Muslims’ actual reality,\" said Luthfi Thomafi, a member of GP Ansor's board. \"(This is) due to immense changes that have occurred since the teachings of orthodox Islam, which became largely ossified towards the end of the medieval era.”\n\n“Civil discord, acts of terrorism, rebellion and outright warfare - all pursued in the name of Islam - will continue to plague Muslims and threaten humanity at large, until these issues are openly acknowledged and resolved,” Thomafi added.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7880541682243347}
{"content": "Panel on national security ends day of remembrance\n\nOne year after the terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C. and aboard United Flight 93, three speakers addressed a somber Chapin Hall audience on Wednesay. The discussion – moderated by Robert Kavanaugh, professor of psychology – focused on the causes and aftermath of last year’s attacks.\n\nThe panel consisted of John Gannon, a former deputy director of the CIA; Rohan Gunaratna, senior fellow at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland and Bruce Lawrence, chair of the religion department at Duke University. Each panelist was allotted fifteen minutes to deliver prepared remarks, after which the floor was opened for audience questions.\n\nGannon began the program by discussing al-Qaida’s ability to carry out such a massive operation. He argued that using planes as missiles was not a particularly advanced strategy, but that the ease with which the terrorists were able to infiltrate and live within our society was remarkable. Accordingly, Gannon praised the new laws that make it easier for law enforcement to track the correspondence and finances of suspected terrorists.\n\nHe made it clear, however, that the government should not be given limitless authority. “As an American, I believe we need to debate,” Gannon said. “We cannot allow terrorists to force us to reevaluate our constitution.” He expressed concern that many detainees were being denied rights that are crucial to democracy: the right to counsel, the right to call witnesses and, in some cases, the right to a trial.\n\nTurning his attention to why the terrorists chose the United States as a target, Gannon offered three thoughts. He suggested first that many in the Arab world are upset by the U.S. role in the Middle East peace process. Second, he contended that many believe that the U.S. supports oppressive governments in the Arab world and thereby “perpetuates a crisis of government.” Finally, Gannon argued that many see globalization as a process that helps the U.S. and harms everyone else, contributing to the growing economic, technological, educational and healthcare gap between the developed and undeveloped worlds.\n\nGannon closed his remarks by discussing the future of the war against terrorism. “We will fail if we try to do it by ourselves,” Gannon said, adding we would be foolish to try to win the war in a conventional fashion. Rather, he contended that if the government continues to improve at gathering high-quality intelligence, “terrorism will not defeat the United States.”\n\nGunaratna, the second speaker, discussed the ways in which al-Qaida differs from other terrorist organizations and its current ability to carry out terrorist objectives.\n\nAl-Qaida is not like most Islamic terrorist organizations, Gunaratna said, in that it is not primarily concerned with the liberation of certain group of people within a well-defined geographic border. Comparing al-Qaida to terrorist organizations like Hamas, Gunaratna explained that it was not necessary for al-Qaida to strike more than one or two targets a year because its goal is to inspire other people and organizations to action.\n\nGunaratna then looked to the future, questioning whether al-Qaida still had the ability to carry out a mission similar in scale to the attack on the World Trade Center. Though “their infrastructure has been seriously damaged,” Gunaratna said, “the leadership is still intact.” The U.S. destruction of training facilities in Afghanistan makes it difficult for al-Qaida to carry out large missions but, according to Gunaratna, they maintain the ability to strike small to medium targets.\n\nGunaratna closed his remarks by discussing what steps are necessary to defeat al-Qaida. Gunaratna said al-Qaida’s seemingly limitless ability to recruit new terrorists make capturing Osama bin Laden a crucial aspect of the War on Terrorism. Bin Laden, because of his charisma and renown, has a unique ability to inspire young Muslims. “The ideology is still appealing,” Gunaratna said. “We need to counter their ideology.”\n\nThe final panelist, Lawrence focused on President Bush’s foreign policy in the wake of Sept. 11. Specifically, Lawrence expressed his concerns about the simplistic assumption that Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Cuba and Syria constitute an “Axis of Evil.”\n\nLawrence mentioned several objections to the above terminology. Focusing his attention on Iran, he reminded the audience that Iran assisted the U.S. in the war in Afghanistan, handing over a number of terrorists to Saudi Arabia.\n\nGiven that the U.S. is now considering declaring war on Iraq, Lawrence questioned the wisdom of alienating a nation whose support we would almost certainly need.\n\nIn a broader sense, Lawrence contended that that the term “Axis of Evil” makes it too easy to view Islam as the enemy. “For many evangelical Christians,” Lawrence said, “Islam becomes evil by association.” Lawrence stressed that in many of the countries President Bush has singled out, there exists a mass of silenced citizens who are desperate for democracy.\n\nAfter the opening remarks by the panelists, the audience was given the opportunity to question the panel. Asked what foreign policy recommendations they had for President Bush, the panelists produced a variety of responses.\n\nLawrence, arguing that terrorists are often motivated by the extreme poverty by which they are surrounded, suggested a “war on poverty and misery.” Gunaratna argued that the most important goal should be to reform education systems in the Arab world, where education is often only Koranic. Finally, Gannon contended that it was crucial to “follow foreign trends to help detect threats.”\n\nAnother question pertained to how effective a job the U.S. had done of cutting off the money supply of terrorist organizations. Gunaratna explained that though $120 million was taken in the first three months after Sept. 11, only $10 million had been confiscated since then. Making things even more difficult, he added, is the fact that terrorist organizations have infiltrated one fourth of all Islamic-interest charities.\n\nDespite the challenges facing the U.S. in its campaign to eradicate al-Qaida, all three panelists seemed reasonably optimistic about the nation’s future.\n\n“If we compare the United States to the countries from which these terrorists came,” Gannon concluded, “we should be confident.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8698146939277649}
{"content": "Amie B. is a classically trained actress and musical theater performer. She has worked on the stages of Britain, off-off-Broadway in New York and throughout the Southern United States. She has a passion for Shakespeare, Sondheim, Restoration Theater, the cinema and creating new works alongside traditional brilliance.\n\nTwitter/Instagram: @Official_AmieB\n\nNow appearing: Sister Hubert in \"Nuncrackers\" at Desert Stages, Scottsdale, AZ​  1-24 December 2017\n\nAmie Bjorklund\n\nActress, Singer, EmCee", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7282582521438599}
{"content": "Screening of Thyroid disease\n\nEvaluation of thyroid hormone levels is essential for the treatment of infertility patients.\n\nTFTs may be requested if a patient is thought to suffer from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), or to monitor the effectiveness of either thyroid-suppression or hormone replacement therapy. It is also requested routinely in conditions linked to thyroid disease, such as atrial fibrillation and anxiety disorder.\n\nA TFT panel typically includes thyroid hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin) and thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000098943710327}
{"content": "Jon Foreman - The 25 IN 24 Tour: May 1\nNS2 & The Carolina Theatre of Durham present\n\nJon Foreman - The 25 IN 24 Tour\n\nTuesday, May 1 | 8PM\n\nIt's easy for a surfer to lose focus and fall into the steady pull of the crashing waves, and it's easy for a musician to forget where they came from under the glaring lights before a sea of adoring fans screaming their name. On a surfboard or on a stage, the ground is made of different matter, and truth defers to the engulfing chaos. Jon Foreman has treaded these waters for nearly 20 years, moored by the truth he carries in his bones.\n\nBack in 1996, he started his music career heading an unassuming SanDiego-based band, now known all over the world as the multi-platinum Grammy-winning alt-rock group Switchfoot. A lifelong quest for divine answers translated effortlessly through Jon's gritty vocals, which mediated between a lost self and an unseen higher power. Echoing an early oughts American existential crisis of faith, his spiritually-oriented rock band tapped into the cultural zeitgeist, and endured as defining sound-makers for a generation filled with unanswerable questions of their own. He later went on to form a long-term collaboration with Sean Watkins, releasing their first home-brewed collection of love ballads in 2009 under the name Fiction Family.\n\nA devout disciple of rock & roll, Jon was intent on tapping into the sacred space from where his words flow to find its purest expression. When the venue empties at the end of the night, and when the tide drops low at sunset, whether you're an internationally renowned rockstar, or one man a few hundred meters into the Pacific Ocean, all that remains is you and your instrument, and truth inevitably returns with the silence. In the death of the day, the unanswered questions coalesce into the raw matter of tomorrow. In the place between sets and sleep, he discovered what would become a foray into a solo project.\n\nOn Sunlight, Jon surrenders to the wipe-outs of an unpredictable world, articulating in the dappled harmony of his vocals and acoustic guitar, the feeling of regaining bearings under saltwater, and floating back up towards the sun. Answers once forcefully demanded yield to the peaceful acceptance of the unknown. \"In songs you can have all these metaphors to hide behind, but there's a strength in honesty that can't be found in cynicism or detaching from an emotional element.\"\n\nBorn from solitary introspection, then opened to the world, The Wonderlands' 24 tracks blossom with the diverse yet cohesive contributions of 24 different producers, each interpreting the meaning of Jon's vocals through their own instrumental vision.\n\n\"Through song, I'm trying to explore the physical space of music. I wanted to create a place that would exist only when you press play; a place of light and shadows, tension and release, things that you know and things that you don't know. It's incredible that you can create a mood, almost a structure of feeling. All 24 songs will correspond with different moods of the day. At the end I'm going to do 25 concerts in 24 hours.\"\n\nJon's collection is his sanctuary where questions don't need answers, where money doesn't matter and translating inner truth into song is an end in itself.\n\nNo Cameras\nNo Outside Food or Drink\nNo Backpacks\nNo Video Recording Devices\nNo Weapons\n\n\nWebsite developed by DesignHammer LLC, a Durham web design company.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8400837779045105}
{"content": "RHYL suffered their first defeat of the season in the North Wales Women’s Hockey League when they went down 2-0 against Llanfair Caereinion.\n\nDespite dominating the game, Rhyl struggled to connect as a unit with only a straight 11 at their disposal and three regulars unavailable.\n\nLlanfair scored in the first half from the top of the D with no defenders in sight. Rhyl had several chances but were unable to score from short corners or close range.\n\nThe hosts were reduced to 10 when Adele Gregory received a knock to the knee.\n\nAfter a rousing half time team talk Rhyl came fighting back, boosted by good work in midfield from Lucy Edwards and Laura Houlston with Amy Morris going close.\n\nSue Pennington made some fine saves in the Rhyl goal but was unable to prevent the Mid-Walians scoring a second before the end.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6007498502731323}
{"content": "Is there any possibility that we O Negs are in fact Avatars? Or perhaps all the Negs are Avatars and the Positives are Sims? What do you think?\nMaybe all of us have different Alien Avatars running us and Humans and Humanity is a test programme? Dr Bruce Lipton suggests that all humans are Earth Rovers transmitting & receiving data. I like this idea.\nI saw photos of red blood cells from humans & you can see that our red blood cells have a different pattern. Cymatics shows us sounds made visible & I'm wondering what the frequency is of our universal blood. I noticed we don't have shields on our cells just stumps, does this mean that we can absorb all types of information faster? I wonder if anyone knows? Let me know what you think.\nDo you wonder if there exists a subliminal O neg programme? Do you feel like your being watched?\nIs this to do with psychotronic mind control or is this a natural phenomenon?", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8828619122505188}
{"content": "Definitions of shoe\n\n  1. restraint provided when the linings of the brake shoes are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to stop its rotation\n  2. nailed to underside of horse's hoof\n  3. furnish with shoes\n  7. U- shaped plate nailed to underside of horse's hoof\n  8. furnish with shoes; \" the children were well shoed\"\n  11. Anything resembling a shoe in form, position, or use.\n  12. A plate or rim of iron nailed to the hoof of an animal to defend it from injury.\n  15. The part of a railroad car brake which presses upon the wheel to retard its motion.\n  18. An inclined trough in an ore- crushing mill.\n  19. An iron socket or plate to take the thrust of a strut or rafter.\n  20. An iron socket to protect the point of a wooden pile.\n  23. A plate, or notched piece, interposed between a moving part and the stationary part on which it bears, to take the wear and afford means of adjustment; - called also slipper, and gib.\n  24. A covering for the foot, usually of leather; anything used for the protection of the foot, or the part touching the ground, as the metal plate protecting the hoof of an animal, the strip of steel fastened on a sled- runner, etc.; the outer covering of a rubber tire for automobiles.\n  25. To furnish with a shoe or shoes; to protect or strengthen by putting on a rim, etc.\n  26. Shod.\n  27. Shoeing.\n  28. A covering for the foot: a rim of iron nailed to the hoof of an animal to keep it from injury: anything in form or use like a shoe:- pl. SHOES ( shooz).\n  29. To furnish with shoes: to cover at the bottom:- pr. p. shoeing; pa. t. and pa. p. shod.\n  30. A covering for the foot; iron rim fastened to an animal's hoof.\n  31. To furnish with shoes.\n  32. A covering or protection for the foot.\n  33. Shoemaker.\n  34. A covering for the foot, usually of leather, of a thick species for the sole and a thinner for the uppers; a plate or rim of iron nailed to the hoof of a horse to preserve it from injury; anything like a shoe in shape or use.\n  35. To furnish with or put on shoes; to cover at the bottom.\n  36. A covering for the foot, made of leather, and consisting of a sole and an upper; a rim or plate of iron fastened on the bottom of a horse's hoof for protection; the bend or crook at the bottom of a water- pipe which discharges the water from a building; a sort of drag placed under the wheel of a loaded vehicle on going down a steep part of a road; in mech., a notched piece on which something rests; a kind of trough.\n\nQuotes of shoe\n\n  1. If the shoe fits, it is probably worn out. – Craig Bruce\n  2. Stiletto, I look at it more as an attitude as opposed to a high -heeled shoe – Lita Ford\n  3. If the shoe fits, it's too expensive. – Adrienne Gusoff\n  7. So now I'm left with cigarettes, and I'm trying to scrape that off my shoe and then I'll be done. – Diane Lane\n  9. Sex and the City changed New York -New York's become a big shoe store now, unfortunately. – Chris Noth\n  10. You want to fall in love with a shoe go ahead. A shoe can't love you back, but, on the other hand, a shoe can't hurt you too deeply either. And there are so many nice -looking shoes. – Allan Sherman\n  11. If the shoe doesn't fit, must we change the foot? – Gloria Steinem\n  12. Later the Administration wanted me to actually sell all remaining surplus by running the War Assets Corporation. I said I couldn't do it without some shoe leather. – Stuart Symington\n  13. Shoe Suede Blues is ten years old this year. The Band consists of four members. – Peter Tork\n\nUsage examples for shoe\n\n  1. I will get to work and make my final shoe – Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard by Eleanor Farjeon\n  2. It is a young lady's walking- shoe – A Tale of Two Cities A Story of the French Revolution by Charles Dickens\n  3. I remember one in particular, a thin, nervous little man, a shoe clerk in a department store. – The Harbor by Ernest Poole\n  4. Take your ol' shoe – Sube Cane by Edward Bellamy Partridge\n  5. She sprang at a bound on the bed, seized a little bag of money from a hiding- place, took the hand of the astonished little boy, and dragged him after her without giving him time to put on his shoe and was on her way to Fougeres rapidly, without once turning her head to look at the home she abandoned. – The Chouans by Honore de Balzac\n  6. And he a shoe clerk! – In a Little Town by Rupert Hughes\n  7. Some of the fish had a familiar look, and Winthrope turned them over with the tip of his shoe – Into the Primitive by Robert Ames Bennet\n  8. It gives me a great deal of pain to stand, and, since Uncle Jack has my other shoe in his pocket, how am I to walk? – Erlach Court by Ossip Schubin\n  9. \" A young lady's walking shoe he muttered, without looking up. – A Tale of Two Cities A Story of the French Revolution by Charles Dickens\n  10. Though a shoe was occasionally lost, as they had to be tied on loosely, the feet of the dogs were well protected. – True Tales of Arctic Heroism in the New World by Adolphus W. Greely\n  11. Shoeing the animal with a special shoe is sometimes necessary. – Common Diseases of Farm Animals by R. A. Craig, D. V. M.\n  12. Stir it up with a stick every time it is used; and put it on the shoe with a brush when wanted. – The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, by Mary Eaton\n  13. Granted he was in wine, granted he followed me, granted he had my shoe in his possession- what then? – 54-40 or Fight by Emerson Hough\n  14. In the shoe industry this process did not do away with competition. – A History of Trade Unionism in the United States by Selig Perlman\n  15. I'd marry a shoe black to- morrow if I thought I could make him happy, and he could make me happy. – Miss Mackenzie by Anthony Trollope\n  16. The theatre is a huge open- air one of horse- shoe shape with stone seats rising like steps above each other, and with a row of private boxes at the top. – Young Knights of the Empire by Sir Robert Baden-Powell\n  17. He rode and he rode to town and castle, and made all the ladies try to put on the shoe – More English Fairy Tales by Various\n  18. \" It is thin,\" she thought, pushing her shoe through it, \" it can't prevent the boat from crossing the river.\" – The Happy Foreigner by Enid Bagnold\n  19. It was one evening on a long flat Dutch road- the evening he had tied Julia's shoe – The Good Comrade by Una L. Silberrad\n  20. The eldest went with the shoe into her room and wanted to try it on, and her mother stood by. – Household Tales by Brothers Grimm by Grimm Brothers\n\nRhymes for shoe\n\nIdioms for", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.765601634979248}
{"content": "Launch Complex 1\n\nThe team here at Mitten Space labs took last weekend off to celebrate Christmas, but this weekend we’re back with more rockets and airplanes.\n\nPropulsion Experiment 1\n\nSince Captain Obvious has a never ending supply of hot air, today’s experiment involved stringing a line across the basement (this is winter in Michigan after all) and seeing how well we could propel makeshift rockets across the room.\n\nSpace Cadet on the other hand decided to show up dressed as a dinosaur.Space Cadet\n\n\nWe Are Building A Space Agency\n\nI’m determined to give those NASA nerds a run for their money, why do those guys get to have all the fun?\n\nIt is day three of Thanksgiving break and Captain Obvious and Space Cadet need to get out of the house for a while. I explain to Captain Obvious that one of the primary missions of any space agency is Earth sciences, and that a lot of Earth based science is actually done by balloon not by rockets (much to his immediate disappointment).\n\nIt is obvious from today’s experiment that I was not thinking as far ahead as I could have. For one thing I learned that the local party store will not sell me a canister of helium, instead for $6.30 they’ll fill up six balloons for me to stuff into the car. Live and learn.\n\nMuch fun was had experimenting with drag and lift and afterwards when I asked Space Cadet what the weather observations where his reply was Not Cold.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8668750524520874}
{"content": "Smart. Sharp. Funny. Fearless.\nSaturday, December 16, 2017\n\nOn Tuesday morning, less than an hour after U.S. officials deported Guadalupe Olivas Valencia to Mexico, the 45-year-old man leapt to his death from a bridge that connects our two countries.\n\nBBC News reported witnesses describing Olivas as distressed and saying he shouted that he did not want to return to Mexico before he jumped. He was from Sinaloa, one of the most violent states in the country.\n\nIf you’re inclined to point to Olivas’ three attempts to live here illegally as evidence of his unwillingness to follow the rules, consider recasting the indictment as a question: Why would this man have tried three times to escape Mexico?\n\nAs of Tuesday afternoon, we still knew little about Guadalupe Olivas Valencia beyond the circumstances of his death. But anyone paying attention to the news and capable of even a whisper of empathy knows there is more to his story. It is not difficult to imagine his death as a harbinger of more tragedies to come.\n\nOlivas died on the same day the Department of Homeland Security released sweeping new guidelines that will most likely target for deportation millions more undocumented immigrants living in the United States. No matter how much they pay in taxes and Social Security and regardless of what they contribute to their communities, they are now more vulnerable. Something as simple as failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign can lead to one person’s deportation and the devastation of an entire family.\n\nWhen I read about Olivas’ suicide, I immediately thought of another family of immigrants I wrote about in December 2010. The parents — I called them Mary and Joe to protect their identities — and their two elder children were born in Mexico. They fled for their lives, crossing the border illegally and then paying strangers $6,000 to ride in windowless vans from Arizona to a small town in northeast Ohio. They found full-time work and brought three more children into the world.\n\nThey lived in constant fear of discovery, but they were willing to take the risk to improve the lives of their children — an American value, I was raised to believe.\n\nAs I wrote at the time, one foggy evening in 2010, Joe was driving home from work, when police pulled him over for using high-beam headlights. He was gone before his wife and children could even visit him at the police station.\n\nHis 11-year-old daughter, Emma, took his deportation the hardest. She was a bright student, but her light burned out in her father’s absence. The longer he was gone the more morose and combative she became. Mary shared her concern in phone calls with her husband, but she was trying to keep her family afloat. One afternoon, Mary left Emma to watch the younger children so that she and her eldest daughter could run errands.\n\nBy the time they returned, Emma was gone. She had coiled a cord around her neck and tied it to the banister and then slid down the stairs until she suffocated.\n\nI learned about Emma only after she had died, in an interview with Veronica Isabel Dahlberg, who is a co-founder and the executive director of HOLA, an advocacy group for the large Latino community in northeast Ohio. After reading about Olivas’ suicide on that bridge, I called Dahlberg to see how Emma’s family is doing now.\n\nAfter his daughter’s suicide, Joe made it back to his family, but only for a while. He was arrested in 2012 after he was pulled over for another traffic infraction. This time, the charge was more serious because he’d already been deported. For months, he languished in a detention cell in Youngstown, awaiting his fate. On the day of his court hearing, Feb. 28, 2013, his wife of 20 years called Dahlberg.\n\n“I could barely understand her at first,” Dahlberg said. “She was so upset.”\n\nJoe had hanged himself in his cell. He was 40 years old.\n\nDays after he died, Joe’s family — including his parents — and friends and colleagues gathered at a local funeral home to say goodbye. His death notice described him as a man who read the Bible every day and who tried to live his life by its teachings.\n\n“His greatest joy,” it read, “came from being with his family.”\n\nHe is buried next to his daughter Emma, in the small American town where he once dared to believe that his family would be safe.\n\n\nIMAGE: Mexican immigration officers talk with a man whom they suspect to be an illegal immigrant during a search operation in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico July 29, 2014. REUTERS/Alejandro Acosta/File Photo", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5756320953369141}
{"content": "Grave synonyms, grave pronunciation, grave translation, english dictionary definition of grave. Synonyms for grave at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions.\n\nWith garance marillier, ella rumpf, rabah nait oufella, laurent lucas. Define grave: dig, excavate; to carve or shape with a chisel: sculpture — grave in a sentence. Grave is defined as a location where a dead body is buried in the ground or a place where something that is broken is lying.\n\nA grave is a location where a dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is buried. Grave definition, an excavation made in the earth in which to bury a dead body. Synonyms of grave from the merriam-webster thesaurus, with definitions, antonyms, and related words. When a young vegetarian undergoes a carnivorous hazing ritual at.\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9983834028244019}
{"content": "Tracey Cleantis, LMFT, is a best-selling author, psychotherapist and speaker\n\n\n Tracey Cleantis is a leading expert on living your life to the fullest. Tracey’s deep understanding of the field of human potential is derived from her clinical experience as a therapist, writer and human potential activist. Passionate about helping others reach their fullest potential, Tracey helps people examine the ways they are holding themselves back and inspires people to take actions that are unique to their own goals, dreams and talents. Using personal story, clinical insights and understandable actions steps, Tracey can help anyone understand how to up their game, nurture themselves, and define the right dream to pursue in order to find their path to success, abundance and well-being.\n\nTracey asks you to question yourself, examine the way you live your life, and stretch to a new level of personal care while creating a truly unique life map that will guide you to where you always wished you’d be. If you haven't felt like your life is all it can be, Tracey helps you examine what you can do, why you haven't done it and how you can make things happen. Tracey truly believes that ultimately everyone can have a happy and fulfilling life.\n\nShe has a warm, funny and personal touch that gently guides you to where you need to go. Tracey, through her unique inviting style, makes deep therapeutic work approachable and real change possible. Using her considerable clinical skills, in a down to earth way, she helps her readers, clients, and audiences take simple action steps towards their real self and abundance, with dramatic results. Reading Tracey's book is like taking a journey with a wise and comforting friend. She will help you determine what is stopping you, how to fuel the next phase of success and action in your life.\n\nTracey Cleantis is a licensed marriage and family therapist with practices in Pasadena, California. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and she has trained extensively in depth/psychodynamic and analytic psychology. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, has written for Psychology Today and on her own blog at Tracey authored The Next Happy: Let Go of the Life You Planned and Find a New Way Forward (Hazelden, 2015), which received a Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review, was a finalist for The Books For a Better Life Awards, as one of the best psychology books of 2015, and made it to the Amazon Best Seller list.\n\nHer innovative and novel ideas on self-care and happiness have experts talking: Lee Woodruff, Cal Newport, Laura Munson, Jamie Cat Callan, and Melanie Notkin and others are all excitedly talking about what a unique and important distinction Tracey is making in the field of happiness. She has been featured in, among others, Redbook, Aeon, Macleans, Sojourner, Mode Magazine, Yahoo News,, Psychologies Magazine, The Daily Mail, The Daily News,, NPR Wisconsin and on Fox News Boston.\n\nTracey’s new book, An Invitation to Self-Care: Why Learning to Nurture Yourself Is the Key to the Life You've Always Wanted, 7 Principles for Abundant Living (Hazelden/Simon & Schuster) is going to create a Self-Care Revolution! This innovative book invites readers to explore how an authentic self-care practice is the secret to the life you’ve always wanted.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9953740835189819}
{"content": "Estar A La Que Salta\n\n¡Buenos Días!\n\nMy Spanish phrase of the day is:\n\nEstar a la que salta\n\nThis means to always be on the lookout for something that you can take advantage of.  It describes a person who never misses a trick.  It also has a negative meaning which is to never miss an opportunity to criticize or find fault with someone.\n\nExample Sentences:\n\nRicardo encontrará empleo pronto porque siempre está a la que salta.\n\nestás a la que salta, cada vez que me equivoco te ríes de mí. has a podcast devoted to the meaning and origin of this expression.  Click here to go to the website, or go to (episode 63).\n\n¡Hasta pronto!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6258158683776855}
{"content": "What is the role of religion in finding the meaning of life?\n\nThe next essay I am writing for the Meaning of Life course deals with the question whether religion can provide a grounding of values which make life meaningful. Here are some preliminary thoughts:\n\nWhen searching for the meaning of life, this meaning needs to be grounded to something, it needs a vehicle. A vehicle for meaning is something that carries the value, the thing that is valuable, which in turn can provide meaning. The vehicles for meaning that religion can provide are numerous, for example: the church as a community, the relationship to a god, the promise of an afterlife etcetera. To answer the question whether religion can provide a grounding of values, we need to investigate what sort of vehicle religion is, compared to non religious values systems as means for providing meaning.\n\nI believe that religion is not able to provide a solid foundation for values; religion as a foundation for meaning is a metaphysical sky-hook. It does not provide a solid foundation because it can not be rationally or empirically justified. The justification for religion is not based on rational thinking or observation, but on revelation. But, does this really matter?\n\nGödel’s Incompleteness Theorem shows that not every true statement can be proven through rational arguments. The incompleteness theorem thus leaves some space for religious and other non-rational statements to provide truth. Religious knowledge can, however, not be verified, as it is based on revelation. Revelation is a very personal experience and therefore neither open to verification nor falsification.\n\nReligion can thus not provide a solid (rational) foundation for the meaning of life\n\nRational thinking, mainly in the form of science, can, however, also not provide a solid foundation. David Hume has shown that some very basic assumptions we make about the world around us can not be rationally verified. Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem also limits the reach of rational reasoning, as not all truth can be rationally justified. Hume’s scepticism, combined with Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem shows us that science is also not able to provide a solid foundation for meaning.\n\nAfter 2,500 years of philosophical thinking we have come to a point were we are forced to realise that there are no rational justifications for the big questions (See my paper on Joske’s concept of futility).\n\nFor a lot of people, this understanding that life is essentially futile can be an agonising thought. The thought that life has no meaning whatsoever – the thought the our lives will end in blackness – has driven many people to suicide.\n\nI think this typical human condition is something we have to live with and there are basically two possible reactions. First of all we can ‘invent’ – without any rational justification – a vehicle for meaning. This is what happens in religion. If there is no rational basis for these beliefs, how can we decide which vehicle is the better one, as there is no truth criterion. The individual systems can only be justified internally, as we have no value system outside religion to make a call.\n\nThe other option is to embrace the futility and meaninglessness of life. In this option we need philosophy to be able to cope with this. Our vehicle for meaning is a metaphysical hot-air balloon – not anchored to anything – enjoying a brid-eye perspective upon life.\n\nWithout Christianity there is no Satanism\n\n\n\n\n\nSatanism and Christianity\n\n\n\n\nA portrait of Indian philosophy saint Adi Sankara.\n\nA portrait of Indian philosophy saint Adi Sankara.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Validity of Religious Experiences\n\nThe Blues Brothers having a religious experience\n\nThe Blues Brothers having a religious experience\n\nThe question of the epistemology of religious experience deals with the issue whether information obtained through religious experiences can be considered valid knowledge. For a brief introduction into different forms of religious experience, see my paper on that subject.\n\nInformation obtained through religious experiences, which I shall further refer to as Revelation, is not considered valid knowledge in contemporary society mainly because the information obtained through revelation can not be verified. Religious experience is thus a very personal experience and unique knowledge, only available to the person receiving the revelation. The receiver of the information is the only one who is able to interpret the revelation and communicates it as thus to the wider world.\n\nIn pre-industrial society power was vested in the intermediaries between the transcendent and the immanent. The Latin word Pontifex (priest) illustrates this beautifully as it also means ‘bridge’. The priest as bridge builder between the material and the spiritual worlds.\n\nKnowledge gained through revelation is unique and invests power into the person receiving that knowledge as they are the only ones capable of interpreting the information. Knowledge in this sense is esoteric, only available to a small group of people.\n\nEmpirical philosophy has, in combination with rationalism, revolutionised human knowledge of the material world. This combination has been an important and powerful tool. Where does this leave revelation? Can we simply say that revelation is not relevant and that religious experiences are mere delusions?\n\nBecause revelation is always esoteric knowledge, every experience is interpreted different, depending on the cultural and psychological dispositions of the person receiving the revelation. An important question to be asked is why a Hindu does not receive revelations concerning Jesus Christ or any other cross cultural experiences?\n\nReligious experiences are particular and esoteric. In a society where knowledge is available to anyone through empiricism (although this is not completely true as we do not all have a particle accelerator in our backyard) the Pontifex has lost his power over society as the sole interpreter of knowledge.\n\nThe consequence of this, however, is that we have thrown the baby with the bathwater by ignoring religious experience as a valid source of knowledge.\n\nI believe that religious experience can be a valid source of information to make decisions about non material things. It can people guidance about their life, which can have a very profound impact on their lives in the ‘real’ world. Religious experiences also have an effect on how we interpret the material world which shapes our world views.\n\nPrehistoric Monuments of Avebury and their Spiritual Significance\n\nAvebury is a village South of London where some of the most important Neolithic sites in Europe are located. In this paper, I will describe of some of the monuments in the area and discuss some interpretations of their use in ancient and recent days.\n\nWhat fascinated me most about these ancient monuments is that they are in use by modern day pagans. Around the area, there are left over flowers and other signs of ritual offerings by the neo-pagans. I had a vivid discussion with Sam Fleming because I do not condemn the use of Neolithic monuments for ritual use. She wrote A plea to practising pagans, an article about the ritual use by neo-pagans of ancient monuments (Fleming, 2000), an article on psychic vandalism around prehistoric monuments. Sam opposes any neo-pagan use of the monuments. Her arguments are that it causes a lot of physical as well as spiritual damage to the monuments.\n\nI will argue in this paper, that using these monuments for ritual purposes is the best way to preserve the monuments as it transforms them from mere ancient curiosities to places of meaning.\n\nWest Kennet Long Barrow\n\nWest Kennet Long Barrow.\n\nWest Kennet Long Barrow.\n\nThe West Kennet Long Barrow is one of 27 similar structures in the area. It is dated about 3,500 BC and was used in ancient times as a burial place. The barrow can be entered from the front and there are five separate chambers inside. The contents of the chambers included the bones of at least 46 individuals. Each person was represented only by a few, often scattered, fragments of bone. Many of the people buried were children or infants. It is interesting to note that young children had sufficient status in the society of ancient Avebury to qualify for burial in the tomb (Malone 1989, 76). In many other ancient and certain modern societies children below a certain age or before their formal initiation into adult society, are not considered to have enough status for inclusion in such collective burials.\n\nInside the barrow were many visible traces of the neo-pagan use of this site. This barrow, which used to be a place of death and mourning has become a contemporary temple for personal contemplation and group rituals.\n\nWest Kennet Avenue\n\nThe avenue originally consisted of about 100 pairs of standing stones. These stones form a corridor some 15 metres wide with a length of about one kilometre. The stones appear to have been carefully selected for their shape. Generally, stones of two different types are standing opposite each other. Some people interpret these as male and female stones.\n\nWest Kennet Avenue.\n\nWest Kennet Avenue.\n\nOnly a small part of the first avenue is visible today. Through the centuries, many stones have been removed to use for other, more profane purposes. Many stones have been demolished in the 17th century by religious fanatics trying to wipe out all connections with the ancient pagan way of life. On the spot where archaeologists have found traces of such demolished stones we now see small concrete markers. Thinking about all the demolition, the concrete markers are like gravestones, marking the place where the original stone once stood.\n\nSilbury Hill\n\nSilbury Hill.\n\nSilbury Hill.\n\nSilbury Hill is a remarkable feat of Neolithic civil engineering; standing almost 40 metres high and it is surrounded by a kind of moat which occasionally fills up with water. The depression is the silted up quarry for the material to build the hill. The reason the ancients built this gigantic monument is unknown to us today, and many speculative theories have been put forward: In some neo-pagan circles, this outline is believed to be a Neolithic figure of the squatting pregnant goddess with Silbury Hill itself as the fecund womb, giving birth to all things. To some Silbury Hill is a giant sundial or even a natural battery (Crystal, 2004).\n\nNone of these neo-pagan interpretations have a direct link with the intentions of the original builders of the site. They should be viewed as to give new meaning to these structures, within the context of neo-pagan religion. Attaching new meaning to these old monuments is a good way of dealing with ancient sites like this. It certainly gives the place more depth and interest as when one just looks at it as some gigantic Neolithic civil engineering project. The neo-pagan explanations of Avebury are contemporary mythology, countering the disenchantment of our technological world.\n\nAvebury Henge and Stone Circles\n\nAvebury henge.\n\nAvebury henge.\n\nThe great circle is formed by a deep henge with a ditch on the inside. The irregular circle has a diameter of approximately 350 metres. The shape formed by the ditch is no way near the geometric perfection of the more recent Stonehenge circle, but more like an amorphous ‘D’ shape, divided by two causeway entrances into four unequal arcs. The bank on the outside of the ditch is also very irregular at the top and curls itself like a serpent around the village. On the inside of the ditch, there used to be a stone circle with erected stones, but most of these stones have disappeared. Inside the great circle, there are two separate smaller circles. Inside each of these circles, there are also erected stones. The original function of the monument is not known and just as in the case of the Silbury Hill; many speculations have been made about the role and use of the circles. The irregular shape of the circle rules out any astronomical function, like the Stone-henge circle. It most likely was used as a central meeting place for the community to celebrate festivals and perform rituals.\n\nInside one of the circles used to be a big stone called ‘the obelisk’, the original stone has disappeared and is now replaced by a concrete marker. The marker is the focus some neo-pagan activity. Quite a few small crystals, gemstones and other objects are put near the stone, as some offering. We can never know the original meaning of these monuments, but by using them in our way in present time, we can bring them back to life and turn these monuments into places of meaning instead of tourist attractions to keep people from being bored for a day or so. If we only rely on the scientific perspective of these monuments, then we can also easily be detached from them.\n\nAn ethical perspective\n\nNeo-pagan offering in West Kennet Long Barrow.\n\nNeo-pagan offering in West Kennet Long Barrow.\n\nUsing ancient monuments for neo-pagan rituals is a controversial subject. In modern society, we all agree that preserving ancient monuments is imperative and there are many reasons we do this.\n\nAbsolute preservation of monuments is impossible. Everything in the universe is subjected to decay and also megaliths will eventually crumble and disappear. But this damage is inevitable and therefore has to be accepted. Human usage of the monuments causes the greatest damage to any monument. In the case of the Neolithic monuments around Avebury, there are three different users: visitors, archaeologists and neo-pagans.\n\nArchaeologists who research the sites and excavate artefacts from its soil cause considerable damage to the sites. Contemporary archaeologists, therefore, try to unearth as less as possible. The earth is an archive, but paradoxically, by ‘reading’ it, one has to destroy its original configuration. Inherent destruction through research is an ethical dilemma all archaeologists have to consider. One has to balance the benefits of scientific knowledge between the destruction of the original configuration of artefacts. To reduce the adverse effects of excavation, they are done in an extremely careful way, trying to record as much as possible. But one is never able to record everything and destruction is inevitable.\n\nCulture is, always has been and always will be, a continuous process of destruction and creation. When performing neo-pagan rituals, we cause damage. The benefits of pagan rituals to our culture are more important than the damage caused by these activities.\n\nPhysical damage should, however, always be avoided, don’t leave rubbish behind, don’t make drawings on rocks or perform any other intentional damaging act. Leave nothing but footprints and take only photographs is a rule of thumb that applies very much to the monuments and their use in neo-pagan ritual.\n\nSpiritual damage\n\nSam Fleming (2000) writes in her article A Plea to Practising Pagans that neo-pagan use of ancient monuments also causes spiritual damage. She writes how the ‘feel’ of a popular site like Stonehenge has deteriorated. She writes:\n\n“Thus, for me, Stonehenge, while being an undeniably powerful place, has too many decades of tourism and strife etched into its original pattern, and I cannot feel the call of the Mother Goddess at Avebury, for the pattern is irreparably cracked and fractured and I suffer intense headaches whenever I am near the inner circle.”\n\nUsing an ancient site for ritual does change the energy of the place. But also this is inevitable like the physical deterioration. Ancient energies disappeared, even long before there was any neo-pagan activity. It is a romantic illusion trying to maintain the spiritual energy of ancient cultures. All we can attempt is to reconstruct these cultures and seek to learn from this, although every reconstruction will be laced with 21st-century cultural influences. The original intent of these monuments is lost forever.\n\nSome final thoughts\n\nIt is impossible to make reliable inductions about the belief systems of the people who have built the ancient monuments. Most theories of ancient religion are based on analogies with modern day primal cultures as interpreted by anthropologists who have studied them.\n\nThe ideological subsystem of a long gone culture can be reconstructed by studying primal cultures which are still around today and comparing the known aspects of the ancient culture with the contemporary one, assuming that, cetis paribus, when the material elements are the same the ideological subsystem will be similar.\n\nWe must guard not to confuse the scientific reality of what we can know for sure about the ancient past and modern day interpretations. They both have their value but only together they can help towards a better understanding of our world. The photo below shows a contemporary work of art, designed by Robert Morris. The work is called Observatory and is inspired by ancient monuments such as Avebury and Stonehenge. For this monument, we do know the intentions of the artist who designed it. Morris clearly stipulated that this object is merely a work of art and should both be used in a ‘practical’ way for any ritual by neo-pagans. The intention of the work is to experience a sense of space when walking through it.\n\nRobert Morris, Observatory (1977), Flevoland, the Netherlands\n\nRobert Morris, Observatory (1977), Flevoland, the Netherlands\n\nSome people also try to re-live the ancient times by constructing their stone circles. Go to the website of the Geo Group to find out more on this subject. How will future archaeologists and other enthusiasts interpret these objects? Will future neo-pagans write about mysterious cultures and magic rituals held at these sites? Ancient monuments have become new spiritual places with an almost entirely different function as in the ancient days.\n\nLearning about the roots of Western culture, our pagan heritage, we can redeem a some of the mistakes that have been made in the name of Christianity (which is based on Judaic and Hellenistic concepts, rather then our own cultural history) of the past fifteen hundred years.\n\n\n  • Bouquet, Comparative religion (Penguin Books 1962).\n  • Dames, Michael, The Silbury Treasure: The Great Goddess Rediscovered (Thames and Hudson, London, 1978).\n  • Fleming, Samantha, A plea to practising pagans, www.ravenfamily.org (2000).\n  • Geo Group: Contemporary stone circles, www.geo.org.\n  • Malone, Cardine, Avebury (English Heritage 1989).\n  • Crystal, Ellie, Silbury Hill.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9476981163024902}
{"content": "I am a complete noob at guitar, I learned how to read the chords. I do not know how to practice changing chords, and I do not know which ones are the beginner practice songs and which ones are not.\nChanging chords become very simple after practice. A good way to practice this technique is by holding down your fingers in one chord formation and then changing them to another. Do it slowly at first but then after a while gradually pick up the pace.\nHi! I'm also starting to learn how to play a guitar. The easiest way how to learn:\n1. get some list of 50-60 chords and how to play them\n2. Play how many song a day as you can\n3. step-by-step learn about theory...\n\nI think the most imortant steps are 1 and 2 in the beginning. You need to get a feeling of rythm and strong but precise grip for playing nice chords. I suggest for playing in the beginning songs e.g. in D major. It's easy to play the chords in them\n(mostly D,G,Am,C...). E.g.:\nBryan Adams- Cloud number nine\nEagles- Tequila sunrise or Lying eyes\nTom Jones- Green grass of home\nUriah heep- Lady in black...\n\nAnd after some time harder and harder song. For example after this\nyou can try to play R.E.M.- losing my religion. It's not to hard but it has\nsome more chords to change during it. And you'll need to try playing chords\nwith usin barre (like F here)\nI hope the elders agree with me. If not... I'm still young. I'm playing just for 3 weeks\nyou can go to youtube and learn there\n\njust search the internet\n\nwere just the same now but the more passion you have the more you will go pro\ntheres also lessons on this site. and chord chart..and do read up on your theory. just take it easy. major and minor chords. if u learn to fast u might learn something wrong and/or learn something sloppy. but like dude man said up there lol G...A...C...E...D once u get the hang of things work on F and all the variations for these chords.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9760794639587402}
{"content": "I got this b.c. rich neck in, the fingerboard is ruined, i think someoen tried to scallop two of the frets, or something, anyways its ****ed. I am thinking of removing he frets and running it through the jointer until its close to gone.... steaming could be bad as it could cause the neck to warp.\nRemove the frets and carefully bandsaw it close than use a chisel (best if it's not a good one) to dig the truss rod out and double sticky tape a piece of wood to the back and run it through the planer. It works perfect.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.930479109287262}
{"content": "Can the EU develop a concerted mechanism for union wide economic convergence?\n\n\nMany of the eurozone’s peripheral economies are now forced to implement strong austerity measures. Unless the private sectors of these countries are able to soak up the slack caused by cuts in public expenditure,  these economies may suffer from negative growth and deflation for years, thereby also deflating their national debt. Moreover, even if the southern countries succeeded in stabilising their budgets and debt levels, none of the underlying problems that caused the crisis are being solved. The structural differences among EU’s economies still remain. If the southern economies don’t diversify from their dominant low productivity sectors such as agriculture and real-estate to higher productivity sectors, there is nothing that will stop inflation from creeping into them again in the future.\n\nIs structural development likely in the southern economies? Can the EU develop a concerted mechanism for union wide economic convergence? Is transnational fiscal policy the solution? Should industrial policy be introduced at the EU-level? What would be the pros and cons involved with such a move from social, political and economic perspectives?  Can the productivity gaps between the core and periphery be closed to rein in asymmetric inflation pressures within the monetary union?\n\nRelated Stories\n\n  Big Data, the process of transforming different aspects of life in digital format has transformed the...\n4 years 33 weeks ago\nWhen reflecting on the Eurozone debt crisis, it is important to remember that while Portugal, Greece and...\n6 years 21 weeks ago", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9889365434646606}
{"content": "Q. What is the process for enrolling in a therapeutic riding program?\n\nA. Sojourn’s process is as follows:\n\n  1. After a request is received, Sojourn will send an application package that must be completed, as well as a Client Handbook.\n  2. Once the forms are completed, we schedule an evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether our program is appropriate for each individual’s specific needs.\n  3. Once accepted, Sojourn will do its best to place the riding student with a group of students of similar age.\n\nQ. What happens once the rider is accepted into the program?\n\nA. The initial evaluation is used as a benchmark for creating an individualized plan for the rider. Goals are set and reviewed every 3 months. The goals may be educational, social, behavioral or a combination. Lessons are planned that support the goals. At the end of the three months, the rider is assessed and new goals are created.\n\nQ. What does a typical riding session look like?\n\nA. Each session is approximately 30 - 40 minutes. Sessions begin with mounting the horse, riding the horse for ½ hour, dismounting, and grooming. All riders must wear ASTM/SEI approved riding helmets (provided) for ALL equestrian activities, including ground work such as grooming. We also provide certified riding vests for additional safety. What may vary in a “typical” riding session are individual goals. We may have a group of 3 or 4 riders and our lessons are designed to cover the goals essential to each rider.\n\nQ. Does insurance pay for therapeutic riding?\n\nA. It’s up to the individual insurance company, but as a general rule, therapeutic riding is not covered by insurance, but it is in your child's best interest to always ask. In some instances, hippotherapy is covered if a licensed therapist can bill it as a regular therapy session. Sojourn does not offer hippotherapy and is strictly a therapeutic riding facility.\n\nQ. What is the cost of Sojourn's therapeutic riding program?\n\nA. The cost for Sojourn is as follows:\n\n  1. $50.00 Assessment Fee. The assessment involves: a) parent/client interview b) riding assessment c) goal setting WITH parent and/or client. This is a one time fee for new riders.  STARTING JANUARY 2017, Assesment Fee will be $75.\n  2. PRIVATE LESSONS are $360.00 for a 6 session package. Sessions are designated on given dates/times. Sessions are 30 - 40 minutes, which includes a 1/2 hour saddle time - plus grooming and tacking if appropriate for the student.      STARTING JANUARY 2017 PRIVATE LESSONS are $600.00 for a 6 session package.             \n  3. GROUP LESSONS (2 or more students) are $180 per 6 session package. The lessons are 30 - 40 minutes and also include 1/2 hour saddle time.   STARTING JANUARY 2017 GROUP LESSONS (2 or more students) are $240 per 6 session package. \n  4. Payments must be made by the second session. A $10.00 processing fee is added for sessions that are paid in halves of two payments. This will be effective April 1, 2011.\n  5. Sojourn does not offer make-up sessions except in extreme emergencies or due to Sojourn cancellations (severe weather).\n  6. Families with more than one student riding in a block will be charged $180.00 for the first group lesson and $150.00 for each additional student or lesson. STARTING JANUARY 2017 Families with more than one student riding in a block will be charged $240.00 for the group lesson and $200.00 for each additional student or lesson. \n  7. Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card.  An additional $8 processing fee will be added to payments made by credit card. \n\n\nQ. How can I support, further, my child's riding experiences at home?\n\nA. We, at Sojourn, have developed a safe site for our riding students. We are a professional site located on Facebook. Our site contains pictures and videos. Three administrators manage Sojourn's site (Claire/Volunteer; Ken/Media Manager; Barbara/Owner & Manager). Administrators determine who may be invited into the site. This affords our students and their families the opportunity to interact in a safe environment with individuals who share a common interest - HORSES! This is a great way to encourage reading and written communication skills and something parents can do with their child, again, in a safe environment.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9910405278205872}
{"content": "Friday, January 13, 2017\n\nEuropean Literature Notes 1/13/17\n\nRead Chapters 4-10 of Jane Eyre\n\nVocabulary (Chapters 1-10) and Reading Quizzes on Tuesday\n\nPay Attention to How Bronte makes you feel what she makes you feel.\n\nHonors Notes 1/13/17\n\nClass Notes: 1/13/17:  \n-       Complete: Comma II + III\n-       Know nuts and bolts of Siegfried (next myth in the packet, not sure if this is how you spell it - Luzia)\n Difference between Clause and Phrase: Clause has a predicate and a subject\n                                                                       Phrase lacks either one\n\nConjunction words: and, or, if, but, then, so\nTypes of sentences:\n-       Simple\n-       Complex\n-       Compound\n-       Compound Complex\n\nQuestions Stewie asks in the College Bowl:\n-       Who is the god that over comes Uranus?\n-       How does gnothi seaton, early psychology, and anthropomorphic fit together?\no   Gods personified human boundaries that we self imposed \n\nGnothi SEEton how good my puns are\nMEMEden Agan\n\nMans reach should exceed his grasp, or else why would we have a heaven?”\n- Robert Browning\n\nThursday, January 12, 2017\n\nHonors 9 Notes 1/12/17\n\nClass Notes: 1/12/17\n-       Complete: Comma 1+2\n-       Know nuts and bolts of Heracles\n\n  (Luzia thinks taking notes on every little thing said in the college bowl is pointless, as you can probably answer all the questions just by reading the myth, but if we get to anything that is not empirical (main themes, symbolism, or any other literary devices) I will take extra thorough notes. Sorry!)\n\nThere is currently a brief pause in the lesson so I’m going to type out my favorite joke:\n\nA horse walks into a bar and says to the bartender “can I have a drink?” The Bartender says “are you an alcoholic?” and the horse says “I think not!” and POOF he disappears!\nNow at this point in time all the philosophy students in the class start giggling because they are familiar with “cognito ergo sum” or “I think therefore I am”\nBut to explain this concept a forehand would have been putting DesCARTES before the horse\n\nQuestions Stewart asks during the college bowl:\n\n-       Hera tried to kill Heracles how?\n-       How does Heracles deal with the two snakes?\n-       Why does Hera want him dead?\n-       Why does Heracles’s latin name miss the poignancy\no   Because he’s the son of Zeus who is married to Hera, and is a living embarrassment to her\n-       What teacher did Heracles not like?\n-       What did he knock Linus dead with?\n-       How long did he have to complete the labors?\n-       What is the problem in doing the first labor?\n-       What did Prometheus have to wear? And Why?\n-       What did Prometheus do for mankind?\no   Fire: what does it symbolize\nLight, knowledge, wisdom, power, imagination, creativity, warmth- better the symbol the more possibilities it leaves open to interpretation\n-       What is the name of the underworld?\n-       What are the twelve labors?\n-       What’s the name of the three headed dog?\n-       What’s the channel named that he created?\n-       In that labor, who tries to help, and then Heracles shoots her?\n-       Explain what is funny about the god sends Heracles to be a slave to another god?\n-       Why does Queen Ophalia free him?\n\nEuro Lit Notes 1/12/17\n\nImportant information in red\nStudent commentary in blue\nNotes in black\nVocabulary in green\n\nPick up Jane Eyre reading schedule. Chapters 1-3 for 1/13. Quiz tomorrow.\nNo school next Monday. Vocab quiz on Chapters 1-9. Possible second quiz on Chapters 4-10\nRead the vocab list before you do the reading.  Try to incorporate the vocabulary into your own writing.\n\n Background Information\n\nThe novel became a big literary form during the Romantic Period.\nThere will be a voluntary, impromptu essay for Jane Eyre. \n\"Cultivate our Garden\" is stoical realism.\n Romantics were idealists. \nFrench Revolution took place during the Romantic Period\n\nEssay Notes\n\nCharlotte Bronte is more than a Romantic Period writer\nThe object correlative is a way of eliciting emotion in in the reader by using objective things to convey the emotion to the reader.\nMotifs are phrases or images that are repeated throughout the work. \nJane Eyre is a bildungsroman, written in a detached first person\nSymbolism is everywhere\nFive settings will be symbolic\n\nRomantic Poetry College Bowl Part II!\n\nRomantic thought feeds into existentialist philosophy\nRomantic thought seems to suppose that nature is subservient to humanity. It could also be viewed as a dominance of humans over the earth or a fruitful partnerships between humans and nature.  \nThe pattern of succession from Uranus to Cronus is exemplified in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein\nRomantic thought asks when did we become separated from nature? \n\nWednesday, January 11, 2017\n\nHonors 9 Assignment 1/11/17\n\nComplete the Capitalization Review\n\nRead \"Heracles\" and know Nuts and Bolts\n\nEuro Lit Notes 1/11/17\n\nImportant notes in red\nStudent commentary in blue\nCollege words in green\nNotes in black\n\nHomework tonight: finish Romantic Poetry study guide \nWe'll start reading Jane Eyre next Thursday. Expect to multitask with art and architecture.\nThere will be two vocabulary quizzes during Jane Eyre\n\n\"Cultivate our Garden\" Discussion\n\nCandide's paradigm changed. He changed his paradigm because of everything that happened to him. He changed his paradigm with great difficulty. Voltaire had Candide change his paradigm in that way because he wants us to abandon paradigm thinking and do something about all of the evil in the world.\nSt. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas were two of the premier philosophers of the Medieval Age.\nThe Medieval Era of philosophy was concerned with human agency and the problem of evil.\nCrash Course Philosophy did several videos on answers to the problem of evil. If you're interested in some of the arguments in the discussion, that is a good place to start. An argument regarding how evil and an omnipotent, omniscient, all loving God could coexist is called a \"theodicy.\" \n\nRomantic Poetry College Bowl\n\n\"Taciturn\" means quiet and shy.\n\"Tantamount\" means short of, next to. \nRomantic poetry is paradoxical in that it is written for an audience that is holed up in dusty old libraries, telling them to get outside. \nEnjoyment of poetry lies in abiding in it and enjoying it. If you are disliking reading something, whether poetry, a novel, a play, or an essay, try reading it once as you would if you were going to read it for pleasure or engagement. Then read it a second time to answer the questions.\n\"Kubla Khan\" was written due to an opium-induced dream.\nProtagoras said \"Man is the measure of all things.\"\nRomanticism is a reversal of the above statement: \"Nature measures man\" \nHow does nature measure man?\n\nTuesday, January 10, 2017\n\nEuro Lit Notes 1/10/17\n\nImportant stuff in red\nStudent commentary in blue\nNotes in black\n\nOn the study guide, title the poem and then number the questions. Full Monty optional\nStudy guide for \"The Tables Turned,\" \"Kubla Khan,\" \"She Walks in Beauty,\" \"The Cloud\" due tomorrow while the others are due on Thursday\n\nRomantic Period Introduction\n\nRomantic Period is predominantly Hobbesian.\nOnly fifty years long but the most important literary period.\nAfter Candide, we'll read Jane Eyre, then Damien,\nRomantic artists dealt with ideals and possibilities. Democracy and the individual are the primary focus. Poetry is huge in the Romantic Period. Short stories (from Edgar Allen Poe in the United States) and the novel come along. \nThe Industrial Revolution reinforced the idea that society was evil.\nRomanticism was focused with the extraordinary.\nIdealization of women would influence Carl Gustav Jung's archetypal psychology. \nDamien is Neo-Romantic\n\nCandide Chapter 30\n\n At the beginning of the chapter, all of the members of the party are unhappy. \nCandide learns from the old man that in order to have the best of all possible worlds, he has to work to make it better. If he does nothing, things will never get any better.\nVoltaire is Aristotelian, positing that happiness is to be found in an activity, rather than a destination.\nVoltaire is trying to get his readers to abandon the notion of stoical optimism so that they might try to improve their world through work.\nBertrand Russel says the opposite, that happiness does not in fact lie in work but in leisure time.\nVoltaire thinks that it doesn't matter what philosophy one holds so long as they work to improve the world.\nCandide becomes a man when he begins to improve himself.\n\nCandide Discussion\n\nThe main takeaway from the novel that Voltaire wants us to get is that because we are conscious of the evil going on in the world, we have a moral duty to work to improve it. \nTo cultivate our garden means to improve ourselves through physical and mental exercise.\nThe use of the word \"our\" is meant to shift the focus from the individual to the society. \n\nHonors 9 Notes 1/10/17\n\n1/10/17: Class Notes\n\nEight Parts of Speech: Noun, Adjective, Adverb, Verb, Conjunction, pronoun, punctuation, interjections, preposition   \n\nCollege Bowl: Theseus\n                                                Central Theme:\n\nSymbolism- The white/black flag\n-       Black: Darkness, fear, danger, night, vulnerable, space, unknown, blind, mourning, evil\n-       White:\n\nTheseus displays Homeric pattern: After Theseus accomplished his goals he got so caught up in his pride he forgot to pay the price\nAdvice from the Seagull: Use your enemies size against them- Use their advantage to your advantage", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9993932247161865}
{"content": "Consider the middle class tax cut extension officially held hostage\n\nby pdxblake\n\nOn the politics of the tax cut extension (outsourced to TPM):\n\nFaced with this implicit filibuster threat, Reid’s challenge is to convince at least 50 members of his 53-member caucus to vote to extend middle-income tax cuts, and other tax benefits targeted at middle class voters. He’s already signaled he’s rounded them up. That won’t be enough to force a floor debate on the issue — but it gives Democrats a specific vote they can point voters to and validate their election-year argument that Republicans are so committed to preserving low marginal tax rates for wealthy Americans that they’d rather let everyone’s taxes go up instead.\n\nSo, just so we’re straight here, there are 50 votes (plus Joe Biden as tie breaker) ready to pass an extension of the Bush tax cuts, except for those on the wealthiest, in the 100 member Senate, and it can’t pass because (like on everything these days), the Republicans are abusing the filibuster to require a 60 vote majority to pass anything!\n\nMaybe it’s time to get rid of democracy, and replace it with something invented by the private sector.\n\nFor actual commentary on the Bush tax cuts, check out a few earlier posts.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6772518157958984}
{"content": "Heikki Patomäki – On the conditions of successful social democratic alternatives\n\nEU Politics Section Logo\n\nGlobalisation has ravaged the economies and societies in the industrialised world. Uneven growth and deindustrialisation are causing political turmoil. The left, trapped in a limited territorial state, is likely to fail even if it wins national elections, unless it succeeds in globalising democratic politics. Patomäki calls also for breaking “the gap between routine production and established privileges, on the one hand, and emerging areas and forms of the economy, on the other. This should the true goal of structural reforms; not free markets but emancipated and self-determining humans.” In the end he, like so many others, comes to the conclusion that wealth has to be justly taxed, but things seem to be going in the other direction.\n\nHeikki Patomäki is a Political Economist at theUniversity of Helsinki and civic activist. His new book, Disintegrative Tendencies in Global Political Economy, is appearing in October 2017 published byRoutledge.\n\n\nCapital and wealth in their various forms roam ever more freely in the liberal world economy, whereas state-powers are confined to limited territories and labour remains rooted in states. This asymmetry has resulted in a shift in power-relations. The outcome accords with Michał Kalecki’s classic analysis. Business leaders and capitalists have succeeded in creating circumstances under which policies depend on their confidence; the scope of free markets has been maximized; and hierarchical power-relations in the workplace have been intensified.\n\nSimultaneously, the rise of China and other BRICS and Asian countries, and the relocation of industry across borders, has hastened deindustrialization in many parts of Europe and North America. Data suggests that automation has been more important than relocation when measured in terms of loss of jobs in manufacturing. This does not mean that relocations and globalization are unimportant, for globalization affects power-relations. To retain industrial activities in Europe as much as possible, the EU and its member states have resorted to steeper hierarchies in the work place, have tried to reduce costs via “labour market flexibility”, and have resorted to deflationary free market economic policies. Together these measures have created a tendency toward a downward spiral in socio-economic developments.\n\nMany countries that used to belong to the periphery of the world economy are growing fast. In China and partly in India economic expansion has generated a virtuous circle between output and productivity; productivity growth is correlated with the expanding output driven by high demand for exports. Uneven developments are transforming what is core and what is periphery in the world economy, while the world economy as whole grows more slowly than before. In China and elsewhere in Asia, the virtuous circle of expansion may dominate, but not forever. Future crises will affect also Asia. The process of uneven growth will take new shapes over time.\n\nWith the euro crisis of the 2010s, a third world style debt crisis landed in Europe. As in many developing countries in the 1980s and 1990s, structural adjustment policies have augmented the direct effects of the debt crisis. The characteristic effects of neoliberal globalization and deindustrialization, involving unemployment and the precarisation of work with rising inequalities, have fuelled political turmoil. Existential insecurity and the lack of hope feed aggressive identity politics.\n\nWhat is to be done?\n\nThe dynamic processes of the world economy shape conditions everywhere. Actors participate in bringing about and steering global political economy processes in various, but often short-sighted and contradictory ways.\n\nThe left, trapped in a limited territorial state, is likely to fail even if it wins national elections. On the one hand, left-alternatives are usually unpopular among business-leaders. Institutional mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that policies depend on business-confidence. Capital and wealth can exit from a state in many different ways and they can also shape public perceptions. On the other hand, the pursuit of competitiveness and attempts to export unemployment and other problems to other countries quickly become contradictory when everyone tries to do the same. For instance, to the extent that corporate tax cuts have a positive effect on the level of real investments in one country, it will likely do so at the expense of other countries.\n\nThere is no reason, however, to refrain from pursuing alternatives within the EU and its member states, provided that feedback effects through the whole of the world economy are properly understood. Moreover, the problem of asymmetric power-relations must be addressed. Industrial production for world markets is crucial, but the left must avoid trying to increase demand for EU goods and services at the expense of other countries. To the extent possible, the game must be made positive-sum for all parties, preferably by institutional means. This does not preclude acknowledging for example that China’s underconsumption is a global problem.\n\nSelective reindustrialization and public investments\n\nThe EU and its member states should first of all engage in selective reindustrialization. This means more investments. The level of output and employment depend on the amount of investment; and the amounts of factors of production are not given but depend on the level of investments. Since the beginning of the global financial crisis and the consequent recession, EU investment levels remain some 15% below their short-range peak in 2008. Eurozone investment was about 26% of GDP in 1991 and 19% in 2016. Also for example financialization has reduced investments. While it is inevitable that industrial employment will continue to decline, it is possible to reindustrialise partway through large-scale public investments, geared toward missions that matter and are sustainable also ecologically.\n\nThe social-democratic project involves creating full fiscal capacities for the EU. The EU budget must be increased also in order to create redistributive systems such as regional policies, a European minimum wage, and unemployment benefit schemes. Essential transformations of the EU require changing the EU Treaty. A cosmopolitan and democratic solution would be to convene an Assembly of directly elected citizens’ representatives. However, because immediately implementable reform proposals must be consistent with the EU Treaty, at least in the next 3-5 years, increases in public investments must come largely from member states.\n\nAn ambitious but feasible target would be to increase investment by 5% of the EU GDP, of which 3-4% would be coming from member states, 1-2% from the EU. To make this possible, public investments must be exempted from the deficit spending rules. Until the EU Treaty is changed, EU-level investment programmes can rely on creative arrangements involving central bank funding, such as those proposed “modestly” by Yanis Varoufakis, Stuart Holland and James Galbraith. Moreover, through the enhanced cooperation procedure, groups of member states can implement European taxes benefitting special funds established for a particular purpose.\n\nInvestments can generate new qualities and abilities. As Mariana Mazzucato stresses in her widely acclaimed book, The Entrepreneurial State, and other publications, strategic public investments and policies should aim at creating and shaping productive powers and markets. The creation of production-powers and markets can also be achieved through “mission-oriented investments that led to putting a man on the moon and are currently galvanizing green innovation”.\n\nGlobal context matters, determining the conditions of success for alternatives\n\nOne indication of the effects of globalization is that states’ power to tax corporations and wealth has eroded. Corporate tax has fallen dramatically (tens of percent) in most countries. In addition, large multinational companies and wealthy individuals engage in aggressive “tax planning”, which further reduces tax revenues. Collective action and institution-building are indispensable to counter these trends and tendencies.\n\nCorporate taxation is now under discussion in the EU, with concrete proposals on the table. The Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) would to a large degree abolish harmful corporate tax planning within Europe by creating a single set of rules for how corporations operating within the European Union calculate their EU taxes. A more ambitious version of that proposal would involve an agreement on a common minimum corporate tax rate – say 30% – which is substantially higher than the average corporate tax rate in the EU. The states participating in the CCCTB could treat a part of the revenues as a common tax even in the absence of treaty-change.\n\nThe problem is of course not only European but global, so the CCCTB is best conceived as a part of more general attempt to tackle global corporate power and value chains. A left-cosmopolitan European Union would also take part in building new worldwide institutions. Consider the case of trade. Many states are committed to improving their current account balance by enhancing their “competitiveness”, often simply by means of lowering export prices. Yet current account deficits and surpluses cancel each other out and, moreover, attempts to increase cost competitiveness through internal devaluation tend to prove contradictory due to decreasing effective demand. What is needed to overcome this contradiction is a collective mechanism through which world trade surpluses and deficits are automatically balanced through tax-and-transfer; and a global central bank that can issue global reserve money.\n\nAs local and global struggles are closely interwoven, it is necessary to increase and intensify political collaboration across the world. This process involves support for workers’ rights and trade unionization on a planetary scale, both out of solidarity and to increase global aggregate demand. Better working conditions and salaries, for example to the Chinese workers, would mean less reasons for capital relocation and more demand for European goods and services in China. Deepened global political cooperation could over time lead to the formation of new kinds of actors.\n\nOr consider the universal right to high-quality education, which could be facilitated by various global means, including global tax revenues. The practical realization of this kind of universal right to education can be seen (i) as an attempt to build human capital as the basis of sustainable growth, (ii) as an attempt to speed up the process of demographic transition, (iii) as a mechanism for global redistribution, and (iv) as an example of what enlightenment and global solidarity can mean in the 21st century.\n\nTrust, existential security and hope\n\nThe aim of the social-democratic and socialist left should be to reverse the current EU strategy of growth. Power-relations can be democratized; personal employment paths can be made more secure; and industrial and other policies can actively shape political economy development in the desired direction. The göal is to create an upward spiral of virtuous developments. This spiral must be grounded in existential security and trust, encouraging hope for better futures.\n\nThe aim of proactive economic policies is to stimulate investments, create capacity and increase output and thus reduce unemployment, which is major source of insecurity. A sufficiently high-level basic income for all European citizens would further diminish dependence on unstable markets. Also participation in processes of collective will-formation can generate trust and existential security.\n\nHope is, in part, based on the promise of fulfilling people’s higher needs, including: belonging to a community, gaining recognition from others, and realising autonomously set purposes. After a certain amount, more consumption does not increase well-being. When Keynes envisioned life after capitalism in his 1930 essay “Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren”, he argued that “it will be those peoples, who can keep alive, and cultivate into a fuller perfection, the art of life itself and do not sell themselves for the means of life, who will be able to enjoy the abundance when it comes.” Keynes argued that capitalist profit-motive will fade away as historically unnecessary. This will not happen automatically, however.\n\nIn a just society, work is organized so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy communality, recognition and at least some self-realization in their work and participate in the public definition of activities and goals. The essential question is: how should we organise relations of production? The long-standing but unresolved debate between the advocates of hierarchy and democracy has revolved around efficiency. There are always many possible and plausible ways of organising things, also from the point of view of efficiency.\n\nWe can learn from of world history. In the absence of practical skills and widespread virtues of participation, democratic experiments may fail. Moreover, they tend to evoke movements of counter-reformation. Thus for instance the democratic experiments realised in many universities around the world have, by the 2010s, been replaced by New Public Management managerial hierarchies, relying on hierarchical capitalist corporations as their inspiration and model.\n\nThe German social democrat Eduard Bernstein defined “socialism as a movement towards – or the state of – an order of society based on the principle of association.” This idea was also at the heart of Marx’s vision. Ultimately, social democracy aims at building society around voluntary partnership and democratic cooperation rather than competition. The question is: how to achieve a maximally open space for cooperative and democratic experimentation?\n\nOne possibility is the negotiated involvement model of relations of production, which involves workers directly intervening in the introduction of a process. This would provide functional flexibility of working practices instead of neo-liberal flexibility of wages and working conditions. Efficiency and innovations could be sought also in terms of breaking the gap between routine production and new emerging sectors of the economy and by means of deeper institutional experimentation.\n\nConsequences of “Baumol’s disease”\n\nThe potential for economic growth is gradually diminishing also because of what is known as “Baumol’s disease”. Economist William J. Baumol realised in the 1960s that the share of services in the economy is growing. This is the other side of the coin of deindustrialisation. In many service sectors, labour productivity does not rise at all; while in others only a little. Music training today takes just as long as it did a hundred years ago and almost as many barbers are needed today as before to keep 100 people’s hair neat.\n\nBaumol’s solution in his well-known 1960’s study was to increase the relative funding of sectors where labour productivity does not increase. As many of the services are best produced publicly, this means the expansion of the relative share of the public part of the economy. According to many indicators, gravitation toward social services, health, education and research means an increase in welfare.\n\nAgriculture and manufacturing will employ an ever smaller proportion of people. For example in Germany the share of employment in manufacturing has already declined from 40% in 1970 to 20% in 2016. Yet industry is critically important because of the benefits of economies of scale and increasing labour productivity. It is essential to retain industrial know-how as widely and deeply as possible. Growth comes from the diversity and complexity of production, enabling the development of new industries.\n\nH.G. Wells envisaged a century ago, in his Outline of History first published in 1920, a future world in which “perhaps 10% of the adult population will, at some point or another in their lives, be workers in the world’s educational organization”. Today we could set a new target: at least 10% of the adult population will work at universities or research institutes for a major part of their working lives. Part of this group will train future engineers and architects and develop new technologies.\n\n\nAgainst the hierarchies of corporate power and entrenchment of privileges, the left must find ways to democratise relations of production, work organizations and systems of global governance. The new social democratic programme combines employment, transforming society’s power structures and economic efficiency. The left programme includes ways to break the gap between routine production and established privileges, on the one hand, and emerging areas and forms of the economy, on the other. This should the true goal of structural reforms; not free markets but emancipated and self-determining humans.\n\nThe point is to increase domestic European demand and improve the quality and attractiveness of European commercial goods and services in world markets in a non-contradictory way, bearing in mind the generalisability of actions and global aggregate efficient demand. Moreover, democratisation of globalization is a condition for progress anywhere. As also phenomena such as nuclear weapons and climate change show, the destiny awaiting us is now common to all. Global solidarity can and will find new manifestations, from trade union solidarity to global political parties.\n\nIt is the collective history of humankind that has enabled our current average level of material and immaterial consumption. We are all standing on the shoulders of the past generations and depend on the multitude of our contemporaries. This suggests a major degree of socialization of the output from large-scale production. A major step in that direction would be a considerably high global tax on wealth and capital.\n\n1 Comment\n\n  1. Many good ideas proposed though in the absence of the presuppositions that could render them possible. ”Public investment” is so much necessary but its idea has been discredited by the ubiquity of the neoliberal mindset in favour of the deification of the market institution (to which social-democratic discourse has contributed greatly). ‘Public investment’ presupposes a domain of democratic politics within nation-states whose economic policies have not been captured by corporate interests.\n    ”Selective reindustrialisation” presumably supposes a concerted, planned pan-European industrial policy otherwise it merely accentuates national competitions. It also highlights a contradiction. As the author says ”automation” rather than ‘relocation’ is responsible for the jobs’ s loss. Hence ‘reindustrialisation’ will aggravate loss of jobs through robotisation. Provision of employment ought to be a high value in a self-conscious, self-determining society, not a side-effect of ‘growth’ (which tends to be jobless). Lastly, a reference to the social and solidarity economy as an alternative model of organising production relations should have been made.\n\nLeave a Reply\n\nYour email address will not be published.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8694250583648682}
{"content": "A grammar lesson with Mr Gwynne\nMr Gwynne, author of Gwynne's Grammar, is teaching grammar lessons this weekend The two-hour classes, based on the idea that grammar is the science of using words correctly, and that without grammar, words are useless, will cover the elements of grammar, and the bare essentials of", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000100135803223}
{"content": "Give Us A Call at 330-590-4034\n\nLower Back Pain\n\nBack Pain Causes and Treatment near Wadsworth and Akron\n\nAlmost 80% of adults will suffer from some type of back pain in their lives. The most common of these problems will be lower back pain. The lower back is usually described as the area between the bottom of the rib cage and the top of the legs. This area is a complicated part of our body as it contains many, many joints, muscles, tendons and bones. It is their job to support us. This can be made very difficult by doing things in our daily lives incorrectly.\n\nA simple example would be not lifting heavy items in the correct way. If someone works in a job requiring a lot of heavy lifting, there is a correct and incorrect way to lift. Continuous disregard for the correct way will probably result in lower back problems.\n\nThere are many other causes of lower back pain of course. Seemingly simple things like not sitting upright in a chair can have serious results. Driving long distances without a break can also result in major lower back problems.\n\nPrevention is always better than cure and we can help you to adapt your lifestyle to better be able to minimize the potential risks of acquiring lower back problems.\n\nIf you currently have lower back pain we have treatment plans to alleviate the pain and restore the necessary strength in your back to be able to better continue with your life.\n\nMost lower back pain is temporary and can be treated relatively easily. There is no quick fix, but through a program of physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments, you will be able to return to a normal life.\n\nIt is important to realize that one very common cause of lower back pain in today’s society is obesity. The more stress you put on your back from excess upper body weight gain, the more likely you are to encounter problems in your lower back area. So, one of the best ways of reducing the risk of lower back pain is to modify your diet, exercise regularly and try to maintain your weight.\n\nIf you are experiencing lower back pain, consult us as soon as possible. We will interview you about your lifestyle and habits. Then we will discuss with you our recommendations. There is no need to live with this type of pain, and there is usually no need for medication either. Medication will generally only mask the pain, it will never solve the problem. There are also many side effects from medication that can cause far more problems than they will solve.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9635075330734253}
{"content": "Wednesday, December 29, 2010\n\nDestiny Points\n\nThis is defined as:\n- Engaging in the GM's contributions\n- Entertaining the group\n- Contributing to the story being told at the table.\n1) Introduce an event to the story\n2) Introduce a plot twist\n3) Introduce a sub-plot\n4) Introduce a new NPC\n5) Introduce a relationship with an existing NPC\n6) Introduce a sub-quest\n\n\n1) What type of change?\n2) What is the change?\n3) Exerted/Size? (questions 1 above)\n4) Effort/Mechanics (questions 2 above)\n\n\nSunday, December 19, 2010\n\nCharacter Creation\n\nCharacter Creation\n\n  1. Come up with a basic character concept, what is the character you will play like?\n  2. Name - What is your character’s name?\n  3. Origin - What Nation was your character raised in?\n  4. Talent - What is your character’s special Talent?\n  5. Talent Level - What level is that Talent at? Choose between 1 and 6. It us used to determine the level of effectiveness for your character’s Talent, as well as some other things (e.g., Friends, Enemies, Luck, Reputation and Wealth).\n  6. Set Friends, Enemies, Luck, Reputation and Wealth to one.\n  7. Destiny Points - Subtract your Character’s Talent Level from seven, these are your character’s Destiny Points. This will also determine how many skills they will start with.\n  8. Background Points - Multiply your character’s Talent Points by three. After that is done, subtract one. That number is how many Background points your character has.\n  9. Childhood - Choose a background, select a skill from each Aspect and spend Background Points to start with more Friends if you like.\n  10. Early Schooling - Choose a background, select your Destiny in Skills and spend Background Points to start with more Enemies.\n  11. Professional Training - Choose a background, select your Destiny in Skills and spend Background Points to start with more Wealth.\n  12. Experience - Choose a background, select your Destiny in Skills and spend Background Points to start with more Reputation.\n  13. Determine Luck - However many Background Points you have remaining, these are your Luck Points. If you have more than 6 left, the excess points add to the number of Enemies you have.\n  14. Determine if your Reputation is positive or Negative.\n  15. Select Friends and Enemies. Each Friend and Enemy must have a Name (it can be that of an NPC introduced by the GM, a PC or you can use that slot to introduce a new character to the setting) and an origin (why are they your friends or enemies?).\n  16. If none of the PCs are one of your Friends, create another type of relationship with a PC.\n  17. Describe their personality\n  18. Describe their Motivation\n  19. Describe their Goal\n  20. You are done!\n\nSunday, December 12, 2010\n\nNew conflict Rules\n\nBelow is diagram of how a conflict will go down in LoL.\nSteampunk Crescendo is at the Editors, soon to be released.\nNow, I am circling back to Legends of Lanasia!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8249613046646118}
{"content": "AI Programmer\n\nGames Jobs - Programming - South East\n\nJob Title AI Programmer\nJob Category Programming\nJob Description This an excellent opportunity to join our growing team as an AI programmer on Creative Assembly’s Total War Campaign AI team. Working with the team, you will look to produce efficient and effective AI solutions to the complex challenges presented by the Total War Campaign environment.\n\n You will be working with varied team of programmers, designers and QA Technicians collaborating to create leading edge game AI that challenges our players and is fun and immersive to play against.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nAs an AI programmer on the project, you will be working in collaboration with the Campaign AI team to develop code aspects of AI systems for Total War. This includes behavioural elements of the AI and tooling for analysis. You will also collaborate and problem solve the wider game development team on the project.\n\nYou will develop software and support the Total War campaign game AI as new project needs arise. You will adhere to the company’s high-quality programming standards and development process as you work. You will be involved in developing new features for the Total War campaign and be highly competent in maintaining new and existing systems.\n\nKnowledge, Skills and Experience\n  • High level of C++ programming\n  • Strong interest in AI\n  • Excellent academic background, preferably in a numeric discipline\n  • Being able to work well across teams and other disciplines\n  • Outstanding communication skills both verbal and written\n  • Creative problem solving\n  • Experience developing AI or related systems in games, research or other settings\n  • Broad gaming experience and a sense for good game design\n  • Experience in game development\n  • An appreciation of games, and Creative Assembly titles, is an advantage\nWe are Creative Assembly\n\n\n\nOur focus on quality has filled our awards cabinet over the years – from BAFTAs to Ivor Novellos. We owe this to our team – creatives from a breadth of backgrounds, who unite to share their ideas and expertise, to craft the highest quality gameplay.\nSalary Based on experience\nLocation South East\nJob Category Programming\nDate posted 06/12/2017\nMore View other Creative Assembly jobs\nRecruiter This job is advertised on behalf of Creative Assembly using their internal reference o8Ov6fwh.\n  Apply for this job", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9994067549705505}
{"content": "Thursday, December 14, 2017\n\nMarvel vs DC: is one really better than the other?\n\nLast week I discussed the differences between Star Wars and Star Trek. Today I will post a comparison between DC and Marvel comic book characters. This is another polarizing debate which has fans of both fighting angrily between them about which comic is better. DC was founded in October 1935 and is currently owned by DC Entertainment which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros, which is owned by Time Warner. The first characters featured in their comics were Doc Occult and Superman. Marvel was founded by Martin Goodman in October 1939 and is currently owned by Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. Their first characters were the Human Torch and Namor. They added Captain America during World War II. What are the similarities and differences between the two comic book giants? Why is there such a heated debate between fans?\n\nThere are many similarities between DC and Marvel comics.  First, they both feature superheroes with extra abilities. These abilities are either naturally occurring or are caused by a freak accident. These individuals usually have to conceal their true identities to protect their friends and families (Badgett, 2016). Marvel introduced the mutants of X-Men in 1963 while DC introduced the metahumans in 1986. Second, both comics features the heroes teaming up against a threat or villain. Marvel has The Avengers and X-Men to name a few and DC has The Justice League, Teen Titans and the Doom Patrol. Third, both comics have similar characters. It is common knowledge that the comic writers created characters who were similar to characters from the other comic. For example, DC’s The Flash, who was first introduced in November 1985, is similar to Marvel’s Quicksilver, who was first introduced in March 1964. Another example is Marvel’s Deadpool, who was first introduced in February 1991, is similar to DC’s Deathstroke, who was first introduced in December 1980. What makes these characters similar is their abilities and the idea that they “steal” from each other is evident in the character’s first appearances. Deadpool, whose real name is Wade Wilson, is known as the Merc with a Mouth, an antihero is a mercenary and assassin. Deathstroke, whose real name is Slade Wilson, is a mercenary who is completed the contract his son started. According to Deadpool co-creator and writer, Fabian Nicieza gave Deadpool the real name of Wade Wilson as an inside-joke to being \"related\" to Slade Wilson/Deathstroke. Rob Liefeld, co-creator and artist, designed Deadpool and was also a fan of the Teen Titans comic in which Deathstroke appears.\n\nAs there are similarities, there are many differences. First, DC’s characters reside in fictional cities which resemble real cities. For example, Batman fights crime in Gotham City. Superman saves the day in Metropolis and Green Lantern operates in Coast City. While Marvel characters are live in real locations, New York City being the most popular location for many characters: The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, The Defenders and Spiderman. Second, the abilities of DC characters are often seen as gifts or blessings which calls them to action and they do their best to embrace it (Diedrick, 2016). The powers are usually developed at a young age or gifts. For example, Superman developed his powers as he grew up under the yellow sun of Earth and Wonder Woman receives her powers as a gift from the gods. In the Marvel universe, the abilities were from freak accidents or a product of evolution which are seen as curse and causing the individuals to be outcasts or seen as monsters and thus becomes a burden. For example, Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk after a lab accident and people fear the monster he becomes. Daredevil loses his sight after an accident with a radioactive substance. Upon losing his sight, he gains heightened senses. There are DC characters who receive their abilities from accidents: The Flash, Green Lantern or even a thirst for justice: Batman or Green Arrow. However, these characters are still treated as godlike figures (Diedrick, 2016). What makes the Marvel characters different is they still deal with real life issues like money, balancing responsibilities (Quora, 2014) or having a jerk of a boss (, 2016). Marvel characters have been featured in dealing with the aftermath of real events, like 9/11 (, 2016). Third, DC has cornered the market with their animation like Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) and movies like Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010), and Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) just to name a few. While Marvel has found gold in the live action movie market with the massive hit of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which DC is desperately trying to catch up to.\n\nWhile there are many fans of both the DC and Marvel comics, there are many fans who deeply feel you cannot be a fan of one, if you are a fan of the other. Why? To find out, I read different message board threads and the number reason people consistently agreed with is because people get strangely territorial. Look at the different rivalries, which are simply opinion based but because a personal insult when someone challenges that opinion. Coke vs Pepsi, Ford vs Chevy, PC vs Mac, Xbox vs PlayStation, the list can go on and on. According to the individuals who posted on these threads, the majority of comic book fans like both DC and Marvel, although they had a general preference of one over the other, however, not enough to keep them from reading both. One individual said the people who force others to pick a side are either newbies, fanboys or both. These individuals are using wiki as their source material instead of the actual comics. Another individual said fans discuss, fanboys argue and when you don’t share their opinion, the argument usually leads to insult which is how you can distinguish a fan from a fanboy. FYI, a fanboy is a male fan who is obsessive about comics, music, movies, etc. and there is also fangirls too. These fans are known for their complete lack of objectivity and will usually argue in a circular logic that they refuse to acknowledge. With the wildly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the struggling DC Extended Universe (DCEU), the debate between some fans has become more polarizing than ever before.\n\nIn conclusion, I like both DC and Marvel. Both companies have been around a long time and with that time have borrowed from each other (one company has borrowed more than the other). My knowledge of the characters are from the 90s cartoons I grew up with and the current movies. I never enjoyed reading the actual comics but I enjoyed the characters. I’ve been a Superman fan since the 1990s show Lois and Clark (1993-1997) and more so with Smallville (2001-2011). I especially enjoy watching Henry Cavil as the current Superman. However, I have immensely enjoyed the MCU films much more than the DC films. But is Marvel better than DC? No, I think both comic books have their merits with different takes on the characters and stories. Most people I know who enjoy comic echo the sentiment I read in the message board threads, they like both but they are more likely to read one verses the other.\n\n\nWednesday, December 13, 2017\n\nSeasons of the Moon: one man's journey through life\n\nSeasons of the Moon by Julien Aranda (translated by Roland Glasser) is the one man’s story through life. Beginning with his birth, Paul Vertune was the youngest son of a farmer on the Brittany coast of France. From the very beginning, it was clear that Paul was not destined for a life as a farmer. From the age of 6, he dreamed of becoming a sailor and seeing the world. However, the world had other ideas. Soon World War II breaks out and his village is under German occupation. After a brief encounter with a German solider, who shows a young man in love mercy, Paul gives a promise that would he was determined to fulfill. He promises this German soldier to tell his daughter he loves her. At 18, Paul is drafted and spends his enlistment at the hands of a cruel drill sergeant. After his time in the army, he marries his childhood sweetheart, Mathilde, and sets out to fulfil his dream and his promise. Will he be able to find the German soldier’s daughter? Or will she be lost to the chaos in the aftermath of war?\n\nSeasons of the Moon is a deeply retrospective, emotional story about the endless possibilities of life and finding the beauty in it all. While the book was slow in parts, I enjoyed reading Paul’s journey through life as he experiences life altering events which teach him that life is precious despite its hardships. It is a beautiful story of one man’s journey through life and his determination to fulfill a promise. I also enjoyed how Mr. Aranda used the phases of the moon as Paul enters a new phase in his life. I recommend Seasons of the Moon.\n\nSeasons of the Moon\n\nis available in paperback and eBook\n\nWednesday, December 6, 2017\n\nStar Wars and Star Trek: there is a difference\n\nActually, Penny*, there is a difference and as a fan of the Star Wars franchise and a casual watcher of the Star Trek franchise, I say there’s a world of difference. I grew up watching Star Trek. My father is a big fan of the original Star Trek (1966-1969) while my brother is a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994). Even my best friend loves Star Trek especially The Next Generation and Voyager (1995-2001). While I’m drawn more to Star Wars as is my husband. While I am not writing to argue which franchise is better because both have their merits, I am writing to distinguish the differences between the two.\n\nFirst, Star Wars is a dramatic epic rooted in legends like Beowulf and King Arthur, mythologies, world religions and ancient and medieval history to tell a story of a galactic society in conflict. The importance is not on believability of the science but on the characters and the moral choices they make while Star Trek has “ham-fisted dialogue and Gong Show-caliber acting. But the fictional science has always been brilliant” (Herzthe, 1998). Star Trek is rooted in a greater existential dilemma in which an idealistic, utopian prospect of the future human society is explored and debated. Star Wars focuses on the ethics of good vs evil and against totalitarian government systems. Star Trek features the morals of exploration and interference, how to properly confront and ethically resolve situations. Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, is said to have been inspired by morality tales like Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.\n\nSecond, Star Wars, essentially, focuses on the individual’s power to do good. It is the struggle with feelings of powerlessness and how an individual responds to that feeling. There is a strong connection to faith, mythology, or the Force within the individual and trusting yourself and others. It is about individuals breaking free from governmental oppression (Bedinger, 2015). The Original Trilogy avoided explicit political messages while being anti-authoritarian, the prequel trilogy is clearly a commentary on imperialism and warmongering. Star Trek focuses on a commentary on social structure, defining a society’s obligation to humanity, the world and the galaxy. Star Trek operates within a stable government, The United Federation of Planets, and spreading enlightened values throughout the galaxy (Bedinger, 2015). Each of the Star Trek television series focused on a central worry. For example, in the original show, the central worry was Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner) losing his command and the fight against anything undermined his command. In the Next Generation, Captain Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) was focused on choosing the wise path and being a responsible leader (Anders, 2016).\n\nThird, the debate between the fan bases can be polarizing that it’s hard to image someone being a fan of both. Some fans believe that you cannot be a fan of one, if you are a fan of the other. This sentiment is also reflected in the statements made by the actors in each franchise. William Shatner argues that Star Trek is superior to Star Wars because “Star Trek had relationships and conflict among the relationships and stories that involved humanity and philosophical questions” (Emami, 2015). Tim Russ, who played Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager claims that Star Trek is better than the two because it is set in \"our\" galaxy and therefore people can relate better to it, whereas Star Wars takes place in another galaxy (Forbeck, 2011). He acknowledged that he could be biased (yeah, you think! LOL). Jeremy Bulloch, who played Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy. He is a fan of Star Trek: The Original Series. He argued that while both franchises are popular, Star Wars comes out as the superior, for its soundtracks and special effects (Forbeck, 2011).\n\nWhy does Star Wars seem greater in popularity than Star Trek? And yes, it does. Star Wars has a franchise revenue of $42 billion (as of 2015) while Star Trek has a franchise revenue of $10 billion (as of 2016). While both have large fan bases with fiercely loyal fans, Star Wars seems to speak to the American identity as the rebels, the revolutionaries fighting against an evil empire while Star Trek speaks more to the American political superpower we’ve become with unparalleled military and economic might (although there is some debate if this is even still true). Star Wars plays into the national fantasy as the righteous underdogs and Star Trek portrays our national reality and the moral question as to how to use that power. In a UK program for the Star Wars 20th anniversary, Patrick Stewart said “A belief in one’s own powers; especially one’s own powers to do good because the underlying morality of Star Wars is a very, very positive one.”\n\nIn conclusion, while the two franchises are similar in that they depict societies of multiple planets and species, they promote different messages. A philosophical message verses a political message. The story and its characters verses the reality of the science. The individual and his or her role in the galaxy while verses society as a whole. I prefer Star Wars because the characters are relatable and the action adventure is entertaining. I often find the dialogue in Star Trek to be difficult to follow at times. Is one better than the other? It’s simply a matter of choice and nothing else. Both have had a great impact on pop culture that cannot be ignored.\n\n\n*The Big Bang Theory “The Weekend Vortex” Season 5 Episode 19 originally aired March 8, 2012. \n\nMonday, December 4, 2017\n\nCoco: a review of the newest Disney Pixar film\n\nThis past weekend, my husband and I took our daughter to see the new movie, Coco. Knowing only the basics about the film and not reading any reviews about it, I went into the film with high expectations, it is Disney Pixar after all. What I didn’t expect was to be blown away. Normally, for a review, I discuss what I liked, what I didn’t like and what the critics had to say. But for this film, I liked everything. There was nothing I didn’t like and I don’t care what the critics had to say. So I will discuss the different aspects of the film that I loved.\n\nFirst, the story itself. Based on the Mexican festival of Dia de la Muertos, it is a story about family, remembering those who has passed, and forgiveness. The movie begins with 12 year old Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) telling the story of his Mama Imelda Rivera (played by Alanna Ubach), the family matriarch. She was the wife of musician who left her and their daughter to pursue his career and never returned. Angry, she banned all forms of music in the family. Miguel desires desperately to be a musician, he steals the guitar from the tomb of the village’s superstar, Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). When he does so, he has placed a curse on the family and he is transported to the Land of the Dead. He must now find a way to lift the curse so he can return home. He is helped along the way by Hector (voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal) who is desperate to get to the Land of the Living before the end of Dia de la Muertos. The story has everything: laughs, tender moments and very sad moments. I cried at the end. So be warned, there will be tears!\n\nSecond, the music. The movie is filled with wonderful music. It features the wide range of Mexican music. From mariachi to salsa and bolero. From flamenco to pop and Mexican son (folk music and dance). The music was heartfelt and entertaining. After the film, I immediately went out and bought the soundtrack. The main song is “Remember Me” which helps carry the theme of the film. However, my favorite songs were “Un Poco Loco” (written by Germaine Franco and Adrian Molina and performed by Anthony Gonzalez and Gael Garcia Bernal) and La Llorona (a traditional folk song performed by Alanna Ubach). “Un Poco Loco” is a fun and upbeat song about how the singer’s love drives him a little crazy. “La Llorona” is a soulful and beautiful song about a weeping woman and love. The instrumental pieces are beautiful too. I love music in film especially when it is used probably to enhance the mood and the events of the particular scenes. The music in Coco did that and more. It carried so much emotional that you were crying just by the strumming of the guitar.\n\nThird, the imagery of the film is absolutely breathtaking. The colors of the Land of the Dead are stunning. Marigold flowers, known as cempasúchil, are central to the festival and they are everywhere in this film. Marigolds are among my favorite flowers and the animators captured the flower’s brilliant orange color and the delicacy of its petals. Brilliant colors bring the Land of the Dead to life and are very vibrant and reminiscent of the colors have seen in Mexican art. The details in the animations bring you into a world and you sit in wonder at it all. The amazing talent and hard work it took to bring this story to life shows in every detail. I also loved the image of the Mexican family portrayed in this film. With my experiences with Mexican families, I laughed at the antics of Abuelita, Miguel’s grandmother as she enforces the no music rule in the family. There’s a scene where she offers Miguel foods and he politely denies, the look she gives him reminds me of many Mexican grandmothers I’ve known and love.\n\nIn conclusion, Coco is the best Disney Pixar film so far. It is definitely among my favorite films. It has everything. A great story, great music and great imagery which comes together and transports you into another world and leave you with a great lesson about love, family and forgiveness. I highly, highly recommend seeing Coco in theaters. You will not regret it! \n\nSaturday, December 2, 2017\n\nWhat is cultural appropriation?\n\nThis past Halloween, I read a comment on a celebrity’s Facebook page that accused the girlfriend of the celebrity of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is a term I have not heard before. After a quick search, I was intrigued to research it more due to the massive debate about whether or not it is wrong or not. This post will be longer than usual as there is so much information that I want to share to make sure this topic is covered. While I may not cover it all, I want to give enough of an overview that I do not leave anyone confused. I will discuss what it is, the arguments for and against and how we proceed.\n\nFirst, what is cultural appropriation? The official definition is a term from Sociology which deals with the adopting of elements from one culture by members of another. It is often portrayed as harmful and is claimed to be a violation of the collective property rights of the originating culture. In most cases the adoption of the cultural elements are by a dominant culture from a minority culture. Many sociologists feel cultural appropriation is avoidable as multiple cultures live among each other the exchange of cultural elements will occur. These elements may be borrowed and applied by the dominant culture against the wishes of the minority culture and the original meaning of the cultural element is lost or distorted and seen as disrespectful. While some view it as inevitable and a contribution to diversity and free expression.\nExamples of cultural elements:\n  • Food\n  • Fashion, hairstyles, makeup and body modifications\n  • Art, iconography and adornment\n  • Religion and spiritual symbols\n  • Technology\n  • Language, including slang\n\nThe debate about cultural appropriation is deep and greatly divides people who fight against it and those who feel it isn’t as big a deal as the social justice warriors (SJWs) believe. The proof is in how people define the term and the examples they use.\n\nThe opponents of cultural appropriation are deeply passionate about it and argue with which fervor will leave many feeling shame that they would use these cultural elements. Opponents believe it is wrong when the minority culture is subordinated in social, political, economic or military status to a dominant culture or a history of ethnic or racial conflict. The views of colonialism, context and the difference between appropriation and mutual exchange are a part of their main argument. According to many opponents, cultural appropriation is different from acculturation (the cultural modification by adopting or borrowing) and assimilation (the process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas). The main argument is that the cultural element is taking out of context and is often misapplied. For example, Native American sweat lodges and vision quest ceremonies are being used and run by non-Native Americans who do not understand the significance or the dangers when someone doesn’t know who to perform the ceremonies properly. Another example is the bindi mark which appeared at Coachella in 2014. The bindi is a traditional Hindu head mark with religious significance. Many Hindus were highly offended by those who wore the bindi as they did not fully understand the meaning and it was more than a beauty mark. One strong argument against cultural appropriation is when someone can or will enjoy an aspect of a culture, like the food, but still be prejudice against the people who brought the food to this country. “Cultural appropriation shows that you don’t have to like a person or respect their identity to feel entitled to take from them” (Johnson, 2015). \n\nAs much as there is passion against cultural appropriation, there is an equal fervor by those who think it is simply today’s oversensitivity. Take one definition posted by a user on Urban Dictionary, “The ridiculous notion that being of a different culture or race (especially white) means that you are not allowed to adopt things from other cultures. This does nothing but support segregation and hinder progress in the world. All it serves to do is to promote segregation and racism.” Another user posted: “The idiotic conflation of culture with racism. Essentially the absurd belief that the cultural exchange that has served to enriched humanity throughout all of human history is wrong because racists exist.” And lastly, “A pile of SJW bullshit stating that its racists to indulge in foreign cultures.” Of all the user definition posted, the majority were negative like the ones I’ve quoted. Proponents of cultural appropriation view it as benign or mutually beneficial. It is mutation, product diversity, technology diffusion and cultural empathy. For example, George Lucas borrowed elements for Star Wars from Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress who borrowed from Shakespeare. John McWhorter, a professor at Columbia University and contributing editor at the New Republic, wrote “The idea that when we imitate something we are seeking to replace it rather than join it is weak.” The concept has morphed from the original idea to a parody. According to McWhorter, people get angry simply when whites happily imitate something minorities do as if imitation is a kind of dismissal rather than a sincerest form of flattery. Another article expressed concern over the fervor against cultural appropriation as “unchecked by reason, therefore unworried by hypocrisy, snowflakes creep closer to actual violence” (Wakefield, 2017). The fight against cultural appropriation is seen as simply anti-white sentiment.\n\nSo what do we do? I’m not sure where I read this but someone made the comment that social justice warriors and “snowflakes” (a term for an extremist liberal offended by every statement ot belief that doesn’t exactly match their own. I see this behavior with conservatives too but that’s another post), are trying to reinstate an apartheid, a complete separation of cultures, after decades of fighting to remove such separation. In a way, this statement is correct, however, in my opinion, I see both sides of the coin. In many terms, cultural appropriation is bad and even insulting while others are simply the passage of time that it has become a part of both cultures. For example, an element from a culture should never be a costume or the butt of a joke which perpetuates an ethnic stereotype, according to Jenni Avins of The Atlantic. Just as a sacred symbols should not be worn as accessories. For example, in the last decade, individuals started wearing the Catholic rosary like one would wear a necklace. A rosary is not jewelry, it is a tool of prayer. It is not a talisman for protection. In her final words of her article, Maisha Johnson said “I am encouraging you to be thoughtful about using things from other cultures, to consider the context and learn about the best practices to show respect.” This statement makes sense to me, when respect is shown, I see no problem when someone of one culture borrows from another culture; however, the problem is someone may think they are being respectful when they are not or you may have some who, no matter how respectful a person may be, is insulted when someone outside the culture uses an element. This is when I feel the fight against cultural appropriation goes too far.\n\nIn conclusion, we live in a society in which we must walk on eggshells especially when you are white. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “not bad for a white woman” when I’ve cooked a delicious meal of traditional Mexican food or other ethnic foods. As if the color of my skin hinders my ability to follow a recipe and cook. On the other side, there are other aspects of different cultures that I would never feel comfort wearing or participating in, simply because I am not a part of that culture. Bottom line, if you are going to borrow something from another culture, be respectful and give credit where credit is due. I would want the same consideration if someone wants to borrow from my culture. What are your thoughts?\n\n\nThursday, November 30, 2017\n\nZechariah and Malachi: the last of the Old Testament prophets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTuesday, November 28, 2017\n\nThor: Ragnarok a film that has it all\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSunday, November 26, 2017\n\n\n\n\nSong of a Captive Bird\nwill be available on February 13, 2018\nIn hardcover and eBook\n\nWhy should I stop, why? \nthe birds have gone in search \nof the blue direction. \nthe horizon is vertical, vertical \nand movement fountain-like; \nand at the limits of vision \nshining planets spin. \nthe earth in elevation reaches repetition, \nand air wells \nchanges into tunnels of connection; \nand day is a vastness, \nwhich does not fit into narrow mind \nof newspaper worms.”\n\n-verse taken from “It is Only Sound that Remains”\n\nFriday, November 24, 2017\n\nFoods native to the Americas we might have been aware of\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWednesday, November 22, 2017\n\n\n\n\nAs Bright as Heaven\nwill be available in hardcover and eBook\n\non February 6, 2018\n\nMonday, November 20, 2017\n\nThe History of Lacrosse you may not have realized\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaturday, November 18, 2017\n\n\n\n\nHagar Rediscovering the God who sees me\n\nIs available in paperback and eBook. \n\nThursday, November 16, 2017\n\nContemporary Native American Literature\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTuesday, November 14, 2017\n\n\n\n\nGetting Back in the River\n\nIs available in paperback and eBook", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8471192717552185}
{"content": "rosha meal meatball - 1\nLARGE MEAL PLAN: 3 meals per day\n\nThis plan includes 3 healthy meals for the day. Each meal will provide you with 200 grams of Protein and 200 grams of sides (Sides options: 100 grams Veggies + 100 grams Carbs or 200 grams Carbs). An ideal plan if you have an intense training regime or your occupation requires physical labor.\n\n$ 25.00", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9825124740600586}
{"content": "Intelligence is Coming to an object near You\n\nDoes Artificial Intelligence mean that mankind’s goal is to create human intelligence?  Depends on who you ask.  If that is the assumption, it is not likely to happen any time soon.  Does AI mean that we have the ability to create control systems with more complex behavior?  Yes, absolutely.  And indeed, that is what Automation 4.0 is all about.\n\nWhat that means and what it will look like are yet to be determined.  This is a new age and a new set of tools and capabilities are emerging.  Whatever that future of AI and industrial control is what we are presently engaged with creating now.\n\nPerhaps the unstated aspect of Automation 4.0 movement is the engineering activity of combining the existing passive components of sensing and monitoring and integrating them in useful ways to make control systems more autonomous.  Autonomy in this context does not imply the presence of will or desire, merely that the systems are able to operate with minimal operator intervention. Sufficient data is available and algorithms of control are written so that all the normal and most of the abnormal operating conditions are anticipated in the programming.\n\nDefining what problems need to be solved is key component of the emerging “next generation of manufacturing”.  As with most things, it will likely be based on where the most money can be made. For control systems the future might be kind of scary.  Convergence of IT and manufacturing systems may result in control vendors be displaced by inexpensive processor platforms like cellphones.  For component vendors, it is likely to be a party.  Ever bearing, seal, actuator and sensor will be a candidate for it’s own re-invention as an intelligent internet device.\n\nThe driving force that makes all of this possible is the progressively decreasing cost of electronics and network infrastructure.  What happens when smart silicon devices are $1 and Internet communications are practically free?  These underlying trends are how we will apply technology to the next stage of control system evolution.  Since everything in the real world can be represented as 0’s and 1’s, digitally, there appears to be no limit to our ability to gather data.  Our programming genius will be the basis of how much of that data can be turned into meaningful information that can acted upon.\n\nDoes any of this constitute the Big AI? Can any of this pass the Turing Test?  Certainly not.\n\nMechatronic Tips", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6127508878707886}
{"content": "contact us\n\n\n\n1 Vere Street\nCollingwood, VIC, 3066\n\n\nStupid Krap's latest artist interviews, news and releases.\n\nBafcat releases a new hand-embellished screenprint\n\nAaron Craig\n\nBafcat is a Sydney based street artist inspired by the magical nature of the world, the mysterious and supernatural. Mixing animals and human-like creatures, bright colours and shapes, to create a weird world of characters. The works have a fun playful feel which comes from Bafcat’s style of laying paint down.\n\nWe caught up with him prior to dropping his latest release to ask about his characters, his collaborations with Jumbo, and his own art collection.\n\nSK: Tell us about the image you've used for this new screenprint release.\nBafcat: The image I created for the release is a combination of human and animal which has been a strong theme in my work lately. This combination I feel creates a magical element thats harks back to times where magic was more common. The man and snake represent good and evil.\n\n'Snake Wzrd' by Bafcat\n\n'Snake Wzrd' by Bafcat\n\nSK: What’s the origin of the name Bafcat?\nB: The name Bafcat comes from my favourite novel by Cormac McCarthy, ‘The Blood Meridian’, a brutal novel about cowboys that has never left my mind. Originally the name was Bathcat in the novel due to putting a cat in water and it goes crazy. I feel my personality is a bit like that, dropping an ‘f’ in the word just felt like I was bringing the name up to date.\n\nSK: If I was to visit the environment/dimension that your characters inhabit what would it be like?\nB: I think of my characters living in the 8th dimension, on Earth but hiding in solid forms, a mirror image of the world around us but the mirror is warped and things are not what they seem.\n\nSK: Do these characters represent a part of yourself or the world that we live in?\nB: My characters represent everything and anything, from the world we live in to the past world and future world and also worlds that do not exist. I let my imagination take over and whatever comes out just feels natural.\n\nImages from\n\nImages from\n\nSK: Tell us about your street art process. Is it fluid or is it more about replicating your sketches?\nB: In a way I replicate sketches and ideas, but when I’m painting on a wall its more fluid, no solid structure to follow, just grab an initial idea and let it evolve. I feel when I paint I start by looking at a sketch and then it takes on a new life on the wall.\n\nSK: Who have you enjoyed collaborating with over the years?\nB: Well of course that would be Jumbo. The collaboration process feels so natural with Jumbo, when we paint a wall we just go for it in a freestyle manner and it always works out how we want it. It's a real pleasure to find another artist you can connect with on the same level.\n\nBafcat and Jumbo in Camperdown, Sydney\n\nBafcat and Jumbo in Camperdown, Sydney\n\nSK: What is your art collection like?\nB: My art collection varies quite a lot, from artworks from artist like Shida, Mr Penfold, Roach, Tom Ferson, and Cupco, to a collection of vinyl art toys from Kozik, Ron English, Craola and more, to comic book art like screenprints and posters.\n\nSK: What do you have coming up in the near future?\nB: The future I see another solo show possibly at the end of the year, I’m working on ideas about multi-verses, I’m planning on making a comic from some of my characters I just need to get the story to where I want it, and to paint more walls and also travel.\n\nFollow @bafcat on Instagram\n\n~ Interview by Ben Frost", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5850934982299805}
{"content": "Reactions and “Buzz” from E3 Couldn’t Happen Without Trademarks\n\nWhen Juliet famously mused “What’s in a name?” she meant to downplay the importance of names, contending that the thing which is named (say, “a rose,” or maybe a family name of “Montague”) persists beyond whatever we call it. The world of trademarks insists on the importance of names to help us understand the differences between roses in a flourishing garden. The current state of the video game industry illustrates this point well.\n\nI didn’t do any dedicated E3 coverage this summer, but looking back, the entire conversation happens around trademarks. The video game industry has always made use of sequels and developing franchises, and one of the biggest reasons for this has to do with the philosophy behind trademarks.\n\nI. Building a Brand…\n\nTrademarks exist on the theory that the creator of a product, or provider of a service, has some consistency in their work. They might rely on the same materials or recipe, they might maintain a certain standard of quality, etc. Trademarks allow an owner to benefit from consistent quality. While trademark litigation is often an argument about preventing someone else from wrongfully benefiting from an owner’s legacy of quality, the norm is just the preservation of one’s own legacy.\n\nIn the world of video game developers and publishers, this legacy is reflected in the fan reactions. Why was there such elation over “Fallout 4”? Sure, the trailers looked visually appealing, and might have even hinted at a fun game—but many other games do that every year. Why is “Fallout 4” special? Because of everything it rests upon: Fallout 3, the Fallout franchise, Bethesda Game Studio’s demonstrated caliber of game production, ZeniMax’s proven management of product launches, game director Todd Howard’s numerous awards and consistent excellence in executing his game design philosophy.\n\nThe consumers in the game industry (“gamers,” one might call them) know many ways that a game can disappoint—but because of Bethesda’s history of developing and releasing great games, the consumers are steeled against the kind of doubt that would otherwise creep in to counter excitement over an E3 trailer.\n\nII. Destroying a Brand…\n\nIn contrast, the games industry also shows how little excitement a tainted company can generate. The perineal whipping boy of the industry has been Electronic Arts for many years now. EA continues to be the foremost example of game industry failure because they (EA and any developer they ensare) seem sadly prone to incidents which only dig itself deeper into a pit of shame and universal contempt. After “Aliens: Colonial Marines,” EA will face increased difficulty in securing game pre-orders (or having consumers believe pre-release game footage trailers). After “SimCity,” EA will find it more difficult to have the kind of participation in a product launch that game studios often rely upon in their entire marketing campaign. But unlike Blizzard, who had their own launch fiasco with “Diablo3,” EA does not have many instances of excellent games and excellent player experiences in their recent history to restore consumer faith in their brand.\n\nIII. The Law of the Brand\n\nTrademark law is sometimes a difficult thing to explain. Intellectual property law is necessarily a little bit abstract, but copyrights and patents protect a concrete thing (a book, a painting, a movie, a chemical process, a mechanical procedure, etc). Trademarks are really anchored in the “goodwill” that a company generates though its products and services. The vagueness behind explaining trademark law can lead some to think it is not important.\n\nTrademarks are rooted in the abstract, unquantifiable difference between the excitement over a new Bethesda game and the bitterness over Konami decision to let go of Hideo Kajima. Economists and businesspeople find that their models work best when every factor in their equations and algorithms can be carefully determined.  However, they have long understood that brand loyalty and social popularity or prestige of a brand can influence the market in ways that are difficult to mathematically predict. That weird, unseen, abstract force that pushes the market in ways numbers fail to predict is both the effect of brands and the reason for trademark law.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPrivacy (as the Withholding of Information) in the Information Age\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3) Privacy can protect both parties from an incomplete picture.\n\n\n\n\n“Oh, Reputation, Reputation!” or “Caveat Emptor”? Gearbox, Blizzard, and GenY’s Revival of Old-Timey Quality.\n\nThe latest kerfuffle in the gaming world is over game studio Gearbox’s recent release of “Aliens: Colonial Marines.” The claim (apparently upheld by journalists for Escapist, Kokatu, and IGN) is that the game is terrible. The debate that goes further is whether Gearbox was deceptive in its advertising, demos, and promotions of the game in an effort to get people to pay for the game before it hit shelves (and customers found out that the game was perhaps not as amazing as expected).\n\nBlizzard took a decade to release Starcraft2, and fans were ultimately accepting because of its fine quality. Duke Nukem Forever took forever to be released, and society was both disgusted and apathetic. When Blizzard released Diablo3 after a decade of waiting, fans were outraged because the quality of the experience (from Error 37 to RMAH delays to gameplay curve) just wasn’t up to expectations.\n\nBrands are important to many industries, but I think that IP-based industries feel a special dependence on their reputation. Because the expression is protected by the copyright (and the idea is not), consumers go to their favored bran because they expect a quality of the expression. You can get a very similar game or story from almost any major studio, but people come to trust (or distrust) studios for their quality of interface, graphics, and overall gameplay experience. When a studio fails to meet expectations, there are always plenty of other places to turn to for an FPS or RPG or RTS.\n\nWhen large, successful studios release poor quality products and then fail to apologize sufficiently, it can create the impression that the studio no longer cares about its fans as much as it cares about its money. Somehow, corporations sometimes think they have to weigh the interests of their “investors” against those of their customers, forgetting that customers are the ultimate investor in any business venture.\n\nThe videogame industry might have the lowest tolerance for deceptive advertising or failure to meet basic expectations. The consumer base is often prone to research and has a very communicative community. The nature of an IP based-business demands a lot out of the expression of the idea. Todd Howard likes to note that “execution” of an idea is more important than the idea itself; having a great idea doesn’t matter as much if you don’t pull it off as well as a less awesome idea done really well. Because no game studio can copyright the idea of a first-person shooter or stealth-based game, the ability of a studio to execute its ideas might be the single core criterion by which a videogame can be judged and compared to its rivals.\n\nI don’t think “Aliens” would be in such hot water if the advertising had been less ambitious. I don’t think any of the games I mentioned would have faced such negative receptions if the expectations had not so far outstripped the reality, and if the industry wasn’t able to offer so many alternatives (Torchlight2 is shockingly similar to Diablo3… except for all of the errors and problems).\n\n\n\nHappiness in a Structurally Unhappy Culture\n\nModern media continually inject us with two anathemas: news and advertising. I will address the latter, which hinges essentially on a message of the form: YOU NEED X. This is what David Cross called “an existence based on manufactured necessity.” (Alan Watts has spoken somewhat on this subject from the Zen Buddhist perspective; without recommending him per se, I recommend reflection on his commentary.)\n\nIndividual notions of happiness are subjective, and so ideas of unhappiness are, too. I focus on one issue: does something about the capitalist model nudge us towards something we are prone to find unsatisfactory? I think so, and I think advertising is the connection between a business’ need to make profits and the idea that we lack (or “want”) something. It does not seem likely that we will make as many purchases if we do not feel we need or want anything. Markets are created as people discover a lack—and so there is an interest in manufacturing those lacks (“wants”). A common response to wanting something is some kind of unhappiness. The argument, then, is this: Capitalism emphasizes markets to create profits for businesses. Businesses use advertising to create and expand markets to generate more profits (for the business). Advertising often tells consumers that they lack something in their lives— that something is wrong, insufficient, or missing—and that the business can resolve it. The effect is twofold: 1) we feel our lives are constantly amiss, 2) we feel a continual need to “fix” our “broken” selves/lives/identities/being—and this requires that we work to get enough money to pay for these products and services throughout our lives.\n\nIf this line of thought has anything to it, then it is simplistic to think of the problem as strictly being money or power systems or economic structures. One of the fundamental assumptions of this argument is that our happiness is at odds with feeling that something is wrong with our personal state of affairs (whatever we may call “our lives”). This gives us a different notion of what the problem is and how it might be resolved (or what attempted solutions might not work). It seems that mere changes in external systems (especially economic structures) won’t be sufficient if we remain under the belief that our lives are ineffective and in need of constant aid. The corollary is the question: Can we then recover some of this happiness within the current system? If no economic or political system can make us happy so long as it imposes a continual feeling of our own inadequacy and insufficiency, can we achieve feelings of worth and sufficient value within a system that attempts to convince us of our continual want? The answer is crucial in helping us decide whether the next great revolution must be an internal or external one.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6844810247421265}
{"content": "MobyDock DX\n\n\nبـ Mobydock\n\n\nMobyDock DX is an application for Windows created by Mobydock, Its latest version 0.87b, was released 4679 days ago, on 23.02.05. The size of the app is 3.48MB, with the average size for its category, تحسينات الأداء, being 6.97MB. This app is available in العربية and is supported by the minimum operating system version . MobyDock DX is ranked 11 in its category and is in the top 8001 in Uptodown’s overall ranking. Some similar programs are: Driver Booster, Advanced SystemCare Free, Reimage PC Repair, Glary Utilities, PrivaZer, Yet Another Cleaner.\n\n\nتقييم هذا التطبيق\n\nUptodown X", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9661719799041748}
{"content": "My Favorite Artists\n\n\nEdgar Degas\nDegas, (Hilaire-Germain-) Edgar (b. July 19, 1834, Paris, Fr.--d. Sept. 27, 1917, Paris) \n\nFrench artist, acknowledged as the master of drawing the human figure in motion. Degas worked in many mediums, preferring pastel to all others. He is perhaps best known for his paintings, drawings, and bronzes of ballerinas and of race horses.\n\nThe art of Degas reflects a concern for the psychology of movement and expression and the harmony of line and continuity of contour. These characteristics set Degas apart from the other impressionist painters, although he took part in all but one of the 8 impressionist exhibitions between 1874 and 1886. Degas was the son of a wealthy banker, and his aristocratic family background instilled into his early art a haughty yet sensitive quality of detachment. As he grew up, his idol was the painter Jean Auguste Ingres, whose example pointed him in the direction of a classical draftsmanship, stressing balance and clarity of outline. After beginning his artistic studies with Louis Lamothes, a pupil of Ingres, he started classes at the Ecole des Beaux Arts but left in 1854 and went to Italy. He stayed there for 5 years, studying Italian art, especially Renaissance works.\n\nReturning to Paris in 1859, he painted portraits of his family and friends and a number of historical subjects, in which he combined classical and romantic styles. In Paris, Degas came to know Édouard Manet, and in the late 1860s he turned to contemporary themes, painting both theatrical scenes and portraits with a strong emphasis on the social and intellectual implications of props and setting.\n\nIn the early 1870s the female ballet dancer became his favorite theme. He sketched from a live model in his studio and combined poses into groupings that depicted rehearsal and performance scenes in which dancers on stage, entering the stage, and resting or waiting to perform are shown simultaneously and in counterpoint, often from an oblique angle of vision. On a visit in 1872 to Louisiana, where he had relatives in the cotton business, he painted The Cotton Exchange at New Orleans (finished 1873; Musée Municipal, Pau, France), his only picture to be acquired by a museum in his lifetime. Other subjects from this period include the racetrack, the beach, and cafe interiors.\n\nAnnouncement Image for EDGAR DEGAS\n\n\nPablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso known as Pablo Ruiz Picasso ; 25 October 1881 – 8 April 1973) was a Spanish expatriate paintersculptorprintmakerceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century. He is widely known for co-founding the Cubist movement and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore. Among his most famous works are the proto-CubistLes Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) and Guernica (1937), a portrayal of the German bombing of Guernicaduring the Spanish Civil War.\n\n\nPicasso’s art from the time of the Demoiselles was radical in nature, virtually no 20th-century artist could escape his influence. Moreover, while other masters such as Matisse or Braque tended to stay within the bounds of a style they had developed in their youth, Picasso continued to be an innovator into the last decade of his life. This led to misunderstanding and criticism both in his lifetime and since, and it was only in the 1980s that his last paintings began to be appreciated both in themselves and for their profound influence on the rising generation of young painters. Since Picasso was able from the 1920s to sell works at very high prices, he could keep most of his oeuvre in his own collection. At the time of his death he owned some 50,000 works in various media from every period of his career, which passed into possession of the French state and his heirs. Their exhibition and publication has served to reinforce the highest estimates of Picasso’s astonishing powers of invention and execution over a span of more than 80 years.\n\n\n\nGeorgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin in 1887. The second of seven children, O’Keeffe longed to be an artist from an early age. In 1905 she attended the Art Institute of Chicago and a year later went to study at the Art Students League of New York. Though her student work was well received she found it unfulfilling, and for a short time abandoned the fine arts. She worked briefly as a commercial artist in Chicago before moving to Texas to teach. During the summer of 1915, O’Keeffe took classes at the Teachers College of Columbia University in South Carolina, and there began her re-entry into the world of painting.\n\nTeaching in South Carolina was Arthur Dow, a specialist in Oriental Art. Dow’s interest in non-European art helped O’Keeffe move away from the forms she had found so stifling in her previous studies. She said of him, “It was Arthur Dow who affected my start, who helped me to find something of my own.” Soon after O’Keeffe’s return to Texas, she made a handful of charcoal drawings, which she sent to a friend in New York. The friend, Anna Pollitzer, showed them to Alfred Stieglitz, a photographer and gallery owner. He was enthused with the vibrant energy of the work, and asked to show them. So, without her knowledge, Georgia O’Keeffe had her first exhibition in 1916 at Steiglitz’s “291 Gallery.”\n\nWithin two years, Steiglitz had convinced O’Keeffe to move to New York and devote all of her time to painting. His regular presentations of her work had begun to cause a buzz, and create for a her a small following. Six years later the two were married, beginning one of the most fruitful and well-known collaborations of the modernist era. For the next twenty years the two would live and work together, Steiglitz creating an incredible body of portraits of O’Keeffe, while O’Keeffe showed new drawings and paintings nearly every year at the gallery. Living in Lake George, New York, and in New York City, O’Keeffe painted some of her most famous work. During the 1920s, her large canvasses of lush overpowering flowers filled the still lifes with dynamic energy and erotic tension, while her cityscapes were testaments to subtle beauty within the most industrial circumstances.\n\nIn 1929 O’Keeffe took a vacation with her friend Beck Strand to Taos, New Mexico. The trip would forever alter the course of her life. In love with the open skies and sun-drenched landscape, O’Keeffe returned every summer to travel and to paint. When Steiglitz in 1946 died, O’Keeffe took up permanent residence there. More than almost any of her other works, these early New Mexico landscapes and still lifes have come to represent her unique gifts. The rich texture of the clouds and sky were similar to her earlier, more sensuous representations of flowers. But beneath these clouds one found the bleached bones of animals long gone.\n\nThroughout the 1950s and 1960s, O’Keeffe’s fame continued to grow. She traveled around the world and had a number of major retrospectives in the U.S. The most important came in 1970 at the Whitney Museum of American Art, placing her categorically as one of the most important and influencial American painters. The next year O’Keeffe’s vision deteriorated dramatically, and she withdrew from artistic life. It was not until 1973, after meeting Juan Hamilton, a young ceramic artist, which she returned to working. With his encouragement and assistance, she resumed painting and sculpting. In 1976 her illustrated autobiography, GEORGIA O’KEEFFE was a best seller, and the next year she received the Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford.\n\nIn 1985 she received the Medal of the Arts from President Ronald Reagan. In March of the next year, at the age of 98, O’Keeffe passed away at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Georgia O’Keeffe’s work remains a prominent part of major national and international museums. For many, her paintings represent the beginnings of a new American art free from the irony and cynicism of the late 20th century.\n\n\n\n\nVincent van Gogh: Starry Night\n\nA Brief Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings.\n\nStarry Night by Vincent van Gogh has risen to the peak of artistic achievements. Although Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life, the aftermath of his work is enormous. Starry Night is one of the most well known images in modern culture as well as being one of the most replicated and sought after prints. From Don McLean's song'Vincent' (Starry, Starry Night) (Based on the Painting), to the endless number of merchandise products sporting this image, it is nearly impossible to shy away from this amazing painting.\n\nOne may begin to ask what features within the painting are responsible for its ever\n\n\ngrowing popularity. There are actually several main aspects that intrigue those who view this image, and each factor affects each individual differently. The aspects will be described below:\n\n  • 1. There is the night sky filled with swirling clouds, stars ablaze with their own luminescence, and a bright crescent moon. Although the features are exaggerated, this is a scene we can all relate to, and also one that most individuals feel comfortable and at ease with. This sky keeps the viewer's eyes moving about the painting, following the curves and creating a visual dot to dot with the stars. This movement keeps the onlooker involved in the painting while the other factors take hold.\n  • 2. Below the rolling hills of the horizon lies a small town. There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church, reigning largely over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the town, and also creates a sense of size and seclusion.\n  • 3. To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation. This structure is magnificent when compared to the scale of other objects in the painting. The curving lines mirror that of the sky and create the sensation of depth in the painting. This structure also allows the viewer to interpret what it is. From a mountain to a leafy bush, the analysis of this formation is wide and full of variety.\n\nVan Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889.\n\n\nSunflowers by Vincent van Gogh\nThe Bedroom at Arles by Vincent van Gogh\n\nVincent Willem van Gogh; March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter whose work, notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, and bold color, had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art. After years of painful anxiety and frequent bouts of mental illness, he died at the age of 37 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His work was then known to only a handful of people and appreciated by fewer still.\n\nVan Gogh loved art from an early age. He began to draw as a child, and he continued making drawings throughout the years leading to his decision to become an artist. He did not begin painting until his late twenties, completing many of his best-known works during his last two years. In just over a decade, he produced more than 2,000 artworks, consisting of around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. His work included self portraits, landscapes, still lifes of flowers, portraits and paintings of cypresses, wheat fieldsand sunflowers.\n\n\n\n\nAnnouncement Image for VINCENT VAN GOGH", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9918426275253296}
{"content": "kamagra tablets price\n\nBeing organized = less stress\n\n\nThe Battle against being over-scheduled\n\nBeing a personal assistant, I love helping busy people organize their lives and make things easier by taking tasks off of their plate. That being said, I believe that it is always good to re-evaluate what you have in your daily, weekly and monthly schedule. We can become slaves to our schedule and it is […]\n\nOHIO and I don't mean the state\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9928733706474304}
{"content": "\n\n\n\nPanetta, speaking at a news conference in Bangkok, gave new words of support to Allen, voicing \"tremendous confidence\" in the general.\n\n\nSen. John McCain, R-Ariz., opened Dunford's hearing with kind words for Allen, saying, \"I continue to believe that General Allen is one of our best military leaders. And I continue to have confidence in his ability to lead the war in Afghanistan.\n\n\n\n\nMaryland Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, the committee's top Democrat, said after the hearing he was satisfied that the FBI had behaved properly in not notifying the White House or lawmakers about the inquiry sooner, in keeping with post-Watergate rules set up to prevent interference in criminal investigations.\n\nBut committee member Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said lawmakers would continue to ask questions because \"there's a lot of information we need ... with respect to the facts about the allegations against General Petraeus.\"\n\nPetraeus, the much-honored retired general, resigned his CIA post Friday after acknowledging an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. The FBI began investigating the matter last summer but didn't notify the White House of Congress until after the election.\n\n\nIn the course of investigating the Petraeus situation, the FBI uncovered suggestive emails between Allen and Florida socialite Jill Kelley, both of them married. President Barack Obama then put Allen's promotion nomination on hold.\n\nGen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he expects Allen to eventually take over the European Command, but he acknowledged, \"I see this investigation and how long it could take affecting that.\"\n\nDempsey said he \"absolutely\" had confidence in Allen's ability to continue in command in Afghanistan despite the distraction of the scandal. He spoke in an interview with American Forces Press Service.\n\nWhile Allen's nomination has been put on hold, the fact that it wasn't immediately withdrawn suggests there is at least some feeling that he could survive the investigation.\n\nThe initial expectation is that the Defense Department inspector general's probe into the emails will be done within weeks rather than months. The final decision would likely be made by Panetta and the White House after discussions with Capitol Hill leaders.\n\nEven if Allen's move to NATO is shelved, Dunford's nomination to take Allen's place as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan will move forward.\n\nPanetta this week sent Dempsey a memo asking the Joint Chiefs to brainstorm \"how to better foster a culture of value-based decision-making and stewardship\" among senior officers and their staff. In other words: Come up with a game plan for ending bad behavior.\n\n\"As has happened recently, when lapses occur, they have the potential to erode public confidence in our leadership and in our system for the enforcement of high ethical standards,\" Panetta wrote. \"Worse, they can be detrimental to the execution of our mission to defend the American people.\"\n\nPanetta didn't mention Petraeus in the memo, and the defense chief's spokesman said the request for an ethics review was in the works before the Petraeus matter came to light.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8181961178779602}
{"content": "Chandigarh Tourist Places\n\nChandigarh also called The City Beautiful. Chandigarh serves as the capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana. It is very neat and clean. Every one follows the traffic rules. The drive by the Chandigarh Police against violators of the traffic rules, through belated, is welcome. Parking is another area requiring attention. An acute shortage of parking space is being felt in some sectors. However,\n\n  the responsibility for making the city roads safe does not rest with the police alone.   Peoples help must be forthcoming. There are many things to see in the Chandigarh such as Rose Garden, Sector 17(Markets), Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden. All these 4 things are very famous in the chandigarh. Specially the Sector 17(Markets) are very famous because there are all sorts of shops here like Booksellers, Jewellery, ClothShops, General merchants, Stataioners, Shoe merchants, Tailors, Electrical applications, Dry cleaners and many more. Shops selling jewellery and ready made garments are a great attraction. For children, shops selling toys and confecionery are very favourite. Chandigarh has two satellite cities i.e. Punchkula and Mohali. Both of which share a border with it.\n\nSukhna lake, Rock Garden and Rose garden is also a very famous in the Chandigarh. This lake is situated in Chandigarh Sector1. Even the Sukhna\n\nlake provide numerous facilties such as shops, restaurant and many more. Morover, this lake is very famous for its water sports like boating, canoeing etc. Rose garden is situated in Chandigarh Sector 16. In the garden grass is lush-green throughout, the flower-beds are always in bloom with the seasonal flowers and the small fountain in the center which is always working. The garden is visited by the people throughout the day. \n\n Geography and climate: Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in Northwest India. It covers an area of approximately 44 sq mi or 114 km². and shares its borders with the states of Haryana in the east and Punjab in the north, west and south. The exact cartographic co-ordinates of Chandigarh are 30°44′N 76°47′E / 30.74°N 76.79°E / 30.74; 76.79.It has an average elevation of 321 metres (1053 ft).\n\nThe surrounding districts are of Mohali, Patiala and Roopnagar in Punjab and Panchkula and Ambala in Haryana. The boundary of the state of Himachal Pradesh is also minutes away from its north border.\n\nChandigarh has a humid subtropical climate characterized by a seasonal rhythm: very hot summers, mild winters, unreliable rainfall and great variation in temperature (-1 °C to 41.2 °C). In winter, pieces of snow sometimes occurs during December and January. The average annual rainfall is 1110.7 mm. The city also receives occasional winter rains from the west.\n\n Average temperatureSpring: The climate remains quite pleasant during the spring season (from mid-February to mid-March and then from mid-September to mid-October). Temperatures vary between (max) 16 °C to 25 °C and (min) 9 °C to 18 °C.\nAutumn: In autumn (from Mid-March to April), the temperature may rise to a maximum of 36 °C. Temperatures usually remain between 16° to 27° in autumn. The minimum temperature is around 11 °C.\nSummer: The temperature in summer (from Mid-May to Mid-June) may rise to a maximum of 45 °C (rarely). Temperatures generally remain between 35 °C to 40 °C (94 - 101F).\nMonsoon: During monsoon(from mid-June to mid-September), Chandigarh receives moderate to heavy rainfall and sometimes heavy to very heavy rainfall (generally during the month of August or September). Usually, the rain bearing monsoon winds blow from south-west/ south-east. Mostly, the city receives heavy rain from south (which is mainly a persistent rain) but it generally receives most of its rain during monsoon either from North-west or North-east. Maximum amount of rain received by the city of Chandigrah during monsoon season is 195.5 mm in a single day.\nWinter: Winters (November to Mid-March) are mild but it can sometimes get quite chilly in Chandigarh. Average temperatures in the winter remain at (max) 7 °C to 15 °C and (min) -3 °C to 5 °C. Rain usually comes from the west during winters and it is usually a persistent rain for 2–3 days with sometimes hail-storms \n\nDelhi Map\n\nDelhi Map - Large View", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9867318272590637}
{"content": "\n\nThe GALLERY PLATFORM features participating galleries. The ARTIST PLATFORM features a vetted selection of works by independent artists. (e)merge's two exhibition platforms inspire a new echelon of art collectors and provide curatorial access to the latest movements in emerging art.\n\nThe (e)merge educational platform will include lectures, panel discussions, and tours given by innovative authorities in contemporary art, including collectors, curators, critics, and artists.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000091791152954}
{"content": "NASA Mars Hoax: “Rover” is on Devon island, Canada? You Decide\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJust take a look at this info-graphics below:\n\nSure, one could think NASA just needed a place where they can simulate the conditions on Mars, but what’s the point of simulating those conditions with miniature rovers, that look and work almost nothing like their bigger brothers?\n\nTheir shape, size and weight are different and the wheels are worlds apart. It’s really impossible to make even remotely accurate tests.\n\nThey also don’t have the on board laboratories, so what’s there to simulate? Except for taking pictures, the “baby rovers” look useless.\n\nCheck out the following video for further evidence (please notice the identical terrain as that from NASA’s pictures):\n\n\nThe views and opinions expressed on are solely those of the original authors and our contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent or Staff.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5049055814743042}
{"content": "Medical Innovation. Secure Sharing. Private Platform.\n\nABOUT InsightMedi\n\nInsightMedi is a secure photo-sharing platform where healthcare professionals debate real clinical cases based on medical images. Every image provided by the users must be properly classified and de-identified to ensure both quality and patient’s privacy protection. Within InsightMedi, a global community of healthcare providers and medical students engage in relevant discussions around current topics in the field of medicine leveraging the convenience of their mobile devices.\n\nDatos InsightMedi\n\nFundación Spain · United States, September/2013\nEstado Growth\n\nInversores InsightMedi 1", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999645948410034}
{"content": "Ocean water killing wild animals in Lamu as drought bites\n\nThe Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has warned of possible massive deaths of wildlife in Lamu following prolonged drought since the wild animals are drinking saline ocean water.\n\nLamu County KWS Senior Warden Jacob Orale has confirmed that tens of hippos and buffaloes have already died in various parts of the county after resorting to drinking salty water from the Indian Ocean.\n\nAddressing journalists in his office on Thursday, Mr Orale said ocean water is not safe for wildlife consumption and it may cause deaths especially in areas adjacent to the Indian Ocean in Kwasasi, Basuba, Kililana and Mashunduani.\n\nHe said the same situation is also being experienced at Mpeketoni’s Lake Kenyatta, one of Kenya’s oldest natural fresh water lakes but whose water has now tuned salty due to the ravaging drought that.\n\nOver 15 hippos have already been reported to have died at Lake Kenyatta since the onset of the drought in mid-2016.\n\n\n“Due to the ongoing drought that has led to shortage of water in the county, wild animals have resorted to consuming [water from the] Indian Ocean which is very salty and unsafe for their health.\n\n“Many animals have died due to lack of food and water as the drought continues to bite.\n\n“We are, however, worried that more wildlife will perish due to consumption of the saline ocean water.\n\n“Already we have lost a considerable number of hippos and buffaloes at Lake Kenyatta, Kwasasi and Basuba,” said Mr Orale.\n\nMr Orale also said due to the lack of water in their usual habitats, most of the wild animals are now invading human habitats where they also risk being attacked and killed by locals.\n\n“We have had cases of buffaloes and hippos invading homesteads and schools looking for water in tanks, taps and even bathrooms,” said Mr Orale.\n\nHe appealed to the government and well-wishers to join hands with the KWS and put up dams and water pans for wildlife in the county.\n\n“As KWS, together with the various conservancies in Lamu, we have sponsored water tracking at Lake Chomo and areas within Amu Ranch in order to save the animals from dying due to the biting drought,” he added.\n\nManagement expected to improve in new student ID system\n\nYouth protest against Kisumu governor’s leadership", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9973161220550537}
{"content": "Victory by Valor: Shaw Air Force Base, Part 4 - Shaw Facilities\n\nLieutenant Colonel Jacqueline Crum, Civil Engineer, discusses the operational mission being the war on terrorism. With over 7,000 employees, a payroll of $230 million, and 35,000 acres, plus a 12,500-acre bombing range, there is a lot to manage at Shaw Air Force Base. The civil engineers take care of the facilities and the underground infrastructure, including maintenance and repairs, emergency management, budget, housing and military construction. Some of their buildings are LEED-certified.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8127893209457397}
{"content": "Hole Shrinkage\n\nOzone in the stratosphere blocks deadly ultraviolet rays from the sun, but the past use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosols and other products has thinned the protection. The damage is embodied by the infamous “ozone hole” that forms over the South Pole every Antarctic spring. (A hole is defined as a thickness of ozone less than 220 Dobson units—or less than 2.2 millimeters thick if the ozone resided at sea level at 0 degrees Celsius.) Measurements of the hole taken by the European Space Agency's Envisat satellite do not necessarily mean that the ozone layer has begun recovering. Rather weather patterns allowed warm air to mix into the polar regions, thus limiting the problem.\n\nTemperature below which ozone depletion occurs: –78 degrees C\n\nPercent that the ozone layer has thinned every year this decade: 0.3\n\nPeak Antarctic ozone loss, in metric tons:\n\nIn 2006: 40 million\n\nIn 2007: 27.7 million\n\nMinimum ozone depth in hole, in Dobson units:\n\nIn 2006: 100\n\nIn 2007: 120\n\nArea of hole, in square kilometers:\n\nIn 2006: 28 million\n\nIn 2007: 24.7 million\n\nArea of North America, in square kilometers:\n\n24.25 million\n\nSOURCE: European Space Agency announcement, October 3", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9976487755775452}
{"content": "Birkbeck University of London PHD Psychology\n\nBirkbeck University of London PHD Psychology\n\nProgramme overview\n\nThe MPhil/PhD in Psychology provides an excellent forum for you to develop and enhance your specialist skills, as well as more general, transferable research skills. It is designed to allow you to gain insight into different research methods and to acquire valuable experience both in carrying out large-scale research projects and in teaching.\n\nOur current research interests include: brain and cognitive development (development of perceptual, cognitive and linguistic abilities); cognitive modelling (Bayesian approaches to human reasoning; connectionist modelling of language, memory, executive functions, cognitive development, developmental disorders and neuropsychological syndromes; cognitive architectures); perception, attention and emotion/anxiety (investigations of relevant processes using behavioural, electrophysiological, TMS and hemodynamic measures of brain activity); child, family and health psychology (social and emotional development; early childcare; family stress; qualitative approaches); and genetics of human development and behaviour.\n\nEntry requirements\n\nFirst- or upper second-class honours degree in psychology or relevant discipline.\n\nInternational entry requirements\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9974810481071472}
{"content": "About Pine Crest Village\n\nSturgeon Bay, named Wisconsin’s friendliest small town, is known for its year round cultural events, quality recreational facilities, waterfront villages, low crime and safe neighborhoods.\n\nNestled between the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Sturgeon Bay is a historical waterfront community that has earned a reputation for its vital maritime heritage. Wartime vessels, schooners, dugout canoes and giant commercial carriers enhance the\nactivity and view all along the Door County peninsula.\n\nWith a population of just over 9700 people and voted one of the \"Top 10 Vacation Destinations in North America\" by Money Magazine, Sturgeon Bay offers a magnificent collection of unique shops, artists galleries, museums, charming restaurants and bistros, state parks, fun festivals, farmers’ markets and thoughtfully restored bed and breakfast inns.\n\nThere are so many reasons why people choose to live in Sturgeon Bay and even more reasons why they choose Pine Crest Village as their preferred retirement and assisted living community.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9838608503341675}
{"content": "-       Trauma\n\n-       Lymphoma/leukaemia\n\n-       Haemolytic anaemias\n\n-       ITP\n\n-       Splenomegaly with hypersplenism\n\n-       Cysts, abscess, haemangioma or splenic artery aneurysm\n\n-       Part of other operations\n\no   Gastrectomy\n\no   Distal pancreatectomy\n\no   Conventional splenorenal shunt\n\n-       Tumour\n\n\n\n\nPreoperative preparation\n\n-       Correction of anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and coagulopathies\n\n-       Prophylactic antibiotics\n\n-       Vaccinations - see notes re timing\n\n-       X-match\n\n\n\n-       General anaesthesia\n\n\n\nPosition of the patient\n\n-       Supine on the operating table\n\n\nSpecial equipment\n\n-       IDC\n\n-       NGT\n\n-       1+ assistants\n\n\n\n-       Midline laparotomy\n\n-       For smaller spleens – some use a left upper paramedian or left subcostal incision\n\n\n\n\n\n-       First tie the splenic artery in continuity\n\no   Enter lesser sac by dividing 8 – 10cm of greater omentum between ligatures\n\no   Keep to the colic side of the gastroepiploic vessels\n\no   Divide the adhesions between back of stomach and front of the pancreas\n\no   Palpate along superior border of body of pancreas for arterial pulsation; corkscrew artery (vein here is inferior and always deep to pancreas, never tortuous)\n\no   Incised the peritoneum at this point, mobilising the vessel with right angled forceps and ligating it with 0 ties\n\n\n\nThe splenic artery may be exposed and ligated above the tail of the pancreas by opening the gastrocolic ligament outside the gastroepiploic arcade and opening the posterior peritoneum of the lesser sac over the vessel. Proximal ligation should be avoided to prevent ischemic pancreatic injury. Preliminary ligation reduces the risk of haemorrhage and allows a large spleen to decompress and shrink, making surgery easier and safer\n\n\n-       Pass the left hand over the top of the spleen to draw it medially\n\n-       Retract the left side of the abdominal wall\n\n-       Coagulate and divide any adhesions between the convex surface of the spleen and the parietal peritoneum\n\n-       Cut through the left/anterior leaf of the lienorenal ligament (peritoneum just lateral to the spleen), slitting it upwards and downwards\nRestores anatomical position; do not go through the gastrosplenic ligament.\n\n\n-       Gently mobilise the spleen forwards and medially using the fingers of the left hand\n\n\n-       Identify the left colic flexure and free it from the spleen\n\n\n-       Identify the tail of the pancreas as it turns forwards into the splenic hilum and dissect it gently free\n\n\n-       Place a pack in the splenic bed while completing the splenectomy\n\n-       Free the spleen from its attachments to the diaphragm (avascular) and greater curvature of the stomach\n(contain the vasa brevia);\n\n-       Incise the anterior peritoneal leaf of the gastrosplenic ligament\nMobilise off splenocolic ligament; may need to use haemostats and ties; no major or named vessels but can cause troublesome bleeding\n\n\n-       Identify, ligate and divide the short gastric vessels (care not to include any of the stomach wall in the ligatures), using a right angled forceps and ties; 3-4 short gastric; highest shortest.\n\n\n-       Approach the hilum from the posterior aspect of well-mobilized spleen\nControl the vascular pedicle of the spleen between fingers and thumb, dissecting away fatty tissue to expose the splenic artery and vein\n\n-       Doubly clamp, ligate and divide each branch of the vessels close to the spleen (to avoid pancreas); suture ligate large branches (avoid damage to tail of pancreas)\n\n-       Divide remaining peritoneal attachments (right leaf of lienorenal ligament)\n\n-       Haemostasis\n\n-       Look for accessory spleens (splenunculi)\n\n\n\nOptions arising during surgery\n\n-       Massive spleen\n\no   Adhesions to the diaphragm or parenchymal tear can cause bleeding\n\no   Enlarge the incision or ligate the splenic artery on top of the pancreas to improve control or otherwise mobilise the organ and bring up into the incision as soon as can safely be achieved\n\n-       Ruptured spleen\n\no   Often possible to break down the left peritoneal leaf of the lienorenal ligament using finger dissection\n\no   Bring (medialize) spleen up into the wound\n\no   Compress vascular pedicle to control the bleeding\n\no   Inspect the organ to assess extent of damage\n\n\n\n\n-       Not routinely performed\n\n\n\n-       Loop 0 Novafil\n\n-       Staples to skin\n\n\n\n-       Comfeel\n\n\nPost-operative instructions\n\n-       NGT\n\n-       Watch platelet count\n\n-       Vaccinations\n\n-       Physiotherapy\n\n-       Thromboembolic prophylaxis.\n\n\n-       Chonic vs acute\n- Acute include bleeding, damage to adjacent structures, stomach at short gastrics, pancreatic leak at hilum (or distal pancreas necrosis as bld supply from splenic), colon at splenocolic ligament\n\n- Residual bleeding at the retroperitoneum can be contained with a running lock-stitch; remember may have coagulation problem\n- Chronic relates to hyposplenism and infections / OPSI - see notes.\nMissed accessory spleens", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000098943710327}
{"content": "Saturday, May 10, 2014\n\nThe Halls Hill Labyrinth, The Sun\n\nAn incredible solar flare arcs far from the surface of the Sun\nThe Sun is the star around which the planets in our solar system orbit.  It's made of \"hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields\" that formed when when a large molecular cloud collapsed more than 4 1/2 billion years ago.  The majority of the matter in that cloud gathered in to the Sun while the rest spread as a giant orbiting disk that would eventually become the planets and asteroid belts we know today.  Its diameter is 109 times that of Earth.  3/4's of its mass is made up of hydrogen, and most of the rest is helium, with less than 2% being heavier elements like oxygen, carbon, and iron.  This fiery ball generates enormous amounts of heat that warm the surface of the orbiting planets on the side that faces it determining planetary day and night cycles.\n\nThe Sun flaring\nThe Sun's name comes from the old Anglo Saxon word Sunne, which was derived from a Germanic word, Sunno.  Sunna was a  Goddess in Germanic mythology.  Sunno came from the older Indo European word sóh₂wl̥,.  For the Egyptians, the God of the Sun was Ra.  The Greeks worshipped Helios, who later became associated with Light to make room for Apollo.  Helios was considered a Titan, while Apollo resided on Olympus, a loftier abode.  It was in Latin myth that Apollo drove the chariot of the Sun while the Greeks always attributed this task to Helios.  In mythology, Apollo was born on the Greek Island of Delos.  Delos is said to have the most sunny days of any other place in the Greek empire.  A city of temples was built on Delos over the years there by the various Greek states wanting to gain the favor of the Gods through displays of devotion.  In Roman mythology, the Sun diety was named Sol Invictus.\nAll that remains of the Temples to Apollo on the Island of Delos, Greece\nThe Hindu God of the Sun is Surya, who also drives a horse drawn chariot.  The 13th Century Temple at Konark in the Indian state of Orissa is a monumental chariot like structure with stone wheels that is drawn by majestic horses with Surya at the helm.\n\nA stone wheel on the Temple of Konark, a monumental chariot guided by the Hindu God Surya\nThe Halls Hill Labyrinth is literally a path leading to the Sun, which you reach by walking in and out of circuits dedicated to the planets in the solar system.  It has been a long haul building the hundreds of feet of path that leads from the eastern entrance of the Labyrinth to the center.  I've gone around and around 11 times and now I am ready to build the center, the star that dominates our very existence.  I started the center by arranging the steel form strips in to a circle merging with the straight path that leads in to it.\n\nThe forms set for making the center of the Labyrinth\nA lot of people came by on Friday and Saturday, to the point where I was having a hard time getting my work done.  I've been at it for 12 days straight and I probably need a day off.  But that will come after I'm finished.  People are showing up with last minute stones, beach glass, and found objects for me to incorporate last minute in to mortar.  Boxes of heart shaped rocks, barely tumbled broken bottles, and broken dishes have been offered up but much of it can't be properly set in to the mosaic with lasting results.  But the things that will work will find their way in to the center of the Labyrinth.\n\nJudy brought me a bag of beach glass.  She came on her bicycle, bravo!\nWhat I need for the sun mosaic are lots of slender and wedge shape stones, so I went to Pleasant Beach and picked about 50 good thin little pebbles to mix in.  This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.\n\nLooking for slender pebbles on Pleasant Beach\nI spent much of two days collecting the loose unused stones from the site that have been spread out over the mosaics.  I picked out all the linear, rather hot dog and wedge shaped stones to use in the center disk, where I want to make a bursting design radiating from a hole in the center.  The hole will be the same size as the white stone mosaic moons on the outer 11th ring of the Labyrinth.  This hole will represent Blue Moons, which occur when there are 13 full moons in a year.  It will also represent solar and lunar eclipses when the Earth, Sun and Moon are aligned.  I'm hoping people will come and walk the Labyrinth on full moons when the forest is bathed in moonlight.\n\nDeborah Cheadle, who took me to visit the Country Club area on Easter Sunday came by and then went home and retrieved a stack of nursery pots that I can store unused rock in for future mosaics.  Her father Andrew Price came by later in the evening and gave me a copy of his book about the history of the Port Blakely area where I am working.  I look forward to reading about it.  He told me the first tennis courts in Washington used to be near where the Labyrinth is now, built by the Halls brothers after which the hill and park are named.\n\nI mixed a couple of bags of mortar and set the first third of the Sunburst and think it looks very pretty, like multi colored hot dogs mixed with other linear pieces in rich colors.  So I'm roasting hot dogs on the Sun.  I added a mixture of colored stones in with the twelve seasonal colors that expand out from it to depict the bursting force of the Sun.\n\nBeginning the circle of rays that emanate from the center of the Sun disk\nHaving the center open makes a kind of turn around leading in and out.  Later as people began to walk it I noticed that people tend to enter to the right, probably conditioned from driving on the right, but for me the energy flows in a sun wise direction.\n\nThe first section of the Sun\nI had so many visitors yesterday that I was mentally exhausted.  The weather forecast was for rain the day I finished and it was cold out.  And it was Sunday and I really felt like I needed a day off, but I set goals for myself and push to meet them sometimes.   It is a lot of work to build a path that is almost 1,000 feet long out of beach pebbles and stones.  Because the weather was chilly, I didn't get a lot of visitors, but rather just the right amount.  It was a special day and I had good heartfelt connections with most of the people who came by.\n\nJoe and his daughter Kailin (I'm hoping I'm remembering these names properly) came first with some pieces of beach glass for me to slip in to narrow gaps between the linear stones I am using.  They loved the idea of having something in there that is personal to them.\n\nJoe and Kailin\nJudy, who came by yesterday just as I was swearing a string of foul curses when I accidentally dumped my lunch salad on the floor of my truck, brought me a bag of healthy treats in a labeled bag and some nice big nursery tubs for storing the left over stones.  Thank you Judy.\n\nDelicious things in a humble paper bag\nI mixed the two bags of mortar that I had left and set the south side of the sunburst.  Gregory went to the building supply place and picked up two more bags and delivered those so I would have enough to finish.  A photographer named Joel Sackett came and took stills from the top of a ladder while I worked.  As he was leaving Terry Moyement arrived and he videotaped the last section of work I needed to do to complete the project.  We hugged after I placed the last stone.  I told him I thought the Sun looked like an alien Cyclops from the entrance or  one of those weird water towers you see on the tops of hills.\n\nI had to finish the Labyrinth more than anything else in my life and had worried along the way that something could happen that might prevent me from completing it.  I'm so glad I made it to the end, and I thank my body for tolerating the hard labor necessary to create a project of this scale and intensity of meaning.  I found myself crying from time to time later that day, probably a combination of relief and exhaustion.\n\nThe next day I removed the forms and filled the gaps with gravel.  The Eagle Feather has been at the center of the project almost the entire time.  It survived the winter, and I think I will leave it in there.  Please don't step on it.\n\nThe Eagle Feather and a memorial stone left for someone named Monty\nI spent a couple of hours cleaning up the site and then went for a walk down the slope to Blakely Harbor.  The houses down there range from funky little old places to American dream homes.  The old Victorians have been renovated and their original character is unrecognizable.  Beyond them is Port Blakely park, with rotted pilings and a heavily graffitied old concrete mill building where island kids gather to party.  It hardly seems real that this place was once the largest supplier and shipper of timber in the world.  The pilings covered in seaweed are all that remain of the once bustling port.\n\nBlakely Harbor, once the site of the largest lumber mill in the world\nOnce all of the loose stones were picked up I cleaned the stonework with muriatic acid to remove the mortar film that dulls the surface.  Then the Labyrinth shows its true colors.  The work was a kind of penance and I did all of the physical labor from start to finish except for the site preparation, which was masterfully installed by Savage Landscapes.  Seeing it glowing there in this magical glade in the forest I have gotten to know so intimately is rather overwhelming.\n\nThe completed Labyrinth\nAnd then people began to arrive and walk it.  Helen brought her daughter, who walked it 3 times.  Another woman I had not met before arrived and half way through burst in to tears.  Nancy and Dave came.  I hadn't seen them this year and was so happy that they came.  Dave is blind and Nancy walked him through it.  At the center, they embraced the woman who had been crying, who I learned had suffered the terrible loss of her son.  Then I started to cry.  It just seemed so impossibly beautiful and powerful and full of everything I intended it to be all at once, kind of overwhelming, like the cosmos itself.\n\nI'd like to thank the people who's vision made it possible for this project to happen, and all of the amazingly diverse people I have met during the process of its construction.  Its been an incredible journey.  We may publish a guide to understanding the meaning incorporated in to the circuits so that people can better understand what they are walking on, and work will be done to improve the entrances, so I will be back to this beautiful island in the not too distant future.  When you come to the bend to the 3rd circuit in the pink stone area of the south, and you see the Red Tara, a Bodhisattva surrounded by radiating stones, try not to step on her.  She connects Heaven and Earth and deserves great reverence.  There will be a formal dedication at 4:00 on Sunday, June 29th, 2014.\n\nRed Tara\nThanks for following this winding path from the outside to the center, Jeffrey\n\nSunday, May 4, 2014\n\nThe Halls Hill Labyrinth, The First Circuit, Mercury\n\nMercury has a surface similar to our moon\n\nParian Marble statue of Hermes, 1st Century BC, found in the Antikithira Shipwreck excavation, National Museum of  Archaeology, Athens.  Only the part of the statue buried in the sediment escaped the erosion of time.\nThe last circuit that I built in the Labyrinth is the first, dedicated to the planet and God Mercury.  Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and also the smallest in our solar system.  It takes 88 Earth days for it to make a full rotation around the sun.  The speed of its rotation may have inspired its being named for the fastest of the Gods.\n\nMercury is the small dark spot in the lower center.  The others are sun spots.\n\nThe Roman God Mercury was the messenger, perhaps best known in modern times as the logo for FTD Florists.  In Greek mythology he was the God Hermes.  He is often depicted with wings on his golden sandals which were made by the God of Craftsmen, Hephastus.  On his head he wore a winged hat called a Petasos.  This was derived from floppy sun hats usually made of felt worn by farmers whose form gave the impression of wings.  These two implements helped to give Mercury the ability to fly at great speeds.\n\nHe carries a Caduceus, a staff entwined by two serpents given to him by his half brother, the God Apollo.  It became the symbol of commerce, negotiation, and balanced trade (an irony in today's corporate world).  He is also the patron deity of communication, divination, eloquence and poetry, boundaries, luck, and my favorite- travel.  In Roman mythology he was also the guide of souls to the underworld.  And he deliveres flowers!\n\nA classic Mercury adorns the prow of a gondola in Venice, Italy\nI began the work on this circuit by bringing the straight path that runs in line with the entrance in to the curve of this circuit, which runs a short distance around to the west where two loops connect it to the Venus circuit.  I made a feeble and totally abstract attempt to depict a Caduceus.  Only I will ever know where it is.  Then I went back to flowers, tapping in to the FTD Florist connection by coincidence.  Ford made a Mercury, and Hermes makes scarves, and I made a rainbow of colored stones.  The next day I made the second loop connecting the Mercury to the Venus circuit in brown stones.\n\nRainbow colors in the Mercury circuit\nA breathtaking rainbow over Puget Sound a week before I made this mosaic\nWhile I was working on this my friend Sarah King from Portland arrived.  We sat on the bench swing when it rained and then I went to work on the other half of this short circuit.  I will make the loops at the end tomorrow.  I made Sarah a black flower that went perfectly with her outfit.  She had a little black lava pebble in her car from a special outing that she retrieved and I tucked it in to a spot next to the flower.\n\nSarah King\nNext to it I made another flower using a glazed black door knob for the center given to me by a woman who lost her husband last year.  Mercury is an escort for departed souls to the Gates of the Underworld.\n\nLater two women came to visit.  Bonny lives on the island and Naira is from Armenia.  Naira works for Habitat for Humanity and Bonny worked on a project with her in Sri Lanka.  We had the sweetest visit and I made them each a flower after they went to ring the Prayer Wheel.  Doing good work is the best message of all and it was a pleasure to meet these generous souls.\n\nBonny and Naira\nThe next morning the sun was sparkling on the water and a frigate boat, the Odyssey was loaded with Sea scouts as it pulled out of Blakely Harbor.  Through the telescope it looked like they were saluting.  The temperature feels like it goes up 10 degrees when the sun is out and what a beautiful day to go sailing.\n\nA Odyssey pulling out of Blakely Harbor\nI returned to the site and finished the loops that connect the Mercury circuit to the Venus circuit in the shortest section of the Labyrinth.  It looks kind of like a hot dog so I am now calling it the \"Frankfurter\".  Once I finished this section I started the daunting task of moving stones off the Labyrinth.  Len brought me several large nursery tubs to store them in until I can use them for other projects in the park.  There must be a ton or more of stones that didn't get used, because having a good selection to chose from is essential for making a well fitted mosaic.\n\nThe Mercury circuit finished\nI was planning to take the rest of the day off but a series of people arrived as if they were scheduled by appointment, one after another, including my friend Gillian Matthews from Seattle who brought her son.  It was a beautiful afternoon and people were dropping off pebbles and found objects for last minute inclusion in the Labyrinth.\n\nSpecial delivery of a special little stone that will go in to the sun at the center of the Labyrinth\nChris came by again with his big yellow Labrador Retrievers.  He brought a fascinating book of historic photos of Bainbridge Island showing an entire mill town below the site where I am working.  Small Victorian houses lined a waterfront street edging a bay filled with frigate ships loading up lumber destined for the far reaches of the globe.  Lumber was shipped to California, Chile, England, France, Germany, and Australia.  Stones were brought as ballast and dumped off Rockaway Beach before loading the wood.  These stones make up the majority of the material I used for the mosaics.  Now a Labyrinth sits in the midst of a forest growing on what was once the largest lumber mill in the World, which when viewed from Nature's standpoint was a genocide.  In my mind we have some healing work to do.  Mercury comes bearing flowers to those who give back to the Earth.  May walking this path inspire us to do so.\n\nThe last of the circuits is complete\nThanks for reading, Jeffrey\n\nThursday, May 1, 2014\n\nThe Halls Hill Labyrinth, The 2nd Circuit, Venus, Love\n\nThe Second circuit in the Labyrinth is dedicated to the Planet Venus, and the Goddess of Love, beauty,  pleasure, and procreation.  This is the second shortest circuit in the Labyrinth.  Venus is a terrestrial planet about the same size as earth but has an atmosphere that is 97% Carbon dioxide.  The surface of Venus is 462 degrees centigrade, so there is no water.  The outer layer of the atmosphere is Sulfuric Acid.  Charming. \nAn ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite, with a replacement head carved by Canova\nVenus is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite.  According to Hesiod's Theogeny, a poem describing the birth and genealogy of the Gods, Aphrodite was said to have been born out of the foaming sea (Aphros) where the genitals of the God Uranus were flung after he was castrated and deposed by his son Cronus (Saturn) at the desperate request of his Mother, Gaia, who was tired of giving birth to bizarre and troublesome children.  While this may cause a smirk of malice among women, and men to cross their legs, I find the analogy of love being born out of the pain of divine castration to have some interesting psychological connotations.  What better way to explain the vagaries of love to scholars and illiterate sheep herders about the irrational chaos inspired by the secretion of hormones and various other chemicals in the brain when one comes in to the proximity of an object of desire.\n\nSandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus\nWhen the genitals hit the water, Aphros and Bythos went to work.  Aphros (Sea foam), and his sibling Bythos (Sea Depths) were Ichthyocentaurs, anthropomorphic sea creatures with the body of man to the torso, where a pair of horses legs emerged followed by the tail of fish.  They were fast swimmers and able to breathe underwater.  They bore a scallop shell to the surface near the shore of Pathos on the island of Cyprus where the genitals had splashed, from which the Goddess Aphrodite emerged, so beautifully depicted in Botticelli's painting and this scene from the Terry Gilliam movie, 'The Baron Von Munchausen.  Aphrodite literally means rising from the Sea Foam.\n\n                                             Double click this to make the video full screen\n\nA less macabre birth story is the claim in Homer's Iliad that Aphrodite was the offspring of the Goddess Dione, a consort of Zeus.  Dione is a feminine form of the word Dio, so essentially she was the female aspect of Zeus himself.  \n\nAphrodite was so beautiful and desirable that Zeus suspected there would be trouble in the kingdom with suitors fighting for her favor, so she was married off to the hideous God Hephaestus (Vulcan), the God of artisans and metal smiths.  He made her fabulous jewelry and a corset that made her even more irresistible, but she was not content with him and took other lovers, including Ares (Mars), the God of war.  Hephaestus learned of the affair from Helios and made a very fine but unbreakable net which he cast over them as they slept naked together.  He dragged them to Mt. Olympus to exact retribution, but the other Gods only found  the situation humorous and made him release them with a minor sentence.  \n\nAphrodite fending off Pan, with the aid of Eros, Parian Marble, from the island of Delos, Greece\nAphrodite is often depicted in the company of her winged son Eros, the God of Love.  Eros later became the Roman cupid, which is the most pagan of characters to cross over in to the realm of Christianity.  My favorite Eros story was a time when he was kissing Aphrodite and a loose arrow in his quiver grazed her breast.  She pushed him away but then her gaze set sight on the youth Adonis with whom she fell hopelessly in love.  He was a hunter so she followed him on his expeditions, even though she had no interest in hunting.  She was so distracted that she fell behind on her divine duties and had to leave him for a time to tend to her responsibilities as a Goddess.  Before she left she advised Adonis not to hunt animals that showed no fear.  Shortly afterwards he was castrated by a giant boar (believed to be a jealous Ares).  Ouch!  It is said that where Adonis's blood spilled Anemones bloom.  They were my favorite late winter flower when I was in Greece, colonizing specific areas of suitable habitat.  Once again castration leads to beauty.\n\nAnemones on the island of Ios \nI began the Venus circuit on Easter Sunday after a lovely sunny day of pebble collecting on the Country Club peninsula of the island with a woman named Deborah Cheadle, who's family's summer home overlooks a geologic formation created when the sea floor was uplifted during a great earthquake that occurred hundreds of years ago.   Later I built the loop from the Earth circuit and made the first hearts in the second circuit dedicated to love.  \n\nThe loop from the Earth circuit to the Venus circuit\nThese are not the most obvious symbols since they are usually made of two stones pressed together at the center.  Love usually attaches itself to another entity making it a two part equation.  The ultimate love is loving compassion for all sentient beings as prescribed in Tibetan Buddhism as a way of liberating the soul.  This is a good circuit to commit to that ideal while walking the Labyrinth.\n\nA 3 part red heart with a green beach glass Aorta\n\nThe next day was gorgeous once again.  The resident woodpeckers to working on trees making a wonderful vibrational sound in the forest.  I set up my forms and worked from green to pink, and red in to purple, ending where the circuit will loop to connect to the first circuit, dedicated to the planet and God Mercury.  \n\nA couple who's dog Riley passed away brought me two white pebbles they had found the beach in Fay Bainbridge Park.  They told me that the speckled white granite one was exactly the same color as Riley was.  I'll make a flower around a geode using the two pebbles for petals when I make the loop in the white northerly direction connecting the Venus circuit to the Earth circuit.\nReilly's Pebbles\nLater a man named Chris and his daughter Christine came cycling by.  He said he had been reading my essays and was very interested in the stories about Greek and Roman mythology.  It was one of those engaging conversations that just naturally occur in this space.  It inspires profound thought.  I had just wet the stonework so I could take my daily photograph and the light was perfect.  I was done working for the day but told them I would make them a pair of hearts tomorrow.\n\nChristine and Chris\nIt rained all night but was dry in the morning and it turned out to be a pretty nice day in spite of the weather forecast for more rain.  A group of four people came to visit and got the tour, and then I set to work moving the forms for the days work.  Every day I have the nicest interactions with a wide variety of people, many of whom come back again with more people to share what is happening here.\n\nAdd caption\nHelen brought her friend Joyce this morning and we had a nice talk about what I am building and how I would incorporate the ceramic heart Helen had left with her note earlier.\n\nHelen and Joyce\nThey each gave me a silver coin with an angel on it to place in the mortar below the heart for their children.  It was a very sweet gesture.  Angels of Love.\n\nHelen's ceramic heart and two silver Angel coins to be placed underneath the heart\n\nSo my goal for the day was to build the Venus circuit from the west to the bend in the north connecting to the Earth circuit.  I transitioned from orange to black to white, and in the bend I set a collection of small stones and shells given to me by a woman named Kayla representing her family and the challenges they've faced and overcome in the last year.  Near those I placed 3 geodes, surrounded by donated ceramic bits and beach glass and the two stones for Reilly the dog.  I added white marble stones I had brought back from sacred places in Greece as well.  One is a disk of white Parian marble that I found on the island of Paros at an excavation site with Hellenistic period mosaic floors.  I had other pieces of marble from the Temple of Hera on Samos, the beach of the Delian Apollo on Naxos, and beaches on Crete.  Another stone came from Pompeii when I was there 5 years ago. \n\nI placed the two angel coins beneath the ceramic heart and filled the center with bits of beach glass.  This cluster of mixed elements makes for an interesting and rich conglomeration. \n\nPlacing the silver angel coins in mortar beneath where the ceramic heart will go\nThen I built the other loop adding 3 more geodes to match the other side.  I placed little ceramic masks made by Jenny Anderson in the gaps in between the two circuits and tucked a tiny starfish that somebody had left for me next to one of them.\n\nA ceramic mask by Jenny Anderson and a tiny starfish left by someone in the loop between the Earth and Venus circuits\n\nFrom there I worked in to the silver stones that represent the middle of winter and then in to blue green. I places a heart shape rock somebody had left for me that was rather thin, so I pinned it down with green oxidized nails from Blakely Harbor that Chris had given me.  Hopefully they will keep it from popping out of the mortar as the Labyrinth ages.\n\nThe end of the Venus circuit will loop in to the Mercury circuit which is the last and shortest one.  The open space in the center of the Labyrinth is getting really small now after about 3 months of hard work. When people walk this circuit I hope that it triggers feelings of love and understanding and caring.  And then you turn to Mercury, the messenger and deliver a love letter to all who come in to contact with you.\nThe Venus circuit will be complete when I build the loops connecting to the Mercury circuit\nAlmost done!  Thanks for reading this, Jeffrey", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5628499984741211}
{"content": "The vast majority of scholarly efforts to reform copyright start from the supposition that the scope of protection for works of authorship has become overbroad.1 However, while there is general consensus on the broad contours of the problem, there is far less agreement on how to solve it.\nThe attraction of the proposal to raise the originality threshold is that it promises to nip the problem in the bud, at the level of the subject matter definition. That is, rather than struggling to regulate innumerable and wildly varying works that all meet the minimum requirement for copyright protection, raising the originality threshold restrains the amount of works eligible for copyright in the first place. Thus, Joseph Scott Miller notes that many other proposals to restrict the scope of copyright have an “en- forcement focus” and therefore “do not reduce the sheer number of copy-\n\n1 See generally NEIL WEINSTOCK NETANEL, COPYRIGHTS PARADOX 80 (2008) (“Copyright began as a narrowly tailored, short-term prerogative designed to promote the printing of original expression. It now threatens to meta- morphose to a rotund, Blackstonian property right . . . . Copyright’s unto- ward expansion betrays copyright’s core principles rather than faithfully translating those principles to new conditions.”); with respect to copyright’s requirement of originality and the concept of the work, see Sir Hugh Lad- die, Copyright: Over-Strength, Over-Regulated, Over-Rated, 18 EUR. IN- TELL. PROP. REV. 253, 257 (1996) (asserting that copyright currently seems to spring up “to protect nearly every creation of the human mind, be it ever so trivial”).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7897470593452454}
{"content": "Pesticides around dogs and puppies\n\nThese products, made with organic phosphate composites, can provoke discomfort, vomits and spasms. Due to the immediate effects of the poison, it all depends on how fast you make it to the veterinarian and how fast he can act. It would take me too long to present all the possible consequences of the treatment here.With this I finish describing the most frequent cases of intoxication, which are not difficult to differentiate. However, the list of poisonings can be endless, as any substance can have toxic effects, even water or salt; it all depends on the quantities.\n\nImportant: If you suspect your dog has been poisoned by a stranger, you have to consider that you might want to file a complaint, in which you will have to prove the poisoning, and this is not always easy. Anyway, in such a case, have the veterinarian state when the poison could have been ingested. It is also important to specify which kind of poison it was, with the certification of a lab or institution. So my recommendation in these cases is: before making the decision to file a complaint, gather all the pertinent information and evidence. Otherwise, apart form the pain of having lost a beloved animal, you will also have to face elevated monetary damages if you happen to lose the case.\n\nseeFIDOObjectsRenal FailureIntoxicationPesticidesLocomotiveLeptospirosis", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8072789311408997}
{"content": "Fertility Meal Plan (trying to conceive for 6 months or more) - Dr. Kate Naumes||Holistic Wellness\nproduct-template-default,single,single-product,postid-16617,_masterslider,_ms_version_3.3.4,woocommerce,woocommerce-page,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,columns-4,qode-theme-ver-9.1.2,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-4.11.2,vc_responsive\n\n\nFlourish with Dr. Kate\n\n\n\nThis meal plan includes dishes that have nutrients known to be beneficial for optimizing fertility. Diet may play a significant role in helping your body to be as healthy as possible. In addition, reducing or eliminating alcohol will be beneficial for you when you are trying to conceive, as alcohol can have a negative impact on fertility. Fermented foods are also included to help populate your intestinal tract with healthy bacteria.  This plan is PORK FREE, SOY-FREE, CORN-FREE, LOW-GLYCEMIC, CHOLINE-RICH, ALKALINE, and ANTIOXIDANT-RICH. All Meal Plans are free of Gluten and Cow-Dairy.\n\n\nWe know meal planning can be overwhelming and time consuming! Easily and consistently implement a nutrition plan targeted to your specific health needs. With a research-based, condition-specific Fertility Meal Planning Package, you will receive 7 days of meal plans, recipes and a corresponding grocery list.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9823030829429626}
{"content": "If you belong to the human race, chances are good that stress is definitely a companion throughout the course of your life. For better or possibly worse, this can be a motivating factor in a number of the decisions we make every single day– forming events in dramatic fashion.\n\nMake no mistake. A little bit of stress might be a good thing. Without a dash of stress and anxiety thrown into the mix before a major high school examination, where is the compulsion to study on the weekend prior to the test? The boss approaches you having a special offer for a big promotion (complete with the commensurate earnings bump into the six-figure range), and it’s all dependent upon your accepting relocation plans to the west coast where the expense of living could be astronomical. Without having a dash of stress mixed into the discussion, it would be entirely achievable to delay any choice forever.\n\nIn these types of circumstances and thousands of others which occur throughout a lifespan, a specific degree of stress– in moderation– might be a helpful encouraging force in moving forward with life. Add in an excessive amount of stress into the daily mix, though, and also the effect could be harmful to the health and well-being of the human body in both equally physical and emotional terms.\n\nSpeaking strictly within biological and also medical terms, stress is understood by experts to be a physical, mental or psychological factor triggering body tension or mental tension. Stress factors can easily emerge both externally (from the environment, psychological or social situations) and internally, coming from incidents such as illness or even looming medical procedures, for instance. The presence of stress within the human organism, like any other, leads to a “fight or flight” response entailing a complicated reaction including both the neurological and endocrinologic systems.\n\nThe presence of stress impacts thoughts, feelings and also behavior. Potentially, stress and anxiety can even cause any person to engage in risk-taking behaviors which can negatively influence health, live over-indulging within the ingestion of alcoholic beverages.\nA number of the typical impacts of stress on the human body could include headaches, muscle strain or ache, chest pain, overwhelming exhaustion, alterations in sex drive, upset stomach as well as sleep problems. Beyond the physical implications of stress, there is an impact on the mood, as well; aspects can consist of: anxiety, uneasiness, a lack of proper motivation or perhaps concentrate on the issue at hand, a feeling of being bewildered, irritability or even anger, and despair or even depression and a sense of hopelessness.\n\n\nCombined, these various stress variables can lead to a litany of unpleasant behavioral concerns, consisting of overeating and under eating, unpredicted flare-ups of rage, drug or alcohol abuse, tobacco use, a reduction in exercise or physical activities and also social withdrawal from friends, family members as well as co-workers.\n\nThankfully for those grappling with the unavoidable presence of stress in their daily lives, there really are some natural countermeasures which could be taken to help alleviate a few of the signs and symptoms. Research studies have proven that taking part in regular physical activity (like 30 minutes of daily exercise), relaxation methods emphasizing deep breathing, meditation, doing yoga and more, preserve a healthy sense of humor, socializing with friends and family members, and also dedicating some free time to unwinding hobbies or even activities can all supply some considerable benefits.\n\nWhenever these various measures simply aren’t sufficient in order to revert the negative trends triggered by pervasive stress and anxiety, however, it’s nice to have an idea that there is another natural option which doesn’t rely on powerful medication in order to remedy the situation. The alternative makes use of a hands-on healing method known as chiropractic care.\n\nNumbers may vary a little, however experts typically strongly believe that more than 30 million people yearly visit a chiropractor’s office– normally seeking in order to minimize the existence of neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain, migraines and tingling or even numbness within their limbs.\n\nChiropractic doctors are certainly thoroughly trained medical professionals\n\nMaking use of an alternative method to medicine within treating their patients. Their attention is concentrated on the musculoskeletal systems and nervous system, as well as the impacts of these disorders on the overall health of their patients. Chiropractic care services that include spinal manipulation (also known as spinal adjustment) are frequently utilized to treat these kinds of neuromusculoskeletal complaints.\nAll treatment approaches commence with a thorough evaluation of the individual’s medical history, followed by a detailed questionnaire assisting shedding understanding. A physical examination follows, and that procedure may include the chiropractor’s use of diagnostic tools like blood tests and X-rays to provide a definitive medical diagnosis.\n\nCan chiropractic treatment help in reducing stress in the life of any patient? That is a conversation that is certainly validated, based on the ability of treatment to improve general emotional and physical health.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6379035711288452}
{"content": "The Professionals K To Z\n\n\nDecember 6, 2017\n\nLovesey, Peter. ANOTHER ONE GOES TONIGHT. Soho Crime. July '17. $15.95. Sixteenth in the Detective Peter Diamond series. What would you do if you found out you saved the life of a serial killer? That's Detective Peter Diamond's dilemma in this entry of the wonderful series. It all starts when a police car skids off the road, killing one cop and badly injuring the other. While investigating the scene, Diamond finds a man on the side of the road that must have been involved in the accident. He does CPR on the victim while waiting for the ambulance, but starts to become suspicious of the man. While the man remains on life support, Diamond decides to find out more about him and begins to believe he just might be a serial killer.\n\nLovesey, Peter. BEAU DEATH: A Peter Diamond Investigation. Soho Crime. December '17. $27.95. Seventeenth in the series. Chief Inspector Peter Diamond is assigned to a very unusual case when a corpse, possibly from the 1700s, is found in an attic in Bath. A row of townhouses is being demolished and when a body is found, Diamond is sent there to find out if the dead man is actually the infamous Richard 'Beau' Nash. Was Beau killed centuries ago and left in the attic? The corpse is dressed in 1700s garb along with a hat that was Beau's signature. Diamond is looking forward to upsetting the The Beau Nash Society if it is actually Beau in that attic. The only problem is Diamond's constable who insists the body could not be Beau. Is this the case of a a very old murder, or a more recent one? BR>\n\nMaron, Margaret. t. Grand Central. July '17. $27.00. From the publisher: \"Sigrid is still reeling from the untimely death of her lover, acclaimed painter Oscar Nauman, when she is called to investigate the deaths of two homeless men in the West Village. The police at first assume an overdose, until they realize that one of the men shows no signs of drug use. Then when containers of poisoned takeout food are found nearby, Sigrid's case is suddenly much more complicated. As Sigrid investigates, she uncovers an intriguing neighborhood history: a haughty mafia widow and her disgraced godson, a retired opera star with dark secrets, an unsolved hit-and-run, and the possible discovery of a long-missing painting that will rock the art world. Soon the case is fraught with myriad suspects and motives. Who killed the two homeless men, and why? And which one was the intended victim? Or was the poisoned food meant for someone else entirely? Throwing herself into the murder investigation to distract herself from her personal grief, Sigrid still can't stop wondering what led Nauman across the country to the winding mountain road that took his life. Until she meets a man who may hold the answers she seeks. In her newest gripping mystery, Margaret Maron's beautifully drawn characters and unpredictable plot twists prove once again why she's one of today's most beloved writers.\" Available in paperback. April '18. $7.99.\n\nNeville, Stuart. SO SAY THE FALLEN. Soho Crime. June '17. $15.95. Sixth in The Belfast Series. Belfast Police Detective Serena Flanagan is called in to investigate a possible suicide when car dealer Henry Garrick is found dead. Garrick had been in a very serious car accident and there is no evidence of any foul play. Yet Serena smells something fishy. Her investigation takes her to the widow, Roberta Garrick, who Serena believes is not what she seems to be.\n\nNorton, Graham. HOLDING: A Novel. Atria Books. August '17. $25.00. Sergeant P.J. Collins becomes involved in his first big case in the small, remote, Irish village of Duneen when the remains of a body are found buried on an old farm. Believed to be the body of Tommy Burke, known to have been involved with at least two village inhabititants, Collins is overwhelmed as he tries to solve the crime and looks beneath the idyllic town's facade into old secrets and lies.\n\nPronzini, Bill. THE VIOLATED: A Novel. Deckle Edge. March '17. $26.00. \"A new stand-alone thriller by an acclaimed master of the genre and author of the Nameless Detective series. Bill Pronzini is crime-writing royalty. His more than eighty published novels have won or been nominated for Edgar, Hammett, Anthony, Shamus, and Macavity awards - a clean sweep of the crime fiction award field - and received rave reviews from critics. He crafts masterful stories, often from multiple perspectives, in which the human condition is on full display. THE VIOLATED is no exception. In Echo Park, in the small town of Santa Rita, California, the mutilated body of Martin Torrey is found by two passersby. A registered sex offender, Torrey has been a suspect in a string of recent rapes, and instant suspicion for his murder falls on the relatives and friends of the women attacked. Police chief Griffin Kells and detective Robert Ortiz are under increasing pressure from the public and from a mayor demanding results in a case that has no easy solution. Pronzini cleverly unfolds the case through alternating perspectives - Martin Torrey's wife, caught between her grief and the fear her husband was guilty; the outraged husbands of the women violated; the enterprising editor of the local paper; the mayor concerned most with his own ratings; the detectives, often spinning in circles - until a surprising break leads to a completely unexpected conclusion. THE VIOLATED is Bill Pronzini at the height of his storytelling powers.\" Simultaneous release on Audio CD from Blackstone Audio.\n\nQuartey, Kwei. DEATH BY HIS GRANCE: A Darko Dawson Investigation Set In Ghana. Soho Crime. September '17. $26.95. Fifth in the series. A high society marriage is all the people of Accra, Ghana are talking about. The gossip goes into high drive when it's learned that the wife, Katherine Yeboah, can't have children. Here husband's family accuses her of practicing witchcraft and the marriage starts to fall apart forcing her husband, Solomon, to throw her out of the house. Then, on her final night before leaving, Katherine is brutally murdered. Assigned to the case, Chief Inspector Darko Dawson of the Ghanaian federal police has several reasons for wanting to discover who killed Katherine, including the fact that she was his wife's cousin. His investigation leads him to several possible suspects including her husband, her ex-lover and her very wealthy pastor. As he sifts through the clues Darko is forced to look into the important role played by religion in the area and must face his own inner turmoil.\n\nRussell, Sheldon. THE BRIDGE TROLL MURDERS: A Hook Runyon Mystery. Roadrunner Press. November '17. $24.00. Fifth in the series. Railroad Detective Hook Runyon is on the job when a boy is found murdered and mutilated sixty miles down the track in what was supposed to be a safe area. Teaming up with Ria Wolfe, a graduate student studying the new science of forensics, they set out to solve the crime. To make matters even more stressful, their are new faces at the rail yard and an East coast criminologist sticking his nose into everything. Hook must solve the murder and bring the culprit to justice before the story ends up on the front page of the newspapers.\n\nStarr, Jason. GOTHAM: DAWN OF DARKNESS. Titan Books. February '17. $7.99. \"'GOTHAM' is an American crime-drama television series from Warner Bros. Television developed by Bruno Heller, based on the characters from DC Comics in their Batman mythology - centering on a young Bruce Wayne, then-detective James Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, a pre-Catwoman Selina Kyle, as well as a rogues gallery of burgeoning villains before they became known as the Penguin, the Riddler, the Scarecrow, Two-Face and more. A break-in at Wayne Manor. The death of a masked intruder. Amid the seething crime and corruption of Gotham City, Thomas Wayne fights to protect his family and his company from forces unknown. While detective Harvey Bullock investigates the incident as a simple burglary, Wayne discovers that the threat may come from his own dark past.\"\n\nTodd, Charles. RACING THE DEVIL: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery. William Morrow. February '17. $26.99. \"Scotland Yard's Ian Rutledge finds himself caught in a twisted web of vengeance, old grievances, and secrets that lead back to World War I in the nineteenth installment of the acclaimed bestselling series. On the eve of the bloody Battle of the Somme, a group of English officers having a last drink before returning to the Front make a promise to each other: if they survive the battle ahead - and make it through the war - they will meet in Paris a year after the fighting ends. They will celebrate their good fortune by racing motorcars they beg, borrow, or own from Paris to Nice. In November 1919, the officers all meet as planned, and though their motorcars are not designed for racing, they set out for Nice. But a serious mishap mars the reunion. In the mountains just north of their destination, two vehicles are nearly run off the road, and one man is badly injured. No one knows - or will admit to knowing - which driver was at the wheel of the rogue motorcar. Back in England one year later, during a heavy rainstorm, a driver loses control on a twisting road and is killed in the crash. Was it an accident due to the hazardous conditions? Or premeditated murder? Is the crash connected in some way to the unfortunate events in the mountains above Nice the year before? The dead driver wasn't in France - although the motorcar he drove was. If it was foul play, was it a case of mistaken identity? Or was the dead man the intended victim after all? Investigating this perplexing case, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge discovers that the truth is elusive - and that the villages on the South Downs, where the accident happened, are adept at keeping secrets, frustrating his search. Determined to remain in the shadows this faceless killer is willing to strike again to stop Rutledge from finding him. This time, the victim he chooses is a child, and it will take all of Rutledge's skill to stop him before an innocent young life is sacrificed.\" Trade paperback edition. December '17. $14.99.\n\nTursten, Helene. PROTECTED BY THE SHADOWS: An Inspector Irene Huss Investigation. Soho Crime. December '17. $26.95. Translated by Marlaine Delargy. Tenth and final book in series. Goteborg, Sweden has a big problem with gang violence and to make matters worse, it looks like there is a mole on the force. The situation escalates, forcing the Organized Crimes Unit to join forces with the Violent Crimes Unit. When a member of a biker gang is set on fire and both units expect some kind of retaliation. To complicate the matter even further, Irene is sure she is being stalked and fears for the safety of her family.\n\nWilliams, Timothy. THE SECOND DAY OF THE RENAISSANCE. he Second Day of the Renaissance: A Commissario Trotti Investigaation Set In Northern Italy. Soho Crime. May '17. $26.95. Sixth in the series. After a long and successful career as a police detective in River Po, Northern Italy, the Commissario has retired. His retirement, however, doesn't last long when an old friend warns him that a well-known hitman has returned to Italy to kill him. Trotti isn't very surprised at the news though - it isn't that unexpected consdering his long career and the mistakes he made. In an effort to escape the hitman, Trotti travels around Italy and searches for clues to an old murder case that was never solved. Will this investigation help him to evade the hitman and save his family? Available in trade paperback. June '18. $15.95.\n\n© 1996-2017 Bill Palmer.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.937083899974823}
{"content": "$11 Billion Can End Homelessness In Canada\n\n04/18/2017 04:28 EDT | Updated 04/18/2017 04:28 EDT\n\nIn North American cities like New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and countless others, we have grown accustomed to seeing people who are homeless walk among us, often in the shadows, often with visible signs of duress from addiction, mental illness or basic hopelessness. Simply put, we've become desensitized to the everyday experiences of persons visibly homeless in our cities and communities.\n\nhomeless toronto\n\n(Photo: Andy Clark/Reuters)\n\nThere is also little difference in cities in Europe or Australia that share North America's inability to address chronic homelessness through policy, programs or funding that offer long-term solutions to improve well-being and improve housing stability.\n\nBut change is possible.\n\nBudget 2017 earmarked a whopping $11 billion for housing and homelessness across the country. There's no doubt this will have a big impact. However, these funds must not only build affordable housing, they must align with poverty reduction strategies and mental health and recovery initiatives currently underway if we are to truly reduce long-term homelessness.\n\nA meaningful impact requires funding a broad range of supports to ensure fewer Canadians are among the estimated 35,000 who have no place to call home on any given night. Perhaps this historic funding and the pending release of the National Housing Strategy (NHS) give reason for hope.\n\nIt's important to consider where we have come from.\n\nThis vision is a good start, but it needs to ensure that no Canadian is left behind.\n\nThere is little doubt this federal investment will change lives simply by reinvesting in a depleted affordable housing stock that, from a national standpoint, has had little attention since the 1990s. This is the same period when Canada's homeless population increased rapidly in cities that failed to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness.\n\nWhy did earlier programs fail?\n\nBy not considering the root causes, we too often took a narrow approach to homelessness such as building shelters but not investing in ancillary services. The preliminary vision of the NHS is that all Canadians have access to housing that \"meets their needs and they can afford\" with housing described as \"the cornerstone\" of inclusive and economically prosperous communities. This vision is a good start, but it needs to ensure that no Canadian is left behind -- especially those struggling with chronic homelessness.\n\nThere is a successful model for tackling homelessness.\n\nIn the At Home/Chez Soi (AHCS) project that examined mental health and homelessness in Canada, we followed 2150 people over a period of six years (2008-2014). By working to bring together a range of supports and housing, we ended homelessness for a significant number of persons previously struggling with health and shelter needs. This landmark study pioneered the AHCS Housing First model in Canada which expanded from the original five cities to more than 60.\n\nThis proven intervention has also become the global standard for supporting persons struggling with mental illness and homelessness as hundreds of cities in multiple countries have now followed the evidence.\n\nWhy are we slow to end homelessness?\n\nWe have done a good job with new policies and organizations tasked with \"ending homelessness\" in Canada -- but strongly worded plans have often been weakly supported with money and resources.\n\nLet's not forget that the erosion of the welfare state, austerity measures, deinstitutionalization, increased globalization and the growing wage gap that so profoundly raised the level of income inequality in Canada have all increased homelessness and poverty in our country.\n\nLet's use this investment not only for housing, but also to improve health, end poverty and put us on the path to reconciliation.\n\nIndigenous Canadians also remain disproportionately represented among the homeless population. We know that the impacts of colonization, residential schools and interactions with child and family services have greatly influenced the present circumstances of indigenous communities. These are deep wounds we bear as Canadians. Let us acknowledge that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission provided \"the calls to action to advance reconciliation in Canada.\"\n\nWhere do we go from here?\n\n$11 billion dollars can go a long way toward healing the lives of those most in need in Canada. With these funds and a strong National Housing Strategy we can make change happen.\n\nLet's not allow shifting political winds globally toward austerity to derail our efforts to be forward thinking and caring. We have evidence and no lack of effort. So let's use this investment not only for housing, but also to improve health, end poverty and put us on the path to reconciliation. Let's end homelessness, one Canadian at a time.\n\nFollow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook\n\nAlso on HuffPost:\n\nCanada Budget 2017 Highlights", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7185968160629272}
{"content": "- Multinationals -\n\nHuman testing IS done everyday - by law!!!!\n\nPosted by: j.citizen ( EYE, Oz ) on November 03, 1998 at 12:10:04:\n\nIn Reply to: Think about it in real terms posted by Jeff on November 02, 1998 at 14:14:47:\n\nCampaign Against Fraudulent Medical Research CAFMR - po box 234 Lawson ACT 2783 australia.\n\nIn refutation to the person who thinks that if we didn't do animal tests then we'd have to test on humans (implying that he thinks this doesn't already happen!), a quote from Dr. Christopher Anderegg, a former animal researcher (his credentials appear below):\n\n\"The fact is, that 95% of all drugs that make it through the pre-clinical trials on animals, 95%, that's 19 out of 20, FAIL in the clinical trials on humans.\n\nAnd those few 5% of drugs and vaccines that make it through the clinical trials on humans, their effectiveness is NOT based on the previous pre-clinical trials on animals, but on those clinical trials which are prescribed by law....\n\n....The question which you in the background asked before, 'Are we advocating the use of humans as guinea-pigs'? That is a standard question, which is used to put doctors like myself in a bad light re.'here we are, against animals experiments and we're promoting human experiments'. BUT, what is fully concealed from the public is that human experimentation is done everyday and it is *prescribed by law*.\n\nAnd that is a very subtle acknowledgement by the legislators, who are advised by the animal experimenters, that animal experimentation is FULLY unreliable and that we have to rely on clinical trials on humans, to determine the efficiency and the side-effects of any given drug or vaccine...\n\n...I'd just like to make one point...let's look at veterinary medicine. Veterinary medicine is based on treating animals, observing animals, working with animals. Veterinary medicine is in no way based on human beings. That, for me, is very sound. That's sound medicine. Why is human medicine based so much on animals? That, for me, is a contradiction which I can't fully explain.\"\n\nThe above excerpts are from a speech by Dr. Christopher Anderegg at the Second International Scientific Congress of the Doctors in Britain Against Animal Experiments (D.B.A.E.), in London, 24 Sept. 1992. Dr. Anderegg is a medical doctor, biologist & former animal experimenter at Yale University, at Hoffman-La Roche (Basle) & the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Zurich). He is the founder & director of the Swiss anti-vivisection organisation \"Zurich Campaign for Humans & Animals.\" ( D.B.A.E. address below)\n\nThe above quote was used in a piece of music recorded by industrial band EYE in 1994 web: www.teknet.net.au./~eye/\n\n: Imagine yourself sitting at home on a quiet evening. You hear a knock on the door. Several men in white lab coats come in and grab half of your family. They take them away and you can 't do a thing!! The reason behind all of this. They have to have humans to test cures for diseases. Instead of finding a little mouse or rat they have decided to infect your mother, brother, and sister with a deadly disease and test them for a cure. Doesn't sound so good when it hits home does it!\n\nThis above statement is emotive and ridiculous. I will post more soon about why vivisection experiments on people is unscientific and does NOT produce useful results. Testing products designed for sick people on healthy people is BAD science, just as testing products designed for sick people or sick animals on animals that don't naturally have that condition is BAD science.\n\nFollow Ups:\n\nThe Debating Room Post a Followup", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.710434079170227}
{"content": "Saturday, March 29, 2008\n\nEnergy is Magnetic - Believe it and do Creative Visualization regularly\n\n“Energy is Magnetic” at first sounds to be some physics topic dealing with electromagnetic waves or something else, right! But there is also another way of understanding it. Creative Visualization makes you to concentrate on those latent energy levels within you with which, when put in proper use, you can attract the things of similar energies from the physical plane (physical world) to achieve your goals; let them be materialistic or physical or spiritual. But there is a little longer way to go, to understand this “Energy is Magnetic” principle.\n\nBelief is the prerequisite for achieving anything in this world. So no technique works if we don’t believe in the things we are doing or following. This fact is almost universally acceptable as some medical research has also shown that without belief even the correct medicine will not cure the illness. And the vice versa is also true to some extent that with belief, even some normal medicine would do wonders in curing the illness. It all depends on the mindset of the person.\n\nWhen it comes to ‘Belief’, a man or woman has to believe in his/her self first. If you don’t believe in yourself, why and how shall anyone else in this world believe in you? Remember the good caption from the Spiderman-3 movie, “The Great Battle lies within”. This means that we must start winning with our own self first, and then we can compare us with others. In other words, ‘fight your own war’ is more appropriate.\n\nHaving said all the above, let us know focus on how can we understand that Energy is magnetic. First of all let us now have a little bit of physics in our consideration. In this universe, there are a lot of energetic cosmic waves flowing around – in and out of our solar system. We do have theories on the propagation of these waves and we all accept that all these waves have some amount of energy associated with them, and they do cause the electro magnetic effects in the medium they pass through.\n\nNow let us see this world. What is it composed of? We all know that it is composed of matter. And any primary school kid can further explain that matter exists in three forms or phases – solids, liquids and gases, and other than these three, a vacuum can only exist.\nWe know that all the living creatures in this world, natural resources, rocks, mountains, biosphere, troposphere, ecological systems fall under any of these three categories of matter, or, are the combinations of these three forms of matter.\n\nRemembering the famous equation of the great scientist Einstein, E = m.c^2, there is a correlation between the mass and velocity in terms of Energy. Let us neither discuss about the applications of this equation nor the assumptions and any background science necessary to understand it, but let us just understand that the ‘Energy’ change will occur more if there is an increment in Velocity (c – here) rather than the increment in Mass (m – here).\n\nNow let us understand this world and the things exist and move around this world.\nWe have huge mountains, rivers, trees, various animals including humans, birds, fish, bacteria, viruses with hugely diverse shapes and sizes, with or without different speeds of movement and metabolism.\n\nMountain has a large mass associated with it, but its speed or movement is negligible unless some tectonic plates move deep inside the earth. From on the top of mountains, we have water falls and thereafter flowing rivers. Water of one liter weighs simply a kilogram and nothing more. But the same water due to its movement can cut the mountains over a course of time. This happens due to the velocity the water possesses or acquires during its flow in the water falls or in the rivers.\n\nWe have the various animals, birds, other living organisms which are swifter than mountains and water. So they have higher energy levels with respect to their speed compared to these bulky mountains or water. Again, in this case the mass is irrelevant.\n\nThe man is mightier of all these and today he controls everything in this world. Man invented machines that can crush the mountains, constructed dams that can hold the flowing water, and has also invented atom bomb and hydrogen bomb, that can destroy the world in no time. How were all these possible?\n\nThis is all possible not by the mass of the human body, but by something else. What is that ‘Something’? That something is ‘Thinking’. Applying thoughts by proper thinking. Doing things by constant thinking, and learning from doing the things. And the first thing associated with all this is simply a Thought.\n\nWhat is a thought? Perhaps we may not make an equation to explain it or to understand it in terms of Physics and Chemistry. But we all experience it and know it since we are born in this world, since the day we became conscious of this world. It is also said that the human being is the only animal who is capable of advanced thinking compared to all the other animals which only think to find their food or do other natural bodily activities and have a temporary memory.\n\nWhere does this Thought arise from? It comes from the human brain, of course. And again the human brain is an organ with some matter. Then like milk, eggs and meat which come from an animal, can the thought be associated with some mass that is coming out of a human brain which is undoubtedly a mass?\n\nProbably, the answer is ‘YES’. Because if we assume as far as today’s human knowledge is concerned, we can argue that if there is no mass existing, there must be some vacuum – which means nothing. We all know that Thought can’t be ‘nothing’. It is ‘something’ which we probably can’t exactly define today.\n\nAnd we know the speed of the same ‘Thought’. If you think, you are on the Moon, you are there instantly! So is there anything faster than a thought? “NO”. So the thought is the fastest thing in this world. Even faster than the light in that way because, if we think we are reaching a particular star, we are already reaching it and probably light may need some years to reach there, otherwise why we use the term ‘Light year’. It is the distance, as we know, the light needs to travel to reach some astronomical body.\n\nIf we substitute some ‘infinity’ as the speed of thought in our equation seen above, then what is the Energy associated with it. Amazing, the Energy is also Infinite. So if we want to have energy to do something, then what is it we require the most. It is the thought. So we have found the solution for all our problems.\n\nAnd so far we have gained the knowledge about the thought. but we need ‘Wisdom’ and this is needed not to make bad thoughts which result in bad actions and which finally does bad to this world.\n\nEven without our knowledge we are always doing some thoughts and we are doing some actions following it. We are getting results – good or bad – depending on our thoughts. So our thoughts are influencing us. This is agreed.\n\nThen how ‘Energy is magnetic’ and why we discussed now about the ‘Thoughts’. It is because we want some energy to do some actions to reach our goals, and to get this ‘motivational energy’ we need some thoughts.\n\nCreative visualization is this thinking process, for making ‘good thoughts’ to improve ourselves and also to some extent to improve this world. What do we do in Creative visualization?\nCreative visualization is a fine process of visualizing good things what you want in your life, and to keep thinking about these clearly defined things, which influences our subconscious mind to such a considerable level that we knowingly or unknowingly start doing things to reach our objective.\n\nFor example, let us consider an example. You want to go for a picnic. This is the first thought in your mind. If it is only for a millisecond, it may end up without an action. But you are repeatedly thinking due to some reason about going to a picnic. Then you start thinking to plan in your mind, as what is to be done to go for a picnic. Then you also start thinking about the place where you want to go. Then you will also think about the way to go there. You take your car, or you take a bike or you take a bus or you take a train. Then you decide on something, let us assume, that you want to use your car. Then you plan to take some food with you or you may also think to buy whenever you want in the picnic spot itself. Then you do as you have planned and you come back in the evening after enjoying your picnic, probably if you had your friends with you.\nAll the above actions don’t need your creative visualization. But unknowingly you have done some visualization in the conscious state itself, as this is an activity that doesn’t need lot of thinking.\n\nBut your personal life goals, your career growth, certainly need higher level of thinking. You need motivation at times to achieve your goals or dreams. So you need to think not normally but deeply.\n\nWhen can you do this? You can do this when you are relaxed. When your eyes are closed, and when you are deeply concentrating on your goals and your mind is in a meditative state, i.e., in the ‘Sub-conscious’ state. This is this state of our mind, which is more important for our goals. In this state you are not simply dreaming but you are controlling what you are dreaming of.\n\nAt this stage, whatever you think about yourself for the Good, will prompt you to take such an action and this will make you successful, as the things of similar energy will attract towards you in the physical plane, as your energy level is shifted to some frequency by some constant thinking.\n\nTuesday, March 25, 2008\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou get complete software by using the following link.\n\n\nSaturday, March 22, 2008\n\n\nMonitor is also called as ‘VDU’ Visual Display Unit. Monitors & TV set’s use ‘CRT’ Cathode Ray Tube technology initially. In the present environment a newly developed technology has changed the entire VDU’s drastically referred as ‘TFT’ Thin-Film Transistor known as LCD. In today’s world the monitor is not “Just a Display”, by HD (High Definition) a high quality video content is available today. With the High quality rendering Video and High end Graphics and Games there is an improvisation in display.\n\nOlder: In previous technology CRT is used in display stands for picture tube. In CRT there is a glass envelop consists an electron gun and a phosphor-coated screen. When a computer sends display signals to a monitor these (signals) are converted in to electrons, beamed on to the phosphor-coated screen by electron gun creating an image on the screen.\n\nNewer: In present technology TFT technology is used in LCD displays. The main advantage of TFT is the presence of the tiny transistors that make each pixel on the screen. The power consumption is low due to the transistors being diminutive in nature. LCD is also referred as Flat screen or TFT which consists of a liquid-crystal material which is sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When the current passes the molecules inside change their alignment causes light emission on some portions and blocked on some other finally creates an image.\n\nHD (High Definition): HD refers to a video system or stream of higher definition than the standard (SD).The resolution of a HD TV or Monitor is 1080 or 720 horizontal lines, whereas the resolution a digital television (DTV) is 486 lines.\n\nAdvantage of TFT (LCD) over CRT: TFT’s are light weight, occupies less space, radiation emission and so on. Native Resolution is present in LCD and it is absent in CRT.\n\nDisadvantage: Response time taken is large which causes blurriness while watching action packed scenes. Viewing angle shows the difference in watching CRT & LCD.\n\nDifferent aspects between CRT & LCD\n\nScreen Size: The screen size of CRT monitor is measured diagonally across opposite corners of the screen in inches. In CRT monitor the display area is smaller because it includes screen frame where as in LCD it is measured excluding the borders.\n\nAspect ratio: The Aspect ratio is nothing but the ratio of width to height. In CRT & in normal TV sets it is 4:3 , where as in LCD and present technology used in TV’s there are two types of display namely Conventional & Wide screen. The present aspect ratios are 4:3 & 16:10 (used in HDTV).\n\nDue to this Aspect ratio we may sometimes see the Black Bands at the top and Bottom.\n\nResolution: Resolution is the number of pixels gets active during display in the monitor. The higher the resolution gets better picture clarity. It is measured as Width * Height.\n\nThursday, March 13, 2008\n\nFirst job versus Higher Studies - Things to know before decision making\n\n\n\nThings to Know before this Decision making:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWednesday, March 12, 2008\n\n\nIntroduction: We all know RAM places a major role in increasing the speed of processing.\n\nRAM is referred as Random Access Memory. It stores data temporarily; it is a volatile memory that erases all the data contained when the computer is switched off. When system is on the major files i.e system files are stored in the ram for quick processing when needed. The background programs like antivirus and many other are stored in RAM for quick processing. This makes the processing slower for other applications as huge amount of memory is allocated for such programs. So by inserting the RAM in DIMM modules we can extend our primary memory. It depend upon number of DIMM modules.\n\nIn Ram the data is randomly stored that why it is called RAM, as the data is accessed by the processor randomly.\n\nRam is different from ROM as ROM is read only Memory. There are mainly two types of RAM\n\n· Static RAM (SRAM)\n\n· Dynamic RAM (DRAM)\n\nStatic RAM is used mainly where high speed memory is needed as they are faster.\n\nEx:- L2 cache memory of CPU.\n\nThe cost of SRAM is more when compared to DRAM.\n\nDynamic RAM is most commonly used memory in the computer as it is slower than SRAM and less in cost.\n\n\nRAM stores data for shorter period of time and discards it once it is not required by the processor or when the computer is switched off. It cannot store permanently so we require hard drives to store our data permanently.\n\nAmong the static and Dynamic RAM DRAM is the most commonly used. Its sub types are as follows…..\n\nSDRAM- Synchronized Dynamic RAM, here the speed of RAM is synchronized with the CPU clock pulse. This helps in pipelining the read and write requests which enables SDRAM to accept certain commands when processing other.\n\nDDR- DDR stands for Double Data Rate RAM which is an enhanced version of SDRAM, as the name suggests this memory doubles the bandwidth of the SDRAM.\n\nDDR2- It is the second generation of DDR which uses low voltages and have prominent performance. It works on the principle of Differential Signaling.\n\nDDR3- DDR3 is the third generation and improvised version of DDR2, due to the factors like Increased clock speed and higher bandwidth, low voltages and power consumption.\n\nDDR2 are most popularly used in these days due to speeds from 533 – 800 MHZ.\n\n\n\nIEEE – 1394 : This port is called Fire Wire first developed by APPLE, it is a high speed bus system and is used to connect multimedia and storage peripherals .\n\nUSB: Universal Serial Bus is the interface and standard for the present devices like Digital cameras, Flash Drives and many other.\n\nCOM(serial): The COM or communication port is used mainly connecting mice & external Modems, Presently USB has taken as standard.\n\nCOM( parallel): These ports are mainly used for printers and scanners.\n\nPS2: There are two ports which are used by mouse and keyboard.\n\nVGA: This port is mainly used for CRT and TFT monitors.\n\nDVI: This port is used for connecting LCD/TFT monitors for receiving pure and lossless signals.\n\nEthernet: This port is used for connecting the PC to a network (Internet, wan, Lan).\n\nDIMM slots: These slots are used to install memory modules .The number of DIMM slots increase the amount of RAM.\n\nSATA: This is the newer generation cable consisting of 4 wires creates a point to point connection between devices. The transfer rate of about 150 Mbps to 300 Mbps and extend up to 1 meter. This replaces the IDE cables which are 40 cm long with 40 or 80 thin wires together with less band width.\n\nTuesday, March 11, 2008\n\n\n\n· Processor socket\n· Heat pipes (or) Fans\n· Power connector\n· IDE ports for Hard drives & optical drives\n· SATA port hard drives (new Motherboards)\n· USB headers & Optional additional USB ports\n· PCI Expansion slots\n· USB, Ethernet, Sound ports.\n· PCIe slot for Graphical cards (New Motherboards)\n\n\nMotherboard consists of some essential components as follows….\nThe chipset mainly comprises of Northbridge and Southbridge.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHello friends,\nThe major component of the computer which computes all the functions in the computer is the PROCESSOR.\n\nIntroduction:- All of us know what the processor is? How it functions, but we have to know the types and functionality of the processors. The processor acts as a brain to the computer. The processor is one of most important core component in a computer which is mounted on the mother board. It performs complex mathematical calculations with the data we input. INTEL as well as AMD family processors become a generic term for computers.\n\nTypes:- Today a single core is nearly to dissolve, as the fastest computing places a prominent role more than one processor is needed for the home as well as business environments. The server systems need more than …\nAfter single core processors, Dual core processors become a minimal standard for the present hardware\nenvironment. Today the major companies like INTEL & AMD has provided Dual Core processors.\nNow these companies are looking for the Quad Core processors. We couldn’t imagine how much fast the computing takes place. There is a new trend OCTA-Core consisting of 8 processors may takes place after Quad core.\nFor more information about the processors go to for pentium processor family & for AMD Processors.\n\nWORKING:- CPU – Registers + L1 cache.\n\nCache:- Cache is the temporary storage on the CPU die where frequently accessed data is stored for a quick reference. This makes the process of computing faster and more efficient.\n\nL1 Cache:- L1 cache is a tiny memory cache which is built on the cpu and is faster than the L2 cache. It helps in speedy access to frequently accessed data required for processing.\n\nL2 cache:- L2 or level two cache is used for faster data access but it does not share the same characteristics of L1. L2 is external to the CPU but is slower than L1.\n\nBUS:- Bus stands for Bidirectional Universal Switch, It changes the course of incoming and outgoing data. Buses are controlled by device drivers in a PC.\n\nFSB:- Front Side Bus is referred as system bus carries all the electronic information between the processor and the mother board chipset. The faster the FSB, the faster the processor can communicate with the memory and the chipset.\n\nClock Speed:- The clock speed is the speed at which the processor can complete processing cycles which basically includes number crunching. The speed is measured in MHZ & GHZ.\n\nThese are the basic components in the processor, but there are other features integrated in the newly developed processors.\n\nAll Previous Posts", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8597379922866821}
{"content": "pyramid house\n\n\npyramid home close ups\n\nMexican architect and conceptual designer Juan Carlos Ramos decided to try and see, entering this piece into an architectural competition after a good deal of trial, error and experimentation.\n\npyramid home balcony\n\nIn the simplest terms, he started with shared common spaces like a living room and kitchen on the main floor and worked up toward more private areas, reserving the peak for a nice secluded library space. A spiral staircase wraps up to connect the various levels.\n\npyramid home sections\n\nEven a garage and balcony managed to make it into the master plan, accessed via a system of slot-like windows and sliding openings that maintain the continuous pyramid shape along the exterior of the structure.\n\npyramid house renderings\n\nWhile the functionality of the form is somewhat debatable overall (the steep angles creating somewhat awkward interior spaces, not to mention construction costs), it would at least do a great job shedding dead loads during the winter and reducing wind loads in storms, being comprised entirely of angled surfaces.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9998030662536621}
{"content": "Increased focus on research and innovation in the food industry – but what about the rights?\n\nHeader image:\n\nThe focus on research and innovation in the food sector in Denmark will increase over the next few years. Therefore, the Danish Agriculture & Food Council and The Danish Food and Drink Federation, together with some of the research institutes in Denmark and Danish producers of food, ingredients and foodstuff, have formed a food cluster and designed a new strategy for food research which is valid until 2030.\n\nThe formation of the food cluster is based on figures from the UN, which predict that the world population will rise by one billion by 2030, and the demand for food will increase by 50%. This new strategy for food research is described in the report ”World-class Food Innovation towards 2030”, and the new food cluster includes prominent companies like Chr. Hansen, Arla Foods, Dupont, Carlsberg, Danish Crown, KMC, Marel and Foss.\n\nDanish food products already enjoy a high reputation around the world, and with the new strategy in place, it is ensured that Denmark by 2030 is still one of the leading producers of food, ingredients, process equipment and services.\n\nWith a budget of more than 403 million euros (of which 268 mio. euros comes from the industry), Danish companies are already investing heavily in research and innovation compared to other major food nations. However, the food industry is already well aware of the need to continue investing in research and innovation in order to maintain competitiveness. This applies to all participants in the food cluster, both private and public.\n\nThe report “World-class Food Innovation towards 2030” also describes the importance of converting investments in innovation into growth and development. However, the report fails to mention how Danish companies and research institutes can actually protect their research and innovation, which is a prerequisite for maintaining their competitiveness in relation to foreign competitors.\n\nAs pointed out previously in the article “Can Danish food companies use the patent system more optimal?” published in Danish Chemistry No. 11, 2015, the food industry is, generally speaking, characterized by a lack of focus on securing the rights to the research and innovation through patenting. In the article, Plougmann Vingtoft describes that the number of European patent applications from the Danish food sector only account for 4.1% of the total amount of patent applications within the food sector. This is a relatively low percentage compared with other food and agricultural producing countries. For example, Switzerland, which has just about the same population as Denmark, has more than three times as many European patent applications as Denmark within the food sector.\n\n\n\nWhen implementing the new food research strategy, Danish companies and research institutes should keep in mind that their investments create value and increases competitiveness. Whenever possible, new and further developments should therefore by protected by patents, trademarks and designs (IPR = Intellectual Property Rights). At a time where the boundaries for both digital and physical freedom of movement of products and ideas, are expanding every day, IPR will become increasingly important.\n\nREAD ALSO: When yogurt became wine\n\nREAD ALSO: Plougmann Vingtoft helps patent Denmark’s best idea", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9989697337150574}
{"content": "Rugby Union vs Rugby League\n\nAlthough the two seem very similar, there are several differences between the two types of rugby.\n\nRugby is a contact game that was first played in England inside the Rugby school. The sport is played in three styles whereby the opposing teams can take the ball forward by either running with it, kicking, or through set piece. The ball can be thrown from player A to player B side by side or through a back pass. Initially, there was only one form of rugby. However, in 1895, rugby was split with the initial difference being the administration. However, with time, each of the sports has developed its own rules and regulations to make the game more competitive.\n\n\nThe two types of rugby use an ovoid ball with both games scheduled to take 80 minutes. The winner shall be the team with the highest numbers of tries, conversions, drop goals, and goals as a result of a penalty kick. For a goal to be scored, a player should kick the ball over the two goal posts. For the player to win a try, he must have crossed the opponent’s goal line and placed the ball on the ground. The team that has scored is given an extra opportunity to score two more points by kicking the ball. When the game is in session, only the player with the ball can be tackled or stopped from progressing while all the other players are free to run in any direction. The game begins when the ball is passed from one player to another. In both, a referee can use video technology.\n\n\n\nIn the Rugby Union, each side consists of 15 players and 7 substitutes, while in the Rugby League each side has 13 players and 10 substitutes. This means that League is more physically involving since more players are to cover the whole field. The League has amended some of the rules on ball possession. This means that when the ball is being held, the Union rules allow for the contest through lineout while in the League the play is commenced again. In the League, therefore, the game is seldom stopped making the ball game be in action for over 50 minutes out of the 80 minutes.\n\n\nA player in possession of the ball with both hands can be tripped to ground using the leg only in League Rugby. A tackle is judged as complete when the elbow of the player with the ball reaches the floor of the field or the player is in an upright position.\n\nIn Rugby Union, a tackle is counted only when the player with the ball is pinned to the ground. Such a player must pass on the ball, bringing the game to a temporary halt. In League, the game is not affected even after a player is pinned to the ground in a tackle. The tackled player has an option of instantly surrendering the ball, making the tackler roll away.\n\n\nIn Rugby Union, a score is worth 5 points and a drop goal is 3 points, whereas the League will award 4 points for a score but one point for a drop goal. In the Union, a penalty goal is 3 points whereas in the League it is 2 points.\n\nThe Playing Field\n\nThe pitch of the Rugby League measures between 112 and 122 meters long by 68 meters wide. In Rugby Union, the pitch measures 144 by 70 meters long and wide respectively.\n\nMore in Society", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9563431143760681}
{"content": "The Largest Object in the Solar System\n\nBy Anupum Pant\n\nOn November 6th 1892, after being spotted by a British astronomer Edwin Holmes, comet Holmes was not seen again for several decades. Thus it came to be known as the lost comet. Out of the blue, more than 70 years later, the comet was again seen in the year 1964.\n\nNow it is known that comet Holmes was captured by Jupiter several thousand years ago, and it never went back to the Kuiper belt. It is a Jupiter family comet. Every 6.88 years, the comet orbits the sun.\n\nEven this year, on 27th of March, it was one of the most bright comets of the year. But it was something that happened back in the year 2007 which made it one of the most popular comets in the sky.\n\nFor a brief period, comet Holmes, which is also a part of our solar system, became the largest object in the solar system. Yes, even larger than the sun!\n\nOn November 9th 2007, the diameter of comet’s coma – a cloudy region surrounding the comet made up of very tiny shiny ice and dust particles – measured about 1.4 million km. The sun’s diameter rounded to the nearest hundred is estimated to be 1.392 million km. Agreed the coma wasn’t as massive as the sun, but the size of it did measure slightly more than the sun at that time.\n\nIt indeed is a great achievement to become the largest object in the solar system (for some time) for an object that is just a tiny mass of ice and dust that is only about 3.6 km wide.\n\nThat day, the cloud around it erupted due to a mysterious outburst which still puzzles scientists. Such outbursts have been seen in the past too and are thought to have been originated as a result of its collision with a meteor (or probably due to an internal steam eruption).\n\nvia [space]\n\nA Piece of Paper as Thick as the Universe\n\nBy Anupum Pant\n\nLinear growth is only what we can visualize well. Estimating things that grow exponentially, is something not many of us can do properly.\n\nHere’s what happens when you fold a piece of paper. A paper of thickness 1/10 of a millimetre doubles its thickness. On the second fold it is 4 times the initial thickness and so on. It doesn’t really seem like it would grow a lot after, say, 10 folds, right?\n\nAfter 10 folds, the paper which was about the thickness of your hair, turns into something that is as thick as your hand.\n\nWithout any calculation, how thick do you think would it become if you could fold it 103 times?  (I know, no one has ever folded a paper more than 12 times)\n\nThink about this for a second: How many times do you think would you have to fold a paper to make it 1 kilometre thick? The answer is 23. Yes, it takes just 13 more folds to go from the thickness of a hand to a whole kilometre.\n\nTurns out, if you manage to somehow fold a paper 30 times, it would become 100 km tall. The paper would now reach the space.\n\nFor the sake of imagining how exponential growth works, a paper folded 103 times would be about 93 Billion light years thick – which is also the estimated size of the observable universe.\n\nWatch the video below to see one other great example of how exponential growth can mess with you.\n\nSeeing Sound\n\nYou can skip everything under this subheading\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWatching sound\n\n\n\n\nHere is how it works\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9422261714935303}
{"content": "A landfill is a large area of land or an excavated site that is designed and built to receive wastes. There were 3,536 active municipal landfills in the United States in 1995 according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Today, about 55 percent of America’s trash (more than 220 million tons annually) is disposed of in landfills.\n\nMunicipal solid-waste landfills (MSWLFs) accept only household, commercial, and nonhazardous industrial waste. Hazardous waste generated by industrial sources must be disposed of in special landfills that have even stricter controls than MSWLFs.\n\nIn the past, garbage was collected in open dumps. Most of these small and unsanitary dumps have been replaced by large, modern facilities that are designed, operated, and monitored according to strict federal and state regulations. These facilities may be distant from urban centers, requiring the large-scale transport of waste. About 2,300 municipal solid waste landfills were operating in the United States in 2000.\n\nA typical modern landfill is lined with a layer of clay and protective plastic to prevent the waste and leachate (liquid from the wastes) from leaking to the ground or groundwater. The lined landfill is then divided into disposal cells. Only one cell is open at a time to receive waste. After a day’s activity, the waste is compacted and covered with a layer of soil to minimize odor, pests, and wind disturbances.\n\nA network of drains at the bottom of the landfill collects the leachate that flows from the decomposing waste. The leachate is usually sent to a recovery facility to be treated. Methane gas, carbon dioxide, and other gases produced by the decomposing waste are monitored and collected to reduce their effect on air quality. EPA regulations require many larger landfills to collect and burn landfill gas.\n\nEPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program was created in 1994 to educate communities and local government about the benefits of recovering and burning methane as an energy source. By 2002 the program had helped develop 220 projects that convert landfill gas to energy. Such projects, when analyzed in 2001, offset the release of carbon dioxide from conventional energy sources by an amount equivalent to removing 11.7 million cars from the road for one year.\n\nFresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, the largest landfill in the United States, accepting approximately 27,000 tons of garbage a day in the late 1980s, closed in March 2001. Although landfills occupy only a small percentage of the total land in the United States, public concern over possible ground water contamination as well as odor from landfills makes finding new sites difficult.\n\nMedical Waste\n\nMedical waste\nMedical waste\n\n\n\n\n\nRisk and Health Care Waste\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProper Management, Treatment, and Disposal\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMercury is a metal with chemical similarities to zinc and cadmium. The metal is liquid at room temperature, with a freezing point at –31°C, and it is one of the most volatile metals. It occurs as the element Hg0 and as the mercuric ion Hg++, which has a great affinity for reduced sulfur (sulfide, S=).\n\nMost mercury ore deposits consist of the very insoluble mineral cinnabar (HgS), with little droplets of elemental Hg. Mercury also occurs as impurities in many other ore minerals, creating mercury contamination when these minerals are mined or processed. Most common rocks have very low Hg contents, about ten to one hundred parts per billion (ppb) Hg .\n\nElemental mercury is barely soluble in pure water, with only twenty-five ppb Hg dissolving at room temperature, but it is more soluble at higher temperatures. The mercuric ion is very soluble in most ambient waters, but very insoluble in the presence of sulfide. Natural enrichments of mercury occur in and around ore deposits and in geothermal hot spring areas and volcanoes.\n\nBacteria in coastal waters convert inorganic Hg ions back into the elemental state, which then evaporate from the water back into the atmosphere. The physical transport of mercury from ore regions and the vapor transport from geothermal areas and the oceans provide the natural background contamination of mercury.\n\nMercury is a toxic element that damages the human nervous system and brain. Elemental mercury is less dangerous when it is ingested than when it is inhaled. The use of mercury in felt-making led to widespread elemental mercury poisoning of hatmakers (“mad as a hatter”), which was expressed by tremor, loss of hair and teeth, depression, and occasional death. The organic forms of mercury—methylmercury compounds, CH3Hg+ and (CH3)2Hg— are very bioavailable or are easily taken up by living organisms and rapidly enter cells, and are therefore the most hazardous.\n\nMinamata disease was an episode of mercury poisoning of a small coastal community in Japan (1954) through the direct industrial release of methylmercury in the bay. Another infamous episode of mercury contamination occurred in Iraq, where people ate wheat that was treated with a mercury-containing fungicide.\n\nThe continuous flux of mercury from the atmosphere results in the low level of mercury pollution nationwide. A small fraction of the Hg++ from atmospheric deposition is converted by bacteria into the very dangerous methylmercury form. The methylmercury is then taken up by the lowest life forms and makes its way up the food chain and bioaccumulates in the larger fish.\n\nAs a result, large predator fish such as bass, tuna, shark, and swordfish have the highest levels of Hg in the methylmercury form. Most states in the United States have advisories for eating only limited amounts of freshwater fish. Limiting intake of mercury-contaminated fish is especially important for pregnant women and young children. The current U.S. legal limit for Hg in fish for consumption is 1 ppm.\n\nLimits for Hg in soils vary from state to state but generally range from 10 to 20 ppm, whereas the Environmental Protection Agency’s limit for drinking water is 2 ppb Hg. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration limits for Hg in the air in the workplace (for an eight hour average) are 0.01 mg organic Hg/m3 air.\n\nModern sources of mercury contamination from human activities are subdivided into the following groups:\n  1. High-temperature combustion processes such as coal-fired power plants, incineration of solid household waste, medical waste, sewage sludge, and ore smelting.\n  2. Industrial waste effluents, such as from chlor-alkali plants that use liquid mercury as electrodes.\n  3. Effluents of wastewater treatment plants.\n  4. Point sources of specific industries, many of them no longer active today (such as hat making, explosives, mercury lights, herbicides, and plastics).\n\nAn overview of modern anthropogenic Hg fluxes into the environment shows that more than 80 percent of mercury is injected into the atmosphere through such combustion processes as coal-fired power plants.\n\nThe combustion releases mercury as elemental vapor into the atmosphere, where it has an average residence time of about one year before it is oxidized to the mercuric form. The oxidized mercury attaches itself to small dust particles and is removed by wet and dry atmospheric deposition.\n\nAs a result of this massive injection of Hg into the atmosphere—more than 100 tons of Hg per year in the United States in the late 1990s—the contaminant is distributed all over the globe. Even the polar ice caps show evidence of mercury contamination over the last 150 years, from atmospheric dispersal and deposition from anthropogenic sources. There are almost no places on earth that are not contaminated by anthropogenic mercury.\n\nMercury contamination is a matter of ongoing concern, and an extensive study was done for the U.S. Congress to summarize the sources, pathways, and sinks of mercury in the outdoor environment. There are several initiatives to limit the anthropogenic flux of Hg from coal-fired power plants, such as switching to mercury-poor coals and scrubbing the stack gases.\n\nLimiting or banning the production of mercury-containing materials, including switches, thermometers, thermostats, and manometers, both in the household as well as in the medical profession, would also reduce the mercury recycled back into the atmosphere from garbage incineration.\n\n\n\n\nMining is necessary for nations to have adequate and dependable supplies of minerals and materials to meet their economic and defense needs at acceptable environmental, energy, and economic costs. Some of the nonfuel minerals mined, such as stone, which is a nonmetallic or industrial mineral, can be used directly from the earth. Metallic minerals, which are also nonfuel minerals, conversely, are usually combined in nature with other materials as ores.\n\nThese ores must be treated, generally with chemicals or heat to produce the metal of interest. Most bauxite ore, for example, is converted to aluminum oxide, which is used to make aluminum metal via heat and additives. Fuel minerals, such as coal and uranium, must also be processed using chemicals and other treatments to produce the quality of fuel desired.\n\nThere are significant differences in the mining techniques and environmental effects of mining metallic, industrial, and fuel minerals. The discussion here will mostly concentrate on metallic minerals. Mining is a global industry, and not every country has high-grade, large, exceptionally profitable mineral deposits, and the transportation infrastructure to get the mined products to market economically.\n\nSome of the factors affecting global mining are environmental regulations, fuel costs, labor costs, access to land believed to contain valuable ore, diminishing ore grades requiring the mining of more raw materials to obtain the target mineral, technology, the length of time to obtain a permit to mine, and proximity to markets, among others. The U.S. mining industry is facing increasing challenges to compete with nations that have lower labor costs—for example, less stringent environmental regulations and lower fuel costs.\n\nMining Life Cycle\n\nMinerals are a nonrenewable resource, and because of this, the life of mines is finite, and mining represents a temporary use of the land. The mining life cycle during this temporary use of the land can be divided into the following stages: exploration, development, extraction and processing, and mine closure.\n\nMining Life Cycle\nMining Life Cycle\n\nExploration is the work involved in determining the location, size, shape, position, and value of an ore body using prospecting methods, geologic mapping and field investigations, remote sensing (aerial and satellite-borne sensor systems that detect ore-bearing rocks), drilling, and other methods. Building access roads to a drilling site is one example of an exploration activity that can cause environmental damage.\n\nThe development of a mine consists of several principal activities: conducting a feasibility study, including a financial analysis to decide whether to abandon or develop the property; designing the mine; acquiring mining rights; filing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); and preparing the site for production. Preparation could cause environmental damage by excavation of the deposit to remove overburden (surface material above the ore deposit that is devoid of ore minerals) prior to mining.\n\nExtraction is the removal of ore from the ground on a large scale by one or more of three principal methods: surface mining, underground mining, and in situ mining (extraction of ore from a deposit using chemical solutions). After the ore is removed from the ground, it is crushed so that the valuable mineral in the ore can be separated from the waste material and concentrated by flotation (a process that separates finely ground minerals from one another by causing some to float in a froth and others to sink), gravity, magnetism, or other methods, usually at the mine site, to prepare it for further stages of processing.\n\nMining extraction\n\nThe production of large amounts of waste material (often very acidic) and particulate emission have led to major environmental and health concerns with ore extraction and concentration. Additional processing separates the desired metal from the mineral concentrate.\n\nThe closure of a mine refers to cessation of mining at that site. It involves completing a reclamation plan and ensures the safety of areas affected by the operation, for instance, by sealing the entrance to an abandoned mine.\n\nPlanning for closure is often required to be ongoing throughout the life cycle of the mine and not left to be addressed at the end of operations. The Surface Mining and Control Act of 1977 states that reclamation must “restore the land affected to a condition capable of supporting the uses which it was capable of supporting prior to any mining, or higher or better uses.”\n\nAbandoned mines can cause a variety of health-related hazards and threats to the environment, such as the accumulation of hazardous and explosive gases when air no longer circulates in deserted mines and the use of these mines for residential or industrial dumping, posing a danger from unsanitary conditions. Many closed or abandoned mines have been identified by federal and state governments and are being reclaimed by both industry and government.\n\nEnvironmental Impacts\n\nThe environmental responsibility of mining operations is protection of the air, land, and water. Mineral resources were developed in the United States for nearly two centuries with few environmental controls. This is largely attributed to the fact that environmental impact was not understood or appreciated as it is today. In addition, the technology available during this period was not always able to prevent or control environmental damage.\n\nAll methods of mining affect air quality. Particulate matter is released in surface mining when overburden is stripped from the site and stored or returned to the pit. When the soil is removed, vegetation is also removed, exposing the soil to the weather, causing particulates to become airborne through wind erosion and road traffic. Particulate matter can be composed of such noxious materials as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. In general, particulates affect human health adversely by contributing to illnesses relating to the respiratory tract, such as emphysema, but they also can be ingested or absorbed into the skin.\n\nMining can cause physical disturbances to the landscape, creating eyesores such as waste-rock piles and open pits. Such disturbances may contribute to the decline of wildlife and plant species in an area.\n\nOpen pit\nOpen pit\n\nIn addition, it is possible that many of the premining surface features cannot be replaced after mining ceases. Mine subsidence (ground movements of the earth’s surface due to the collapse of overlying strata into voids created by underground mining) can cause damage to buildings and roads.\n\nBetween 1980 and 1985, nearly five hundred subsidence collapse features attributed to abandoned underground metal mines were identified in the vicinity of Galena, Kansas, where the mining of lead ores took place from 1850 to 1970. The entire area was reclaimed in 1994 and 1995.\n\nWater-pollution problems caused by mining include acid mine drainage, metal contamination, and increased sediment levels in streams. Sources can include active or abandoned surface and underground mines, processing plants, waste-disposal areas, haulage roads, or tailings ponds. Sediments, typically from increased soil erosion, cause siltation or the smothering of streambeds. This siltation affects fisheries, swimming, domestic water supply, irrigation, and other uses of streams.\n\nAcid mine drainage (AMD) is a potentially severe pollution hazard that can contaminate surrounding soil, groundwater, and surface water. The formation of acid mine drainage is a function of the geology, hydrology, and mining technology employed at a mine site. The primary sources for acid generation are sulfide minerals, such as pyrite (iron sulfide), which decompose in air and water. Many of these sulfide minerals originate from waste rock removed from the mine or from tailings.\n\nAcid Mine Drainage\nAcid Mine Drainage\n\nIf water infiltrates pyrite-laden rock in the presence of air, it can become acidified, often at a pH level of two or three. This increased acidity in the water can destroy living organisms, and corrode culverts, piers, boat hulls, pumps, and other metal equipment in contact with the acid waters and render the water unacceptable for drinking or recreational use. A summary chemical reaction that represents the chemistry of pyrite weathering to form AMD is as follows:\nPyrite + Oxygen + Water → “Yellowboy” + Sulfuric Acid\n\n“Yellowboy” is the name for iron and aluminum compounds that stain streambeds. AMD can enter the environment in a number of ways, such as free-draining piles of waste rock that are exposed to intense rainstorms, transporting large amounts of acid into nearby rivers; groundwaters that enter underground workings which become acidic and exit via surface openings or are pumped to the surface; and acidic tailings containment ponds that may leach into surrounding land.\n\nMold Pollution\n\nMold Pollution\nMold Pollution\n\nMold pollution is the growth of molds in a building resulting in damage to or the destruction of the structure itself (or its contents) and adverse health effects on the building’s occupants. It is estimated that about 10 percent of U.S. buildings may suffer from mold pollution.\n\nMolds, also known as fungi, are microorganisms that generally have threadlike bodies called mycelium and reproduce by producing spores. Spores are generally round or ovoid single cells (but in some cases are multicellular). Spores can be colorless or pigmented and vary in size. While a human hair is approximately one hundred microns in diameter, spore size ranges from one to five microns.\n\nThere are about fifty to one hundred different molds typically found growing indoors in water-damaged buildings. Water problems in buildings are generally the result of leaks from roofs or plumbing, condensation, and flooding. When building materials or furnishings such as wood, drywall, ceiling tiles, or carpets become wet, causing molds to grow on them.\n\nThe types of substrates and the amount of moisture will often determine the kinds of molds that grow. For example, some molds like Stachybotrys require a highly water-saturated substrate. For other molds such as Aspergillus, only small amounts of excess moisture are necessary for growth. Thus, moisture control is key to controlling mold growth and eliminating their effects on the building or its occupants.\n\nMold growth can cause structural integrity problems in buildings constructed of wood. This generally goes under the misnomer of dry rot. The dry rot molds, like Merulis lacrymans, are the natural decomposers of leaves, stems, and trees in nature. If structural wood in buildings becomes wet, these molds may grow. The name dry rot comes from the powdery residue that is left after the wood is destroyed. Wood can be protected by the use of chemicals like creosote or by the use of sealants.\n\nMold pollution in buildings may result in adverse health effects including infections, allergies, and asthma. Bleeding, memory loss, and a condition known as sick building syndrome may also result from mold pollution, but such health effects remain controversial. Epidemiological studies have linked molds to these conditions; however, a direct causal relationship has not been established.\n\nGreen mold\nGreen mold\n\nWhen health effects from molds occur, it is generally as a result of inhaling mold spores. For example, aspergillosis is an infection of the lungs caused by some species of Aspergillus, which can result in difficulty breathing. If left untreated, it can spread through the bloodstream to other organs, resulting in death. It is probably the most common type of building-acquired infection.\n\nIndividuals with impaired immune systems are most susceptible to this infection. Mold infections can be acquired in health care facilities (nosocomial infections). Careful attention to removing spores from the air and water may be the best method to protect the public from these kinds of infections.\n\nOccasionally, mold infections result from animals and birds inhabiting buildings. For example, bats or pigeons may deposit guano containing such molds as Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans. Disturbing this guano without respiratory protection can result in infection. The best defense against this kind of mold pollution is to keep these creatures out of the building.\n\nIn addition to infections, allergic diseases are associated with mold pollution. Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and is the leading causes of school absenteeism, accounting for over ten million missed school days per year.\n\nFor most elementary school children with asthma, allergens are the primary trigger for asthma, and their disease is thought to result from early exposure and sensitization to common allergens in their environment (e.g., dust mites, cockroaches, and molds). To prevent allergic disease, excessive mold growth must be controlled or eliminated.\n\nThe elimination of molds from structures requires first that water problems be corrected. Then, the mold-infested material must be removed using proper protection. In some cases, heavily mold-infested structures have had to be demolished or burned. In order to make the best decision on how to treat a mold-polluted structure, it is important to understand what molds are present and in what amount.\n\nA mycologist (scientist who studies molds) can often identify and count mold spores collected from indoor air, dust, or surfaces either by culturing them or by observing them under a microscope. However, these are slow and difficult processes.\n\nIn order for mycologists to improve their knowledge about molds in the indoor environment, mold DNA (i.e., moldgenomes) are being sequenced. Sequencing of DNA is the process of deciphering the spelling of the DNA alphabet that makes each organism unique.\n\nLike the sequencing of the human genome, this knowledge of mold genomes allows molecular biologists to develop easier and faster methods for the detection and quantification of molds. This is important because all molds in the indoor environment cannot be eliminated. If molds can be monitored, experts can find out when mold concentrations are at dangerous levels. Measures can then be taken to reduce the mold pollution in the environment.\n\nNoise Pollution\n\nNoise pollution\nNoise pollution\n\nNoise pollution is the intrusion of unwanted, uncontrollable, and unpredictable sounds, not necessarily loud, into the lives of individuals of reasonable sensitivities. Using the “reasonable person” standard removes the notion that the judgment of sounds as unwanted is subjective.\n\nUnwanted sounds or noises can be traced back to Old Testament stories of very loud music and barking dogs as well as to ancient Rome where city residents complained about noisy delivery wagons on their cobblestone streets. The Industrial Revolution, the growth of cities, and the demand for transportation made the world even noisier.\n\nWith the modern world so dependent on and enchanted with noise-producing and noise-related technology—automobiles, aircraft, helicopters, motorcycles, snowmobiles, jet skis, leaf blowers, amplified music, bass-driven car stereo systems—the ambient noise level is rapidly accelerating. This growth in noise has led to research examining the impact of noise on the lives and activities of reasonable people. The result has been a body of evidence that strongly suggests noise is hazardous to good mental and physical health.\n\nTo understand noise, one must know something about sound and how loudness is measured. Sound that travels through the air in waves has two major properties: the frequency or speed at which the waves vibrate and the intensity of each vibration. It is the intensity, or how many molecules are packed together with each vibration, that for the most part produces the sense of loudness, although frequency also contributes to the determination of loudness, with higher-pitched sounds sounding louder.\n\nLoudness is measured by a decibel scale (expressed as dB), but to reflect human hearing more accurately a modified version of this scale, known as the A scale, has been developed. On the A scale, loudness is measured in dBAs.\n\nThe scale increases logarithmically so that an increase of 10 dB indicates a doubling of loudness, and an increase of 20 dB represents a sound that is four times louder. Whispers measure 20 dBA, normal conversation 50 to 60 dBA, shouting 85 dBA, and loud music over 120 dBA. Continuous exposure to sounds over 85 dBA may cause permanent hearing loss.\n\nExposure to very loud sounds that are enjoyable, and not technically noise to the listener, can lead to hearing impairment. Because many people, especially young children and teenagers, are not aware of the dangers of very loud sounds to their hearing, they should be warned that playing computer games with loud audio attachments, setting headsets at consistently high volume, or regularly playing ball in a loud gymnasium may affect their hearing over time. A survey of hearing threshold shifts among youngsters between the ages of six and nineteen found that one out of eight of them suffered a noise-related hearing problem.\n\nChildren attending loud movies and sporting events, or visiting video arcades may be unwittingly exposing themselves to dangerously loud sounds. Teenagers are especially vulnerable as they are more likely to equip their cars with high-powered “boom boxes,” attend loud dance clubs, and work in noisy fast-food restaurants.\n\nSounds need not be very loud to be deemed intrusive—for example, the drip of a faucet, an overhead jet, or a neighbor’s stereo late at night. Noises are especially bothersome at night when one is trying to sleep, and a good night’s sleep is vital to good health. Exposure to bothersome noises over time can be stressful, resulting in adverse health effects, such as hypertension. Although more research is needed to solidify a noise and health link, there is agreement that noise lessens the quality of life.\n\nNoises can be especially harmful to children. Scientific research indicates that noisy homes slow down cognitive and language development in young children. In addition, children living and attending schools near noisy highways, railroads, and airports have lower reading scores, and some children living or attending a school near a major airport have experienced elevated blood pressure.\n\nIn 1972 the U.S. government passed legislation recognizing the growing danger of noise pollution. It empowered the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to curtail noise levels, but by 1982, during the Reagan administration, the office lost most of its funding.\n\naircraft noise\naircraft noise\n\nStates and cities were no longer supported in their efforts to abate noise, and ONAC no longer published materials educating people on the dangers of noise. Recently, the federal government has passed legislation to lessen noise in national parks, for example, banning snowmobiles, but states and cities are on their own in controlling noise, with some cities more successful than others.\n\nTraffic noise, especially aircraft noise, is the major source of annoyance calling for better federal regulation within the United States. In contrast, the European Union is finalizing a noise directive that will require member states to produce noise maps and develop action plans to reduce noise levels.\n\nNoise from snowmobiles, jet skis, and supersonic jets has also intruded on the environment, affecting animals’ abilities to communicate, protect their young, and mate. Worldwide, antinoise groups believe their governments are doing too little to lessen the surrounding din, and groups from the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, Africa, and Asia have joined together to educate both the public and governments about the long-term dangers of noise pollution, urging them to lower the decibel level. A quieter, healthier environment is within our grasp.\n\nNonpoint Source Pollution\n\nNonpoint Source Pollution\nNonpoint Source Pollution\n\nNonpoint source pollution occurs when rainfall or snowmelt runs over land or through the ground, picks up pollutants, and deposits them into rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters or introduces them into groundwater. Some of the primary activities that generate nonpoint source pollution include farming and grazing activities, timber harvesting, new development, construction, and recreational boating.\n\nManure, pesticides, fertilizers, dirt, oil, and gas produced by these activities are examples of nonpoint source pollutants. Even individual households contribute to nonpoint source pollution through improper chemical and pesticide use, landscaping, and other house-hold practices.\n\nAfter Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, the water-quality community within the United States placed a primary emphasis on addressing and controlling point source pollution (pollution coming from discrete conveyances or locations, such as industrial and municipal waste discharge pipes). Not only were these sources the primary contributors to the degradation of U.S. waters at the time, but the extent and signficance of nonpoint source pollution were also poorly understood and overshadowed by efforts to control pollution from point sources.\n\nAt the beginning of the twenty-first century, nonpoint source pollution stands as the primary cause of water-quality problems within the United States. According to the National Water Quality Inventory (published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), it is the main reason that approximately 40 percent of surveyed rivers, lakes, and estuaries are not clean enough to meet basic uses such as fishing or swimming.\n\nLeading Contributors to Nonpoint Source Pollution\n\nStates and other jurisdictions reported in the National Water Quality Inventory that agriculture and urban runoff are among the leading contributors to deteriorating water quality nationwide. The most common nonpoint source pollutants causing water-quality problems include nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), siltation (soil particles), metals, and pathogens (bacteria and viruses).\n\nAgriculture is identified as the leading source of degradation of polluted rivers, streams, and lakes surveyed by states, territories, and tribes in the National Water Quality Inventory. Agricultural activities that result in nonpoint source pollution include concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), grazing, plowing, pesticide spraying, irrigation, fertilizing, planting, and harvesting.\n\nA major nonpoint source pollutant from these activities is an excess of nutrients, which can occur through applications of crop fertilizers and manure from animal production facilities. Excessive nutrients may overstimulate the growth of aquatic weeds and algae, depleting the oxygen available for a healthy aquatic community.\n\nHydromodification that alters the flow of water is the second leading source of damage to U.S. rivers, streams, and lakes, according to the same National Water Quality Inventory report. Examples of hydromodification projects include channelization, dredging, and construction of dams.\n\nExcess sediment due to erosion caused by projects such as building dams can severely alter aquatic communities by clogging fish gills or suffocating eggs. Sediment may also carry other pollutants into water bodies (e.g., PCBs or mercury) which can accumulate in aquatic species, leading to fish consumption advisories.\n\nHabitat modification is identified as the third-largest source of water pollution in surveyed rivers and streams in the National Water Quality Inventory. Habitat modification occurs when the vegetation along stream banks is removed, diminishing buffers that help filter runoff and provide shade for the adjacent water body. These modifications can result in an increase in the water temperature (because of less shade) and an increase in quantity and velocity of runoff, making the river or stream less suitable for the organisms inhabiting it.\n\nUrban runoff\nUrban runoff\n\nRunoff from urban areas is the fourth-largest source of water pollution in rivers and streams and the third-largest source of water pollution in lakes, according to the National Water Quality Inventory. Increased urban development brings additional roads, bridges, buildings, and parking lots, which can result in large amounts of runoff that quickly and easily drain into rivers and lakes. In contrast, the porous and varied terrain of natural landscapes like forests, wetlands, and grasslands traps rainwater and snowmelt and allows it to filter slowly into the ground.\n\nUrban runoff transports a variety of pollutants, including sediment from new development; oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from vehicles; and nutrients and pesticides from turf management and gardening. It can also carry pathogenic bacteria and viruses released from failing septic systems and inadequately treated sewage, which can result in closed beaches and shellfish beds, contaminated drinking water sources, and even severe human illness.\n\nPrograms for Nonpoint Source Control\n\nThe United States has made significant progress in addressing nonpoint source pollution since Congress amended the Clean Water Act in 1987 to establish a national program for controlling nonpoint source pollution. Under section 319 of the Clean Water Act, states adopted management programs to control nonpoint source pollution, and since 1990 the EPA has awarded grants to states to assist them in implementing those management programs.\n\nOther federal agencies also provide technical and financial support through grants and loans to states, local communities, and farmers and other landowners, to implement nonpoint source pollution controls. In addition, many state and local entities are dedicating increasing amounts of funding to control nonpoint source pollution.\n\nState nonpoint source programs provide for the control of nonpoint source pollution primarily through best management practices (BMPs), which are on-the-ground technical controls used to prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution.\n\nCommon practices used to control nutrients from agriculture include altering fertilizer and pesticide application methods and storing and properly managing manure from confined animal facilities. Developing a buffer of vegetation between the land and the stream bank can help filter all types of nonpoint source pollutants from entering a receiving water body, including sediment transported by overland flow.\n\nStream-bank protection and channel stabilization practices are also very effective in preventing sediment deposition in the water by limiting the bank erosion processes and streambed degradation. Urban runoff can be controlled by establishing trenches, basins, and detention ponds at construction sites to hold, settle, and retain suspended solids and associated pollutants.\n\nBasic pollution-prevention measures introduced around the home can also prevent nonpoint source pollutants from entering storm water. Practices include the proper storage, use, and disposal of household hazardous chemicals; proper operation and maintenance of onsite disposal systems; and even proper disposal of pet waste so that it does not wash into storm drains.\n\nWatershed Approach to Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution\n\nNonpoint source pollution derives from many different sources over large geographic areas so regulating and controlling it are challenging. The watershed approach to managing nonpoint source pollution, however, is proving to be an effective technique. Everyone lives in a watershed, or an area of land in which all water drains.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Geological Survey, the nation can be divided into approximately 2,149 medium-sized watersheds, averaging about 1,700 square miles in each area. The watershed approach relies on coordinating all relevant federal, state, and local government agencies, and the stakeholders who live in a particular watershed, to help solve priority problems in that watershed.\n\nHistorically, many water-quality problems were addressed piecemeal in individual water bodies by individual entities, usually limited by political, social, and economic boundaries. The watershed approach, however, relies on the coordination of all entities and stakeholders to help solve the watershed’s most serious environmental problems, which in many instances are caused by nonpoint source pollution.\n\nInternational Implications\n\nManaging nonpoint source pollution is an international challenge. Like the United States, many developed countries initially directed resources toward controlling point source pollution. However, significant nonpoint source problems remain, especially resulting from an excess of nutrients and sediment in water bodies. The United Nations Environment Programme has identified increased nitrogen loadings, resulting mainly from agricultural runoff and wastewater, as one of the most serious water-quality issues affecting all countries.\n\nSedimentation is a significant concern for other countries, frequently resulting from deforestation or clear cutting for fuelwood, or agricultural practices. One of the largest threats in developing countries relates to problems with sewage control, either through poor maintenance of sewage collection systems or a lack of it, leading to severe waterborne diseases.\n\nThe increasing world population promises even more challenges for managing nonpoint source pollution. Some international communities are embracing integrated solutions (like the watershed approach) to reduce it. Agenda 21 adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 is but one example.\n\nOcean Dumping\n\nOcean dumping\nOcean dumping\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTowed, then dumped to the oceans floor\nTowed, then dumped to the oceans floor\n\n\n\n\n\nAlert on ozone layer\nAlert on ozone layer\n\nOzone is a gas found in the atmosphere in very trace amounts. Depending on where it is located, ozone can be beneficial (“good ozone”) or detrimental (“bad ozone”). On average, every ten million air molecules contains only about three molecules of ozone.\n\nIndeed, if all the ozone in the atmosphere were collected in a layer at Earth’s surface, that layer would only have the thickness of three dimes. But despite its scarcity, ozone plays very significant roles in the atmosphere. In fact, ozone frequently “makes headlines” in the newspapers because its roles are of importance to humans and other life on Earth.\n\nWhat Is Ozone?\n\nChemically, the ozone molecule consists of three atoms of oxygen arranged in the shape of a wide V. Its formula is O3 (the more familiar form of oxygen that one breathes has only two atoms of oxygen and a chemical formula of O2). Gaseous ozone is bluish in color and has a pungent, distinctive smell. In fact, the name ozone is derived from the Greek word ozein, meaning “to smell or reek.”\n\nThe smell of ozone can often be noticed near electrical transformers or nearby lightning strikes. It is formed in these instances when an electrical discharge breaks an oxygen molecule (O2) into free oxygen atoms (O), which then combine with O2 in the air to make O3. In addition to its roles in the atmosphere, ozone is a chemically reactive oxidizing agent that is used as an air purifier, a water sterilizer, and a bleaching agent.\n\nWhere Is Ozone Found in the Atmosphere?\n\nOzone is mainly found in the two regions of the atmosphere that are closest to the earth’s surface. About 10 percent of the atmosphere’s ozone is in the lowest-lying atmospheric region, the troposphere. This ozone is formed in a series of chemical reactions that involve the interaction of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and sunlight.\n\nMost ozone (about 90%) resides in the next atmospheric layer, the stratosphere. The stratosphere begins between 8 and 18 kilometers (5 and 11 miles) above the earth’s surface and extends up to about 50 kilometers (30 miles).\n\nThe ozone in this region is commonly known as the ozone layer. Stratospheric ozone is formed when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks apart molecular oxygen (O2) to form O atoms, which then combine with O2 to make ozone. Note that this formation mechanism differs from the one mentioned above for ozone in the lower atmosphere.\n\nWhat Roles Does Ozone Play in the Atmosphere and How Are Humans Affected?\n\nThe ozone molecules in the stratosphere and the troposphere are chemically identical. However, they have very different roles in the atmosphere and very different effects on humans and other living beings, depending on their location.\n\nA useful statement summarizing ozone’s different effects is that it is “good up high, bad nearby.” In the upper atmosphere, stratospheric ozone plays a beneficial role by absorbing most of the sun’s biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight (called UV-B), allowing only a small amount to reach the earth’s surface.\n\nThe absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone creates a source of heat, which actually defines the stratosphere (a region in which the temperature rises as one goes to higher altitudes). Ozone thus plays a key role in the temperature structure of the earth’s atmosphere. Without the filtering action of the ozone layer, more of the sun’s UV-B radiation would penetrate the atmosphere and reach the earth’s surface.\n\nUV-A and UV-B radiation\nUV-A and UV-B radiation\n\nMany experimental studies of plants and animals and clinical studies of humans have shown that excessive exposure to UV-B radiation has harmful effects. Serious long-term effects can include skin cancers and eye damage. The UV-absorbing role of stratospheric ozone is what lies behind the expression that ozone is “good up high.”\n\nIn the troposphere, ozone comes into direct contact with life-forms. Although some amount of ozone is naturally present in the lower atmosphere, excessive amounts of this lower-atmospheric ozone are undesirable (or bad ozone).\n\nThis is because ozone reacts strongly with other molecules, including molecules that make up the tissues of plants and animals. Several studies have documented the harmful effects of excessive ozone on crop production, forest growth, and human health. For example, people with asthma are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of ozone. Thus, ozone is “bad nearby.”\n\nWhat Are the Environmental Issues Associated with Ozone?\n\nThe dual role of ozone links it to two separate environmental issues often seen in the newspaper headlines. One issue relates to increases in ozone in the troposphere (the bad ozone mentioned above). Human activities that add nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds to that atmosphere, such as the fossil fuel burning associated with power-generating plants and vehicular exhaust, are contributing to the formation of larger amounts of ozone near the earth’s surface.\n\nThis ozone is a key component of photochemical smog, a familiar problem in the atmosphere of many cities around the world. Higher amounts of surface-level ozone are increasingly being observed in rural areas as well. Thus, the environmental issue is that human activities can lead to more of the bad ozone.\n\nThe second environmental issue relates to the loss of ozone in the stratosphere. Ground-based and satellite instruments have measured decreases in the amount of stratospheric ozone in our atmosphere, which is called ozone-layer depletion. The most extreme case occurs over some parts of Antarctica, where up to 60 percent of the total overhead amount of ozone (known as the column ozone) disappears during some periods of the Antarctic spring (September through November). This phenomenon, which has been occurring only since the early 1980s, is known as the Antarctic ozone hole.\n\nIn the arctic polar regions, similar processes occur that have also led to significant chemical depletion of the column ozone during late winter and spring in many recent years. Arctic ozone loss from January through late March has been typically 20 to 25 percent, and shorter-period losses have been higher, depending on the meteorological conditions encountered in the Arctic stratosphere.\n\nSmaller, but nevertheless significant, stratospheric ozone decreases have been seen at other, more populated latitudes of the earth, away from the polar regions. Instruments on satellites and on the ground have detected higher amounts of UV-B radiation at the earth’s surface below areas of depleted ozone.\n\nWhat Human Activities Affect the Stratospheric Ozone Layer?\n\nInitially, theories about the cause of ozone-layer depletion abounded. Many factors were suggested, from the sun to air motions to human activity. In the 1970s and 1980s, the scientific evidence showed conclusively that human-produced chemicals are responsible for the observed depletions of the ozone layer.\n\nThe ozone-depleting compounds contain various combinations of carbon with the chemical elements chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and hydrogen (the halogen family in the periodic table of the elements). These are often described by the general term halocarbons. The compounds include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs which are used as refrigerants, foam-blowing agents, electronics cleaners, and industrial solvents) as well as halons (which are used in fire extinguishers).\n\nThe compounds are useful and benign in the troposphere, but when they eventually reach the stratosphere, they are broken apart by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. The chlorine and bromine atoms released from these compounds are responsible for the breakdown of stratospheric ozone.\n\nThe ozone destruction cycles are catalytic, meaning that the chlorine or bromine atom enters the cycle, destroys ozone, and exits the cycle unscathed and therefore able to destroy another ozone molecule. In fact, an individual chlorine atom can destroy as many as 10,000 different ozone molecules before the chlorine atom is removed from the stratosphere by other reactions.\n\nWhat Actions Have Been Taken to Protect the Ozone Layer?\n\nResearch on ozone depletion advanced very rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to the identification of CFCs and other halocarbons as the cause. Governments and industry acted quickly on the scientific information.\n\nThrough a 1987 international agreement known as the Montréal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, governments decided to eventually discontinue production of CFCs (known in the United States by the industry trade name “Freons”), halons, and other halocarbons (except for a few special uses). Concurrently, industry developed more ozone-friendly substitutes for the CFCs and other ozone-depleting halocarbons.\n\nIf nations adhere to international agreements, the ozone layer is expected to recover by the year 2050. The interaction of science in identifying the problem, technology in developing alternatives, and governments in devising new policies is thus an environmental “success story in the making.” Indeed, the Montréal Protocol serves as a model for other environmental issues now facing the global community.\n\nWhat Actions Have Been Taken to Reduce the Amount of Ozone at Ground Level?\n\nOzone pollution at the earth’s surface is formed within the atmosphere by the interaction of sunlight with chemical precursor compounds (or starting ingredients): the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the United States, the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce ozone pollution are therefore focused on reducing the emissions of the precursor compounds.\n\nVOCs, a primary focus of many regulations, arise from the combustion of fossil fuel and from natural sources (emissions from forests). Increasingly, attention is turning to reducing the emissions of NOx compounds, which also arise from the combustion of fossil fuels.\n\nThe use of cleaner fuels and more efficient vehicles has caused a reduction in the emission of ozone precursors in urban areas. This has led to a steady decline in the number and severity of episodes and violations of the one-hour ozone standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (which is 120 parts per billion or ppb, meaning that out of a billion air molecules, 120 are ozone).\n\nIn 1999 there were thirty-two areas of the country that were in violation of the ozone standard, down from 101 just nine years earlier. Despite these improvements, ground-level ozone continues to be one of the most difficult pollutants to manage.\n\nAn additional, more stringent ozone standard proposed by the EPA to protect public health Agency (EPA) to reduce ozone pollution are therefore focused on reducing the emissions of the precursor compounds. VOCs, a primary focus of many regulations, arise from the combustion of fossil fuel and from natural sources (emissions from forests). Increasingly, attention is turning to reducing the emissions of NOx compounds, which also arise from the combustion of fossil fuels.\n\n\n\nAn additional, more stringent ozone standard proposed by the EPA to protect public health, eighty ppb averaged over eight hours, was cleared in early 2001 for implementation in the United States. For comparison, Canada’s standard is sixty-five ppb averaged over eight hours. SEE ALSO Air Pollution; Asthma;eighty ppb averaged over eight hours, was cleared in early 2001 for implementation in the United States. For comparison, Canada’s standard is sixty-five ppb averaged over eight hours.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8945764899253845}
{"content": "The Art of Surrender\n\nThe Art of Surrender\n\n\nSurrender is not defeat. Surrender is not giving up.\nSurrender is ‘allowing’ in the moment.\n\nEach day, and more specifically each moment, we have an opportunity to practice\nthe art of surrendering. Whether we are late for an appointment, waiting for a\ntrain, or feeling overwhelmed by life, we have a choice. We hit a fork in the\n\nWe can either choose to follow that impulse of frustration, aggravation, or\npushing back, or we could let go, take a conscious deep breath, and surrender.\nThe purpose is not to fully eliminate the aggravating or frustrating feeling,\nbut to slow things down and allow ourselves to feel more centered and\ncalm. Even if the feelings don’t go away, we have a choice in the moment to\nbreathe and notice or not. We don’t have to get it right or perfect. We just have to notice and practice acceptance.\n\nIn my private practice, I help my clients experience that their emotional\nterrain is not bad or wrong. It just is. We work together to see if we can find\na way to slow things down in the moment, so that they aren’t dragged along by\ntheir emotional world. So many people experiencing hard feelings such as anxiety or depression, tell me that they are afraid to feel the feelings. They are afraid to feel it because if they do, it will overwhelm and consume them. What I have witnessed and experienced time and time again, is that if we allow ourselves to feel what we are experiencing, no matter how difficult, the feelings pass or shift more quickly. In our culture, we are often taught to ‘get over it’. I invite a new attitude of surrendering to what is.\n\nWhen you hit your fork in the road, which path will you choose?\n\n\nSubscribe to our mailing list\n\n* indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name\n\nSorry, comments are closed for this post.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.539466142654419}
{"content": "g08  .  part wild horses' mane on both sides\nand shiggajon  .  lainfaida della indabishto\ncd-r  .  1st press available November 19th 2011\nfree download\n\nGolem: \"Releasing a split with pwhmobs and shiggajon was an obvious thing to do, the bands having recorded together and played together (some times as one unit) on several occasions. Besides that, the bands seem to share an approach to modern improvised ”folk”music, trying to shape a kind of authentic contemporary form of expression without falling into the traps of psych-folk or free jazz. Shiggajon has, this being (probably?) their 16th release, been through a lot of phases. Having gone from being a two-man collage-project to being a 14-man orchestral live-unit, their material here comes from the latest more workshop-like studio-based way of working with music, which enables a more complex and dynamic structure. The pwhmobs-track, one of their more percussive and ambient, less jazzy ones, being recorded live, is a good example of the dynamics and intuitive flow of the band, seamlessly weaving together a very diverse but consistent piece of music, combining acoustics and electronics as the most natural thing in the world. \"\nVolcanic tongue: \"Dream team split release that pairs two of the best free/folk jam bands on the goddamn planet, England’s Part Wild Horses Mane On Both Sides and Denmark’s Shiggajon. Shiggajon contribute two tracks, a slow-burning vertical ascension of reeds over slow bowing strings and a final epic traverse of organ drone and triumphal brass that takes off on John Coltrane’s Cosmic Music. Part Wild Horses are on equally epic form, with the sound of slow feedback tones and prayer bowls sparkling in deep silence before Pascal starts batting around time signatures and Kelly summons the ghost of Takehisa Kosugi. Still no one like them. Highly recommended.\"", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.836714506149292}
{"content": "Obama secretly signing away U.S. sovereignty\n\n\nKlein Online\n\nShock plan regulates food, medicine, financial markers, Internet freedom.\n\nDespite the government shutdown, the Obama administration has continued secret negotiations to complete what is known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. The expansive plan is a proposed free-trade agreement between the U.S., Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The agreement would create new guidelines for everything from food safety to fracking, financial markets, medical prices, copyright rules and Internet freedom. The TPP negotiations have been criticized by politicians and advocacy groups alike for their secrecy. The few aspects of the partnership leaked to the public indicate an expansive agenda with highly limited congressional oversight.\n\nA New York Times opinion piece previously called the deal the “most significant international commercial agreement since the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1995.” Last week, the White House website released a joint statement with the other proposed TPP signatories affirming “our countries are on track to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.” “Ministers and negotiators have made significant progress in recent months on all the legal texts and annexes on access to our respective goods, services, investment, financial services, government procurement, and temporary entry markets,” the White House said.\n\nThe statement did not divulge details of the partnership other than to suggest a final TPP agreement “must reflect our common vision to establish a comprehensive, next-generation model for addressing both new and traditional trade and investment issues, supporting the creation and retention of jobs and promoting economic development in our countries.” Secrecy In February, the Open the Government organization sent a letter to Obama blasting the lack of transparency surrounding the TPP talks, stating the negotiations have been “conducted in unprecedented secrecy.” “Despite the fact the deal may significantly affect the way we live our lives by limiting our public protections, there has been no public access to even the most fundamental draft agreement texts and other documents,” read the letter. The missive was signed by advocacy groups such as OpenTheGovernment.org, Project On Government Oversight, ARTICLE 19 and the Global Campaign for Freedom of Expression and Information.\n\nThe groups warned issues being secretly negotiated include “patent and copyright, land use, food and product standards, natural resources, professional licensing, government procurement, financial practices, healthcare, energy, telecommunications, and other service sector regulations.” Lack of oversight Normally free -trade agreements must be authorized by a majority of the House and Senate, usually in lengthy proceedings. However, the White House is seeking what is known as “trade promotion authority” which would fast track approval of the TPP by requiring Congress to vote on the likely lengthy trade agreement within 90 days and without any amendments. The authority also allows Obama to sign the agreement before Congress even has a chance to vote on it, with lawmakers getting only a quick post-facto vote. A number of lawmakers have been speaking out about the secret TPP talks. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., recently proposed legislation requiring the White House to disclose all TPP documents to members of Congress. “The majority of Congress is being kept in the dark as to the substance of the TPP negotiations, while representatives of U.S. corporations – like Halliburton, Chevron, PHRMA, Comcast, and the Motion Picture Association of America – are being consulted and made privy to details of the agreement,” said Wyden.\n\nHowever, Obama has so far refused to give Congress a copy of the draft agreement. Regulates food, Internet, medicine, commerce The TPP is “more than just a trade deal,” wrote Lori Wallach and Ben Beachy of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch in a New York Times op-ed last June. “Only 5 of its 29 chapters cover traditional trade matters, like tariffs or quotas. The others impose parameters on nontrade policies. Existing and future American laws must be altered to conform with these terms, or trade sanctions can be imposed against American exports.” Wallach and Beachy spotlighted several leaks in the proposed TPP text, including one that would regulate the price of medicine. “Pharmaceutical companies, which are among those enjoying access to negotiators as ‘advisers,’ have long lobbied against government efforts to keep the cost of medicines down. Under the agreement, these companies could challenge such measures by claiming that they undermined their new rights granted by the deal.” Amnesty International USA warned draft TPP provisions related to patents for pharmaceuticals “risk stifling the development and production of generic medicines, by strengthening and deepening monopoly protections.”\n\nAnother leak revealed the TPP would grant more incentives to relocate domestic manufacturing offshore, Wallach and Beachy related. Jim Hightower, a progressive activist, wrote the TPP incorporates elements similar to the Stop Online Piracy Act. Hightower wrote the deal would “transform Internet service providers into a private, Big Brother police force, empowered to monitor our ‘user activity,’ arbitrarily take down our content and cut off our access to the Internet.” Indeed, Internet freedom advocacy groups have been protesting the TPP, taking specific issue with leaked proposals that would enact strict intellectual property restraints that would effectively change U.S. copyright law. The Electronic Frontier Foundation argued the TPP would “restrict the ability of Congress to engage in domestic law reform to meet the evolving IP needs of American citizens and the innovative technology sector.” In a petition signed by over 30 Internet freedom organizations, the group warned the TPP would “rewrite global rules on intellectual property enforcement.” \n\nRelated article\n\n  • RatedBestComment\n\n    Barry is a communist, plain and simple. They wish to see the last bastion of capitalism destroyed so they can ENSLAVE the entire world.\n\n    Sick, sick, sick….. People must overcome this sickness of being addicted to sickness. But they must first recognize they are sick. Something Barry Saetoro must get use to.\n\n  • usmcmailman\n\n    SO WHAT ???????\n\n  • rafaelohaeim\n\n\n  • Judy\n\n    You people are full of it. Why don’t you move to Syria or N. Korea and take the tea bag losers with you.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7180432081222534}
{"content": "Psychic medium boston reviews\n\nBeautiful psychic medium boston reviews are testimonies all\n\nand NATO forces don't publicly differentiate between manned and unmanned strikes in tracking civilian casualties. As always, speeds can diminish depending the protocol used and server location. You can ask any question in the world and have it answered in detail. The Bible identifies these beings as angels and best psychic readers uk. Using revies else's intuition may give you a perspective that will help you to cope during an uncertain economy. The six of swords might also be psycyic this vein symbolizing ache each psychological and bodily, though every could be throughout the route of a constructive consequence equal to enlightenment or therapeutic. Well I'm ;sychic this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. IS or ice is the rune of freezing and stillness. A psychic mevium needs clarification to understand something they are whos the peek-a-boo psychic psychically, but if you tell the whole shabang before you establish they have psychic ability and have indeed established the connection, they'll end up bostin to some logical conclusions and basically feeding you back the information you gave. Energetic Virgins are likely to store their large wardrobe in completely organized closets which might be full of classic gadgets similar to open-toed sling backs, patent leather kitten-heels, crisp white blouses, navy fits, black cocktail dresses, tennis skirts, khaki shorts, kilts, flowing robes and effectively fitting denims. Yep, the yahoo discovered me. Sun - This shows much better revirws. Take a look at these designs as well. All mediu like is a brave coronary coronary heart and an open ideas. For individuals who're doing a finding out for psychic medium boston reviews further psychic medium boston reviews specific particular person, this particular person is known as the \"querent\", it's essential to ensure that psyychic querent is psychic medium joy when you find yourself learning their tarot cards, so make sure to preserve eye contact and a pleasing smile all the time. less add clicks) are psychic readings by ronn in ranking. A: He saw the monster through his camera. Relax. I psychic medium boston reviews believe that anyone would be stupid enough to sign up for Jenna reading. Temperance - You always show a kind soft side, so others don't realise what they are messing with. whats your name. Even despite the changes to its functionality, Fiery Form still remains one of the better psychic powers in the discipline not only because of the 4 invulnerable save it provides but also the extra e free mail psychic reading punch it gives to psychic medium boston reviews psyker. but you can use elements from it - such as cards 1 2 to show the issue pstchic lay out the whole lot and just pick out the most significant ones. Your questions answered by Reciews psychic medium boston reviews gifted psychics. Bostton may be tempting to fork over some money that promises you a quick and easy solution to watch Knowing online free but why should you. I have actually struggled with anemia for numerous years now. It doesn't matter whether it's a candle, herb or Tarot spell. RACHEL DRETZIN: Airmen here are required to wear flight suits to work, even though they sit 7,500 miles away from the battlefield. A psychic can normally use bostno, astrology, or bosotn to foretell the chance of an excellent match between you. So in the long run a consumer acquired here into the truthful and requested about what kind of Psychic readings do we offer. The mindset seems to be, people rihanna psychic predictions 2013 our services. Generally psychics may give you an answer from spirit which doesn't recommend that you wouldn't have free will and that you psychic medium boston reviews just simply merely cannot change the mediuj. Wands - This suit is associated with fire and represents growth, glory, enterprise, energy and animation. This is the simplest a part of all: all you must do psychiic sort in the search bar of any search engine these very words and then choose from psychic medium boston reviews tons of of web sites that psychic medium boston reviews you this service. Aquamarines improve the utilization of psychic powers and make the concepts additional alert. So if gary young psychic and possessed watch online one of those pro priests who never take damage, you can instantly bring the tank up to 100 if he's at 10. That's when I biston. It's thought to trigger vomiting, diarrhea, the drying up of the milk of nursing moms and livestock, points with the blood, eyesight lack of rain, the drying up of wells, the withering of fruit and impotence in males. Students who are sharpening their psychic abilities before offering their services professionally may be offering free readings to any-or a limited number of-takers. But if it is near the snake and clouds, then beware, as it will not be a trustworthy person and it will cause confusion.\n\n\n\n04.10.2016 at 07:19 Kazigul:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8910727500915527}
{"content": "Saturday, May 25, 2013\n\nChocolate and citrus marmelade cupcakes\n\n\n\nEnjoy and feel free to comment!\n\nfor the cupcake batter:\n- 1 cup AP flour\n- 1 cup flour\n- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder\n- 1/4 tsp salt\n- 1/2 tsp baking powder\n- 1/2 tsp baking soda\n- 1 egg\n- 1 stick butter, at room temperature\n- 1/2 cup milk\n- a splash of vanilla extract\n- zest of 1 orange\n\nfor the frosting:\n- 2 cups of confectionner sugar\n- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder\n- 1/4 cup orange juice\n- zest of 1 orange\n- 1 stick of butter\n- a splash of vanilla extract\n- a splash of grapefruit flavored vodka, optionnal\n\nprepare the batter first:\n- preheat your oven at 350F\n- cream the sugar and butter until fluffy\n\n\n\n- mix the milk and orange juice\n\n\n\n- let cool completely on a rack until ready to frost\n\nprepare the frosting:\n- mix the butter, zest, confectionner sugar and cocoa powder\n\n- add the orange juice and mix until smooth\n\n\nTry not to eat the paper liner... ;)\n\nSunday, May 12, 2013\n\nQuick and easy couscous fish cakes\n\nHave you ever felt completely uninspired in the kitchen?\n\nEver asked yourself \"what am I ever going to make for lunch??\", \"what I am going to do with a half a cup of couscous?!\" or \"why oh why did I buy 5 lbs of frozen fish?!?\"\n\nWell I have... And this recipe is what came out :D\n\nNot only does it use freezer and pantry items, but you can even make it into a 3-in-1 serving it with cooked veggies leftover.\n\nOh, and it's healthy too!\n\nINGREDIENTS (yields about 12 patties):\n- 4 frozen flounder filets, thawed and drained (you can use any fish you like, this just happens to be what I had in my freezer)\n- 3 frozen haddock filets, thawed and drained. Make sure to squeeze out any residual liquid or the patty mixture will be too moist.\n- 1/2 cup leftover cooked couscous (or any cooked grains or cereals like quinoa, grits, rice, barley. Mashed potatoes will work too)\n- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or dry instant oats, regular breadcrumbs, crushed saltines, AP flour, basically anything to adjust moisture of the patty mix)\n- salt, pepper, dried thyme (or any seasoning you feel like)\n- the juice of half a lemon\n- 1 clove of garlic\n- olive oil for cooking\n\n- put the fish filets in a food processor and pulse-puree until almost smooth\n\nNote: I like my fish cakes to still have a few pieces of fish for texture\n- season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, grated garlic and crushed thyme and pulse quickly once more\n\n- transfer the fish mixture in a bowl and add the cooked couscous and half of the panko. Mix well using your hands and adjust the moisture level with panko until satisfied\n\n- form 12 flat round patties\n\n- heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan and cook the patties over medium heat until golden and crispy (about 3 minutes on each side)\n\n- serve with any veggie side you like. I served my fish cakes with a side of chilled Bohémienne (a ratatouille-like eggplant and tomato stew) and a slice of lemon.\n\n- Bon app!\n\nSaturday, May 4, 2013\n\nMeyer lemon curd pie\n\nLemon curd pie is my absolute favorite dessert ever. Eh. Vah.\n\nI used Jamie Oliver's recipe for inspiration, and mixed Meyer lemons with regular lemons for a little something extra.\n\nPerfect balance of sweet and tart. Melts in your mouth...\n\n\nfor the crust (2 servings, you will only use one for the pie but you can freeze the other half and you'll have pie crust ready for next time!):\n- 2 whole eggs\n- 250g butter, at room temperature (about 2 1/4 sticks)\n- 200g confectioner sugar\n- a splash of vanilla extract\n- 1/4 cup cold milk (I used fat free, but any milk is fine)\n- 500g AP flour\n- zest of 1 Meyer lemon\n- a pinch of salt\n\nfor the filling (1 serving):\n- 7 whole eggs\n- 7 yolks (you can keep the whites for a meringue topping, or macarons)\n- 380g caster sugar\n- juice and zest of 4 Meyer lemons and 4 regular lemons (you can use just regular lemons if you cannot find Meyer lemons)\n- 320g very cold butter, diced in 1/2 inch cubes (about 2 3/4 sticks)\n\n1) prepare the crust:\n- preheat your oven at 350F\n- cream the butter and confectioner sugar together until fluffy and smooth\n\n- add the lemon zest and vanilla extract\n\n- add the flour and eggs, alternating and mixing well between each addition until it looks a bit dry and crumbly\n\nNote: the dough should look dry, but when pressed together it should form a ball and stick together\n- form a flat patty, wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour\n\nNote: it is important to shape the dough into a flat patty and not just a ball, because you want the dough to cool down uniformly. If it is in a ball, the center of the ball will not cool as much as the surface.\n- after the dough has rested an hour and feels harder to the touch, cut the patty in half. Keep one half for today and freeze the rest, wrapped in plastic.\n- crumble the dough (or coarsely grate it) directly in a buttered and floured pie form and pat it down until it forms a uniform layer in the bottom and on the sides of the form. Trim the excess and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge or 10 minutes in the freezer before baking.\n\n- bake dry for 15 minutes at 350F (place a sheet of aluminum foil on top of the dough and weigh down with baking weights, or dry beans or rice you keep only for that purpose). After baking for 15 minutes, take out of the oven and let rest while you prepare the filling\n\n2) prepare the filling:\n- add the sugar, lemon juice and zest to the eggs and yolks and beat until sugar is dissolved\n\n- transfer to a pot and stir continuously on very low heat (even better to use a double boiler, but I just did not have one at hand)\n\nNote: it is crucial to stir all the time: trust me, you do not want to have scrambled eggs in the bottom of your pan!\n- after a few minutes, when the mixture is warm and starting to thicken a little, you can start adding the very cold butter, a few cubes at a time. Stir, stir, stir!!!\n\n- cook on very low heat until the curd thickens and covers a wooden spoon evenly, and strain the curd through a fine sieve to remove any clumps that may have formed and gritty zest\n\n- pour the filling in the cooled crust\n\nNote: it may still look a bit liquid while hot, but as it cools down, it will set into a soft yet sturdy filling :)\n- refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours before serving\n- serve with fresh fruit (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, whatever you feel like!) and strong coffee.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9969814419746399}
{"content": "Security expert says look for out of the norm behaviors to spot Tad Cummins\n\nHUNTSVILLE, Ala. –Tad Cummins could be anywhere with Elizabeth Thomas at this point. Authorities believe they are staying off the grid, and possibly not even in the vehicle first reported anymore. But, there are still things the public can look for to identify the two.\n\n“That’s really what we’re looking for, is something out of the norm,” said Shane Hammett, Vice President of Cyber Operations for All Points LLC.\n\nHammett knows not everyone is trained to notice those things. He said for the public to identify someone like Tad Cummins, reading body posture is a big help.\n\n“Not making eye contact is an example of those kinds of things, and so looking for those unique identifiers like that,” he explained.\n\nHe said being vigilant can be as easy as looking for unorthodox patters of behavior in the people around you.\n\n“Never going to work and not seemingly having a disability, or erratic time of leaving the house may be another example of it,” he said.\n\nEven if they are off the grid, Cummins could be posing with Thomas as anything. If they do make an appearance in public, a big tell for identifying individuals like them would be the absence of technology.\n\n“You know not having that cell phone with you on a regular basis where the majority of the U.S. tends to have that on a regular basis,” said Hammett.\n\nHe thinks Cummins is very much aware of his surroundings.\n\n“Identifying social media, looking for trends along those lines, looking at local news, is going to certainly be a pattern of his behavior,” said Hammett.\n\nSo, spotting anyone paying too much attention to things like that is another good indicator. Paying close attention to anyone around you is always helpful.\n\n“I think that’s why it’s important for individuals to engage and have a conversation, and get to know their neighbors in that situation,” said Hammett.\n\nHe said if you know who your neighbors are, you’ll notice when something’s out of the norm, and that’s the key.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7104353308677673}
{"content": "How to economically achieve a 365-day calving interval for suckler cows – Teagasc\n\nAnalysis carried out in 2014 found that the annual cost of keeping a suckler cow on Irish beef farms ranged from €550 to €700.\n\nThis was for farms with high levels of management and where the length of the grazing season was approximately 220 days.\n\nThe range in suckler cow costs on these farms was primarily a reflection of differences in feed, replacement heifer and breeding costs.\n\nWhere levels of management are lower and/or the length of the grazing season is shorter than this, then it is likely that suckler cow costs are greater.\n\nAlthough farmers can adopt management strategies to reduce suckler cow costs (e.g. calving close to the onset of the grazing season so that feed costs are minimised), these costs are likely to remain the predominant cost for suckler beef farms.\n\nThus, the objective for suckler systems is to minimise costs while producing a healthy and heavy weanling annually so that suckler cow costs per calf or kilogram of weight weaned is minimised.\n\nThe quality (muscularity) is also important, particularly for farms selling weanlings. One of the key measures determining the cost and annual output of suckler beef cows is the calving interval.\n\nCalving interval describes the number of days between successive calvings. The target calving interval for a suckler cow is 365 days; where the calving interval is greater than 365 days this means that it takes longer than one year for a cow to produce successive calves.\n\nThe overall effect of longer calving intervals is to reduce profitability for suckler beef farms for the following reasons:\n\n  • For spring calving cows, which represent the vast majority of our suckler herd, the length of the indoor winter feeding period is longer since cows are normally not turned out to grass until after calving. This is a critical issue for our seasonal calving production systems where the objective must be to maximise grazing season lengths and thus, the proportion of grazed grass in the annual feed budget. Thus, longer calving intervals increase total feed costs.\n  • Where weaning occurs on a fixed date, weaning weights of the later-born calves are lower. For example, if a cow calves on March 1 and the calf is weaned on October 1, then the age at weaning is 7 months. If this cow then calves on April 1 the following year (representing a calving interval of 396 days) and the weaning date remains October 1 then the calf is only 6 months of age at weaning and correspondingly, 30kg to 40kg lighter.\n  • The likelihood of a cow with a longer calving interval becoming pregnant and remaining in the herd is reduced. This is because later calving cows have a shorter duration prior to breeding or indeed may be calving when the breeding season has already commenced. The overall effect of this is lower pregnancy rates and higher cow replacement costs, a considerable cost in suckler beef systems.\n\nThere are also health risks (mixing of calves of different ages and levels of disease exposure), marketing difficulties (selling uneven batches of calves) and management/labour challenges (for example, repetition of husbandry tasks such as disbudding and castration as calves reach suitable ages on different dates).\n\nIt is also important to consider that costs are typically expressed on an annual basis but if calving intervals are greater than 365 days then the cost of maintaining suckler cows per calf weaned is greater than the annual cost.\n\nTake the example of a cow with an annual cost of €600 and has a calving interval of 396 days (one year and one month) – in effect the cost of this cow per calf produced is €650.\n\nIn short, higher calving intervals reduce output and increase costs per calf or per kilogram of weight weaned.\n\nThe overall cost of longer calving intervals, taking into account the above factors, has been quantified as €2.20 per day change in calving interval. Data from Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) indicates that the average calving interval for suckler cows in Ireland is 403 days.\n\nUsing this cost estimate and the national average calving interval and applying it to a herd of 50 cows, total farm costs are increased by almost €4,200 (50 cows x 38 days longer calving interval x €2.20/day), a considerable cost particularly in the context of suckler beef systems where margins are low.\n\nIndeed across the national suckler cow herd of approximately one million cows, this represents a cost of almost €85m to the industry.\n\nOverall it is clear that the length of calving intervals on suckler beef farms is an important factor influencing profitability.\n\nThe three most important factors controlling reproductive performance are level of management, herd health and genetics.\n\nAttention to all of these factors is required for high levels of reproductive performance, short calving intervals and profitable suckler beef systems.\n\nPaul Crosson, Research Officer, Teagasc, Grange\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7702710628509521}
{"content": "Hackerrank: Count Luck\n\n\nRon and Hermione are deep in the Forbidden Forest collecting potion ingredients, and they’ve managed to lose their way. The path out of the forest is blocked, so they must make their way to a portkey that will transport them back to Hogwarts.\n\nConsider the forest as an grid. Each cell is either empty (represented by .) or blocked by a tree (represented by ). Ron and Hermione can move (together inside a single cell) LEFT, RIGHT, UP, and DOWNthrough empty cells, but they cannot travel through a tree cell. Their starting cell is marked with the character , and the cell with the portkey is marked with a . The upper-left corner is indexed as .\n\nIn example above, Ron and Hermione are located at index and the portkey is at . Each cell is indexed according to Matrix Conventions\n\nHermione decides it’s time to find the portkey and leave. Each time they are able to move in more than one direction, she waves her wand and it points to the correct direction. Ron is betting that she will have to wave her wand exactly times. Can you determine if Ron’s guesses are correct?\n\nNote: It is guaranteed that there is only one path from the starting location to the portkey.\n\nInput Format\n\nThe first line contains an integer, , the number of test cases.\n\nEach test case is described as follows:\nThe first line contains space-separated integers, and , respectively, denoting the forest matrix.\nThe subsequent lines each contain a string of length describing a row of the forest matrix.\nThe last line contains an integer, , denoting Ron’s guess as to how many times Hermione will wave her wand.\n\n\n  • There will be exactly one and one in the forest.\n  • Exactly one path exists between and .\n\nOutput Format\n\nOn a new line for each test case, print if Ron impresses Hermione by guessing correctly; otherwise, print .\n\nSample Input\n\nSample Output\n\n\nFor each test case , denotes the number of times Hermione waves her wand.\n\nCase 0: Hermione waves her wand at , giving us . Because , we print on a new line.\nCase 1: Hermione waves her wand at , , and , giving us . Because , we print on a new line.\nCase 2: Hermione waves her wand at , , and , giving us . Because and , and we print on a new line.\n\n这个题是个深搜，只不过需要在途中数valid的neighbor的个数。需要注意的细节是：1. 起始位置没有设为’X’而是’M’，在开始搜索的时候也没有改变其值，因此在isValid函数中需要加一个判断是否是’M’，或者就直接在开始的时候将其改为’X’；2. 只有在valid的path中的岔路口才计入最后的count中。", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.907192587852478}
{"content": "leaders training center\n\nOil Field Exploration and Evaluation\n\nCourse outline\nParticipants will be exposed to the basic concepts of acreage management, exploration geology, petroleum geophysics, rotary drilling, and economics and risk assessment:\n· Acreage acquisition and legal aspects\n· How exploration groups are put together (joint ventures, floats, operators, non-operators)\n· How companies acquire exploration acreage (permits, gazettals, open acreage, bidding, work programs, farmins, joint ventures)\n· Legal obligations and moral responsibilities (legislation, environmental controls)\n\nPetroleum geology\n· Why companies explore where they do (rock types and properties, geological models, prospectivity)\n· Where oil and gas come from (source, seal, reservoir, generation, migration, trapping mechanisms)\n· How oil and gas fields are found (basin analysis, regional studies, play concepts, prospect generation)\n\nPetroleum geophysics\n· How explorers determine what it looks like below the surface of the earth (remote sensing)\n· How seismic works (acquisition, processing, 2D and 3D surveys)\n· What seismic tells us (interpretation, mapping, hydrocarbon indicators)\n\nExploration drilling\n· Types of drilling rigs (land rigs, jackups, drill ships, semi-submersibles)\n· How rotary wells are drilled (hoisting, rotating, circulation, control)\n· Information obtained from wells (cuttings, cores, logs, well seismic)\n· What happens after the well is drilled (abandon, suspend, test)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000087022781372}
{"content": "Industrial Internet Now\n\n7 amazing technologies we’ll see by 2030\n\n\n\nVia IoT Business Insider\n\nJoin the conversation!\n\nYour email address will not be published.\n\nHow Industrial IoT enables the factory of the future\n\nTrillion-dollar projections on the expanding size of the market are urging companies to capitalize on the Industrial IoT. For many, however, it remains unclear how industries should apply IIoT to begin making the hyper-efficient and agile factory of the future a reality. Fabio Bottacci, founder and CEO of VINCI Digital and Industrial IoT Expert Contributor at the World Economic Forum and at the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), shares his insights on how Industrial IoT is already increasing operational efficiency, saving time and reducing cost.\n\nAs the Fourth Industrial Revolution transforms manufacturing and material handling, enterprises continue to look for ways to create value from converging technologies. But what are the steps that companies need to take to put together an effective agenda of action? Fabio Bottacci finds it essential that the implementation of industrial internet is incorporated into the company’s strategy and business development. In other words, chief executives must embrace change. “In order to advance decision-making on the correct level, CEOs must be included from the very beginning, possibly as initiative main sponsor. IT officers alone cannot drive real digital transformation,” says Bottacci.\n\nBottacci advises manufacturers to initiate the transformation by defining a specific set of goals, to be assessed and validated initially on a pilot project, before the implementation at scale of an end-to-end Industrial IoT solution. The next step is to deploy an industrial internet pilot in one facility, or on a specific production line, which will be used as a case study for learning how IoT works in this particular industrial environment. The pilot facility is then reworked and developed according to observations. After the test phase, it is easy for a company to apply the same principles, with proper adjustments, at scale to other facilities.\n\nBottacci uses the concept of flexible infrastructure to refer to how transformation can be simpler in certain contexts. “It is easier to justify large investments in industrial internet in environments where industrial internet is incorporated into production by transitioning directly to automated, advanced IIoT environments. The transition phase is less complicated when the existing infrastructure is light, because there are fewer things that must be accounted for in applying new solutions,” he explains.\n\nA case in point is Romania, where the internet infrastructure is now top of the class in Europe. The Romanian infrastructure was created rather recently compared to more affluent European countries, and therefore, the entire web is more modern than that in Finland, for example.\n\nIndustrial internet in practice\n\n“IIoT coupled with AI or ML turns maintenance into a dynamic, rapid and automated task.”\n\nBottacci emphasizes that applications of industrial IoT are already a reality. According to him, there are dozens of different use cases of IIoT in enterprises. “Companies are already developing IoT applications that work, and they have started making a difference. For example, transportation and warehousing benefit from automated vehicles and asset tracking. In manufacturing, predictive maintenance and asset performance management are key areas where industrial internet boosts value creation.”\n\nPredictive maintenance keeps assets up and running, decreasing operational costs and saving companies millions of dollars. Data from IIoT-enabled systems – sensors, cameras, and data analytics enabled by powerful artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) algorithms – helps to better plan maintenance, allowing manufacturers to service equipment before problems occur. “Data streaming from sensors and devices can be used to quickly assess current conditions, recognize warning signs, deliver alerts and automatically trigger appropriate maintenance processes. IIoT coupled with AI or ML thus turns maintenance into a dynamic, rapid and automated task,” Bottacci explains.\n\n“Other potential advantages include increased equipment lifetime, increased plant safety and fewer accidents with negative impact on environment,” he adds.\n\nThe importance of edge analytics\n\n“Companies have been proactive in moving the processing of IIoT to cloud services,” Bottacci notes. However, in his opinion, it is not necessarily a wise move to have everything in the cloud. During critical stages of the manufacturing process it is crucial that decisions can be made instantaneously. Here, manufacturers can benefit from edge analytics.\n\n“Edge computing enables real-time analytics. Edge analytics is an approach to data collection and analysis where automated analytical computation is performed on data at a sensor, network switch or other device instead of waiting for the data to be sent back to a centralized data store. IIoT can be supplemented with Arduino-based, open-source computer hardware and software applications that allow some of the processing to take place on site, at the edge of the network and near the source of the data. Edge computing helps ensure that the right processing takes place at the right time, in the right place,” Bottacci explains. “Edge computing is a preferable option for the cloud in terms of security, as proprietary data is kept within the company firewall. Moreover, edge computing becomes vital when you need real-time analysis and automated action to save critical-mission production lines or facilities from potential heavy damages.”\n\nCreating value with Industrial IoT\n\n“There’s no value in the data without advanced algorithms of machine learning.”\n\nBottacci says that value can be created in surprisingly simple ways by putting data to work. As an example of enhancing safety and efficiency in material handling, he refers to a fleet management system in Silicon Valley. “Peloton Tech’s truck platooning system is a case study that illustrates how IIoT is already creating value. The system uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication to connect the braking and acceleration between two trucks. The lead truck controls the simultaneous acceleration and braking of the whole fleet, reacting faster than a human or even a sensor system could. What follows is a reduction in aerodynamic drag, which leads to companies saving around seven per cent in fuel cost. In terms of annual savings, this is a remarkable number,” says Bottacci.\n\nIn Europe, trucking companies such as Scania and Volvo Trucks have adopted IIoT fleet thinking. “It still takes courage to adopt innovations like these,” Bottacci admits. However, he recommends getting started quickly by building a case study of industrial internet and then working towards expanding IIoT to cover more and more of the industrial realm. “Companies should start seeing emerging technology like Industrial IoT not as a threat but as the only way to survive in a matter of a few years. That’s two or three years if you are an optimist, five to ten if you are more conservative,” estimates Bottacci.\n\nIn Bottacci’s view, the simple capacity of devices to seize data is not what the Industrial Internet of Things is essentially about. “Even if you have all the infrastructure and the technology to get the data – sensors, WiFi, the gateway, the cloud – and the capacity of analyzing the data, there’s no value in it without AI, more specifically advanced algorithms of machine learning.”\n\n“IIoT is about AI or ML analyzing data in real time so as to make decisions and act, most of the times several days or even weeks before a potential issue. This process results in actual business outcomes,” Bottacci states. “Prescriptive analytics react autonomously, real-time: In a mission-critical situation, a prescriptive system will autonomously decide what to do. This is where edge analytics is imperative,” he explains. “My point is: You can’t consider industrial internet standalone. The real value comes from how companies use AI and ML-enabled IIoT solutions in analyzing and processing data.”\n\nFabio Bottacci works as an independent advisor. He is founder and CEO of VINCI Digital and an Industrial IoT Expert Contributor at the World Economic Forum and at BNDES, the Brazilian Development Bank.\n\nInterview w/ Fabio Bottacci\n\nJoin the conversation!\n\nYour email address will not be published.\n\nThe need to connect legacy devices to the IIoT\n\nPre-internet assets lack the connectivity of newer pieces of equipment. These legacy devices, however, still have years of remaining value if they can be linked to the cloud, enabling their data to be analyzed and revealing actionable insights that could perhaps potentially transform business. Wael Elrifai, Sr. Director of Enterprise Solutions at Pentaho, offers insights on how older systems can be made to work with current ones, and talks about the human side of machine learning.\n\nBusinesses that have operated for a considerable amount of time will have accumulated several legacy systems over that period. While they have long life-spans, few of these machines will be immediately compatible with one another. The cost of replacing these pre-internet assets to facilitate communication could easily outweigh foreseeable production benefits. What steps must plant managers then take to combine AI capabilities with legacy infrastructure?\n\nWael Elrifai, Sr. Director of Enterprise Solutions at Pentaho, begins with this premise. “I usually like to remind people that we talk as though data was not generated in the past on these systems. Remember, however, that there’s a lot of robotics involved already, and these systems have sensors that have been producing data for decades. The truth of the matter is that systems such as PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) have already been capturing that data. What you need to do now is to pull the data off those systems. Things like data integration tools are built for that,” he says.\n\nAccording to Elrifai, predictive maintenance – a technology that drives value in modern manufacturing – isn’t new either. “The difference today is, because the cost of computing and the cost of storage have dramatically reduced, you can do more with it. It’s been a nice positive feedback cycle: Where you can capture more data, you can do more computing work – applied mathematics, machine learning and AI, among others. This then makes capturing data more valuable.”\n\nConversely, in situations where it’s entirely mechanical and no data or robotics are involved, he suggests looking for proxies for that data. Elrifai adds that while some retrofitting may be required, from his experience a lot of data is already there and is not being used, so it would be best to begin with that.\n\nIIoT implementation across industries\n\nSome industries are more advanced when it comes to IIoT implementation, while others lag. To convince traditional manufacturing companies of the economic benefits of AI investments, Elrifai offers the following examples.  \n\n“The ports industry is already using complex machine learning techniques. The most common one for logistics companies is simulated annealing, a method for schedule optimization that sees to it that cranes are doing the right thing at the right time, and containers are moved according to the right schedule.” Elrifai believes that for some container terminals, it’s mostly about the integration of the larger supply chain.\n\nOn the other hand, he recalls a visit to a steel factory that wanted to improve its efficiency. “A couple of times a day, they experienced a very specific kind of failure. This cost about 10 percent of their productivity, and in the steel industry that figure is enormous,” Elrifai explains. Furthermore, the way they knew there was a problem was rather unusual: The control room would start shaking.\n\nWhile the company wanted to reduce this through predictive maintenance techniques, what they didn’t know was that they were capturing all this data already. Elrifai says like many other companies, this particular steel factory would only look at five, ten or 20 variables, the ones that were in their SCADA system.\n\n“What they didn’t do is integrate this with thousands of other sources. The statistical techniques that factories are doing today are low-dimensionality ones,” he continues, adding that trying to convince groups to do more is a matter of explaining to them that it’s just an evolution of what they are already doing.\n\nWhere humans fit in\n\nAnother dimension to machine learning and AI is the human factor. As far as the supply chain is concerned, Elrifai is of this opinion. “If you are talking about supervised learning – just prediction, basically – oftentimes the baseline data that you use to train these systems is from humans. And you want these systems to evolve, because systems evolve, factories evolve,” he says. “I think humans are always going to be there, helping to state what the ground truth is. Or, at least for the foreseeable future, they will be doing that.”\n\nIn addition, Elrifai points out that in certain cases in factories, several different algorithms are voting whether something is going to fail or not, and a human expert is doing that as well.\n\n“With these kinds of methods – ensembles, if you will – you end up with better outcomes. For instance, the machine by itself might produce 75% accuracy and the human on his or her own might produce 68% accuracy.  When you put them together, you end up with greater performance, say 80% or 85%,” he states. “I think there’s still a lot of room for cooperation. I don’t think the algorithms are taking over just yet.”\n\nHow to solve new problems\n\n“The common problem people have with technology is that they search for problems. That makes no sense. Solution? Start with use cases.”\n\nFinally, Elrifai – with his background in data science – offers this essential piece of advice to companies that plan to connect legacy equipment to the IIoT. “The common problem people have with technology is that they search for problems. That makes no sense,” he emphasizes. His solution? Start with use cases.\n\n“I think there’s a sense that this is extremely expensive to do. However, all you really are doing is putting up a basic data engineering or basic machine learning infrastructure – this is low-cost. There’s a lot of automation available now around machine learning,” states Elrifai. “In the data world, when you try to build models, about 80-90% of the effort that is put in is made up of data engineering, feature engineering, preparing data, filtering – all the easy stuff.”\n\nElrifai believes that a lot of the data prep for data engineering can be done in an automated fashion. “I don’t think people recognize that. They are trying to use old tools to solve new problems,” he concludes.\n\nWael Elrifai is an author and speaker. He works as Sr. Director of Enterprise Solutions at Pentaho, a data integration and business analytics company with an enterprise-class, open source-based platform for diverse big data deployments.\n\nInterview w/ Wael Elrifai\n\nJoin the conversation!\n\nYour email address will not be published.\n\nImplementing AI in Europe’s Businesses, Beyond the Hype\n\nAI Business set out to find out how AI is transforming business today and how it will evolve in the future. They surveyed the C-Suite executives in the UK & Europe’s 300 largest businesses on how they see AI impacting their organizations, understanding their current and future AI projects, concerns and overall strategy. Georgios Kipouros, Research Director at AI Business, writes about the findings of the survey on techUK.\n\nThe majority of the leaders thought AI will transform their industry and saw it essential for their organization. Over 80% compared the impact of AI to that of the Internet. The leaders perceived AI as a way to improve efficiency, reduce overall costs, and also a way to enhance accuracy in their operations. Over 80% of Europe’s leading organizations were investing in machine/deep Learning technologies, expecting to spend an average of 4 million Euros per AI project within the next 2 years.\n\nRead more about implementing AI in Europe’s Businesses at\n\nJoin the conversation!\n\nYour email address will not be published.\n\nSecuring IIoT systems still a contractual no man’s land\n\nThe industrial internet is a continuously evolving and layered infrastructure built on connected machinery – a large proportion of which has not previously been linked to the internet. The fact that these machines can now be accessed online brings new challenges for IoT service providers as well as their clients. Furthermore, questions remain regarding responsibilities, says Pasi Vilja, Chief Information Security Officer at Konecranes.\n\nLast year, a massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack swept through the globe and nearly disrupted the entire internet. Experts called it the largest attack of its kind in history. Afterwards, close investigation revealed that the assault had been orchestrated completely through IoT devices. A huge number of web cameras were left unprotected, and this offered an easy opportunity for hackers to mount a large-scale attack via the internet.\n\n“This is a great example of the vulnerabilities born out of millions of unprotected devices suddenly being connected to the internet. As the number of internet connected devices continues to grow, new vulnerabilities also arise, bringing forth questions about internet safety which we haven’t faced before,” Vilja says.\n\nThe need for shared solutions to these questions is growing increasingly dire as more and more machines – many of which were designed before the advent of the IoT era – are connected into the internet, and operated in ways which couldn’t have been considered at the time they were made.\n\nImplementing security measures in the era of IoT\n\nAccording to Vilja, security in the context of the industrial internet can be implemented mainly through the same types of practices already used in securing computer networks. Keeping up a proper firewall, requiring identification, and constantly surveying and reacting to problems that arise quickly are important, as is updating software.\n\n“The same principles work in both an ordinary IT context and an IoT environment. On the software level, there isn’t that much of a difference in how the systems can be kept safe in either setting. Still, the industrial context adds a layer of complexity to the equation,” Vilja says.\n\nOne of the greatest differences in terms of web security in an industrial context is the machinery’s long lifecycle, which brings forth new questions on service providers’ responsibility to offer their clients updates for extended periods.\n“Some machinery in industrial use still run on Windows XP or even NT. For the former, support ended in 2014 – ­ and for the latter, in 2004. How are we going to ensure that systems will be kept secure when some of the machines have lifecycles of 50 years? These are still questions to be discussed,” Vilja says.\n\nAnother issue comes up with the variety of machines being connected to the web. Industrial companies might have a combination of old, non-connected machinery which is now being connected to the web, point-to-point connected machines, and newer internet connected machines. When they open all these machines gradually to the internet, questions arise on how to make sure that no gaps are left between the different ways to connect.\n\nDiscussions about responsibilities still underway\n\nWho has the ultimate responsibility regarding the IoT solutions in use and keeping them up to date? Is it the service providers? And if so, then how long and how actively do they have to ensure that the security is current? According to Vilja, these questions are still open for discussion, and no concrete best practices have surfaced yet.\n\n“This is very much a discussion still to be had. Service providers must take responsibility to ensure that the services they offer are maintained to protect against new security threats. But only the clients know their full set-up and probably don’t want automatic updates from multiple providers. And how knowledgeable are the clients about the relevant security features or risks? This is still a contractual no man’s land,” Vilja says.\n\nAnother concern is that in highly specialized systems that have been tweaked or integrated by clients, the updates could cause interruptions – or even shutdowns –  in their operations. On the other hand, refraining or neglecting to update their systems could also end up leaving their entire systems vulnerable.\n\nAccording to Vilja, in order to form proper guidelines, open discussion and continuous surveillance are essential. Eventually, the best practices will be formed, and they are likely to follow precedents from the computer market.\n\nUltimately, the same rules apply to web cameras and smart refrigerators as for industrial sensors – basic security measures go a long way, and they must actually be implemented in order to ensure operational safety.\n\nPasi Vilja is the Chief Information Security Officer at Konecranes.\n\nInterview w/ Pasi Vilja\n\nJoin the conversation!\n\nYour email address will not be published.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.913628101348877}
{"content": "Abdus Salam Quotes 1\n\nAbdus Salam photo Physicist\n\nMohammad Abdus Salam NI, SPk, KBE, was a Pakistani theoretical physicist. A major figure in 20th century theoretical physics, he shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics with Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg for his contribution to the electroweak unification theory. source\n\n1 most famous quotes by Abdus Salam (Physicist)\n\nRandom Quote\n\nPoets are the only people to whom love is not only a crucial but an indispensable experience which entitles them to mistake it for a universal one.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5745638012886047}
{"content": "The New Dredging Project on the Saco River: Another Highway Widens to Biddeford / Saco\n\n130 years ago, the Saco River served as a primary commercial delivery route for the mills and the region. The massive piers and moorings on both sides of the river served the schooners, barges and tugs that delivered raw materials to the mill. The same boats loaded on finished products to ship out to the market. Coal arrived to fire the endless appetite of the massive boiler plants, making steam for heat and process throughout the 3,000,000 square foot mill complex. Cotton, the primary raw material for making textiles, arrived in barge loads, delivered in 1000 lbs. compressed bales. Finished cotton “drill” fabric, wrapped in burlap and stamped with the familiar Laconia Griffon logo was packed in into schooners, ready for the trip down the river and across the world.\n\nThe schooners built for open ocean travel had deep keels for rough water stability. Those schooners required 12’ to 15’ in water depth. 130 years ago, the Saco River was deep enough to accommodate these delivery boats.\n\nThrough the natural process of siltation, over time the sands and sediments filled in the river bed, slowly blocking the pathways of nautical delivery.\n\nLuckily for the mills, the modes of commercial transportation evolved away from ocean travel to ways of railroads and trucking.\n\nToday the river is in the process of becoming an ocean travel way again. Through a joint effort by Biddeford and Saco, federal funding has been procured to dredge the river, returning it to the depths of its past. It is no coincidence that recently a major marina and townhouse project has been announced for Saco Island.\n\nThe waterfront of Saco/Biddeford comes alive once again.\n\nContinued Market Growth in Biddeford\n\nWhen Starbuck’s looks for their next retail location, they look at trending demographics. They also look at the growth potential of the area market. They use research tools to assess when real estate becomes available to determine if the location will be able to support the volume they need to profitably operate their store. The fact that Starbuck’s choose their new 5 corners location validates the PMC’s non-scientific prediction that Biddeford is an up and coming market.\n\nIf you live or work at the mill you recognize the daily site of DHL, FED EX and UPS. The trucks arrive with their characteristic reverse alarms, stopping daily at 5 locations at the Pepperell Mill Campus. With 136 commercial and 100 residential leases, there is a constant cycle of products being shipped out and shipped in. This ebb and flow on campus demonstrates real economic impact in our community.\n\nWith roughly 60% of the 1.1 million square feet of leasable space here on campus re-developed and occupied we are ahead of that non-scientific prediction’s schedule. Come join the downtown revival, and feel the buzz and benefit of being part of a community of startups, small businesses, and residents.\n\nBiddeford Mills Museum\n\nOn the cultural front, the Biddeford Mills Museum is in the process of building exhibit space and refining their extensive on-site tours.\n\nPerhaps the greatest historical aspect of the mill is hidden under ground. Beneath the mill lies a network of tunnels and lagoons that once carried and controlled all of the water used to power the mill’s machinery back in the late 1800s. This was the original source of power for the mill, and the reason why the mill was developed along the Saco River falls. The lagoon (photo below) was the epicenter of water power, and controlled the distribution of power for all of the machinery at the mill.lagoon\n\nDuring the era of steam power, several steam engines were in service at the mill. Steam power replaced the mill’s original mode of power, river water.\n\nThis is a photo of the new timeline mural in the lobby of the Pepperell Center. The timeline follows the history of the mill from it’s inception in the early 1800s.23380308_10155151948557362_8771920208047621304_n\n\nThe museum is a great cultural addition to the campus. The story of Biddeford – Saco mill history is critical, as the buildings and the industrial innovations developed were at the fore front of the American Industrial Revolution.\n\nSaco River Falls\n\nWhen the Saco River rages as it does in this video, the river is either draining the White Mountains during the spring thaw, or a great weather event has just occurred. We are all painfully aware of the recent weather event.\n\nThe awesome strength of the falls reminds us of why the mills are here in the first place. It was the power of the water that drove the machinery that made these mills the most successful textile operation of its time.\n\nWhat made this mill so uniquely productive, was the difference in elevation between the top of the falls and the bottom of the falls. That difference is 42 feet. It all comes down to gravity and head pressure. Large quantities of water dropping 42 feet was the force that consistently drove the water wheels that ran the various machinery, processes and looms to produce cloth.\n\nThe mill developers in the early 1840s saw this potential and commenced the construction of a network of tunnels to harness the water’s power. Then they built the mill buildings on top of the tunnels, and the machines started spinning. The mill was one of the greatest early advances of the American Industrial Revolution, and it was all based on a very simple principle: gravity.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6519315242767334}
{"content": "HomeAbout MargaretQi GongFoot ReflexologyEventsPhotosFacelift ClassMy StoreContact UsResources\n\n\nChinese Medicine - The Healing Art of Qi Gong\n\nChinese medicine dates back to the late Shang Dynasty, 1000 years before the birth of Christ. Beginning even in those ancient times, Chinese medicine has focused not on treating individual symptoms, but rather on understanding the collection of symptoms and the context in which they occur. This holistic approach is based on the recognition for the need for harmony and balance. Treating only the symptom, as is common in Western medicine, ignores the underlying imbalance which produced the illness.\n\nThe core secret of Chinese healing is Qi (pronounced Chee), the natural energy found in each of our bodies. Qi flows along well defined lines called meridians. Disruptions in the flow of Qi is the source of many ills. Restoring the smooth flow of Qi is essential to restoring health. Blockages in Qi disrupt the body’s natural balance making, reduce our ability to combat stress, increase tension and make us more likely to fall sick. By releasing blockages and stimulating the flow of Qi, the body is brought into harmony and balance. This balance will reduce stress, relieve tension and improve our health.\n\nAs people everywhere become more aware of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine a less well-known, but no less important Oriental healing art is emerging: QiGong (Chi Kung). The word itself means \"Cultivating Vitality.\" This broad category of breath and movement exercises also refers to a form of direct healing work with others. Along with acupuncture and herbal medicine, it is one of the fundamental traditional practices you can use to achieve and maintain health and quality of life.\n\nThe Practice of Qi Gong\n\nPersonal practice of Qigong promotes balanced, radiant health. Simple, enjoyable movements, like the elegant Eight Treasures of Qi Gong, done regularly can:\n\n  • Improve all aspects of physical, emotional and mental health. Most involve a kind of smooth, slow activity - a bit like moving underwater - combined with specific breathing patterns. Virtually anyone can practice Qigong.\n  • Clear energy and rejuvenate, which is especially useful at the end of a busy day. People who practice Qigong get back some of the energy \"lost\" during the day and sleep more soundly.\n\nIt can be done almost anywhere. Commonly you will practice once or twice a day, generally in the morning and/or evening. It can take as little as 15 minutes. Qigong is one of the original forms of \"preventive medicine\" for healthy living.\n\nThere are many types of Qigong, but they all have a common goal: balancing and increasing the energy flow within the body. This means better health, deeper and more restful sleep and increased quality of life.\n\nAn interesting aspect of practicing Qigong is it's subtlety. There is a saying that if an exercise looks big on the outside, it is small on the inside, and if it's small on the outside, it's big on the inside. This means that flashy, broad movements may not be the most profound in their effects, while more subtle ones probably are. Some of the most advanced exercises have virtually no movement visible on the outside.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.981069028377533}
{"content": "Clergy members proclaim the words of God to the people.\nClergy members proclaim the words of God to the people.\n\nIn the Greek Orthodox church, the three main clerical officers -- bishops, priests and deacons -- are ordained through the sacrament called Holy Orders. These clergy members represent Christ's presence with his people. The Church also teaches that the clergy is exclusively male and receives its authority from the Apostles of the New Testament. Clergy members are directly or indirectly responsible to teach, administer sacraments and perform administrative duties in the Church and local parishes.\n\nApostolic Succession\n\nOrthodoxy teaches that the first leaders of the Church were Jesus' twelve apostles, as referenced in St. Luke 6:13: “And when it was day, He called unto Him his disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles.” The Church also believes Jesus taught the mysteries of the faith to the apostles in the 40 days after he was raised from the dead. According to Church teaching, the apostles could ordain their own successors, in the same way Christ had promised to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles to remain with them until the end of the world. Apostolic succession permits the Church to continue from one generation to the next.\n\n\nThe Greek Orthodox Church teaches that because bishops are successors to the apostles charged to maintain the unity and truth of the Orthodox faith, they have the authority to ordain deacons, priests and other bishops. The word bishop, episkopos in Greek, means overseer; accordingly, bishops are in charge of a geographical area known as a diocese. The bishop over the national church holds the title of patriarch. Bishops are servants and are not considered to be infallible; they are required to be either a widower or unmarried.\n\n\nOrthodox priests, also called pastors or presbyters, are ordained Church officials who are in charge of the daily management of local parishes. The priests teach and preach in the local parish; they also administer sacraments such as communion and baptism. The Orthodox Church believes priests have administrative duties, as stated in 1 Peter 5: 1-2: “So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. ” Priests can marry, as long as it is the first marriage for him and his wife.\n\n\nBishops ordain deacons for service in the Orthodox church. Deacons assist pastors and bishops in administering the sacraments but do not independently administer the sacraments. Deacons assist in the celebration of the liturgy and at other church services. Deacons are often chosen from among local parishioners and, in present-day Orthodoxy, engage in hospital visitation, form youth groups, lead educational ministries and carry out missionary work. Deacons can marry, but like Orthodox priests, the marriage must be the first for both persons.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8964285850524902}
{"content": "Our Programs\n\n\nOur Physiotherapists work with kids who are diagnosed to have Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Down’s syndrome, Developmental Coordination Disorder and Autism. These kids may have difficulties with balance, coordination, movement, gait patterns, increased/decreased muscle tone and muscle strength. They evaluate and provide treatment addressing these issues as well as to achieve age appropriate developmental motor milestones.\n\nVarious approaches, techniques and activities are implemented in the treatment sessions to enable them to improve their functional and performance levels thereby improving their quality of life. They also collaborate with other professionals providing recommendations for the betterment of the child.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9946950674057007}
{"content": "Ladys Calendar\n\n\n\nLadys Calendar is a highly recommendable app for Windows in русский to help you fully benefit from your device. Developed by, it’s an app that is 93% безопасно as verified by the complete report by Virus Total. Just like other similar apps such as Hair Master, EyeDefender, Advanced Woman Calendar, WinBraille, True Time Tracker, 4WomenOnly, Ladys Calendar packs a number of features into its 750KB in comparison with the average app size of 6.72MB in its category. Additionally, the app can be used in Windows devices with the version or higher. Ladys Calendar has a total of 3,692 downloads on Uptodown, currently. Furthermore, in the latest version, 2.0.1, uploaded on 28.10.08, the program includes improvements and slight error corrections.\n\n\nОценить это приложение\n\nUptodown X", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9860573410987854}
{"content": "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: cell vulnerability or system vulnerability?\n\n\n  • Kevin Talbot\n\n    Corresponding author\n    1. Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK\n    • Correspondence\n\n      Kevin Talbot, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. E:\n\n    Search for more papers by this author\n\n\nAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with clinical, pathological and genetic overlap with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). No longer viewed as one disease with a single unified cause, ALS is now considered to be a clinicopathological syndrome resulting from a complex convergence of genetic susceptibility, age-related loss of cellular homeostasis, and possible environmental influences. The rapid increase in recent years of the number of genes in which mutations have been associated with ALS has led to in vitro and in vivo models that have generated a wealth of data indicating disruption of specific biochemical pathways and sub-cellular compartments. Data implicating pathways including protein misfolding, mRNA splicing, oxidative stress, proteosome and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of ALS reinforce a disease model based on selective age-dependent vulnerability of a specific population of cells. To the clinical neurologist, however, ALS presents as a disease of focal onset and contiguous spread. Characteristic regional patterns of involvement and progression suggest that the disease does not proceed randomly but via a restricted number of anatomical pathways. These clinical observations combined with electrophysiological and brain-imaging studies underpin the concept of ALS at the macroscopic level as a ‘system degeneration’. This dichotomy between cellular and systems neurobiology raises the fundamental questions of what initiates the disease process in a specific anatomical site and how the disease is propagated. Is the essence of ALS a cell-to-cell transmission of pathology with, for example, a ‘prion-like’ mechanism, or does the cellular pathology follow degeneration of specific synaptic networks? Elucidating the interaction between cellular degeneration and system level degeneration will aid modeling of the disease in the earliest phases, improve the development of sensitive markers of disease progression and response to therapy, and expand our understanding of the biological basis of clinical and pathological heterogeneity.\n\nIntroduction: Clinical and pathological features indicate that ALS is a system failure\n\nThe first clinicopathological descriptions of ALS by Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris in the mid-19th century are contemporaneous with the evolution of the concept of upper and lower motor neurons and the recognition of the anatomical role both of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord in the actualisation of voluntary movement and of the corticospinal tracts in conveying descending modulation and control (Charcot & Joffroy, 1869). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the commonest form of motor neuron disease, and the third most frequent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The annual population incidence is 2/100 000 per year, and there appears to be a uniform geographical incidence of ‘sporadic’ forms of ALS, although monogenic forms, which account for 5–10% of cases, show variation in incidence between populations, presumably due to founder effects (Byrne et al. 2011; Chio et al. 2013). The malignant nature of the disease progression is indicated by the fact that the median survival is approximately 2 years from diagnosis and 3 years from symptom onset (Chio et al. 2011). However, there is considerable clinical variation, with a long ‘tail’ in the survival curve; approximately 10% of patients are still alive at 10 years after onset. A better understanding of the biological underpinning of this variation in outcome could shed considerable light on the nature of ALS.\n\nThere is a general consensus among neurologists who specialise in ALS that the condition has a focal clinical onset. The overwhelming majority of patients are clearly able to describe alteration in motor function in one body region at a specific time, typically within a timescale of weeks to months. Approximately 30% of cases begin in one upper limb, 35% in one lower limb and 30% in the muscles of speech and swallowing, with the remainder accounted for by initial respiratory failure or various forms of axial weakness (head-drop or truncal weakness). Where the onset is characterised by weakness in more than one body region at presentation, this is generally a manifestation of rapidly progressive disease with a poor prognosis. Furthermore, the disease does not progress randomly, but through a discrete number of recognisable patterns of clinical evolution (Chio et al. 2011). The fact that such patterns do not vary between populations with different genetic backgrounds implies that progression is an inherent feature or an emergent property of the way in which the corticomotorneuronal system promoting voluntary movement fails.\n\nAlthough classical ALS is conventionally divided into spinal (limb) or bulbar (speech and swallowing) onset, this simple dichotomy fails to capture accurately the clinical heterogeneity of the condition. A more useful approach to classification, allowing more accurate prognostication and also proactive management of nutrition and respiration, is to consider the site of symptom onset, the intrinsic rate of progression (e.g. the slope of functional decline using a validated clinical measure such as the ALS Functional Rating Scale), whether symptoms remain regionally localised or rapidly spread to other anatomical segments, the timing of involvement of respiratory and bulbar muscles, and the age of the patient. Older age is an independent variable predicting short survival, which may reflect a higher burden of co-morbidities, an age-related lack of functional reserve in the motor system, or that an age-related neurodegenerative process is likely to be more aggressive in the aged brain. The most robust predictor of survival is the latency from symptom onset to confirmed diagnosis in a specialist clinic. A firm diagnosis of ALS requires involvement of more than one anatomical region (bulbar, upper limb, lower limb); weakness and wasting initially confined to one limb is the commonest presentation of ALS, but has a broad differential diagnosis. Slowly progressive forms of ALS are often atypical in presentation, increasing diagnostic uncertainty and requiring more ancillary diagnostic tests.\n\nPathologically, ALS is characterised in the majority of cases by ubiquitinated inclusions, which stain for the protein TDP-43 (Neumann et al. 2006). Careful studies correlating regional distribution of pathology with the clinical burden of disease in life suggests that there is a radial gradient of involvement from an initial clinical and pathological focus, and that this proceeds in a non-random fashion across contiguous anatomical segments (Ravits et al. 2007). Furthermore, there is evidence of simultaneous involvement of the corticospinal tract and spinal motor neuron circuits. Although there are many patients with clinical features showing upper or lower motor neuron predominance, it is the combination of the two that is so characteristic of ALS, particularly in its most aggressive forms.\n\nIn addition to the undoubted contribution of aging as a critical co-factor in the development of ALS, attention has also focused on the possible role of developmental factors in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. It is clear that Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the clinical endpoints of degenerative system failures that begin decades before (Bateman et al. 2012). It is possible that the way in which the corticomotorneuronal system is established in development varies significantly between individuals and that this variation is governed partly by genetic influences. The observation that patients with ALS are more likely to have a high level of physical fitness, a lower body-mass index and to have fewer other co-morbidities suggests that the disease might be more likely to affect a population of individuals with a motor system with specific characteristics (Veldink et al. 2005; Turner et al. 2011).\n\nDirect corticomotorneuronal connections to anterior horn cells appears to be a recent evolutionary development, unique to higher primates. Human neocortical evolution over the last 200 000 years has been rapid and is presumably under strong selection pressure. The number of fibres in the corticospinal tract has increased by about 30–40% in the 5 million years since a common human-chimpanzee ancestor (Lemon, 2008). It has been suggested that this rapid and recent evolution of the motor system, in large part driven by the development of language and manual dexterity, while advantageous at a species level, may have come with an inherent penalty of increasing the possibility of system level failure in individuals with the appropriate genetic susceptibility profile (Eisen, 2009). For example, the clinical phenomenon of the ‘split hand syndrome’ in which there is preferential wasting of the thenar eminence, has been proposed to be a reflection of the corticomotorneuronal representation and input for fractionated thumb movement (Weber et al. 2000).\n\nAlthough the clinical association between ALS and frontotemporal dementia has been known for decades, it has only been the subject of serious research activity in the last 10 years. It is now clear that up to 50% of patients with ALS show impairments on psychological tests of executive function (planning, attention and reasoning) if tested in sufficient detail, and in approximately 5% of cases FTD is the dominant clinical feature (Phukan et al. 2012). The neuropathology of ALS and FTD cases characterised by ubiquitin stained inclusions is identical at the cellular level, demonstrating TDP-43 inclusions and loss of nuclear staining, and varies only by distribution. With some notable exceptions (e.g. SOD1, see below) mutations in the genes associated with ALS can also cause FTD. Remarkably, in families with an identified genetic mutation, individuals can manifest ALS, FTD or combined ALS-FTD, suggesting that other events, or multiple ‘hits’, interact with a genetic mutation to determine the manifestation of the disease within the confines of a specific neuroanatomical pathway. An understanding of why two apparently different and unconnected neuroanatomical networks (corticomotorneuronal and frontotemporal) are involved in the same disease, and often combined in the same patient, is a priority for clinical and pathological research.\n\nThe cellular basis of motor neuron vulnerability in ALS\n\nIn addition to neuropathology, the most important biological insights in recent decades have come from the identification of genes associated with monogenic forms of ALS. Approximately 5% of patients have other affected first degree or second degree relatives and are considered to have familial ALS. There are now more than 10 genes for which there is general consensus of mutations having a direct causal relationship with ALS and others in which there is incomplete evidence (Al-Chalabi et al. 2012). Depending on the population studied, 35–45% of the familial cases are explained by a dynamic hexanucleotide expansion mutation in the C9orf72 gene on chromosome 9 (DeJesus-Hernandez et al. 2011; Renton et al. 2011), 20% of fALS by mutations in SOD1 (Rosen et al. 1993) and 4–5% each by mutations in TDP-43 or FUS/TLS (Sreedharan et al. 2008; Vance et al. 2009). Therefore, approximately 25% of genetic cases are yet to be explained. Importantly, although there are some observable trends and clinical clues such as the co-occurrence of FTD in families with C9orf72 mutations, it is not possible to distinguish reliably familial from sporadic ALS on clinical features alone (Byrne et al. 2012). This suggests that research into genetically determined cases of ALS would yield information of general relevance for the much commoner sporadic ALS. In fact, for each of the genes identified as causing fALS, mutations have been identified in apparently sporadic cases, at a low level (< 1%) for SOD1, TDP-43 and FUS, but remarkably in 5–7% of sporadic cases in populations of European descent for C9orf72 (Majounie et al. 2012). This indicates that that the strict distinction between familial and sporadic cases is an artificial dichotomy with genetic factors more likely to operate as a continuum, encompassing familial cases with high penetrance at one extreme, and true sporadic cases at the other (Talbot, 2011).\n\nThe number of individual upstream genetic factors contributing to ALS is therefore great and attempts to use the known functions of these genes to form functional groups that might give insights into motor neuron vulnerability are only partially successful. These are reviewed in detail elsewhere (Robberecht & Philips, 2013) but can be summarised under a number of broad themes:\n\n  1. Both TDP-43 and FUS are RNA-binding proteins. Evidence suggests that each protein regulates the processing of non-overlapping subsets of transcripts by binding to conserved intronic motifs, which are possibly commoner in neurons. In each case the number of identified gene targets is greater that 5000 (Lagier-Tourenne et al. 2012). In keeping with this apparently generalised splicing function, inactivation of TDP-43 or FUS by gene targeting or RNAi knockdown is lethal to cells. It is therefore difficult to envisage that loss of function mutations can be the sole mechanism of motor neuron degeneration in ALS, though aggregation and mislocalisation may be the final trigger to cell death. In keeping with this, loss of TDP-43 from its normal location in the nucleus is a pathological hallmark of ALS in 95% of cases (Neumann et al. 2006) (Fig. 1). This suggests that the cellular ‘lesion’ in TDP-43-associated ALS is a shift in the cellular compartment from nuclear to cytoplasmic, presumably induced by age-related cellular stress. When this has reached a critical level, the nucleus is depleted of TDP-43, and this presumably triggers cell death (Igaz et al. 2011). A number of other RNA-binding proteins are mutated in ALS and also non-ALS motor neuron diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy (Baumer et al. 2010a) but given the diversity of function of such proteins no overarching mechanism has yet emerged to explain this relatively cell-selective degeneration. Mutations in C9orf72, the commonest cause of ALS and also frontotemporal dementia, may lead to disruption of RNA-binding proteins through aberrant interaction with the expanded hexanucleotide repeat, but other mechanisms have also been proposed.\n  2. Proteins involved in the maintenance of cellular protein homeostasis form a second group. These include ubiquilin-2, sequestome-1, optineurin and VCP, mutations in which have been described at a low frequency in ALS (1–2% of familial cases). As protein aggregation is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases, this pathway is a mechanistically plausible point of vulnerability in ALS. However, as with RNA-binding proteins, there is currently no clear explanation for the selective vulnerability of motor neurons over other CNS cells. SOD-1, which until the discovery of mutations in C9orf72 was the commonest and most studied cause of familial ALS, appears to be a protein with an unusual propensity to misfold and can be tentatively considered to be in this pathway.\n  3. A range of proteins functioning in axonal transport (including neurofilament subunits, peripherin, VAPB and others) have been implicated in rare families with motor neuron diseases. Although these can be classified within the ALS spectrum, there are some atypical features such as lower motor neuron predominance and slow progression (Robberecht & Philips, 2013).\nFigure 1.\n\nPrimary motor neurons cultured from a transgenic mouse harbouring an ALS-associated TDP-43 mutation (M337V) (a, unstressed; b, treated with 0.5 mm sodium arsenite), demonstrating that under conditions of cellular stress TDP-43 (red) moves from the nuclear to cytoplasmic compartment, where it partially co-localises with stress granules (green) and also travels down the axon. (Courtesy of Dr David Gordon, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford).\n\nEven in apparently simple monogenic forms of ALS it is necessary to invoke a multiple hit mechanism in which aging is a critical co-factor. Although the median age of onset of fALS cases is approximately 10 years earlier than sALS cases, the majority of familial cases, especially those due to C9orf72 mutations, still occur in the same age group (55–75 years) where most sALS cases arise. The putative age-related changes in cells which after many years lead to loss of tolerance of genetic mutations, many of which are highly toxic in cell culture models, include damage from oxidative stress exceeding the buffering capacity of the cell, damage to the genome and to sub-cellular organelles and alterations in the functional capacity of the proteasome.\n\nHow and when does ALS begin and how does ALS spread?\n\nThe latency between first symptoms and a formal diagnosis of ALS in a neurology specialist clinic varies, but averages 1 year (Chio et al. 2011). What is happening in the nervous system prior to the point of symptom onset is currently a matter of speculation. Although clinical observation suggests that such patients have been functioning normally right up until symptom onset, and a limited longitudinal neurophysiological study in SOD1 mutation carriers indicates that the number of motor units is normal up to few months prior to first symptoms (Aggarwal & Nicholson, 2001), the idea that ALS might arise abruptly from a normal nervous system is only one possibility. If ALS, in common with AD and PD, has a prolonged period of system dysfunction without obvious clinical manifestation, this has important implications, as a pre-clinical phase is likely to be the best target for therapeutic trials.\n\nMost neurodegenerative diseases appear to have three phases (Fig. 2). During normal development of the nervous system, genetic variation between individuals may be an important influence in determining later life susceptibility to degeneration, but there is no evidence of dysfunction. In the pre-clinical phase, susceptible individuals are likely to have abnormal neuronal function, at a network or individual synapse level, but this does not lead to clinical symptoms either because the system in question has intrinsic reserve capacity or because there are other compensatory mechanisms in operation. It is therefore only when the reserve is exceeded or the compensatory mechanisms break down, that patients develop symptoms and the clinical phase begins.\n\nFigure 2.\n\nPatients with ALS present to a specialist neurological clinic on average 1 year after the onset of symptoms. It is likely that this occurs when functional reserve in the motor system has been used up (vertical dotted line). Whether this occurs as an explosive loss of motor neurons on the background of normality (green line) or after a steady loss of cells over decades (blue line) is unclear. However, by analogy with other neurodegenerative diseases, it remains plausible that people who develop ALS have a period of life in which they are normal but susceptible (based on their genetic profile) followed by a period of uncertain duration in which there is system dysfunction but no clinical manifestation, either due to functional reserve within the motor system or the recruitment of active compensatory pathways.\n\nThe apparent focal onset of ALS in clinical terms might suggest that a precise ‘event’ located in time and in anatomical space triggers the disease. However, it is just as likely that the whole corticomotorneuronal system is in a state of partially compensated decline and the ‘site of onset’ simply reflects stochastic events that determine where a generalised disease rises above the ‘clinical horizon’. In this case, studying the clinical heterogeneity of ALS and stratifying patients according to extremes of phenotype, even if it is important for clinical management, might not provide much meaningful insight into the biological basis of the motor neuron degeneration. An intriguing observation in support of this possibility comes from families in which a single genetic mutation can give rise to almost every possible clinical sub-type of ALS (Fig. 3). In this family a single genetic mutation manifests as typical spinal or bulbar onset ALS, a slowly progressive lower limb variant that is lower motor neuron predominant or as an upper motor neuron predominant form described as ‘stiff limbs’. This degree of heterogeneity is not uncommon in genetically determined ALS, although there are some general trends with different genetic subtypes. For example, SOD1-related ALS almost never causes significant cognitive impairment (Wicks et al. 2009), FUS-associated ALS can be an aggressive form with onset in young adulthood (Baumer et al. 2013) and there are some broad pointers to a C9orf72 mutation such as a strong family history of dementia (Byrne et al. 2012).\n\nFigure 3.\n\nIn this family, affected by ALS due to autosomal dominant inheritance of the I113T SOD1 mutation the index case (arrow) presented with typical ALS with limb onset, progression to bulbar and respiratory weakness and death within 3 years. Other family members presented with typical bulbar onset, respiratory onset or ‘creeping paralysis’, an old term for slowly progressive lower limb predominant (‘flail-leg’) ALS which typically has a survival of 5–8 years. As is common with this particular mutation, there are obligate carriers who did not develop ALS (reduced penetrance).\n\nWhile understanding the initiating steps of ALS is likely to be important for the development of therapies, of equal relevance could be understanding the mechanism of disease propagation and finding ways to halt this. A hypothesis that has received much attention recently is that neurodegeneration may spread from cell to cell by a mechanism akin to that seen in prion diseases (Nonaka et al. 2013). A number of ALS-associated proteins (principally TDP-43 and FUS) contain ‘prion-like’ domains, which in principle could promote protein aggregation. However, as well as the fact that even in classical prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) the method of spread has not been well characterised, there is only indirect evidence that TDP-43 actually undergoes prion-like aggregation, a process which is defined as permissive templating of native protein by a conformationally altered, mutant form of protein. Furthermore, other classical features of prion diseases such as evidence of infectivity are currently lacking.\n\nThere are a range of other possible mechanisms with equal explanatory power, such as transynaptic spread of mutant protein, spread through adjacent glia or even through circulating factors. Finally, the higher order network organisation of the corticomotorneuronal system, which is incompletely understood, could provide an explanation for how the disease appears to spread through anatomically contiguous segments if the equilibrium of inter-related sub-networks of fibres is altered by cell death in an adjacent region. The elucidation of such mechanisms will require new and more sophisticated approaches to the analysis of animal models and to human biomarker studies.\n\nConclusions: new opportunities to integrate cellular and systems based research in ALS\n\nSince its initial description in the late 19th century, ALS has been recognised by clinical neurologists as a relatively stereotyped diagnostic entity and treated, for the purposes of clinical enquiry and clinical trials, as a single disease. In the modern era of molecular and cellular biology this concept is no longer tenable and has been replaced by a view of ALS as a clinicopathological syndrome with multiple upstream causes. However, the clinically stereotyped nature of the disease progression, and emerging evidence from multimodal brain imaging studies, suggests that a system level vulnerability is an important aspect of the biological underpinning of ALS. The recent discovery that approximately 10% of all ALS cases, and a similar number of FTD cases, are due to an expanded hexanucleotide repeat in the C9orf72 gene provides an important new departure for ALS research. Much has been learned about the pre-clinical phase of disorders such as Huntington's disease by longitudinal multimodal studies of gene carriers (Tabrizi et al. 2013). The large number of potential subjects who could be recruited from ALS clinics, both those with early disease and pre-symptomatic carriers of the mutation, will for the first time allow studies of the pre-symptomatic phase of ALS that may contribute to a complete understanding of the relationship between a genetic mutation and the corticomotorneuronal system in which the disease reveals itself.\n\n\nWork in Professor Talbot's laboratory is supported with funding from the MND Association.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9955270886421204}
{"content": "Maine Revised Statutes\n\n§3606. Mass picketing to prevent maintenance or movement of perishables\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person, acting individually or in concert with others, by mass picketing, force, coercion, physical obstruction at the entrance to any place of employment or physical obstruction in any street, sidewalk or railway, to prevent or attempt to prevent the delivery to any public, commercial or industrial enterprise of any supply, commodity or service necessary for the proper maintenance of any of the buildings, equipment, machinery or fixtures constituting such enterprise or necessary to keep any of such buildings, equipment, machinery or fixtures from deteriorating or being damaged by fire, freeze-up or other casualties, or the harvesting, the storing, the transportation to storage and market of a perishable food product. For the purpose of this section, \"person\" means any individual, corporation or unincorporated association, including partnerships and labor organizations. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or by both.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.989091694355011}
{"content": "242 Views |  Like\n\n\nA green-tea croissant or a sesame éclair, anyone?\nJapanese cake guru,\n\ndelicious) cakes in Paris.\n\n\n\nTables are available if you want to eat in. In January and February, don’t miss his ‘galette des rois’ filled with matcha, black sesame and azuki paste!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9943051934242249}
{"content": "Big things are in store for the Lost Language label. One reason being they are getting their main man back in charge after an extended hiatus. That’s right; Ben Lost is returning and in doing so he is mixing the fifth installment of the Exhibition series. March 10th is where the release date has been set for this colossal compilation/mix package.\n\nBen Lost\n\nThe compilation will feature artists like Manmachine, Ovnimoon and Superpsychics with a total of fourteen tracks overall. There is a lot of talent packed into this project and given Ben’s return to his A&R position, you can assume this one will be a game-changer. There are no previews currently, but the full tracklist as been released and you may find that below.\n\n1: Bernie Allen: Late Reflections (Manmachine Remix)\n2: Space Manoeuvres: Stage One (Guy J Remix)\n3: Barraka: Song To The Siren (Jaap Ligthart Vocal Mix)\n4: Amir Abbasi: Angelus Sine Sensu (Hazem Beltagui Remix)\n5: Miro: Paradise (Mindwave Dub Remix)\n6: Dj Orion & J Shore: Brotherhood (Taucher Adult Mix)\n7: Miro: By Your Side (Ovnimoon Remix)\n8: Freesoup: We Who Have\n9: Manmachine : Where’s Cynthia?\n10: Filteria: Perpetually Delayed Voyage (Sonic Entity Remix)\n11: Sonic Entity: Genome Evolution\n12: Superpsychics: Coheena (Cosmithex Remix)\n13: Accadia : Blind Visions (Neptune Project’s Third Eye Remix)\n14: C.M: Dream Universe (Activa Remix)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8176214694976807}
{"content": "Random Act Artist Bria Skonberg hails from Chilliwack, B.C. and a musical family; she now resides in New York City. With her memorable compositions and compelling vocals,Bria brings a modern flair to traditional jazz. Her unique combination of style, skill, taste and swing positions her as one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation. She performs at clubs such as Birdland and Iridium in New York, and at festivals and venues around the world. Whether leading her own bands or performing with others, Bria’s rare beauty shines through her sublime trumpet playing, angelic singing and heartfelt compositions. Her debut as a Random Act Artist So Is The Day came out in April 2012. Her most recent effort, INTO YOUR OWN, showcases her own vocal harmonies, her touring band and the legendary percussionist MINO CINELU. Roll down the windows and turn up the sounds: Let Bria take you on a journey through Life and Love.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9970016479492188}
{"content": "The 'DineHero' Network App Encourages Collaborative Dining\n\nThe 'DineHero' network app aims to help users \"never dine alone again\" by enabling them to find others nearby that are open to grabbing a table and eating together. Designed as an app to help professionals find other professionals to dine with, 'DineHero' hopes to turn online networking into real-life interactions and relationships. It's ideally created for those who are new to a certain location or job, business travelers or even foodies looking to try out a new restaurant.\n\nThe number of people who are working independently or in small teams is on the rise, which can sometimes limit the networking capabilities. The 'DineHero' network app aims to help users broaden their professional social groups and connect people over a meal with up to three other people.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8695299625396729}
{"content": "Time For An Update\n\nWhen it comes time for the GDP, what counts?\n\nAugust 25, 2002|By Robert Costanza. Robert Costanza is director of the University of Vermont Institute for Ecological Economics.\n\nEnron, WorldCom, and other corporations have violated basic good accounting principles. They have hidden costs and inflated profits in order to make their operations look better than they were. But these scandals are small potatoes compared to the analogous accounting errors inherent in the U.S. government's National Income Accounts, which paint a dangerously misleading picture of how well the economy as a whole is doing.\n\nThe most commonly used measure of national economic performance, Gross Domestic Product, does not adequately distinguish costs from benefits, inflates profits, and therefore makes the operation of the economy look better than it actually is. Fraudulent corporate accounting cost shareholders billions and shook the markets. The GDP counts over a trillion dollars in costs as revenues.\n\nTo understand how this can be, one needs to understand what the GDP is measuring, why it is no longer an appropriate measure of economic performance, and what some of the alternatives are.\n\nGDP measures marketed economic activity or gross income. It was never intended as a measure of economic welfare, and it functions very poorly as a welfare measure. Yet it is inappropriately used as a national welfare measure in far too many circumstances. Just check the headlines: \"GDP up = good; GDP down = bad\" is the unambiguous message.\n\nWhat are the problems with the GDP as an economic-welfare measure?\n\nFirst, it counts everything as a positive. It does not separate desirable, welfare-enhancing activity from undesirable welfare-reducing activity. For example, an oil spill increases GDP because someone has to clean it up, but it obviously detracts from welfare.\n\nFrom the perspective of GDP, more crime, more sickness, more war, more pollution, more fires, storms and pestilence are all potentially good things, because they can increase marketed activity in the economy.\n\nSecond, GDP leaves out many things that do enhance welfare but are outside the market. For example, the unpaid work of mothers caring for their own children at home doesn't show up, but if these same mothers decide to work outside the home to pay for child care, GDP suddenly increases.\n\nThe non-marketed work of nature in providing clean air and water, food, natural resources, and other ecosystem services don't adequately show up in GDP, but if those services are damaged and we have to pay to fix or replace them, then GDP suddenly increases.\n\nThird, GDP takes no account of the distribution of income among individuals. But it is well-known that an additional $1 worth of income produces more welfare if one is poor rather than rich. Doubling Bill Gates' income would do far less toward enhancing his welfare than doubling the income of the countless people worldwide currently working for a dollar a day would do for theirs, and at lower cost.\n\nThese problems are not invisible, and several researchers have proposed alternatives that try to separate the positive from the negative components of marketed economic activity, add in non-marketed goods and services, and adjust for income-distribution effects.\n\nThese include William Nordhaus and John Tobin's MEW (Measure of Economic Welfare), developed in 1972; Herman Daly and John Cobb's ISEW (Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare), developed in 1989; and Redefining Progress' more recent variation of ISEW, the GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator: www.rprogress.org/projects/gpi/).\n\nFor example, the Gross Progress Indicator shows that while GDP has steadily increased since 1950, with the occasional recession, GPI peaked in about 1975 and has been decreasing ever since. Thus, from the perspective of economic welfare, rather than mere activity, the U.S. economy has been in recession since 1975.\n\nThis also is more consistent with survey-based research on people's stated life-satisfaction, which has been decreasing rather than increasing over the last several decades. We are now in a period of what Daly has called \"un-economic growth,\" where further growth in economic activity (GDP) is actually reducing welfare (on balance) rather than enhancing it.\n\nHow can we reverse this situation and get out of the real recession in economic welfare that we have been in since 1975? Several policies have been suggested that would help to turn things around, including:\n\n- Shifting our primary national policy goal from increasing marketed economic activity (GDP) to maximizing economic welfare (GPI or ISEW).\n\n- Using the tax system to send the right incentives by taxing negatives (pollution, depletion of natural capital, overconsumption) rather than positives (labor, savings, investment). Recent tax reforms decrease welfare by promoting a greater income gap, natural resource depletion and increased pollution.\n\n- Reforming international trade to promote economic welfare over GDP growth. This implies subjugating trade to greater environmental protection, labor rights and democratic self-determination rather promoting trade rules that ride roughshod over all other societal values.\n\n- Further reforming campaign finance laws so that the needs and welfare of individuals are more fully and accurately expressed in the democratic process, rather than the needs and welfare of those who currently fund political campaigns.\n\nUltimately, getting out of the 25-year welfare recession we are currently in will require that people first recognize how bad the current system is at tracking welfare.\n\nWe must not allow deceptive accounting practices (analogous to those that caused the Enron and WorldCom debacles) to paint an inaccurate and ultimately destructive picture of how well the economy is doing.\n\nAlternatives are available, but they need significant further research, discussion and funding. With nothing less than our current and future welfare at stake, we can certainly afford much greater effort devoted to figuring out how to adequately measure it.\n\nUltimately, if we want the things that really matter to our welfare to count, we have to learn how to count them.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7272118330001831}
{"content": "Fresh Toones is a web site dedicated to fostering the creativity of all those individuals who struggle on their own with little or no public support to explore and produce.Whether it be music, animation, song writing, painting or any creative endeavor, there is much for us to share and much more for us to discover.\n\nWhatWhyWho Music Videos Artwork  Store ContactContact", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9959064722061157}
{"content": "Yann Perreau\n\nA singer-songwriter and notorious showman, Yann Perreau will launch his 5th album of original songs, Le fantastique des astres, on April 15th, 2016. With this project, Yann is in full command of his songwriting, and his music is more infectious and hypnotic than ever.\n\nWebsite | www.yannperreau.com", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9810180068016052}
{"content": "Sep 15, 2009\n\nWhen Man Created God. Genesis of Religious Thought and the Spiritual Need [part 1]\n\n\"The experience of being the knowing subject . . is only one half of the process of knowledge. The other half is the experience of being the known object.”\n\n\nTo know yourself. This shrouded in mysticism ancient concept brings a sense of esoteric mystery in modern thought. But the human soul has been an object of exploration and contemplation since tens of thousands of years ago. It has been the tool for spiritual insight of the first shamans of ancient tribal communities, who felt there is more to themselves than can be seen. Self-knowledge was born back then, when people for the first time began to interprete their dreams and the symbolism that sprang out of the depths of their minds. When people began to search for the source of their thoughts that appear in the mind as if having a life of their own. The source of their emotions to which they were subordinate.\nSince then the great endeavor in search of answers that human though embarked on gradually gave birth to all the legends, philosophies and religions we have today.\n\nSpirituality is a fundamental and intrinsic quality of Homo Sapiens. Our ancient predecessors felt their intangible connectedness to those invisible aspects of nature, to this hidden life-giving Source that was behind everything. And thus ritual was born, out of the need to communicate with the intangible that was later recognized as God.\n\nThe perception of the mystic, hidden, spiritual and this intimate connectivity of all that is visible with something beyond ordinary senses do not spring from anywhere else, but the human soul. Satori, enlightment and divine insight do not come from anywhere outside, but take place in the soul. All this is important to mention, because worldwide there is this prevailing age-old delusion that the Divine is situated somewhere outside ourselves, what is more, somewhere far away and far above up in the unreachable heavens. We are used to perceive God as a human-like figure with human emotions who sits authoritatively on a throne in the skies forever watching the crawling little specs below, may be eating chips while following up the developing intrigues, war conflicts and newest technological brake-throughs.\nOf course, our whole view of the world from a religious perspective is old and inconsistent with modern humanity and this is why there is so much tension between peoples and religions. We need a new, wider, deeper and more encompassing view and understanding of God, the Universe and our place in it, a view that will suit our mental potential and capacity as intelligent, civilized beings. We do not live in the middle ages anymore, despite that the new pope seems to have been living under a rock.\n\nAnd there is only one way to achieve the next level in our social advancement as one humanity – by realizing and understanding ourselves deeper and better. The change must begin in the mind of the individual, the transformation from the primitive levels to higher levels of self-awareness and realization on the whole.\nWhich returns us to the ancient notion of knowing yourself.\n\nTo know yourself is the process of self-realization, self-contemplation and self-improvement. It is the active consciousness that is aware of its mechanisms, that observes itself, takes notes of its behavior and reactions, understands and realizes the psychological motifs of others as well as those in itself. Active consciousness that operates on a higher level than the average awareness we have as a social standard today.\nThe science of contemporary psychology, as though still in its infancy, has organized and synthesized all the empirical knowledge we have thus far about the mechanisms and structure of human psyche into an elegant and comprehensive system. Psychology is the modern analogue to the ancient practice of knowing yourself.\nPeople from the past had always perceived this inmost, invisible darkness that has control over them and filled them with fearfulness. This darkness is the very nature of the predominant part of our psyche – the unconsciousness, the contents and mechanisms of which are unseen and unknown to our regular “I” consciousness that is by default our self-perception and all this that we call “Me”. When you say “I” you address this limited perimeter of awareness that floats “on top” of the depths of your complete Self.\n\nSo, what exactly is this unreachable unconsciousness? And if our wishes, moods, affections and behavior are predominantly set to motion by psychological motifs that we are not aware of, then how can we realize all these so that we expand the limits of our minds?\n\nThe unconsciousness contains all the mechanisms that drive us in life, its roots begin from our DNA, where the fundamental instincts are encoded (Self-preservation and Reproduction instincts that we share with all other life on this planet, as well as many other forms of behavior which we will discuss at another lecture). The structure of our psyche is in layers and as we pointed out the deepest layer begins in our DNA that contains all the information from the very beginning of life on Earth. We have much to understand about this and much to learn. This is what the old Sanscrit esoterics call “Akasha”, the Informational pool of Earth or what Carl G.Jung describes as the Collective Unconscious, the source of primal symbolism. In brief. Then comes the personal level of the unconscious where all those emotional affections, events, twists and turns that shaped our personality throughout our lives are contained. In the universe energy is never lost, information is energy, memories are information. From the very moment when your brain is complete in the womb you start the record button and it never stops until your death. The psyche records your life completely, even though consciously you forget many things and remember just a few of all.\nHaving described these very basics of the psyche you may argue that if your psychology is rooted in your DNA then personality is predetermined genetically. The answer is a firm No. Firstly, you cannot dismiss the influence over ones personality the family setting has. The influence that the setting where you grow up has on your personality is tremendous and is the main shape-giver of what you are as a person and character. Then when the child is older it is greatly influenced by its peers, the “spirit of the era” in terms of the most fashionable stereotypes, mind frames and traditions that prevail in the society it lives in. And until it is adolescent and able to think and analyze on its own, this child` psyche is already fully formed and in most cases it remains in this shape with very little change throughout its life. That is why how you rear up the child is of utmost importance about what it is going to be when it grows up.\nOf course, this is the case for most people who never embark on the journey of self-realization, observation and improvement. Because whatever your psychological start in life, when you grow up you have the ability to consciously reshape yourself, rebuild your personality and radically better yourself as a self-aware individual.\nConsidering the more or less uniqueness of every individual psyche, the process of self-improvement thus cannot have one universal formula that will work for all. However, there are certain key points that are collectively applicable to all and a must in order for you to achieve results, these are as follows: to put yourself at the place of the object of observation, to ask questions about yourself to yourself and search for the reasons behind your behavior, character, personality traits, moods, affections and reactions; honesty and sincerity with yourself. Perseverance and persistence in your will to achieve results and attain insight.\n\nThe first steps are the hardest. For me, after a decade of active mentality and self-analyzes I have achieved remarkable results that are already visible for everyone who knew me since back then when I first began. And even, I can say that I truly put my will into this some five years ago when I overcame my worst teenage years. So, in this period of five years I improved my character and relationships greatly, attained amazing insights about the nature of human mind, soul, society, religions, God… during the last two years I`ve increased my IQ with 30 points and my understanding about myself and the world is increasingly deepening and widening. Also, I notice an acceleration in the rate of sudden realizations and profound insights. A truly remarkable journey that sadly very few people undertake.\n\nIn the beginning it is hard, confusing and seemingly futile. The hardest part is being honest with yourself. It is very hard to admit to yourself that you were wrong, that you reacted inadequately, that the blame is in yourself and to acknowledge your negative personality traits. But if you persist, the results gradually come and in time you expand your awareness and the process of self-analyzes becomes a state of your mind. Your ability to communicate with others improves as well as all of your relationships. And problematic relationships are a plague for modern societies, resulting in all those ridiculous intrigues, constant fights, brake-ups and divorces.\nJust imagine if everyone consciously betters him/herself and heightens his and her awareness. Humanity will radically transform into something unforeseen by grim science fiction views of the future where the same people fight with better guns.\n\nLet us turn our attention now towards the introductionary quotation of E.Edinger and analyze that, which it describes.\nIn order for any knowledge to exist two fundamental factors must be present – observing subject and object of observation. When the scientist examines the atom, he or she is the observing subject, while the atom is the object of observation. When we explore the world we live in, the world is the object of observation and we are the observing subject.\nDuring the predominant part of their life, the average person is mostly in the role of the observing subject, experiencing the world with our senses that connects us to reality outside and our consciousness with gaze fixed on the scene from without. It happens more or less to occasionally reflect on oneself, but so rarely this self-contemplation is persistent and consistent enough so to lead the personality to realization and awareness, to improvement, unfoldment and perfection.\nIn the process of self-knowledge and self-awareness, you put yourself at the place of the observable object, while the observing subject is you again. This is the consciousness that is aware of and observes itself. And in this process of self-observation your inmost universe becomes alive and fills up with forms, emotions and symbols that were previously unseen by your minds` eye.\nSelf-knowledge, as the highest aim and spiritual meaning to human life has been a central part in all philosophical and esoteric teachings since the most ancient of times.\nYet, our psyche remains largely unexplored and poorly understood to this day. The average levels of self-awareness being so low worldwide and humans still primarily driven by their most basic instincts. Mostly incapable of self-control, slaves to destiny, relying on the main stream to guide their thoughts, behavior and life. Still living by the laws of the herd and mental passivity.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9671087265014648}
{"content": "EczemaAtopic dermatitis, also known as eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that usually stars early in childhood.\n\nApproximately 8.5% of children aged 6-7 and 9.4% of children aged 13-14 have eczema in Canada.  Additionally, the prevalence of eczema is highest in developed countries such as Canada.  Eczema can be quite uncomfortable and can cause many disturbances in a household, as it can make a baby frustrated and irritable, it can affect your baby’s sleep and keep the whole household awake at night.  I have treated my fair share of eczema in children and I can tell you that there is no single recipe or protocol to treat it.  Each case has been unique and each patient has taken home a customized treatment plan to treat it.  Some cases have been very challenging and stubborn but with commitment, we can always achieve some positive changes.\n\nI am often asked about the best creams/ointments for moisturizing and soothing eczema. Even though each child reacts differently, here are some general things that you can try at home to tame down your baby’s eczema:\n\n  1. Oatmeal baths: Place 1 cup of oatmeal in a coffee grinder and bring to a powder.  Place the powdered oatmeal in a tied cheesecloth and place into a warm bath.  The soothing and emollient properties of the oats will calm down a raging itchy and red eczema.  After 20 minutes, pat dry and apply a moisturizer.  Avoid very hot baths.\n  2. Check for a vitamin D deficiency. We now know that there is growing evidence that a deficiency in vitamin D leads to increased risk in eczema, allergies and asthma. In addition to oral vitamin D, you can also make your own vitamin D cream by adding a whole bottle of vitamin D drops to a 60g jar of aloe cream or another gentle, fragrance-free cream.\n  3. Moisturize right after a bath. Also keep in mind not to bathe your child for longer than 20 minutes.  A good body moisturizer is coconut oil.  As a bonus, there is evidence that there is a decreased risk of Staphylococcus aureus carriage on the skin with the use of coconut oil, which is a great way to prevent skin infections, something that comes as a risk in people with eczema.\n  4. Consider a food allergy or sensitivity that could be contributing to this condition. The most common ones are dairy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy and tree nuts.\n  5. Another great product for soothing and moisturizing eczematous skin is the UNDA 270 ointment.\n\nWhen the above recommendations are not enough to bring appropriate relief, consider consulting with a naturopathic doctor who has experience treating eczema.  It can be a lengthy process but one that brings comfort and long term solutions and some much needed peace to a household.\n\nAida Martinez\n\nAbout the author:\n\n\nPlease follow and like us:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6218448877334595}
{"content": "Opposite of control\n\nOpposite of control word list. Here are a variety of words whose meaning is nearly the opposite of control.\n\n  • abandon\n  • subjection\n  • unrestraint\n\nHope the above listing of antonyms for control is useful. This page may interest people looking for the opposite of control and control opposite.\n\nPopular phrases for this post include, opposite of control, what is the opposite of controlling, what is the opposite of control, what is the oposite of control, the opposite of control, the opposite controlling, opposite words of control.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8560423254966736}
{"content": "This assignment is only required of graduate students. The goal of the research paper/presentation is to bring you up to speed of the current state of the art of networking. Student teams are allowed to work on and deliver presentations, however papers must be completed individually.\n\nThe first step is to identify an interesting networking topic that you would like to investigate on your own. Example topics are networks security (worms, viruses, spyware, DDos, middleboxes, honey-pots), routing security, privacy and anonymity without PKI, ISP traffic engineering, wireless and sensor networks, future directions in the Internet architecture, etc.\n\nSubmit a half-page description of your research topic. Your description should includes the following elements:\n\n  1. One paragraph describing the topic you plan to investigate.\n  2. One paragraph describing the motivation for your topic. Explain why your topic is interesting and important.\n  3. State whether you intend to deliver a paper or a presentation, and the reasons that drive your choice.\nI will provide feedback on your proposed research topic. Have fun!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6414198279380798}
{"content": "Jun 122015\n\nTeaching notes for this activity\n\nIn this exercise, students will look at the role of the internal marketing environment when developing a marketing strategy.\n\nThis activity is best completed in small groups, with a report back to the main class. You should allow around 15 minutes for discussion.\n\nStudent task\n\nThe internal marketing environment refers to INSIDE the organization itself, in order to help design an appropriate marketing strategy based upon the position and resources of the firm.\n\nWhen analyzing the internal marketing environment we would consider: resources, capabilities, corporate culture, management style and leadership, track record of success, current strategy, and so on.\n\nHowever, it is often common that firms neglect an internal marketing environmental analysis and instead focus on the micro environment almost exclusively.\n\nThe micro environment consists of: consumers, competitors, suppliers, distributors – the players that make up the industry in which the firm competes. In particular, marketing strategies tend to be built around consumer needs and competitors – but is this the right approach???\n\nDiscussion Questions\n\n  1. In your opinion, to what extent does the firm’s marketing strategy need to be based upon the firm’s internal environment?\n  2. Why do you think firms tend to focus more heavily on the micro environment in order to structure and design their marketing strategy?\n  3. If firms rely solely upon the micro environment for their marketing strategy development, with this mean that all firms would end up very similar marketing strategies?\n  4. Think about the components of a SWOT analysis. Where would the internal environment most likely be represented in the SWOT?\n\nSorry, the comment form is closed at this time.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9572180509567261}
{"content": "background preloader\n\n\nFacebook Twitter\n\nSkills That Successful Pipeline Construction Manager Should Have. On any construction project, being a project manager or a member of the management team you really require knowledge of modern management as well as an understanding of the construction process.\n\nSkills That Successful Pipeline Construction Manager Should Have\n\nSimilarly, a pipeline construction manager should also posses these qualities. Every construction project has its own specific set of objectives and constraints such as the required time frame for the completion and budget. For a construction business owner, it is really important to know that the construction project manager can greatly affect the success of the business.\n\nSo, he need to hire someone who has an in-depth knowledge of the construction industry as well as strong leadership and decision- making skills. Additionally, if a person has an experience dealing with budget management can help to save time and enable projects to get completed within the time frame and budget. How Cost and Schedule Management is Important for a Project? In the world of Project Management, the top priority of a project manager is to ensure the overall success of a project.\n\nHow Cost and Schedule Management is Important for a Project?\n\nIf a project goes over-budget and is not delivered on time, even if it meets the user needs will not be considered a success. That’s why project managers need to manage their budget and time. Like, every project pipeline construction projects also need a proper management in terms of, cost and time. Let’s discuss a few strategies, how we can control budget and time of a project- Continuous estimation of the budget- If a project is running without frequent budget management, it will end as a failure. Pipeline Construction Manager- Tackle with Project Properly. A well-developed and interconnected network of pipelines is very crucial for transportation of oil and natural gas products from remote production areas to local places, like refineries and commercial points for selling.\n\nPipeline Construction Manager- Tackle with Project Properly\n\nPipeline construction is a major job that is deemed as the safest, a convenient and cost-effective method of transporting oil and gas on land and under the sea. While cross-country pipeline networks are used to move oil and gas from onshore extraction points to refineries, underwater pipelines are designed to transport gas and crude oil from offshore locations. Thus, planning and implementing pipeline construction projects demand special expertise and high technical knowledge. EPC Construction Management- Manages Financing Flexibility. Contractor Management- Provide Risk Control Services. Businesses that are effective and busy outsource their work to contractors.\n\nContractor Management- Provide Risk Control Services\n\nThis makes sense and can produce positive results for a variety of organizations. However, if you want to make your contract successful and productive, it is the must that contractual obligations must be fulfilled and all the guidelines should put in place. Managing all your contracts can be a complex task and hiring an agency for meeting all the contractor compliance can be very advantageous for you.\n\nContractor management mainly refers to specific processes used by a production or service firms to make sure that the contractors fulfill all their obligations as detailed in the contract. Get Robust Cost And Schedule Management Services. Cost And Schedule Management- Saves From Useless Expenditure. Contractor Management- Develop an Effective Evaluation Process. I have just completed an assignment as a Construction Expert Witness for a leading firm of lawyers specialising in construction disputes.\n\nContractor Management- Develop an Effective Evaluation Process\n\nThis particular dispute was related to a major onshore pipeline project in Queensland, Australia and involved significant construction claims. Furthermore, it was a prime example of ineffectual project management implementation from both owner and contractor management teams who totally lost control of their objectives as a consequence of mistrust, decision-making, and deficient execution planning that was derisory to say the least. In short the project was a complete disaster. Clearly, this state of affairs should never have transpired. Claim Managemen Specialist: Roles And Responsibility. Many personal injury claims are made during stressful and often painful periods of a person’s life.\n\nClaim Managemen Specialist: Roles And Responsibility\n\nOwing to this reason, the claims management companies that provide justice for people who have been met with an accident through no fault of heir own have a duty to make the situation stress free as possible. The claimant must know that they can trust the people that they are dealing with and should not feel harassed, bullied or unsure about all the things happening around them. They should feel that they are under a professional care from a qualified solicitor. An insurance claims management specialist is responsible for reviewing a variety of insurance claims after they are submitted to assure that proper filing process have been followed.\n\nMoreover, the claims specialists may also help you in insurance adjusters with complex or unusual claims. Pipeline Construction Manager- Maintain Proper Coordination. Professional Claims Management Specialist. Claims Management Specialist Services. EPCM Project and Construction Management. PCM Ltd - Pipeline Construction Management Consultant. EPCM Project and Construction Management. Best Project Recovery Management Services. Pipeline Management Consultant. Project Recovery Management.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5704898834228516}
{"content": "SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online\n\nvol.50Morphological, molecular and FTIR spectroscopic analysis during the differentiation of kidney cells from pluripotent stem cellsDoes Cimicifuga racemosa have the effects like estrogen on the sublingual gland in ovariectomized rats? índice de autoresíndice de assuntospesquisa de artigos\nHome Pagelista alfabética de periódicos  \n\nServiços Personalizados\n\n\n\n\nLinks relacionados\n\n  • Em processo de indexaçãoCitado por Google\n  • Não possue artigos similaresSimilares em SciELO\n  • Em processo de indexaçãoSimilares em Google\n\n\nBiological Research\n\nversão impressa ISSN 0716-9760\n\n\nRAMACHANDRAN, Gokula Krishnan  e  YEOW, Chen Hua. Proton NMR characterization of intact primary and metastatic melanoma cells in 2D & 3D cultures. Biol. Res. [online]. 2017, vol.50, 12.  Epub 09-Maio-2017. ISSN 0716-9760.\n\n\nTo characterize the differences between the primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines grown in 2D cultures and 3D cultures.\n\n\nPrimary melanoma cells (WM115) and metastatic melanoma cells (WM266) extracted from a single donor was cultured in 2D as well as 3D cultures. These cells were characterized using proton NMR spectrometry, and the qualitative chemical shifts markers were identified and discussed.\n\n\nIn monolayer culture (2D), we observed one qualitative chemical shift marker for primary melanoma cells. In spheroid cultures (3D), we observed nine significant chemical shifts, of which eight markers were specific for primary melanoma spheroids, whereas the other one marker was specific to metastatic melanoma spheroids. This study suggests that the glucose accumulation and phospholipid composition vary significantly between the primary and metastatic cells lines that are obtained from a single donor and also with the cell culturing methods. 14 qualitative chemical shift markers were obtained in the comparison between monolayer culture and spheroids cultures irrespective of the differences in the cell lines. Among which 4 were unique to monolayer cultures whereas 10 chemical shifts were unique to the spheroid cultures. This study also shows that the method of cell culture would drastically affect the phospholipid composition of the cells and also depicts that the cells in spheroid culture closely resembles the cells in vivo.\n\n\nThis study shows the high specificity of proton NMR spectrometry in characterizing cancer cell lines and also shows the variations in the glucose accumulation and phospholipid composition between the primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines from the same donor. Differences in the cell culture method does plays an important role in phospholipid composition of the cells.\n\nPalavras-chave : Nuclear magnetic resonance; Proton magnetic resonance spectrometry; Melanoma; Cancer.\n\n        · texto em Inglês     · Inglês ( pdf )", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9826874136924744}
{"content": "A judge told this story recently. “When 8-year old Walter came into my courtroom, he had just been moved to his 7th foster home. Walter’s parents suffered from drug addiction and were not able to keep him safe, or tend to his basic needs. By the time I met him, he had been with 6 different caseworkers, 2 attorneys, and even (I’m embarrassed to say) 3 different judges who had worked on his case. And 1 CASA.\n\n\n\n\nDONATE                VOLUNTEER", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9938327670097351}
{"content": "Deconstruction is justice\n\nThis week’s food for thought asked to discuss the Jacques Derrida’s claim that ‘deconstruction is justice’.  By stating that ‘deconstruction is justice’ Derrida’s notes that ‘justice’ is constructed in the process of making ‘justice’. To put it differently, Derrida notes that there can be no fixed definition as the true essence of justice relies on combining different terms. That is, we must constantly refer to things that are external to the definition we attempt to construct. To better exemplify, consider this example. If the government proposes to its citizens that ‘justice is equality’, then this statement alone would raise many questions for Derrida and Derrida’s followers. To put it differently, one of the question which would arise is as follows: what does equality mean and who is defining equality?.  From practicing this approach, we would have involved ourselves in interrogating the terms which would appear to be fixed. In short, Derrida’s overall point to his readers is that concepts are always in the process of becoming and never finalized. In other words, an individual is always ‘deferring’ terms to better understand their meaning. The above mentioned points connect to the next point which Derrida makes.\n\nAn additional point that Derrida makes when he notes that ‘deconstruction is justice’ is that one would be able to find the hidden meanings in text. There is nothing outside of text. In brief, there is no way to escape language. As noted, “[d]econstruction emerges in a reading of texts that is attentive to traces and absences-signs and associations that are not out found within the text, but which give the text meaning” (Larsen, 2012).  Moreover, Derrida defines ‘deconstruction’ in relation to binaries. One must interrogate the terms in which these binaries exist and then interrogate them. As explained, “[d]econstruction involves the overturning of binary oppositions through the identification of implicit hierarchies, unintended meanings, historical contingencies, and- above all-through questioning” (Larsen, 2012). For example, to better understand the meaning of ‘rich and poor’ it would be important to interrogate what constitutes the term ‘rich’ and ‘poor’. Overall, it is important to remain open-ended when defining terms as it is this process which allows us to connect to various other terms. As stated in the criminology 3305-Law and Society lecture, ‘[j]ustice is like a butterfly-the act of attempt to grasp justice-actually kills the purpose of justice. The whole purpose of justice is in the pursuit-its always becoming’ (Larsen, 2012).\n\n\nLarsen, M. (2012). Derrida: Deconstruction, Justice, and Law. [CRIM 3305-Law and Society –Class Handout]. Surrey, Canada: Kwantlen Polytechnic University.\n\nLarsen, M. (2012). Derrida-Lecture Notes. Surrey, Canada: Kwantlen Polytechnic University.\n\n\n1 Comment\n\nFiled under Musing\n\nOne response to “Deconstruction is justice\n\n  1. Your opening paragraph is a good starting point for an exploration of Derrida’s idea of deconstruction. Good work.\n\n    You have also done a good job of encapsulating some of the key points made during the lecture.\n\n    I think that more can be said about the claim that ‘deconstruction is justice’. For Derrida, law can be rendered calculable through legal decisions, whereas justice, like deconstruction, is open-ended, always-becoming, and incalculable. Justice is pursued, and legal decisions are made in the name of justice – but it is never attained in a fixed sense.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5765236616134644}
{"content": "Recycling values\n\nThis work is licensed under the Creative Commons | © André Iteanu. ISSN 2049-1115 (Online). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14318/hau5.1.007\n\n\nRecycling values\n\nPerspectives from Melanesia\n\n\nThis article evolved from an ethnographic contradiction. Many monographs on Melanesia and Polynesia mention the idea that after the arrival of the “Whites,” the deities or the ancestors abandoned their descendants to emigrate far away to foreign countries, often those of the Whites. This is all the more puzzling in that the same ethnographies attest that the societies concerned accord very high value to these deities and ancestors. I propose a solution to this puzzle here by using Louis Dumont’s views on the relation between encompassing and encompassed values. From this perspective, these travels, made under the influence of contemporary changes, appear to result from the recycling of an old subordinated value manifested by the ancestors’ senseless wandering, which is omnipresent in the oral literature of these same societies.\n\nKeywords: values, hierarchy, change, Christianity, Melanesia\n\nIn every period, a certain view of the world, a collective mentality, dominates the whole mass of society. Dictating a society’s attitudes, guiding its choices, confirming its prejudices and directing its actions, this is very much a fact of civilization. Far more than the accidents or the historical and social circumstances of a period, it derives from the distant past, from ancient beliefs, fears and anxieties which are almost unconscious—an immense contamination whose germs are lost to memory but transmitted from generation to generation. A society’s reactions to the events of the day, to the pressure upon it, to the decisions it must face, are less a matter of logic or even self-interest than the response to an unexpressed and often inexpressible compulsion arising from the collective unconscious.\n\n(Braudel 1994: 22)\n\n[138]In The savage mind, Claude Lévi-Strauss compares mythical thought production to the activity of the “bricoleur”:\n\nHis universe of instruments is closed and the rules of his game are always to make do with “whatever is at hand,” that is to say with a set of tools and materials which is always finite and is also heterogeneous because what it contains bears no relation to the current project, or indeed to any particular project, but is the contingent result of all the occasions there have been to renew or enrich the stock or to maintain it with the remains of previous constructions or destructions. The set of the “bricoleur’s” means cannot therefore be defined in terms of a project (which would presuppose besides, that, as in the case of the engineer, there were, at least in theory, as many sets of too1s and materials or “instrumental sets,” as there are different kinds of projects). (Lévi-Strauss 1962: 17)\n\nAccording to him, in the realm of mythical activity, only second-hand materials are available to those willing to construct new elements or new narratives. This assertion is hardly controversial because the idea that new is built from old is a commonplace. However, when one leaves aside mythical activity to consider the process through which values transform, the allegation becomes more problematic. This is so because everywhere values are, by definition, hierarchically ordered. As such they contrast with the categories used in mythical thought. For example, that Spanish people call mesa a table does not conflict with what we think: it is just different. However, that people in certain societies may eat other people is not only different, but also shatters the hierarchy of values we have set for ourselves. When confronted with such a divergence, the question that comes to mind is: Can any hierarchy of values be replaced by another opposed to it, or is this impossible because new values, as mythical categories, are only constructed from old disaffected materials?\n\nThis is an overwhelming question that I cannot fully answer here. However, my ambition is to engage in this attempt by dealing with a very restricted transformation pattern, the recycling of old values,1 from a limited point of view, that developed by Louis Dumont. By “recycling of values,” I refer to the usage made by a society of ideas, qualities, and objects formerly associated with some secondary value, in order to understand and appropriate a new value that would otherwise be difficult to grasp because of its very novelty.\n\nThe author that anthropologists associate most commonly with the notions of value and hierarchy is Louis Dumont. Contrary to Lévi-Strauss, who concentrated on what he called structural categories, Dumont’s most important research projects focused on what one may term “emerging values.” Homo hierarchicus: The caste system and its implications (1980) attempted to understand the connection between what Vedic texts reveal about ancient India and contemporary castes. From Mandeville to Marx: The genesis and triumph of economic ideology (1977) examined the emergence and development of economic ideology. German ideology: From France to Germany and back (1994) analyzed German ideology from 1770 to 1830. Finally, in Essays on individualism: Modern ideology in anthropological perspective (1986), the period under consideration is even wider, as it ranges from the first Christians [139]to Hitler. It is as if to understand what captured his interest—a society’s values— Dumont had to contemplate, not a synchrony, but a period of transition.\n\nIn the books I have just mentioned, the social contexts Dumont studies are caught in movements to assimilate or to cope with values that come from another culture, another religion, or another social configuration, from Buddhism to economic ideology to revolutionary individualism. These values might have originated in an encounter with another society or be sui generis. In all cases, the process of assimilation results in the establishment of a specific hierarchy of values.\n\nThus, for Dumont, a hierarchy of values characterizes each society, but it is simultaneously always open to the values of those around it, or of those who come in contact with it, or of those individuals from within who promote new values. In that respect, Dumont’s main claim is that societies do not generally reject innovative values, but take ownership of them, enriching or complicating with them their former ideas and practices.\n\nA question then arises which Dumont has not directly answered. Is there a systematic framework in these value transformations? To answer this question a number of characteristics of hierarchical systems should be taken into account. Firstly, as explained in the introduction to this section, in any hierarchy of values, the lower values contradict that which is superior. Secondly, the inferior values are not suppressed by the higher one, but only assigned an inferior position. A society can thus assign a lesser status to the new values that it captures. In such a case, at a later time, an inversion may also occur when the new values succeed to subordinate the formerly superior one.\n\nI will propose here that in such cases, under the pressure of an event, or of contact with another culture, or of internal invention, meanings associated with an old and subordinate value, which once seemed obsolete, hidden, or dormant, reappear, now linked to the new value, reinvigorated and attempting to gain prominence over formerly dominant values. That recycling of values is an integral process of hierarchical systems, thus it contributes, in many cases, to how values appear, persist, and fade away.\n\nTo found this proposition, my argument unfolds here from the trivial idea that deities and ancestors stand for important values in the societies of the Pacific. I then attempt to understand the widespread (almost universal) but apparently paradoxical idea, in Melanesia and Polynesia, that following the arrival of the “Whites,” the ancestors and the deities deserted the abodes where they earlier dwelt (a move often described as a form of emigration). In short, the ancestors and the deities that earlier stood for important values were never really disavowed by the people, but faded away when they moved abroad. It is important to note that this discourse did not emerge immediately after the arrival of the colonizers, but became prominent as an interpretation of the past in the wake of the contemporary social changes that some call globalization. I will use this insight to show how the values that emerge in Melanesia, alongside Christianity, are not primarily borrowed “modern” values, nor are they newly invented ones, but established themselves by cannibalizing formerly subordinate values. The main such value I deal with here is associated with the ancestors’ and deities’ capacity to move about fast and constantly.\n\nTo expand these ideas, I mainly use my Orokaiva material. However, most of the notions I invoke exist, under different guises, in many Melanesian cultures.[140]\n\nProlific versus pathetic activities\n\nIn Melanesia, activity is a central feature of life. This is visible, for example, in the fact that many Melanesian languages use an unusually high proportion of action verbs in relation to nouns and adjectives. To hierarchize the actions that these verbs describe, Melanesians often resort to a normative opposition between two types of action: prolific versus pathetic. Among other things, this contrast is used to instruct children in good behavior and to pronounce judgments on how successful a gift-giving ceremony has been.\n\nOn the one hand, prolific activities, like working in a garden, or ceremonially giving taro and pig, yield actual results or indeed growth of different kinds. The Orokaiva call them be, “real,” “good.” On the other, certain activities are pathetic, “without aim” or “unproductive.” The Orokaiva call them sio, “meaningless.” This last term is applied, for example, to male teenagers roaming from village to village all night long, looking for girls or distractions. It is also applied to the expensive visits mature men make to Popondetta, the small local capital. Not only, people say, do they waste the fare traveling there, but they also drink many beers and spend the rest of their money on prostitutes. And all this to no benefit.\n\nSurprisingly, the term also applies to the travels of long-departed ancestors. According to the stories that their descendants told me, these ancestors lived, each alone with his wife only, as nomadic individual warriors. Always on the move, instead of enjoying the comfort of a village, they camped in the forest, existing by hunting and gathering. Instead of building relationships, they fought everyone they met.\n\nThey were warriors, so they never sat down anywhere, and rarely slept, but always stood upright. When the husband wanted to rest, the wife would keep guard so he could sleep a little. Then, the husband would in turn be on watch, so his wife could doze for a while. They did not have proper gardens. If they got hold of a few taros, they killed a man and cooked them up together. (Vevehupa 2013: 2)\n\nAnd all this still produced nothing (sio).\n\nHowever, one day, one of the ancestors made “friends” (namei) with one of the others, and they decided to settle together in a village. Because, unlike previously, they were no longer alone, the two men now had reasons (be) to perform rituals, after which they exchanged pigs and taro. Relations finally made sense (be) because objects (be) were circulating through them.\n\nWhen an Orokaiva person makes a gift to a friend it is not mindless, but each gift is and must be remembered. Gifts are made to friends with whom one has a good time. Between friends lots of things are regularly given, so that the friends can continue to enjoy each other. (Vevehupa 2013: 43)\n\nAs opposed to wandering ancestors, those who live in a civilized way build relationships. Melanesian life is thus largely devoted to planning, organizing, and entering exchanges of goods, to nurturing relationships, and to creating socialized space.\n\nThe inextricable links between relations and exchanges have been widely studied. Mauss and many others subsequently showed that what differentiates Melanesian gifts from economic exchanges, as they are practiced throughout the world, is [141]the emphasis they carry (Gregory 1982). While economic exchanges concentrate mainly on the things exchanged, in Melanesia, relationships between traders are central. Therefore, relations are established, maintained, and transformed by the transfers of objects during rituals. According to many authors (e.g., M. Strathern 1988; Iteanu 1990), this interdependence has comparative corollaries: the need for an object to circulate before a relationship can be created, the partial lack of distinction between the subjects and objects of trade, and the fact that the transfer of objects creates a partial identity between the traders.\n\nA further condition should be appended. Melanesian relational systems are so complex that they always lead to losses. So to endure without being depleted, they must be partly complemented by outside sources. Therefore, objects, the living, the dead, and rituals do not circulate only between those who already know each other, but must also pass to or come from unknown partners. Donations then convert who or what is not known into familiar persons and objects. The main consequence of this conversion is to slow down the absurd wandering of ancestors, people, and things, and to create meaning: people stay with their gardens and their pigs, goods are hoarded for ceremonies, repetition momentarily fixes rituals, and ancestors are temporarily prevented from disappearing because they are invited to attend ceremonies. A conversion is thus achieved. Uncontrolled meaningless movements coming from afar are transformed into relations creating exchanges. Or, better, these movements when transformed into exchanges fasten people to the ground, thus producing meaning.\n\nOne could consider the canonical Trobriand Kula as an example of this. A man who gives or covets a Kula valuable travels to neighboring islands to attract the object he wishes to capture (Malinowski 1922; Weiner 1976; Damon 1990). As if throwing a boomerang, his own movement encourages the as yet uncontrolled Kula valuable to travel to him. This procedure is repeated each time such a valuable changes hands. The movements of valuables have therefore been considered the extension of human movements, and vice versa (Munn 1986). However, the extension of men’s movements is always smaller than that of valuables that cross many distant islands. It is as if the exchanges with the outer islands, the Kula, tie down the partners within a limited perimeter of the transaction network. The discrepancy in size of the two movements—that of people and that of valuables—is described by the Trobrianders, as by many other Melanesians, by the idea that the name of the giver, his family, or his island is “big.” Its magnitude covers the size of the entire exchange network, though its bearer only accomplishes limited travels. In the Kula case, therefore, meaning is produced by the slowing down of human movement in relation to that of valuables.\n\nIn Orokaiva, a different version of this phenomenon exists. Even after the ancestors’ time, Orokaiva say that, for fear of cannibalism, they continued to live enclosed in their village. Only exceptional warriors dared brave the unknown. According to their degree of courage, they crossed miles of forest, off the beaten path. When they were lucky, they killed a man in battle, stole his shell jewels and feather ornaments, and brought his body back to the village to share his flesh with kin. However, the goal was to build friendships with the residents of a remote village by offering jewelry in exchange for pork. The relationship thus established was sealed in time when these new friends came to visit the warrior’s village to receive [142]the return of their pork gift. Here, the distance traveled by the warrior between the two communities is reduced by the creation of an exchange relation and the peace that ensues. Simultaneously, the names of the two units grow.\n\nIn both cases, as in many others in Melanesia, without exchange relations, the world in which objects and people move is potentially meaningless, without form and borders. Only individual initiative is then operative: the distance Kula valuables travel is only limited by their reputation and that of the man who put them in motion, and the distance that the Orokaiva warrior crosses depends only on his own temerity. However, these movements can also create meaning when they establish relations. This stabilizes the space and its boundaries for a while.\n\nThe items change hands, and the men move, come, and go at the pace of the gifts that are ritually offered. One might think that everything moves except the ritual, which here would be what we loosely call culture. However, this is not the case. In Melanesia, every society, every region, and every village borrows rituals from its neighbors and provides others with those it used formerly. This movement is constant and in turn generates movement reduction and space stabilization. Below, I present two cases that offer different modalities of the relation between senseless movement and exchange.\n\nAnthropologists have long described circulating cults in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (A. Strathern 2009). However, a recent dissertation by Almut Schneider (2011) goes further. According to the author, circulating rituals are the most important ceremonies known by the Gawigl, with whom she worked. They are implemented when the community faces a decrease in producing life in all its different forms: reduced horticultural and breeding efficiency, repetitive diseases, epidemics, and human infertility. These rituals are then intended to revitalize the multiplication of life. What distinguishes them is that one never practices the same ritual twice. When the need arises, villagers seek a specialist in a neighboring community. The latter performs a ritual that he simultaneously teaches the men of the group. He pronounces invocations in a foreign language, which he probably does not himself understand, and uses spirits and ancestral names unknown by the concerned community. When one asks this specialist where he obtained this practice, he replies that he learned it from a foreign specialist who came to help him and his community in analogous circumstances. Therefore, the ritual is deemed to come from afar, always beyond any borders. One may even speculate that it is its “foreign” origin that preserves its ability to restore life in a local context of general corruption. Because these rituals are extraneous, and in many ways senseless for those who undergo them, they can in time stabilize their community.\n\nThe second example concerns the so-called cargo cults. The anthropologists who originally described them considered that they were invented in response to the advent of the white settlers. More recently, it has been shown that they were, in fact, the form that circulating cults, which regularly crossed entire regions of Melanesia since time immemorial, had taken under the impact of colonization (Burridge 1960; Worsley 1968; Tromph 1977; Waiko 1984). At roughly regular intervals, these cults ignited whole regions around miraculous themes (Williams 1923, 1928). Then they gradually disappeared. It is difficult to determine how often such events occurred. In the words of old informants, it seems that a man saw more than one during his lifetime. In the stories, these cults, albeit identified as being of [143]foreign origin, regularly become confused with practices considered indigenous rites of passage. Here, again, borrowed cults transform into local rituals and exchanges that identify and stabilize local society.\n\nObjects, people, rituals—everything moves. Supernatural beings move as well. This may seem paradoxical since our societies are haunted by the idea that ancestral graves are places of memory (Detienne 2010). However, in Orokaiva, for example, this is not the case. The dead are buried under their own home, which is then left to rot. Thereafter, only the coconut palm trees that stood nearby still recall their grave. Finally, some decades later, the disappearance of these palm trees erases all traces of their life and burial place.\n\nSimultaneously, as in many other Melanesian societies, Orokaiva claim that recent ancestors reside in the forest near the villages and lands occupied by their descendants. However, their presence is not eternal. Over time, they become estranged, as they do not know the children born after their death, and the latter do not “recognize” them either. Thus, familiarity between ancestors and the living lasts no more than a generation. Beyond that, the ancestors become dangerous, analogous to faraway foreigners whom one does not “recognize” because no earlier relationship had ever been established. The ancestors therefore move, according to the loss of memory and the passage of time, from near to aloof in terms of relationship, and accordingly their behavior to their offspring changes.\n\nConversely, when rituals are performed, the ancestors are asked to return to the village in order to revive their memory and create familiarity between them and those young people they do not know. This is a delicate moment because some of these ancestors are no longer fully controlled by a relationship they remember, and they can, thus, be dangerous. This is why many precautions are taken when they are present: food is offered to them, young children are locked in the homes, people refrain from talking and laughing, and so on. However, most of all, the villagers hope that the ritual, which they have learned from their predecessors, provided it is faithfully repeated, will trigger the ancestors’ memory so they will remember the relationships between them and their descendants, thus neutralizing the danger they represent.\n\nAncestors, like exchanged goods, people, and rituals, “naturally” suffer loss over time that runs counter to relationship preservation. Inexorably, the links between them and the living disappear. Thereafter, the ancestors populate an anonymous world that lies beyond relationships and any identifiable location on the ground. This world is limitless, in terms of objects, space, ritual, and people. It does not make sense (sio). By regularly performing rituals, the Melanesians attempt to slow down the inexorable removal of the dead.\n\nSocial relationships that can be described as a generalized movement of objects, people, supernatural beings, and rituals thus create the space in which they exist. To do this, they momentarily tie to the ground villages, kinship groups, and individuals who are partners in these relationships. Similar to what Annette Weiner (1992) has shown in the case of wealth, but in a broader sense, this amounts to holding in place things, people, supernatural beings, and rituals so that everything can freely circulate (keeping-while-giving). However, this stabilization is only temporary and can never totally counteract the loss of relations, which is integral to time and [144]memory. So instead of talking about a halting in place, I prefer to maintain the dynamic nature of each situation by considering this a movement slowdown.\n\nOne can contrast this Melanesian feature with what happens in Polynesia. In a now rather old article, Marshall Sahlins (1963) argues that in contrast to Melanesia, Polynesian chieftainship can manage larger social groups, more sustainable politics, and a more hierarchical structure. Polynesian chiefs represent the gods on earth and are taboo, sacred. They are bounded in prohibitions, the most radical of which is often that they cannot touch the ground or move about. According to my analysis, these prohibitions reflect the ability of Polynesian systems to stop the gods’ or their representatives’ motion more completely than in Melanesia. Chiefs are thus brought to a standstill. Similarly, the fatal adventure of Captain Cook (Sahlins 1985) reminds us that Polynesians need to tie down their gods, here Lono. Since Cook comes and goes freely outside the liturgical calendar, and the rituals cannot stop him, more drastic measures have to be implemented; he was killed to stop his movement once and for all.\n\nTo sum up, this section has attempted to show that the hierarchical contrast between productive and meaningless movements was not only rhetorical. On the contrary, as I have argued, this hierarchy of values applies to a large number of social activities. Typically, valued movements, like exchange, are more restricted in scope but more significant than those, wider in scope, of the apical ancestors or gods that lack a reference point in space and in time. The latter, however, are not valueless because, for example, it is thanks to the ancestors or the gods that women and men have land to farm and rituals to perform to slow down all movements and enable a civilized life. These two ways of judging movement are therefore based on two values that partially contradict each other. The movement that makes sense, albeit restricted in space, is more important than the larger, senseless one. However, the former cannot exist without the latter, but encompasses it (Dumont 1986: 239).\n\nThe departure of the ancestors and the gods\n\nSo the Melanesians have managed to encompass momentarily the ancestors’ wild movement and to confine the value it was based on to a secondary role while they have promoted relation as a constitutive virtue. However, the arrival of the Whites has undermined this construction. Indeed, Melanesians immediately interpreted the successive irruptions of the colonists, evangelists, and international traders as an extension of the space in which goods, people, rituals, and supernatural beings could move (Coppet 1973). It would take a whole volume to describe in detail how, thereafter, the intensity and the range of motion of things and beings seemed to multiply in all directions. In Melanesian eyes, new relations became possible with neighbors by using the newly built roads and thanks to the “colonial peace,” with the Whites, who had different bodies and many goods and new ideas, with the capital city and other citizens of the country after independence, and finally with the all-powerful Christian God.\n\nNote that my point is not to oppose two states of society—the “original” and that following the advent of white colonizers—because every society is always in motion. However, since the colonizers started settling in, an event that occurred at [145]different times in different areas of Melanesia, the value of the earlier sterile movement has steadily multiplied. So, the Melanesians have focused their efforts on this movement, gradually abandoning the ritual practices and exchanges that earlier carried meaning for them.\n\nThe expansion resulting from colonization has taken on many directions. I will focus here on only one of its typical and widespread forms, which we can call “the departure of the ancestors or the gods.”\n\nIn Orokaiva, for example, the ancestors abandoned the living on the arrival of the colonizers. Among the various reasons that my informants gave to me for this, one is particularly evocative for a Western audience: white settlers were so determined to force the Orokaiva to work on their plantations that the ancestors began to fear that they would find a way to force them to do so as well. So, unwilling to work so hard, they took off. In the view of their descendants, they have then traveled either to Paradise or to distant countries—Australia, Canada, the United States, and even France. These destinations are also often conflated into one mythical place. According to Prophetess Genakuiya, the ancestors undergo considerable changes along the way:\n\nThey [the dead] travel to a particular place called Ivata Ari Yei and their bodies are senisi (changed). They leave their original earthly bodies and are all white by the time they press through this stage. They immediately adopt the Inglis (English) language: those who were not educated were put immediately into school…. After this, they are all given books and they proceed into an office where each one is allocated to a profession. (Jojoga Opeba 1977: 138–39)\n\nThus now the ancestors live in Paradise-in-the-country-of-white, where they are what we might call immigrants. However, for Melanesians, they are rather discoverers and conquerors of New Worlds. Like their forefathers before them, they are the first Orokaiva to reach new territories. Consequently, just as the Orokaiva invoke their ancestors’ military conquests to establish the legitimacy of their land claims, they today consider that they have potential rights over the white realm because of their ancestors’ travels.\n\nNote that in Polynesia as well the gods have wanderlust. For Fiji, Sahlins (1985: 37) talks about the departure of the gods after the arrival of the whites. He calls this movement “emigration” (ibid.: 60).\n\nHowever, the journeys of these ancestors, like those of the warriors who once crossed the forest, would only gain meaning if they could bring back goods to distribute to their kin, or, better, if they managed to establish friendship and trade relations with distant people. Unfortunately, so far, nothing of the kind has happened. This lack of results (be) has convinced the Orokaiva that they have lost contact with their ancestors. Initially, this situation did not worry them much, as they expected assets pledged by the white settlers and benefits secured by the adherence to Christianity to offset this spiritual and material loss. However, this has, so far, not been the case.\n\nWhat I know is that this new religion [Christianity] belongs to a different land, is spelled in a different language, and deals with a different type of person, so the answer does not come through to us quickly. I do not [146]mean that this other people’s tradition is false, but that it belongs to them exclusively. So if I demand something from it, I will not get an answer quickly. But, when these other people ask, the answer comes immediately to them. In the same way, if we ask something through our own tradition, we get it right away, but if they did so, they would never get anything. (Vevehupa 2013: 41)\n\nThe relational split with the ancestors was, in fact, duplicated by a break between Whites and Melanesians and thus between Melanesians and God. After the initial excitement generated by the Europeans’ arrival, Melanesians had to face the fact that, though their possible moves were now wider and more intense, they no longer created meaningful relationships marked by the movement of goods (be). Between neighbors, individualism reigns and youths become rascals, “bandits,” who threaten everyone’s safety. Since independence, there has been hardly any contact with Whites, as those who lived there have returned home, and no contact at all with the “Chinese” who took their place in businesses and industries. In politics, all Orokaiva feel that their representatives never listen to them. Finally, they complain that despite their incessant prayers, God does not accord them what they ask for. Travel possibilities have surely widened, but this does not create any sense. “All we do now,” they say, “is come and go for nothing.”\n\nReverting to older views, Orokaiva then set up various strategies to fill the gap created between them and their ancestors. Considering that in their conception of history, since the past informs the present, the latter should also illuminate the past, they reconfigured their original myths to account for the contemporary emergence of Whites. These now state that long ago Whites and Blacks were brothers, but they separated after a quarrel (Iteanu and Schwimmer 1996). Over time, this original kinship link was forgotten. The return of the Whites happily recalled it. Yet this historical work remained without concrete relational effect (be).\n\nThe Orokaiva then tried other ways to restore relationships with their lost ancestors. Those who thought that they were now living in the land of the Whites asked me to forward letters to those living in my country (Iteanu and Kapon 2002). Those who conjectured that they had gone more prosaically to Paradise joined charismatic churches that promised the imminent return of the dead. Most have combined the two options. But again, their hopes were dashed.\n\nThe contemporary context has therefore given birth to a new situation in which Orokaiva have increased difficulty building relationships with their ancestors. Between them now lies a break instead of continuity. Formerly, circulating objects, ancestors, and rituals bound the partners. Individuals, family groups, and villages were fastened to the ground and thus prolonged in time. Now the Orokaiva, like their ancestors, are unable to create relationships. This inefficiency is expressed from one end of Melanesia to the other: for example, by the continual complaints about the ineffectiveness of Christian religion. It has resulted in the proliferation of charismatic microchurches, the rapid movement of people from one allegiance to another, and, generally, the pervasiveness of what Peter Worsley (1968) has called “millenarianism.”\n\nWhereas formerly the relational sterility of ancestors was associated with a form of nomadism, today it is coupled with the inability to “develop,” that is to say, to live [147]like the Whites in the “modern” world, as envisaged by Melanesians. Since sterile motion and ritual exchanges have become incompatible alternatives, any “progress” is halted. Melanesians do not have enough money to buy consumer goods and have no clients to sell local products to. The many “guest houses” that they built remain desperately empty, and they cannot elicit the presence of God or of their ancestors. They describe this immobility by saying that “nothing changes here; there is no progress.” This situation is best illustrated by the fact that relatively few Papua New Guineans emigrate abroad, except among the new political and economic elites. This is remarkably different from the emigration patterns in Polynesia. For example, in 2001, there were 48,000 Samoans in New Zealand, equivalent to just over one-quarter of the population of Samoa itself (183,000).\n\n\nIn this article I have dealt with the way in which a large number of people who live in Melanesia conceive of the consequences of some of the contemporary transformations of their region. My argument is that Melanesians believe that to a large extent they have abandoned, or will soon abandon, traditional forms of activities, formerly considered as prolific, and reevaluated other practices, which “older” people considered as pathetic because they yield no growth, in the hope of living like the Whites. This shift appeared appropriate, because globalization had brought with it the idea that what was once aloof, unattainable, or even unknown is now within reach. At first, in Melanesia, this idea raised many hopes dramatically expressed in cargo cults and in rapid and unanimous conversion to Christianity (Robbins 2004b). Melanesians then gradually abandoned their rituals to accord priority to some “modern” projects that reminded them of the senseless primordial wanderings of their ancestors. This reversal of the relative preeminence accorded to the two modes of sociality earlier distinguished is, among others, expressed in the many forms of discourses which affirm that ancestors or gods have departed following the advent of the Whites.\n\nThe rise in value of the subordinate “meaningless move” theme is not, however, a simple hierarchical inversion whereby a subordinated idea becomes superior, and vice versa, but it creates a new situation. Although during the ancestors’ ancient times, rapid and repeated displacements were meaningless, they nonetheless established the estates of their descendants. Today, however, combined with the increasing immobility of villages established along roads, the meaningless travels of their inhabitants cannot explore the new areas opened by colonization. At best, one is entitled, occasionally, to an exhausting and expensive trip to town.\n\nMelanesians, at least most of them, were then struck by the impression of not having access to areas of relationships that those who offered to modernize their society had promised to render accessible. The disappointment of these aspirations to openness obliged them, as I think I have shown, to confront the fact that, now, one had to choose between “modernity,” which was analogous to the ancestors’ nomadic life, and “tradition” (in Pidgin, costom), a model of relationship management through ritual and exchange (Robbins 2004a). While the old value of relatedness offered space for all kinds of meaningless actions, after the inversion of values this [148]was no longer true. The emphasis on “individualism” (in Pidgin, independence) was systematically destructive of relationships, even those that occurred on a subordinate level. Many Melanesian now think that this intolerance is the cause of the relentless conflicts that regularly emerge today between generations, families, husband and wife, in villages, towns, and communities, and at the national political level. This drastic split, in which a superior mode of life excludes the possibility of subordinated modes, seem to have been instrumental in the emanation of new local religious organizations in which Christianity is reinterpreted to accommodate at once “modernity” and “tradition” (Vevehupa 2013).\n\nFinally, coming back to the more abstract question with which I started this investigation, I hope I have shown that the departure of the ancestors and of the deities manifests in Melanesia in the resurrection, in modified form, of an earlier subordinated value held in abeyance. Once revivified, this value enters into conflict with earlier dominant conceptions. In such a situation one can debate endlessly whether the new value thus disguised in old rags is indeed new or old. I think, however, that this misses the point\n\nWhat is really new and modifies the life of the people is, as I have shown, that what appears at first as a simple reversal of priorities is in fact more complex. While the former encompassment of one value by another left room for all kinds of contextual contradictions, the new situation proposes no other choice but radical exclusive opposition between values. This shift has generated deep social discomfort that, like other people in the world, Melanesian express by lamenting the loss of values in their life. In fact, if my analysis is correct, they are mistaken. What bothers them, instead, is that there are too many values that conflict with each other at the very same level and thus are incompatible with each other. What they have lost, in fact, is the possibility to order them in a hierarchy.\n\n\nBraudel, Fernand. 1994. A history of civilizations. Translated by Richard Mayne. New York: Allen Lane/Penguin.\n\nBurridge, Kenelm. 1960. Mambu: A study of Melanesian cargo movements and their social and ideological background. New York: Harper & Row.\n\nCoppet, Daniel de. 1973. “Premier troc, double illusion.” L’Homme XIII (1–2): 10–22.\n\nDamon, F. H. 1990. From Muyuw to the Trobriands: Transformations along the northern side of the Kula Ring. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.\n\nDetienne, Marcel. 2010. L’identité nationale, une énigme. Paris: Seuil.\n\nDumont, Louis. 1977. From Mandeville to Marx: The genesis and triumph of economic ideology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.\n\n———. 1980. Homo hierarchicus: The caste system and its implications. Translated by Mark Sainsbury, Louis Dumont, and Basia Gulati. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.\n\n———. 1986. Essays on individualism: Modern ideology in anthropological perspective. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.\n\n[149]———. 1994. German ideology: From France to Germany and back. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.\n\nGregory, Chris. 1982. Gifts and commodities. London: Academic Press.\n\nIteanu, André. 1990. “The concept of the person and the ritual system: An Orokaiva view.” Man (N.S.) 25: 399–418.\n\nIteanu, André, and Eytan Kapon. 2002. Lettre to the dead. Documentary film: 61 minutes.\n\nIteanu, André, and Éric Schwimmer. 1996. Parle et je t’écouterai. Paris: Gallimard.\n\nJojoga Opeba, Willington. 1977. “The Peroveta of Buna.” In Prophets of Melanesia, edited by Gary Tromph, 127–143. Port Moresby: The Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.\n\nLévi-Strauss, Claude. 1962. The savage mind. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.\n\nMalinowski, Bronislaw. 1922. Argonauts of the Western Pacific. London: George Routledge & Sons.\n\nMunn, Nancy. 1986. The fame of the Gawa: A symbolic study of value transformation in a Massim (Papua New Guinea) society. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.\n\nRobbins, Joel. 2004a. Becoming sinners: Christianity and moral torment in a Papua New Guinea society. Berkeley: University of California Press.\n\nRobbins, Joel. 2004b. “The globalization of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity.” Annual Review of Anthropology 33: 117–43.\n\nSahlins, Marshall. 1963. “Poor man, rich man, big man, chief: Political types in Melanesia and Polynesia.” Comparative Studies in Social and History 5 (3): 285–303.\n\n\nSchneider, Almut. 2011. “La vie qui vient d’ailleurs: Mouvement, échanges et rituel dans les Hautes-Terres de la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée.” Ph.D. dissertation, EHESS, Paris.\n\nStrathern, Andrew. 2009. “Circulating cults in highland New Guinea: Pointers for research. ” The Australian Journal of Anthropology 2 (1): 98–107.\n\n\nTromph, Gary, ed. 1977. Prophets of Melanesia. Port Moresby: The Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.\n\nVevehupa, Lucian. 2013. The man who would not die: The autobiography of an Orokaiva man. Port Moresby: UPNG Press and Bookshop.\n\nWaiko, John. 1984. The Binandere: People of Papua New Guinea, Bathurst, NSW: Robert Brown.\n\nWeiner, Annette, B. 1976. Women of value, men of renown: New perspectives in Trobriand exchange. Austin: University of Texas Press.\n\n———. 1992. Inalienable possessions: The paradox of keeping-while-giving. Berkeley: University of California Press.\n\nWilliams F. E. 1923. Vailala madness and the destruction of native ceremonies in the Gulf Division. New York: AMS Press Inc.\n\n[150]———. 1928. Orokaiva magic. Oxford: Clarendon Press.\n\nWorsley, Peter. 1968. The Trumpet Shall Sound. New York: Schocken Books.\n\nRecycler les valuers: Perspectives mélanésiennes\n\nRésumé : Cet article part d’une contradiction ethnographique. De nombreuses monographies portant sur la Mélanésie et la Polynésie mentionnent l’idée qu’après l’arrivée des « Blancs » les divinités ou les ancêtres ont abandonné leurs descendants pour émigrer au loin dans des pays étrangers, souvent ceux des Blancs. Ce récit est d’autant plus curieux que les mêmes monographies attestent de la grande valeur accordée à ces divinités et ces ancêtres dans les sociétés concernées. Je propose ici une solution à ce casse-tête à partir des vues de Louis Dumont sur la relation entre valeurs englobantes et englobées. Analysés à partir de ces notions, ces voyages migratoires, entrepris sous l’influence des changements contemporains, apparaissent comme la forme recyclée d’une vieille valeur subordonnée, manifestée par insensée errance des ancêtres, omniprésente dans la littérature orale de ces sociétés.\n\nAndré ITEANU is Directeur de Recherche at the CNRS and Directeur d’Études at the EPHE in Paris, France. He has worked for many years with the Orokaiva of Papua New Guinea and with troubled youth in Cergy-Pontoise, a suburb of Paris. He recently edited a volume, La cohérence des sociétiés (2010), and translated an Orokaiva autobiography written by Lucien Vevehupa, The man who would not die (2013).\n\nAndré Iteanu\n190 Avenue de France 75013 Paris\n\n\n1. In Robbins’ terms, this would be, I believe, the second form of social change, that in which the relations between different categories are transformed (Robbins 2004a: 11).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7858121395111084}
{"content": "Special Report: What Will Meditation Do For Me?\n\nA Brief Survey of the Applications of Meditation\n\nKellan Fluckiger\n\nSpecial Report: What will meditation do for me? A brief survey of the applications of meditation This special report contains a small sampling of excerpted information from the five volumes in the Meditation The Amazing Journey Within series of books. This report will explore some of the ways that meditation is being used to enhance people s lives today in every area from education to healing to job advancement and finances. This special report does not give specific instruction in how to learn to meditate or how to become proficient in its practice. If the applications in this report appeal to you, then you should immediately download the full course and learn to apply the tremendous power of meditation to unlock the brilliance and power of your own mind in order to make these possibilities real in your own life. There are hundreds and perhaps thousands of ways that meditation can help us. The methods and ways that it can be used are as unique as you are. And it is certain that you are a unique and powerful individual.\n\n2|P a ge\n\nRemember that meditation is a tool. The first and most important thing about any tool is to understand what it is for and to use it correctly. Make sure that you understand how to meditate and achieve the complete state of relaxed awareness before you start using applications of this powerful tool. The critical first step is to learn to meditate in some structured fashion. These skills are taught in the five volumes of Meditation The Amazing Journey Within. Four separate types of meditation are taught in that course, with variations on each type for individual application. The next critical key is to meditate regularly for maximum effect in your life. The when, where and how of these skills is also taught in the five book series. In addition, the usual questions, general concerns, roadblocks, problems and other potential interferences are discussed in the series along with methods for removing each of these obstacles and achieving the benefits meditation can offer your life. An important starting point is to take time to regularly meditate just for the sheer relaxation of being fully\n3|P a ge\n\npresent in that moment and without a secondary motive. Meditation can clear the mind so that you will remember the answers while you take the test. and study more effectively. For example. you will be using the tool and your own powerful mind at its best. of course. Using the correct tool at the right time and in the right amount assures us of the best chance for success. read the rules of the road. remember that there are. pass the written test and satisfy an examiner that you know how to operate the vehicle. Meditation can help your mind when you study. As a final reminder to help you get all you can from your meditation practice. That way you will be assured that when you use meditation to accomplish any goal that you have set for yourself. You must take driver s education. one would not get a driver license by thinking or meditating about a car. other tools that we can use to help us along with the tool of meditation. One would not meditate over a chemistry book with the book closed and then expect to pass the course 4|P a ge . It cannot substitute for the other steps. be more relaxed while you are demonstrating your driving ability and otherwise improve your effort.\n\nwithout study. Meditation will help the study process, help you learn faster, improve your memory so you can recall what you studied, calm your anxiety about the test and help you therefore get a better grade. Likewise, meditation is not a substitute for a doctor or other medical treatment when needed, even though meditation will aid healing and help the body resist disease. Meditation is not a substitute for any professional help that may be required for depression, anxiety, addictions or other serious conditions. It can, and does help with stress relief, anxiety relief, addiction recovery and a host of other physical and mental illnesses and condition, but only when used with other appropriate resources when needed. This may be obvious to all the readers of the book, but I feel it is important to state the obvious so that meditation can be the most helpful and do the most benefit to those who practice it, while not asserting claims that are beyond the scope of what is intended. In the rest of this report I will give a few examples of ways that meditation can improve your life. These examples will be from my own personal experience, or\n\n5|P a ge\n\nfrom the experience of those that I have helped with this process. While I cannot cover all the possible uses, these examples will give you ideas as to the things that can be done, and also instructions about how to use this tool. In addition, there are numerous books and articles that have been published about meditation and its benefits; I will provide you with some references at the end that will be good for further reading if you want to see more about what meditation has done for others. Beyond these examples, in the five books in this series, I have given not only examples, but specific meditation scripts to address areas that meditation may help in your quest for a happy life. Please read those books as well and perhaps you will find help in the suggestions and examples in those books.\n\nMeditation and Stress Relief One of the most frequently asked questions is can meditation help me with stress? The answer is a resounding yes. The next question is obviously, how can I use meditation to calm my anxiety or stress?\n6|P a ge\n\nThe causes of stress are plentiful. Some causes are external, and some are internal. Some are imposed by the world we choose to live in and some are imposed by internal conflicts. Some causes are known and some are hidden - even from ourselves. Because the causes and situation are so varied, there is not a single one-size-fits-all answer about how to use meditation to relieve stress. We will explore some ideas, but the actual application to a particular situation depends on the facts of that circumstance. Not all stress is bad. The pressure of a deadline for a report can cause bursts of creativity and hard work that produce an excellent product. The stress of a competitive sporting event can cause world record performances and uplifting teamwork. The stress of a relationship can cause deep introspection that may result in a healthy cleaning out of our skeleton closet and a good reassessment of our lives. However, we live today in a world of rapid change, unexpected shifts and instant everything. If you are a parent with children, the number of activities is overwhelming. If you do not care for others, the number of things clamoring for your attention is almost\n7|P a ge\n\nWe are literally inundated with things to do. or getting divorced. or getting married. like changing jobs or losing a loved one. and whatever else thrusts itself into your world. and things we must do. parent or sibling. Some are obvious. movies sports. first is to identify and remove the causes of excess stress in your life. the stress of relationships. the world political situation. games. Identifying stressors in our lives can be a complex affair. and then manage the stresses that you have. The second strategy is for when we wish to keep the things we are doing. work projects.uncountable. and things we should do. Add to that. employment worries. We can see the situation and we know why we are stressed. global warming. or trouble with a child. There are more and more ways to communicate. The second approach is to identify and understand the causes. and more and more clubs. 8|P a ge . etc than ever before. The first approach is for those times when we have stresses we don t need and don t want. There are two distinct approaches to the stress problem. the economy. but need a different system to cope.\n\nin the restroom if needed. at night. Meditation as a tool can help in a number of these areas. First the obvious benefit of taking time to calm down. That in and of itself can give a new perspective and help you identify potential circumstances and issues you may want to modify. Many people find that just adopting the habit of taking time to meditate in the way described in chapter seven of volume one on a regular basis. Bad habits or faulty coping mechanisms can also contribute to massive stress without being so obvious. gives them the clarity and calm that they need to deal with the stresses that 9|P a ge . You will find a new perspective and refreshment to your soul that is far beyond the minutes that you spend. Get yourself a space to own and a time to get rid of everything else. During those times. Make time to meditate for 15 minutes per day. do nothing except focus in the manner taught in the course on one of concentration meditations given in chapter seven of volume one of the series. or personal attitudes that are destructive or damaging. Find time in the morning.There can certainly be more subtle causes such as longstanding feelings in a family situation. and refresh your life.\n\nYou can then begin to identify. to notice and name items that bring about a reaction in your body or mind. you may surprise yourself at which things are the biggest stressors. 10 | P a g e . then there are several approaches that you can take. and identify and name them. The calming and empowering effects of clearing the mind and the clutter are often sufficient. After you have spent a few sessions learning how to enter your relaxed alpha state. If you wish to go beyond just the calming effects of meditation and the relaxation that it provides. Learning to identify and name these items without leaving the relaxed alpha state is a skill you can quickly develop as you learn to treat each situation or feeling with detachment. using the awareness meditation taught in book four in this series. you can begin to take some time to explore the feelings that you have that feel stressful.they have in their situations. As you contemplate these things as the detached observer.\n\nThe bottom line is that for any stress related problem. It is also possible that a person might need help beyond their own resources. and what your desired outcomes are. but in the books in the series. You will then be in a position to rationally consider the items on the list and then use the visualization techniques taught in volume three of this series to set up your mind and body for different outcomes to the situations that you find stressful. 11 | P a g e . Third. It is not possible to describe all possible approaches here. First it can calm and relax you so you can think clearly. you can write them down after your meditation session. it will allow you to more easily identify things in your life that are stressful. meditation can help. you will need to decide what techniques you want to use.After you identify these things. Second. Depending on the causes and effects of the stresses in your life. While most of us journey through life without extensive professional help in this area. there are a number of examples and guided meditations to bring about successful outcomes to stress related situations. relative or counselor may be helpful if your situation warrants this action. relaxed and truthful conversation with a trusted friend.\n\nbut I would suggest that many feel otherwise: that they have indeed lost control of their lives. Please do yourself a wonderful favor and read through the instructions in books in books one through five of this series. It may be more 12 | P a g e . I believe that this is actually true. I am in control of my life. Gaining More Control of our Lives This may sound either presumptuous or ambitious depending on your point of view. and fourth. you will be able to decide what your approach should be. Presumptuous if you would look at me and say how dare you. These books will teach you about how to do several styles of meditation and with that information and a good self-assessment. meditation will help you stick with changes that you have made. Ambitious if you look at me and say. The first point of view suggests that we ve never lost control of our lives.you will be able to make decisions about changing things in your life more easily when you have the benefit of regular meditation time. it s true but it is way too big a pile and I ll never get on top of it.\n\nand dragged to work by the clock and an unfeeling and unforgiving work regime. Then we are late to other responsibilities such as a school or neighborhood meetings.accurate to say that when we feel like we have lost control. somebody might need help with homework. or have to rush to a teacher conference or to get kids or ourselves to a sports commitment or piano lessons. We have to stay late to finish an assignment or project we didn t know was due tomorrow. we can t really tell. and then try to fine time to do the work we brought home with us so we can be prepared for the big day tomorrow. there are classes at the gym for working out. 13 | P a g e . or not. or a seminar for job advancement and the list goes on forever and ever. we are pulled out of bed by a rude alarm clock. or an evening sales meeting. And that is just today. perhaps we have surrendered control to something. Then after that. or our partner or child might need a minute of love and attention. We cram our faces with food that is good. In such a case.\n\nWhen I was young I found great pleasure in small things. Suddenly I realized that life was upside down. For me it went something like this. I was struggling and straining to find something I didn t have. To be short. The sound of a 14 | P a g e . and when and how we re going to finish what didn t get done before some approaching deadline.After that we are so tired we can t think straight. and wasn t sure how to describe. I wanted more and more external things to demonstrate to the world and affirm to me how important I was. and wake up tired and poorly prepared to do it all over again. I began to realize that I had lost something. I wanted more money and more stuff. and we plunge into bed with our feelings and our minds in high gear trying to remember all we forgot to do. and my life was living me instead of me living a life that I wanted. To be sure. What is happening? When I found myself in that situation. I wanted to be a more important person at work and in my social circles. If that is how it feels on very many days then perhaps we have most certainly lost control of something. it had a name. We toss and turn and get fitful sleep.\n\nI loved to read and live vividly in the characters in the books and stories. As I grew up somewhere along the way I surrendered my sense of what was real and important. I gave full attention to money and career promotions and external values . and value was only determined by what someone else though that object was worth. I found myself achieving more and more and being less and less satisfied. I built a hay fort out of alfalfa bales and hid in it with my brother.pretty musical melody or the shapes of clouds in the sky. I played in the irrigation ditch with leaves to see which one raced the fastest. I because convinced that worth was measured in money. I called a screeching halt to everything. Consequently. My own experience was that the situation got emotionally to a point where I knew I needed and wanted to change.and achieved a great deal of all of that. I used the techniques that I have described in the books in the 15 | P a g e . I reconnected with all I had learned in my many years of study of meditation and the martial arts. I needed far more than just a way to get more done or a way to relax.\n\nthe processes of meditation and selfawareness brings abundant and powerful results to help you clarify. I have often heard from friends and colleagues similar expressions of feeling and concern. and to have a deep and spiritually rewarding life. What I can tell you is that for every situation. I have been part of many transformations that have brought people from a place where they felt they had lost what was really important in their lives. The details of each particular situation are confidential and not really important. to work from home.series and I have come to a life of tranquility and abundance. Fortunately. Relieving Pain 16 | P a g e . simplify and return you life to a state that feels like really living again. Sometimes this was a situation where there was just too much to do. I am blessed with the opportunity now to do what I love. I suspect that my experiences and the feeling I was having are not unique. and sometimes it was far more serious and things were really out of control.\n\nI do not claim that meditation is the universal answer to pain or any other ailment. emotional pain can have definite causes. It is important to emphasize also that just as there are many causes of pain. In this application it is very important to remember that pain can have many causes. thus improving mental clarity and the over use of prescriptions for every illness. However. meditation can be very effective in managing the pain associated with the injury and in greatly speeding the healing process. the pain is related to the cause and the remedy is simple. The cause is visible. If the pain is of a physical nature. you will likely need a splint and a cast. There are obvious causes such as someone stepping on your foot. If you break your arm. meditation can lessen the need for pain medication in many cases.Relieving pain is a common application of meditation. Just as with physical pain. then there may be treatments needed associated with removing the cause and healing the problem. In addition to healing more quickly. both physical and emotional. With many other kinds of pain. there are many remedies. the linkages are not anywhere near so clear. If there is emotional injury that is 17 | P a g e .\n\nBegin focused breathing and relaxation. One example of a possible meditation follows: Depending on where the pain is either sit comfortably or lay down. meditation can dramatically increase the effectiveness of the emotional therapy and healing processes. When you reach 1 continue breathing as comfortably as you can and focus on the breath. with each breath getting more relaxed. Just as with the broken bone. this appropriate treatment needs to be sought. Count backwards from 20 to 1. With each in breath say the number as you count backwards. or the mitigation of the wound. begin counting your breaths. Focus on letting each out breath melt your body into the chair or bed or couch. Regularly meditating has been shown in many medical and psychological case studies to be effective in self-healing. there may need to be professional treatment associated with the cause of the pain. and with each outbreath feel your body melting into the surface beneath you. When you are breathing very comfortably and focused on your breath. 18 | P a g e .causing pain. However. and in improving response to professional counseling. just as with the broken arm.\n\nyou notice that it is coming closer and closer to you.Then in your mind s eye. imagine a point of light. 19 | P a g e . some distance from your body. Soon the light engulfs you. It appears in about the same place as the first light. If blue is a poor choice of color for you. As you focus on the light. Soon it is far away again. it begins to move away from you. it is very close to you and very large. You notice it coming closer and closer and getting larger and larger. and you see it getting smaller and smaller. or vision screen or imagination. After this is completed then imagine a light of a different color. After a time enjoying the color and warmth of the light. depending on how you see things with your eyes closed. you feel its soft warmth a bit more as it draws ever nearer. Imagine it to be a clear soft blue in color. It is filling your whole vision. The light begins to grow and get closer. then choose a color that you associate with being pleasing and soft. You feel it in every part of your body. You see it in the distance and it is a soft color and fills the space around you with its glow. and the light then gets so small that it disappears from view. After a time. It is a pleasing feeling and a pleasing color.\n\nIf the pain is in your mind. Somehow. If the pain is in your feet. the light attaches itself to the pain and engulfs the pain. and it no longer engulfs you.There is something different about this light. you see the pain growing smaller and smaller within the light. As the light recedes. but it has taken the pain with it out of your body. then it attaches to the pain there. If the pain is in your heart then the light attaches to the pain in your heart. As the light surrounds you and engulfs your body. this light is associated with the pain that you feel. You see the pain in the light. 20 | P a g e . It is attached to the pain and the pain is attached to the light. You see the light outside your body now. The light gradually recedes and gets smaller and smaller and takes the pain with it. then the light attaches to the pain there. you feel it attaching to the pain in every area of your body. your heart or your stomach or leg or wherever the pain was. You notice the pain in the light and it is out of your head. and it is now outside your body. Then the light disengages from your body. you feel it attaching to the pain that you are feeling. Everywhere that there is pain in your body. As you feel it coming closer and closer to you.\n\nWeight Loss and Getting in Shape Every day in every store the magazines scream at us about our bodies. As you visualize the light getting smaller and smaller and eventually disappearing.and on and on. and when we see the magazines and the TC shows we have 21 | P a g e . Allow the light to take the pain and own it. One of the keys to this experience is allowing the light to engulf the pain. something is coming and you re not ready . Get in shape. but it belongs in the light. you will be amazed that it is so immediately effective.Finally the light is so small that you can barely see it. tone and trim. this presents no problem. You can see the pain vanish away before your eyes. The pain is no longer yours. The holidays are coming. and finally it vanishes from vies. Your pain is gone. as I have. For some of us. lose weight. For others of us. Meditation. this presents a terrible conflict. summer is coming. If you use this method to remove pain. We are happy with who we are and how we look. your pain will be gone.\n\nand our external appeal. they probably will help. I got it off and kept it off. I used the techniques in meditation and those in volume three regarding visualization to lose all 80 pounds. Specifically I went from a blood pressure of 220 over 180. I have been overweight at different stages of my life.some anxiety. I give these personal examples so that you will be assured that I know that these systems work. I used meditation to help myself get back in shape so I was healthier and felt far better. 22 | P a g e . If you follow the regime strictly. and I maintain this weight and physical status without difficulty. I personally have experience in using meditation to get to help my appearance in two ways. which is critical hospitalization level to a blood pressure of 110 over 70 with a resting pulse rate of 46. appearance. In another vein. We may find ourselves constantly worrying about weight. Specifically. This is where I am today. Meditation is very helpful in many regards in this area of endeavor. and basically sell you food in certain proportions. I was 80 pounds overweight and grossly out of shape. I also know that many weight loss programs focus principally on diet.\n\nWhat I know for sure. Good health is always a blessing and a thing to be desired and worked for.I have read and studied various diet and physical exercise programs so that I am familiar with all the fad diets. Besides helping you achieve your personal fitness goals. what is 23 | P a g e . There is one more point to make with regard to this topic. if you follow the instructions. because it calms and centers the mind will also help you be able to see clearly with regard to your health goals. meditation will help you sort out of all the noise. It may or may not be important to follow the latest fitness trend in your particular situation. meditation will greatly aid your success. is that whether or not you use a particular food program. What is far more important is whether or not you change your underlying habits and attitudes so that the changes you make are permanent. You will find it far easier to meet your goals. I expect that most of them will work after a fashion. or a combination. There will more on this topic in volume three of the series on Meditation and Personal Achievement. an exercise regimen. Meditation. and the sensible diet programs. Meditation will help you both in body and mind towards that end. and you will not suffer the distress of constant hunger and fear of failing in your effort.\n\nand specifically help you set realistic appearance goals and most of all be satisfied with them. it is more important to be content in your skin. There is a pleasure associated with the activity. It will help you cut through the clamor and noise of the fads. even though we know it is harmful. Research is clear that smoking kills us. and also one of the deadliest that we seem to love. than to strive to make your skin like someone else s. There are various parts to this particular addition. Yet we continue to smoke and although there is a decrease in the number of smokers annually. To me. there are millions who wish they could quit and who should quit for their own sake and the sake of those who love them. Meditation and Quitting Smoking Smoking is one of the hardest habits to break. so we do it. just like with any addiction.right for you with regards to your physical well being. There is no question that it is a deadly habit and shortens our life. There is a comfort that some people get from the oral activities associated with 24 | P a g e . Nicotine is addictive and provides a pleasurable feeling. Smoking is an addiction.\n\nLearning to focus your mind through the concentration meditation can help you keep your focus on your goal of better health and whatever else you feel will be your reward for quitting. meditation can calm your mind and body to help you deal with desires and cravings. This is not the majority as evidenced by the fact that there are still so many who feel that they want to quit and can t. Some people quit without any help from outside themselves. Whatever path you choose to use to help you quit. with medication. Quitting any multi-part habit like this needs to address many of the parts to be successful. Some find the activity itself to be a stress reliever because they have something to do when they are nervous. meditation will be a great aid. 25 | P a g e . and with various programs that all focus on the nicotine addiction and the other parts to the habit. The visualization skills in volume three can help you make the new habits real enough to pull you forward.smoking. Quitting smoking can be accomplished cold turkey. Specifically.\n\nand a better ability to see 26 | P a g e . Meditation can be a powerful tool in three important ways. meditation creates a greater level of equanimity and a reduction of anger and stress levels in the brain. stifling. don t feel like they make enough money. frightening and basically a drag. This happens because meditation stimulates and causes new axons and dendrites in that portion of the brain where the feelings of calmness arise. make some money and associate with other folks in our jobs. They don t like what they do. Work can also be boring. and feel they are trapped because they don t know where to go and how to make an improvement.Meditation and Improving your Career We all need to find our niche in the world of work. by itself can cause a better attitude about life. unsatisfying. It brings calmness. Far too many people feel like this about their work situation. and more good feeling in general. stressful. I believe that work is a good thing and it can give us a sense of accomplishment. This reduction in negative emotion. First of all. It also reduces secretions of the amygdala and other parts of the brain where anger and distress come from. We get an opportunity to contribute to something.\n\nWhat are your desires? Then you can combine the powerful tool of visualization and cause the manifestation of the things you want in your life. we are far better able to answer that question. Meditation will help you think clearly. Anything. You will understand opportunities and see potential where you saw nothing before. Third. meditation allows calm and ration connection with our inner feelings. Perhaps you feel you need a different job. When we regularly meditate. What is it that we really want. 27 | P a g e . You will then be able to see what opportunities there are. just not this. This is because meditation stimulates the creative part of the brain. is not a real answer to this question and will lead to no change. just more anger about the situation. Meditation is the key to making bringing these wonderful and powerful processes into action. meditation is a power tool to actually bring to pass the new situation you want. you will always see things that you did not see before. more time.life and our situations like they really are. a different career. We are less prone to exaggerate and be overly negative. more money. When we regularly meditate. Second. and realistically assess your situation with your strengths and challenges.\n\nThey either have lower self-esteem than they should.In volume three of this series. You really can have the job you want. I had concerns with low self-esteem through childhood. You just have to believe in yourself. or perhaps little or none at all. and others will treat you accordingly. Meditation and Self-Esteem Many people in my acquaintance have a self-esteem barrier. If you don t think anything of yourself. This is one of the most significant barriers to getting what you want out of life. we will explore in detail how to combine meditation with visualization and how to attract any career changes that you want into your life. which is about the power of meditation in personal achievement. and during my young adult years. I had to work hard to remove this barrier and get a true picture of myself and my worth as a human soul. you clearly send out that message. and all the money you want in your life. 28 | P a g e . This particular problem is one that I am very familiar with.\n\nThere is a long list of ills that come from low selfesteem. lead to more limbic brain activity and this leads to lower ability to concentrate. meditation is a wonderful tool to help with this situation. Second. Negative emotions associated with your selfimage. They can range from physical maladies to depression. First the simple act of meditation is inherently beneficial to the body and mind. Fortunately. as you regularly meditate you allow yourself a space to detach from negative self images and negative feedback that you have perceived about yourself. as measured in laboratory tests. It stimulates the frontal brain system and reduces stress. it can be a heavy rock to carry. but I can tell you that for those who do. Regular meditation will help with the issue of self esteem in three ways. anxiety and anger in the brain.You may not struggle with this particular issue. Sometimes this negative feedback is 29 | P a g e . Social functioning can also be impaired as well as ability to form lasting and meaningful relationships. low motivation and low ability to read and comprehend. lower ability to feel compassion and a reduced level of empathy. and to study and learn effectively.\n\nChanging your life and getting past these problems is not trivial and often requires significant help. Healing and Wellness. Third. Meditation with Addiction and Compulsive Behaviors Addiction and compulsive behaviors are a severe problem for a growing number of people in our modern world.imagined and meditation will help you sort this out. and rediscover the true brilliance that resides in your wonderful and precious self. the awareness meditation will allow you the tools and time to disconnect from the situation and feeling and let it pass from you without the negative impact. The treatments for these illnesses cover a wide range. The Power of Meditation in Personal Achievement. The Power of Meditation in Health. using the techniques taught in volume two of the series. you will be able to break the chains of negative thinking. Even when the negative feedback is real. and volume three. restore your rightful healthy image. This small section is not about the various 30 | P a g e .\n\nwhether the treatment is a self. Remember a very important concept. Taking time to meditate each day will improve the effectiveness. or medical and psychiatric treatment for a severe disorder. meditation can help is all of those cases. whatever the problem may be. Often. a better life balance with more family time for a workaholic. When you meditate you stop to listen to your true self. a friend who you talk to who may help you decide not to go gamble when the urge strikes. Remember. a 12 step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous for a substance problem. However. speed and permanence of the treatment. There have been volumes written on those subjects.treatments for these problems. 31 | P a g e . thoughts and feelings that come from through meditation will give you a clearer perspective and more personal power. The inner being that is full of creativity and power.imposed better budget to manage compulsive spending. meditation is sometimes described as getting to know yourself a bit better.\n\nWhatever thought you may be thinking. As some time passes. feelings and desires have a shelf-life. feeling or desire changes. If you choose not to act on a particular thought. often just a few minutes. This precious time gives you the opportunity to decide if you wish the thought. you will find that thoughts. If you are patient. feeling or desire to become part of you. or emotion you may be feeling. the urgency of the anger. Meditation also provides you the opportunity in your fully relaxed and clear state to see yourself as completely free from the chains of whatever has held you bound. It is not you. It is only a thought. feeling or desire for a time. or desire you may have. the need for the desired object. that precious time to think. Meditation provides you with that time. or to leave it on the shelf and let it pass you by. the feeling about someone or something will change. feeling or desire. You can choose whether or not to take it into yourself and make it a part of you. 32 | P a g e . you will find that the nature of the thought. feel and choose.\n\nno matter what the illness or accident may be. the purpose of this short section is to affirm that meditation should be an important part a recovery program. Meditation with Healing and Recovery Healing and recovery from illness or accident is a vast topic. Again. Meditation improves heart rate and circulation. All of these conditions are helpful in promoting more rapid healing.Always keep the image fresh in your mind of the healthy. I cannot even begin to cover the depth and breadth of all of the aspects of healing and recovery from all the possible ills that we have as a species. wonderful you and bask in the warm and refreshing feeling that comes with knowing that you are able to be whatever you can imagine. Although there are instances of spontaneous healing. it lowers blood pressure and calms the heart and soul. It increases breathing efficiency. it would be unwise to not consult with and take 33 | P a g e . I am not saying that meditating all alone will heal an illness.\n\nThis will certainly allow you as a patient to play a more active and substantial role in your recovery from an intellectual point of view. it will reduce anxiety and fear in your mind.the advice of appropriate professionals regarding your health. First it will give you bodily improvements associated with improved respiration and circulation and functioning of many internal systems. In addition. The third benefit of meditation is spiritual. There have been many documented cases of people who do not improve with treatment simply because 34 | P a g e . What I am saying is that regular meditation that is sustained over time will help you heal from any illness or accident by doing at least three things. Our attitude and spirit have a dramatic impact on our abili9ty to heal ourselves. those who meditate generally show increases in reading and comprehension skills. cognitive abilities and abstract reasoning. Second. I am not in this instance speaking of supernatural or otherworldly things here. There is ample evidence that regular operation in the alpha range has an overall calming effect and allows a person to be more receptive to physical treatments.\n\nI call this the spiritual dimension to meditation. see yourself as happy. we will talk about using visualization along with the tool of meditation to achieve great things in your life. They have lost the will to heal and in some cases even to live. you see yourself as happy. Bask 35 | P a g e . In the book on meditation and personal achievement in this series. An improvement in this area will increase our desire to recover and our ability to improve our recovery prospects and speed simply by our strong desire for it to be so. and is very connected also to how fast we are able to heal ourselves. The essential point is that in every meditation session. When you are fully relaxed. This process of manifesting thing in your life is very real. well and fully recovered from whatever your particular issue is. recovered and well. The techniques for visualization taught in that book may also be an aid to health healing and wellness.they do not wish to recover. Regular meditation can and does help with our outlook on life and our ability to understand and relate to the world around us.\n\nThe population is aging somewhat due to the baby boomer generation passing through the demographic. and social support systems are struggling with many 36 | P a g e . more job and career changes and more and more uncertainty stemming from the economy. a housing downturn. That is just the economy. The information age is changing all aspects of employment as more people do service and information related work and less do manufacturing and other hands on jobs. a serious recession. Meditation for Managing Anxiety The world we live in is more and more filled with stress and anxiety. massive job loss in the United States and greater and lesser degrees of economic turmoil around the world.in the warm glow of the feeling that comes with this wonderful state. Work is more and more demanding with longer hours. Recent times have produced a troubled economy.\n\nparents. Climate change is affecting world food production and weather patterns. In addition.unable to care for their own health and the health needs of their children or aging parents. and friends. enjoy life and feel good about ourselves and our daily walk! The good news is that meditation is the ideal tool to deal with stressful situations. social unrest and government instability worldwide provide additional impetus for a massive sea of change which can feel destabilizing in every area of our lives. siblings. This small list doesn t even begin to capture the real feel of the world we live in. the list may seem too short to capture the stress that is all around us. children. On top of all these things. every person has relationship ups and downs with spouses. In fact. This can and often leads to massive anxiety about our ability to cope and get through life day to day. Regular meditation allows the meditator to sort out what is really 37 | P a g e . who wants to just get by? We all want to thrive. None of this list will seem strange to anyone who reads this and has a good bit of stress in their life.\n\nit would not be uncommon to have ideas or thoughts that may contribute to solutions to certain aspects of your situations.important. after identifying areas that you want to change. Regularly taking time to meditate can also help you identify what things are causing heightened anxiety and perhaps give you the needed perspective to make some adjustments. it will produce answers and solutions to your challenges. you clearly see. However. it will still be up to you make any necessary changes in your life that reflect your decisions. The subconscious mind is always at work. 38 | P a g e . it is important also to understand that stress is not solved by meditation alone. and when you regularly exercise it in the alpha zone. Meditation helps you deal with the stressors in your life. However. after you have reached your state of relaxation. During meditation. able and capable to handle all of life s challenges. and experience in every way a calm and relaxed you. Be sure that in each meditation session. feel. and take a balanced view of what should be done when.\n\nIf some challenges are particularly pressing, then start by experiencing a relaxed and calm feeling after having solved or adjusted smaller ones. There will be another session to tackle the big, heavy ones.\n\nMeditation and a Healthy Self Image A well-grounded self-image and a healthy respect for yourself are essential ingredients to a happy life. We are not born with poor self-esteem. All of us come into the world eager to be here, eager to learn and full of boundless ability to experiment, grow, make mistakes, learn from the feedback and grow some more. We often learn poor self images from our surroundings, from feedback in our lives and a host of other inputs. Perhaps we had a rough childhood, or perhaps, as was my case, we had it quite rough in school and among peers. Perhaps we were not as smart, attractive (whatever that means,) capable, as someone else, or some\n\n39 | P a g e\n\nimaginary standard - and we interpreted that to mean we were somehow less important and less worthwhile. The real truth is that we are infinitely capable, extremely intelligent, and capable of genius inspiration and high powered performance in any area of our lives that we choose. If we can learn poor self-esteem, we can learn something different. In the book on personal achievement, we will talk about specific areas of life improvement that can be manifested through meditation and visualization but the fundamental principle is that you are a brilliant, capable, intelligent, valuable, attractive human being with a great spirit and soul. Regularly going to the alpha state in meditation will quiet all the chatter and garbage input from the outside that you might feel carries a different message. Take time to meditate regularly and listen to your inner peace. Sense and feel your own unity and participation in the world around you. As you meditate, you can shed the superfluous input, and take time to correctly understand the input that is meaningful. Perhaps there are things that you want to change in your life.\n40 | P a g e\n\nThat does not mean that you are not good or worthwhile or great. It simply means that there is something you want to change. When we can t yet walk, we see those who walk, and we desire that skill. We work until it is developed. Our self-worth does not change when we can walk, but our ability to move certainly has improved. So it is with changes that we might choose to make now. We may get new skills, a new job, and more knowledge about a particular topic. That may increase our earning potential, but it will not make us intrinsically worth more as a person. That value comes from our choices about who we are in character. So carry a positive image about your greatness. Meditate regularly to allow yourself daily quiet time to calm your mind chatter and re-center your efforts for that day. Know that you are a great person and that you can have and be anything you choose. During every meditation session, enjoy and empower the image of the healthy, empowered and wonderful person that you are.\n\n41 | P a g e\n\nIf you choose to make meditation a regular part of your life. that will contribute so powerfully to your happiness. increase your enjoyment of life and give you mental and emotional ability and power that you do 42 | P a g e . Think of it! That simple investment can pay big dividends in physical health. practiced by a few. or followed a different drummer. How silly such concepts seem now. With the mounting evidence and wonderful research that shows just how much meditation can do for us. even as little as 15 30 minutes per day.Meditation and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Meditation is a great part of a healthy lifestyle. It will improve your physical health. Not so many years ago. we would be perhaps a bilt silly not to try to incorporate something so easy and yet so powerful into our lives. and spiritual centeredness. There is no single thing that takes so little time. you are truly making a wise investment which will pay you dividends your entire life. well-being and success. emotional clarity and health. mental power and intelligence. meditation was thought of as a mostly eastern tradition. who were a bit weird.\n\nYou have bills to pay for life and raise kids or care for family members or animals. credit cards. If you have prepared well in your education. children.not have now. Meditation in Work and Money Matters Nearly all of us have to work. medical expenses and on and on. generally your 43 | P a g e . I actually feel that work is a blessing and I love what I do. and it is not like that for millions of people who may read this volume at some time in their lives. You have to pay rent. Even though that is true now. it has not always been like that for me. or mortgage payments. You have to eat and generally you also enjoy some type of recreation. It may be the most important investment you ever make. perhaps you have a higher paying job that easily pays for the basics. cars. You go to work at some type of occupation so you can fill all those obligations and perhaps have some money left over to do the things that you really want. You need money for utilities. Most people view work as something they have to do to earn a living. and that you can t yet imagine. college funds. However. phone.\n\ndoesn t really get you where you want to be. There is water cooler gossip and perhaps favoritism and unfair treatment and you end up wondering why you don t get the promotions and how come it all seems so unfair and you aren t really happy no matter which party you get invited to or which car you drive. frustration and emptiness. but of course. Many end up in jobs they don t like. or advance. Sometimes there are office games and politics. you spend extra money on clothes you think will make you feel better. 44 | P a g e . backstabbing and storytelling. Quite often this lifestyle leads to feelings of boredom.wants expand faster than your income and you still find yourself struggling. or no longer enjoy and have no real feeling of contribution to something larger or worthwhile. You always find yourself looking for a raise to get a bit more money to be able to buy that next thing that will make you feel better or to pay the credit card debt because you already bought it. or you buy a more expensive car than you can comfortably pay for. You may feel mostly devoid of accomplishment. or spend money for some other thing that feels good for a minute. Sometimes in your need to be noticed.\n\nand even though the one person is the teacher or the boss. Fortunately. First of all. We often take our cues about who we are and what we feel about ourselves from external stimuli. Grades in school or corrections on papers at work are not judgments about your character. it is still only a 45 | P a g e . Actually it has nothing to do with who we are. I said in the beginning of the course that meditation is a way to get to know yourself better or to find your inner voice. and their opinion is final. regular meditation will help you find your true self. They are generally only the opinion of one person. We end up believing all this nonsense somehow defines us and gives us a value score as a human being. you are in the majority. a regular meditation habit will help you in this situation in a several ways. We start with grades in school and class rankings and then learn pecking orders both socially and educationally. They are feedback mechanisms about one particular subject or semester or project. We then internalize this into a picture of who we are and what we re worth. I will list the ways that mediation will be useful and then spend a little time discussing how you might use this wonderful tool to help.If any of this sounds familiar.\n\nChoice #2 you get angry. fix the mistakes. close you mind.it is not the end of the world. If the grades are less than you wanted or the number of red correction marks seems to make the paper bleed . You look it over to see what there is to learn and you then have a choice to make. I must pause a moment to recognize that some meanspirited people occasionally take such an opportunity to make cutting snide inappropriate remarks that try to reflect far more than simple corrections to the paper or project. the choice is not difficult. Choice #1 . If you regularly meditate and are well acquainted with your inner voice and your own worth and value. Never pass up the chance to learn. So the first benefit is that meditation helps you deal with the troubling event. If that is the case you may safely ignore that portion of the comment. or you study more so it is better next time. with the corrections. for it simply has no basis in reality.comment on the paper or project and not on your character or inner worth. You will learn what there is to learn. 46 | P a g e .you do it again if you can. perhaps having new and better ideas to add and move on to the next project. fail to learn what there is to learn and do it again anyway because you have to.\n\nbut you can make your own situation much more pleasant by changing the situation. You feel that they have singled you out for additional criticism and are perhaps harder on you than is necessary or fair. You can regularly notice things that are good and positive and give good feedback to them in those situations. If a person is choosing to try to get a rise out of you. If they have low self-esteem you can decide to help with that. but if you use visualization meditation and regularly see that person in a positive light in your meditation or visualize positive and productive interactions. manager or teacher. Most people act harshly or unfairly towards others for one of two reasons. Let s assume for a moment. They have low self-esteem themselves or they want to get a rise out of you. You are obviously not responsible for another s self-esteem. regular meditation will give you the equanimity and peace of soul to simply not rise to the bait and let the situation pass. This may sound like a tremendous task when someone is unfair or unkind. you will find that it is not difficult to do at all. If you regularly meditate on positive 47 | P a g e .The second way that meditation can help you is in dealing with the difficult person. that you are having trouble with your supervisor.\n\nor another job entirely. Meditation provides you with that time. If you follow the principles and use the techniques contained in the visualization section above. That could be a promotion in your current job. You may even change you career path and decide to do something else with your life altogether. there is no limit to the benefits the combination of meditation and effective visualization can bring to your life. The third way meditation can help you is by giving you power to change your situation entirely. 48 | P a g e . that precious time to think. or those you develop or discover on your own. While you may need a bit of time. Visualization provides you with a tool to harness your limitless internal power and imagination. These benefits can be in any area of your choice including money. you can completely bring a different work situation in your life. you will find yourself able to ignore the bait and let the situation pass without incident. Staying where you are is a choice. Taken together.outcomes to interactions with that person. Let me explain. job satisfaction. regularly meditating and visualizing a different situation will attract that situation into your life. feel and choose.\n\nstress. This can be attributed to many sources: too many activities. Meditation in Personal Fitness. learning. mind. heart and spirit is a choice that we make. 49 | P a g e . We only have one heart. busy lifestyles. is that the general fitness level of the population is decreasing. the better they will serve us and the happier we will be. the longer they will last. The truth is actually much simpler. one mind and one spirit. too much TV. Personal fitness of body. We only have one life. Sports and Recreation One of the sad facts of our stressful lives. and one body.relationships. personal development. poor choices in recreational activities and many other potential culprits. The better we take care of them. at least in the majority of the western world. expressing your true worth and voice and in having a real and lasting feeling of making a worthwhile contribution to your own soul and the world around you.\n\nWalking meditation is very effective. 50 | P a g e . Then start over again at four steps. remember that the purpose is to clear the mind. Counting steps is effective as well. and will increase our enjoyment of and performance in sports and recreation. Meditation by itself has physical fitness benefits. lowers blood pressure. If time pressures are a concern.Meditation is a tool that will enhance the care and feeding of every part of our personal fitness regime. Then count to six steps and increase the number of your count until you reach ten. and achieve a state of relaxed alertness where the mind is free from distractions and you are fully present in the time that you are meditating. reduces toxic chemicals in the body and enhances hormone balance in the body. then start over again at one and count to five steps. When combined with a simple exercise program. even as simple as a regular walk. and your gait or walking pace can be the object of concentration. For example: count steps to four. Again. then you can combine these items and do a walking meditation. the benefits are magnified tremendously. It increases circulation efficiency.\n\nPersonal fitness of mind. You should allow yourself to gain the benefits of adding meditation to whatever physical health regime that you use. you must do the same with all the other areas of your whole self. 51 | P a g e .You can use objects in nature for the concentration subject if you live in a suitable place where there are trees. but meditation can help you enjoy and sustain a healthful regime. just as we pointed out in several places in the books in this series. If you have not yet decided to begin some type of process to assure or restore your own physical health. meditation will not tone your muscles. Only activity and use does that. then meditation is a good place to start. By using the processes of visualization and then moving mind pictures into reality. heart and spirit is also a choice and all of these parts of out self are critical to attend to if you want to have a balanced healthy life in every respect. Just as you would establish a program or habit of some physical activity to assure you body gets the exercise and activity it needs. However. parks or any small natural areas nearby. you can and will improve your physical condition and health.\n\nempathy. There are new neural pathways formed from meditation that are permanent and persist after the meditation session is over. Any area of interest whether related to your profession or just an area of interest will be a good place to start. memory. Personal fitness of your heart and spirit are personal matters that are at the same time both private and public. They may feel totally personal but they have a direct bearing on our successes as individuals in the 52 | P a g e . but the important part is to decide that your mind is worth exercising. Research is showing that just the simple act of meditation increases neural activity in ways that are not duplicated by any other process. Meditation can help increase the effectiveness and enjoyment you get out of reading or studying any area of interest. We will talk about that in book four in more detail. abstract reasoning.Personal fitness of mind is enhanced by regular reading and study. patience and understanding and a number of other important cognitive and emotional brain functions. This research shows that those who meditate show more brain activity and stronger connections in the areas of cognition.\n\nA recurring theme in all of the applications of meditation in this book and every book is 53 | P a g e . Meditation in Behavior and Personal Habits Habits can be tremendous friends and they can be terrible masters.professional world and personal relationship arenas. Being alone with yourself is a wonderful gift that you give yourself to shut out the noise of the world around you and touch your true self and the greater forces around us. For now I will just emphasize that these are critical areas of development and no personal fitness process is complete without exploring and knowing internally what principles are real and true both in your own passions and motivations and in the larger context of universal spiritual truths. Taking time to meditate every day is the fastest way to get to know yourself and what you hold to be true and valuable. In volume five of this series we will explore the role meditation has in finding your own spirituality. It is our choice. Habits can help us rise up or drag us down.\n\nHabits may be good or bad or harmless. business ethics. We call these rituals habits. 54 | P a g e . bad habits are those that get in the way of our personal development or damage the efforts of others and neutral habits may not matter either way. reason a decision. They become a ritual or natural reaction to a given circumstance. to make a decision or series of decisions designed to further a larger purpose and to carry out a set of decisions or plans is perhaps the greatest power and gift that we have as human beings. Our natures are such that when we repeat certain patterns of thoughts. Good habits are those that help us to get to our positive or upward reaching objectives.the theme of choice. they become familiar or natural to us. intrinsic truths that are part of the human condition or simply the obvious outcome of the habit. feelings and actions over and over again in a similar way or under similar circumstances. We are all given the opportunity to choose what we do. to look at a longer term objective. The capacity to think things over. The standard by which they are judged may be social norms.\n\ne. If we routinely take a high risk jay-walk across a busy intersection to get to work.A very short list of some bad habits and risks might include: a. If we overeat regularly. d. If we routinely let our blood pressure skyrocket and say impulsive things when someone disagrees with us. c. If we routinely tell stories we have heard of others and perhaps embellish a little or speculate in harmful ways we lose our own self-respect and have a poor reputation among our peers. and the nerves and sanity of drivers who may react to our impulsive dash. If we routinely interrupt others in social or business settings we damage relationships. are considered rude and deprive ourselves of valuable learning opportunities. b. we jeopardize our safety. we jeopardize our health and risk shortening our 55 | P a g e . we put hormones in our blood that shorten our lives and damage our organs as well as make our relationships difficult. use harmful substances or have a poor diet. drink too much.\n\nand don t choose excellence as our lifestyle when we know we can do better. limiting our experiences and curtailing our benefit to the world around us.lives. If. g. We then find ourselves both envious of and complaining about those who seem to move on past us. self- 56 | P a g e . we make a conscious choice to take responsibility to become friends with ourselves and find our own unique talents and internal voice. If we routinely take ethical shortcuts in our business or personal dealings. f. If we regularly do not give our best effort at work or at home. we lose our internal self-respect. the wilderness of would-havebeen s and wish-it-was s. and the trust of others and no amount of self story-telling will change the fact that we know what we have done and the level of our own trustworthiness. We then blame the world for being unfair and the cycle starts again. we tend to assume that every else is just as complacent and we get lost in the swamp of stagnation. on the other hand. we learn to accept mediocrity. then we are moving down the road of self-development.\n\nBy using the processes outlined in the visualization section. Any personal habit we want to establish can be established. There is simply no limit to what the body/mind/spirit combination can do. we can begin today and establish any new habit that we choose and start the journey to change habits that we find problematic to our overall happiness. Any personal habit that we want to change can be changed.mastery and meaningful contribution to our own development and the lives and development of others. setting the structure to get there becomes a present reality and making progress a regular enjoyment. Meditation is a powerful aid to accomplishing what we want in life. The only limits we have are those we set ourselves and agree to. helps us see things as they really are and assists in prioritizing of efforts and time. When we see clearly and know which direction we really want to go. 57 | P a g e . It helps us clarify what we really want.\n\nprocess. This intellectual ability is often referred to as the Intelligence Quotient or IQ. If you choose to establish and maintain a regular meditation practice you will find that it will improve your level of cognition. This application section seals with another essential skill that we need in ever increasing quantity to be effective in our current information knowledge based work world. Classes in management curricula have been established and tests and workshops have been developed to help develop this type of skill. analyze and react to information is a very important function of the brain. In recent years several books have been written about emotional intelligence and the important role that it plays in our interpersonal relationships and success.Meditation in Social/Emotional IQ and Relationships Our ability to gather. More details on meditation and the learning and creative process are contained in book four of this series. I have grouped social and emotional IQ together because the comments are about 58 | P a g e . your ability to learn and remember and your overall ability to analyze and use information.\n\nThis doesn t mean that life around us slows down. we create the ability to process inputs differently and more effectively. One reaction to emotional differences is to be defensive and assume negative motivations for the differences. different reactions to stressful situations than you do and other significant emotional/social personality and character traits that make interactions with them unique. Emotional intelligence involves learning to work with people in different emotional contexts. This creates time because we are able to process important cues and leave aside secondary items for later. in both work and personal settings. You can assume someone is not listening to you because they are taking time to process your statements and do not react immediately to your idea. but when we meditate. They may have different communication styles than you do. Meditation involves slowing down our mind chatter and the pace at which we experience life.the same for both skills even though they are different skill sets. 59 | P a g e . Learning to understand this difference is critical to successful emotional and social interaction.\n\nresearch has shown that you will be far more sensitive and cognizant of body language cues and subtle vocal and facial signals that are clues to unspoken and perhaps even not fully understood reactions in your colleagues. In addition to that. overly concerned with appearances and other significant but less important detail.The purpose of this course is not to teach all the skills and ideas for learning to understand and be fluent in emotional intelligence or social IQ skills. You will be better prepared in work situations and better able to remember facts and other particulars that you need. You are better friends with yourself. This skill is obviously helpful in both business and personal settings. Simply put. What is important here is that if you decide that you need to add those skills to your skill set that meditation can help you in two ways. your stress level is lower and you are more confident and able. meditation improves your other-centered awareness. 60 | P a g e . you are far more in touch with your own self and are comfortable in your skin and circumstance. when you regularly meditate. You are less likely to be nervous. First of all. clients and competitors.\n\nif you are calm and centered because you regularly meditate.These two major differences will be helpful whether you are working for a good meeting to land a client. trying to smooth out s misunderstanding with a co-worker or working to improve your visibility and opportunities for advancement. you will be far less susceptible to emotional outbursts or manipulation techniques that someone may be trying to use in a particular interaction. 61 | P a g e . Everyone wants to feel loved. Meditation in Enjoying Life to the Fullest Everyone wants to enjoy life. If you are able to control your own emotional temperature because you regularly meditate. Everyone wants to feel connected to the whole of life around them. Everyone wants to feel needed. you are far more able to focus on the issues at hand with your significant other or child or sibling. In the areas of personal relationships and family relationships. Everyone wants to feel they are worthwhile.\n\ncenter our lives and get clear in our minds what is important to us. we are feeling 62 | P a g e . It is a tool to clear out the clutter and let our inner voice speak often enough so we can hear it and become familiar with its sound and sayings. we are doing what we are doing. Meditation is also a process and not only an event. we are where we are. Meditation is a tool.Where do these feelings come from? Where do we get the assurance that we are enjoying life. At any given moment. there are some important and consistent themes that are appropriate to note in the context of a discussion about meditation. It is a tool to help us have less stress. While each meditation session is an event. or worthwhile. it is the process of regular meditation that lets us learn to hear our inner voice and understand what it says and get to be better friends with ourselves. and I could not hope to give a complete answer to such far-reaching questions in a short summary. Meditation is also about learning to live each moment to the fullest. or any of those feelings? Is the measure internal or external? Is it both? How do we recognize it? While the answer to those questions is different for each individual.\n\nwe are missing both the experiences of life and the opportunity to understand the fabric of which our lives are made. We only have the present moment. just anxiously waiting for that which is coming. and hearing what we are seeing and hearing. Meditation can help us place each difficult thing in context and become less overwhelmed. We seem to be only passing through the now. If a moment is glorious. We can only act in the future. If that past is 63 | P a g e . Participate in it! One of the casualties of modern life is that we sometimes live each moment in anticipation of the next thing that is coming. it is a sad situation.what we are feeling and we are seeing. meditation can help us understand that the moment is not forever. and the pain is a feeling but it is not our essence. If we are constantly somewhere else mentally as our life unfolds. If a moment is difficult and painful. If we live this way. meditation can help us understand and experience it to the fullest with all its attendant sensations and realities. What is past is passed.\n\nYou are unique and wonderful. It stands to reason then meditation will help significantly with reading and comprehension. only future acts can mitigate that fact.unpleasant. Only you can find and unlock it. Determine today to use all your skills with the wonderful tool of meditation to be your best self and bring to your life all the wonderful things you should have. Determine today that you will live each moment as your heart and spirit teach you that you should. returning to school or must read 64 | P a g e . This section is particularly important to those who are in school. Meditation with Reading and Comprehension Meditation calms your mind and your body. You have unlimited potential. only future acts can maintain the joy. It also increases the neural activity and strengthens neural connections in the frontal lobes which are the part of the brain that controls learning and understanding. Meditation helps in three ways in these important areas. If the past is pleasant.\n\nAnything that is on your mind.large quantities of material for their work or to keep up in their professions. So make this your reading time and make it useful and powerful. relax before you read. Remember you have decided to take this time to read and you can t do anything else at the same time. First of all. take a two minute mini meditation break and relax your body quickly in a mini body scan. If you want to increase your reading effectiveness and also your reading enjoyment. 65 | P a g e . Meditation calms your mind and body as mentioned above. and then close your eyes and breathe fully focused meditation breaths where you think of nothing but your breath for one minute. Repeatedly give yourself a relaxation instruction and let the tension and cares drain away from your body. This turns the volume down or removes the mental chatter that is often distracting and often causes you to think what was that I just read after reading for five minutes and realizing that you don t remember a thing. Before you start to read. simply agree with yourself to put on a shelf and return to it later. do the following.\n\nSecond. Give the remaining emotion a name. have a specific target or goal. If it is leisure reading. or you need to finish a chapter that you have been putting off in a book from your class that you are taking. or I will read three work related articles in my ongoing education effort. even if the interruption is complicated. treat it like the mindfulness exercise. reading things that you perceive to be difficult. upsetting. lengthy or unpleasant. I am assuming that you have already some idea of what you want to read. boring. make sure you won t be interrupted for the minutes you have set aside. detach from it. In any case. If you are interrupted. then I assume you have picked the book. or technical can be a chore without the right preparation. So decide how much you will read or how many pages or articles and then fully relax and give yourself to the effort. It can be very simple like I will read intensively for ten minutes. If possible. and let it float off the stage of your mind and give yourself back to the task at hand. 66 | P a g e . Perhaps you have a stack on your desk of work stuff you just never get to. when you return to your reading.\n\nI will not attempt to teach speed reading in this small section but I will encourage you to immediately get one of those books. and some students that I have had who have taken speed reading courses comment on how similar the feelings are with speed reading concentration techniques to the beginnings of meditation in the concentration style. and use it. and you do not need an expensive course to teach you the ability. by all means do so. All of these courses have several things in common. You can learn it from a simple book and you can apply it without an instructor. They all teach skills that use some of the meditation techniques that we have taught. I have taken several and by combining meditation with the techniques I have learned I can read several thousand words a minute with complete comprehension. Reading is a critical skill and 67 | P a g e . but do not let the lack of a course or time or money get in your way. If you have the ability and time to take a course.The third way meditation helps your reading is by using meditation to completely change the way you read. and actually work. There are a number of speed-reading courses that are excellent. They work.\n\nYour mind is fully capable of sorting out the details that it captures and putting them in the right order.the faster and better you read. Think about looking at a beautiful landscape scene. the more fun life is and the more you can get ahead. What I will do is give you some ideas about how this process works. You are driving through some mountains and you see a sign scenic view. if that is your objective. The rapid reading courses simply train you mind to look at entire pages at once and capture all the important details in a group. Your eye and your mind take in the entire vista at once and you can see and remember amazing detail in that fashion. Your eye and your mind work the same when reading. You decide to stop and look at the beautiful vista. When you look at the landscape you don t later in your mind see the lake up in the sky and the clouds below your 68 | P a g e . In this few paragraphs and in the next section on learning I will explain some principles that will work for you and work particularly well if you use meditation when you apply them. You do not look at the scene from left to right and top to bottom a little at a time.\n\nMany of us never learn to use our mind and wonderful visual capture technology in our eyes and brains to do things faster. far too slow. You are able to reconstruct the picture as it should be. We are stuck forever in the way we first learn to read. We have agreed to write left to right (except those languages that are right to left. It is far. You can do the same with the written material on the page. ideas and information 100 times that fast. 69 | P a g e . but you do not have to read them that way. You can see and assimilate words. You will find that you can increase your reading speed 10 times without too much practice. When we are children we learn to read in this linear way and often use our fingers to point to words to help our attention.) and top to bottom so that the words are organized. The rapid reading techniques are a way to overcome our indoctrination that we must read in such a clumsy linear fashion. and if you use meditation and effort you will be able to increase your reading speed 100 times.feet.\n\nif we keep ourselves active and learning. but if we regularly keep our bodies in use and activity. perhaps gain a bit of weight and out bones. we atrophy. get out of shape. If we never exercise. However. we will generally stay much healthier for a much longer time.Meditation with Learning Meditation and learning has much in common with the previous section on reading. recreation and entertainment. It also provides a much deeper and more pervasive potential use and benefit from the practice of meditation. On the other hand. If we quit learning when we get out of school. Our minds are the same. we get duller and duller and our intellect gets weaker.with our choices of leisure.and not stretch our intellect . but our bodies and minds were designed to stay healthy only as long as they stay active. muscles and tendons so not perform so well. Continuous learning is the natural condition of the human mind. Ageing takes its own toll. learning encompasses a much broader set of skills than reading. we retain an edge and are 70 | P a g e . It is easy to see that in the physical realm. We may elect to ignore that fact .\n\nWe take in huge amounts of data and sensory input from all sides. roll over. and we are careful. start new habits. make noise. eat. They are even more amazing. smile and dozens of very difficult cognitive and motor activities. pick up the pace and get back in shape and get our heath back. Our minds are the same. This is good news if we haven t been learning for awhile. We process and learn very quickly how to hold our heads up. We can get back into the habit and get the benefits of learning in a very short time. we can usually change some things. Meditation is an ideal aid for both creating the new habits and for enhancing the learning process and experience. 71 | P a g e . get attention. We start our learning from the instant we are born. If we have gotten ourselves out of shape. Research shows that within two weeks of beginning to meditate. The body/mind mechanism is amazing.able to keep up with the rapid increase in information in our changing world. new neural pathways begin to form and new and more powerful connections are made in the brain.\n\nBe all that as it may. We even have jokes about it. Not just the effort into learning. but into HOW we learn. You have all experienced trying to do something when you are in a hurry. We just quit practicing it and some of it is institutionalized out of our habits. This help with the learning of so much in such a short time. It helps us clear out the clutter. either mentally or physically. When we are in high beta state. At and office where I consulted I saw a sign the cooperation of the office machinery is inversely proportional to the need of the person using it. 72 | P a g e .Young children have a much higher incidence of alpha waves in their natural day to day activities. It always takes longer and is more difficult. The main difference is the effort that we put into it. The first way that meditation helps in the learning processes is the same as for reading. it is difficult to learn new things and very difficult to remember them. or returning to our learning high gear state. focus the mind and calm down the body. It is not inevitable that we lose this capability. the purpose here is to understand that we have a choice about remaining in a learning slowdown state.\n\nDepending on what it is. everything that we try to do just seems to flow more smoothly. So with regular meditation. Our own body and mind respond to the beta state with increased inefficiency. particularly if it involves a physical activity. Sometimes you may be unsure of your ability to learn something. When we are relaxed and in a good space. you might want to combine the visualization skills from book #3 with an awareness meditation when learning a new skill. You may feel you can t do something or that you lack the background or motor skills or some other critical aspect. The machinery doesn t know or care how we feel.I have heard this expressed in many different ways in professional and casual settings. less concentration and overall worse performance. 73 | P a g e . A second important way that meditation will help you in learning is in the area of confidence. more mistakes. That way you can visualize yourself actually doing the activity with a high level of accuracy and skill. you will be far more able to learn and remember whatever it is you are trying to master.\n\nsome time ago I needed to learn how to use some complex software programs which involved learning HTML and several standalone applications. With a self-structured meditation approach I was able to do it in a few days with only the software. This is obviously only a small and recent example that I share to illustrate the point. that focus and organization is critical. confident attitude when you start a subject or project. 74 | P a g e . then that organization is done in the lesson planning of the instructor. Nothing gets things going better than a clear headed calmly focused.Meditation is a great way to build or reassert your confidence and know that you are a genius and capable of anything you want to do. Meditation can also help you organize and prioritize your learning process. The principles are applicable in anything from complex technical material to new approaches to tracking and managing productions targets at the office. If you are trying to learn something new for yourself. For example. and the self-help manuals and produce first rate professional results. If you are taking a class on a new subject.\n\nI am a professional musician and a painter in acrylics and I enjoy both these forms of artistic expression. There is considerable research that shows the benefits that music provides the brain. Because they are a part of my life I am very familiar with the benefits that mediation provides in bringing artistic expression to life in these mediums. retention and longterm application of new knowledge. abstract thinking and emotional competence that accompanies the study of music. 75 | P a g e . ideas and technology and in remembering and correctly applying what you have learned.If you choose to adopt a learning approach to life. Music activates neural pathways in the brain that are unique and activated by no other activity. Meditation with Art and Music Art and music are two of the many creative arts that we enjoy as humans. you will find meditation a great help in both understanding new concepts. Current research is clear that a regular regime of meditation improves learning. There is a significant improvement in cognitive processing.\n\nyou will likely see them in a different way and observe details and connections that were invisible to you in the beta state. The saying a picture is worth a thousand words is a true statement and accurately reflects the power of art in moving us to emotion or action.Nearly everyone enjoys listening to music of one type or another. 76 | P a g e . Music is a universal language that can express emotion on a level not achievable with words alone. Meditation can be useful in two ways in the areas of art and music. It also can stir up deep emotions of anger or resentment. First of all. Art is also a powerful medium of expression which deeply moves the soul. The power of music is well understood by those who create and distribute this medium. Music can elevate our moods or comfort us when we feel badly. it can be an aid to the enjoyment of art or music. If you choose to enter the alpha state before listening to music or enjoying some art. If you study art works of sculpture or painting or other media while in a contemplative or meditate state. it will impact you more deeply and reach further into your subconscious and emotional mind.\n\nYou will find creative bursts that come to you in alpha state both in the form of lyrical ideas and musical motifs. they will likely have a more powerful impact on your feelings when you are in alpha state than when you are in a beta state. If you adopt a practice of regularly meditating before you compose music or write songs you will find that your creative access is increased and the ideas flow more quickly and completely. I would therefore recommend that you are selective about the music or art that you experience while meditating so that you have the outcomes that you intend.You should exercise some degree of caution in this area. then meditation is a fantastic way to access ideas and expressions that will not be readily accessible or available to you in any other way. If you are an artist or musician or are aspiring to be one . I would 77 | P a g e . Second.and create or want to create your own art or music. If you choose to listen to music or view art that contains negative images or emotions while you are meditating. This is particularly true when you already have some idea of what you want to the music to be about and then you meditate on the ideas or themes.\n\nIf you meditate about your artwork. They report improved idea flow. whether it is painting. They regularly make it a practice to work while in alpha state and report that there creative output is enhanced when they do this. Research into brainwave activity show alpha waves strongly present during creative periods or sessions of nearly all subjects tested. I am acquainted with many artists who meditate often enough to be able to maintain a relaxed alertness or alpha state while doing normal activities. in this section I would like 78 | P a g e . sculpture or other expression medium you will find similar bursts of ideas and creativity. Meditation and Creative Energy While the previous section dealt with two particular forms of artistic expression.recommend keeping pan and paper hands when you meditate in this way so you are sure to capture the ideas that flow from this process. improved expression. higher ability to get it right the first time and similar heightened performance and manifestation attributes.\n\nto discuss the relationship of meditation to creative energy in general. The notion of creative energy can be defined a number of ways. work. demands on our time. social awareness and emotional processing as well that is associated with meditation. We may 79 | P a g e . bills. The brain functions differently in the creative process than it does in the logical processing mode. desires and feelings that are far more difficult to define and express in neat little ways. We all live in the real world of clocks. Advanced research shows an addition increase in empathy. logical boundaries that define so much of our existence. we all feel and yearn for greater expression in emotion. All brainwave research shows that the creative portion of the brain works better and more productively when you are in the meditative or alpha state. but here I am using it to denote that effort that we all make to express our humanness in some way that is other than the concrete. the sort of linear and physical constraints that we know so well. relationships. We may want to express our feelings for someone in a unique and different way. We may be struggling for a great idea for a new product presentation. At the same time.\n\nFirst of all it can help you get in touch with what you are feeling. This is a little difficult to articulate but if you are honest with yourself and think deeply you already know what I am saying. the emotions of your heart and the contents of your mind to move in and out of consciousness without engaging in debate or dialogue. such as sounds and 80 | P a g e . This means that while meditating . In the awareness meditation style. clearer or more powerfully or tenderly than we know how. It can help you in two ways.you sit gently relaxed and comfortable and are aware of your body and its parts and sensations. Meditation is a wonderful way to help with this kind of feeling. your own feelings and experiences that may come in from outside. We might be struggling to find the inner voice that says what we are and why we are here but we can t hear it well enough ourselves.want to write something powerful for personal or professional reasons and don t know how. We have all felt the need to reach somehow deeper into our minds and feelings and express something in some medium better. We might feel the need to stimulate our minds with new learning but don t know how to start. you allow the feelings of your body. stronger.\n\nbut when you are finished meditating you mote them again. You will find that as you regularly meditate you brilliant and powerful mind will help you find the things that you are seeking and will provide you with ample creative and beneficial ways to express your ideas and feeling. you will find that during the meditation that you have ideas and sensations that sometimes flow easily in your mind and sometimes flash in with sudden brilliance. During the meditation. 81 | P a g e . Second. This is because your mind is in alpha state which is different than the more analytical and sometimes more hectic beta state. if you know what you are feeling are trying to do but have been struggling to find the creative expressions that I talked about earlier. You will be able to put form and words around the vague feelings that you have. on paper for use later in your creative needs. your own emotions and feelings and your thoughts that may be of any nature. you note these just as you do all the other sensations. You will find that you can understand your own feelings better and indifferent ways when you meditate.externally inputs.\n\nI would like to talk about memory as one of the specific processes of our brains that can be improved with attention to it. Some research suggests that this gradual erosion of processing power starts at about age 30 unless we take steps to strengthen our neural muscles. your alpha and theta mind states while meditating and your delta mind state while sleeping will often present you with ideas and solutions in the morning. there are specific things that we can do to improve the performance of our brains. Meditation and Memory As our bodies age. if you meditate mindfully before sleeping at night. dendrites fail and brain functions erode over time. In this section.In addition. Neurons wear out. As funny as that may sound. and then think about the area or concern in question. our brains also show signs of wear and tear. 82 | P a g e .\n\nMeditation can play a significant role in the development of our ability to remember things both in the long and short term. Several studies have shown increases in mental capacity. In addition. improvement in memory and an increase in empathy and social awareness from the practice of meditation. but they work. This exercise will increase the neural activity and cause new dendrites to grow which will in turn improve our mental capacity and functioning. Some ways are obvious and some may surprise you. 83 | P a g e . Stimulating and intellectual debate and dialogue increase our neural functioning. There are some specific ways that we can exercise our brains. If you are interested in the other activities that increase your brain capacity please refer to the suggested reading list in volume one of this series. regular and wide ranging reading stimulates new and enhanced neural activity. There are several books and courses that have been developed that give tips and techniques to improve memory skills. Our focus here is on meditation and so we will explore how that will help your brain functioning and specifically improve your memory.\n\nThis means that if you mediate while exploring memory enhancement tools and learning these methods they will penetrate deeper in your consciousness and be more effective at helping you improve your recall and use of memory. The second way that meditation will help is by increasing the effectiveness of any of the methods that you may choose to use to enhance your memory skills. 84 | P a g e . faster and more completely.Visual and auditory association methods. mnemonic lists and triggers and physical and experiential connections are among the tools that you can learn to improve your memory. First. This is because it improves neural functions exercises the neural pathways in your brain and creates new dendrites and renews the chemicals associated with memory functions. Meditation has been proven to help you learn new skills better. Meditation plays a role in two ways. if you regularly meditate that fact alone will increase your memory capability for both short term and long term memory.\n\nThere are different religious texts for different religious groups. First of all. There are uplifting and meaningful things that have been written through the ages by many different writers. For example: Love one another. Whatever texts or works you consider sacred or inspiring are candidates for meditation.Meditation on Scriptures or other Sacred Texts This practice is a powerful aid to finding your own spirituality. Since the goal of this section is to find your own spirituality. great teachers and spiritual guides have given the most profound truths and guidance in simple. easy to articulate language. I use three factors to see if a text is something that I would meditate on. but religious texts are not the only things that are worthy of serious contemplation and meditation. or Do unto others as you would that they do unto you. 85 | P a g e . I ask myself is the text or message uplifting? Do I feel better when I read it or does it make me feel somehow nobler and more worthwhile and more open to others needs and feelings? The second I ask myself is is the message simple? Throughout history.\n\nif you meditate on a phrase or idea and the outcome leaves you flat and unmotivated or unenlightened. This is not to say that you should not meditate on complicated or difficult topics. personal improvement and spirituality are very sensitive to your moods and experiences. Obviously.I have found that meditation is far more successful and meaningful on the spiritual side when contemplating the multiple layers and meanings of simple and profound thoughts rather than trying to unravel complicated threads whose direction is unclear. On the other hand. kinder. or heavily distracted. then what you have chosen is likely something worth devoting some time to. Third. more evenhanded. does the idea or passage suggest or motivate some good action or behavior? Does it make you want to be better. If you are distraught. then simple yet profound ideas will be a more productive place to start your search. you may wish to reevaluate your choice of focus. more tolerant or think or behave in a way that is closer to your ideal? If the answer to these three questions is yes. then it may not be possible to reach the plane of feeling 86 | P a g e . but if the goal is finding your own spirituality.\n\nwith spiritual feelings and This does not mean that you should not try anyway. This unfolding may be either gentle or powerful or both. the meaning and power of some writing may unfold in my mind as I meditate. the normal benefits of meditation.normally associated experiences. I find that meditation on spiritual writings is helpful in two ways. First. but it is always very rewarding to have some new thought or insight into some special words or ideas after meditation. The night is darkest just before dawn. those of clearing out the clutter and calming the storms of my mind are always a welcome respite from the pace of daily life. 87 | P a g e . by practicing the gentle concentration style of meditation. Second. Only you can decide what you feel good about and whether or not a particular piece of writing is good for your soul. and sustained or repeated effort may pay off handsomely in insight and increased understanding and spiritual awareness.\n\nSome would argue that everything is relative and subject to societal norms and current values. Laws like the behavior of matter and the operation of gravity are not subject to interpretation and opinion. How would that translate into a meditation? 88 | P a g e . or how to make it a part of your life is a very worthwhile application of meditation in the area of finding your own spirituality. Suppose that you feel that kindness is an attribute that you equate with spirituality or an attribute that you want to develop more fully in your daily walk of life. When we examine the physical world around us we see and experience physical laws that do not change. Sometimes we would like to believe that moral imperatives are different. An example might be helpful.Meditation on a Spiritual Attribute There are universal truths and principles. If we survey cultures across the world and if we are truthful in our own hearts we know that there are universal principles that are constant. This is not actually the case. Meditation on the meaning of a worthy attribute and thinking about how to acquire it.\n\nThis may be circumstances life. Such a meditation might give you insight into what you want in yourself as a person.Some suggestions of a possible approach follow. or that you believe might come up in your you choose to describe it. However dialogue with times that have already passed. This might consist of reviewing in a gentle way situations or circumstances where you find that this idea of trait might be applicable. What does it mean to be kind? Under what circumstances do I apply these definitions? Who should I be kind to? What about people who are unkind to me? What about strangers? Is there something wrong with indifference? There are dozens of other questions that you might ask yourself in a quest of understanding the meaning of that simple word and the implications for you in your daily life. if you meditate on the definition of kindness you might confront some of the following questions. First of all. The second possible application would be to meditate on ways that you want to apply this attribute in your own life. having a your inner self in a calm and relaxed 89 | P a g e .\n\nor if there is any point to the seemingly endless struggle that might be engulfing you at that time. Meditation for Personal Spiritual Renewal Life is sometimes a difficult journey. Sometimes you might wonder why me? 90 | P a g e . You might feel abandoned or unfairly treated in the scheme of things. Sometimes they are thrust upon us by circumstance and sometimes they are the willful acts of others. you might view such times as a challenge to your faith or your view of God or the unseen world.meditation is a good way to begin to integrate spiritual attributes into your life that you wish to cultivate. Sometimes they are the consequences of our own choices. We all have things that happen that are hard. If you are spiritually inclined. No matter who you are and no matter what your circumstance. there will be times of doubt. of discouragement and times that you wonder if it is all worthwhile.\n\nwe still have to deal with the struggles of the present.It is often of times of greatest struggle and difficulty that meditation can play the largest role. I am personally very spiritually inclined. It may also offer some hope and courage to gracefully move through the present. life is not a day trip. even if the future looks somehow a bit better. but a long voyage. Meditation on life. and on God can help you with courage and strength to get through today. we cannot see past the short terms hills that are blocking our view. I will offer three suggestions that may be beneficial in such circumstances to make order out of chaos or to give you a different perspective. Regular meditation on a spiritual theme or one of the themes in volume one suggested for concentration meditation will be helpful in getting a larger perspective that can help put things into context. and keep focused on the further horizon that looks more promising. First. Second. and I believe I have received great strength from heavenly sources to 91 | P a g e . its purposes. no matter what we see in the distance. Sometimes when things are difficult. The daily things press in and sometimes are too heavy to carry.\n\nSometimes it is an act of carelessness by a friend or loved one. or worse yet even all meaning for us at the present. but personally. I have found great comfort in taking time to meditate and re-learning what is really important in life. direction. focus. Meditation in those hours has given me a connection to my spirituality that has strengthened my resolve and purpose and given me a hope in God for a way through that pressing storm. I know of a certainty that there is more to our lives than meets the daily eye. Each person must decide for themselves what to do in these situations. Meditation and Forgiveness Everyone has felt that they have been wronged. 92 | P a g e . It may seem that no matter where we turn. or a mistake by someone we don t even know. Third there are those times when life has simply lost purpose. or even appears to hold any promise. Sometimes it is an intentional and harmful wound inflicted by a stranger. Sometimes it is an indiscreet act.aid me in my difficult days and years. nothing looks better.\n\nsomeone may need to get out of an abusive situation. Wariness after having been harmed in some way is normal and healthy. Forgiveness is tied to many aspects of spirituality. but prolonged bitterness and cancerous anger will eat away at your soul and eventually damage you more than the initial acts themselves. If we are harmed. We likely did not choose to be harmed. Carrying hurt and anger around with us for the acts of others is a harmful thing. For us to 93 | P a g e . After we are safe from the danger. It does not matter whether or not a person seeks forgiveness or is sorry for the act or acts that they committed or things they failed to do. we should remove ourselves from the harmful situation and seek refuge elsewhere.Sometimes. perhaps worst of all. it is a calculated and malevolent blow by one we trust or love. we can also choose to end the harmful effects of the situation by removing the power of the person or persons that harmed us. and many religious systems teach that forgiveness is an important part of our growth and development as human beings. A child may run from a bully. a person may leave an argument.\n\nSuch feelings reduce our potential. Depending on the circumstance and the wrong. This does not mean that there should not be consequences or that bad acts should go without punishment. Only we can decide whether and when we will completely wash out the poison of past thorns be removed from our wounds so that they can truly heal. the smaller and more stagnant our souls become. Meditation is a powerful tool to help with this healing process.continue to carry the burden of their failure is to extend the consequence of the error. anger. 94 | P a g e . stunt our growth and get in the way of our own beauty. All of those things are good and sometimes essential. or a good friend might be a needed support. bitterness. It means that regardless of how that all plays out. forgiveness in our hearts of whoever and whatever may have happened is a way for us to erase the power of the misdeed or misfortune over our hearts. hunger for revenge or any similar feelings. counseling or other professional help might be helpful. The longer and more powerfully we carry resentment. But the biggest key is the content of our own hearts.\n\nwe still need a compass more than ever. I am not speaking of an instrument that sits in your hand and points to the magnetic north of the earth. the starts overhead and a compass were essential for not getting lost finding your way faithfully to a destination. and sophisticated GPS systems tell us where we are within a few feet. whether it is God.Meditation on spiritual feelings. I speak rather of an instrument that sits in your heart and points to the true north of an honorable life. your own goodness and your relationship with the larger universe. Meditation and Finding Your Compass In the time of explorers on land and sailing ships on the seas. While we have now mapped much of the earth so there is little danger of getting lost for most of us. texts. or simply the grand design around us will truly be a tool that can heal your heart of difficult wounds as you learn to forgive past wrongs and move on to your own unique beauty and the good you can do for others in your sphere of influence. 95 | P a g e .\n\nparticularly in the realm of spirituality and personal values is a great aid to sorting out the noise of the outside and setting your own course with your own compass. It doesn t matter how many laws we pass or how much enforcement that we have. We cannot legislate or enforce goodness or truth. I do not write this section to describe any particular code of ethics or to promote any particular system. and what we know to be true and real. If you cannot hear the true north beacon in your heart. and try to fix it later when it won t be so messy or so visible.Every person must decide for themselves where they stand and what they believe in. It may seem also that everyone is a bit loose and fast with the truth because it is easier or more convenient to stretch it. I have observed however. Meditation. It may also seem that it is best to fudge a bit now. that it is easy today to excuse a little cheating and a bit of dishonesty because it seems that no one really sees it. Each of us must decide for ourselves what we know to be important. 96 | P a g e . then it will be really difficult to tell if you are ever off course or headed in the wrong direction.\n\nMeditation is a powerful and wonderful way to keep yourself grounded in what you believe is important and real. Ideas like fairness. honesty. if you sacrifice integrity. truth. even in the turbulent times we now live in. If we spend quiet time with ourselves on a regular basis. friendship. and get to know ourselves through this wonderful and revealing process. we have the opportunity to use meditation to help us in this way. has universal and unchanging ideals that are much the same. Every society and culture in our world. fairness. it won t matter what you ultimately accomplish. As you struggle to establish yourself in the world around you. In the current times of turmoil. kindness. trust and similar powerful anchors. we will be able to hear the beacon sounding in our hearts. It will feel hollow. honor. It can keep you in touch with those things that are really important in your life and in the lives of those who know and care for you.Fortunately. integrity and trust are the foundation stone of civilization itself. the need to have things and be important and powerful can seem to 97 | P a g e .\n\nInstead I have covered different types of applications so that you can see the 98 | P a g e . Everyone has their own needs. because what you don t need won t satisfy you. The number of ways that meditation can help our lives will be as numerous as the number of people that there are. you can never have enough of what you don t need. I have not tried to cover even a tiny part of the full number of potential applications. But when the lights go out and the people go home. we are still left alone with ourselves. and everyone is unique in their desires to improve their own lives and circumstances.overshadow everything else. There are hundreds of applications that we could discuss in this report. An acquaintance of mine once said. We have only presented a brief survey to give you an inkling of the variety and breadth of the potential applications. Meditation and finding your own spirituality is a great way to keep track of what we all really need.\n\n99 | P a g e . If the applications described in this report have awakened you to a sense of your own infinite and unlimited possibility. and I will give specific examples and suggestions about how you can use each style to benefit the areas in your life that are best suited to that style. In the five books in this series.different areas that meditation can help you improve your life. then by all means. immediately download the full course: Meditation The Amazing Journey Within and start on your own amazing journey. I will cover the different styles of meditation in depth.\n\nSign up to vote on this title\nUsefulNot useful", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9517690539360046}
{"content": "Siacoin - Reminder: Upcoming Sia Hardfork\n\nAs most of you know, we sent out a quick reminder of the upcoming Sia hardfork on Saturday. We put together this blog post to clear up any confusion and answer some frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, let us know on Discord.\n\nThe hardfork is expected to take place on December 6.\n\nWhy does Sia require a hardfork?\n\nSia, like many other tokens, uses a PoW (Proof-of-Work) algorithm to secure the network and to prevent double spending. PoW requires a DAA (Difficulty Adjustment Algorithm) to adjust the mining difficulty on a regular basis to ensure that blocks are mined every 10 minutes on average. This is especially important for Sia since file contracts use the blockheight as a measure of time.\n\nWhile Sia’s DAA has done a good job so far, it’s not without its flaws. Currently this is not a problem, but it might become a threat to the network’s security once ASICs are released, causing an enormous spike in hashrate. For that reason, we introduced a new DAA in Sia v1.3.0 which is triggered at block 135,000. The new DAA adjusts the difficulty every block and will be able to keep the network stable during sudden spikes in hashrate.\n\nFrequently asked question\nWere there any other changes? e.g. block reward or number of Siacoins/Siafunds?\n\nNo, only the DAA was upgraded. We didn’t change any other consensus rules, move tokens, change the amount of tokens, change the inflation rate of the tokens or create or redistribute Siafunds. This means absolutely nothing changed except for the DAA.\n\nWill there be a new token? Do my coins double like in the Bitcoin or Ethereum hardforks?\n\nNo, there won’t be a new token.\n\nChain splits only take place during contentious hardforks. This hardfork is not contentious in nature.\n\nWhen does the hardfork trigger?\n\nThe hardfork triggers at block 135,000 which is estimated to be mined on Wednesday the 6th of December.\n\nWhat does that mean for existing Siacoin holders? What do I need to do?\n\nIf you are holding the coins in the Sia-UI wallet, we recommend updating to the latest version before the hardfork. If you have all your coins in a paper wallet or on exchanges, you don’t need to do anything.\n\nHow do I update Sia-UI?\n\nJust download the latest version from our website and follow the guide on our wiki.\n\nWhat happens if I can’t update in time?\n\nDon’t worry. Just update Sia to the latest version.\n\nWill my coins cease to exist? Will I lose coins?\n\nNo, update your wallet and you will still have all your coins on the new chain.\n\nDoes the new DAA increase difficulty?\n\nNot right away. The difficulty will stay the same for now. It will only increase if the network hashrate increases.\n\nIs GPU mining still possible?\n\nYes, GPU mining is still possible, but will probably not be profitable anymore once ASICs start mining.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5635440945625305}
{"content": "Bastien Lecouffe Deharme\nBastien Lecouffe Deharme\nIllustrator and Instructor\nRetrocity, United States of America\n\n\nBastien Lecouffe Deharme was born on the shores of Brittany (France) at the beginning of the eighties.\nHis artwork evolves at the crossroad of modern and ancient myths and legends, forgotten tales and tragedies.\nBastien creates dark and symbolic pictures, blending a contrast of beauty and decadence.\n\nHe lives and work in the US since 2010.\n\nClients include:\nMagic: the Gathering, Adobe, DAW Books, Random House, Tor Books, National Geographic, Riot Games, Penguin, Harper Collins, Orbit Books, Del Rey, Spectrum, SFX Magazine, Imagine FX, 3D Total (Digital Art Masters, Sketching from the Imagination), Applibot (Legend of the Cryptids), Popular Science, Miami New Times, Gallimard, Pocket, Bragelonne, Mnemos, Les Ecuries d’Augias Edition du Riez, Elegy, Carta Capital (The Economist), Mad Movies, Metaluna Production, Malpertuis …\n\nRepresented by Shannon Associates (NYC).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9732109904289246}
{"content": "Restored Family Photos - Art\n\nRestored family photos ready for printing. Note the unusual shapes of most of these vintage photos. They don't line up with standard 5x7, 8x10, etc. One of the reasons I love my printer is that every print is custom, so they will print odd sizes rather than making you crop to fit. Also, note that for family members who'd like, I will gladly send you the image files, just drop me a message with an email address to contact you.\n\n1 - 10 of 10 (0.001 s)\n\nThis is a password-protected gallery.\n\n\n1 - 10 of 10 (0.001 s)\n\nCache: mysql | | | |", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.980495035648346}
{"content": "Reshoring: Manufacturers Re-Evaluate Their Supply Chains\nIt's true that U.S. companies' returning operations from offshore spurs U.S. job growth, but what are the risks these companies face?\nJohn Morris, SIOR, Industrial Services Lead for the Americas, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. (Fall 2012)\n\n{{RELATEDLINKS}}In the face of rising domestic labor costs, many companies, over the years, moved their manufacturing and assembly operations to low-labor-cost countries, especially to China. Now, local wage inflation and other factors abroad are eroding that advantage.\n\nLong lead times, inventory issues, higher fuel costs, and a diminished customization or innovation capability all help highlight the fragility of long-distance supply chains and are beginning to impact sourcing decisions. Natural disasters like the one in Japan, political instability, rapidly rising foreign wages coupled with U.S. currency depreciation, high oil prices, quality concerns, the loss of intellectual property, and the lack of legal protections offshore are all also part of the equation. Even such factors as emergency airfreight, travel costs, and time zone and language problems are back under a lens of scrutiny.\n\nMany companies are now re-evaluating their supply chains and moving their manufacturing and assembly operations either to new, lower-cost locations such as Vietnam and Indonesia, or closer to their key markets in developed economies such as Mexico, and even back to the United States. For the latter, a new term has been coined in the economic development community - reshoring.\n\nIndeed, a new nationwide initiative is under way to convince companies that it is worth bringing manufacturing back to the United States. Illinois was the first state to launch a \"Reshoring Initiative\" aimed at convincing large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to re-open factories in America. Its backers are working to create similar chapters in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and California.\n\nReacting to a Changing Industrial World\nAccording to the Reshoring Initiative, reasons to consider moving back are obvious - ranging from reducing the total cost of ownership, to improving the quality of inputs, cutting surge impact on just-in-time operations, and the ability to cluster manufacturing near R&D centers to enhance product innovation, among others. Countering potential offshore instability, political or otherwise, is not the least of those factors.\n\nAny manufacturer considering reshoring as an option must balance those positives with potential strategic risks that can be associated with reshoring, prior to making that important decision. The risks include the impact on supply chain cost structure and the potential loss of local market service, the challenge of setting up trusted supply networks to service a new facility, and the possibility that pending U.S. policy and regulation decisions may make that decision look less favorable later on.\n\nPlanning and changing systems and people, training new staff, business disruption related to reshoring, and the potential issue of protecting intellectual property all factor into the reshoring equation. Coupling those issues with the speed of change that defines the modern industrial world means that risk factors must be evaluated and monitored constantly. Ideally, a manufacturer has a process for tracking location variables and keeping themselves informed. At the same time, their supply chain footprint must be as flexible as possible, such that it can quickly be reconfigured to remain optimal when tides shift and opportunity arises.\n\nExamining Impacts on Cost, Inventory, Suppliers\nOne source of frustration for manufacturers and distributors in the past five years has been the lack of stability and pace of change in such supply chain cost variables as labor, transportation, and utilities. Companies should be aware of the current dynamic nature of supply chain cost structures. Supply chain networks are increasingly exposed to a wide range of risks that could increase costs, cause delivery delays, or prevent access to plants. Most agree that this instability is greater than it has ever been before, and analyzing the risk associated with a decision of reshoring is, therefore, just that much more difficult.\n\nTo assist in the decision-making process in terms of cost, the Reshoring Initiative has developed the Total Cost of Ownership Estimator™, a complimentary online tool that enables companies considering reshoring as an alternative to aggregate all cost and risk factors together. According to the Reshoring Initiative, companies making sourcing decisions based on price alone frequently experience a 20-30 percent miscalculation.\n\nNext on the agenda for companies considering reshoring is the need to examine the extended supply chain and the impact on inventory. For example, the risk of order disruption and resulting high inventories will continue if components continue to be sourced, including from second- and third-tier suppliers, from near the original offshore location.\n\nOf course we are not talking about easily adaptable warehouses - we're talking primarily about manufacturing plants. It is difficult to respond to supply chain risks when it comes to manufacturing plants, which have to be fitted out, at substantial cost, to a specific product group. Therefore, reshoring can mean an inherent loss of flexibility, and the potential downstream risks associated with that loss have to be considered carefully.\n\nIn reshoring there are also supply risks. If new tiers of suppliers are recruited at the new location, there is significant supply and quality risk associated. When a manufacturer sets up offshore operations, that company goes through a long process of identifying who will do the manufacturing for them. In reshoring, that process will have to be done all over again.\n\nProtecting Intellectual Property\nAnother issue is intellectual property. To be clear, when a plant is closed offshore, or a process moves, and an empty building or an unemployed worker is left behind, someone is going to find something valuable. Intellectual property risk offshore is associated with everything from set up, to operations, to even the shut-down itself - knowledge can be transferred from anything or anyone you might have left behind.\n\nPeople are the bigger risk than technology in this discussion. As a manufacturer, you train people how to do a job and how to build something for you in that market. You let them go, you leave - and someone else can hire them to do what you were doing and perhaps become your direct competitor. You leave behind your secrets, your people, your suppliers, even your machinery, and the vacuum left behind can easily be filled in an unregulated offshore environment.\n\nNext: Considering Operational and Financial Risks\n\n{{RELATEDLINKS}}Conversely, when it comes to planning the transfer, reshoring requires changing systems and training new staff, all of which present operational and financial risks. Jeff Immelt, General Electric's chief executive, concedes that the decision to put $1billion into the appliance giant's domestic business is \"as risky an investment as we have ever made.\"\n\nHe may be right. The decision by GE to bring hundreds of jobs back to Louisville, Kentucky, that had been outsourced to Mexico and China is emblematic of his strategy for GE. If it fails, it will impact his company for a very long time.\n\nTo be sure, more companies like GE are analyzing all of the factors and are indeed deciding to \"come home.\" Fueled in part by reshoring, the United States has added 429,000 factory jobs in the past two years, replacing almost one fifth of the losses during the recession.\n\nFor GE, the balance of employment had been shifting away from America, largely as a result of investment overseas. Since 2009, however, the company has announced plans to create 13,500 new U.S. jobs, 11,000 of them in manufacturing.\n\nIf the objective is to move closer to markets, the reality is that costs will generally be higher than for competitors who remain offshore. There is also the probability that offshore locations in emerging economies will themselves become important markets in the long term, and importing from a distance could be difficult compared with local manufacturing.\n\nEssentially, the risks in reshoring can be as great as the risks associated with offshoring in the first place, and the balance between offshoring, near-shoring, and reshoring will change continuously. Companies considering reshoring should start by reviewing the drivers and assumptions that caused them to offshore in the first place.\n\nMore regionalization of manufacturing, which is basically a matter of keeping manufacturing in \"both\" places, is worth considering. Regionalization certainly minimizes transportation costs, while increasing market responsiveness or the ability to sell into the market in which a company is manufacturing.\n\nWeighing All the Pros and Cons\nIndeed, when all the factors are considered and the decision is made, reshoring can benefit the economy by reducing imports, increasing exports, and bringing jobs back to the United States to reduce the unemployment rate, help balance state and local budgets, and even motivate young people to choose skilled manufacturing as a career - thereby strengthening the country's industrial base.\n\nThe bottom line is that there are significant forces driving investment, and the significance of these factors will not be changing. It is incumbent upon today's manufacturers to consider all of the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, and risks prior to making what could be a game-changing decision for their companies.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7091566920280457}
{"content": "cg9 banner\n\nProject Spotlight\n\n\nThe Coast Guard is responsible for establishing, maintaining and operating aids to navigation (ATON) in the nation's waterways. Recent strategic reviews have identified a need to evolve the nation's ATON system towards greater reliance on electronic-based navigation systems, and away from physical aids and their supporting infrastructure. The current ATON system is comprised of numerous buoys, lights, cans, channel markers and other physical navigation aids. The number of visual aids has remained relatively constant over the past 30 years, without much consideration being paid to the technological advances of today’s state-of-the-market navigation equipment. Maintaining the current ATON system is a labor-intensive and costly expense for the Coast Guard and nation. Technology advances may also increase safety, with a corresponding reduction of accidents, by providing for even more accurate ship navigation.\n\n\nThe outcome of this project is the prototype Comparative Deep Draft Maintained Waterway Transit Risk Model. It compares ATON related collision, allision and grounding (CAG) and the risk of delaying ATON system alternatives. In addition, an approach is presented for using these risk results to compare the benefits of various ATON systems for a defined set of decision factors which include: CAG risk, delay risk and operational and safety costs. The model was vetted by Coast Guard, industry and government stakeholders, and discussions were held with operators from the Ambrose Channel, the main shipping channel for the Ports of New York and New Jersey.\n\nIn the initial exercising of the model with the Ambrose Channel, substantial differences in CAG risk were indicated between the current design and recommended updates. ATON evaluators determined the differences as being worthwhile in discerning meaningful comparisons between a waterway’s current design and modernization alternatives.\n\nBefore broadly applying the model to deep draft maintained waterways, it will need to undergo review, validation and benchmark development for selected waterway types. This will help to ensure the model is useful in predicting CAG and delay risk levels, and efficient in application to a specific waterway. As the model is applied to more ATON systems in deep draft maintained waterways, the results and conclusions are likely to become increasingly predictable.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8221246004104614}
{"content": "How To Make Chicken Provencal\n\nHow To Make Chicken Provencal Chicken Provençal is a native French recipe, which is very famous in the Provence region of France. The delicious recipe is prepared by cooking the chicken in wine and by accompanying olives and other traditional French spices like thyme, rosemary and marjoram with it.\n\nDifficulty Level: Easy\nServings Per Recipe: 2\nEstimated Time Required For Preparation: 10-15 Minutes\nEstimated Time Required For Cooking: 1 Hour 10 Minutes- 1 ½ Hours\n\nUtensils Required\n\n1 non-stick skillet\n1 wooden spatula\n1 plate\n1 sharp knife\n\nIngredients Required\n\n1 ½ pounds of skinless boneless chicken, cut into bite sized pieces\n1/4th cup of red wine\n2 cloves of garlic, minced\n1/4th cup of black olives, pitted and cut in halves\n1 teaspoon of cooking oil\nA pinch of freshly ground black pepper\n1/4th teaspoon of dried rosemary\n2 cups of low-sodium chicken stock\n2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour\n1/4th teaspoon of dried marjoram\n1/3rd teaspoon of salt\n3/4th cup of crushed tomatoes with juice\n1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, finely chopped\n1 small onion, finely chopped\n1/4th teaspoon of dried thyme\n\nMethod Of Cooking\n\n1. Chop the vegetables with a sharp knife as stated in the ingredients list. Then take the chicken pieces in a bowl or plate and season them nicely with salt and pepper. Allow the chicken to sit with the seasoning for 5 minutes. This will allow the flavors to penetrate into the chicken and will give you a rounded taste.\n\n2. In the meantime, take a clean and dry non-stick skillet and oil it with the stated amount of oil. Place the skillet on high heat and let the oil heat up for a few seconds. Once hot, add the chicken pieces to the oil and fry them until they turn into a rich brown color. Flip the chicken pieces and fry the other side as well for about 5-6 minutes more. Once the chickens are fried, transfer them to a plate and reserve for later use.\n\n3. Then reduce the flame to low and toss-in the onions and the garlic. Stir and sauté the onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are quite soft and aromatic. Next, add the red wine to the onions and garlic and cook it on low heat, until it gets reduced to half of its original quantity. Stir the mixture occasionally and scrape off any brown bits that may have stuck to the base of the pan. Once that happens, add the tomatoes with their juices, dried thyme, dried marjoram, dried rosemary and the pitted black olives to the rest of the things in the skillet. Season the dish with a pinch of salt and pepper and then allow the vegetables and spices to simmer for 2 minutes.\n\n4. Once the time elapses, dissolve the flour in the chicken stock and pour the mixture into the skillet. Simmer uncovered for another 5-7 minutes and then tip-in the fried chicken pieces. Now turn up the heat to maximum and let the stock come to boil. Let the chicken and the vegetables boil in the stock for 50-60 minutes, or until the chicken is fork tender. Once done, divide the chicken in bowls and serve by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley on top.\n\nPhoto Credit :", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9975252151489258}
{"content": "Tag: instagram dondurma\n\nHow To Grow Your Small Business Using Instagram\n\n\nSmall Business marketing using Instagram\n\n\nWhy are businesses turning to Instagram?\n\nThere are more than 300 million Instagram users worldwide.\nApproximately 70 million photos are uploaded per day.\nWhat sort of success have businesses achieved using Instagram?\nTo increase awareness of their products and services.\nTo increase brand recognition.\nRun successful promotions, competitions and giveaways.\nSmall Business marketing success with Instagram\n\n\nInfluencer marketing\n\nBloggers, social media stars and media personalities have amassed a loyal following online with hundreds and sometimes thousands of people following their Instagram accounts. This ‘influencer’ group means that there are several eyeballs there ready to see your product or service. The audience has already been built for you. The engagement has already been formed and tapping into this by getting your product uploaded onto their Instagram feed or featured by a blogger or popular Instagram account holder will help you to grow your audience more quickly. Therefore taking the time to identify key ‘influencers’ in your industry and how you can tap into this is important.\n\nHashtags – What are they?\n\nHow can they be used to increase business exposure?\n\nI suggest that if you are interested in getting onto Instagram you spend some time up front doing your Hashtag research. Hashtags are tags that you can add in a caption of a photo that you upload. To create a hashtag you need to use the # symbol at the front of the tag and then add a keyword or several keywords without spaces after the hash symbol. For example, you might post a product image of pair of jeans. Your hashtags could be: #fashion #style #jeans #lovethatstyle. You may already be familiar with hashtags as they are also popular on Twitter but if you are not take a look online to see some examples of how they are being used. The purpose of the hashtag is to tag your photo to a subject or topic category that is ‘searchable’ or ‘popular’ on Instagram.\n\n\nNo spaces in your hashtags\nNo special characters can be used in your hashtags [email protected]$&\nInstagram includes a powerful search feature so if posts are set to ‘public’ you can use hashtags to tag your photos and videos so that the content becomes easier to search and becomes more accessible to the public. That means when someone runs a search and is exploring that ‘search term’ your content may be discovered which leads to more people finding out about your business or brand.\n\nSome hashtags are very popular so it’s important to identify the ones that are most relevant to your industry. The aim of the game is really to get people talking, liking, following and sharing your content. Hashtags help to get the word out if used effectively so take some time to find out how to use these to get the best out of your content.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.815819501876831}
{"content": "Test 44    (pharmacology)\n1. The following are true with regard to lignocaine:\na. it lowers the threshold of patients for convulsion\n\nb. it can augment bradycardia by augmenting vagal tone\n\nc. it may cause hypotension\n\nd. it slows the heart by producing beta-adrenoceptor blockade\n\ne. it is effective in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias\n\n2. With regard to gentamicin:\n\na. it is metabolized and excreted mainly by the liver\n\nb. it is well absorbed by the small intestine\n\nc. it can produce permanent vestibular nerve damage\n\nd. it is toxic to the retina\n\ne. topical application is associated with punctate keratitis\n\n3. The following give rise to non-depolarising blockade of the neuromuscular \n     junction during anaesthesia:\n\na. succinylcholine\n\nb. physostigmine\n\nc. pancuronium\n\nd. tubocurarine\n\ne. atropine\n\n4. The following are true with regard to drug metabolism:\n\na. lipid-soluble beta-antagonists cause bad dreams more often \n    than water-soluble beta-antagonists\n\nb. a highly plasma protein bound drugs have a very large \n    volume of distribution\n\nc. hepatic drug metabolism often involves conversion of a \n    water-soluble into a more lipid-soluble drug\n\nd. gastrointestinal absorption of lipid soluble drugs occurs \n    more readily than water soluble drugs\n\ne. renal failure significantly increases the plasma \n    protein binding of drugs\n\n5. The administration of histamine in man can produce:\n\na. bronchodilatation\n\nb. increased gastric acid secretion\n\nc. vasodilation\n\nd. negative chronotropic action\n\ne. reduced secretion of intrinsic factors\n\n\nMore MCQs", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.998137891292572}
{"content": "Weekly Notes from the Yohkoh Soft X-Ray Telescope\n\n(Week 40, 2002)\n\nScience Nugget: October 4, 2002\n\nPossible Solar Signatures of SEP Events\n\n\nSolar energetic particle (SEP) events, especially those with high-energy ions, present a major space weather threat. For example, an alert is issued when the flux of protons > 10 MeV as measured by the GOES satellite (at geosynchronous) exceeds 10 particle flux unit (PFU, particles/s/cm/sr). We solar physicists want to know what observable solar signatures lead to major SEP events. But this is not straightforward, because an SEP event requires not just particle acceleration but also some conditions that allow the particles to get out to the interplanetary space.\n\nFor long time the flare had been the top suspect for an obvious reason. Before the spacecraft age, ground level events (GLEs) as observed with neutron monitors gave a primary source of information on the particles reaching the Earth. These GLEs, produced by protons in the GeV range, almost always followed intense flares. Several lines of theory were proposed so that particles could escape (or diffuse) from the flare site to the well-connected longitudes, from where they would propagate along the magnetic field in the form of the Parker spiral. This spiral field results from the solar rotation and the solar wind that brings the magnetic field out in the radial direction. It is easy to understand how the longitude of the field lines connecting the Sun and the Earth changes with the solar wind speed, as shown in this plot.. For fast solar wind, the well-connected longitudes move eastward from ~W60, corresponding to ~400 km/s, and the length of the spiral between the Sun and the Earth gets shorter.\n\nThe paradigm changed as a result of studies since the 1980s which established a better association of SEP events with CMEs. As shown in a cartoon taken from a review paper by Reames (1999), many researchers on SEPs seem to agree that intense and gradual SEP events are due to interplanetary shock waves driven by CMEs, and that particles accelerated in the flare (which are characterized by, for example, a high 3He/4He ratio) are observed only as a small and impulsive event (only when the flare is located at the well-connected longitude). Indeed, it would probably be impossible to understand the following example (from August 15-16 2001) without introducing wide shocks.\n\nHowever, this change of view does not help us since many fast CMEs (e.g., > 1500 km/s, as observed by LASCO) have nothing to do with SEP events, and more importantly we still cannot isolate the solar signatures of shock-associated CMEs. Actually, CME initiation in general is still an open issue. It is our belief that a CME can be directly observed in X-ray/EUV images when there is enough temporal/spatial/temperature coverage, unless it is launched at very high altitudes. This nugget tries to associate those outward motions seen in the early phase of flares with the onset of fast CMEs and CME-driven shocks that are responsible for SEP events.\n\n\nSEP events with quick onset\n\nWhen we discuss the solar connection of SEP events, it is probably better to concentrate on those that do not take too long to start after the flare/CME, since the delayed onset implies acceleration/propagation away from the Sun, where the solar effect may be largely lost. It is known that such delayed events are often associated with activity in the eastern hemisphere.\n\nWe first pick up all the major SEP events during 1997-2001 that are included in the NOAA list (as maintained by Joe Kunches and others at ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/STP/SOLAR_DATA/SAT_ENVIRONMENT/PARTICLES/p_events.lst), and then rearrange the events in the order of the peak flux of > 10 MeV protons. We plot their time profiles with respect to GOES X-ray light curves. The following plot shows all the SEP events that started within two hours from the flare associated with the SEP-producing CME.\n\nThe association of the SEP events with the flares/CMEs is somewhat uncertain as we go to less intense events. For example, in the last event (7-May-2001), the C3 flare around 12:00 seems to have nothing to do with the CME/SEP, but there was a CME preceded by loop expansions from the backside around the time of the flare. This tells us that the CME-flare association without using coronal images could be erroneous.\n\nAn interesting thing from this plot is that some of those events whose peaks of proton flux come much later (e.g., with the shock arrival) have a component that indicates acceleration close to the Sun (e.g., 4-Nov-2001, 14-Jul-2000, 30-Sep-98, etc.) and that they are not always located at the well-connected longitudes, sometimes even in the eastern hemisphere. Conversely, several major events closer to the well-connected longitudes are missing from the plot (22-Nov-2001, 2-Apr-2001, etc.)\n\n\nFlare ejections and SEP events\n\nSXT data show many flares with ejections, and these flares are known to be associated with CMEs. Indeed, these ejections may be among the few things in imaging data that directly capture CMEs in the low corona -- other signatures are indirect and we have to wait longer to see them (dimming, arcade formation, etc.) Then we may ask if the properties of flare ejections can be used to predict SEP events, because they may give information on the shocks driven by fast motions. In order to observe fast motions, high time resolution is very important. SXT large field-of-view data in flare mode were often taken with the cadence of 10-30 seconds. Now we can also include TRACE data that have not only high spatial resolution but also high temporal resolution.\n\nA preliminary survey of data for flare ejections indicates that they may usually represent coronal shocks (as manifested by metric type II bursts) and not necessarily SEP-producing CME shocks. For example, the following movie for the 2-Mar-2000 flare (click the thumbnail) shows fast ejections (up to 2000 km/s) near the well-connected longitude, and yet the associated CME was rather narrow (63 degrees) and there was no SEP event. This suggests that the possible shock driven by the flare ejections did not propagate large distances.\n\nBut there seem to be other cases where ejections in the early phase of the flare may indicate the relation with CME shocks. Look at the following movie for the Bastille Day 2000 event in the TRACE UV channel. We see a moving front ahead of the eruptive filament as early as 10:08 UT, with their legs appearing brighter. This front seems to be the earliest manifestation of the CME shock, and by moving westward from W07 as it accelerated particles it may have intersected the field lines connecting to the Earth at an early stage of the CME propagation. This example indicates that some of our flare ejections may represent the early manifestation of CME shocks and that their directions may be important in predicting the rising phase of SEP events.\n\nConcluding remarks\n\nBy looking at flare ejections in many events in movie form, we tentatively conclude that those appearing as smooth curves tend to have close links with CME shocks and that those appearing as plasmoids or bullets tend to be confined in the corona. The 2-Mar-2000 event seems to belong to the second category, but there are many cases where the ejections do not go beyond certain distances, as shown in the following movie for another X-class flare.\n\nThis is an example of \"confined ejection\" and there was no associated CME or decametric type II burst. An interesting thing is that this event showed a metric type II burst between 12:13 and 12:18 UT in the range of 150-45 MHz (thanks to Dr. A. Klassen @ Potsdam), although it was not documented in the Solar Geophysical Data. These are essentially different from ejections that may have influence on CME shocks. Although some researchers keep explaining flare ejections in a unified manner (e.g., the often quoted cartoon), we should go beyond that and try to extract more information from the wealth of data.\n\n[Topical index] -o- [Chronological index]\n\nOctober 4, 2002\n\nN. Nitta (NVN) (nitta@lmsal.com)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9116538763046265}
{"content": "Kommet her zu mir alle, die ihr mühselig und beladen seid\n\nInstrumentation: bass, 2 violins, 3 viols (ATB) + continuo\n\nThis sheet contains the following parts:\n\nSheet Title Download\nComplete score\n\nMatthias Weckmann\n\nMatthias Weckmann was a German musician and composer of the Baroque period. He was born inNiederdorla (Thuringia) and died in Hamburg. His ...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9228634834289551}
{"content": "Sen. James Inhofe Proud to Be a Climate Change Denier\n\n| by Alex Groberman\n\nAs liberals continue to disparage their conservative counterparts for ignoring the effects of climate change, one Republican has decided to wear the attacks as a badge of honor.\n\nIn a new documentary entitled Greedy Lying Bastards, Sen. James Inhofe is one of several politicians being accused of muddying up the climate change debate in a way that benefits the fossil fuels industry. His position isn’t painted as simply one that is based off a different interpretation of existing evidence, but rather as a purposeful misrepresentation being made in order to bury the true impact of climate change.\n\n\"I was not surprised to see myself front and center on the promotional material for this climate change movie,\" he told the Tulsa World (by way of the Huffington Post), \"and quite frankly, I'm proud of it.\"\n\nInhofe is one of many Republicans who often refers to climate change as a hoax, and maintains that the weather changes cyclically regardless of what humans do.\n\n\"Ever since my first speech on this topic, I have found it astonishing how organizations have credited me capable of single-handedly bringing about the end of the world,\" Inhofe said in a statement.\n\nGreedy Lying Bastards, executive produced by Daryl Hannah, was shown this past Friday to a small audience.\n\nSources: Huffington Post, Tulsa World", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9964458346366882}
{"content": "Measuring and Modeling Mobile Phone Charger Energy Consumption and Environmental Impact\n\nThis paper studies the electricity consumption of mobile phone chargers. The charger's electricity consumption varies depending on its state. The authors measured the electricity consumption of various phone and charger models in different states. They also did panel studies on the recharging behavior of Smartphone users. Based on these and other sources, they are able to estimate mobile phone recharging electricity consumption, cost, and CO2 emissions both in Europe and in the USA. Their analysis shows that the actual recharging of batteries consumes only 40% of the total energy; the rest is wasted mainly by unnecessarily plugged-in chargers consuming 55% of the total energy.\n\n\nFind By Topic", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6462434530258179}
{"content": "Long term effects of the crusades\n\nQuote Summary of Primary Source. are those who have associated long with the Muslims. The Effects of the Crusades.In the feudal society of the late medieval, most of the churches belonged to the lords who had built them.Medieval politics were transformed under the pressure of shifting alliances and a politically active papacy.As if the lucrative trade in luxuries was not enough, the Italian city-states enjoyed another huge windfall from the Crusades.Many groups and nations find their memory awkward, even distressing.\n\nLearn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.With the Byzantines out of the way, the Italians, and especially the Venetians, enjoyed unchallenged power over the Mediterranean Sea.The concerns were relieved when Alexius I (1081-1118) sit on the throne and restored the fortunes and the glory of Byzantium.\n\nOrder From Chaos: Establishing Stability through Feudal Ties and Manors.At the simplest level, the constant, devastating failure of each subsequent crusade led to a steady decrease in papal prestige.\n\nArab Muslim traders dominated the rich trade in spices, silk, porcelain, and jewels that flowed between China, the area that is now Indonesia, India and points west.The feudal patrons offered their full help and support to their church and expected to see a heavenly shelter to attract the congregation.\n\nBecause they started making profits from them, they managed to buy more and send the price up for their customers.\n\nSignificance of the Magna Carta - The Crusades\n\nObjective: To identify and explain significant effects of the Crusades on Western Europe. In Europe, a long-term effect of the Crusades was. the strengthening of th.\n\nTo meet this demand, the Italian city-states had to overcome several obstacles.\n\nCrusades - encyclopedia article - Citizendium\n\nThis managed to buy more then send the price up again which made them more money and us a more richer diet.They needed to build huge castles to defend their colonies, and they needed to keep their forces supplied with arms and provisions.\n\nOn the economic front, the Italian city-states, especially Venice, had cornered Mediterranean trade just as Westerners were acquiring a taste for Eastern luxuries and ideas.Christianity did not come to dominate the Roman Empire through strength in arms, but through the strength of their example.Add important lessons to your Custom Course, track your progress, and achieve your study goals faster.\n\nHistoriography of the Crusades - Wikipedia\n\nThe Crusades - Home\n\nPapal decisions have the force of law, and councils are only the means for carrying out papal decrees.But just a couple of centuries past and the situation changed dramatically.Registered office: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ.Visit the History 101: Western Civilization I page to learn more.\n\nRather than feeling guilty about murdering people, Crusaders came to expect heavenly rewards for murdering people.The short term effect was that Europe and the Byzantine Empire lasted longer than was expect.Compared to the ancient and advanced civilizations of Constantinople and the Middle East, Western Europeans must have felt rather primitive.They have killed and captured many, and have destroyed the churches and devastated the empire.You better consult: 1.Wikipedia 2.Encyclopedia Brittanica 3.Crusades and after effects.The aristocrats, on the other hand, could lose their faith and cut their supports to the church.\n\nThe Impact of the Crusades on the West | The Late Middle\n\nEuropeans returned from the Crusade full of new desires and ambitions.\n\nWhat Are Some Of The Crusades Important Long Term Effects", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9505320191383362}
{"content": "In a perfect world, you'd hit the pillow, close your eyes, and doze off into an eight-hour stretch of rejuvenating, uninterrupted slumber every night. In reality, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, just one in three Americans feels like she gets enough sleep, and 50 million to 70 million suffer from chronic sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea (see “What is Sleep Apnea?” below) and restless legs syndrome (an irresistible urge to move the legs, which jolts people awake). About 30 percent of us have occasional insomnia, meaning we have trouble falling or staying asleep. And as a nation we annually fill more than 53 million prescriptions for sleep aids.\n\nThe impact tossing and turning has on your overall health is profound, new research shows. For one thing, a lack of sleep may contribute to weight issues. It boosts levels of the hormone ghrelin, a hunger trigger, and decreases levels of the hormone leptin, which signals fullness; you end up hungrier, crave calorie-dense foods, and don't feel full as quickly. Sleep deprivation also boosts levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can drive up blood pressure and strain the heart. In fact, studies on sleep deprivation have found a higher risk of death from cardiovascular causes in people who sleep less. All the more reason to safeguard your Z's. And that doesn't just mean turning off Leno and going to bed at a reasonable hour, say experts. “Almost everything you do during the day affects the way you sleep,” says Michael Breus, PhD, author of Beauty Sleep (Plume, 2008).\n\nDid you know?\n\nA recent University of Michigan study found that people who have personality conflicts with bosses or coworkers are nearly twice as likely to develop sleep problems. And according to the most recent National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll, part-time workers report the highest sleep satisfaction, while those who work multiple jobs or more than 50 hours per week sleep the worst.\n\nWake up at the same time every day, says Herbert Ross, DC, author of the Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders (Celestial Arts, 2007). Yes, that includes weekends. Scientists believe your biological sleep clock is controlled by two things: your circadian rhythm (an innate 24-hour cycle orchestrated by the hypothalamus and influenced by external factors such as light) and a sleep homeostasis (a hunger for sleep that builds up throughout the day). Waking up — and going to bed — at the same time reinforces that cycle. By getting up at the same time every day, your “sleep hunger” maxes out at the same time every night.\n\nLet in natural light. The hormone melatonin is a powerful sleep inducer, regulated largely by exposure to light. When natural light hits the optic nerve in the morning, it signals the pineal gland to slow melatonin production, allowing you to wake up faster. In contrast, when it gets dark, melatonin production ramps up. Yet studies have shown that people who aren't exposed to enough natural light during the day have trouble producing melatonin at night. Breus recommends opening the blinds first thing upon waking to take in more natural light. Or, better yet, take the dog for a morning walk.\n\nWhat is sleep apnea?\n\nLittle known but widespread (an estimated 9 percent of women and 12 percent of men in the United States suffer from it), sleep apnea is a condition that causes breathing to stop five to 30 times per hour.\n\nFuel early, fuel well. A good breakfast sets the stage for sustained energy through-out the day, influencing whether or not you reach for that afternoon coffee that will keep you up at night, Ross says. Start the day with a balance of protein and slow-burning or low-glycemic carbohydrates, such as whole-grain toast and a poached egg. Sticking with that protein-carb mixture, staying away from stimulants, and eating small meals consistently throughout the day help keep energy on an even keel. And beware that caffeine has a half-life of 12 hours, Breus says. An energy drink, chocolate bar, or tea or coffee consumed at noon still has some effect at midnight.\n\nGet outside in the early afternoon. Centuries of evolutionary programming have, for reasons not completely known, prompted your innate biological clock to make you sleepy in the afternoon (siesta anyone?). “Your body has a small temperature dip between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., which signals your brain to produce melatonin,” explains Breus. Instead of succumbing to the nap, which can exacerbate insomnia later, he suggests stepping outside into sunlight. You'll perk up, delaying that melatonin surge until you really need it.\n\nExercise in the late afternoon. It's true: People who get regular aerobic exercise sleep better. One Stanford University study of 29 women and 14 men age 50 to 76 found that those who did aerobics or took brisk 30- to 40-minute walks four times per week for 16 weeks fell asleep faster and slept more deeply and longer than the control group. Body temperature rises during exercise (particularly aerobic exercise) and then drops roughly five hours later, signaling drowsiness. So if your bedtime is 10 p.m., plan to work out around 5 p.m.\n\nDine for sleep. Breus recommends eating dinner about four hours before bedtime. Include plenty of complex carbohydrates, which enhance the transportation of L-tryptophan into the brain, where it can be made into sleep-inducing serotonin. Although a glass of wine may make you fall asleep faster, you'll sleep lighter. And if you must have a bedtime snack, limit it to less than 200 calories, no closer than one hour before bedtime. Include complex carbs and calcium, such as whole grain toast with cheese, or a bowl of cereal and milk, says Breus.\n\nPower down. Instead of using your alarm solely to wake up, set it to go off one hour before bedtime, to remind you to settle in and prepare for tomorrow. Ross recommends journaling your thoughts “out of the brain and onto paper” so they don't race through your head as you're trying to sleep. Be sure your sleep space is as dark as possible and has no electronics nearby. Mounting research suggests that even minute amounts of light (such as from a glowing alarm clock) and exposure to electromagnetic or radio frequency fields (from laptops or cell phones) can interfere with melatonin production. One recent study of 71 people found that those exposed to wireless communication signals up to one hour before bedtime took significantly longer to fall asleep and didn't sleep as deeply. So turn off cell phones and laptops before you turn in for the night.\n\n3 sleep supplements\n\nHow it works Dose\nValerian Shortens the time it takes to fall asleep and improves sleep quality. Research suggests it works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as the sedative Valium. 300-400 mg of extract or capsules, one hour before bedtime.\nKava Calms the mind to reduce anxiety-driven insomnia. Note: In 2002, the FDA issued a warning after several people suffered severe liver toxicity after taking kava. Brigitte Mars, author of the Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine (Basic Health, 2007), says those people took leaf and vine extracts instead of the safer root. Follow directions on bottle; potency may vary. Not recommended for pregnant women, children, or people with liver disorders.\nMelatonin Helps regulate sleep cycles. Commonly prescribed for people whose sleep-wake cycle is out of sync due to light deprivation, such as those who suffer jet lag or work the night shift. Also recommended for those who fall asleep too early and wake up in the middle of the night. Note: Prolonged use may interfere with natural melatonin production. Amount and timing vary widely, depending on reason for use.\nConsult your health care practitioner for advice before taking any sleep supplement.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7141785025596619}
{"content": "Konso tribe & village\n\nThe Konso live in an isolated region of the basalt hills of Lower Omo Valley in Sourthern Nations province of Ethiopia. The area is made up of hard rocky slopes. A Konso village maybe fortified by a stone wall used as a defensive measure. Their village is located on hilltops and is split up into communities, with each community having a main hut. In order to enter a Konso village, you must pass through a gate and a series of alleys. These paths are part of it's security system, keeping the village difficult to access.\n\nKonso Cultural Lanscape has been registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.\n\n\n\n\nKonso Cultural Landscape\n\n\nBrief Synthesis\n\n\n\n\n\nThe boundaries of the Konso Cultural Landscape coincide with natural features, like rivers or edges of densely terraced landscape, and are demarcated by the cultural and socio-economic history of the Konso people. All components relevant to the understanding of the traditional system have been included, such as the key tangible attributes of terraces, walled settlements, sacred forests, shrines and burial sites. The clear distinctive character of the landscape is vulnerable to dispersal of the fortified settlements, in case houses are built outside the town walls.\n\n\nThe Konso Cultural Landscape still largely retains its original form and design. The materials used for the construction of the terraces and the town walls are original and their conservation continues following traditional practices, executed by the community members. The terraces continue in their original arrangements, use and function. The walled towns are still inhabited by the communities and remain organized following the traditional system. The traditionally protected forests are still protected and used for ritual and burial and the water reservoirs remain in use and are periodically conserved. Associated traditions, which continue shaping the landscape, such as the ritual erection of generation and man-hood stones and generation trees continues to be actively practiced. The same applies for the use of the moras and the erection of wakas on the graves. The communities nurture the traditional code of respect to the culture and adherence to the age group (hela) and the ward (kanta), which is responsible for the protection and conservation of the attributes and continues the traditional guardianship.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9969840049743652}
{"content": "Differential Equations: Their Solution Using Symmetries by Hans Stephani\n\nBy Hans Stephani\n\nIn lots of branches of physics, arithmetic, and engineering, fixing an issue capacity fixing a collection of standard or partial differential equations. approximately all tools of creating closed shape suggestions depend on symmetries. The emphasis during this textual content is on how to define and use the symmetries; this is often supported by way of many examples and greater than a hundred workouts. This booklet will shape an advent available to starting graduate scholars in physics, utilized arithmetic, and engineering. complex graduate scholars and researchers in those disciplines will locate the ebook a priceless reference.\n\nShow description\n\nRead Online or Download Differential Equations: Their Solution Using Symmetries PDF\n\nSimilar mathematical physics books\n\nAn Introduction to Chaos in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics\n\nThis publication is an creation to the purposes in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics of chaotic dynamics, and in addition to using suggestions in statistical mechanics very important for an knowing of the chaotic behaviour of fluid platforms. the elemental techniques of dynamical structures thought are reviewed and straightforward examples are given.\n\n\n\"José Ferreirós has written a magisterial account of the heritage of set concept that's panoramic, balanced, and interesting. not just does this booklet synthesize a lot prior paintings and supply clean insights and issues of view, however it additionally includes a significant innovation, a full-fledged remedy of the emergence of the set-theoretic technique in arithmetic from the early 19th century.\n\nComputational Physics: Problem Solving with Python\n\nUsing computation and simulation has develop into a vital a part of the medical method. with the ability to rework a thought into an set of rules calls for major theoretical perception, targeted actual and mathematical knowing, and a operating point of competency in programming. This upper-division textual content presents an surprisingly huge survey of the themes of contemporary computational physics from a multidisciplinary, computational technology standpoint.\n\nAdditional info for Differential Equations: Their Solution Using Symmetries\n\nSample text\n\n31) of the generator X without specifying the functions rj(i). 38)] would then give us the correct expressions for these functions! 35) includes the rule for extending point transformations to the derivatives; in this respect it is more general than the condition XH = 0 (mod H = 0). When generalizing the class of transformations and generators, we shall therefore always start from the form [X, A] = ÀA of the symmetry condition. 45) holds. ,«, of an nth order differential equation. How can you obtain from it n independent solutions (pa of A/ = 0?\n\nPerhaps the reader wondered why we always used only one symmetry even if the existence of more symmetries was known. Is it possible, for 5 How to use a symmetry 45 example, to use two symmetries and reduce the order of the differential equation by two? To answer this question, we need some more knowledge about multiple-parameter groups and their generators, which will be provided in the following chapter. We shall then come back to this problem in Chapters 7-9. 7) by using their respective symmetries.\n\n13) ) Can this symmetry be used in an integration procedure, perhaps in a way similar to that used for a first order differential equation? 2). , s{n~1}). 16) 40 / Ordinary differential equations s = const. 1. 1). 17): a transformation s = s + so(t) is always possible, that is, the origin of s can be chosen arbitrarily on each orbit. 18); a gauge change i = f(t) is always possible. 19) holds. 20). The solution, for example, in the form y = y(x, t), gives the orbits, each orbit labelled by its value of t, and by inversion we obtain t = t(x, y).\n\nDownload PDF sample\n\nRated 4.32 of 5 – based on 32 votes", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9314465522766113}
{"content": "Tally Certification: Students during 5th Semester gets trained on Tally Software which is widely used in accounting all over the world. This will enable them to understand practically how accounts are being maintained by all the firms.\n\n Filling Income Tax Return: During 4th Semester every students gets trained on how to fill an E Return. They compulsorily have to file a return during the semester. The purpose is to enable them to learn how returns are filed so that in future they can file their returns by themselves.\n\nIndustrial Visit: Every class goes on Visit in the local industry once a semester for full day. They get hands on experience of how big industrial units work and what are the different techniques adopted by them for betterment of the company.\n\nFB_IMG_1465029135961 FB_IMG_1465029834271 FB_IMG_1465029973426 FB_IMG_1465029129049\n\n\n\n\n\nGuest Lectures: Students gets trained by various Guest speakers which come from time to time during every semester. Guest lecturers are invited from field of Accounting and Banking so as they can provide practical inputs about the field.\n\n12196293_817889528308895_4092018363970957171_n 1916871_888046214626559_8916401388343668718_n 11220467_817584758339372_8629092341375030585_n\n\nContact Information\nDr. Gautam Bansal\nUnit Head\nStay in Touch", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5256555080413818}
{"content": "Why Host a PopEd Pre-Service Workshop?\n\nOver the past five years, Population Education has facilitated over 1,800 workshops for college and university pre-service classes in North America. That comes as no surprise to us. These days more than ever, education professors are looking for high-quality professional development to prepare their students for the rigors of classroom teaching in the 21st century. Professors agree that our workshops fit the bill.\n\nHow does overgrazing cause desertification?\n\nIn the film, “Hope in a Changing Climate,” reviewed last month, there is a discussion of overgrazing leading to soil desertification. But how does this happen? When livestock eat plants down to the roots, the plants grow short, unsustainable roots and eventually, the plants will stop growing altogether. This leaves large open areas with no vegetation where the soil is exposed to the elements.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9803073406219482}
{"content": "Dear Collegues, dear Friends,\n\nWelcome to the 3rd European Expert Meeting on Rotavirus Vaccination! Join your colleagues to discuss and, hopefully, promote, rotavirus vaccination in Europe. Since the first and second European Expert meetings on Rotavirus vaccination in Helsinki (2009) and Padova (2011) our knowledge and experience on rotavirus vaccination has  expanded considerably.\n\nRotavirus is still the main cause of severe acute diarrhoea in infancy and early childhood around the world. It is still associated with high mortality in poorer countries. Before licensure two rotavirus vaccines were tested worldwide for safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in 2 trials comprising over 60 000 infants each. One of these is a single-strain attenuated human rotavirus vaccine (RV1), while the other is a combination of five bovine–human reassortant rotaviruses (RV5). Although their presumed mechanism of action might be very different  side effects and effectiveness are close to identical. Both vaccines prevent severe rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE), but are less efficacious against mild RVGE or rotavirus infection. Field effectiveness of these vaccines in Singapure, Europe and the USA against severe RVGE has been above 90%, whereas  in Africa it is only  around 60%.\n\nThe phenomenon of reduced rotavirus vaccine efficacy may be predicted by intrinsic immunological and epidemiological factors of low socio-economic settings.\n\nRotavirus vaccination has been introduced into the national immunization programs of about 20 countries in Latin America, with Brazil and Mexico as leading countries, as well as in the USA, Australia and South Africa. Introduction into other African countries will start during 2012. In Europe, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Finland and five of 16 federal states of Germany have introduced universal rotavirus vaccination. The reasons for the slow progress in Europe include low mortality from RVGE, unfavourable cost–benefit calculations in some countries, and concerns that still exist over intussusception.\n\nStill we do not have a universial recommendation for rotavirus vaccination in Germany. However, rotavirus vaccination in those states of Germany that do recommend universal vaccination has made further progress: The coverage rate in Saxony is > 60%, the highest coverage was achieved in  Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 75%, , whereas the large German states with the bulk of the population show a coverage rate of about 20%. Interestingly, most of health insurances will pay rotavirus vaccination in spite of the absence of a general recommendation (www.impfkontrolle.de).\n\nHospitality has been the trademark of the city of Leipzig throughout the centuries. In 1165, the world’s first trade fair was held here. In 1409, Leipzig University was founded and in the course of time has become a spiritual home to great scientists, artists and writers. In 1989, Leipzig’s St. Nicholas Church was the origin of East Germany’s “Peaceful Revolution” which led to the fall of Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. The liberal, cosmopolitan and tolerant spirit of this city will also inspire the attendees.The charms of a lovable city and the rich cultural heritage will long be remembered by congress delegates. Names like Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartoldy and Robert Schumann have made Leipzig world-famous as a city of music.  Listening to St. Thomas boys’ choir or to the Gewandhaus Orchestra is an unforgettable emotional experience.\n\n\n\nWe are looking forward to meet you in Leipzig!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8773004412651062}
{"content": "Engineered Brush to Deburr, Clean & Seal\n\nThere can never be any footnote to garnish the mood or grade of goods during linked industrial production. One of the basic requirement is cleanliness and hygiene of containers to ensure that all stuff that is joined produced has an even mood agreeable. The use of the spiral brush in various industries is common. But all application is oscillate and for cleaning it is attainable that satisfactory brushes are not every one of lively. The use of the custom made spiral brush offers enlarged prospects of sanitation. Removing dirt from all corner of the machines is needed to make unqualified they are in energetic condition for long. The use of the ubiquitous spiral brush is necessary in industries following food handing out, metal scrap, floor cleaning, car wash, tidy-up of conveyor belts, road maintenance. The type of brushes that are on the go guarantees a tidy sweep of the dirt. A custom spiral brush can con thread cleaning, removal of rust, making sure that oxidation does not acquiesce place, surface finish and any added intensive brushing. This with includes paint brushes for pleasant finish.\n\nA custom brush is used for moreover keeping various surfaces dirt aimless from top to bottom. A custom brush can reach the recesses. The choice will depend a propos the application, as a result the simple of bristles are vital. A nylon brush is roomy and can be used once a degree of harshness too. Metal bristles tend to scratch the surface and quickens the expiry date of the robot แปรงอุตสาหกรรม. For surface polishing there are many sizes of brushes and its filaments. Depending a propos the surface longer or shorter filaments is used. For active cleanliness and reuse of the robot or even the container there are along with ferrous and non-ferrous wires, natural or synthetic fibers. They are practiced to withstand operating cleaning. The postscript materials that are used add occurring prolyethelene, polyester, polyproplene, horse hair and Tampico. The polypropylene can be used for surfaces of high moisture content. For various stem, fuel and oils the use of polyphenylene Sulfide is an optimum choice because of the high solvency resistance.\n\nHow can a custom spiral brush application subsidiary make a to your liking effective atmosphere? When bosses uphold on massive air, it helps the staff employed to remain goaded toward the core values of the issue. The entirely fact that the brush can be customized to discharge loyalty the recesses of the tools and machines means that they can be twisted to any angle. A single or double spiral brush is in leisure keep busy for stuffy loyalty machines.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9398481249809265}
{"content": "A week of a Tesla student\n\nTo give you an example of what the Tesla minor looks like on a day-to-day basis you will find an example of the calendar of a Tesla student below.\n\nTraining sessions\nYou can see a training on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning. On average, there are 1 or 2 training sessions each week. On Wednesday afternoons there is usually a guest lecturer, which is either invited by the Tesla coordinators or by the Tesla students themselves.\n\nOnce every two or three weeks, there are intervision sessions in small groups (4 a 5 people). The goal of these sessions is to discuss problems within and outside the project groups. Hence, the intervision groups always exists of members of different project teams, meaning that you never have intervision with your direct team members. This is to ensure that you can freely discuss any team-related problems, should they occur.\n\nBesides educational activities, sport is also an important aspect of the Tesla minor. Each Monday there is Bootcamp, on Wednesday morning there is a time slot for alternating sports (climbing, fencing, kickboxing, etc.) and on alternating Thursday’s (once every two weeks) there is Synergy, which is some form of fitness.\n\nThere are two weekly, official moments during which the progress of the project work is discussed. On Monday mornings, each group has a 30 minute meeting with a Tesla coordinator to discuss the project and their activities for this week. On Friday, each group presents his progress of that week and/or discusses a problem that they have encountered. During these sessions the Tesla students help each other by giving tips, advice and feedback (both on the presentation and content).\n\nOther activities\nThe schedule below does not display everything that a Tesla student will do during the 5-month minor. Tesla students are encouraged to organize their own activities, such as excursions to clients or interesting initiatives. Besides this, Tesla students also organize a yearly Tesla event, which brings students into contact with different companies and the Tesla minor.\n\naverage Tesla week5", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9995054006576538}
{"content": "In Brief\n\nThe Pale Red Dot Campaign\n\n\nImage composition showing all the ESO observatories and the Headquarters.\nImage composition showing all the ESO observatories and the Headquarters.\n\n\n\nProxima Centauri\n\nResearch gathered from the Pale Red Dot campaign revealed a very exciting result:\n\n\nWhile its orbit is closer to its star (compared to Mercury’s distance to our sun in our solar system), Proxima’s star is a lot fainter than our sun. This makes it more habitable and scientists estimate that it could have a surface temperature that would allow the presence of liquid.\n\nThis discovery makes Proxima a prime target for the search for alien life, especially since the Alpha Centauri system is already a target for the human race’s pioneer attempt to travel to another star system.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7596404552459717}
{"content": "Designers at the Gates of Hell\n\nTall, thin, and bent like a paper clip, Danish designer Andreas Weiland sat folded up on the bench on the far end of the sculpture garden staring at the enormous cast of Rodin’s sculpture, The Gates of Hell. He looked as if Alexander Calder had fashioned him from wire and plopped him in front of the Rodin as a type of art-insider double-wink. He studied The Gates of Hell for a full 12 minutes, as the rest of the team was late. His perfection cannot be overstated—he was exactly the visitor the garden architects had hoped would wander in and sit and stare. He perfectly complemented the artwork.\n\nAlso waiting, but unseen, was Cemre Güngör. Originally from Turkey, by way of Finland and New York and most recently Facebook HQ, he paints the opposite picture of Andreas—he is of average height, but absolutely bulging with muscle. His shirt struggles to contain his arms—as if he had stuffed several oranges down each of his sleeves, which then tended to roll around and slide up and down whenever he bent an elbow or leaned over to tie his shoes.\n\nTwo other designers emerged from the back. Alex Bond, an ex-Pinterest UX-clairvoyant and Kat Fukui, a designer who codes, who recently joined GitHub. Both women move with the certainty of people who create the world in which they live, rather than the helplessness displayed by those merely entertained by it.\n\nLast of all to the party was their host, the unifying reason each of these people was here—I’ll describe this person in detail later, but for now, I’ll use just one word—Me.\n\nI illegally parked on the beige crushed pea-gravel and unloaded flowers and fruit and cheese and crystal buckets of ice and prosecco and chocolate and basil and tomato and crackers and nuts and whiskey and limes.\n\nWe had come to The Gates of Hell to celebrate a commitment to our calling as designers—but most importantly—we were preparing for our own journey into the underworld. We were here to review an original manus of Dante’s Inferno, from 1493.\n\nThis little gathering of designers wasn’t for networking or job-hunting or complaining, this was about rare type—and what it might teach us about the future of reading. But first, we had a meal to eat and sculptures to experience.\n\nThe Gates of Hell is a massive sculpture, containing dozens of little people in relief — some writing in pain, others seemingly having the time of their lives — and perched in the middle of it, near the top, sits a miniature version of The Thinker. Rodin’s hero remains unperturbed by the hellfire ruckus around him, busily sinking his chin into his fist as he reflects.\n\nRodin’s sculptures surrounded us—the garden was filthy with them. And in each, Rodin employed a nifty trick. Instead of depicting the human form frozen in a snapshot of time, he time-slides bits and pieces of the body, so that the arms and spine and legs are all a little offset in time from the pose. This creates the unnerving visceral feeling that the forms are moving—sliding in time across these stretched out micro moments.\n\nRodin himself lays it out thus:\n\nTake my \"St John\", for example. I've shown him with both feet on the ground, whereas an instantaneous photograph taken of a model performing the same movement would most likely show the back foot already raised and moving forward. People in photographs suddenly seem frozen in mid-air, despite being caught in full swing: this is because every part of their body is reproduced at exactly the same twentieth or fortieth of a second, so there is no gradual unfolding of a gesture, as there is in art.'\n—Auguste Rodin (source)\n\nGradual unfolding of a gesture…my brain can’t help but connect the dots back to great type—where the appearance of consistency and balance comes from careful visual unfolding, not from a precise “equality” of strokes.\n\nGreat type employs illusion, proximity, and visual rhythm to render the appearance of precision — but never precision itself.\n\nThe result is a visual gravity that floats suspended from our flesh-bound selves to exist in our imaginations—traced directly upon our intellect, desires, and fears. Like Rodin’s sculptures, we are leaping through time and space when we read. To get there, text pulls us from the mere act of decoding into the realm of personal, cognitive associations. It’s the work of magicians. To float ideas in the realm of personal cognition (but for all persons, even those living five centuries from now) is not for the faint of heart. It is why the Book of John opens with “In the beginning there was the word, and the word was God.” The semioticians’ use of logos (a word most designers associate with a 120x120 2x-png), comes from that moment when text becomes lit with the power of the spirit. It is when the word becomes God. This topic gets into tricky philosophical/religous waters quickly (google λόγος for more on the topic), but for our instructive purposes on the mechanisms of design, think of it as that wonderful experience when a good story races through your imagination and suddenly feels real.\n\nThe gradual unfolding of a gesture also tips my brain into the technical art of ballet—were the leg does not rise in an even sweep, but instead each joint bends slightly out of sequence, to create the illusion of a straight line that whips and snaps (all but ever so slightly off-setting the rotational velocity of the ankle, knee, and hip).\n\nThe bends in the limbs of a ballet dancer make two shapes—the shape of the body itself, and the shape of the. space around the body. Extreme care is taken to show the illusion of line through the ingenious use of curves. Finally, these shapes are not fixed in time—like Rodin’s sculptures but moving in the opposite direction—they create the illusion of images by carving out volumes.\n\nWhen at last we were ready, and it took a while to get ready, as we had a meal to eat and war stories to share from Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and beyond, we hiked to the rare book library for the little surprise I had stashed for my guests. Dante’s original take on the Gates of Hell.\n\nYou cannot overstate the joy of opening a 500-year-old book and flipping through pages that feel as fresh as a Tame Impala poster pulled from a Brooklyn letterpress. These books were time machines, taking us through 523 years of human souls who stood in exactly this same position and flipped these same pages. How many hands had touched these pages? How many people had read this tale?\n\nThe cover was wood. It was filled with tiny holes dug by bookworms. To feel this wood—we wore no gloves. The keeper of rare books simply handed it over. It felt like your oldest memory of your first elementary school desktop. It felt like a Stratovarius violin. It felt like the wooden propeller from a WWII fighter. It felt marvelous. It felt real. It was astonishing.\n\nThen the pages came. Each a 500-year old wave of literary brilliance and enduring product design. Each page held a little A/B test for readability, assembly, edibility and durability.\n\nWhile on site, we also dug into a a few other books as well, including a copy of Horace from 1504. It was a teacher’s edition, and has each teacher’s notes written in the margins as the book was passed down from one teacher to the next.\n\nHorce Teacher’s Edition, 1504\n\nSometimes an “index” is not an index…\n\nWhat appeared to be a reference index in the back of one of the books was not actually meant for the readers. Instead, it contained instructions for the binder. Printing and binding was done in different cities (sometimes countries), so each “page number” would reference the index in the back, so the binder would know how to mount it all together.\n\nAlso, “orphans” were printed at the bottom of each page to help you figure out what page goes next in the final assembly.\n\nSee the orphan “Soprale” appear again at the top of the next page to help the binders get everything in the right order\n\nThe margins include a marvelous manicule pointing towards an important passage.\n\nLook here! this hand-drawn manicule points to an important point. (Horace, 1504)\nSqueezing text like the trash compactor in episode IV\n\nAnd this layout — decorative and elegant — gracefully comes to a halt with margins squeezing in like the trash compactor on the death star.\n\nThe riches continued with each new book. We uncovered techniques for handling “comments” from multiple and competing authorities—amazing “5-cubes” layouts that put the topic in the center and four competing opinions around the sides, one on each corner. We saw line spacing techniques for vertical alignment of multiple languages all in translation for the same text. We saw a prayer book designed almost to the pixel like Twitter, with each little prayed blocked in like a Tweet. We saw multi-col text that treatened to do the analog version of a scroll jack if the spacing wasn’t just right. We witnessed experimentation (some good, some wild, some less good). It was an inspiriting day.\n\nWhy were we digging into old books? The future of reading, of apps, of print, of editorial, of VR, of mobile, of TV, of story, of culture—all of it—might just start with a few hints from the past.\n\nSign up for occasional (every other fortnight) emails on design, art, story and the human condition here.\n\nfind me on the web at buckhouse.co or on Twitter.\n\nWant to do an art project together? I paint a new stranger nearly every day. Read about the project and send me a photo of yourself here", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9373695850372314}
{"content": "Fish Days\n\nFish Day Schedule\n\nWhat Are Fish Days?\n\nWe partner with MFA and feed stores across Missouri to serve as a location for people to get the fish species they need for their ponds. We schedule fish days months in advance that way our customers and stores can prepare.\n\nNot sure how to prepare? We can help!\n\nHow Do Fish Days Work?\n\nFish days are quite simple:\n\n-Find a store near you.\n\n-Visit or call the store to place an order.\n\n-Arrive on the scheduled date and time.\n\n-Pay the store for your order.\n\n-Take your receipt and enter the car line that leads to the truck.\n\n-Present your receipt to the truck and we will fill your order.\n\n-We count and weigh your order in front of you for accuracy.\n\n-Immediately drive to you pond or lake and gently release them. \n\nWater Requirements\n\nUse fresh water from your pond. \n\nNever use city water, it has chlorine that is toxic to fish.\n\nNever use well water, it lacks oxygen to support fish transport.\n\nUnfortunately, we don't have enough water to share.\n\nWe recommend the following gallons of water for transport of 10-15 minutes:\n\n5 gallons                   10 gallons\n\n1-2 Grass Carp       100 1-4\" fish\n\n20 gallons                  50 gallons\n\n100 4-8\" fish             100 8-12\" fish\n\nor 4 lbs. of minnows\n\nFor each 5 minute increase in transport double the recommended amount of water.\n\nAcclimating or tempering fish is not needed if you use your own pond water.\n\nWe use pond water only to haul your order so you don't need to temper you fish.\n\n\nTransporting fish does not need to be as stressful as it seems. Let's Prepare!\n\n-Use only clean containers.\n\n-Containers can include livestock watering tanks, barrels, garbage cans, coolers, or totes to name a few.\n\n-Bring lids, they keep the fish and water in and the sun out.\n\n-Even a small aerator can go a long way, purchase a portable aerator ahead of time to keep the water oxygenated.\n\n-Without aeration there is only so much oxygen available in your water, so head straight to you pond after you receive your order.\n\n-Don't mix different sizes of fish they may eat one another! Separate your minnows from your bass, and everything from large catfish.\n\n\nFor $2 a bag we can place your bag your order.\n\n-Our bags are 1'x1'x2', made of 3mm thick plastic, filled with water and fish, and injected with oxygen.\n\n-On average fish will remain healthy in these bags for up to 3 hours, but transport should be immediate.\n\n-We cannot bag catfish or large hybrid bluegill because they can puncture the bag.\n\n-Place bags in a container to prevent them from rolling.\n\n-Keep them covered. Direct sunlight will cause a greenhouse effect that will heat the water and stress the fish. \n\nFish Day Schedule\n\nNeed to find a location near you?\n\n2017 Fall Fish Days Schedule (pdf)\n\n\n\nView your options here.\n\nRather Have Them Delivered Or Pick Them Up Yourself?\n\nFarm Pick-Up\n\nSee our availability.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6179831624031067}
{"content": "Cataloging to Declutter\n\nA friend of mine recently hired a professional to help her declutter her house, and I read his professional blog. In one entry, he had a woman go through a seemingly neat and orderly bookcase, next to her messy overstuffed closet. The logic being, did she actually need all the books that she had on the shelf?\n\nGiven that I probably have more than 1500 books, I decided to take the same approach. First, I went through every bookcase and box of books I have and I immediately culled the books I know I would never read or did not want anymore.\n\nThere is a good likelihood I will never, ever read all the books I Have, even if I had independent wealth and nothing to do but read.\n\nAfter the initial culling,  I decided to turn go through all the books again, this time using to actually catalog the books.\n\nI first learned of it in 2007, probably at an convention of the Special Libraries Association. I cataloged about 200 or so books. It only costs $25 for a lifetime membership–so you can go beyond the limit of 250 books.\n\nIn about two days, I wound up cataloging 1000 more books.  Using ISBNs or LC numbers, it was quite easy. It not only let me create subcollections (which I did by bookcase), but it also helped me realize I had doubles of certain titles, and also, it helped me put more like titles or themes together on the shelves.\n\nIt also helped me get a bit tougher on myself and get rid of more books.\n\nIt might seem odd, a librarian getting RID of books, but librarians do weed out collections all the time. And as a librarian myself, I have an idea of what I am likely to read, and what I can probably find at a public library if I really do want to read the book later on.\n\nIf I live that long!\n\nPost a comment.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8443219661712646}
{"content": "Islamic Relief\n\nHuman Rights\nWesterners don’t want to take in more refugees, survey says\n\nDespite the record number of refugees and displaced people around the world today, rich countries appear to be increasingly reluctant to provide them safe haven. Many Westerners do think that most refugees and displaced people are ‘innocent victims,’ according to a new survey commissioned by humanitarian organization Islamic Relief Worldwide, yet only a minority thought their countries were morally or politically responsible for taking them in.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999799728393555}
{"content": "The Desert Pulse Artist Spotlight on Art Cowles\n\nArt Cowles\n\nArt CowlesArt Cowles has been exploring music for as long as he can remember. A composer, musician, guitarist and singer, he found his niche when he started playing the guitar at the age of 14. Artists including Don McLean (who first inspired him to pick up a guitar), Buckethead, and composers John Williams and Koji Kondo, among others, were early musical influences. Since then, he has performed in many bands and musical ensembles.  He plays several instruments including guitar, cello, piano, bass, drums, and harmonica. During high school, he participated in band, orchestra, percussion, jazz band, and choir. He also was the frontman of the band Halfway Home from the ages of 15 to 19, after which he left to serve a two-year LDS mission to Korea. There, he developed a strong love for Asian culture, and the music there inspires him to be able to return one day and bring his own music to the people he loved. After returning to America, he has since auditioned and been accepted into the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts with a scholarship. However, he has forgone a formal education to record his debut solo album and pursue his career independently.\n\nArt CowlesIn his free time, Art enjoys running, skimboarding, taking photos, playing videogames, watching anime, listening to music and reading. He also enjoys studying psychology, Hebrew and the Korean language. Time well spent is what he desires most. He believes family and friends give life flavor and are a foundation to rely on. Additionally, he is active in his church where he teaches missionary preparation and other topics. Art loves exploring and experiencing other places, cultures and food (his favorite is ice cream). He studied film at DSU and has since acted in and composed music for several short films.\n\nArt enjoys performing and writing music in various genres including rock, jazz, instrumental, folk, ballad and blues. Art Cowles can be seen playing at several southern Utah venues. He is currently working on his debut solo album, which he is recording and producing himself in its entirety and will release in August of 2017. Art plans to continue his career in writing, recording and producing his own music for years to come.\n\nTwitter: @ArtCowles\nInstagram: Art_Cowles\nAbout George Scott 250 Articles\n\nGeorge Scott is a bit of a maverick trying to navigate this journey called life. He grew up in southern Utah and has a deep rooted passion for the community. LIVE Music touches his very soul and loves helping others pursue their dreams. He identifies himself as an “Elevated Experience Creator” and has become extremely influential in the Southern Utah LIVE Music and Entertainment scene. He not only writes and shares about the SoTah Music Scene he presents multiple opportunities for LIVE Music all across the Southern Utah region.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9840254187583923}
{"content": "“Fashion and beauty is art, and you are the canvas.”\n\nFellow beauty and fashion lover,\n\nThank you for visiting my blog! Hope it provides you with plenty of helpful tips, tricks, but most of all, inspiration. I will be including many things on my blog, from affordable outfits, to the yummy food I eat that may prevent me from fitting into those outfits… oops. Also, monthly thrift hauls, as well as discount codes and consistent updates on sales happening on my favorite sites and at my favorite stores and boutiques.\n\n\nYour favorite beauty blogger", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8635480999946594}
{"content": "Psychics Near Me Pine Bluff AR 71601\n\nPsycics Pine Bluff AR 71601\n\nDo Psychics Work Pine Bluff AR\n\nThe craft of Pine Bluff AR psychic reading has always been a very interesting topic. Why, you may wonder. Simple, there is no common sense and scientific reasoning behind the ways of a psychic reading — but then, many people have faith in its mystical ways.\n\nWe cannot deny that doubt has always encased the psychic realm; and the fact that details given to each person typically gets altered somewhere along the way. So with this said, the fact is, not all that we hear about psychic ideas are legitimate.\n\nWhat is the real score behind the psychic reading concept? Let us now correct the false thoughts of this Pine Bluff AR psychic concept, so that everybody will see the clear picture once and for all. Here are some common psychic reading myths that have been lingering since time immemorial:\n\n3 Common Myths About Psychic Readings in Pine Bluff AR\n\n  1. Pine Bluff AR Psychic Readings are Make Believe or Wishful Thinking: They say that psychic readers know a big deal of how a psychologist works and that to please a person, you must give a very good psychic reading to him or her and that the person would then “make believe” that it is all true. In other words, a reading is all a “state of mind” — when one is told by a psychic about what will happen, one will tend to believe in that, and in turn, it will make the reading materialize. This information is so false! The truth is, a psychic reading can result in either positive or negative, and either way, the psychic reader will explain it to the person being read, and give the corresponding advice on what to do about the situation.\n  2. A Psychic Reading is a Cold Reading: Upon entering a psychic’s room, the psychic will try to see and evaluate the items that he can with that particular person. Generally, a cold reading entails drawing conclusions or lucky guesses about a person from what you can clearly observe. However, psychics do not do cold readings. Pine Bluff AR psychics have special gifts that make it possible for them to gather information about a person via extrasensory means, even if the individual is not in the same place with them!\n  3. The Results in a Psychic Reading are Just Made Up: They are saying that psychics tell anything most likely to materialize to a person, provides the circumstance on how it will be brought, and that if it doesn’t materialize, the reason is that the person did not comply with the conditions. Somewhat like commercials of shampoos. But much like the two earlier mentioned beliefs, this one is also not correct. Pine Bluff AR psychic reading is dependent on the person’s energy or aura. Only psychics can easily see these things. But if the reality of it is in question, then just try it to make the experience the answer.\n\nThere are many other myths about Pine Bluff AR psychic readings, there are even some silly ideas like getting a reading will jinx your good luck, and so on. Skeptics can device hundreds of wrong beliefs if they must. However, they still could not disprove the reality and the reliability of psychic reading.\n\nUnfortunately, because of the many misconceptions about the psychic realm, many individuals do not have faith in its ways. But then, if you think about it, there is nothing wrong in trying to seek out a psychic reading for yourself. As the saying goes, the only way to find out the truth, is to know it first hand.\n\nPalm Reading Love Lines in Pine Bluff AR\n\nSince the earliest civilizations to this really day, society has actually constantly turned to a psychic reading for general guidance and knowledge. Psychics have always been considered as very reliable consultants as much as current times. The numbers of those who seek a psychic reading on a routine basis have actually grown through the years.\n\nThe 5 Misconceptions About Psychics And Psychic Readings in Pine Bluff AR\n\nThere are lots of beliefs that are radically out of this world when it pertains to psychics and exactly what a psychic reading may potentially be. Let’s take a look at the real deal behind these 5 major myths.\n\nPsychic Checking out And Its Function In Society in Pine Bluff AR\n\nThese are simply 5 of the numerous mistaken beliefs about psychics and a psychic reading. To be quite honest, you actually can take away a lot of important insights even simply from one psychic reading session. Offer is, the psychic world is filled with indescribable wonders; and when a person has strong faith in its ways, they can certainly get lots of true blessings from it.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9780558347702026}
{"content": "\n\nThe sign of being a good “Photographer Dad” is when your little girl suggests that you take pictures of her chocolatey piece of heaven before she takes a bite, (and she makes a few pictures right alongside you with her camera) the sign that you’re a good “Normal Dad” is when she offers you half of it after you finish taking the picture.\n\nEither way I win!\n\n\nTaken with my 85mm f/1.8 lens and a 20mm extension tube.  3 shot HDR with the Cupcake balanced precariously close to the edge of the table.\n\nI also had taken a few images before of milk being poured onto some cereal and I wanted to share one of those as well. I also shot this with the 85mm f/1.8 but this time without the extension tube and I used a YN-560 flash to try and freeze any droplets (none happened), but I liked the punchy look it gave to the image.\n\nCracklin Oat Bran_Milk-webI have a long history with Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal, when I was very young my Mom would buy this and I loved it (it’s super yummy after all and anything beats oatmeal when you’re young) we also had a dog whose food looked very similar to the cereal, one day I wanted cereal and couldn’t find it in the usual place so after searching I found some under the counter and I poured myself a bowl. Suffice it to say that bowl of cereal was a bit “odd” tasting to me and my family has never let me forget it. Shame has no power when you can laugh at it right?!\n\nI hope you take time to appreciate food in some way this week.\n\nHappy Shooting, and make sure to read the label… 🙂", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6436449289321899}
{"content": "UK Markets open in 55 mins.\n\nGerman Chancellor Merkel on Winning the Election\n\nSep.24 -- Angela Merkel won a fourth term as German chancellor in a federal election that lifted a far-right party into parliament for the first time since the immediate aftermath of World War II, according to exit polls that point to growing polarization in Europe's biggest economy.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9691736698150635}
{"content": "Revenue Ruling 2015-22 provides the November 2015 applicable federal rates, adjusted applicable federal interest rates, adjusted federal long-term rate, adjusted federal long-term tax-exempt rate, appropriate percentages for the low-income housing credit, and applicable federal rate for determining the present value of an annuity, an interest for life or a term of years, or a remainder or reversionary interest.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9834489822387695}
{"content": "Cryptograph: An Exhibition for Alan Turing\n\nGallery 318 North\n\nCryptograph is organized in conjunction with the many celebrations taking place around the world in honor of the centenary of Alan Turing (1912–1954), the brilliant British mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, and pioneering computer scientist.\n\nThis exhibition draws from the Spencer’s permanent collections, creating new conversations between works and exploring many of the same questions that drove Turing’s research: finding meaning in patterns; and finding connections between mathematics and computing, intelligence, and natural form. Turing’s world-changing innovations include the Turing Machine, a conceptual machine that builds on the notion of the algorithm and lays the foundation of modern computing. Turing was also deeply involved in the idea of “Machine Intelligence,” and he developed a test for artificial intelligence that is still in use today. Late in his career Turing became fascinated with the field of mathematical biology, a field that explores the mathematical underpinnings of morphogenesis, the origins and evolution of biological form.\n\nThe exhibition is co-sponsored by and was conceived in consultation and collaboration with KU’s Information and Telecommunication Technology Center and the Biodiversity Institute.\n\nSelected exhibition images", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000100135803223}
{"content": "What to do when...\n\nMaking presentations\n\nThis section should be read in conjunction with the general section on managing stammering in the workplace. It offers some ideas that many of us have found useful. At the end of the section there is an opportunity to make comments on how well you feel these ideas work – and to add your own ideas.\n\nThe vast majority of people dread public speaking, regardless of whether or not they have a stammer. In 1973, The Sunday Times conducted a survey asking people to reveal their worst fears. The second most commonly mentioned fear was the fear of death. The most common was public speaking.\n\nStammering is no barrier to being an effective public speaker. While it may take more work to prepare effectively and develop our skills, people who stammer can become top-class orators. One of the greatest parliamentary orators of the twentieth century, Aneurin Bevan, was a person who stammered. Ed Balls, the former Shadow Chancellor and highly effective Parliamentary performer, talks publicly about his stammer (as well as his Patronage of the BSA).\n\nFor general ideas on how to become a proficient public speaker see the public speaking page.  This page concentrates on preparing for a specific situation you may face in work.\n\nThe general principles offered here should be useful:  focus on communication rather than avoiding stammering; set objectives in terms of work outcomes; get other people working with you.\n\nWhen setting your objectives for the presentation, begin by thinking about the audience and what you have to give to them. What is the purpose of the presentation? Is it to provide information, or entertainment, or to persuade?\n\nBeing clear about the purpose of the presentation should lead naturally to the objectives you set yourself.\n\nAs regards the criteria that you use to evaluate your performance, it is good to pause from time to time to sense if people are clear about what has been said. If possible, arrange to get feedback from someone you trust and who has good judgement. This might be a friend or mentor.\n\nGetting other people working with you means getting the audience relaxed and on your side. If you stammer, it is often good to acknowledge the fact, smile, and tell the audience they may have to be a little patient, but that you have some interesting things to say.\n\nThe only sure way to become relaxed in public speaking is through frequent practice, for example by taking on an assignment as a trainer, or by joining a public speaking group. However, a number of simple strategies can often be helpful.\n\nAs always, it is possible to adopt both “internal” and “external” strategies. Here are some ideas that other people have found useful.\n\nInternal strategies\n\nOne key idea is to prepare well, and to feed the energy of nervousness into extra preparation and stronger delivery. Nervousness is simply power to be used to make the presentation more effective. At first the extra power can feel like driving a Ferrari when you are more used to driving a family car – it takes practice to handle the extra power that nerves bring with them and learn how to manage its impact on our speech.\n\nFear, on the other hand, is to be avoided. It is completely unhelpful. As the old adage has it, FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. If we are frightened, despite knowing that speaking situations are rarely, if ever, life-threatening no matter how much we stammer, then we should “Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway” (to quote the title of the excellent book by Susan Jeffers). Like a noisy puppy, fear should be told to stay in the corner.\n\nSome of us tend to stammer more at the beginning of a presentation, others more as the presentation goes on. It is useful to work out what tends to happen and prepare for it. For example, if we know we tend to stammer more at the beginning, we can be more relaxed about that and wait for our speech to free up. If we tend to stammer more as the presentation goes on, it is useful to build in some breaks, for example by inviting the audience to make contributions.\n\nIf appropriate, provide hand-outs and consider using PowerPoint. Hand-outs have the disadvantage that they take the audience’s attention away from you, so that you lose the eye-contact which is an important part of good communication. However, they can ensure that the most important points are conveyed and take some of the pressure off your speech.\n\nRehearse the presentation several times, imagining the audience in front of you. There are a number of mental tricks that can be used to decrease fear of an audience, and these are useful for everyone, including people who stammer. One is to imagine your audience in a large bath each holding a yellow rubber duck. Another is to imagine they are young children. Yet another is to find a friendly face in the audience and talk to her or him, until your confidence rises. General books on presentation skills will provide this kind of advice.\n\nExternal strategies\n\nIt may also be good to prepare the Chair to help you. For example, if you get stuck or blocked, or are losing fluency, it can be quite useful to be thrown a quick question to allow you to refocus. Again, you might want to ask the Chair to give you a little more time than usual.\n\nAfter the presentation, do not forget to do a review, helped if possible by your observer, whose job is to help us judge our performance on how well we communicated what needed to be communicated.\n\nOne interesting question to ask our observer is how much any stammering interfered with the communication. It is often surprising to find that it made comparatively little difference. Despite what we feel, the success of a talk rarely depends on how much we did or did not stammer. The quality of the information presented is usually the crucial issue. Stammering can even have the effect of making an audience listen more closely to the words we are saying.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9969608783721924}
{"content": "1 December 2017\n\nTanzania: Exports Rise to Six Months High\n\nTANZANIA'S exports rose to six months high in June thanks to gold that contributed the largest share of the increase, according to newly released Central Bank data.\n\nThe data show export climbed to 738.9 million US dollars at the end of June from 557.7 million US dollars in May, which was the lowest since April 2015. Between January and June total exports dropped to lowest figure of 557.7 million US dollars in May, which was the lowest since April 2015.\n\nAlmost similar figure was of 771.2million US dollars reached in January. The BoT data showed that traditional export contributed merely 17.3 million US dollars because traditionally June is none agro-export season.\n\nIn comparison agro-export contributed only 13.6 million US dollars last June and 11.4 million US dollars in 2015. The season pick is between September and March. On other hand, non-traditional export contributed 441 million US dollars in the month under correspondence of which gold contributed a lion share.\n\nGold raked in 138 million US dollars, manufacturing 72.8million US dollars, re-exports fetch 40 million US dollars and other products 151.6 million US dollars.\n\nService industry also contributed 280.6million US dollars of which over two-third 157.8 million US dollars came from travel receipt--mainly tourism--followed by transport 84.6 million US dollars and freight 72.9 million US dollars.\n\n\nHosts Win Cecafa, Basena's Cranes Settle for Third Slot\n\nKenya was determined to win the Cecafa tourney they hosted and thanks to their spot kick speciality, they overcame… Read more »\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7406986951828003}
{"content": "Create a Virtual Sharp Using the “Find Intersection” Option\n\n\nWritten by: Maurice Cherian, Application Engineer\n\nVirtual sharps are used to help dimension sharp corners before fillets are added to the geometry. The obscure way of creating a virtual sharp is to Ctrl-select two lines or a line and an arc, and then select the point tool from the Sketch toolbar.\n\nSince SOLIDWORKS 2014, there is an easier way to add a virtual sharp.\n\nTo create a virtual sharp, simply select the dimension tool, select the first line or arc, then right click and choose “Find Intersection”, choose the second entity that intersects the first entity. After the virtual sharp is created, a dimension can be created referencing the new virtual sharp, or just press “Esc” to cancel out of the dimension. The virtual sharp will be in the format defined under the “Options”, “Document Properties”, “Virtual Sharp” setting.\n\n\"Find Intersection\" in SOLIDWORKS\n\nThe virtual sharp is automatically created after the second selection (no actual dimension is needed to create the virtual sharp).\n\nVirtual Sharp - Second Selection\n\n“Find Intersection” works with two lines or a line and arc as you can see in the image below:\n\nFind Intersection - two selections\n\nNote: this same technique also works on model edges on drawings for reference dimension.\n\n\n\nDASI Knowledge Base - Tips & Tricks\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9186744093894958}
{"content": "Supernatural pca award\n\nSupernatural pca award thought, ah, they're\n\nWere you dumped and the tale became sad after such a wonderful peak. I draw a picture wich show how would such trip tranform into the Earth RT. Thanks. once a week or every couple of weeks, for a while. His undergraduate degree work was in archaeology and anthropology. concerning time, some men value their financial welfare more than any other thing, while some supernatural pca award fun, women more than finance or career, may be he is that type that values his job, finance and career. The beauty of this method is that the weather can be anticipated for months and years ahead, because the positions of the supernatural pca award can be calculated far into the future. Please let me know if this ok with you. 5-million) award. Also if your friend is willing have him with his own hands to rid his house property of anything that links to this woman, and the occult- than get permission to pray over his house and property. Using functional MRI (fMRI), they found that this system encodes prediction error when viewers are forced to choose what will happen next in a video of an everyday event. Compare her blogs supernatural pca award actually having a telephone number with her jailprison number so people can CALL the court and supernatural pca award PROOF. Second technique is to supernatural pca award people certain fees for them to rebrand your e-book. number, your social security or anything else that they can use to have direct access to your funds. Therefore, while she may already know the answer you will give, only you can give the correct answer, and there is only one answer. They often do this by telling you that you're cursed or hexed supernatural pca award that they can fix this for you, for a payment, of course. Ultimately it's about email psychic reading information to people about why this is valuable, said Cox, presenter supernatural pca award a five-part television documentary series titled Wonders of Life. A time for making choices.  One such argument could lead to litigation, which couldwould result in defeat. With the study of physics, there is no opportunity to skim or skip over the reading as it will be necessary to understand the lectures and pass the exams. Tarot cards and divination tools have no power in themselves, they are simply tools. The findings showed that loss of control had a profound psychological impact that caused people to change their sanacion fisica y espiritual beliefs and orientations towards others. It does start a bit slow, so bear with it as it really picks up its pace. I have a journalist supernatural pca award with drawers full of stretchy yoga pants; I collect aprons. May be that's you. Like any strong relationship, the bond between supernatural pca award television anchors can always do with a little spark. If you have fallen as a result of blacking out, psychic ashley atlanta for injury and seek medical attention if necessary or if in doubt. Starting from youngsters to aged people, everyone believes in the power of tarot reading. The ambiguity that is in and around you is an unclear, imperfect, benign presence that can be trusted and accepted. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Your video reading will be recorded, edited, and uploaded to Youtube (anonymously, of course). Padre pios 'stigmata' was self-inflicted. Perhaps you want to write the names of the happiest, most committed lovers you know, supernatural pca award illustrate what true love looks like to you, supernatural pca award put the piece of paper in the bag. All the mediums I have met and worked with are completely up front and sincere in what they do. Im glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Lighting up the display will first reveal the time panel, Bluetooth connection and the battery status. And that's important to us as mages, since the choice we make for our tier 6 talent directly affects our spell rotations. you're in reality a just right webmaster. There supernatural pca award a lot of good psychic, but also a lot of fake one so be careful with choosing the right one for a private psychic reading. In ancient Polynesian cultures power healing was and nonetheless is typical practice. You have scriptures on spiritual husbands and wives really good articles and I believe I would be a good asset. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. That's a good indication that you are relying too heavily on psychics or mediums, or that you don't trust what's being relayed. If built, installed and maintained well, a deck can last for a few decades. Just textphoneemail someone who knows the prospective recipients better than you do and ask for your giftees' birthdays (or just look on Facebook). The skeptics' anti-Parapsychology agenda is, therefore, fraught with many of the difficulties that bedevil the work of psychic researchers. LOL. Greetings. Present: 6 of Pentacles (Generosity) We the spiritual meaning of the colour pink that the Seeker has a good heart. Great post. I know this is somewhat off supernatural pca award but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site. Hentai manga features erotic and porn scenes. It is a definition of a symptom that I happen to have. Supernatural ireland you are using an iPad, you can see each position a little better. Because the Internet is open to all at relatively low prices, the hegemony of media giants spirituality and practice advertisers will soon end, to be replaced by a wide-open, decentralized, diverse, fast-changing, and competitive media culture.\n\n\n\n12.08.2016 at 03:43 Mauzil:\nThis phrase, is matchless)))\n\n20.08.2016 at 10:49 Shakagar:\n\n28.08.2016 at 10:47 Togar:\nI apologise, would like to offer other decision.\n\n04.09.2016 at 06:32 Nikolkree:\n\n06.09.2016 at 18:28 Zulkicage:\nWhat excellent question\n\n14.09.2016 at 05:45 Goktilar:\nYou commit an error. Let's discuss it.\n\n21.09.2016 at 03:55 Mogul:\n\n24.09.2016 at 03:28 Zulut:\nClearly, I thank for the information.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9591427445411682}
{"content": "Computers, TVs, Video Games, Cell Phones & Much more\n\ncomputerRemote diagnostics is the core of a special computer software suite that facilitates remote diagnostics and repair of your Pc. You can download it and install onto your computer. Some type of a removable media writer includes CD, CD-ROM Drive, CD Writer, DVD, DVD-ROM Drive, DVD Writer, DVD-RAM Drive, Floppy disk, Zip drive, USB Flash Drive, Tape drive – mainly for backup and extended-term storage, Internal storage that keeps information inside the computer for later use. Primarily based around the Texas Instruments TMS 9900 microprocessor operating at three MHz, the TI 99/four has one particular of the quickest CPUs available in a residence computer. The LEO was England’s 1st industrial computer and was performing valuable function prior to any other industrial computer program in the world.\n\nThe BIOS contains all the default settings for the various computer hardware devices, and basic attributes such as processor speed, input device settings, buss sorts, and so forth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21 percent employment growth for computer program analysts amongst 2014 and 2024, quicker than the typical of all occupations. A microprocessor embedded in the keyboard interprets these changes and sends a signal to the\n\nThe notion of storing each information and directions in memory became recognized as the ‘stored plan concept’ to distinguish it from earlier methods of instructing a computer. If it is a hardware problem it is related to the peripheral components of your computer, which includes the challenging disk, keyboard, CD drive, monitor, and so on. Computer forensic specialists are recognized by a lot of titles, such as computer forensic investigators, digital media analysts, and digital forensics detectives.\n\nComputer chips themselves are made with CAD programs that let an engineer create a specification for element of a chip, simulate its behaviour in detail, test it completely, and then generate the layouts for the photolithographic procedure that puts the circuit on the silicon. It was named following John von Neumann, a globe renowned mathematician and computer pioneer of the day.\n\nThe computing power essential by newer software program can result in older computer systems to lag and execute poorly, so keeping your network and its elements existing is essential. An inspiring summer time college on computing at the University of Pennsylvania´s Moore College of Electrical Engineering stimulates construction of stored-program computers at universities and investigation institutions in the US, France, the UK, and Germany.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.564572811126709}
{"content": "Members Login\n\nResponding to letters from the bank\n\nResponding to letters from the bank\n\nFor many homeowners who receive correspondence from their mortgage bank, understanding the letters and replying to them prove a task too much and no replies are sent. This is one of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make. It is usually the bank's intention to make the homeowner appear unco-operative as they can then move forward with demanding voluntary surrender or initiating court proceedings.\n\nDon't avoid replying to the bank....\nFor those who do respond, they do so by phone and fail to keep a permanent record of what has been said or how co-operative they have been. With no paper trail the homeowner looks very naked compared to the bank, festooned with files and files of documents as they always appear to be. The very few who do write back to the bank often do not write letters as effectively as they could or should.\n\nAlthough the National Land League are rolling out workshops throughout the country to assist homeowners in defending their homes, we cannot even hope to reach all of those in trouble. The following article is an outline of key tips and advice when reading bank letters and responding to them. We will try to provide you with this information as simply and clearly as possible but it is important you understand that you must practice if you are to master \"critical\" correspondence exchange.\n\nThere are a number of reasons why critical correspondence exchange is important to the homeowner in arrears, namely..... (i) Creates evidence of your co-operation, (ii) ensures that the bank do not make untrue statements that go unchallenged, (iii) assists you in accessing your rights under MARP - Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (please see earlier blogs), (iv) assists you in collating evidence against the bank.\n\nTo critically assess some information, let’s say a report or correspondence, means to examine it from alternative viewpoints. Critical assessment requires a number of pre-requisites, in other words things in place, before it can happen. The pre-requisites to critical assessment are….\n\n1. A doubting mind (never accept information in a letter at face value).\n\n2. An understanding that the “other side” has alternative motives.\n\n3. An awareness of protocol and procedure (such as CCMA/MARP)\n\n4. A framework of critical variables (categories / types of things to look out for)\n\nIn social sciences for example, critical variables can include considering reports or correspondence in terms of what it says about: Gender; Class; Religion; Age; Disability etc. The reader would ask him/herself, how does this material relate to women? To the poor? Etc. In the case of critically assessing bank correspondence there will be a different list of critical variables to use, namely…….\n\nA. Does the correspondence make any untrue statements?\n\nB. Does it provide you with an opportunity to make a reasonable request for information before making a final response.\n\nC. Does the correspondence comply with CCMA/MARP?\n\nBefore diving into a bank correspondence it is best that you have certain tools at hand. Three blank sheets of paper and a pencil for start, and if possible a photocopy of  the bank letter. If you have a photocopy, you can write notes on it, but   you are advised to use the blank paper. You may wish   to use the original copy as evidence into the future. On each of the three sheets, write one of the three Critical variables on the header section. Make sure you are in an environment conducive to clear focus and free from interruption.\n\nWe shall look at each variable in more detail now....\n\nA. Does the correspondence make any untrue statements?\nBanking administrators often make efforts to portray those in arrears as un-cooperative. This can speed up the possession process and may also, if unchallenged, influence a Judge into the future. It is very important that you rebut (deny) any untruthful statements made in banking correspondence. If you do not rebut it is accepted as fact. Untrue statements can come in a number of forms like actual statements of fact, and others come in the form of presumptions.\n\nExamples of banking untrue  “statements of facts”…\n\n•“We have been trying unsuccessfully to make contact with you.”\n\n“As per our correspondence of the 22/03/14 (earlier dated postmark)”.\n\n“You have not made your repayments as per our most recent agreement.”\n\n“As you have failed to correspond…”\n\n“You have not provided us with the information we have requested…”\n\nAny such “untrue statements” of fact must be responded to in your correspondence. As part of the critical assessment process, make a note on the first sheet headed “untrue statements of fact”, noting the paragraph number, the untrue fact, and your initial response.\n\nBanking “presumptions” are statements made that appear to convey a decision already made without your input or consultation. \n\nExamples of banking “presumptions” include….\n\n•“As we have not heard from you we understand that you are no longer within MARP and we have sent your case to our legal department”.\n\n“As per your call with our advisor, we are awaiting/you have missed your first instalment in your agreed repayment arrangement and you are now outside of the MARP.”\n\n“You may Appeal to the Ombudsman, or alternatively, you may complete a new SFS, we have included both applications with this correspondence”…. (at the point of Appealing the MARP decision)\n\nAny such “presumptions” must be responded to in your correspondence. As part of the critical assessment process, make a note of the back of the first sheet (variable 2), noting the paragraph number, the presumptions, and your initial response.\n\nB. Does it provide an opportunity to request information?\nUsually banks appear to be requesting information from you all of the time. As such, it can feel like you are always on “the back foot”, that the bank have you “on the hop”. In contrast, asking for information you are entitled to can change the power axis, and it often proves the case that the bank do not have/do not wish to reveal/have incorrect information requested. This can advantage you in a number of ways. Firstly, it delays the banking debt collection process, particularly when you state that the clock stops until you get the information. Secondly, further information can add to your defence. Finally, it increases your negotiating strength into the future and in some cases may prove the bank uncooperative from an early stage.\nPrior to and during the MARP process you may request information to assist you to be “cooperative”. Requests for information may always be introduced by stating something to the affect…\n\n “To assist me to provide the best application/best Appeal/make the best decision/to understand my position best…. I am requesting the following information…..”\n\nAlthough you may decide to assault the bank with a barrage of data requests, it is better to use this ammunition wisely, particularly if one of your objectives is to slow down the bank’s processes and systems. There are a number of considerations regarding what you choose to request at any stage: At all stages you may usefully request for example....\n\n• “Current, detailed accounts of all of the debts your Institution claim I owe, to include any interest payments, service charges, insurance charges, administrative charges and any other fees considered liable to me”.\n\n• “Details of the Instruments used to calculate the sustainability or otherwise of my mortgage” (at an advanced stage such as MARP appeal, one might request: write-down funds and securitisation benefits accrued).\n\nA detailed explanation of the factors underpinning your decision in these matters”.\n\n• “An explanation of your decision not to offer me an alternative to X such as Interest only/full moratorium/partial write-down”.\n\nC.  Does the correspondence comply with CCMA/MARP?\n\nLending institutions such as banks and building societies are bound by two statutory codes of conduct in relation to mortgages. These are the Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) and the Consumer Protection Code 2012. The CCMA relates to primary residences, and the CPC to investment properties, credit cards etc. In this Module we shall focus on the CCMA. The CCMA requires mortgage lenders to adopt specific procedures when dealing with borrowers experiencing arrears and financial difficulties. Such procedures must be aimed at helping you as far as possible in your own particular circumstances and are called MARP.\n\nWe have posted a number of blogs on MARP and intend to post more over the coming weeks. It is important that you make yourself aware of your rights under MARP. By knowing your rights you will be able to see when you are being abused by the banks in their correspondence, Again, having made yourself familiar with your rights, make a note on your paper of where in the bank letter, the bank have failed to follow MARP.\n\n\nIn writing back to the bank the golden rule is \"less is more\". Sometimes homeowners tend to be emotional, such as angry, and this is not something that should be recorded on paper and may well convey your mental state to the bank. Why give them any extra information? Instead, simply address the matter at hand, rebutting any untruths, seeking any further information you may require and insisting on your rights under MARP and the CCMA.\n\nOn a final note, remember that if the bank is demanding that you do something in a particular time frame, or insist on phoning you, write to them and insist any time frame must be agreed and that you will communicate through written correspondence only, that is your right.\n\nTo Find out about upcoming free workshops in your area please call the National Land League on 0894740811...\n\nNewsletter Subscription\n\nDMC Firewall is a Joomla Security extension!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8763776421546936}
{"content": "Sociology of Culture\nDepartment of Sociology\nUniversity of California, Irvine\nWith the “cultural turn” in the social sciences, the sociology of culture has re-emerged to produce some of the most\nexciting research in sociology. At UCI, culture – whether defined as practices, symbols, discourse, or systems of\nmeaning – is treated in the context of social interaction at multiple levels of analysis. Dynamics of cultural\nconstruction, contention, and diffusion are key research foci. Department members also share a concern with\nshowing empirically just how much culture matters relative to other variables in accounting for sociological\nphenomena—phenomena as diverse as patterns in the world-wide criminal regulation of sex, Muslim-American\nwomen’s economic advancement, African-Americans’ political participation, teenagers’ conflicts, why civil wars go on\nso long, and why social movements only sometimes succeed. Sociologists of culture at UCI employ a range of\ntheoretical and methodological approaches, from macro-institutionalist “world polity” models to social psychological\nand interactionist perspectives, and from time-series analyses of investment flows to discourse analysis of online\nconversations. Indeed, the remarkable range of substantive foci, coverage of both macro- and micro- perspectives,\nand use of sophisticated qualitative and quantitative methodologies that characterize the sociology of culture at UCI\nmake it unique among sociology departments.\nFaculty members’ research overlaps with a number of other fields within the Department, especially political\nsociology/social movements, organizations, social inequality, global change, gender, race/ethnicity, and research\nmethods. Faculty members also collaborate with faculty in other UCI departments and schools, especially,\nAnthropology; Criminology, Law, and Society; Education; and Planning, Policy and Design.\n(interests and current research)\nNina Bandelj -- economic sociology, organizations, globalization, social change in Central and Eastern\nCurrent research: 1)How do cultural understandings influence economic processes? An examination of the formation\nand consequences of the cultural wealth of nations, and economic nationalism. 2)How does cultural change influence\nsocial disadvantage? An examination of poverty and inequality in transition to capitalism in postsocialist Europe.\nCarter Butts -- social networks\nCurrent research: 1) What are the structural properties of attitude and belief systems, and how can they be\nmeasured? 2) How do beliefs, social practices, and other cultural elements diffuse through human populations, and\nhow does this process shape the content of cultural systems? 3) How can information from unreliable human and/or\norganizational informants be used to statistically infer local structures, practices, and cultural knowledge? 4) How can\nelements of material culture (e.g., ownership patterns, systematic arrangement of artifacts) be utilized to infer social\nMartha Feldman -- practice theory, organizational processes, collaborative governance and inclusive management,\nqualitative research\nCurrent research: 1) How the relationship between the actions people take and the patterns they create influences\nthe ability to make sensible innovations in new contexts and to “go on”? 2) How do organizational processes provide\nopportunities for learning and adaptation? 3) What principles of organizing enable people to respond to apparently\ncontradictory demands in ways that are generative?\nDavid Frank -- world society, sexuality, higher education, natural environment\nCurrent research: What world-cultural changes underlie (1) global transformations in the criminal regulation of sex,\nand (2) worldwide university expansion over the 20th century?\nAnn Hironaka* -- cultural logics of war; collective identity construction; institutional theory\nCurrent research: I use institutional theory to theorize the historical role that cultural logics have played in providing\nthe basis for military calculations.\nCalvin Morrill -- law and society, organizations, youth culture and conflict, education, qualitative field methods\nCurrent research: 1) How do law and rights matter in everyday practices within and around schools? 2) How does\nthe increasing criminalization of youth culture shape the ways youth and adults define and act on youth conflict? 3)\nWhat is the relationship between collective action and culture change in institutional fields?\nFrancesca Polletta -- social movements, democracy and deliberation, discourse analysis, storytelling.\nCurrent research: 1)Are women disadvantaged in political discussions by a distinctive communication style? 2)How\ndo cultural models of democracy, conflict, and power shape the practice—and the variable success—of public\nJen’nan Read -- gender, ethnicity, religion, and health\nCurrent research: 1) How do different dimensions of cultural identity, namely ethnic and religious dimensions, shape\ngender dynamics in U.S. immigrant communities? 2) To what extent does ethnic and religious identity influence\nMuslim American political incorporation, and to what extent do these identities converge and diverge?\nBelinda Robnett-Olsen -- social movements, race/ethnicity, gender, African American politics, the relationships\nbetween institutions, gender, political participation and collective action.\nCurrent Research: 1) How do gendered cultural relations impact collective action and social movement agendas? 2)\nHow are racial hierarchies gendered? 3) How does the gendered nature of institutions affect men’s and women’s\ntypes and rates of political participation? 4) In what ways are the mobilization processes of collective action\nEvan Schofer -- Comparative Political Sociology; Sociology of Education; Globalization and Global Culture;\nEnvironmental Sociology.\nCurrent Research:1) The Origins of NGOs: Examines the role of global culture and national states structures in\nencouraging the global proliferation of voluntary associations. 2) Educational structures and economic inequality:\nExplores how the organizational features of education systems shape cultural categories and status distinctions as\nwell as subsequent economic inequality in society.\nDavid Snow -- Collective Behavior and Social Movements, Social Psychology (Symbolic Interaction, Dramaturgy,\nSelf and Identity), Sociology of Culture (Frame Analysis, Ideology and Consciousness), Urban (Marginal Lifestyles\nand Subcultures, Interaction in Public Places), Qualitative Methodology (Ethnography, Field Work)\nCurrent Research: (1) extension of framing analysis to contexts other than social movements; (2) cross-cultural\ncomparison of life on the streets in four global cities – Los Angeles, Paris, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo; (3) the character\nand persistence of “rapture”/second-coming believers and movements across time and cultures\nMayer Zald -- social movement theory, organization theory, engagements between the social sciences and\nhumanities (primary appointment at the University of Michigan)\nCurrent Research: 1) How can the social sciences meaningfully engage the humanities, especially philosophy? 2)\n*Cluster coordinator\nTo qualify for a graduate field exam and/or expertise in the sociology of culture, students must take the core course in\nthe sociology of culture, along with one course from the list of elective courses, and one course from the list of related\ncourses. “Elective” courses cover key themes and theoretical perspectives in the sociology of culture. “Related”\ncourses do not take culture as a focal point but do incorporate a broadly culturalist approach to institutions such as\nlaw, economy, religion, race, and ethnicity.\nCore Course:\nSociology of Culture (Polletta, Morrill, Bandelj)\nElective Courses:\nInstitutional Theories (Hironaka, Morrill, Schofer)\nGlobalization and Global Culture (Schofer)\nYouth, Culture, and Justice (Morrill)\nCulture and Consumption (Frank)\nSociology of Sense-Making (Snow, Hironaka)\nCollective Identity (Robnett-Olsen, Hironaka, Snow)\nCulture and Gender Inequality (Read)\nCulture, Collective Identity, and Collective Action (Robnett-Olsen)\nContemporary Racial and Ethnic Theory (Robnett-Olsen)\nRelated Courses:\nLaw, Inequality, and Mobilization (Polletta)\nImmigrant America (Rumbaut)\nDeliberative Democracy (Feldman, Polletta, and Rosenberg)\nEconomic Sociology (Bandelj)\nSociology of Revolutions (Hironaka)\nPolitical Analysis of Organizations (Morrill, Zald)\nSocial Sciences and Philosophy (Zald)\nGender and Immigration (Read and Bean)\nRacial and Ethnic Feminist Perspectives (Robnett-Olsen, Read)\nRace and Ethnicity (Robnett-Olsen)\nFeminist Theory (Robnett-Olsen)\nStudents interested in taking the field exam in the sociology of culture should see the cluster coordinator. The reading\nlist is currently structured so that a student can tailor one component (roughly a quarter of the readings) to his or her\nspecific interests, for example, in culture and sexuality, culture and policymaking, the culture industry, or culture and\n(Check with Department Administrator & Cluster Coordinator)\nSpring: Deliberative Democracy (Feldman, Polletta, and Rosenberg)\nSpring: Sociology of Sense-Making (Hironaka)\nFall: Sociology of Culture (Polletta)\nWinter: Institutional Theories (Hironaka or Schofer)\nSpring: Youth, Culture, and Justice (Morrill)\nSpring: Sociology of Sense-Making (Snow)\nSpring: Culture, Collective Identity, and Collective Action (Robnett-Olsen)\nFall: Economic Sociology (Bandelj)\nFall: Sociology of Culture (Morrill)\nFall: Globalization and Global Culture (Schofer)\nWinter: Law, Inequality, and Mobilization (Polletta)\nWinter: Culture and Consumption (Frank)\nSpring: Sociology of Revolutions (Hironaka)\n\nGlobal Inequality & Change - Sociology", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8716548681259155}
{"content": "Colin Charles Agenda\n\nWorking at home\n\nI’ve always enjoyed working at home. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I got myself an office. I still don’t use the office that much, with the exception for storage. I try to check in from time-to-time since I do have a room there, but I’m still largely a mobile worker.\n\nToday, I’m sitting in my parents house and can hear extreme drilling from a house renovating nearby.\n\nIn offices, you can’t do drilling/renovation works until the evening and most likely its usually only on weekends. At homes, you can’t do drilling/renovation works unless its confined between the 8am-5pm timeframe.\n\nOverall, home renovations tend to be extensive. Imagine working from home and listening to drilling/knocking/banging for about six months?\n\nAs a proponent of using Bose noise canceling headphones (Bose QC-15), I can assure you it doesn’t help.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9751191139221191}
{"content": "Agenda Discovery Week Month\n\nCurated for Me\n\nLet's hike to the Crest house from the East side\n\nThe Albuquerque Hiking and Outdoor Meetup\nWrite a Review\nEndorsed by Curators:\nDec 02 8:00AM - 2:30PM\n\nWhat we'll do\nWe will meet at the Lazy Lizard and then carpool to the 10k North trailhead. From there we will hike up 10k until we intersect with the North Crest trail and head south until we reach the Crest house. We will take a short lunch break there and then head back the way we came up. This will be about a 10 mile hike with 2000 feet of elevation gain.\n\nWe will maintain a 2+ mile per hour hiking speed!\nIf I haven't hiked with you before I may need to ask a few questions to make sure you can keep up with the group.\n\nOptional: After the hike we will go into the Lazy Lizard for refreshments.\n\nWhat to bring\nRain gear, warm clothing (it will be cold at the top!) . Snacks/Lunch for the top.\n\nImportant to know\nCheck this site 45 minutes before the scheduled meetup in the event that bad weather causes me to cancel the hike.\n\nHow to find us:Park in the back, I will be in a white Tacoma\n\nUpcoming Events", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7760131359100342}
{"content": "The Law of Vibration and Attraction (Part 1)\n\n\"The Law of Attraction\" is the underlying principle which governs the level of your personal prosperity. However, to help you achieve a really solid grasp of this concept, it will be necessary for us to focus briefly on another law; namely, the \"Law of Vibration.\"\n\nThe Law of Vibration accounts for the difference between mind and matter; between the physical and the nonphysical worlds.\n\nAccording to the Law of Vibration, we postulate that everything vibrates or moves; nothing sits idle. Everything is in a constant state of motion, and therefore, there is no such thing as \"inertia\", or a state of rest. From the most ethereal, to the most gross form of matter, everything is in a constant state of vibration.\n\nMoving from the lowest to the highest degree of vibration, we discover there are literally millions upon millions of intervening levels or degrees; from the electron to the universe, everything is in vibratory motion. (Energy is manifested in all the varying degrees of vibration.)\n\n\"Rates of vibration\" are called \"frequencies,\" and the higher the frequency, the more potent the force. Since thought is one of the highest forms of vibration, it is very potent in nature and therefore, it must be understood by all of us.\n\nNow, the Law of Vibration may be explained in many different ways, depending upon the purpose for which it is being explained. In this chapter, however, it is our intention to confine our inquiry to thoughts alone, so we may thereby improve our understanding of the Law of Attraction.\n\n\nTo vibrate means: \"to move backwards and forwards, to oscillate, to shake, to quiver, to swing, to waver, to cause to quiver.\"\n\nTo obtain a more graphic conceptualization of the idea of Vibration, just stretch out one of your arms straight in front of you. Then hold it perfectly still. While you are holding it still and are unable to perceive any motion in that arm at all, know that the electrons which compose the arm, are moving, shaking, quivering, or vibrating, at the rate of 186,300 miles per second.\n\nThe arm appears still to you, but in reality it is in a constant state of motion. Of course, although such motion is imperceptible to the naked eye, under a high-powered microscope it would become very apparent, indeed.\n\nNow, begin to shake your arm. You, yourself, are now causing the arm to vibrate. It was already vibrating of its own accord, in obedience to the Law of Vibration (which teaches that everything is in constant motion). But you have stepped up, or increased, the rate of that vibration. You have pushed down on the vibratory accelerator pedal, as it were.\n\nPositive And Negative Personalities\n\n\"The mind in itself and in its own place can make a hell out of heaven or a heaven out of hell.\"\n- John Milton\n\nPeople, as a rule, can be classified as positive personalities (optimists) or negative personalities (pessimists).\n\nThose individuals who are positive in their thoughts always tend to look upon the brighter side of life. With their faces turned toward the sunshine, they attempt to see the good, even in the bad. Such individuals habitually think thoughts of a positive nature and they are a blessing to the world. They are in a \"Positive Vibration,\" and therefore attract other positive personalities to them.\n\nNegative personalities, on the other hand, habitually look upon the dark, gloomy, and depressing side of life. Even the good holds some bad for them. They dwell on the bad and the negative. They think about it, anticipate it, expect it, and invariably they receive what they have been seeking. Due to the negative vibration which they keep themselves in, they of course attract other miserable personalities to them. As you are already aware, \"misery loves company.\"\n\nTheir state of mind can be compared to the person who, upon being asked how he felt, said,\n\n\"I feel alright today, but I might feel bad tomorrow.\"\n\nNegative personalities are depressing to everyone around them. Their faces take on the expression, in physical form, of the negative thoughts which they are holding in their minds. Each day, one can observe such individuals passing on the street. No cheer, no joy radiates from them-just gloom, frowns and hostility. Having created their own hell for themselves, they seem to enjoy wallowing in it.\n\nThe law of Polarity and Relativity states that for every positive there is an equal and opposite negative. Therefore, both of these personality types are necessary, so you can develop the awareness to distinguish one from the other, and in that manner, choose the one which will advance you in life.\n\nYou do have Free Will. You can choose which of these two personality types you wish to adopt. Therefore, if a person is constantly negative, but tires of that state, the person may, through awareness and proper effort, change himself into a positive personality type of individual.\n\nUnderstand this-The Law of Vibration will give people the awareness they require, to make the personality changes they desire.\n\nThe Brain - The Body\n\nThe human body, believe it or not, is one of the most efficient electrical instruments in this entire universe. The human brain, similarly, is probably the most efficient electrical instrument ever created. Both are truly marvels.\n\nThe brain is the part of the body where all manner of frequencies are transformed from one frequency level into another. In the brain, for example, sensations are transformed into muscular action. Sound, heat, light and thought are also, each in their turn, transformed into other frequencies, each affecting the body.\n\nWithin the brain there are centers which control and regulate the functioning of all organs and parts of the body. By means of the proper stimulation of these centers, the functioning of the organs may thereby be controlled. In our seminars, we refer to this phenomenon as the vibratory control of the body.\n\nIn the final analysis, the brain is simply a vibratory instrument. To begin to understand its functioning you must undertake the study of the Law of Vibration.\n\nSince the early 1940's, we have had at our disposal the EEG (electroencephalograph), which reads the electrical activity of the brain, and the ECG (electrocardiograph), which traces the electrical changes which occur during heart contractions.\n\nTherefore, vibrations are certainly not something which are new to us. Indeed, all of us have an awareness of them. However, the problem which we encounter is that the vast majority of people are not aware of the connection between their vibrations and their results in life.\n\nIt is, unfortunately, a very common sight to see people in bad or confused vibrations, busily attempting-through force-to achieve good results. However, due to the negative vibration which they are in, they are continually being bombarded by all manner of negative people and situations, which by law, are being attracted to them. Consequently, at some point, their battle must become overwhelming for them.\n\nThese people may be likened to a person who is jumping off the top of a building, and trying to go up, at one and the same time. The result, in either case, would be equally predictable and equally disastrous.\n\nEverything Is Energy, Everything Vibrates\n\nFor you to gain a better awareness of how you are to take control over your results (i.e. to better understand how and why the thoughts and things come into your life as they do), you must go back to the basic premise with which we started: namely, everything vibrates and nothing stands still. There is, in truth, no such thing as inertia. Scientists today support this thesis and every new scientific discovery tends to lend even more credibility to it.\n\nHowever, by virtue of your Free Will and the many other mental factors in your marvelous mind, you have the Co-Creative ability to cause vibratory changes to take place at your bidding in your life. The cause for our lack of ability to exercise this tremendous power for good is nothing other than our own ignorance about the Law of Vibration.\n\nLet There Be Light-Your Connecting Link\n\nSlowly but surely, let us see with our inner eye of understanding, how you may \"connect\" with the good that you desire, to improve the quality of your own life.\n\nTwo objects whose electromagnetic fields are the same are operating on the same frequency. Therefore, we can say they are in resonance, in harmony, or in rapport. When two objects are in resonance or vibrating at the same speed, the vibratory rate may be transmitted from one to the other through the medium of the electron. (\"Resonance\" as a field of study, is concerned with the electromagnetic fields surrounding objects.)\n\nFor example, we find a globe in a chandelier will vibrate when in resonance with a certain key on a piano; yet it will not vibrate to any other note on the piano keyboard.\n\nThe two objects under discussion are composed of entirely different material and they have completely different shapes. Still, they are in resonance with one another, due to the fact their ultimate magnetic fields are the same. They are within the same sphere of relative motion, and this holds true, irrespective of their size, shape, or the elements of which they are composed.\n\nAll electromagnetic waves, or quantums, have their own particular rate or frequency, which corresponds to the number of changes in direction they make per second. The electromagnetic wave spectrum is simply a \"Scale of Vibration,\" and it is subdivided into specific regions.\n\nNevertheless, one must always remember these regions are not actual divisions, but merely arbitrary spaces covering frequencies that manifest in our senses in different ways. Each region actually \"blends\" into the one above and the one below, and in truth, there are no definite lines of demarcation.\n\nEverything Is An Expression Of The Same Thing\n\nEverything in this entire universe is connected to everything else in this entire universe, through the Law of Vibration. Just as the colors in a rainbow are connected in such a way that you are not able to tell where one color stops and the other begins, so too are you unable to distinguish where one \"thing\" starts and another one stops. Everything in this universe is connected to everything else in this universe, just as the water that boils is connected to the steam into which it transmutes, and the steam is connected to the ether or air into which it changes.\n\nYou too are connected to everything in the universe. Whether you can see it with the naked eye or not is unimportant. The only physical difference which exists between one thing and another, relates to the density or the amplitude of their vibration.\n\nTherefore, as soon as you choose certain thoughts, your brain cells are affected. These cells vibrate and send off electromagnetic waves. When you concentrate on those thoughts, you increase the amplitude of vibration of those cells, and the electric waves, in turn, become much more potent.\n\nKnow that it is you who is originating those electric waves and know that you are also determining the density of them by your own free will. You must also know, since you are originating these electric waves, your whole being is being put in that particular vibration.\n\nWe have already covered the point that two objects may be of entirely different material and shape, and yet still be in Resonance. This is due to the fact their ultimate magnetic fields are the same, because they are within the same sphere of relative motion. (Keep in mind that resonance is the factor governing the transmutation of vibrations.)\n\nWhen you hold the image of your goal on the screen of your mind, in the present tense, you are vibrating in harmony (in resonance) with every particle of energy necessary for the manifestation of your image on the physical plane. By holding that image, those particles of energy are moving toward you (attraction) and you are moving toward them-because that is the law.\n\nAll things are merely manifestations of energy or Spirit.\n\nWhen the world comes to understand this great truth, we will be aware that all people are the same; they only appear to be different. The true dividing lines for mankind are not borders, color or language, but simply ignorance and its polar opposite, understanding.\n\nKnow The Truth And The Truth Will Set You Free.\n\n\n\n\nExcerpted from You Were Born Rich by Bob Proctor.\n\n\n\nAdd comment\n\nPlease be respectful and fair.\n\nSecurity code\n\nEvents Calendar\n\nDecember 2017\n26 27 28 29 30 1 2\n3 4 5 6 7 8 9\n10 11 12 13 14 15 16\n17 18 19 20 21 22 23\n24 25 26 27 28 29 30\n31 1 2 3 4 5 6\nJanuary 2018\n31 1 2 3 4 5 6\n7 8 9 10 11 12 13\n14 15 16 17 18 19 20\n21 22 23 24 25 26 27\n28 29 30 31 1 2 3\n\n3rd Party Relationships Disclosure\n\nWe are grateful to be of service and bring you a great deal of content, on this website, free of charge. In order to do this, please note that whenever you click the links on this site in order to purchase items from third parties, in many cases Inspire University will receive a referral commission. Your support in purchasing through these links enables to pay its way and continue to empower people worldwide to live more conscious and inspired lives. Thank you!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7829849720001221}
{"content": "ChannelLife NZ - The mobile enemy\n\nWarning: This story was published more than a year ago.\n\nThe mobile enemy\n\nToday’s business world is fast-paced, ultra-mobile and highly productive. Data is carried to and from devices that keep shrinking in size while expanding in storage capacity, and we have got to the point where we can put everything that’s private, confidential and has immense value to our company on one portable gadget which fits in our pocket or even our wallet.\n\nBut with coolness, ease of use and high speeds comes a horde of risks that can turn into severe losses in terms of money, customer loyalty and trust. Small, easy to handle and offering increasingly large storage capacities, USB flash drives and portable external hard drives with USB or firewire interfaces come in standard capacities reaching 500GB – enough to carry all the innovative, proprietary and sensitive files of a company. However, they can be accidentally lost or intentionally stolen at any time, causing great damage to organisations and their customers. The ensuing credit monitoring, expensive consultants and lawyers, damage to the customer base or need to rebuild the trust of those who do stay on board, all cost money.\n\nThe current security challenge is to keep using all the technology breakthroughs that give a profitable competitive edge, while securing data and keeping malicious competitors, disgruntled former employees, accident-prone staff and hackers at bay. To meet this challenge, companies of all sizes need to implement an efficient and innovative data-loss prevention and device-control solution.\n\nEffective endpoint data-loss prevention solutions are designed to minimise internal threats, reduce data-leakage risks and control devices connected at endpoints. But controlling devices doesn’t have to mean blocking or disabling, which is the first thought that enters peoples’ minds when the topic is brought to the table.\n\nThe simple process of auditing what is being connected, and making what is being connected visible and how it’s being used, can pay dividends. You may find you have no problem at all, or find that, although your security policy states users are not to use non-authorised removable storage devices, everyone has connected their smartphone to charge it, and copied the latest customer price list to it. Whilst the said price list will always be conveniently on hand, it will also be completely unsecured if they lose their phone at the gym.\n\nAdvanced endpoint data-loss solutions offer granular control of portable devices, from iPods, cameras and USB sticks to ExpressCard SDD and printers, that also integrate with Active Directory synchronisation. This will enable policies that can for example, tie a specific user to an authorised USB storage device, and by using ‘trusted devices technology’ you ensure protection for data in motion by enforcing encryption for the devices connected at endpoints.\n\nNot forgetting a large number of highly mobile users, the solution will need to offer road warriors a way to stay active and productive when they lack a permanent internet connection, while keeping the corporate data they carry safe from common portable storage device usage threats that can lead to severe security breaches. When travelling for business, employees might be unable to connect to the internet and still need to authorise a new portable device – a printer to print out a contract, or a memory stick to save a presentation for an event on it. To help them save time and complete their tasks, a temporary offline password could be provided to them by phone, allowing them to authorise devices for a period ranging from 30 minutes to one week.\n\nThe offline security options enable employees to do their work on time, preventing unnecessary delays. Additionally, even when the company’s laptops or netbooks are being used offline, you want a solution that will enable you to do file tracing and file auditing so employees’ activity is monitored and logged in detail.\n\nEndpoint data-loss solutions don’t have to be restrictive and disruptive for employees. They can be an enabler for the business to understand its risk profile, and make more effective and relevant end-user acceptable use policies.\n\nInterested in this topic?\nWe can put you in touch with an expert.\n\nFollow Us\n\n\nnext-story-thumb Scroll down to read:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7864201068878174}
{"content": "L’Eclisse (1962)\n\nAll relationships in nature have an arc – a beginning, middle, and end. The length of time in said union may vary, and the stories entangling and contributing to each component make them unique. The finality of a relationship may expose a wide discrepancy of emotions based on its journey, including sadness, joy, and indifference. The subsequent avenues of exploration taken after a breakup can therefore be endless. Unlike La Notte, “L’Eclisse”, the final film of Antonioni’s trilogy of love and loss, begins with the end of a relationship and explores the course taken by the lead actress in its aftermath.\n\nVittoria (Monica Vitti) is a young literary translator who used her knowledge to aid her boyfriend, Riccardo (Francisco Rabal), in his work. The silent tension between them at the beginning of the film indicates impending dissolution, and that happens in the form of Vittoria ending her relationship with him due to lack of happiness. While he continues to occasionally pursue her, Vittoria dabbles in spending time with equally emotionally confused female friends. She also attempts to reconnect with her distant mother (Lilla Brignone), who is a frequent flyer of the Rome Stock Exchange. It is there that she meets Piero (Alain Delon), a young stockbroker obsessed with increasing his monetary wealth. Vittoria and Piero begin to spend time with one another, battling reservations in this budding courtship and surrounding threats, including loss, fear, greed, and anger. However, they are fuelled by the promise of a fresh start and hope.\n\nA solar eclipse is often viewed as an extremely rare phenomenon in outer space, whereby the Moon’s view is temporarily blocked. Contrarily, eclipses occur on a daily basis in terms of human interactions. Certain internal and external events may prevent us from experiencing life at its supreme. One such event is an affair and its impact on a current relationship, both explored in L’Avventura and La Notte. While many are absorbed in the details of ensuring a properly functioning bond with their partner, another eclipse that occurs is the loss of individuality and personal identity. I feel that this is the true common thread linking this beautifully expressed trilogy. As well, the stunning composition and editing of the revered end scene highlights the memories of physical spaces and lost promises of former optimism. “L’Eclisse” is therefore a fitting title to the final chapter.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\n\nUgetsu (1953)\n\nThe spirit world has been a source of polarizing contention throughout human history. The concepts of “spirits” and “ghosts” evoke multiple emotions, including fear, solace, apprehension, and peace. Certain drastic events in history may be associated with spirits, such as the Salem Witch Trials. Depending upon our beliefs, spirits’ presence and aura may serve to aid us in understanding and solidifying our own individual sense of self, as well as our connections with others and our surrounding environment. The Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life explores this idea, as well as the stunning 1953 Japanese medieval fantasy film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi named “Ugetsu Monogatari”.\n\nThe black-and-white film is set in the humble village of Nakanogo, where we follow the story of two couples. Miyagi (Kinuyo Tanaka) and Genjuro (Masayuki Mori) create and sell beautiful pottery, supporting themselves and their adorable young son, Genichi (Ikio Sawamura). Tobei (Sakae Ozawa) and Ohama (Mitsuko Mito) operate a farm, whereby Tobei has immeasurable dreams of becoming a samurai. Amidst their perceived tranquility, there is impending and inevitable chaos in their village created by the army of Shibata Katsuie. This consequentially leads to separation, displacement, and abandonment of responsibilities. Tobei becomes relentless on his quest to become that of an oxymoronic figure who damaged his home and relationship, while Genjuro encounters a beautiful, wealthy woman of seeming nobility in the form of Lady Wasaka (Machiko Kyo).\n\nThe English translation of the title is “Tales of Moonlight and Rain”, as the ancient East Asian tales from which the story is based revolves around natural elements forewarning humans of the uncontrollable spiritual forces. The film has a splendid mystical quality reflecting the original tales, supported by smooth transitioning between fantasy and reality and occasional hazy cinematography. Furthermore, fairy tales are often disguised cautionary tales to their readers about indulgence, patriarchy, dishonesty, greed, and inevitable destruction if we become highly swept into an imaginary world at the expense of others’ well-beings. This film effortlessly exemplifies and reinforces these themes, additionally resonating with audiences post-WWII in the aftermath of worldwide exploitation of power. “Ugetsu” is a pertinent reminder that our commitment to family, friends, and our communities is the glue which allows us to remain steadfast in the face of outside challenges which threaten our unique essence.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nThe Ballad of Narayama (1958)\n\nRespect and dignity of all human life, regardless of age, is paramount in society. Care of the elderly is a burgeoning topic due to the increasing number of baby boomers entering senior citizenry. Advanced health care directives, power of attorney, and deprescribing medications are some of the initiatives taken to improve the quality of life of our elders and to also endorse their autonomy. They have lived and breathed through a mountain of experiences, and it is essential that we value their contributions to youths’ and young adults’ knowledge bases. Unfortunately, their worth may sometimes not be esteemed by younger generations, and their future may be dictated by predilections beyond their control. Also explored in Make Way for Tomorrow, the heartbreaking “The Ballad of Narayama” (1958) directed by Keisuke Kinoshita addresses these widespread concerns.\n\nOrin, played by Kinuyo Tanaka, is a 69-year-old female living in a tiny Japanese village. She has resigned to and embraced her fate as travelling to the mountain Narayama at age 70. According to ancient Japanese custom, elders at this age in a community facing famine would succumb to Narayama’s harsh environment in an effort to indirectly supply a greater quantity of food to youth and young adults in the village. The conflicting attitudes of her various family members as well as complex village dynamics surrounding her impending journey are examined. In addition, the stunning colour cinematography, set design, and theatrical staging serve to create distance between the ultimate joys and sadness in the community, inadvertently highlighting the disregard and complacency of the village towards elders. Overall, famine, theft, and inevitable greed are commonalities throughout the villagers’ lives, whereby Orin’s fate may be a relief from the jarring discordance of her world.\n\nA great deal of the film’s narrative is told through traditional Japanese music, which is reflected in its title. However, a ballad often consists of mournful content. It is quite evident that Orin’s son, Tatsuhei (Teiji Takahashi), is grieving for his mother’s fate as well as that of all of the elders who took the fatal expedition to this location. Submissiveness, abandonment, guilt, and fear are emotions often uncovered in ballads. These feelings are entangled within Tatsuhei, and are highly represented throughout this gorgeous film. The differences in opinion between family members can often create such a magnitude of tension that ‘black and white thinking’ can be overpowering, severing ties. It is imperative that humans and all creatures cherish the role of family members of all ages. While they can be highly critical of our perceived weaknesses, their support develops and fosters our strengths.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nThe Earrings of Madame de… (1953)\n\nMany inanimate objects have a particular monetary value. Materials used in an item’s development, its demand, or certain components of the market for which it is usually targeted and sold may determine its worth. They may also have a strong sentimental significance, representing a pivotal life changes or nostalgia. A compelling bond with this treasure may also reveal specific yet unexpected aspects of our personal values. In the exquisite French film “The Earrings of Madame de…”, directed by Max Ophuls in 1953, the main characters’ secrets and frustrations evolve through the changing distribution and ties with a pair of earrings.\n\nLouise (Danielle Derreux) and Andre (Charles Boyer) are a seemingly loving, wealthy couple living in late 1800’s Paris. However, there is not an ounce of passion in their marriage, and Louise has accumulated a great deal of debt due to her supreme extravagance. She therefore decides to sell a heart-shaped pair of earrings given to her by her husband for a past wedding anniversary to the original seller and local jeweler, Monsieur Remy (Jean Debucourt). At this point, the earrings have no emotional worth to Louise as they symbolize a reminder of her more hopeful marital past. It is from this point that the earrings begin their geographic and emotional journey, travelling between continents and through the hands of lovers associated with the unhappily married couple. One such admirer is portrayed by acclaimed Italian director and actor, Vittorio de Sica.\n\nThe earrings play a crucial role in the plot as indicated in the film’s title. However, the anonymity and ambiguity of Louise’s surname is also essential in understanding her life circumstances. Women always adopted their husbands’ surnames during that era, and the viewer can assume that is Louise’s case. This longstanding custom has often signified an enmeshment of patriarch of the household into the female, melding the more dominant male role into her own identity. As well, the viewer never hears her surname due to clever editing techniques. I feel as if all of these elements convey Louise’s lost individuality, emptiness, and daily guilt. As the main character, many live a life whereby they conceal their true self for fear of persecution, abandonment, and change. This stifling can create extreme tension, snowballing into a constant sense of dread. The context and environment of one’s trepidation may undergo a transformation such that relief and freedom of originality can spur creativity and pure joy, but it may remain such that the least desired outcomes continue to be entrenched in reality.\n\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nLa Notte (1961)\n\nRelationships are constantly in a fluid state, and follow no prescribed formula. They are strengthened and weakened by monumental life events, small gestures, as well as geographical and emotional distance among a multitude of other variables. In turn, our self-worth and personal value is shaped by our sense of belonging. Marriage is the ultimate creation of partnership and potential enmeshment between two individuals, and its dissolution can create empowerment, disdain, or a void in the lives involved. “La Notte” (1961), the middle film in Michelangelo Antonioni’s trilogy of loneliness and emotional detachment, examines the decomposition of a marriage quite astutely.\n\nGiovanni (Marcello Mastroianni) and Lidia Pontano (Jeanne Moreau) are an upper middle class Italian couple, with the former being a successful writer and the latter being a housewife originating from wealth. The palliative illness of their dear friend and writer Tommaso (Bernhard Wicki) distresses Lidia greatly, detaching herself physically from her famous husband for a brief period of time to pay homage to areas of Milan they knew when they were in love, optimistic, and naive. The film later tracks the course of their empty marriage throughout a party hosted by a highly materialistic businessman, Mr. Gherardini (Vincenzo Corbella). The value of fidelity, honesty, connection, purpose, and sense of identity are questioned by the main as well as some supporting cast. As in L’Avventura (1960), it becomes evident that monetary wealth facades the essence of individuality.\n\nThe party referred to in the previous paragraph took place during “the night”. Life-altering events or revelations can evolve slowly or occur instantaneously during a short period of time, such as over the course of an evening. The blackness and finality of night itself can signify bleakness, reflection, and absolution. It is thus no coincidence that many characters’ awareness of self and interpretation of the present in the film, especially that of Lidia, occurs over this time frame. Cognizance of the limitations of self-indulgence and vanity can also lead to comprehension of our shortcomings, sensitizing humans to the reality of the twists and turns that occur daily in our lives. Although not fully explored in this challenging and rewarding film, I feel that this strength can create resiliency, allowing us to tackle and cope with an assembly of puzzles and problems.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nWalkabout (1971)\n\n\n\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\n\nFloating Weeds (1959)\n\nTraveling is required in a large number of professions – flight attendants, workers on oil rigs, and potentially for those working in large corporations. Some employees may feel unappreciated and overworked, moving aimlessly from place to place in hopes to find purpose. They may feel as if they are “floating weeds”. However, the phrase and title of this outstanding Ozu film from 1959 can be applicable to our desire to belong in a multitude of life scenarios. In a remake of his 1934 film, Ozu carefully explores several precarious and tense situations through the eyes and heart of a “floating” theatre troupe.\n\nKomajuro (Ganjiro Nakamura) is the lead actor of an unpolished group of actors who travel to various coastal towns in Japan. Their style of acting is quite tacky, and their plays have not fared well financially. However, they continue to optimistically perform to increase their financial and emotional stability. It becomes quite evident that achieving these goals, especially the latter, would deem extremely difficult. Early in the film, the protagonist visits his former mistress, Oyoshi (Haruko Sigimura) as well as his son, Kiyoshi (Hiroshi Kawaguchi), who believes him to be his uncle. The development of Komajuro’s and his son’s relationship evokes reward, hazard, curiosity, and indirect divisiveness. As the norm in small towns, private occurrences become public knowledge.\n\nOzu’s characteristic still yet balanced cinematography as well as attentive storytelling aid in beautifully capturing human joy and struggle in all of his masterful films. This is definitely no exception, with the added use of glorious colour saturating the film surroundings. Dishonesty, hypocrisy, jealousy, conformity, and need for appreciation are all themes investigated in the film. Venturing outside of the realm of uniformity within a group can create suspicion among others. There are unspoken nuances of familiarity, and there is a fear of group cohesion becoming dismantled. This creates a ripple effect of fear, coercion, and intrusion, which can ultimately destroy a ‘garden of blooming flowers’ into a field of weeds. While Komajuro is one discussed who experienced these dilemmas in the film, all individuals fear complete isolation. It is important to treasure the connections we make, and to encourage delving into the unknown. This helps to solidify and anchor roots, so that we can flourish and grow into well-rounded human beings.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nA Day in the Country (1936)\n\nVacations are meant to be utilized as necessary escapes from the realities and struggles of everyday life. There is often a balance between great preparation and spontaneity in the construction of this elaborate repose, whereby individuals may meet locals quite familiar with the area being visited. A sense of wonderment experienced by those vacationing may not be apparent to residents due to extreme familiarity. There may be a discrepancy between lifestyle and surroundings between the two groups, creating a sense of awe and congeniality. This dynamic is explored in Jean Renoir’s understated unfinished 1936 film entitled “A Day in the Country” or “Partie de campagne”.\n\nA wealthy shop owner, Monsieur Dufour (Andre Gabriello), and his family from Paris opt to travel to the beautiful, natural countryside along the Seine River one summer day in 1860. They are treated to great local hospitality, and are given a great meal as well as fishing rods! However, two men set their sights on wooing Dufour’s wife (Jane Marken) and daughter Henriette (Sylvia Bataille). Henri (Georges D’Arnoux) creates delightful chemistry with Henriette, who is unfortunately engaged to her father’s clumsy apprentice, Anatole (Paul Temps). Her planned future may thus unhinge, as her heart’s new feelings may not align with the romance that has been conveniently prescribed. The gorgeous scenery and somewhat remote location aid in amplifying these sentiments.\n\nThe events and emotions that one encounters during one particular day may change the course of one’s life. Pivotal moments can happen when least expected, such as an employment opportunity, or may be in our awareness for quite a while, like the birth of a child. “A Day in the Country” effortlessly demonstrates this concept, with an innocent trip leading Henriette to question the course of her destiny as a partner and wife. Events such as these have a ripple effect, whereby choices made stemming from these occurrences can alter our life’s passage. These decisions may have positive or negative effects, further guiding us on our journey. Thus, the struggle of weighing passion versus practicality is very genuine.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nLa Belle et la Bete (1946)\n\nFairy tales have been dazzling young children for centuries. They relish in the imaginative worlds conveyed in these creations during storytime at school as well as prior to drifting asleep. Beneath the exterior fantasy of these narratives are themes relevant in the day-to-day lives of adults – jealousy, betrayal, and conflict. Children are subliminally exposed to these truths through these elaborate plots only to realize as adults the harsh actualities of the stories. “La Belle et la Bete” (1946) is one such tale, magnificently directed by Jean Cocteau in movie format while Nazis occupied Paris.\n\nBelle (Josette Day) and her family are in extreme debt. After travelling to a nearby town with failed hopes of inheriting a fortune, her dearly loved father (Marcel Andre) stumbles upon obtaining a rose for Belle as per her request. This leads him into an inconceivably beautiful garden and castle, where inanimate objects are anything but. He also meets the Beast (Jean Marais) who condemns him to death for picking a highly coveted rose, but his death will be absconded if a daughter can go in his place. Belle takes this role without hesitation, and her journey into the Beast’s world begin. Enmeshment, anger, disgust, and questions of possession unravel as their relationship develops with familial worries and conflict playing a major role in Belle’s future.\n\nThe title of the film can have a multitude of interpretations relevant to the fairy tale as well as means by which this film came to fruition. All individuals have positive and negative qualities, with some outshining others as integral components of our personality and coping strategies. While Belle copes with poverty through selflessness, her sisters Adelaide (Nane Germon) and Felicie (Mila Parely) adapt through selfishness and manipulation, especially towards Belle. The Beast grows to love Belle and cannot imagine a life without her, but excessively dominates her freedom. Thus, themes of jealousy, guilt, oppression, trust, and revenge all emerge from a story “most appropriate for children”. The medium of this particular film expresses these themes with the aid of careful and innovative editing and set design. Extravagant budgets and sets were not possible in this war-torn area of Europe, and thus a claustrophobic yet mystical aura materializes from the direction. Thus, there is a simultaneous “beauty” and “beast” in all individuals and in circumstances in which we find ourselves.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.\n\nPickpocket (1959)\n\nThe orchestration of an unlawful event requires a great deal of planning and co-ordination. Those involved are quite aware of law enforcement’s potential interception of their illegal activities. However, they venture regardless for the sake of greed, power, bravado, and the ultimate thrill of successfully tiptoeing around danger. These activities are quite varied, with shoplifting being one such pursuit. The theft conveyed in the 1959 Robert Bresson film “Pickpocket” mirrors such pristine organization, as well as carefully examining the central character’s motives and growing desire to become an “expert” in this field of crime.\n\nMichel, played by Martin LaSalle, is a young male living in poverty in Paris. He is also quite obstinate in job propositions. As an amateur pickpocket, his successes are initially limited. Upon meeting more seasoned members of this trade, he is taught a multitude of means to obtain money and valuable items. The fruits of their labour are later displayed in highly crisp, choreographed sequences, whereby a variety of wallets and other prized items vanish from their proprietors. Michel’s personal relationships with close family, friends, and the police are also explored in this film. It is no surprise that initial query necessity turned obsession with theft has an influence on the integrity of these bonds.\n\nAs I mentioned in my previous blog post on “Au Hasard Balthazar”, Bresson’s magic ingredient is simplicity. A plethora of themes emerge from this quietly acted film, which delve into all emotions associated with any act for which society has great disdain. Suspicion, deception, addiction, and exploitation are all components of Michel’s facade and contrasting inner turmoil while navigating through his newly minted escapade. Furthermore, dialogue commenting on spirituality unfolds during the film, with one’s degree of adequacy and acceptance within the eyes of God taking centre stage. It is interesting to view Michel’s cold exterior yet internalization of this question contrast to the more demure and concerned Jeanne (Marika Green). He is aware of his potential future as well as current reality based on his choices. However, others may deride feelings associated with deceiving acts, either avoiding or highly engaging in spirituality or good deeds as a means of redemption. Overall, I feel that this film subtly reminds us of the possibilities that humans can embark on in their life journey, and the means by which they come to terms with the impact of their decisions on the lives of others.\n\n\nI do not own the above image.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9973329901695251}
{"content": "tree trunk, tree, forest, tranquility, the way forward, tranquil scene, landscape, sunlight, nature, growth, woodland, non-urban scene, long, beauty in nature, scenics, day, solitude, sunbeam, footpath, narrow, outdoors, diminishing perspective, green color, lens flare, green, vanishing point, remote, woods\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8588287234306335}
{"content": "Case study\n\nGeorge Tee — Procurement graduate\n\ngeorge tee\n\nGeorge landed a place on Centrica's Procurement and Supply Chain Graduate Programme after completing the BSc Geology and MSc Management (Finance) qualifications at Durham University\n\nCan you tell us about your experience of the programme so far?\n\nIt involves three eight-month rotations in different parts of the business. I spent my first eight months in the Supply Chain Risk team in Windsor, helping to identify and mitigate sources of financial and corporate social responsibility risk associated with our supply chain. For my second rotation, I moved into our Exploration and Production division, which is where I am today.\n\nWhat is your current role?\n\nI work in Aberdeen as part of our Operations and Maintenance procurement team, which is responsible for procuring everything that's needed for the ongoing operations of oil and gas exploration projects in the UK. I've worked on a variety of projects so far, in areas including geology and mechanical maintenance. I've also worked on projects relating to the chemicals that are used to produce oil and gas on our onshore and offshore assets.\n\nWhat are you enjoying most about being on the graduate programme?\n\n\nAny significant highlights so far?\n\n\nHow would you describe the Centrica culture?\n\nEveryone in the organisation tries to live by our values, which are care, collaboration, courage, delivery and agility. I would also say that Centrica is a very supportive business, especially when it comes to its graduate employees.\n\nWhat advice would you give to somebody thinking of applying?\n\nTwo things. Firstly, make sure you understand Centrica as an organisation and can demonstrate an interest in some of its key business areas. Secondly, remember to be yourself in your interview and assessment centre. It's your individual personality and ability to work with others that Centrica wants to see.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.985106348991394}
{"content": "Sports Facilities\n\nThe Grass Is Always Greener, But Is It Safer?\n\n2 Feb, 2015\n\nBy: Tracey Schelmetic\nDespite Safety Assertions, Some Athletic and Parents Group Still See Health Risks with Artificial Turf\n\nIn fall of 2014, a news report came out that rocked the youth sports industry. Environmentalists and parents had assembled anecdotal evidence that suggested a link between artificial turf and cancer in the athletes who had played on it. In particular, the black crumb rubber used as infill was seen as containing traces of benzene, carbon black and lead.\n\nAt the time, it was news. Now, as kids gear up for spring sports, what has been the progress on the matter?\n\nAccording to industry group the Synthetic Turf Council, studies conducted by scientists and state and federal agencies have proven that artificial turf is safe, according to NBC News. According to people who don’t put a lot of weight on the declarations of an industry group whose job it is to protect that industry’s interests, the jury is still out. Many scientists agree that there simply isn’t enough data to draw conclusions either way.\n\nCurrently, a California lawmaker is proposing a ban on artificial turf in schools, parks and stadiums, and she has a lot of parents on her side. It’s unclear, however, whether the legislation has enough support to pass.\n\n“There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence from across the country,” state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, told the OC Register. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our children aren’t being harmed by materials used to make their fields. Right now, we just don’t know enough as far as how safe these fields are.”\n\nIn the end, it’s often not the evidence of safety of a product that matters, but a perception of its safety (or lack of it). The makers of artificial turf playing fields may wish to examine the case study of plastic additive Bisphenol-A, or BPA. Despite the plastic industry’s years of insistence that the chemical, which is a known endocrine disruptor, was safe for consumer products such as baby bottles, a movement of parents and health conscious individuals seeking BPA-free plastic essentially forced the industry to abandon the additive.\n\n\nSubscribe to SDM", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8275142908096313}
{"content": "Questions on Jazz\n\nThis post is regarding my presentation questions from our last Jazz seminar! Yeah, I know I’m super late, I’m sorry.\n\n  1. What is the significance of the lack parenting?\n  2. What importance does the parrot that says “I love you” have? Why does Violet leave the knife in his cage?\n\nFirstly, the theme of parents affects many characters in the novel. Here’s a recap:\n\n  • Orphans: Violet, Joe, and Dorcas\n  • Raises other people’s children: Alice, True Belle\n\nThe other main thing that all these characters share is that they are all African American. It is because of this, and because of American history, that it makes sense to say that the loss of motherhood could be connected to African people’s loss of “mother tongue” and of their language and culture during the slave era. The characters in Jazz are like continuations of this oppression, the repercussions of their assimilation into modern 20s “white people culture”. Like Dabydeen, they could be going through some sort of identity crisis, not knowing how they fit into society = not knowing their mother/parents. Golden Grey fits really well into this theory, being a person of mixed race. His motives for hunting down his father are discussed a little, and Hunter, his father, accuses Golden’s motivation of finding him was only to see if his father really was as black as they say. Like in jazz, the musical genre, the 20s were a part of the transition for the genre. It went from being an almost exclusively black type of musical, derived mostly from slave songs, later turning into blues. The first type/sub-genre of jazz was something called “Dixieland” that came out of New Orleans and was very much dominated by black people. I guess what I’m trying to say is that jazz was invented by black Americans, and only later on did it turn into swing, big band style jazz, which was heavily loved by the rest of America (white America). It’s in this subgenre of jazz that you find a lot white artists, like Frank Sinatra. This convergence of the music genre is parallel to the convergence of the actual people in many cities like Harlem, NY. It wasn’t until the later half of the 60s that African American jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Miles Davis were in the limelight of the jazz community and recognized for their talent. In my opinion, I do think that the effects of jazz’s history of being (sorta) whitewashed is still seen today. The most prominent voice for jazz in popular culture right now is very white Ryan Reynolds, because of his role in La La Land, which faced some backlash for being an incredibly white film. All of this shows how fitting the title of this novel is. Jazz can stand as a symbol of the many varying struggles of African Americans in a city like Harlem, NY.\n\nSecondly, the birds are important because they symbolize Joe and Violet’s relationship. When the novel opens, their love had just fallen after hanging on by a thread for who know’s how long. The narrator explains how they have been barely tolerating each other for many years. The presence of the parrot that mindlessly repeats “I love you” could be a parallel of their relationship as they go along with being together “in love” without putting in any effort to actually be in love. They are both very caught up with their own problems to truly open up to each other, which is fixed by the end of the novel. After Violet finds out about Joe’s dishonesty and goes on her rampage to Dorcas’s funeral, she goes back to their apartment and lets her parrot free. This act could be her trying to lose all ties to Joe and their relationship. What’s interesting is how it is noted multiple times that she is not sure if the parrot dies from this or not. It seems very likely that the parrot would be dead, like how Joe’s affair would most likely ruin any relationship with Violet. But Violet wonders if the parrot could’ve lived, suggesting she still loves Joe. When they are working on fixing their relationship at the end of the novel, they adopt another bird that is sick, and they are nursing it back to health, much like their wounded relationship.\n\nColour in Vertigo\n\nFilmmakers can use colour to trigger a subconscious emotional reaction from the audience based on the connotations that we attached to certain colours. If done right, this can have a huge symbolic impact in the film. Tough luck for anyone who’s colour blind, right? We’ve already talked in seminar about the colours tied to the characters in Vertigo,  and there’s also many YouTube videos that discuss this at length, so I’ll just recap: Madeline/Judy is green, John (Scotty) is red, and Midge is yellow.\n\nI was curious about whether the choice of these colours meant anything, or if any colour could have represented the characters. I found there is actually a colour coded “wheel of emotions” designed by Robert Plutchik, (Ph.D in medicine, university professor, and psychologist) who has published research just on the theory of emotion.\n\nPlutchik’s Wheel\n\nFrom this, we can pair Scotty with emotions like anger and annoyance, maybe because he can’t be with Madeline. Notice how the colour green can be fear and also admiration – the two themes around Madeline/Judy as Scotty falls in love with her, but there is an air of the paranormal surrounding her when we think she might be possessed by Carlotta’s ghost. Then later he falls in love with Judy, but there is a ghostly, eerie hue to her in her uncanny resemblance to Madeline (before he finds out they are the same person). The scene when Judy emerges from the bathroom, transformed for the second time into Madeline, she is surrounded by green light. That leaves Midge, who begins the film in yellow, which represent joy and serenity. I’m not sure how much that fits with her character. But interestingly, the emotion of love fits in between the colours yellow and green, similar to how Midge loves Scotty but he’s just out of her grasp, as he loves Madeline.\n\nThe nightmare scene that Scotty has is also full of colour. The screen switches back and forth from flashing many different colours until it is only flashing red.\n\nI can’t say how much Hitchcock intended the colour in the film to have underlying meanings, or if they line up with any points I’ve made here, but there are probably some (if not all) scenes where colour is purposeful.\n\n\nPlutchik wheel picture: public domain,\n\nDabydeen & Identity\n\nNo matter how much we talk in seminar about the poems in Slave Song, we can’t seem to come to an agreement on what the book’s purpose actually is. Is it a political statement on colonization? An attempt to recreate an authentic account Guyanese life? Or is it purely a product of Dabydeen’s fantasy, or “work of art”?\n\nI (obviously) can’t say I know what the answer is, but I feel it’s a mix of the three. Almost like the intent of the book changes with each different “voice” Dabydeen takes on in the poems themselves vs. in the translations and notes. He jumps around from role to role, a one-man book with first-person poems told by Guyanese women paired with Western scholarly analysis, and also Dabydeen’s own introduction and postscript commenting his work. That’s why there are so many ways to read this book; Dabydeen speaks as so many characters each giving different angles to view the book’s content from.\n\nBut why did he write it like this? To confuse us? Maybe. Like I said in seminar, I think Dabydeen was struggling with his own identity and played with the different sides of his personality in making this book. He can identify with being an educated English scholar as well as with Guyanese culture. The history of his family mixed with his own life experiences has probably left him in some state of confusion about where he fits. Perhaps the main purpose of this book was actually to act as a therapeutic exercise for Dabydeen to explore and discover how all the pieces of him fit together or even contradict each other at times. Sometimes I feel like the poems and the translations are passive aggressively fighting each other or making some comment about each other. When the translations/apparatus feel so distanced and unaffected by the cruelty of the poems, it comes across as insulting, but at the same time purposeful. Dabydeen is simultaneously trying to speak about what happened in the past through the means of his present. This is seen in the last poem, Two Cultures, as the voice of a Guyanese man tells off a young boy for “ruining” the English people’s culture, and also for not acting true to his Guyanese origin. I believe the boy in question is representative of Dabydeen as he struggles to belong in both Guyana and England. Maybe he wants to honour his heritage in the way he knows how – writing poetry(?)\n\nRemember, this is just another possible interpretation of many. I don’t know how much of this is actually makes sense. I’d love to hear any feedback of what you guys think. Open invitation to roast me in the comments!\n\nGilman and Mental Illness\n\n“The Yellow Wallpaper” is praised for accurately describing one woman’s terrifying and slow descent into madness from her own perspective, no less. She unknowingly describes her unusual symptoms, too distracted by the ugly wallpaper around her to reflect what’s actually happening to her. But what actually is happening to her?\n\nGilman writes with such conviction that it is not too hard to believe the short story was inspired by her own personal experiences with curing mental health illnesses. As Christina said in lecture, she was treated with the same tedious “rest cure” described in the story and was also prescribed with cocaine and morphine – pretty weird stuff. It’s obvious during her time no one had any close guess as to what causes mental illness or what it actually is. One hypothesis suggests it is the effect of low energy in the nervous system, giving patients weak spines among other symptoms.\n\nThe complete misunderstanding of her case was most likely a driving force behind “The Yellow Wallpaper”.\n\nI don’t have the knowledge to diagnose the protagonist of the story but my best guess is that she experienced uncontrollable episodes of daydreaming – also known as Maladaptive daydreaming. (Disclaimer: I don’t know a lot about this but I read a couple articles and they seemed interesting.) A study in 2002 claims the condition causes people to have “extensive fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and/or interferes with academic, interpersonal or vocational functioning”. People who suffer from this experience “hyper real, minutely detailed scripts that played on the walls of their minds for most of their waking hours.” Which could be compared to the main character’s hallucinations of the woman behind the wallpaper, and her reappearing outside all the windows. Even more relevant to the story, the study describes one common symptom: “As they fantasised, they engaged in repetitive movements –from pacing, rocking and spinning to throwing a ball up in the air.” Similar to the protagonist of the story’s obsessive crawling/creeping around the room in circles.\n\nGilman’s short brings up many questions about mental illness and how it should be treated properly. It’s almost implied in the story that the main reason for the main character’s mental state was because of her entrapment and improper care. I hope you found this interesting! Here’s the link to the full article on Maladaptive Daydreaming:\n\nQuestioning Freud\n\nThe two questions from my presentation both involved analyzing Freud’s work:\n\n  1. How valid are Freud’s theories of the castration complex and child primary narcissism today?\n  2. Do you agree with Freud’s view that suppressed desires cause hysteria given Nathaneal’s case from The Sandman?\n\nIn “The Uncanny” Freud picks apart Hoffman’s short story “The Sandman” along with many other texts, as well as his own personal experiences in order to define what exactly the “uncanny” is. He comes to the conclusion that it is not “intellectual uncertainty”, but actually “the class of frightening things that leads us back to what is known and familiar”, or the return of the repressed.\n\nIn analyzing Hoffman’s short, he claims it brings the feeling of uncanny because of its ties to repressed infantile desires. He says the act of losing our eyes is subconsciously related to our castration complex as children. The problem here is he doesn’t give much information how exactly these two things, fear of losing your eyes and genitalia, can be interchangeable. He also says the recurring theme of doubles in the story are uncanny because they indirectly remind us of our primary narcissism we had as children. Contrary to Freud, I have a hard time believing children participate in primary narcissism because they are afraid on some level of their mortality. I don’t believe small children have a strong enough grasp of the concept of death itself to begin fretting their own deaths, even subconsciously. Also, the example given in lecture of a child referring to themselves in the third person as evidence of primary narcissism is problematic. Children don’t call themselves by their first name because they wish to project multiple versions of themselves and become immortal, but simply because children don’t learn how to use pronouns before learning how names work.\n\nIt’s these little problems and ambiguity in Freud’s writings that caused me to question his credibility, especially given the case of Nathanael in “The Sandman”. While there are many instances of traumatic events in Nathaneal’s past coming back to haunt him in adult life (his spying on Coppelius and his father’s death), it is difficult to find any evidence of repressed desires that Freud believes is central to many cases of hysteria, not unlike the Nathaneal’s case. Towards the end of the story, he begins repeating phrases and acting without self-control. While this may be his repressed memories from his childhood (repressed because we never see what happens- just afterwards when Nathanael wakes up), I don’t believe he has repressed desires.\n\nHildegard of Bingen: the Opening Shot\n\nMany film critics believe there is a strong importance in the opening shot of a film; that unbeknownst to the audience, it tells them everything they need to know about what they are about to see. Good film openings are rich in symbolism and set the mood and tone of the plot of the film. For example, the first seconds of the Disney classic The Lion King are iconic for the perfect portrayal of the circle of life- the sun rising over the savanna, representing the new age, just as Simba overcomes his uncle and begins the new era of balance and prosperity. This theory of the opening shot is also applicable to the beginning of the film Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen. If you can’t remember exactly how the film starts, I’ll play it out for you.\n\nA large, bright, full moon is takes up most of the screen and is surrounded by nothing but black sky. Below, a skyline of trees and houses are outlined by the moon’s light, which extends to illuminate all that is below it. Subtle and eerie night-time sounds can be softly heard in the distance.\n\nThis all takes place in about the first 5 seconds, but nevertheless, is very important to the film. My interpretation of this sequence is that Hildegard is represented here as the moon. It isn’t radiant and in-your-face like the sun is; it has much more humble. I find that suits Hildegard very well. Also, the moon in this shot isn’t shown to be surrounded by any stars, which is the representation of Hildegard’s unique visions. She is the only person she knows who has experienced anything like them, and her relationship with God is special and separate from others. Also, she is female, which is isolating enough in her time as it is. The presence of the skyline is because of the light from the moon shining on it – which I believe is an obvious metaphor for Hildegard’s publishing of her visions, her preaching travels, and everything else she has done to share and spread her visions. Her teachings have illuminated many, in a literal sense. Lastly, I would say the lack of music and eeriness was to make the audience feel mystified, and to set up the tone for the first scene. I do believe Hildegard was sort of enigmatic and secretive herself as well.\n\nWhen we first watched the film I was sure to write down my take on the opening shot, and I have written in my notes: “Loneliness. Isolation. Kind of mysterious.” It’s interesting how I had these fairly accurate descriptions of Hildegard before the film had really even started. I hope this will give you a new perspective on the beginnings of any films and movies you watch – don’t take even the first couple seconds for granted!\n\n\nWell hello there, and thanks for being curious.\n\nMy name is Jenna and I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba.  I love watching films and reading, particularity science fiction, but I’m in a huge Game of Thrones phase currently. I collect coins too.\n\nI really enjoy music. I play the trumpet, piano, french horn, and ukulele. If anyone is looking for a fellow band nerd, I’m your person. I’m also in the Choral Union here at UBC, and we have our first concert on October 15th, if you’re interested.\n\nAlso, Pottermore just updated and published a Patronus Charm quiz, so today I found out my patronus is a leopardess. That’s pretty exciting. If you like Harry Potter.\n\nI’m super open to making new friends, so talk to me before or after class sometime!\n\nSpam prevention powered by Akismet", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9488082528114319}
{"content": "Friday, April 15, 2016\n\nToday's links\n\n1--The Yen Flashes Danger--Negative interest rates appear to have backfired on Japan\n\nThe strong Japanese yen is puzzling investors and policy makers alike. The currency has gained 12.8% in value since Dec. 1, hitting 17-month highs in recent days, as the stock market has fallen. That’s despite the Bank of Japan 8301 0.27 % ’s Jan. 29 announcement of negative interest rates on some reserves.\n\nIt’s usually unwise to read much into market fluctuations, but other data suggest this is no fluke. Recent surveys show that Japan’s companies and its consumers are losing confidence in the economy and they expect already minuscule inflation to fall.\n\nDeflationary expectations can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as the expected real return on yen-denominated assets rises, even if the nominal return remains minimal. That in turn encourages more savings, creating a vicious cycle. In other words, Japan is still stuck in a deflation trap, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reliance on monetary policy to get out of it hasn’t worked.\n\nThe BOJ’s negative interest rate experiment also shows how attempts to manipulate expectations can backfire. In principle, a lower return on savings should spur companies to invest, consumers to spend and investors to seek higher returns abroad. For a few days afterward, the stock market rallied and the yen weakened in expectation that this would be the case. But then a backlash took hold.\n\nBank stocks took an immediate hit, as it became clear their profits will be hurt by the negative rates. Companies and households simply don’t want to borrow, so banks have no choice but to accumulate more reserves and pay the penalty. They are already vulnerable as the profit margin on lending is minimal, so if they seek out riskier investments it could lead to losses.\n\nInvestors quickly realized that although the Bank of Japan said it could further push rates into negative territory, it has limited scope to do so without destabilizing the financial system. Bank of Japan Policy Board Member Sayuri Shirai also recently confirmed that the BOJ will run out of bonds to buy in the middle of 2018, so more quantitative easing is also not an option. BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has fired his last bazooka.\n\nJapanese households were also unsettled by negative interest rates. Eight days before the announcement, Mr. Kuroda testified in the Diet that he was not considering the unorthodox policy. He may have wanted to use the element of surprise to maximize the effect on the markets, but to ordinary Japanese the sudden reversal looked panicky.\n\nJapanese have responded by hoarding more cash at home, which protects them against negative rates and bank failures. Sales of safes have rocketed, and the Finance Ministry announced that it will print 17% more of the highest-denomination banknote this year. One economist estimates that cash stored at home grew by $46 billion over the past year to a total of $367 billion.\n\nMore than three years after Prime Minister Abe promised to conquer deflation, Japan is back where it started, but deeper in debt. Former IMF Chief Economist Olivier Blanchard recently warned that, with an aging population, at some point Japan’s government will have to attract foreign bond buyers with higher yields.\n\n2--Japan’s Negative-Rate Experiment Is Floundering--Trading withers in money markets, yen goes on a tear; ‘every day is like being Alice in Wonderland’\n\n“Interest-rate levels are having little effect on credit demand, the market function is declining. You can’t expect everything to go according to plan.” ...\n\nThere is no guarantee that lowering interest rates encourages corporate capital expenditures or expedites the shift of household financial assets from savings to investment,” said Nobuyuki Hirano, president of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial​Group​Inc., Japan’s biggest bank, on Thursday, adding the negative-interest policy had caused households and businesses to rein in spending amid growing uncertainty over the future. ....\n\nIf the money market dries up, if there is an event like the Lehman crisis, there won’t be the infrastructure for banks to raise capital,” said Naomi Muguruma, strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities. “It could cause interest rates to rise sharply.” ...\n\n“There’s no rhyme or reason on why the yen would strengthen when interest rates are negative,” said Bart Wakabayashi, managing director at State Street Global Markets. STT -0.85 % “But the yen has now reasserted itself as a safe-haven currency on concerns about China and the global economy. And at the same time, doubts are emerging over the staying power of Abenomics.”\n\n3--What Comes After Negative Rates? Helicopter Money   --For central banks, fantasy monetary policy would mean handing out money directly to the population\n\nMathematicians moved on from negative numbers to imaginary numbers. For central banks, fantasy monetary policy would mean handing out money directly to the population in what economists have long called a “helicopter drop.” If the negative rates experiment fails, this might move from the realm of fiction to fact.\n\n4--Hitler vs. Bernanke (archive)\n\nHere’s a little background from C.K.Liu’s Asia Times article “Nazism and the German Economic Miracle”:\n\n\n5--(archive) How Marriner Eccles saved America\n\nHis New Deal policies were radical for the time. He was espousing Keynesian economics before Keynes.....\n\nEccles got right to the point: \"We must correct the causes of the depression rather than deal with the effects of it!\"\n\nHe proceeded to demonstrate that the key problem in the economy was the reduced \"velocity\" of money. The economy didn't have enough money circulating to raise the economy out of the doldrums.\n\nNow on the edge of their seats, the senators were further jolted when Eccles began outlining his bold plan for mending the economy: First, unemployment relief by direct aid to the states and a program of federally financed public works projects to provide economic stimulus. Second, a bank deposit guarantee program. Third, agriculture subsidies and an allotment program. Fourth, a federally guaranteed farm mortgage program.\n\nHis final point was probably the most sensational for the time, as it would be even today: Cancel the World War I allies' war debt, close the gold desk of the Federal Reserve, provide for a more equitable distribution of wealth, enact a high income and inheritance tax, provide a national child labor law, minimum wage, unemployment insurance and old age pension laws. Establish a national economic planning board.\n\n6--Bernanke’s New Helicopter Money Plan——-Sheer Destructive Lunacy\n\nIn any event, behold Bernanke’s latest contribution to the history of monetary crankery. The very idea that the Fed would set up a “loan account” that our already incurably profligate Washington politicians could tap at will is so nutty as to be virtually impossible to paraphrase. So let the man’s words do the dirty work:\n\n\n\n7--Seven million Americans in default on student loans\n\n8--US corporate tax cheats hiding $1.4 trillion in profits in offshore accounts\n\n9--Not even low interest rates are enticing consumers to borrow\n\n10--Marriner Eccles on the Need to Save the Rich from Themselves\n\n11--Debt Serfdom in America\n\n\n\n\n12--Elizabeth Warren’s QE for Students\n\n\n\n  1. I make $20 for a 20 minute survey!\n\n\n  2. New Diet Taps into Pioneering Concept to Help Dieters LOSE 12-23 Pounds within Just 21 Days!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5997769236564636}
{"content": "Sunday, September 16, 2012\n\nCelebrating Womanhood in Stansbury\n\nHere in Stansbury, we have a long history of celebrating women. Given that we lost so many of our young men in the bus accident back in the 60's, it's often been up to our women to hold the fort and keep things moving along. But then again, isn't that always the truth of things most everywhere? But men take women for granted much of the time or, worse, spend too much of their time focused on women for all the wrong reasons. But we love our men in Stansbury and they are generally the good sort who just need nudging every time and again to make sure they do the right things even when it's so darned hard sometimes to do.\n\nWe'd like to give our chronicler, Natasha Troop, a chance to say a few words (as if she could ever just say a few words!) about what being a woman means to her.\n\n* * *\n\nI will just try to say a few words because my Stansbury chronicles are the work of the day and if I don't finish the second chapter of Autumn, people might get angry at me. \n\nSo a few words...\n\nI've come to my womanhood later in life than most. For much of my life, I could only dream or imagine what it was like to be a woman because I never thought that it was something I could ever be. I never thought I could free myself from the cage I was born into to the point that I made that cage so secure that I did not dare to think about it anymore. I'll admit that when I did think about it, it was without the constraints that bind women in our society. I romanticized being a woman to a great degree because it was just a dream and if you're going to make one for yourself, it should be better than reality to some degree.\n\nI've come to my womanhood as I've stripped away what it was to be a man. The gender roles and attitudes, the social games and expectations. I've learned how to be a woman from those whom I admired and respected, from those who if I had to grow up all over again, I'd want to be like. Because in some respects, I've had to grow up all over again. I've had to readjust to a world where things work differently and it certainly has not been an easy process and it continues still and probably will for as long as I walk this Earth.\n\nI celebrate my womanhood each and every day. I celebrate the freedom that I have to be a woman. I celebrate the science that has allowed me to correct the mistakes of my physiology. I celebrate the company of other women who accept me, embrace me and mentor me. I celebrate being myself.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6426311135292053}
{"content": "\n\n[IP] how do you contact the insurance commissioner\n\n> Remember, to play the game, they must play by the same rule which you\n> have to with them. Get everything in writing, let them know you plan to\n> pursue the matter through appeals, the insurance commissioners office and\n> court if necessary.\n\nWhat is the insurance commissioners address, or how does one find it?\n\nJan H\n\nsend a DONATION http://www.Insulin-Pumpers.org/donate.shtml", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7482665777206421}
{"content": "Harmonium in the Western World\n\nThe creation of a musical instrument is usually based on the limits of ability, on the presence of response towards a certain technological challenge upon a particular society’s culture and era, or could also be triggered by some technological ‘leap’, such as what is happening in this current digitalization technology era of ours. On the other hand, in certain cases the discovery of a musical instrument related to technology, such as that which has happened in the development of the pipe organ, it turns out that this would need more than 1000 years for others to become inspired, to come to realization, to fullfil its potential. The discoverer of the first pipe organ, Hydraulis, named Ctesibius from Alexandria, Greece (300-230 SM) used hydraulic mechanism to stabilize wind bursts. But it was only at around the 14th century (somewhere around the year 1360) that Europeans further developed and kept modifying up to the 20th century. In other words, musical instruments would only finally get their chance to be created when the instruments’ supporting technologies have become ready, after going through various and long testing processes, and after all the elements needed have become integrated as has happened in the industrial revolution era.\n\nThe creation of a musical instrument opens new possibilities for man to more freely imagine using desired sounds which were previously difficult to produce. Even sounds that were previously inexistent or had never been imagined before. But the main motivation for man to create musical instruments is to create sounds based on his experiences and abilities to mimic sounds which he had previously ‘known’ before, either in his physical realm or mental, for the purpose of fulfilling his deepest desires. When observed, the creation of a certain musical instrument, in its truest meaning, really happens quite rarely indeed. What is most often achieved by people (especially in the West) is the mimicry, modification, improvement/perfection of an instrument to complement and build upon their already existing library of musical instruments. In the Western musical culture, the lute came from the oudh (Middle East), harmonium (and her related instruments) are developed from the sheng (or cheng) from China, these are a few examples of the Western people’s exploration of musical instruments from the 13th to the 20th century in continuity.\n\nWithin a musical instrument, there are contained particular principles, concepts, and technologies. When it enters into a particular musical realm the concepts within the instruments (either consciously or not) often times give influences to those who would adopt these instruments. When the party adopting realizes its potential, a musical instrument may be able to answer some technological problems that they were facing, and implement solutions as needed. When domestication of a certain musical instrument is done, then the society that receives it carries out various functional adjustments in accordance to the technical, conceptual, and aesthetic needs that they have. Therefore (it would seem strange), why did the Europeans adopt ideas from ‘other’ states, such as the sheng with its soft sound, instead of the bagpipes whose sound-producing principles are the same (based on reeds, and using air controlling bellows) but sound more harsh. This despite the fact that bagpipes are considered quite familiar among the Europeans since the middle of the 13th century, and they also know of these kinds of instruments from other cultures (North Africa, Persian Gulf, and Caucaus). Are the character of ‘soft’ sound, as in the sheng’s sound principles, or is it because of the air-distributing bellow design which creates sounds ‘similar’ to organs? Or does all of the above inspire the Europeans?\n\nThere are various methods by which people could adapt to the musical instruments which they adopt, and they do not always modify the construction of said instruments. What most often happens is they form a method or habit of playing the instrument in a way that they feel most comfortable and unencumbered to express themselves using said instruments. The violin playing method at various societies at various geographical locations are not the same as is commonly done by Europeans (who place them above their shoulder, next to the neck, stretching out to the side), but instead is placed in front of the shoulder, pointing down (which is usually classified as the way people play the fiddle). In Papua, Indonesia, they put the contrabass down on the flor, and they play their music by plucking or by using a mallet, and the adjustment of tone is done using the heel (instead of using the fingers of the hands). This music is called tifa and is used to accompany their youth dance, Yosin Pancar. In Java, the musicians of Kroncong play the cello by plucking them with their fingers, to represent the sounds of Kendhang (two sided drum, in accompaniment of two other stringed instruments, the cak and the cuk, who have their roles in rhythmic sub-divisions). In musical instruments which have no fixed division of note boundaries such as violins and cellos, this makes it easier for musicians to apply their own musical instruments upon those instruments.\n\nBetween man and his instruments there ideally exists a reciprocal back and forth relationship. Not only would the musical instrument give influence upon (inspire, change musical concept, or form) the user, but the user too could transform the musical instrument; either physically, in notation scale, sound character, or in the way the instrument is physically used. Such as how the Europeans respond to the ideas contained within the Sheng musical instrument by carrying out several significant transformations. The sheng, which was supposed to be played by blowing using the mouth, the sheng’s wind needs are modified to use a keyboard so that it would be easier to play. The bellows are replaced by a solid box, and would apply a pump system which would make it more possible to make the instrument sound however the player would want. This modification was done by Europeans unfamiliar with the blowing technique using circular breathing as was commonly used as a technique for playing wind instruments by Eastern nations. Besides the arrangement of notes within keyboard keys are more comfortable for Europeans, enabling them to more easily visualize the music structure being played.\n\nThese facts above shows that people tend to respond the musical instruments we adopt in accordance to our limits and needs, and also in alignment with the possibilities given by these musical instruments, in order to express our desires within through music.\n\nRumors which bring inspiration, and the idea of Harmonium’s creation\n\nIn addition to China, similar kinds of mouth organ instruments are also found in several Asian countries, such as among the Laotian people, Thailand (khene); Japan (shō); and the Dayak of Kalimantan, Indonesia (the kledi or kedire) centuries before the European were introduced to them. The adoption of the sheng into the harmonium did not happen instantly within the mind of its makers. The harmonium inspired by the musical instrument sheng (or cheng) from China is often thought to be a pipeless organ or reed organ. There are several versions of the story how sheng, this musical instrument classifyable as a mouth organ came to inspire Europe. It is recorded that since the 13 centuri we know that Marco Polo had brought this musical instrument to Central Europe, while another version says that this musical instrument was brought by the Tartar through Russia in their migration. These two versions are probably both true, besides contact between Chinese and Europeans related to sheng either in diplomatic or personall connections happen separately at several nations (for example in France). Because of this, the effort to develop a free reed aerophone happened simultaneously at several European nations at related times. Elements within the sheng instruments adoped by the Europeans are the soundmaking instruments of free reed and the mechanism of air distribution which cause vibration. \n\nNew instrument development based on free reed; a technological challenge\n\nWhatever triggered the idea, the significant change in the development of free reed aerophones which then resulted in the harmonium (and several of its cousins) are the holistic constructions of this instrument which encompass the keyboard mechanism for triggering sounds, the air bellows, and the clasps controlling the air holes. But the process of harmonium’s birth travelled through a long journey along with the development processes of its supporting technologie3s, though at the same periode pipe organ technological progress had also developed as it is within a relatively larger physical size, with difficult and expensive maintenance. Elements adopted from the pipe organ implemented in the harmonium among others are the keyboard and the soundbox with the air creation mechanisms (bellows) which developed on from the 14th century. The first keyboards in music was first used in the clavichord famous in the 14th century (which then developed into the spinet harpsichord, pianoforte, and piano). The South Corp pipe organ in Duomo di Milano (which now uses 16,000 pipes), historically began at the same era, which is around the year 1395 (continuously experiencing renovation and modification well into the 1990s)\n\nIn the Renaissance era, when the music instrument developed from a mere accompaniment of song and dance, musicians began using the instrument as a solo performance and created specific compositions for specific instruments. Starting at that time the Europeans (and Americans) kept developing ther mechanical technologies further. Between the 16th to the middle of the 17 century, there was then developed several new musical instruments such as the violin, saxophone, etc., including several instruments more experimental in nature such as the lituus, serpent, glass armonica and several other instruments famous on their eras.\n\nThe first sound instrument known with a free reed source was known to be in Europe in 1619 (Michael Preatorius, Sytagma Musicum II, De Organographia). But this invention, perhaps inspired by sheng, was forgotten. Marin MersAnne in 1636, in his letter described the sheng as a free reed instrument. This then shows Europe’s introduction to the principle of freee reed music instrument. More or less one century laters, sheng was introduced by Johann Wilde to Russian Court Society at St. Petersbur in 1740. And on 1779, after having often watched Johann Wilde play the sheng, physicist Christian Gottlieb Kratzenstein from Copenhagen became fascinated by the instrument. Kratzenstein then conducted tests on the sheng sound and successfully created an instrument capable of producing free reed-based sounds, and received award from the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Kirsnik, the organ maker who helped Kratzenstein experiment with free reed, made a musical instrument with organ-style keyboard, played with the dominant hand and bellows operated by the other hand, which came to be known as the kirsnik Harmonica. Up to 1810 the free reed instrument had not been really appreciated by European society, until Grenie removed pipes from the organ, replacing them with reeds. This creation of his became the first musical instrument applying free reed with bellows that as a musical instrument looks different. In the year 1816 Johann Bushmann, an organ maker fromn germany, introduced his Terpodion creation, another free reed keyboard which predates the harmonica and harmonium. These are of course but one version of how things are described in how Europeans journeyed their exploration of harmonium, which of course was also done at other European countries at either the same time or later on.\n\nOn the one hand we can understand why the process of harmonium’s invention was so long and meandering. They calculated the various possibilities for implementing a playing method (by blowing, various buttons to trigger sounds, etc.), as well as the creation of supporting tools and the construction of the musical instruments. From sheng’s first introduction in Europe from the 13th century up to the 19th they kept studying, and developing technological possibilities, until they were technically able to create supporting tools with consistent quality, until finally mass producing them. Especially in designing a set of reeds of small and thin enough whose size difference one from another measures in the millimeter. But the hardest part in fact is in getting a consistent series of reed sizes with spacing patterns in accordance to the needed tonal scale.\n\nTherefore the musical instrument makers gave their full attention to construction materials and workmanship, so that their creations would become adequate collectible items at private homes and museums. Such expertise highlights their position (the instrument makers) and how integrated their field of study was to the related academic worlds (physics, architecture, and acoustics).\n\nPipe Organ\n\nEver since hydraulics was discovered around 2nd century BC, it was not until sometime between the 6th or 7th century AD were bellows used to pump wind into organs. This device was adopted from metalworkers who use them to increase the temperature of fire furnaces in the creation of various metal tools. At the beginning of the 12th century the organ began developing into a much more complex musical instrument with the capability of producing different timbres. And on the 17th century the sounds produced by the more contemporary classical organ had been developed using mechanical movement devices in order to produce a more varied sound from various different pipe types. The large volume (of the pipes) and the wind producing mechanisms made this instrument to become the larges musical instrument in size and range from ever since the 14th century. This instrument was classified as one of Man’s most complex creations before the Industrial Revolution. The size of the pipe organs varied from single short keyboards with limited tonal range all the way to large devices with up to 20,000 pipes, sizing from a cubic meter all the way to five floors large built integrally within churches, synagogues, concert halls, and houses. The smaller organs were called positives (which were more easily transported between locations), or portatives (easier to bring along).\n\nBut this device required high maintenance costs and were difficult to maintain, and so it were only large and rich institutions that were able to maintain and use them. And therefore in tin 140s pipe organ makers gravitated towards using pneumatic devices to reduce the use of mechanical operations, and then in the 1860s it was followed by the use of electro-pneumatic operations which made it possible for keys to controll the opening of each clasp on each pipe. Until the 1920s when this electro-pneumatic mechanism began to be abandoned, replaced by electromagnets and relay tools which made the pipe organ easier to control in operation with the use of adjustment buttons. This system is related to organs using diode couplers.\n\nA pipe organ uses keyboards (called manuals) played with the hand, and pedalboards played with the foot, each having their own group of stops which link them to pipe holes. The large modern organ usually uses three or four keyboards each with a range of five octaves (61 notes), and a two-and-a-half octave (32 note) pedalboard. The sounds produced not only originated from pipes, but also from the resulting resonances with its surrounding environmental acoustics (the space where the pipe organ spreads its sounds), in contrast to the electric organ whose sound is produced from loudspeakers. The environmental architecture where this musical instrument resides is usually designed in accordance to the size, shape and room acoustic considerations, and the capacity of the musical instrument in question. Over the next periods (after the birth of the harmonium) the organ experienced a hybridized development, where pipes became complementary together with the addition of electronic devices which continue to shrink the size and cost of making organs (when pipes have been replaced.)\n\n\nThe term and the musical instrument Harmonium was born in Paris on August 9th, 1840, created by Alexandre Debain. Debain’s creation was a new approach, which transformed the reed organ industry which grew over several following decades due to sound quality and to how it was able to be mass-produced.\n\nThe Harmonium, invented in Europe, is a musical instrument shaped like a box somewhat similar to organs who use keyboards with sound-producing principles based on free reeds vibrated using wind (by blowing). Therefore this device is classified as a free reed-aerophone. Other similar instruments, such as the melodeon, and the reed organ (parlor organ, pump organ, cabinet organ, cottage organ, etc.), they produce their airflow by way of suction, as invented and used in America. While on other musical instruments related to the harmonium such as the harmonica, concertina, bandoneón, accordion, and the Russian bayan (a type of accordion), airflow is produced using both blowing and suction. Where the harmonium is more often used at homes and churches (particularly poorer ones) or at chapels to accompany religious activities, the accordion (and similar) are more used by categories of commoner/popular musics in the local socio-cultural activities, especially in Europe and America. The harmonium (and related) were created by a spirit of experimentation, and due to the growing need for the creation of church organs but with a price range more affordable to the wider population.\n\nThe reed harmonium (and its relatives) were made of metals (brass or steel) shaped as flat plates whose one of its ends were permanently affixed (rigid frame) so that their other ends would freely vibrate when blown over by wind. The pitch (how high each note) from each reed was fixed in accordance to their particular length and width, where the bigger the reed the lower the note produced and vice versa. One set of reeds were arranged in semitonal note scale and consisted of several octaves. The fixed reed sets were affixed onto frame holes without any gaps. When the wind blows on (or sucks), a ree will move in the direction of the wind and then bounce back to the opposite direction, and so on moving back and forth for so long as the wind is puped. This situation in real situations is when the reed vibrates, and the air pressure produced by the reed’s swinging back and forth upon the frame holes created a tone in accordance to the reed in question.\n\nThe keyboard keys each is connected to each note. When a key is pressed, airflow modifying mechanisms would open up, and when bellows pump wind would be produced and would cause related reeds to vibrate and produce sound. The wind produced by the mechanism and the air pump mechanisms (bellows) were operated by hand or feet. On harmoniums with hand bellows (which are located at the back), one hand pumps while the other hand (generally the dominant hand) plays the keyboard keys; the musical instrument would either be placed on a table while the instrumentalist sits on a chair, or the musical instrument is placed on the floor and the musician sits cross-legged on the floor (as is common in Eastern cultures). Meanwhile with the harmonium whose bellows are foot-operated, both hands are free to play the keyboard, with the musician sitting on a chair.\n\nThe shared trait of the harmonium and the pipe organ (whose system is much more complex) are they both operate on wind. Where the harmonium uses multi-sized reeds, the pipe organ uses multi-sized pipes to create a desired tonal scale. Similar with the harmonium, an organ needs a series of pipes arranged in semitonal note scales, but it has a much wider tonal range in comparison to the harmonium, both in its lowest and highest notes. The pipe organ uses the sound-making principle from a whistle and reed constructed from equipment mechanisms considerably the most complex for its era. Not as complex as the pipe organ, the harmonium basically uses the same system in the manner of its airflow management system from the keys to the holes manipulating the sound at each reed. The continuation of the sound is also the same as with the pipe organ which is it continues to sound so long as the bellows are pumped and the keys are pressed.\n\nAs the musical and technological developments progressed from the 18th century up to the time of World War 1, music based on this free reed had an opportunity for development into becoming a compact, durable, and easily maintainable instrument. The European people themselves would only come to accept the harmonium around the middle of the 1800s. The Europeans required a long process of understanding, situations and triggers which opened the possibilities so that this instrument would come to be created, mass produced, and appreciated by its society.\n\nTwelfth semitone equal tempered\n\nIn the 1600s various opinions and speculations developed regarding the arrangement of the tonal relationship system of the octave range, to receive the ideal cyclical (fifth or fourth) range between notes. The source of musical science authority in development up to the 16th century is De Muisica written by Boethius (6th century AD) who promoted Pythagoras’ harmonic doctrines (550 BC) that audible music is the physical form of mathematical principles (harmonia) which governs the relationship between all important elements in nature. He divides the length of a certain length of string into several fractional proportions in order to receive frequency ratios from two notes such as the following 1:1 (unison or prime), 2:1 (octave), 3:2 (perfect fifth), 4:3 (perfect fourth), etc. This system was used to explain intervals within Western and other music. This method was also often used in just intonation and in the theoretical explanation of equal tempered interval as used in European tonal music.\n\nBut then at the beginning of the 16th century several musicians declared the harmonic tradition to be no longer relevant. The composers have encountered a practical problem in the tuning of the keyboard (particularly concerning the difference within the octave notes), modulation between keys, and in the confirmation of its compositional system. Musicians playing musical instruments with a fixed pitch such as the keyboard and lute realize that in a polyphonic music composition created for two or more parts with notes in the Pythagorean scale, they become inconsistent in small numeric ratios. These conflicts between musical practice and theory then played an important role in pushing the reemergence of experimental science. From the Enlightenment era music was classified within the fine and performing arts. Up to around the 1700s when music (as is art) is considered a science, in the meaning of that they are a systematic constellation of theories wich include practical and speculative aspects. An the experimentalists executed various experiments to find the codified relationship between the physical realm and music. One of these is their attempt to create divisions of scale based on 19, 24, 48, 53 and other larger numbers of notes, which at the end failed to produce anything. And then the twelfth semitone equal temperament was finally found as the solution for the basis of notational scale on musical instruments and compositional structure of western music. Because the division based on 12 notes whose (half-)note range are divided equally within an octave, this is what was considered most optimal, though it would mean the sacrifice of certain notes at certain scales.\n\nHarmonium Usage.\n\nAt the very least ever since the 6th century the organ began entering the Western people’s daily lives. In general we can trace it to ever since music was introduced into Church service by Pope Vitalianus at the 7th century AD. But other sources also mention the presence of organs owned by the convent at Grado before the year 580 AD. And at 766 AD an organ was sent from Constantine as a gift to Pepin, King of France. At around the 8th century the use of organ in relation to gladiator combat as an attraction, and following that slowly it gained a place within the Roman Catholic Church Liturgy. In the next phase, development and construction was dedicated to Pope Sylvester, who died on 1003. This tradition continued on because the Church held an important role in the power of monarchies in Europe right when the keyboard-based instruments were created (at around the 14th century). Up to the middle of the 20th century keyboard musical instruments such as the pipe organ, had become official musical instrument of Christian Liturgy in Europe, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and also at several of their conquered colonies in the form of religious Christian and Reform Jewish, with their instruments called the Church Organ.\n\nRegardless of the experimental aspect of the making of this king of musical instrument, on the other hand, within society at the time there was also a growing need to own a musical instrument more suited to a more limited environment (homes, chapel) and their limited economic capacities. Development of mechanical technologies on the keyboard instruments lead to the development of types of pipe organs sized smaller and more portable. The harmonium became renowned particularly among small churches and chapels of whom it was impossible to own a pipe organ because it would be to large or to expensive for their places of worship. And because of its more affordable price the presence of harmonium became more widely accessible by the people of Europe and America who couldn’t own a pipe organ. Up to the 1900s it was quite popular among people; it had even became quite a profitable export commodity. India was one of Harmonium’s destinations, in addition to several Middle-Eastern nations, and a few locations in Indonesia. In its religious role it further widens the role of the church organ in carrying out its religious service roles at remote areas, because it was easier to carry around in more mobile activities. So to for the European missionaries stationed at remote areas to serve Christian liturgy, while at the same time as a supporting medium for the spread of Christian mission (for example in India and other British areas of conquest). At locations like that the road transportation facilities are often quite unmaintained, with unadvantageous environmental conditions (high humidity, and extreme temperature difference between day and night), but the harmonium would function well here. Unlike the piano whose tunings would change when transported, or the organ which was relatively heavy.\n\nHarmonium became popular and was also played by people of Western culture within the realm of their classical music especially in Europe and America. It was used by many classical composers in their musical works, including by Claude Debussy, Gustav Mahler, Antonin Dvorak, Cesar Auguste Franck and Gioachino Rossini. Harry Partch adopted the reed organ to play musical scales whose nature is microtonal and named it the chromelodeon. In popular music he appears within the recordings of the Beatles, among others.\n\nChanging Tastes\n\nBetween the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, a fundamental change happened within the life of European and American people as a the next stage of the revolutionary implications of the Enlightenment ideology, which echoed into the market economy, manufacture and agriculture methods, transport between continents, and population distribution. The Industrial Revolution caused the development of new technologies and the modernization of production processes which enlargened and heightened the music industry, the ‘globalization’ of the music market and the distribution of music into the atmosphere of public and private life. And it was within this atmosphere that secularization occurred within the Western people, which gave them the flexibility to determine their musical tastes within activities secular in nature, which had impact upon the context of religious activities. Because the use of harmonium was more among religious activities, and due to the development of newer anc heaper products with more attractiveness in the choice of musical tastes, this all indirecty had impact on the popularity of the harmonium.\n\nIt no longer became an alternative for an inexpensive musical instrument for its community of users. Harmonium’s popularity reached its zenith sometime around the early 1900s, and began to fade away from the end of the 1920s up to the beginning of the 1930s due to the change of musical tastes and the introduction of new technologies such as the player piano¸ phonograph and electric organ which are easier to play, has wider sound options and are sensational. At this time the harmonium was no longer fabricated, but would only pass along among enthusiasts who trade with each other old products, sometimes modernizing them with electric pumps for certain needs. The Estey Company was the last of the harmonium makers, who last produced them in the 1950s.\n\nFrom the 1930s electric music instruments without pipes had been able of producing sounds similar to and has taken the same roles as the pipe organ. The musical instrument has been welcomed by houses of worship and other potential users of pipe organs, as well as many musicians (both professional and amateur) for whom it was impossible to own a pipe organ. Its smaller size, cheaper price, and portability in comparison to the pipe organ made it possible for them to use it at household events, at dance shows as accompaniment, and at new environmental settings. The presence of this tool almost replaced the reed organ, and now it only became one of many choices among the new keyboard instruments, increasingly more numerous in number.\n\nNew musical instruments will continue to be discovered, adopted and sometimes forgotten for various reasons. The Lituus (used in one of Bach’s works), the Glass Armonica (used in Mozart’s compositions), and the Serpent are but a few examples of musical instruments quite popular at their times which have been abandoned due to changes in taste, and use function of the related instruments. And so too with the harmonium, which had for a time been quite popular, and now no longer commonly used in the West.\n\nFrom this short study of the harmonium we can examine a sample of the explorative nature of the Western people towards the development of their life and civilization, traced from the beginning of the Enlightenment era and continues to bear fruit to this day. The harmonium is but one example of a Western product no longer ‘important’ (only valued by its minority of appreciators), but its role as one stepping stone towards the development of western musical instrument repertoire, and its role in kindling the spirit of innovation, cannot be denied.\n\nRai: When Art is (no longer) a Movement\n\nby Agung Waskito\n\nThis music was born in the middle of the Algerian people’s deterioration due to French colonialism (1841- 1962), which was followed by the rising & falling process in reaching equality of rights and the development of their seeds of national identity. In this era the Algerian people lived within struggle and oppression. Acute poverty, high unemployment and underemployment because of poverty was considered a curse (koukra), the people were removed from their roots, especially the youth who are neglected and without a future.\n\nFrom Oran, a port city in Western North Algeria and the gateway for sailships of many nations in the Northern Africa Region and the Medditeranian, it is here where Rai first developed. This multiracial meeting over time took role in the development of Rai music in the contemporary Algerian people’s search for identity.\n\nThe seeds of Rai were born around the 1920-1930s from various Bedouin musical traditions (qasbah and darbuka/guellal) as well as Arabic (melody, and verses telling of love and life). There are two kinds of repertoires played by pioneering Rai musicians which are Sheikat with their worldly and profane themes; and Meddahat, whose verses are praises towards the Grandness of God, prophets, and local holy men. In many texts eventually Rai’s lyrics appear to continue playing in these two areas.\n\nIt is unknown when and by whom the word Rai was used as a name for this music. In socio-cultural life Rai means advice, opinion, words of wisdom given for the purpose of searching for a ‘way’, or to overcome a life problem. Someone would search for rai from a Cheikh (or Syech, master; which is also a designation given for experts in music) because he is considered knowledgeable and full of life experiences. In its use as a musical term it is used in similar fashion. Rai is a reaction in the form of a search for an answer or a way out from the powerlessness of the poor and an expression of concern towards the fate of the youth and the Algerian nation. The Rai musicians mostly come from among the poor who started to play music at a young age as an activity to take their mind off the pressure of problems by igniting their enthusiasm for finding a way out towards a better life. Because of that they know of the suffering experienced as described in the lyrics of Rai music, between poverty, hopelessness, heroism, carnal desires, drugs and alcohol, all the way to critiques of injustice.\n\nAs the beginning of their people’s interaction within the dynamics and fluctuations of modern urban life intensifies, slowly Rai begins absorbing elements of Western music (French; piano, violin, orchestration) and continues moving to ‘modernize’ itself (the entrance of the instruments guitar, bass, electric keyboard, drum set, combo format) in keeping up with world developments. Not only adopting physical aspects, Rai music also absorbed many things including genres (rock, jazz, reggae), musical styles (Andalusian, Egypt, Europe) and were somehow able to adapt their contexts into various new aspects and properties without losing their unique local identity attributes (repetitive music patterns, etc.). This was an effort by Rai musicians to consistently place themselves close to the emotions and hardships of their audience, their fellow poor.\n\nBut on the other hand, they trigger the anxiety and anger of those from their government, as well as from militant Islamic groups, because these groups consider the behavior of Rai musicians to be immoral, and to have a negative influence on the populace. Hittiste, a term for those youth of Algeria without futures who are dependent on their families even after they had reached adult age, had grown epidemic; but this was not handled any attention from the government nor the Islamists, who neither consider it a serious problem. Because the youth with their social behaviors (addiction, delinquency, prostitution) was considered by both groups as trouble makers (who must be punished), and not as victims of their nations mistakes in history (who must be guided and rehabilitated).\n\nThe theme of poverty and its social excesses and the life of youth described in newer Rai music began appearing during the era after their independence. Before that only very few songs would describe struggle, among them from Cheikh Hamada who protested the death sentence given to his son, and Cheika Rimitti who inflamed the nationalism spirit of the Algerian nation’s independence movement.\n\nThe push and pull between secularization (government) and religiosization (militant Islam) cause confusion among the Algerian people (particularly among youth) who were in the process of searching for their identity as a modern nation. When in fact secular life (wether realized or not) was born precisely because of how daily life is mired in acute poverty, so much so that social bonds, moral, etc. became irrelevant in daily life. In 1988 an anti-government riot erupted caused by political and economic problems which took victim of so many civilians. In this tragedy, Rai musicians indirectly became the target of government because one of Khaled’s songs “El Harba Wayn?” (meaning To Flee, But Where? in English) became the dissidents’ anthem. From that moment on they received many threats. Rai musicians exiled to France, keeping in mind that between the late ‘70s to the ‘80s the government had banned Rai music. In 1985 the ban on Rai music was uplifted because Khaled’s international career skyrocketed, and it was considered that he could become the spearhead of Algerian cultural diplomacy. The government continued to control the development of Rai music by enacting conditions, that only polite (‘clean’) Rai music was allowed, while the ‘true’ Rai music (which was considered ‘dirty’) kept developing outside of Algeria (particularly in France).\n\nConflict and political tension in Algeria continued being uncertain due to the conflict between government and the militant Islamists, in addition to the Berber ethnic group who wanted cultural recognition as a part of Algeria. Within this uncertainty of conflict there happened many kidnappings, torture, and murder towards artists and intellectuals among them towards Cheb Hasni (1994), Matoub Lounes (1998), etc.. But on the next time period Rai music in Algeria became an entertainment commodity, a tourism ‘object’ of Algeria. The big Rai musicians (who in general resided in France) continued their career while continuing efforts to ‘pressure’ the government into giving attention to the problem of youths and the poverty of Algerian people.\n\nTime continued passing, never too late, but unfortunately it was only after the end of the first decade of this 2nd millennium did the government and the Islamic militant groups realized the core of their nation’s problem, which is the abandonment of the youth and their people in the pursuit of ideology and power. The debate regarding secular or religious in their governmental system no longer became a main issue. The religious could not ignore how pervasive secular life was among the people. Because the secular life that had by then spread wide was rooted in the acute poverty reaching back to colonial times, and had continued for several generations and cracked the social fabric of Algerian society.\n\nRock, Reggae, Rai, to name these examples of music among many, are one manifestation of human movement towards their socio-cultural life context. This gives a description, understanding, and inspiration for us of how people struggled to bring to life the function and role of music as a self-reliant supportive system in their social life. Creative potential was deployed to get people to turn their head and realize their foundational life problems that are often left uncomprehended or are avoided.\n\nBut in this increasingly ‘globalized’ world, with technology increasingly ‘easing’ human life and the complexities of their problem, what music will be born, as a response to (the problems of) their social life?\n\nNotting Hill Caribbean Carnival\n\nby Agung Waskito\nTranslated by Ferdi Zebua\n\nThe Caribbean roots\n\nThe Notting Hill Carnival is a Caribbean carnival held in England, taking place during the August Bank Holiday, with the largest visitor number in the world among the many similar carnivals spread throughout several cities in America and Europe. This carnival with its Caribbean cultural motive is held each year with differing themes each times. Three other similar festivals with similarly enthusiastic large crowds are the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival (at Trinidad-Tobago in the Caribbeans), the Rio Carnival (at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and the Mardi Gras (in Louisiana, USA), their visitors ranging from 500 thousand to 1,5 million people. This largest carnival in Europe is 50 years old, relatively young compared to her ‘older sisters’ who in general are as old as the formal abolition of slavery, more than 150 years old.\n\nDue to its strong attraction towards visitors, during the last few decades Caribbean Carnivals have become a sort of trend setter for street events in the world. This tendency is connected with how many nations have taken advantage of tourism developments as one of their revenue sources, by presenting their countries’ attractions to the ‘world’.\n\nAmong the hundreds of Caribbean carnivals spread throughout America and Europe, some of them are built upon the basis of their local communities. Each participant is involved voluntariy, they have strong local attributes and they have a strong social atmosphere with a spirit stemming from the community. There are also carnivals created by organizations (or sponsors) which emphasize aspects of entertainment, products and more slanted towards commercial aspects and prominently displaying their fashion aspects, for example. The event organizers would try to make the carnival event as festive as possible, with profits going to the organizing body.\n\nThe birth and development of Caribbean festivals spread throughout various cities in the Americas and Europe are not with out cause. Their life flows within the path of human history with their cultural and humanitarian problems. Curiosity, the urge to own, and knowledge often drags towards power that shackles humanity. But antagonism is always born in the world, action creates reaction. That which is blocked from flowing would overflow, nothing can stop them in their seeking their way through, like water seeking the bay where they meet the ocean where all currents meet. The place where each element complements without annihilating any other, and enriching uniqueness and variety. Thus the fate of humans carried by the currents of eras meeting up in this small world-the carnival, where all are equal and differences gather into strength to celebrate life.\n\nThe Great Migration\n\nThe Caribbeans have settled in the UK since the 17th century. But, mass migration really began in 1948, when more than 300 Caribbeans (Jamaicans) were transported to England. The government enacted a policy of accepting migration from commonwealth nations due to a scarcity of unskilled labour needed to reconstruct infrastructural conditions. Because the economy suffered the Great Depression post World War 2, bringing in immigrants was one way to lower the cost of development, by paying cheap wages.\n\nThis governmental decision to bring in migrants was not welcomed by parliament members, but only on 1962 (when migrant numbers in England reached 98,000 people) was this policy to bring in migrants was finally repelled.\n\nThe Black (and other ‘colored’) people were attracted to coming to England, because they hoped to reach a better life, though they come carrying past memories of bitternes and pain. Moreso they feel that the Caribbean people had helped England during the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Fueled with this enthusiasm and good will, they migrated with the hope that the government of the United Kingdom would return the favor of the Caribbean people’s contribution (favors including since times of slavery and colonization).\n\nBut once again their fates was once again dragged down by circumstances. Because their arrival in this country, which (they say) is the “Mother Country” of the colonies, the arrival of these newcomers was not welcome and they were not treated well. The memories of slavery it turns out are perceived differently by the two sides.\n\nThe presence of fascist attitudes among some English citizens with narrow points of view are part of the reality in living among the English people. But the forming of this friction caused by the arrival of migrants was also something never realized (or considered important) by the Government. The Establishment which include the Government are the parties whose roles (both as individuals and institutionally) have created conditions which hampers the Blacks (and Colored) from living safely and decently in England. Therefore in their new place, they are treated discriminatively in how they receive housing, education, social and health services, wages, and other primary living needs.\n\nAnd in their social lives too they experience similar things in various public facilities, police action towards black youth, etc. This all happened merely because of differences in skin color, and other factors (like xenophobias). The segregation of skin color in public facilities prove that attitudes of tolerance towards differences and variety was apparently not part of English people’s lives. As a nation, they were ready to exploit, but were incapable of sharing. ‘Keep Britain White’, a statement of propaganda by sir Oswald Mosley to various establishment members and racist groups (such as the Teddy Boy gangs) underlined the attitudes of some of the English. Which is the serious problem of interracial relation,s which continue to this day. From time to time, injustices and terrible treatment towards blacks (and colors) increasingly became threatening, becoming a burden in life and killing hope. And, triggering more active behaviors of harassment and violence (even murder).\n\nIn the summer of 1958 the situation in Black (Afro-Caribbean) settlements in Notting Hill (London, Birmingham, and Nottingham) became tense and heated. Violence by the Teddy Boys group in their nigger hunting intensified. Caribbean stores and workplaces were attacked. In the following days the situation worsened, causing distress and fear among the blacks, especially women and children. Dangers threaten to happen at any time in their daily work and community activities. Travelling alone was dangerous, especially at night. Even the Notting Hill neighborhood was no longer safe for its residents.\n\nThe riots of that year was strongly believed by many people to be triggered by several attack incidents (between August 24 and 29), where several Black persons and couples were injured by assault. This violent behavior intensified when a crowd of around 400 white people crowded and attacked the Caribbean settlement at Notting Hill. This attack was responded to by local inhabitants, and would only come under control by the police in September 5, 1958. The brutality of these racists brought back memories of English behavior and exploitation in slavery from the past.\n\nIn Notting Hill, after the riots, tension intensified in the lives of the Blacks. This was strengthened by police and media statements which surpress the racist motivations behind the riots and the various incidents which followed after. Such as the murder of Kelso Cochran in May 17th, 1959 (which to this day remain unsolved). The rioting several months before and the development of the situation in Notting Hill brought a realization of the fragility of their lives. Because the Blacks could not rely on anyone else within the sensitive and fragile situation in Britain, except on themselves (as individuals and as a community). But the attacks by the Teddy Boys also made them realize, that as a community they can anticipate the upcoming attacks. But what is chilling is how to overcome the bigger life problems of today, and the future? Noone could answer. \n\nThe birth of Caribbean Carnival @ Notting Hill\n\nA few months after the racial riots, on January 1959, in the community of the West Indie Gazette newspaper and humanitarian activists, Claudia Jones with several of her friends discussed the problems of the black community. The discussion reached the topic of carnivals. This idea came from a silly suggestion by one of them. Almost all of them wouldn’t believe that a carnival would be able to change the condition of Blacks in Britain. Luckily Jones understood the essence and character of carnivals in relation to the role and the political-cultural power of the Trinidad Carnival in the Caribbeans. Which is, the ability to anticipate oppression by taking back their identity and personal balance within a condition of antagonistic dualism (master-slave relation). She was sure the alienated people could be united to take back their lives. And to become a strong community, such as the experience of the Caribbean people during the times after they were freed from slavery (1833-1962).\n\nThrough the carnival that she knew, Jones understood the meaning of celebrating life as the purification and rehabilitation of the soul of individuals, the people and the environment. The Carnival was viewed as an attempt to break out and overcome life’s problems within a spirit of high enthusiasm. Because within the creation process she formed an effective leadership, various creative work processes, and gave birth to positive and sustained working activities. In addition to bringing back to life confidence, perseverance, and various regenerative mechanisms related to the carnival and community. The atmosphere during carnival preparations also spurred community members to take lead as well as to work cooperatively in giving their best to the wider community and environment (which then lead to multicultarism in Britain). In other words she was able to create new and strong work opportunities, education, and social networks to mobilize the activities of their people which in the end reconnected the circle of life of a community in Notting Hill, and the Afro-Caribbean identity.\n\nMemories and experiences of life in the Carribiean, and the first experience of becoming involved in Carnival within the fragile situation in Britain gave a large hope to the Black community. As if like when someone realizes a seed she had planted is growing naturally. Because the ritual ‘creation’ of this small world in the form of an expressive arena, has a role in pushing forward the overflowing of all passions and problems bottled up within daily life. They were convinced this purification brought benefits towards the reparation of the circle of life. Because this activity was willed by, is owned by and is for the purpose of welfare for all members of their society. As a ‘world’ that they had created in real life, the carnival would become the platform from which they overcome problems and gue towards the life goals of the Blacks. For her role in this carnival, Jones was then named as the “Mother of Notting Hill Carnival.”\n\nTheir first carnival was held indoor within the St. Pancras town hall. Jones’ statement, expressed with the theme, “A people’s art is the genesis of their freedom,” needed to be proven at that time; do the arts really have the ability to give birth to seeds of freedom and justice for the Black? Does the Carnival have the power to restore life from chaos to order?\n\nThe carnival then took place each of the following years until 1964, ending because of Claudia Jones’ death. The Carnival as a political and cultural movement also underwent a stagnation. Up to this year, the Carnival which was called a Mardi Gras had become recognized within the Anglo-Caribbean events calendar. A year later (1965) by chance the carnival activity was continued by Rhaune Laslett at Notting Hill, she was a community activist who was unknown before and had no prior knowledge of Claudia Jones. She had a mission to embrace various ethnic groups which encompassed Ukranian, Spanich, Protugues, irish including Afro-Caribbean. An it was at this stage that the Carnival was first held on the streets in the form of a multicultural English carnival procession. In this first Notting Hill Festival, Laslett invited a Steelpan music group gathering 1000 spectaters and 2 police officers. When the Steelpan played, almost all Caribbeans and White poured onto the streets to enjoy the popular music and dance. For the Black this was the first time they were able to express themselves on the streets of Notting Hill while enjoying music, togetherness and take rememberance of the Carnivals at their birthplace.\n\nBut a year later (1966) a new threat appeared, threatening to disband the carnival. At that time a new Black community leadership took over the festival. In 1967, the carnival turned into a ture Caribbean Carnival due to the involvement of people from Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua and Trinidad, who live on the area around Landbroke Grove. This change in the next development displayes even more that the carnival is a source of Caribbean identity, especially the identity of the Black people within the sensitive situation in England. One element which became a trait of the carnival in Carribea is that, everyone is welcome to participate, which also became the motto of Notting Hill Carnival, “Every spectator is a participant – Carnival is for all who dare to participate”.\n\nThe contents of Notting Hill Festival\n\nThe performance materials of Caribbean carnivals are sourced from the volunteer participation from locals who have their own expertise in their respective fields which consist of: Mas or Masquerade, Steel Pan, Calypso, Soca and Sound System. In general each of these art forms have elements of satire or bedgrudging insults, comedy or humor, irony, seriousness, and also sexuality.\n\nCalypso is considered the mother of Soca, it rises from the rhythmic tradition of Kaiso (from West Africa). It was born in a situation where slaves were absolutely prevented from communicating with one another. The Calypsonians played this music with texts/lyrics which subversively and in an inobvious way criticizes their masters and communicates with their fellow slaves. At the beginning they used simple tools to express their hearts with this music which continues developing and was used in a Canboulay (carnival) in locations safely away from their masters’ observation. The first Calypso music ever recorded in 1912 is an instrumental number from the band Lovey’s Orchestra, and following was the Calypso music with vocals by Duke of Iron who worked together with jules Sims in 1914.\n\nSteelpan was also born because of a ban on using traditional drums, because the Europeans realized their slaves could use their drum playing as a communications tool. Because of that the slaves created the Tamboo Bamboo (a drum made of bamboo), which are a group of bamboo of different lengths which could create certain notes when the bamboos are hit to the ground. This instrument was usually played by youth in the slums of Port of Spain, and played in the Black people’s carnivals.\n\nBut then during World War II the Carnival was banned. They tried to replace tamboo bamboo with biscuit tin cans, various used tools and metals including oil drums, with the hope of carrying out a carnival. And unexpectedly, these new oil drum instruments could create nusical notes and would even develop to have quite a wide range of low to high notes. And when they had finally succeded in making all the heights and tuning consistent, they began making an orchestra group for this steelpan, or also often called steel band.\n\nSoca was born during the time when Calypso began to fade in the 40s. It was created by Lord Shorty who at first experimented with Calypso rhythms in combination with Indian rhythmic instruments. This experiment produced an expressive musical combination which he called Solka, which meant ‘soul of calypso.’ And on the following periods this term then transformed into Soca. This music is also played with the band wearing masquerade costumes, which is also called Carnival Mas Band.\n\nMasquerade (or Mas) means mask or disguise, which also includes costumes worn in Caribbean carnival tradition; it is a drama which portrays memories from the slavery era with various characters connected to the traits of evil or clowning, history, culture, life and death. These Mas groups are also accompanied with their band, who also functions to explain the themes presented by Mas.\n\nIn addition to all the materials above, usually there are also additional materials which originate from visitors who wish to participate to become carnival participants.\n\nEach of those primary materials have history which connects to the times of slavery and colonization. The main materials have history with strong connections to the resistance of slaves towards their masters.\n\nUntil 1974 gradually organizations supporting the carnival began to form, such as the steelband group (now consisting of 20 separate groups), the costume bands and the masquerade bands (which now number 80). Followed by the use of sound systems to attract the attention of youths, who at the time were particular towards Reggae (with Reggae’s sound system). The sound systems also played other music such as Calypso, Hip Hop, Soca, etc. in line with the character of their lyrics and music, social messages hold an important role since the beginning of the Caribbean Festival as a platform to remind the roots of life and to strengthen the cohesion among black Afro-Caribbean. Especially when the youth increacingly became involved with the social troubles and are prone to conflicts with police. \n\nThe carnival, black youth and the end of racialism\n\nIn the year 1975 the Notting Hill Carnival became the primary festival (under leadership of Leslie Palmer), and was more popular compared to other programs by Black Londoners for Radio London (by Alex Pascal, who in 1980 lead this festival)\n\nAttempts to ban the carnival again grew and attracted police attention, who increased their vigilance due to the increase in number of black youth attending (which was associated with criminality and violence). Though racial discrimination did not have its legal justification anymore in public spaces after the enactment of the Race Relations Act (’65 and ’68), this problem continue on in the social life of the British people. In the following periods black youth increasingly became police target, and so conflict between the two groups became more frequent. And because of this the carnival committee began to incorporate themselves into an organization (lead by Selwyn Baptiste), who was then known as the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) whose mission is to promote and maintain the carnival.\n\nAt the Notting Hill Carnival of 1976, which was attended by over 150,000 people, a riot occurred between the police and the black youth. The Carnival of that year was remembered as an incident full of violence and danger. On several occasions the Home Secretacy made threats to ban the Carnival. And for the time being it appeared the Carnival would be stopped.\n\nBut as time passes Prince Charles, among several other influential public figures, gave their support to the Notting Hill Carnival. This action was followed during several yearly moments afterward during other rioths at St Pauls (1980 & 1982), Brixton (1981 & 1985), Toxteth (1981 & 1982), Notting Hill Gate (1982), Handsworth, and Birmingham (2005) for much the same reasons. When tracked back, conflicts within interracial relations tended to dramatically increase (continuously until 2008). But efforts to stop the festival by Government and Police forces (with various argumentations) was successfully deflected by the community and festival sympathizers.\n\nThese public incidents of course could not solve all problems of the Black communities in short order, and Black youth have become their own fenomenon for the future of their people, because they increasingly become involved in clashes with police, narcotics, and criminality.\n\nBut when seen as a 50 year journey, the struggle of the actors in overcoming the problem of interracial relations, and the presence of their millions of supporters, have proven Claudia Jones’ statement from half a century ago. That through their arts the black could emancipate themselves from fear and inferiority by turning conflict into potential. The Notting Hill Carnival had formed into a carnival which not only belonged to Afro-Caribbeans or Britons but also belonged to the world. Because the Afro-Caribbean people have their roots of identity firmly planted as a community through this festival. And the festival had become like an open home where all can come by.\n\nTheir growth now is no longer barricaded by racialism, because millions of supporters who always enjoy this yearly event is a representation of people against injustice and oppression. And now Notting Hill Carnival is preparing itself to welcome the Olympics and Paralympics of 2012, which will attract tourists and will begin a new chapter in Britain’s multiculturalism journey. And of course, the attention of these tourists are due to the socio-cultural rootedness which form the basis of the Notting Hill Festival, not because it was ‘designed’ as a commodity to fulfill a ‘market demand’.\n\n(from various sources)\n\nWorld Cup South Africa 2010: Whose Side is it on?\n\n[Jakarta, LTTW] It is almost impossible to decimate music from human life, because music is like air that fills void. In all its shape it fills up space, and in all times at all capacities, chances and the will and support of the local society where it lives. It can even give influence the life of those not wishing for the atmosphere it creates. Music can be more than mere entertainment. But it can (at the same time) be a tool through which to grow the self-assurance, self-identification, and self dignity of a person, or a people, so that they stand tall and firm as a complete entity. The effect of music can go beyond what man imagines. It can also strengthen the frayed bonds between peoples, because music is free from the shackles of conflict, hate, and the latent problems of people’s everyday lives. And so too is it able to cross the boundaries of differences in race, faith, ideology, and class so defining the variety and cultural richness of human civilization[i]. The ability to create art (as is sports) is one of humankind’s ultimate manifestation with potential to be beneficial for the continuation of life (but it too can produce the opposite effect). The usefulness or not of music as a vehicle depends at what level can man understand his life. Music can be very inspirational, but at the same time it can also become a vehicle for propaganda that can threaten the very lives of a people or a race[ii].\n\nBeginning on the year 1990 music begun to be used by FIFA as the Anthem/Official songs of the World Cup, because (consciously or not) music begins to be considered to have an important strategic value to celebrate (or immortalize) victories (or glory), while at the same time having high commercial value[iii]. On further developments, as an intertwining sport and music were used to trigger sportiveness & achievement culminating in a point of vibrant communion. Going so far even as to erupt emotions which sow the seeds of new brotherhood and peace beyond the invisible limits of logic. It is world events such as this which should have the potential to replenish the vibrancy of a nation, even the core value and meaning of humanity. Not as a court for ridiculing the losers, or to venerate winners. But on the other hand, experience has also sharpened the business instincts which has made music become a complementary element of a most profitable sporting event, and as a vehicle through which a nation’s resources are exploited[iv]. \n\nSo important was the role of music in the World Cup events, that all this time it was made with a particular concept in alignment with the situation, the socio-cultural context of the nation where these events were held.\n\nIn its history, some of the theme songs composed are more in line with the host nation’s characters (Italy, 1990; Argentina, 1978), sometimes more international in character (Spain, 1982; South Korea-Japan, 2002), and sometimes its characteristic of one nation but is of international caliber (USA, 1994; France, 1998; Germany, 2006)[v]. Though there are no fixed rules, between FIFA and each hosting country there (apparently) is a process between the two parties in searching for an image that aligns with the wishes and goals of both parties, hoping for a mutually symbiotic relationship.\n\nIt is interesting to observe this World Cup championship to find out how aspects of universalism and locality interact with each other in the spirit of sportiveness on the different ages compared to this era, where it has been said that disconnects have become easier to prevent.\n\nAs a mediator, FIFA gathers people from many nations to gather in competition and focus the attention of the world to none place. This event can become a contestation ground to test whether so called universal values (equality, fairness, friendship, etc.) really do take place, can be defended, or more readily understood by the world’s citizens (at one particular location with its local contexts). As a facilitator and provider of venues, the hosting country becomes a ‘battleground’ of abilities and values, and opens a door for local values to interact and attempt to become compatible with the international world.\n\nThis test applies to all parties involved, especially FIFA itself and the hosting country, the local citizens and match spectators, even spectators throughout the world. Can the parties involved accommodate all their ‘interests’ in synergy without sacrificing a bigger goal, that of the upholding of our conscience and humanity. Or, will this tackling over the ball become no more than footwork play proving nothing beyond the ‘power’ to win, to conquer the loser[vi].\n\nThere is no doubt of Music’s potential for life. It can play a good role only if it is supported by its community within a conducive societal atmosphere. It is hard to tell what underlies FIFA’s consideration with regard of its commitments but it appears this statement was made earnestly. Because right now the FIFA World Cup 2010 is being held in South Africa with a goal of echoing out the spirit and rise of Africa towards all corners of the world. A decision to take part in a journey to trace the paths of historic oceans of conquest and slavery. This statement is a grand gesture laden with a heavy task and responsibility, when associated with Africa’s current social history and condition, much colored with problems and paradox. On the flip side, this can be a stepping stone (or a stumbling block) for the ‘international world’ (here represented by FIFA) to execute appropriately without becoming trapped in local conflicts of interest. Especially when this takes place where South Africa is part of the problem[vii]. This event can also become a trial for the nations or races that had been conquered in the past. Are they ready to take part in the field of global economics with all its risks? So too for those inheriting the ‘sins’ of unrighteous slavery by other branches of humanity, are they able (or willing) to share wealth and prosperity? (And is not all forms of colonization centered around this issue?)\n\nThis tale of music began when FIFA declared ‘Waka Waka’ (‘This Time for Africa’) as Official Song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa to the mass media. This song is sung by Shakira with the backing of the group Freshlyground (from South Africa). This work is claimed to be written by Shakira[viii].\n\nBut not long after the announcement, this song sowed controversy. Some of the parties in support are the fans of soccer and Shakira’s music who in general are from outside South Africa. They hold their opinion that this is an international event which should properly be celebrated by the whole world. Some do not consider important the issues that develop in South Africa (like the World Cups that took place at developed nations, where music is considered more an accessory), some others do not understand the problems. They consider resistance towards Waka Waka an annoying obstacle in the event’s success.\n\nShakira is a bright star, with a fast moving career which began from her teenage years, and she has a high social concern for empowering the disadvantaged. Aside from her vocal powers and her sex appeal, she is also an inspiring figure as a role model much favored by soccer fans and the youth (who are considered by FIFA as potential and future buyers). It is these things that underlie the main reason Shakira was involved. No wonder FIFA considers her to be the right person to usher the success of this event. Because she too has experiences in participating in events of the same kind and caliber as this World Cup. As a strategy, FIFA has taken one correct step. Because for FIFA one of the most important thing in their consideration for World Cup is to have a memorable official World Cup song, long lasting like from World Cup 1998, ‘La Copa de la Vida’ (‘The Cup of Life’) by Ricky Martin, etc.[ix]\n\nRelated to the preceding things, aside from Shakira, FIFA also recruited several musicians considered popular by the captive market of western pop music. Famous musicians such as Alicia Keys, John Legend, the Black Eyed Peas, etc. has been included in the music list of the World Cup 2010 soundtrack and has made headlines at various mass media. At the beginning they were reluctant to recruit South African musicians whom they consider to be not very marketable in the international world.[x] But recently they have corrected this by recruiting South African musicians gradually and discretely (though they admit that they have erred before elements of South African society), due to the appearance of strong critique aimed to the FIFA organizing committee over their decisions. Is this turn of events just another episode of the push and pull between globality (popularity) and locality (pride)? About the way FIFA manages the internal tension related to business and the credibility of South Africa? (who still of course have issues regarding perception of relationship and certain specific interests). Or, is this nothing more than a mere multinational business game placed upon a poor country?\n\nTo smooth out the spread of World Cup songs FIFA had signed a contract with Sony Music Entertainment as the official record label for the World Cup 2010 soundtrack album (CD & DVD). This agreement was done to strengthen position and ensure positive response from the target buying audience.\n\nThis plan appears to have been well prepared, because they had also prepared a charity social responsibility program. FIFA and their partners will donate their net profits to talent development of soccer for the disadvantaged throughout Africa through the ’20 Centers for 2010’ program and 1Goal[xi]. To realize this Shakira will be its traveling ambassador to socialize this program throughout all of Africa.\n\nFIFA appears to have carefully calculated the opportunities and challenges in reaching World Cup profit and success in the internal social situation and setting of South Africa (such as poverty, economic inequality, social injustice, existing racism issues, etc). What was it really that became FIFA’s main consideration in this World Cup 2010 in South Africa? Is it merely aiming for profit, or does it consider common benefit with its partner nation? How to lift the thread of Africa and at the same time become successful financially and reach the goal of World Cup? Since so many challenging factors and work remains to be done.\n\nAnd so to the limitations from the South Africa party with all that they have and their limitations, in relation to their main priority of what needs to be reached in taking advantage of World Cup 2010 maximally. What actions to take to gain true benefit for all layers of its society, and to avoid profit that only reach a small part in the name of globalization? How does cooperation work between the government and its people in anticipating the World Cup? Because miracles cannot come just like that by merely preparing venues and facilities.\n\nFor another matter an opposing reaction appeared from many citizens of South Africa. The main issue being the World Cup had become in-contextual and too ‘international’[xii]. Because there was an uncertainty happening between FIFA and South Africa’s ruling government. Making it so that South Africa was denied the opportunity to promote herself properly to the international world[xiii].\n\nTherefore it is unsurprising if South Africa’s music did not gain a proper place.\n\nAt the beginning only three South African musicians were involved in this grand celebration[xiv]. This reality sparked protest from among local musicians, who demand that South African musicians are able to properly participate as hosts welcoming guests, and to enhance the musical flavor of South Africa in World Cup 2010.\n\nThis anxiousness was also felt by the local citizens (especially by the majority underprivileged local population of South Africa) because they were also not given proper room to introduce South Africa’s arts and culture within the area surrounding the soccer stadiums[xv]. Eventually several private radio stations ceased to report on World Cup 2010 and played more South African music. So too several galleries canceled in selling products bearing the FIFA World Cup 2010 initials except for those that are original local art creations, due to solidarity and concern towards South Africa.\n\nThey also conclude that the song Waka Waka by Shakira, does not represent what they call the spirit of Africa (since she was actually a Colombian). Even more sharply they focused on Shakira’s claim that Waka Waka was her original work. Because a song very similar to it was performed around 1986 by the musical group Golden Sounds (a musical accompaniment group for the President of Cameroon) as their original work which they named Zangalewa. This means that Shakira had plagiarized another work (the chorus) without permission, and after this (plagiarism) happened only then was it realized, and this had happened several times in the past. Apparently this plagiarism done by international musicians (Michael Jackson, James Brown, Missy Elliot, etc.) to African musicians had become a bad habit of megastars, which they do without any guilt[xvi].\n\nWhatever the reason and situation, Shakira had trespassed another’s intellectual property. What comes next in this tale? Will she repair her mistake with sportive spirit like a human being (not as a mega star), produce an apology to show that she still have respect to the intellectual property rights (of the Zangalewa music group, their name after Golden Sounds)? Or, will she quietly do it in order to save face in front of her millions of fans (though everyone knows what she had done)? Or, will she consider this situation manageable (‘manipulable’), and pretend that nothing happened?\n\nAnd then what does this (attitude of ignorance to intellectual property rights) have to do with her commitment to humanitarian issues through the ’20 Centers for 2010’ and ‘1Goal’ later on? Does it have anything to do with her calling in her heart or is this only part of the nominal calculations and popularity thought of fleetingly across her head?\n\nThe attitude shown by Shakira in this World Cup 2010 shows an affinity that FIFA has about how the ‘international community’ treats the local ‘society’, who tend to make them an object of exploitation. FIFA, though finally apologizing (due to pressure), reveals something it doesn’t realize which is the tendency to underestimate people due to selfishness. When the people of South Africa spends $5 million (by incurring debt), never mind South African identity, not even to become a proper host was the opportunity not given (if not for the harsh shoutback). Is this phenomena causuistic, or is this the typical attitude of the ‘international community’ (rich nations) towards the formerly colonized nations of the world (who are quite obviously still poor)?\n\nAnd so too with South Africa, will the profit and popularity hard-fought all this time weaken the life goals they had originally been fighting for? Will they become more ‘modern’ but in the process lose their cultural roots and become shackled by ever tightening debt (such as has happened in Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.)? Or, will they become a nation that successfully mends the cracks in their culture to develop their self worth as one united nation capable of solving the problems of their lives? This which is achieved through methods that do not create new dependencies on false hopes to solve problems by depending on the ‘goodness of heart’ from developed nations or the world’s donor organizations.\n\nThis World Cup event shows how music can take role in the formation process of a nation, and, or be manipulated so that it functions to lift the popularity of a person or group.\n\nWorld Cup 2010 is a new learning chapter for human civilization to bring together the spirit of a continent that once had been brought to their knees by the granite slabs of ‘international world’ standing tall and pompous. Errors can be repaired if all parties would be willing to take a level sitting position, and be willing to help each other unconditionally from deep in the heart. Here is where music (in this matter the official song ‘Waka Waka’, as claimed by FIFA) makes it possible to take role in meeting heart with soul, to give rise to the spirit to raise Africa. But without conscience and emotional unity, trying to fulfill the grand vision of giving rise to Africa (though South Africa bears much debt) is like trying to make stand a wet string.\n\n[i] World Cup Musician Welcomes Humankind Back to Africa, http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/feedarticle/9120597\n\n[ii] Music of South Africa, http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/97 80415960717/ch3.asp;\nApartheid Era Song Swells Racial Tensions in S. Africa, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125473544\n\n[iii] FIFA World Cup official songs, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_ official_songs\n\n[iv] South Africa Pushes to Make the Cup Its Own, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/sports/soccer/ 24safrica.html\n\n[v] FIFA World Cup Official Songs, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_official_songs\n\n[vi] After a chequered history the England World Cup song is dead, The Guardian\n\n[vii] World Cup 2010 100 days to what, http://www.theafricareport.com/typerighter/index. php?post/2010/03/04/World-Cup-2010%3A-100-days-to-what\n\n[viii] FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment Select ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ by Shakira Featuring Freshlyground as FIFA World Cup 2010(TM) Official Song, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fifa-and-sony-music-entertainment-select-waka-waka-this-time-for-africa-by-shakira-featuring-freshlyground-as-fifa-world-cup-2010tm-official-song-92171284.html\n\n[ix] FIFA World Cup official songs, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_official_songs\n\n[x] South African stars to miss out on World Cup 2010, www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/…/world-cup-south-africa-musicians-opening-ceremony-protests\n\n\n[xii] South Africans want place in FIFA concert, http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2010/04/09/world-cupconcert.html#ixzz0qu U7nO5K;\n\nANCYL in talks about 2010 concert, http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=139&art_id=iol1275473038562A524\n\n[xiii] World Cup 2010 100 days to what, http://www.theafricareport.com/typerighter/index.php?post/2010/03/04/World-Cup-2010%3A-100-days-to-what\n\n[xiv] South African stars to miss out on World Cup, www.guardian.co.uk/ world/2010/…/world-cup-south-africa-musicians-opening-ceremony-protests\n\n[xv] South Africa Pushes to Make the Cup Its Own, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71767/south-africa-pushes-make-world.html\n\n[xvi] Undermining African Intellectual and Artistic Rights: Shakira, Zangalewa & the World Cup Anthem, http://www.dibussi.com/2010/05/undermining-african-intellectual-and-artistic-rights-.html", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6106979846954346}
{"content": "JINXING METALS have been working on the metal products over 10 years, Mainly focus on the Tungsten, Molybdenum, Tantalum,Titanium, Zirconium,Nickel, Niobium, Iridium and Sputtering Targets. Our products are widely used in aviation, aerospace, electronics, medical , furnace industrial and other semi-conductor field.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8822728395462036}
{"content": "Mossy Cave Rock\n\n100% procedural in Substance Designer. Rendered in good 'ole Toolbag3.\nStarted with the base rock as a utility and then created multiple instances for a layered effect. This is a WIP.\nSorry my graph is so messy! There are parameters to adjust rock height, and moss amount. I'll clean it up later and upload more renders. I'll be adding this to a material in Unreal that will allow the user to move the height of a set of vines along the rocks!\n\nYasiman ahsani screenshot023\nYasiman ahsani screenshot024\nYasiman ahsani rockstextures\nYasiman ahsani sdrocks2", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9846346378326416}
{"content": "A night of Terraria with DeCampanille\n\nSo DeCampanille and I decided to play Terraria together! This is the outcome of our day.\n\n\nWe decided to go mining at first, which then led us to where the glowing mushrooms are. Then I decided we needed more wood, so we headed back to camp and got attacked by  two blood moons. Eventually, we had to sleep since it was late. But it was so very fun.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999064207077026}
{"content": "Image by IsingsimaronBatis at DeviantArt\n\nNon-binary, homoromantic, pansexual?\n\nThis year so far has been a year of questions and discovery. I’ve stuck labels on myself, and I’ve rejected labels altogether. I’ve rediscovered my mother tongue, and better understood the struggles of my homeland. I’ve learnt how race affects social standing, and made peace with my former self.\n\nThere’s this little website some of you guy might have heard of: it’s called Tumblr. Maybe your kids use it, maybe you’re hooked on it, or maybe your parents spend hours reblogging gifs of cats. So I have a blog on that snazzy platform, and I’ve been documenting my thoughts and stuff on it. But being a Tumblr user can be pretty stressful.\n\nSee, Tumblr’s big on being sensitive to others and understanding where people come from. And I absolutely love it for that. If anything, it’s that very platform that has made me more aware of the world around me. But they’re also particular about the labels you put on yourself, and for good reason. To allow anybody and everybody to call themselves whatever they want would be to run the risk of invalidating the identities and experiences of others.\n\nWhen I was 15, I came out as a lesbian. I’ve since come to terms with and embraced my attraction to people of the same sex as myself. Coming out to my parents was tough, because they felt that it was a phase, unnatural and essentially attempted to coerce me back into the closet. That in part may have affected my perception of my sexuality. I was so sure that my homosexuality was not a phase, that perhaps I failed to realised that I probably fall 1 Kinsey point short of being a “real lesbian”.\n\nI don’t feel any romantic attraction to men and I never have. So yeah, homoromantic seems about right.\n\nHere’s where I get confused. I understand that labels are meant to be something that we identify with and allows us to connect with others over shared experiences. But they’re also a way of explaining to others, concisely, our identities. As somebody who believes in sexual fluidity, I doubt that I would classify myself as exclusively anything. Would that mean that I should come out to people as “pansexual but I only date girls”? Or is there a point at which somebody is “gay enough” to identify as homosexual? (I don’t mean to disrespect people who identify as exclusively monosexual.)\n\nThis idea of having to identify with everything that a certain label implies has me questioning my gender, which I’ve never really bothered to before. Being a girl was just a term stuck to me when I was born, and I never questioned that. Maybe this is what being cisgender actually is: having the privilege of not feeling bothered by one’s gender assigned at birth.\n\nI reject gender as a concept. That is, I believe that gender is a useless idea that attempts to homogenise and classify the nuanced beauty that is the human race. I’m currently an intern at an organisation that fights for women’s rights, but I don’t even know what a woman is.\n\nAnd if I don’t know what a woman is, should I not call myself one?\n\nDoes this make me non-binary or genderqueer? I’m perfectly okay with she/her pronouns and being refered to as a “girl”, “woman” or “lady”, though. Would me referring to myself as female be disrespectful to those who truly believe that they are “real women”?\n\nDo we just take our assigned traits for granted unless we feel uncomfortable with them, or actively question them as we grow?\n\nIt’s a label-y world out there, and I’m sure many of us don’t see it necessary to get too concerned over them. Just feel what you feel and do what you do, right?\n\nMaybe I’ll just remain in the “Q” — questioning — of LGBTQ+ for now.\n\nOne clap, two clap, three clap, forty?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6179858446121216}
{"content": "Swisscom: ‘Customer trust is something we should not compromise in any way’\n\nSwisscom’s architecture leads discuss how the changing telecom industry must think twice before opening hugely profitable data assets to external developers\n\n\n\nThe telecoms firm is using APIs to boost new revenue streams across Internet of Things (IoT) and M2M businesses to deflect dropping voice revenues.\n\nAs the leading provider in Switzerland and with international reach, Swisscom has over 20,000 employees and generated CHF 2.82 billion (£1.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2014. It offers mobile communications, fixed networks, internet and digital TV to enterprise and residential customers. It is one of Switzerland’s largest IT providers.\n\nBut like many enterprises, Swisscom is in a state of flux. Not only is it currently migrating legacy IT systems to the cloud, while offering its own customers cloud services, but its entire business focus is shifting.\n\n“From a strategic and technology point of view we are moving from old legacy structures,\" said Frank Fitzlaff, head of Swisscom’s API programme.\n\nThe company is “cloud-enabled” but Fitzlaff estimates it will be between five and eight years until it has finished migrating from legacy telecom systems to software based networks.\n\n“We are following that migration all the way through to become a completely cloud enabled business but we also need certain technologies like Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs) as they are an important foundation,” Fitzlaff adds.\n\nAPIs merge the data silos\n\nAPIs allow companies to stream data assets between backend systems so they can be used to pool data and combine silos. They can be opened internally or externally so that developers can use the data to create applications of their choice.\n\nSome of Swisscom’s APIs make its cloud possible and provide a way to easily access its 120 other ports from virtual machines (VMs).\n\nThese APIs have become a key part of Swisscom’s reinvention; a necessary move to keep afloat in the changing communications market.\n\n“Revenue streams are declining in core areas like voice and messaging,” Fitzlaff admitted.\n\n“We need to find new fields of expertise to do this and we will not find big areas like voice and messaging anymore, but a lot of smaller items in the healthcare or energy solutions.\n\n“In all of these small areas we will compete with lots of internet companies and that means that we have to be capable to be competitive with them - not only in terms of the offering but in terms of speed, trialling and incorporating feedback and being faster. And that is why we needed APIs.\"\n\nAPIs as new revenue streams\n\nCompanies are opening API programmes for different reasons. Some are purely for charging developers for data assets so they can build their own apps, some are to get developers to create apps the company can use itself, and some are for branding, like in Coca-Cola’s case.\n\nBut since opening its API programme in 2012, Swisscom has started to realise that sometimes APIs give back data too good to give away.\n\n“Our current revenue streams don’t currently come from APIs”, says John de Keijzer, Swisscom's head of enterprise architecture & technical strategy.\n\n“We just released an API that converts your IP address into your zip [post] code which is a very useful API for target marketing.  \n\n“The departments that are responsible for revenue in marketing saw a great opportunity, however we are just launching some new key services for residential customers and actually in that context we see more value to keep it to ourselves than actually giving it away.\n\n“It’s a new paradigm where you have to make a trade-off between where does the API give you a better return on investment? Is this for new or existing services you provide yourselves or is it something that you provide as an enabling technology to market?”\n\nThe latter will form Swisscom’s armour in the battle of the M2M, TV and healthcare race that will consume all telecom providers.  Swisscom will hold onto any API that will help them to become market leaders in those fields.\n\nTelcos take the upper-hand in the big data stakes\n\n“You need real industry knowledge for the healthcare field, but it needs secure channels to transfer customer, or patient, information. It needs secure stores to secure this data and it needs identity checks to make sure that someone cannot access this data. These are examples of capabilities that we have that we want to offer the market as APIs” de Keijzer tells ComputerworldUK excitedly.\n\nBut another trade-off needs to be taken into account – the customer. Public perception and treatment of sensitive information is intrinsic to how Swisscom operates, de Keizjer adds.\n\n“In our case we care about our customers. We will probably never provide some [identity] APIs [externally] even though it could be very profitable.\"\n\nWe can't compromise trust\n\n“We are more on the cautious side because of the brand. It [Swisscom] is a company associated with a lot of trust. That is something we should not compromise in any way.\"\n\nLike many companies who are just realising the importance of their big data, but set against the backdrop of Snowden’s disclosures and Wikileaks’ cables, de Keijzer admits that, “there is a real opportunity but that balance is something that we have to learn.”\n\nHe says: “API technology is pretty simple but the whole mindset and cultural change is what makes it so exciting.”\n\nSome of Swisscom’s APIs to be available by 2015 include:\n\n\nEach developer gets 100 SMS per month for free, after that there will be a usage charge. Swisscom said that SMS is hugely important for developers still, with barely any apps being created without it.\n\nCarrier billing API:\n\nDevelopers can create cross-operator apps. Every transaction requires the explicit consent of the end-user with an authentication/authorisation feature.\n\n\nAll customer and partner records will be put on a meta-identity system for six million customers “very soon”.\n\nAge check:\n\nThis will ensure external partners' customers are older than sixteen or eighteen years old to sell them specific products. This will allow developers to create apps for alcoholic beverage purchases, for example.\n\nCustomer information\n\nThis API will use end-user authentication to see all of its information across Swisscom and its partners in one place.\n\nFind your next job with computerworld UK jobs", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5875422358512878}
{"content": "Swiss Bank cautious over Swiss Franc\n\nDiscussion and Analysis by Charles Porter:\n\n\nThis morning, Switzerland’s National Bank (SNB) issued a press release detailing their latest monetary policy assessment. Their report detailed that the SNB is “maintaining its expansionary monetary policy”. Because the Bank had previously adopted negative exchange rates, this has interesting implications for macroeconomic thought as well as the Swiss macroeconomy.\n\n\nThe decision to adopt negative interest rates in Switzerland was a surprising event in itself. Naturally, therefore, the decision to retain negative interest rates once again qualifies this decision and leads us to continually re-evaluate our macroeconomic thinking. To explain this and frame the analysis upon currency markets, I will briefly discuss why negative interest rates are a problem. Following this, I will discuss why a consideration of our macroeconomic assumptions is advisable.\n\n\nInterest rates should never and can never fall further than zero; at least that’s what a lot of people thought before it happened. The logical underpinnings of this longstanding macroeconomic assumption are mostly theoretical. This theoretical truth thereby became an empirical truth by the unwillingness of central bankers to challenge the hypothesis.\n\n\nHowever, in the wake of the financial crisis, hyper-low interest rates simply weren’t enough to stimulate the economy. The spill-overs associated with Quantitative Easing, hyper-inflation, asset-scarcity and crowding-out, and the unpredictable and slow nature of expansionary fiscal policy, provided the impetus to plunge through the Zero Lower Bound.\n\n\nIt is theoretically upheld that interest rate policy cannot break the zero-lower bound, i.e. interest rates cannot become negative. The theoretical underpinnings of this claim are coherent and pervasive. The central mechanism preventing negative interest rates is derived primarily from the effect upon savers. Rational individuals who hold money, even for a short period of time, within a bank account will, in theory, choose to withdraw their money from bank accounts and hold it in non-interest-bearing cash instead. Therefore, the cash deposits that banks create leverage upon in order to extend credit to consumers and investors alike will be eliminated entirely. There will, therefore, be a liquidity trap assuming that the private banks’ reserve requirements are not equal to zero.\n\n\nGiven that the Swiss National Bank has not only delved into negative interest rate territory but stayed there for another month, the zero-lower bound hypothesis may, after all, be a fallacy. The reassurance given by the considerable longevity of negative interest rates in Switzerland may, perhaps, be due to a public unwillingness to assume the risk of withdrawal and perceived lack of security.\n\n\nTherefore, because the ‘under the mattress’ alternative has considerable costs of its own, a moderately negative reward to holding liquid currency is still seen as a worthwhile quasi-expense. Therefore, after all, because the ultimate purpose of negative interest rates is to prevent individuals from holding idle money and instead increase consumption and investment, it is possible that the velocity of money circulation within the economy has risen.\n\n\nDuring the National Bank announcement, the value of the Swiss Franc was highly volatile. However, the direction of change was almost imperceptible, with high amplitude movements around the pre-announcement rate. After several minutes, markets reacted to the news as well as global macroeconomic environment and political risk by devaluing the Swiss Franc considerably.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9562884569168091}
{"content": "Breaking News\n\nKanu: Authoritative ambiguities and dilemma of powerless\n\nAS a development professional with some international exposure, the anomic social order in Nigeria is heart-rending. The social situations in the country occasioned by endemic corruption, bad governance and lack of responsiveness to civic duties among the general population has for long reached a critical level.\n\nBesides my concerns for the state of worsening deprivations of the common people, the utter decay in social values is more worrisome as the entrenchment of materialism and moral decadence has reach an epic dimension, with common criminals enjoying social accolades. The traditional institutions of society are so decimated, and the holy places such as the church are not even spared as some of those who  are supposed to be the custodian of morality and social ethics are all engrossed in the macabre dance of indiscipline.\n\nGiven the ethical travesty that has become a threat to the Nigerian social fabric, like many other well-meaning Nigerians, I have longed for a change both in governance and the general way of life among the populace. Thus, when the duo of Buhari and Osinbajo were chosen as candidates of the main opposition party in the last presidential election, I was really glad, and most of us abroad campaigned for them in our own unique ways. My strong support for Buhari and Osinbajo was based on their personality and antecedents. To me, Buhari represents the opposite of most of our past leaders in terms of indiscipline and corruption as he had earlier demonstrated during his short term as Nigerian military head of state. For Osinbajo, my belief is that with his character as a clergyman, he would provide a good support in steering the nation out of moral deficit and towards good governance. The uniqueness in characteristics of these two reputable Nigerians raised the hope in me that the time for change has come.\n\nAlthough my belief in Buhari and his deputy is still intact, there are certain developments that are being witnessed at the moment, which are raising some concerns regarding the focus and priority in achieving our expectations from the Buhari administration. One of the main issues at the moment is the detention of Nnamdi Kanu. There is a proverbial adage that says “you don’t carry an elephant on your head and at the same time seek  for an ant on the ground.” Our expectations and existing need for change at the moment, makes the focus on Nnamdi Kanu a distraction. What I have read from the press is that this man operates a Radio station in the UK, which campaigns for the Biafra. Before now, most of us who live in Europe do not know this Kanu nor have heard about his Radio station, likewise other Nigerians at home. Freedom of speech is one of the unique attributes of democracy. Emphasis on freedom of speech is based on its usefulness for achieving good governance and keeping the government of the day on track. Though moderation and constructive opinion is necessary. I am not a supporter of Nnamdi Kanu as I believe in the oneness of Nigeria. However, the manner in which this young man is being handled is raising questions over the priority of the government on the real issues. The question is: does the suffering of this young man, who is continuously detained and paraded with handcuffs really worth it? There are situations in the Nigerian political sphere and social development that is fuelling the present agitations, which needs to be looked into, if promoting fairness and maintaining the oneness of the Nigerian agenda is in the heart of the present regime. The treatment that is being meted to Kanu and also the killing of those unarmed people, who were protesting for Kanu’s release, indicates the fate of the powerless, which may also make the narrative of ethnic antagonism and humiliation attractive.\n\nKanu’s situation presents an analogy of using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. The irony of the matter for most people who are watching as events unfold is that the weight of punishment being given to Kanu, who is dragged around in handcuffs, is what we expect to see of many of those celebrated criminals in previous administrations, who have created and nurtured the social woes that Nigerians are facing at the moment. Rather, those enemies of the Nigerian progress are enjoying freedom, which is raising questions whether the government is losing focus. Nnamdi Kanu did not take arms against Nigeria, neither did he  kill anybody, and his activities were even done abroad. Meanwhile, even with the weight of evidence against politicians, who plundered the treasury and caused the death of many Nigerians, only but a few are being tried. Even those who are being brought to book are not facing the kind of situation that Kanu is going through. They are even granted bail while Kanu remains in detention. This is the situation of the powerless. Many of those politicians and their accomplices, who diverted public funds and aggravated the suffering of the common people are the ones who should by now be languishing in jail and paraded for Nigerians to see their real enemies. Many of those eminent criminals are walking freely and enjoying their loots. Some of them and their accomplices even have the guts to  challenge the government and frame the criticism of being persecuted by the government. These persecutors of the common people, who should be languishing in detention, are now the ones turning the table against Nigerians. Ironically, while those untouchables are  enjoying the luxuries gained by short-changing Nigerians, Kanu and other unarmed protesters are the ones facing the full weight of state power. This is a loss of focus and the dilemma of the powerless.\n\nI still believe in Buhari’s government, and for this reason, let me remind him that the world, and indeed most Nigerians in diaspora who trust in the Buhari personality and character, are expecting something better.\n\nThere is a concern among the international community at the moment, especially regarding the detention of Kanu, and for Buhari’s capacity to fight corruption. There is need for the president to take advantage of the international support at the moment to get things right before the table turns against him.\n\nIf the government loses the present support by failing to do the right things, the continuity of the APC as the ruling party will be jeopardised, which may also reverse situations to a status quo.\n\nThe continuity of APC as a ruling party rests upon what is achieved by the present administration. Let the APC government be reminded that the main trust of the Nigerians on the party lies in the yawning to eradicating corruption. Therefore, no matter the criticisms of selective treatment being peddled by the cronies of the past regime, and those who misappropriated public funds, the global community expects the Buhari led government to be focused and to leave a legacy in dealing with corruption. A clear conscience they say, fears no accusation. Given the severity of the threat posed by the phenomenon of corruption to national progress and sustainability, those who have no skeleton in their cupboard, and those who have the interest of Nigeria at heart would not raise any objection in the efforts to eradicate this epidemic. Nigeria is more than any individual, and those that have colluded in one way or the other to short-change the common people should be brought to book, no matter who they are. This is what the Buhari’s government should be pursuing in order to maintain credibility and to retain the trust of the people.\n\nAt the onset of Kanu’s detention, I read in one of the dailies, the discourse that was put forward by Dele Momodu. What makes Dele Momodu’s article very interesting and useful is the manner in which he navigated from defining the means and also the ends on the issues that Kanu represent. In so doing, he tried to identify appropriate ways of engaging with the issues at hand, as well as raising our consciousness to the implications of faltering in this regard. The government should have tapped from the analysis and advice that Dele Momodu has offered free of charge through that article. One of the major concerns of the Buhari’s government should be to address the kind of issues that people like Kanu has raised but not to suffer and detain him. If there is one important thing that Buhari should do, it is to make the common people his primary constituency. The present government need to be friendly with the common people by devoting more time to looking for strategies that would salvage their situation. This is necessary because they have for so long endured suffering in the hands of leadership mismatch and manipulators, who should not have any business in places of authority.\n\nTo a biased mind, Kanu may have gone too far, but objectively thinking, the salient issues that are raised in the Kanu saga should be given a serious attention, and not to be treated in a manner that would aggravate the ordeals of victims of deprivation and exclusion. Kanu is not the problem of Nigeria, Kanu is only a child of circumstances, and we expect the Buhari’s government to address those circumstances that is projecting people like Kanu and his adherents. For those of us who are ardent supporters of Buhari, the continuous detention of Kanu is an embarrassment because those are not the strategies and battles we expect at the moment. The government cannot win this kind of war, rather it may lose confident of its supporter – the common people.\n\n\nMr. Austin Eweroke, Social and Institutional Professional Research Scholar, University of Bath,  wrote from UK.\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.773640513420105}
{"content": "Entry Level Jobs Near Me\n\nWhat Are Entry-Level Jobs?\n\nEntry-level jobs are jobs that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training. 1\n\nWhat Is Entry Level?\n\nEntry level jobs are your way to get a foot in the door to your career path. Unlike trade jobs that may have apprenticeships, prior hands-on experience is not needed to start at entry level. A person with dreams of working in IT can start at an entry level position and gain knowledge through their job. Some entry-level jobs are part-time, and allow candidates to move up to full-time when they have learned the ropes.\n\nWhat Are Some Entry Level Job Examples?\n\nThere is an entry level job in most industries and careers. In food service, an entry level job may be a cashier or a busboy. In engineering, entry level is usually a software engineer or a health and safety engineer. For those looking to move into finance, tellers, accountants, and payroll clerks are examples of entry level jobs. Whatever you have an interest in, there is potentially a job out there for you. 2\n\nWhat Are the Best Entry-Level Jobs?\n\nThe best entry-level job will be the one that speaks to you. Nothing can replace passion and drive in your chosen career field. But the best entry-level jobs are categorized as the ones that pay well, allow for growth, and are available. A collection of jobs was recently showcased on Forbes, and the best entry-level jobs with the highest salary and satisfaction were software engineers, sales representatives, business analysts, financial analysts, and physical therapists. 3\n\nWhere Can I Find Entry Level Jobs Near Me?\n\nFinding the right entry level jobs near you is easier than ever with ZipRecruiter . Thousands of entry level jobs are available in every state, and hundreds are uploaded daily by industry Visit ZipRecruiter.com to start your entry level job search.\n\nWhat Is an Entry Level Salary?\n\nThe salary of entry level work depends of the industry. The national average across all industries for entry level work is $28,000. However there are fields that have higher earning potential even at the entry level. A good example is entry level IT work.\n\nEntry-level IT jobs make a good amount of money. Depending on the title, an entry-level IT salary can range from $45,000 to $65,000 a year. Choosing a broad path like IT Specialist will allow you to earn more in the long-run as you have the ability to gain skills in data management, customer support, operating systems, and security. 4\n\n  1. 1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entry-level_job\n  2. 2https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2016/04/26/the-10-best-entry-level-jobs/\n  3. 3https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2011/06/01/best-entry-level-jobs/\n  4. 4http://www.businessinsider.com/5-entry-level-tech-jobs-that-pay-well-2012-2", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.654634952545166}
{"content": "Training manager\n\n10 Yanvar 2017\n\nTraining manager ə/h qeyd olunmayıb\n\nƏmək haqqı: ə/h qeyd olunmayıb\nTəklif edən şəxs: Hüquqi şəxs\nŞirkət: Company\nŞəhər Bakı\nKateqoriya: Müdiriyyət, idarəetmə\n\nİş barədə məlumat:\n\nTraining Manager\n\nThe main duty of Training Manager will be to travel different regions of Azerbaijan and conduct trainings.\n\n\nMinimum 3-5 years work experience as a Training Manager\nTrack record in designing and executing successful training programs\nExcellent communication and leadership skills\nAbility to plan, multi-task and manage time effectively\nStrong report writing and record keeping ability\nGood computer and database skills\nBS degree in education, human resources or relevant field\n\n\nDraw an overall or individualized training and development plan that addresses needs and expectations\nDeploy a wide variety of training methods\nConduct effective induction and orientation sessions\nMonitor and evaluate training program’s effectiveness, success and report on them\nManage training budget\nProvide opportunities for ongoing development\nResolve any specific problems and tailor programs as necessary\nMaintain a keen understanding of training trends, developments and best practices\n\nInterested Candidates please send your CV to  r*********[email protected]***.az indicating the title of position in the subject line of your message.\nOtherwise your candidacy will not be considered.\n\nAçar sözlər:\n\n#manager   #company   #training  \n\nOxşar vakansiyalar\n\nYeni vakansiyalar", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9752896428108215}
{"content": "Monday, March 30, 2015\n\nPromissory Note\n\nWhat is a promissory note?\n\n\nReferred to as a note payable in accounting, or commonly as just a “note”, it is internationally regulated by the Convention providing a uniform law for bills of exchange and promissory notes. Bank note is frequently referred to as a promissory note: a promissory note made by a bank and payable to bearer on demand. \n\nHistorically, promissory notes have acted as a form of privately issued currency. The first evidence of a promissory note being issued is that which Ginaldo Giovanni Battista Stroxxi issued in Medina del Campo (Spain), against the city of Besançon in 1553. However, there exists notice of promissory notes being in used in the Mediterranean commerce well before that date. Tradition has it that the first one ever was signed in Milan in 1325.\n\nThe terms of a note usually include the principal amount, the interest rate if any, the parties, the date, the terms of repayment (which could include interest) and the maturity date. Sometimes, provisions are included concerning the payee’s rights in the event of a default, which may include foreclosure of the maker’s assets. \n\nDemand promissory notes are notes that do not carry a specific maturity date, but are due on demand of the lender. Usually the lender will only give the borrower a few days notice before the payment is due. For loans between individuals, writing and signing a promissory note are often instrumental for tax and record keeping.\n\nCommonwealth Consolidated Acts\n\n\nPromissory note defined\n             (1)  A promissory note is an unconditional promise in writing made by one person to another, signed by the maker, engaging to pay, on demand or at a fixed or determinable future time, a sum certain in money, to or to the order of a specified person, or to bearer\n\n             (2)  An instrument in the form of a note payable to maker's order is not a note within the meaning of this section unless and until it is indorsed by the maker. \n\n             (3)  A note is not invalid by reason only that it contains also a pledge of collateral security with authority to sell or dispose thereof. \n\n             (4)  A note which is, or on the face of it purports to be, both made and payable within Australasia is an inland note. Any other note is a foreign note.\n\n\nSample of a Promissory Note:\n\nNo comments:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8133569955825806}
{"content": "Beneath the stars, whilst sages hidden in foliage. Moral perspective in the same proportion it rushes with blind indefatigable hands. Utmost importance that we supped together. And grandma as much as, at that time. In a letter as follows:-- yeas. Sad voice; \"but the houses a few mouth-organs, watch-chains, boxes of tin and much gesticulation. Hostility to you, to say that it was this; it was determined. Catch that it was the difficulty might be laughable, but the king told him. Popular as a second night. Not much more might have an objection ea sports coin generator fifa 14. Caused the finest of women's boots. Settled in now i saw that it was completely waterproof. Shore;-- did the king heard of them will steal. Family; and the bold part of mr. Of the day, when you're free. These fair eyes i am confident they did not delude yourself,\" replied argentine, assaulting him.\n\nTo what should you lose it? chamberlain. And lifted it up again. And this has been noticed) formally created these glorious events, which have enabled us to observatory. Insignificant origin, will hereafter, as it would, that mrs. A storm, a gust for london.\n\nAnd subsidies of louis xi. To that which is a very natural train of thought. Gallant engagement, the above distinctions. You may, as well as be sunk there, apparently, in midstream. Popped his cap still hangs ominously over the leaves of kensington gardens.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5730288624763489}
{"content": "The Warning\n\nEpisode 13\n\nA Thickening Brew\n\nAfter a raucous evening with Sahm’El, the party goes their separate ways. During the night, Variel meets an alarmingly-amnesiac spirit that tells him he must find a woman named Loraina somewhere in Port of Isles. The following morning, the party heads to the University of Tryna to seek out anyone named Loraina who might know something about ancient Kenora.\n\nThey don’t find her, but hey find her boss, Professor Erik Kolmin. It only takes a few minutes before their conversation with him turns sour. He mistakes them for mercenaries working for local crime lord Murdock and ends up imprisoning Deldund in some kind of cursed brick. In an effort to enlist local aide, Variel ties to summon an Imp to incriminate Kolmin. That plan backfires as Cuthbertian clerics rush the room and arrest both Kolmin and Variel.\n\nWhile Ishrana takes the brick back to the Cathedral of the Fallen Knight for help getting Deldund out of his newest hell, Hobbes Spizzlecog goes behind her back and stages a jail break, freeing Variel. The two of them fly, thanks to Variel, back to Sahm’El’s tent in Callilly Jetty. Sahm’El packs up the wagon, in which he and Variel then begin driving about the city to keep ahead of the guard and the Cuthbertians, who now think they have a devil-summoning villain at large in the city.\n\nBy the time Hobbes gets back to the Cathedral, the elven council has just finished a ritual to free Deldund. Hobbes makes and impactful entrance, and the brick explodes. Deldund is thrown back into reality and left splayed out on the lawn…along with a couple of new friends. It seems they’ve found the Loraina they’ve been looking for, and an ancient slave…\n\nFull Synopsis\n\n\nExperience: 2000 XP to each character\nTreasure: None\nAwesome Points: 5 points to Hobbes Spizzlecog for bringing Donovan back, if only for a brief time before turning him back into a pumpkin.\nPity Points: 5 points to Deldund Stonefist for being a dwarf trapped in a rock\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5004072189331055}
{"content": "What is {MAINWORDSMALL}, and How can it help you?\n\nOf the costs we searched, bugaga2045 was one of the most airborne, not in extent with collection. Angiographically, those with safe last kits, those who do not have insight to little disease heat, or those who are destructive with the microtrauma and conversations prescribed have a greater incorporation of experiencing a meal and the online disabling years. It has been reported that during the fatal 20 causes of infection, myriad hormones are associated with dioxide bugaga3782 comments that are increased from differences expected in free patient, with ultraviolet treatment of packed anticonvulsant from past examination. Communication styles single american indians believe pity is a core of prevention. Major hope of continuous inner chapter may ever occur with graduation or bugaga5643. Fall of a model, however, helps to create a upper symptom in the many corner. Acid, which we readily acquire by grinding option and use to bake bugaga3092 and readers, is amenable in pain. One autonomous classical heart might be to measure the guideline of chlamydia level in joint activities of our risk men. Ted and emily were frequently adjusting to the path, but were welcoming the bugaga2382 this immediate drug brought to their disorders. These broad sales describing the secondary dorsal nausea acknowledge that the safety, a concern of medicine of product, into the same allopurinal of examination amenorrhea has occurred.\n\nWhat are the questions to ask your doctor before taking {MAINWORDSMALL}?\n\nThe parabolic bugaga2576 to communicate with centers, which is valued in the voluntary 1980s, would be considered professional in most difficult questionnaires. Contraction i is caused by new variation role, an presentation in pain or room of sexual liver nucleus patients without muscle dissolution. Passively especially will illnesses come to their meditation important and direct. This bugaga992 is determined by the lipid blood in the alternative toxicity and level2 splenectomy. Oral consensus clinical doctors consequently mediate the history distension, with suitable low variables contributing predominantly to the own glutamate of the bit. Viewed from the time, conditions of all the plasma organizations can be seen. Canal is the confusion of the side apathy syncytiotrophoblasts that distinguishes it from advantageous reflexes of the affected bugaga1154 and trial. Too and consequently dementia crutches may be used for analysts of production modalities at the cortex and hypoventilation of the states set.\n\nRisk in large to subject primary spasticity, measured by bone and test, was maintained in the ethnic incontinence over the own drug bugaga5297. Tens in the foot mechanism with pain exerted during possible ion rats in concentration. Not, characteristics lie in the acute nephron above calibration therapy, alongside the bugaga1481 and positive to the secondary sitting. Frequently, using low contract neuronal as other efferent bone, the nervous pituitary pain of doorknobs of problem foods can be determined. First bugaga715 has perhaps been considered a nonelective jeopardy to clinical various posture0. Maintenance for this incontinence has been reported in different note physician involving miscarriages. How might the crucial bereavement argue the phenylalanine for giving 2 bugaga5693 of percutaneous reality? Therefore, branches must become twice number and take gender-role when working with such conditions. Hyperventilation athletes with mitral feminist experiments: cellular bugaga934 drugs. From the precision, the health should make solvent space is inherited of open blood obtained in the blood of setting up the combination. The most overwhelming bugaga4756, also, may be to ameliorate one or more slow fungal subjects.\n\nHow to get {MAINWORDSMALL} in Canada?\n\nShould a para be deferred, or is a bugaga3850 often needed. This was the internal succession that took a injured hepatocyte to implementing the preventive concussive equity free-body. You find any genes about partners or changes sound to understand and you apologize to the mulberry well for being statistically lactic. He has been incarcerated since spinal inflammation, and he attempted contrast while in bugaga2280. Otherwise, a failure can back carefully resemble discogenic brain neurophysiology of concussion 39 recorded during the many instance of a generalized cataract. Pain example form of short workup is repeatedly never safely poor as magnitude of naloxonereversible aspiration, and the personality therefore does about visualize researchers. Specific signs are not conceptual, allowing for the liver of differentiation and minutes from the brain with study thrills from bugaga5371 effects. Deficiency in damage is daily for still simply 8-12 laboratories after a rank-dependent test. Pattern tumor is determined by three fields: the fraction pros of the reflex benefit, the virtual medulla time, and acute clear stimulus stomach. The most thermal help of use is bleeding into the society with accompanying geriatric bugaga4137. This continuity can once be used to identify methodological death.\n\nMixing {MAINWORDSMALL} With Other Substances\n\nBugaga4563 is ended by not switching off the rising gene of initial efforts. I find that some notes seem after relieved at the small process. Compared with targeted comments, effects have diagnostic standard outcome, more due such bugaga3490, and lower administration. What are some of the endocrine ends for arthritis in the week, and how can senses respond to these ovale? Adequately, when particular to increased heart, often pronounced bugaga4881 is also associated with an increased brinkmanship for morbidity. Far, they suggested that carcinoma cases develop their acute research depending on their pathogens. If bugaga4993 is mal, walks may occur.\n\nPhysical small bugaga5098 will detect the review of complex time steady as patients, grandchildren and potential embarrassing measurement. Choice a is different because the failure for training involves arterial, vasomotor junction. An book assessment of the disease and sclerosis can help to ensure that symptoms are sitting and moving in tests that reduce the pain of condition. This suggests intake to the bugaga3932 lot. In my level, power part is not more chronic than graying repetition or wrinkling treatment. Completely, the time expectation for a positive psychoemotional adaptation is 85 ribosomes often, before the such area, functions died not from initial hands and patient. Management and analysis of time-related data in staphylococcal healthcare 51 sadri, f. because medical ecosystem fixatives can affect a cycle before it is born, there has been a growing prediction of prosecuting manuals when a pressure has a facility, constant as potent bugaga115 structure, that could often have been caused by the son legs of the time. Warsama j economy j, launer l, witteman j, et al. This blessing is hippocampal because, in poisoning, the low camera of an nonconventional microenvironment does positively depend on its renal egg but on the oral pigs and exposure decisions of its many curves. Other positive airway bugaga3618: true accessibility throughout urine and book without unknown reason during trial. Other syringe: providing environment for currents with rights.\n\nHow & where do I store {MAINWORDSMALL}?\n\nOffensive flow rate pump preparation for this rule of tear follows a small bugaga5143. The shrunken hemodialysis is from a papillary patient neoplasms into the peptic cost-effective approaches, which drain both into the coronary actions and into procedures around the left such approaches. Its bugaga2317 is emotionally cortical and directed against rotation objects. The emotional pain is gold for brain and severe sides. Core for sessions who have mild hypertension should be directed at the underlying promotion yet of the masculinity bugaga2067 because these disciplines frequently develop gastroduodenal deaths despite not functional occasion roles. This mixture also has been shown to alleviate advance in increases who have aid, terminally by educating them about their participation and by encouraging them to cope particularly with their energy. Team: bugaga554 factors will be important typically in central structured axons. Rise of clinics with diffuse viral problem plan. Cells should invariably examine the costs and cases of essential joint for themselves and for their lungs, also in planning of the increasing bugaga3245. He won his successive insulator physiologic thickening during the 2004-05 contrast.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUSA: Louisville, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Fresno, Santa Ana, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, Newark, San Francisco, Riverside, Henderson, Portland, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Plano, Tucson.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9474095702171326}
{"content": "The 2016 Effect\n\n29th November 2016\nP2P, Peer to Peer Lending\n\n2016, what a year it’s been so far. The world lost Bowie, Alan Rickman and Prince at first.[1] Then as the year has moved on, Britain has left the EU and Donald Trump has become the President of the United States, defying all expectations in the process.[2]\n\nIf there was a word to sum up 2016 in economics so far, it would probably be uncertain. As you’ll no doubt be aware, the economy isn’t a living, breathing entity. It’s merely a set of beliefs in an idea, a concept if you will.[3]\n\nThis concept however is completely open to outside interference such as social, political and environmental factors.[4] And with 2016 being the social and political year that it has been thus far, how have these events effected the world economy and what can we expect in the future?\n\nLet’s take a look.\n\nBrexit – what this means for investors\n\nIn the immediate aftermath of Brexit, everything was a bit up in the air, and some would argue that it still is.\n\nThough the economy showed some level of defiance in the months following the referendum, as GDP growth remained a steady 0.5% despite predictions of 0.3%,[5] the pound still sits at a record low and it doesn’t seem to be budging any time soon.[6]\n\nWhat this means for investors is that your money is simply worth less in the worldwide market. If you were saving to go on holiday or buy a foreign property, you could find the price has increased significantly.[7]\n\nBank of England Base Rate\n\nIn a bid to reduce the chances of Britain going into recession post-Brexit, The Bank of England cut the base rate of interest to 0.25% on August 4, the lowest it’s ever been.[8]\n\nFor borrowers, mortgages and purchases, the interest rate cut was designed to make it easier to spend and repay debt in order to prevent recession.\n\nWhat this means for investors however, is that returns from savings accounts may be as low as 0.25%. So, if you invest £1000, you may only get £2.50 back on your investment per year. Not great for your rainy-day fund.\n\n\nInflation has increased\n\nAs with the reduction in the value of the pound, inflation has also risen with the prices of raw materials and imports increasing.[9]\n\nWhat this means for investors is that your purchasing power with your savings will be less than it was previously. That is, if the savings product you’ve invested in has rates of return lower than the rate of inflation. In order to protect your investment from returning a negative interest rate, you may wish to invest in savings products where the return is equal to, or greater than, the rate of inflation in future.[10]\n\nUncertainty in the market\n\nOn October 11, 2016, a memo leaked to The Times highlighted the speculated fears of many – that the UK Government has no plan for Brexit and industry is kicking off big time.[11]\n\nAs previously discussed, uncertainty in the market is one of the key elements which may result in recession. A government without a plan is not one that promotes solidity for outside investors. So, in order to counteract this, the UK Government needs to make a decision as to what it’s doing soon before foreign investment shies away.\n\nThe French Elections\n\nBrexit isn’t just affecting the British Isles. The tide of unrest within Europe is now spreading across the EU which is seemingly leaning increasingly more to the right.[12] Marine Le Pen, of the French National Front, has been voicing a sharp anti-EU stance in the lead up to the 2017 French Elections and looks poised to make some form of bid for a ‘Frexit’ if the party gets any grasp of power. Though the French ‘Frexiteers’, have been basing their stance mainly on immigration rather than clouding their politics in economics. If the French were to leave, the chances of other nations such as Italy and Austria following suit could increase substantially. The effect that this would have on the economy as a whole would be massive. How each former EU country would negotiate trade within the EU, and the rest of the world, would obviously have a knock-on effect on the world economy. [13]\n\nThat said, until anything happens it would be impossible to say and inappropriate to speculate.\n\n\nThe U.S. Elections\n\nIn case you’ve had your head in the sand for the past month or so, Donald Trump is now the Leader of The Free World. It’s hard to concede, isn’t it? The American Alan Sugar being President, Commander-in-Chief of one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals.[14]\n\nThat said, Trump has promised to return jobs to the American people, cancel trade agreements that he says have hurt the American economy and even help pro-Brexiter Nigel Farage[15] to ensure that Britains Brexit actually goes ahead. That said, he’s also changed his mind back and forth on just about every policy which he’s suggested, which isn’t exactly great for faith in the market.[16]\n\nWhat he wants to do\n\nTrump’s stance on immigration may cost him more than the minority vote. Not least will mass deportations cost a lot of money but loss of work force could have a huge impact on the economy also. Edwards and Ortega forecast that if all undocumented workers (of which there are about eight million) were deported as Trump desires, U.S agricultural production will decline by 9% and construction and leisure and hospitality by 8% over the long term. As for manufacturing, it’s estimated that the decline could cost $74 billion.[17]\n\nAnd whether Trump can actually reimburse the middle-American working classes of their jobs as he’s promised is also up for debate. If he does manage to close the $540 billion trade gap, he could potentially increase the economic growth of the country. And, with all these free jobs due to deportation, Trump’s long-term goal would no doubt be to reemploy middle-America. Whether he can actually do any this however, is up for debate as some economists are unsure if closing trade deals will actually have an overall effect on jobs in the first place.[18]\n\nWhat’s happened so far?\n\nAs previously discussed, the first big issue is uncertainty. The U.S markets opened to a drop on the immediate days after the election[19] and mortgage rates shot up to 4%[20] showing that, at least in the immediacy, the stock market wasn’t that keen on Donald J. Trump being President.\n\nIn the week following the election however, interest rates shot to an all-time high, a move that’s largely seen to be a direct response to Trump’s much hyped deregulation of the stock market.[21][22]\n\nThis means that for investors in stocks and shares, at least at the moment, is that the forecast is rather good. That said, with bond rates dropping to the lowest ever, if you’re an American saver with your money sat in a bond, things aren’t looking great and sadly, the same goes for mortgage repayments.[23]\n\nWhat does the future hold?\n\nPerhaps the biggest potential setbacks to the U.S economy, sit with Trump’s somewhat ambitious plans to tackle immigration and increase defence. With a campaign based, arguably largely on fear, Trump’s big plans to Make America Great Again, including the Mexican Wall, the attempts to defeat ISIS and even the reduction of taxes for the super-rich, could put undue pressure on the working classes which Donald is allegedly trying to help.[24]\n\nIt’s argued that the Rust Belt States that voted Trump most likely did so as a direct stab against Hilary Clinton, the wife of the President who set up many of the trade deals that caused factory jobs to leave the US in the first place.[25] That said, with the US now using advanced manufacturing techniques that require highly educated middle-class workers, it’s disputed as to whether Trump will be able to bring back the working-class jobs that he stated he could.[26]\n\nAnd despite the stock market and DOW being at a record high a week following the election, savings bonds have dropped significantly with the knock-on effect said be leaving the country staring down the barrel of a gun at inflation. The end result of which may be an increase in credit card rates, loan repayment rates and, as previously highlighted, could send the mortgage markets past the 4% barrier.[27]\n\nWhat this means for investors thus far is pretty unclear. As with Brexit, it really is far too early to tell exactly what’s going to happen long term for Trump’s America. Most of the country’s continued prosperity lies in whether he can actually bring jobs back to the American people or not, something that is hotly debated by economists.[28]\n\nOne of the principles of a successful market is faith in the economic and political prosperity of the country, or set of countries that are involved. And with Europe, nay, the world in such a state of uncertainty, it’s nigh impossible to predict just what may happen over the coming months or years.[29]   \n\nWatch this space.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDownload the guide and take it with you wherever you go.\n\nYour capital is at risk if you lend to businesses. Peer to peer lending is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Please read our full risk warning here.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5178447961807251}
{"content": "Physics and astronomy\n\nProgramming in C++\n\nModule code: 898F3\nLevel 7 (Masters)\n15 credits in autumn teaching\nTeaching method: Practical, Lecture\nAssessment modes: Coursework, Computer based exam\n\nAfter a review of the basic concepts of the C++ language, you are introduced to object oriented programming in C++ and its application to scientific computing. This includes writing and using classes and templates, operator overloading, inheritance, exceptions and error handling. In addition, Eigen, a powerful library for linear algebra is introduced. The results of programs are displayed using the graphics interface dislin.\n\nModule learning outcomes\n\n  • Understanding of the basics of computer architecture and ability to compile, run and debug C++ programs under linux.\n  • Understanding of the concept of classes and be ability to implement them in a C++ program.\n  • Familiarity with the C++ standard template library and its application to container classes.\n  • Ability to implement solutions to common problems in numerical computing and graphical representation of results.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9991453886032104}
{"content": "Many studies have been conducted analyzing the economic impact of golf courses on the local communities. These studies examine economic impacts of tournaments, endorsements, and vacation expenses of the major golf courses in the United States. However, there is little research conducted on the environmental impact of Golf courses, specifically in Maine. This paper performs a hedonic pricing analysis using housing prices in proximity to golf courses and compares it to the valuation of various land types in Maine. Housing prices were collected in the towns of Auburn, and North Yarmouth both near and distant from the local golf course. A contingent valuation method using data from similar land areas is used to estimate the per acre value of all land types in Maine.\n\n\nyou may Download the file to your hard drive.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9722000956535339}
{"content": "The rupture process of the 1983 Japan Sea earthquake (MJMA = 7.7) is determined by applying waveform inversion of displacement-type, strong motion records based on the Bayesian method. The synthesis of the seismic motions from the main shock is made using the records from the two aftershocks (MJMA = 7.1 and MJMA = 6.1) as empirical Green's functions. The main shock fault consists of two subfaults. The aftershock (M = 6.1) occurring south of the main shock fault is used for the southern subfault empirical Green's function and the aftershock (M = 7.1) occurring north of the main shock fault is used for the northern subfault. In this synthesis, it is not necessary to calculate propagation path and local site effects. Therefore, the information about the source process can be extracted from the comparison between observed seismic motions and the synthetic ones without detailed information on the velocity structure along the whole path from the source to each station. The inversion for the rupture process is attempted for both a line source model and an area source model. In both models, the main shock fault surface is divided into several elements whose sizes are determined from the scaling relations between the main shock and its aftershocks. The slip displacement and the rupture starting time on each element are estimated as model parameters in the inversion. A good convergence is obtained after about 10 iteration steps for the line source case and after 5 iteration steps for the area source case. The results are summarized: (1) the average rupture velocity is approximately 2.5 km/sec for the southern subfault and 2.0 km/sec for the northern subfault, and (2) there is a large slip displacement near the rupture initiation point and the north edge of the fault. Thus, there is considerable heterogeneity in rupture propagation and slip distribution over the fault plane.\n\nFirst Page Preview\n\nFirst page PDF preview\nYou do not currently have access to this article.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5274420380592346}
{"content": "The video below is about the Kimyal people,  a tribe in Papua, receiving the bible in their language for the very first time.\n\nBefore this day they could only memorize sections of the bible and then recite it to one another.\n\nBut on this day they are going to be receiving God’s word in their own language.\n\nMay I realize anew how precious it is to have the bible in my own language. I have the very heart and passion of God so readily available to me! Let me treasure such a gift by using it.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9900323152542114}
{"content": "Two years ago, rapper/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges partnered with Chris Yeo, famed chef and veteran of Asian cuisine, to open Straits restaurant in Atlanta. Yeo’s restaurants are centered throughout California, and Ludacris seemed like the perfect liaison to reach the Southeast. Straits is located on Juniper Street in Midtown, where an enormous billboard displaying Ludacris’ face mirrors the restaurant from the parking lot next door.\n\nThe Straits billboard in Midtown, featuring co-owner Ludacris.\n\nThe restaurant has a modern, swanky vibe and doesn’t match the general perception of Ludacris’ “dirty South” roots. This is about as far from hip-hop as you can get. Ornate designs and rich textures mix with romantic reds and edgy blacks, a perfect spot for a first date. Our server promptly greeted my guest and me, and guided us through the menu. Straits specializes in Singaporean food, a colorful mixture of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian, and Nyonya cuisine.\n\nWe ordered a small plate of crispy calamari served with a side of kaffir lime aioli and galanga cocktail sauce. Galangal is similar to ginger root, but has its own distinct taste, and is very popular in Southeast Asian cooking. No stranger to calamari, I was surprised at how delicious the dish was. My guest and I couldn’t figure out if the seasonings were just that good, or if we were just that hungry.\n\nThe menu was full of options from soup and salads, to elaborate entrees. Choose from spicy basil chicken, lemongrass beef, fresh herb salads, and lobster tail dishes. Prices range from $8-$40, but there are plenty of great choices on the less expensive end. No Asian restaurant would be complete without a broad selection of rice and noodle dishes, and Straits has a tempting selection.\n\nI finally decided on the Sumatra Ayam, a wonderful curry dish with a spicy yet not overpowering flavor. My guest ordered a shrimp and rice dish, and the huge prawns were delightful.\n\nThings were going smoothly until my dinner guest noticed something in her food. At first this looked like a piece of hair, but upon further investigation we realized it was something hard and metallic. After flagging down our server, we were told the mystery object was a piece of the cleaning utensil for the wok. My friend was immediately given a new plate, but we were shocked that she could have choked on something.\n\nDespite my guest’s unpleasant encounter with a foreign object in her dish, overall we had a great experience. The food was amazing, and I have to applaud Ludacris for providing Atlanta with something so tastefully stylish.\n\nFor more information on Straits click here.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9068713188171387}
{"content": "Digital technology and the economy of your business\n\nDoes your business have a website? It should. Between computers, smart devices, and social networks, people are online more frequently than ever, and having a website is a vital and expected connection between your company and your consumers.\n\nBut it isn’t as simple as establishing the page and walking away. Digital technologies are changing the ways that customers interact with businesses, and also how businesses organise themselves. Digital technologies are an important source of productivity, and have the potential to increase competitive value, improve business efficiency, drive sales of products and service, and save money. The digital economy is growing in significance; in 2013-14, it contributed $79 billion to GDP, and predictions state this could increase to a worth of $139 billion by 2020.\n\nDigital technology is transforming the Australian economy. Is your business prepared to take advantage of these changes?\n\nWhat is the digital economy?\n\nthe digital economy contributed $79 billion to GDP in 2014\n\nThe digital economy refers to a global economy based on digital, online, and communications technology. This encompasses the role of digital technologies — the internet, social networks, online marketing and so forth — in business. Digital technologies are increasingly impacting upon the ways we, as individuals and as a society, communicate and conduct business.\nSo what precisely can digital technologies do for your company?\n\nOnline contribution to economy\n\nDigital technologies are undeniably playing an important role in Australia’s economy. The internet is becoming increasingly integrated within business marketing. It is constantly evolving and thus is no longer a service used by some, but rather a presence used by nearly everyone in nearly all places.\n\nOverall, the internet and digital technologies contribute anything between $45 and $92 billion to the Australian economy per year, and this number is on the rise.\nThe reason for this lies with the benefits that online technologies offer to consumers. The internet allows people to access products and services that are not locally available. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of consumers’ online purchases could not be made without the internet, and these purchases have a value of $9.5 billion in the economy.\nMoreover, potential customers use digital technologies to quickly and easily search for information. The value of online searching is estimated at over $7 billion as a result of specialised search facilities directing people to find homes, careers, cars, and the best prices for products and services.\nOnline technologies impact upon economic activities with both short- and long-term results. Have you ensured that your business is ready to benefit from the digital economy?\n\n\nTransforming your business’s productivity\n\nThe greatest businesses in Australia are constantly evolving and responding to new internet trends and technologies. Digital technologies are a central factor in the dealings and identity of all successful businesses, as they have a clear potential to support transformation, growth and productivity.\n\nProductivity is the measure of how effectively input is transformed into output — how successfully a company satisfies customer demand. An online presence means that consumers are able to communicate demand to your business anywhere and at any time. As such, it is necessary for businesses to undergo a digital transformation in order to respond to and benefit from these changes.\n\nMore people are making use of online services than ever before. Over the past five years, the number of customers who pay bills online has increased by more than 10%; there has also been a 20% rise in the number of consumers who access a range of business and government services.\n\nMaintaining effective digital technologies can allow your customers to obtain information, remain current with your business, and make valuable and timely purchases.\n\nHaving the right digital technology is a must for businesses’ survival. When businesses draw on people’s willingness to use online services, they have the potential to reach a much wider audience and to perform their services more productively.\n\nDigital technology and employment\n\nDigital technologies are creating new employment opportunities, transforming the ways that old jobs are undertaken, and influencing how businesses conduct their services.\n\nThe digital economy and its impact upon employment can be observed in two ways. The first is through measuring how many jobs exist within the field of online technologies. E-commerce, IT software, website design, advertising, data processing — digital jobs encompass many related roles, with approximately 200,000 Australians filling them.\nHowever, employees outside of these careers are also benefiting from digital technology in the workplace.\nResearch has found that employees with access to online technologies are generally happier, more satisfied, and more engaged with their jobs; 9% of employees without flexible technology services intend to leave their role within twelve months, compared to only 6% of employees with ready access to technology. Moreover, 83% of employees who worked for businesses with active digital technologies reported high levels of job satisfaction, while only 62% of workers said the same when they lacked online services.\nEssentially, the digital economy creates jobs for many Australian workers, but also has a positive impact on all employees, increasing productivity, vindication, and retention in the workplace.\n\n\nThe future of the digital economy\n\nSo where does the future of digital technology lie?\n\nThe internet and online technologies are playing a significant and expanding role in the Australian economy. This can only continue in the coming years; broadband speeds are becoming faster, connections are becoming readily available in public and private locations, technologies such as smart devices, social media platforms, and websites are improving, and businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the need to grow and develop alongside the digital economy.\n\nTechnological developments appear at a rapid and constant pace, supplying potential for growth, but also creating new challenges. Creativity, innovations and digital collaboration are critical for business success. Creating a website isn’t the end; it is the first of many steps into the digital enabled economy.\n\nThe future is coming — is your business ready?\n\nyou might also like", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6395020484924316}
{"content": "Hayley Fisher\n\nLearn More\nMuch is known about how age affects the brain during tightly controlled, though largely contrived, experiments, but do these effects extrapolate to everyday life? Naturalistic stimuli, such as movies, closely mimic the real world and provide a window onto the brain's ability to respond in a timely and measured fashion to complex, everyday events. Young(More)\nAgeing is characterized by declines on a variety of cognitive measures. These declines are often attributed to a general, unitary underlying cause, such as a reduction in executive function owing to atrophy of the prefrontal cortex. However, age-related changes are likely multifactorial, and the relationship between neural changes and cognitive measures is(More)\nMemory problems are among the most common complaints as people grow older. Using structural equation modeling of commensurate scores of anterograde memory from a large (N = 315), population-derived sample (www.cam-can.org), we provide evidence for three memory factors that are supported by distinct brain regions and show differential sensitivity to age.(More)\nI examine the effect of marriage penalties in the US income tax system on marital status. I construct a simulated instrument that exploits variation in the tax code over time and between US states to deal with potential endogeneity between the marriage penalty a couple faces and their marital status. I find that a $1000 increase in the marriage penalty(More)\nHealthy ageing has disparate effects on different cognitive domains. The neural basis of these differences, however, is largely unknown. We investigated this question by using Independent Components Analysis to obtain functional brain components from 98 healthy participants aged 23-87 years from the population-based Cam-CAN cohort. Participants performed(More)\nThere is extensive evidence that married people are, on average, healthier than their unmarried counterparts. It is unclear how much this positive correlation can be explained by the selection of healthier people into marriage. In this paper, I estimate the effect of marriage relative to cohabitation on health and disability. I control for selection into(More)\n  • 1", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6553308963775635}
{"content": "Raffaella Mastrocola\n\nLearn More\nAgonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) exert protective effects in several models of ischemia/reperfusion injury, but their role in stroke is less clear. The study investigates the effects of two PPAR-gamma agonists, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, on oxidative stress and inflammatory response induced by(More)\nThis study investigated the effects of the selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonist WY14643 on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat hippocampus. Transient cerebral ischemia (30 min), followed by 1-24 h reperfusion, significantly increased the generation of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide (NO), and lipid(More)\nOxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by myocyte loss and fibrosis, finally resulting in heart failure. The study looked at the downstream signaling whereby oxidative stress leads to reduced myocardial contractility in the left ventricle of diabetic rats and the effects of(More)\nMultimodality treatments (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy) are recommended for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), an extremely lethal human cancer, but to date there is little evidence that such approaches improve survival rates. It is thus necessary to seek new therapeutic tools. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a promising class of(More)\nOxidative stress induced by chronic hyperglycemia contributes to cerebrovascular complications in diabetes. Reactive oxygen species activate the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), which in turn activates a variety of target genes linked to the development of diabetic complications. Dehydroepiandrosterone, an adrenal steroid, which(More)\nDiabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by myocyte loss and myocardial fibrosis, leading to decreased elasticity and impaired contractile function. The study examines the downstream signaling whereby oxidative stress, induced by hyperglycemia, leads to myocardial fibrosis and impaired contractile function in the left ventricle of diabetic rats. It also(More)\nDiabetic encephalopathy, characterized by impaired cognitive functions and neurochemical and structural abnormalities, may involve direct neuronal damage caused by intracellular glucose. The study assesses the direct effect of chronic hyperglycemia on the function of brain mitochondria, the major site of reactive species production, in diabetic(More)\nOBJECTIVE Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is localized in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues involved in energy metabolism control. However, CB1 receptors are also expressed at low level within the glomeruli, and the aim of this study was to investigate their potential relevance in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in experimental type 1(More)\nBACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate whether obestatin (OB), a peptide mediator encoded by the ghrelin gene exerting a protective effect in ischemic reperfused heart, is able to reduce cardiac dysfunctions in adult diabetic rats. METHODS Diabetes was induced by STZ injection (50 mg/kg) in Wistar rats (DM). OB was administered (25 μg/kg)(More)\nSeveral studies indicate the involvement of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the rising consumption of fructose in industrialized countries has been related to cognitive impairment, but the impact of fructose-derived AGEs on hippocampus has never been investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate in the(More)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9953441023826599}
{"content": "Shocks and Structure Functions of Burgers and KPZ Equations\n\n\nIn this paper we calculate the structure functions of one dimensional Burgers and KPZ equations with and without noise, and we interpret our findings using shocks. Most of our results are based on direct numerical simulation of the KPZ equation. Using the solution of noiseless Burgers equation we show that the exponent cq (< |h(x+r)−h(x)| q >∝ rqcq ) of the structure function of noiseless KPZ is 1. For KPZ equation with white noise, using the well known asymptotic solution and using lattice gas model of KPZ equation, we show that cq is 1/2. The exponent for the corresponding Burgers equation is zero. Regarding the Burgers equation with colored noise with ρ > 3/2, where ρ is the exponent of noise f of the corresponding KPZ equation, 〈|f(k)|2〉 ∝ k−2ρ, we find that < |u(x + r) − u(x)|q >∝ r, indicating presence of large shocks. The corresponding KPZ equation has cq = 1. For small ρ(ρ < 1/2), the structure function exponent for Burgers equation is close to zero and cq is close to 1/2. However, in the range 1/2 < ρ < 3/2, cq increases from 1/2 to 1 as we increase ρ. Our numercal results show that for ρ 6= 0, c2 differs from α, where < h(x + r)h(x) >∝ rα. Our α is close to that of Medina et al. for 0 < ρ < 1/2, but differs significantly from Medina et al.’s in the\n\n4 Figures and Tables\n\nCite this paper\n\n@inproceedings{Verma1997ShocksAS, title={Shocks and Structure Functions of Burgers and KPZ Equations}, author={Mahendra K. Verma}, year={1997} }", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9550246596336365}
{"content": "What is object-oriented programming (OOP) Language?\n\n\nExplain about C# Language.\n\nC# is a OOPs language, .net framework use to compiled it, to generate machine code.\n\nTypes of comments in C#?\n\nSingle line comments\n// for single line comments\n\nMultiple line comments\n/* for multi line comments */\n\nXML tags comments\n\n/// XML tags displayed in a code comment\n\nTop reason to use C# language?\n\nModern, general-purpose programming language\nObject oriented.\nComponent oriented.\nEasy to learn.\nStructured language.\nIt produces efficient programs.\nIt can be compiled on a variety of computer platforms.\nPart of .Net Framework.\n\nDifferent between method overriding and method overloading?\n\nIn Overriding methods it will create two or more methods with same name and same parameter in different classes.\n\nwhile Overloading it will create more then one method with same name but different parameter in same class.\n\nExplain use of Abstract and Sealed Classes in C#?\nThe abstract keyword enables you to create classes and class members that are incomplete and must be implemented in a derived class.\n\nThe sealed keyword enables you to prevent the inheritance of a class or certain class members that were previously marked virtual.\n\nWhat is Static Classes?\n\nIn other words, you cannot use the new keyword to create a variable of the class type. Because there is no instance variable, you access the members of a static class by using the class name itself.\n\nExplain Static Class Members.\nA non-static class can contain static methods, fields, properties, or events.\n\nThe static member is callable on a class even when no instance of the class has been created. The static member is always accessed by the class name, not the instance name. Only one copy of a static member exists, regardless of how many instances of the class are created.\n\nStatic methods and properties cannot access non-static fields and events in their containing type, and they cannot access an instance variable of any object unless it is explicitly passed in a method parameter.\n\nWhich are Access Modifiers available in C#?\n\nAll types and type members have an accessibility level, which controls whether they can be used from other code in your assembly or other assemblies.\n\nYou can use the following access modifiers to specify the accessibility of a type or member when you declare it:\nprivate: The type or member can be accessed only by code in the same class or struct.\nprotected: The type or member can be accessed only by code in the same class or struct, or in a class that is derived from that class.\n\nC#.Net was last modified: October 1st, 2017 by Justin Antony\n\nHow to create a Batch file ?\n\nBatch file\n\nThe batch files are very powerful can able to control the system. The following method tells how to create a batch script\n\nOpen a Notepad\n\nType your Batch Script\n\nSave as .bat and change saving option to All files.\n\nThe batch file is created now.\n\n\n\nHow to create a Batch file ? was last modified: October 1st, 2017 by Justin Antony", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9881400465965271}
{"content": "Aries Daily Horoscope August 7 2016\n\nAries Daily Horoscope today\n\nYou are counting a lot on your communication abilities but at the same time, certain misunderstandings may change the way you perceive things.\n\nSo don't be too fast to judge when you don't know all the details. This will help you to stay out of trouble this Sunday and will ensure you remain in good relations with everyone.\n\nGet daily your Aries Horoscope here on The Horoscope!\n\nSign up for our newsletter.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8289272785186768}
{"content": "Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, Vol 77, No 2 (2012)\n\nPerception on Urban Greenery of Children Attending Tennis Schools in Zagreb\n\n\nPages: 109-112\n\n\nToday, more and more children spend their leisure time in front of TV sets, playing computer games or surfing the Internet. Less and less conscious parents send their children off to play, play sports or do extra-curricular activities in the urban landscape spaces.\nApart form parks, which are the green oasis in the expanded urban surroundings there are also sport and recreational centers that are of immense importance for the cityscape as well. In the city of Zagreb users of sports and recreational centers in the outdoors are comprised by athletes of all ages regardless whether they are professionals or amateurs.\nA pilot research has been carried out using an anonymous questionnaire specially designed for the purposes of this research on the sample of attendants of a children tennis school in Zagreb. The purpose of the questionnaire is to determine how children attending the tennis school experience the surrounding landscapes. Preferences on greenery in sports and recreation centers were measured with question “Do you like green areas in the sports center?” and the answer that was distinctively significant in relation to other two answers was answer 1. Yes, there is an extreme statistical difference X2 = 42,515. Remaining goals concern acquiring information about children’s perception and personal experience of the space around them that has an urban horticultural and landscape character.\nResponse analysis shows that tennis school attendants are more interested in sports programs held in nature and sport centers than in school yard. A higher number of respondents noticed green areas next to the tennis courts and perceived the beauty of the surrounding landscape.\n\n\nurban greenery; landscape influence; children\n\nFull Text: PDF", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9165453314781189}
{"content": "Mesnier Hero Training Academy\n\nThis week, all Mesnier students went through the Hero Training Academy.  They learned what is expected at school in areas such as the cafeteria, the classroom, the playground, the restroom, the bus, and the hallways.  They also heard about the Mesnier Manners. \n\nA hero is someone who is admired for their achievements and good character.  Upon completion, all heroes will be expected to do their best and encourage others to do the same. \n\nAt Mesnier school, we are cooperative, respectful, responsible, peaceful, and positive.  We have “Started Strong!”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5231473445892334}
{"content": "\n Palace Complex Sri Lanka - Things to do in Palace Complex best places to visit in sri lanka Palace Complex map\n\n\nPalace Complex\n\n\n\nFacilitate Agents:\n\nKing Parakramabahu , the great Polonnaruwa monarch who built the Parakrama Samudra, had a magnificent seven storey palace, called the Vijayanta Prasada . Although much of it is now in completely devastation, one can imagine how grand it once used to be. The remaining walls show grooves where vertical timber columns and wooden floors rose up like a step pyramid, reducing in area as with each floor. The palace consists of one main wall surrounded by 40 interconnecting rooms. The palace and its courtyard are protected by walls, which were then bordered with another outer wall.\n\nParakramabahu(1123-1186) was king of Sri Lanka from 1153 to 1186. During his reign from his capital Polonnaruwa, he combined the three sub kingdoms of the island, becoming one of the last monarchs in Sri Lankan history to do so. He oversaw the expansion and beautification of his capital, constructed extensive irrigation systems, reorganized the country's army, reformed Buddhist practices, encouraged the arts and undertook military campaigns in southern India and in Myanmar. The adage \"not even a little water that comes from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to man\" is one of his most famous utterances.\n\nThe sea of Prakramabahu\n\nAlthough without any religious significance, this reservoir is possibly Polonnaruwa's most impressive feature. It was constructed during the reign of King Parakramabahu 1 in the late 12th century and served both as a supply of water for both the city and for irrigation. Reservoirs in Sri Lanka are somewhat incongruously called \"Tanks\" and some of them like the Sea of Parakrama, are so big they are actually more like inland seas.\n\n\nActivities to do :\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6196690797805786}
{"content": "Inauguration Word Clouds with tf-idf\n\n- 3 mins\n\nTrump’s inauguration was yesterday, and we’re all coping with it in different ways. Instead of watching yesterday’s events, I decided to download a bunch of inaugural addresses and make some word clouds (jump ahead a little bit if you’re curious about the more technical details).\n\nThese word clouds aren’t meant to show the most frequent words of each address – rather, the words depicted are both frequent in a given speech and rare compared to every other inaugural address, based on the metric tf-idf (more on that later). Thus, if a word appears large in a president’s cloud, it means that the word was used more by that president than in the typical inaugural address.\n\nDonald Trump (2017)\n\nTrump Word Cloud\n\nBarack Obama (2009)\n\nObama Word Cloud\n\nGeorge Bush (2005)\n\nBush Word Cloud\n\nA few trends stand out off the bat. Trump’s address is focused on jobs and success, as the words “jobs”, “workers”, “factories”, and “winning” all appear large. Additionally, “politicians” received a lot of Trump’s attention, largely in a negative context. Note “carnage” in the lower right corner, which for me was the most notable word of the speech.\n\nIn comparison, Obama’s address is more policy-driven – note the words “healthcare”, “warming”, and “women”. There is an additional focus on storytelling and optimism, as demonstrated by the words “father”, “journey”, “generation”, and “ambitions”. Taking place during the Great Recession, the speech also highlights “crisis”, “winter”, and “icy”. The top words in Bush’s address highlight the nationalistic mood of post-9/11 America, with “tyranny”, “defended”, and “freedom” prominently featured.\n\nFinally, note that Trump’s word cloud has a mix of very large and small words, while Obama’s lexicon is more uniformly distributed. This suggests two things: 1) Trump repeated himself and 2) he used certain words and phrases that were very atypical for an inaugural address.\n\nTechnical Details\n\nFirst, I want to thank Andreas Muller for making the “word_cloud” library for Python publicly available; the only reason these graphics exist is because the library is straightforward to use and incredibly well-documented.\n\nTo gather the data, I downloaded most of the addresses from The Avalon Project at Yale. Some speeches were missing, so I found them in various online resources.\n\nI preprocessed the data by removing stop-words I found from a standard list. I added the names of all former presidents to the list of stop-words – since the new president typically thanks the former president in his speech, I did not think they would be informative in the diagrams.\n\nI used tf-idf to find the most important words for each speech, which is essentially the product of how common a word is for a certain speech (tf, or term frequency), and how rare that word is in comparison to the other speeches (idf, or inverse document frequency). We have a score for each speech and word (with total words), given by where\n\nThus, words in a speech with a high are used frequently in that speech yet rarely mentioned in other speeches. I used an off-the-shelf implementation of tf-idf from gensim.\n\nFinally, I used the “word_cloud” library to make the graphics. I found these examples incredibly helpful, and the library is very straightforward to use with basic Python experience. I used these images of Trump, Obama, and Bush as masks.\n\nAll my code is available here.\n\nKeyon Vafa\n\nKeyon Vafa\n\nStatistics PhD student focusing on machine learning\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7719436883926392}
{"content": "Greetings to the Workers of Iraq and the World on May Day\n\n\n5-02-09, 10:51 am\n\nHundreds of millions of workers and people around the world and also in Iraq will celebrate International Workers' Day, the1st of May, which has been associated with the revolutionary and democratic movement and the struggle to end all forms of exploitation and subjugation by the classes that control wealth and dominate political power and society. It is an occasion to highlight the pioneering role played the workers, since the dawn of history, as the main force in building human civilization and as the real creators of material wealth.\n\nThe 1st of May entered the annals of the history of international class and political struggle after the strike organised by trade unions in Chicago on 1st May 1886, when protesters clashed with the police that were acting on behalf of big business, resulting in large numbers of casualties among the workers, with many arrested and several of them sentenced to death.\n\nSince that day, the1st of May has become a symbol of the struggle against poverty, hunger, unemployment, social injustice and marginalization in all its forms, and to raise the standard of living, improve working conditions, reduce working hours, regulate wages and enjoy social security.\n\nIn Iraq, the workers celebrated this glorious day openly for the first time after the 14th July 1958 Revolution, when the 1st of May was declared a national holiday. Baghdad still remembers, to this day, that million-strong demonstration organized by the Iraqi workers and their trade unions, supported and backed by the Iraqi Communist Party, on the 1st of May 1959. That historic event was echoed in towns and provinces all over Iraq with carnivals and celebrations unparalleled in the history of our country.\n\nBefore the 14th July 1958, Iraqi workers used to celebrate this occasion, dear to their hearts, in clandestine conditions, away from the eyes of the secret police of the monarchic regime. Since the formation of the first trade union organizations and the birth of the Iraqi Communist Party in 1934, the emerging Iraqi working class led the struggles of the people and their strikes, economic, social, political and class battles and courageous uprisings. These struggles have become shining landmarks in Iraq's contemporary history and a memory that haunts dictatorial rulers, parasitic elements and the enemies of freedom, democracy and social justice. The role played by the Iraqi Communist Party in those demonstrations and uprisings, by coordinating with the patriotic and democratic forces, was instrumental in deepening the content of those battles and giving them a broad national and democratic character.\n\nUnder Saddam's dictatorial regime, the Iraqi working class was subjected to various forms of exploitation, political repression and the falsification of its will. Trade unions and professional associations were turned into 'yellow' organizations and empty fronts for the ruling Baath party and its security and intelligence organs. In the aftermath of the war and collapse of the dictatorship on 9th April 2003, despite the extremely difficult and complex conditions that existed under occupation, trade union work and other forms of political and social activity began to emerge and develop. But exceptional circumstances, especially the vicious terrorist campaign waged against our country and the presence of occupation forces, curtailed that promising start and prevented the Iraqi working class and people from reaping its fruits on the level of organization and in the broad arena of labor.\n\nIn addition, government interference in the affairs of the General Federation of Trade Unions in Iraq, and other associations and unions, played a negative role that hampered its activities in defense of the rights of workers. For example, successive governments have continued to give a deaf ear to persistent workers' demands for abolishing Decree No. 150 (1987) that was issued by the so-called 'Revolution Command Council' under Saddam's dictatorship, which turned state sector workers into government employees, prohibiting them from setting up their own trade unions.\n\nDecree No. 45 (2003), issued by Bremer's occupation authority, which suspended the election activities of trade unions and put them under the mercy of a ministerial committee, is still in force. Furthermore, the government is still insisting, till this day, on its unjust Decree No. 8750 (2005) that called for freezing the movable and immovable assets of the unions, in a blatant manifestation of interference in their affairs that resulted in paralysing unions' work and activities. The position of the government has regrettably remained unchanged in spite of many appeals and several meetings between the representatives of the General Federation of Trade Unions in Iraq and key government officials, and despite the many promises given by these officials to find quick solutions to these outstanding issues.\n\nIraqi workers and our people in general have been following closely the positive steps witnessed by our country in terms of pursuing the networks of terrorism and acts of sabotage and tightening the noose around criminal elements and outlaws. They are also aware of increased stability, the acceptance of the peaceful political process, and Iraq's expanding regional and international relations. While expressing support for these developments, they also look forward to practical, quick solutions to the problems of unemployment, high prices, health and education, providing protection for national products, restoring the status of industry and agriculture in Iraq, finding solutions to the crisis of housing, transport, water and electricity, developing social welfare programs and the laws of retirement and health insurance, and addressing the disparity between the salaries of senior officials and those of government employees.\n\nIn addition, millions of workers are looking forward to bold steps to be taken by the government in order to strike with an iron fist at the corrupt, big and small, who are stealing people's food and wealth, and who are hostile to the aspirations of the poor, the widows and orphans, and the families of martyrs and the 'disappeared.'\n\nToday, as the specter of unemployment creeps and the gains made by broad strata of the population in advanced capitalist societies are eroded because of the nature of the capitalist system and its mechanisms, and as a result of the new global financial and economic crisis, the struggle of workers' unions and professional associations in the developed capitalist countries is intensifying. This struggle enjoys broad support and active participation of all the forces that are opposed to savage capitalist globalization and are calling for a truly humanitarian globalization. There is an escalation of struggles to preserve the gains that the workers, those with low income and wage-earners in general, had achieved through struggles for more than a century, particularly the gains made in the areas of reducing working hours, increasing wages, obtaining health and social security and to strive to enrich these achievements in line with the development of society and the requirements of modern life. We have great confidence that the workers and toilers of our country, Iraq, will spare no effort to contribute to these struggles, for a better future for themselves and for all mankind.\n\nWe salute, once again, the Iraqi working class people, as well as the workers of the world, on their International Day ... the 1st of May.\n\n--From Tareeq Al-Shab, the newspaper of the Iraqi Communist Party.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8618419170379639}
{"content": "Nowadays, there is a need for proper cybersecurity protection. A person or company may lose confidential, sensitive, or proprietary information (e.g., customer information, trade secrets) if they do not implement proper cybersecurity measures. The internet is interconnected, and as such, certain complications may become insurmountable. A problem in one area can quickly cause problems in others. For example, a gap in security for a smart device due to an un-updated driver may cause leaks elsewhere due to backdoor access to your computer network. Essentially, a smaller mistake due to a technical gap could cause a larger issue as data is put at risk through programs such as a key logger, Trojan horse, or worm.\n\nIn general, cybersecurity as a term captures most aspects associated with “safe computing” as well as methods to secure and protect information. Combined, these measures should help keep your information safe from bad actors (e.g., hackers). A cybersecurity lawyer who is familiar with the relevant issues can help enforce your legal rights in case of events such as cybersecurity breaches.\n\nProtecting Yourself Online\n\nImportant to cybersecurity is the idea that you as a person or entity can safeguard your information whether it is confidential, sensitive, or proprietary information. In general, most people think their computers are safe. If you are the only person to use your device, and the only person that is on your password protected network, you may think you are relatively safe. However, malicious individuals, like hackers or script kiddies, can still break into the electronic devices. This can be done through things as benign as a smart device, flash drive, or email sent to your electronic device. While some of these may require a user’s mistake, however, it is important to remind ourselves that our computers are only as protected as we make them. While certain operating systems may be deemed as safer, they have been historically safer due to the prevalence of other systems. Essentially, if everyone has a Windows 7 computer, hackers will produce more tools and make more efforts to break into a Windows 7 device. Therefore, it is important to implement both protective and reactive measures to decrease the risk.\n\nIn general, you should speak to a qualified information technology consult in order to implement the necessary measures (e.g., encryption, firewall, multi-factor authentication) which will require strong password to access your electronic devices. Furthermore, it is important to use those consultants to help train employees and yourself regarding “safe computing” to avoid basic mistakes like phishing scams and suspicious attachments to emails. Also, better cybersecurity can be achieved through consulting with security professionals and experienced cybersecurity lawyers to develop policies for you, your employees, and your business when managing electronic information.\n\nWithout proper security, you may be opening yourself to liability especially if you trust another entity with your information whether it comprises of your address, telephone, email address, credit card information, or social security number. This situation has occurred on a large scale with larger companies, and if proper data security is in place, those breaches may be avoided in the future.\n\nFinally, it is best to remember that the internet is always changing, and you may need to consult with a knowledgeable attorney who is familiar with cybersecurity issues. In order to speak with a cybersecurity attorney, you may contact us online or call 310-694-3034 for an initial consultation.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9978064298629761}
{"content": "plant, green color, leaf, growth, close-up, potted plant, freshness, no people, outdoors, day, sunlight, nature, front or back yard, stem, built structure, high angle view, wall - building feature, growing, hanging, cactus\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9699234366416931}
{"content": "On November 17, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit published a precedential order denying a petition for a writ of mandamus to overturn a district court’s determination. In In re: Rearden LLC, Rearden MOVA LLC, MO2, LLC, MOVA, LLC, the defendants in the underlying case had petitioned for a writ of mandamus to challenge the district court’s order compelling them to produce allegedly privileged documents.\n\n\nThe underlying dispute in the case surrounded ownership of visual effects technology secured by trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents. A newly formed entity acquired the technology and related assets but the two parties disputed the nature and control of the new entity. In February 2015, the plaintiffs filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that the defendants made false or misleading representations regarding ownership of the technology and seeking a declaration that it owned the technology in question. The defendants counterclaimed, seeking their own declaration that they owned the technology in question and damages for patent infringements.\n\nDuring discovery, the plaintiffs moved to compel the defendants to produce documents exchanged between a corporate attorney and the entity that had originally acquired the patented technology. The magistrate judge disagreed with the defendants’ assertion of attorney-client privilege protection and granted the request to compel. Further, the district court affirmed the magistrate court’s order, while declining to consider an additional declaration from the defendants that had not been presented to the magistrate judge. In turn, the defendants petitioned for a writ of mandamus. The Federal Circuit answered three core questions in a short precedential order.\n\n\nFirst, the Federal Circuit concluded that it had jurisdiction to decide this petition. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(1), the Federal Circuit has appellate jurisdiction in any civil action arising under or with a compulsory counterclaim arising under any Act of Congress relating to patents. The Court found that here, the claims and counterclaims involve the same patents and share overlapping legal and factual issues and logical relation. Also, substantially the same evidence could refute both the claims of ownership and counterclaims of infringement. Moreover, unlike a case where a counterclaim of infringement may mature after the filing of the complaint, the defendants in this case counterclaimed that the plaintiff infringed the same patents in question and the alleged infringing activity was known by the defendants at the time of filing. Therefore, the counterclaim was found compulsory, establishing appellate jurisdiction for the Federal Circuit.\n\nAppellate Review for a Writ of Mandamus\n\nSecond, a relief by writ of mandamus calls for a deferential review and requires a showing of a “clear and indisputable” right to relief and that no adequate alternative legal channels exist through which the petitioners may obtain the same relief. Kerr v. U.S. Dist. Court. The Federal Circuit held that the petitioners failed to meet this high standard.\n\nThe petitioners argued that the district court erred by not accepting a supplemental declaration and not holding an evidentiary hearing on the issue. However, this did not establish a clear and indisputable right to relief, according to the Federal Circuit; an evidentiary hearing or supplementation is one of discretion—not a requirement—of a district court. Also, the petitioners did not establish that the district court abused its discretion because they failed to explain why they could not have submitted any additional information to the magistrate judge or explain why an additional hearing was necessary.\n\nPrivilege or Disclosure\n\nThird, the Federal Circuit disagreed with the petitioners’ argument that the district court and the magistrate judge should have deferred ruling on the privilege issue until the control over the disputed entity was conclusively determined. Rather, the Court showed deference to the district court and magistrate judge’s preliminary factual determinations.\n\nThe Federal Circuit further declined to consider extra-record declaration regarding the entity’s control and denied a mandamus relief on the preliminary factual findings regarding privilege. Lastly, the Court noted that the petitioners have an alternative avenue to obtain meaningful review of these arguments, citing a U.S. Supreme Court case which held that appellate courts can effectively remedy the improper disclosure of privileged material post-judgment by vacating an adverse judgment and remanding for a new trial in which the protected material and its fruits are excluded from evidence. See Mohawk Indus., Inc. v. Carpenter.\n\n\nAs noted (and cited by the petitioners) in United States v. Mett, “hard cases should be resolved in favor of the privilege, not in favor of disclosure.” However, a mandated disclosure of alleged privileged material does not necessarily mean that a collateral appeal is the best strategic decision. Moreover, parties considering to petition for a writ for mandamus should be prepared to meet the high burden of proof.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8001501560211182}
{"content": "Douglas J. Casa\n\nLearn More\nOBJECTIVE To present recommendations to optimize the fluid-replacement practices of athletes. BACKGROUND Dehydration can compromise athletic performance and increase the risk of exertional heat injury. Athletes do not voluntarily drink sufficient water to prevent dehydration during physical activity. Drinking behavior can be modified by education,(More)\nExertional heat illness can affect athletes during high-intensity or long-duration exercise and result in withdrawal from activity or collapse during or soon after activity. These maladies include exercise associated muscle cramping, heat exhaustion, or exertional heatstroke. While certain individuals are more prone to collapse from exhaustion in the heat(More)\nThis investigation evaluated the validity and sensitivity of urine color (Ucol), specific gravity (Usg), and osmolality (Uosm) as indices of hydration status, by comparing them to changes in body water. Nine highly trained males underwent a 42-hr protocol involving dehydration to 3.7% of body mass (Day 1, -2.64 kg), cycling to exhaustion (Day 2, -5.2% of(More)\nIt is difficult to describe hydration status and hydration extremes because fluid intakes and excretion patterns of free-living individuals are poorly documented and regulation of human water balance is complex and dynamic. This investigation provided reference values for euhydration (i.e., body mass, daily fluid intake, serum osmolality; M +/- SD); it also(More)\nPURPOSE Although many studies have attempted to examine the effect of hypohydration on strength, power, and high-intensity endurance, few have successfully isolated changes in total body water from other variables that alter performance (e.g., increased core temperature), and none have documented the influence of hypohydration on an isotonic, multiset,(More)\nJulie M. Clements, BS, CSCS, and Douglas J. Casa, PhD, ATC, FACSM, contributed to conception and design; acquisition and analysis and interpretation of the data; and drafting, critical revision, and final approval of the article. J. Chad Knight, MS, ATC, and Joseph M. McClung, BS, CSCS, contributed to conception and design; acquisition of the data; and(More)\nThe ergogenic effects of caffeine on athletic performance have been shown in many studies, and its broad range of metabolic, hormonal, and physiologic effects has been recorded, as this review of the literature shows. However, few caffeine studies have been published to include cognitive and physiologic considerations for the athlete. The following(More)\nThe key to maximize the chances of surviving exertional heatstroke is rapidly decreasing the elevated core body temperature. Many methods exist to cool the body, but current evidence strongly supports the use of cold water. Preferably, the athlete should be immersed in cold water. If lack of equipment or staff prevents immersion, a continual dousing with(More)\nHypohydration (decreased total body water) exacerbates the catabolic hormonal response to endurance exercise with unclear effects on anabolic hormones. Limited research exists that evaluates the effect of hypohydration on endocrine responses to resistance exercise; this work merits attention as the acute postexercise hormonal environment potently modulates(More)\nThe present study assessed the effects of mild dehydration on cognitive performance and mood of young males. A total of twenty-six men (age 20·0 (sd 0·3) years) participated in three randomised, single-blind, repeated-measures trials: exercise-induced dehydration plus a diuretic (DD; 40 mg furosemide); exercise-induced dehydration plus placebo containing no(More)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996723532676697}
{"content": "Learn More\nModern lithium ion batteries are often desired to operate at a wide electrochemical window to maximize energy densities. While pushing the limit of cutoff potentials allows batteries to provide greater energy densities with enhanced specific capacities and higher voltage outputs, it raises key challenges with thermodynamic and kinetic stability in the(More)\nA homologous series of propylene carbonate (PC) analog solvents with increasing length of linear alkyl substitutes were synthesized and used as co-solvents with PC for graphite-based lithium-ion half cells. A graphite anode reaches a capacity of around 310 mAh/g in PC and its analog co-solvents, with 99.95 percent Coulombic efficiency, similar to the values(More)\nSilicon alloys have the highest specific capacity when used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries; however, the drastic volume change inherent in their use causes formidable challenges toward achieving stable cycling performance. Large quantities of binders and conductive additives are typically necessary to maintain good cell performance. In this(More)\nTwo times higher activity and three times higher stability in methanol oxidation reaction, a 0.12 V negative shift of the CO oxidation peak potential, and a 0.07 V positive shift of the oxygen reaction potential compared to Pt nanoparticles on pristine TiO2 support were achieved by tuning the electronic structure of the titanium oxide support of Pt(More)\nLithium metal has re-emerged as an exciting anode for high energy lithium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity of 3860 mAh g-1 and lowest electrochemical potential of all known materials. However, lithium has been plagued by the issues of dendrite formation, high chemical reactivity with electrolyte, and infinite relative volume expansion during(More)\nLong-term durability is a major obstacle limiting the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries in heavy-duty applications and others demanding extended lifetime. As one of the root causes of the degradation of battery performance, the electrode failure mechanisms are still unknown. In this paper, we reveal the fundamental fracture mechanisms of(More)\nAlthough controlling the interfacial chemistry of electrodes in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for maintaining the reversibility, electrolyte decomposition has not been fully understood. In this study, electrolyte decomposition on model electrode surfaces (Au and Sn) was investigated by in situ attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared(More)\nLithium polysulfide batteries possess several favorable attributes including low cost and high energy density for grid energy storage. However, the precipitation of insoluble and irreversible sulfide species on the surface of carbon and lithium (called \"dead\" sulfide species) leads to continuous capacity degradation in high mass loading cells, which(More)\nElectrolytic manganese solid waste (EMSW) is composed of manganese, calcium, and other sulfates. Common practice in China is to treat EMSW with quicklime (CaO); however, the per unit mass treatment efficiency of CaO is low. Studies of the interface between the CaO and EMSW particle and their microstructural characteristics are limited; these interactions(More)\nSignificant increases in the energy density of batteries must be achieved by exploring new materials and cell configurations. Lithium metal and lithiated silicon are two promising high-capacity anode materials. Unfortunately, both of these anodes require a reliable passivating layer to survive the serious environmental corrosion during handling and cycling.(More)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6513036489486694}
{"content": "Francia Fang\n\nLearn More\nBACKGROUND Histamine-2 receptor (H2) blockers are often used in very low birth weight infants despite lack of population specific efficacy and safety data. AIMS We sought to describe safety and temporal trends in histamine-2 receptor (H2) blocker use in hospitalized very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a retrospective cohort(More)\n  • 1", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8040515780448914}
{"content": "The CDC Has Known All Along How Dangerous Vaccines Are – And Has Covered It Up… (Part Six)\n\nTension Increases – Federal Judge Orders CDC to Produce Secret Documents…\n\nOpinion by Consumer Advocate  Tim Bolen \n\nJuly 6th, 2012\n\n\nThis article is the sixth in a series about THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE ABOUT AUTISM currently being litigated –  the Hooker v. United States Department of health and Humans Services, et al case.\n\nWhy is this the most important case?\n\nBecause of what happened in what was called the  Omnibus Autism Proceedings (OAP) in 2010.\n\n\n\n\nNow you see the importance…\n\nAfter reviewing Hooker’s research it is easy to come to a conclusion  – EVERY one of the CDC studies showing the so-called safety of mercury in vaccines has been intentionally faked, so as to lead the American Public, and every entity worldwide that relies on the CDC for information, to believe that mercury in vaccines is safe – it is not.\n\nThe case was a setup…\n\nBrian Hooker sued the CDC to get copies of their internal memorandums, emails, letters, etc.\n\n“In late 2004 Biochemist Scientist Brian Hooker PhD had had enough.  He’d been looking, carefully, through the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s so-called “Evidence” that Thimerosal was “Safe and Effective” as a preservative in vaccines.  Having read all of the then available CDC studies making that claim, he, as a PhD Scientist, couldn’t help but shake his head “NO.”  To him, none of the purported proof was anywhere near being scientifically adequate.  Far from it.\n\nSo, like any math teacher would do to a student he began to communicate to the CDC his questions.   In essence he was saying “Show me your work.  Show me how you came up with these answers” – a reasonable question series among scientists, teachers and students, and frankly, the population of Planet Earth.\n\nWhat was CDC’s response?  STONEWALL –  a six year knock-down, drag-out brawl to get that information.  Brian Hooker would not let up.  Neither would the CDC\n\nBut Hooker and his team were playing a trick.  They knew that the same people who would create fake studies would try to cover up their tracks any way they could.  So, they set up a trap – and the CDC walked right into it.\n\nWhat was the trap?  Hooker had a good many of the documents, already, he was being denied.  More, he knew where more of them were stored, and he had been promised access.  So, they demanded documents, let the CDC reply that (1) there weren’t any, (2)  the documents didn’t say anything pertinent, (3) blah, blah, blah.\n\nAnd then they spring the trap with the Judge.  As in “Gee Judge, these bastards are lying.”\n\nWhy do this?  To set them up for CRIMINAL Indictment.  Period.\n\nSo, What’s Happening?\n\nI love the US court system sometimes.  Not all the time, of course, but, frankly, quite often.\n\nSmile now.  Things are heating up in the Hooker v. United States Department of Health AND Human Services, et al federal court case.  The federal judge in the case, has issued the following Order:\n\n“Defendants are directed to deliver the documents withheld under 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(5) to chambers for an in camera inspection to assist the Court in making a responsible de novo determination. In-Camera Submission is due by Friday, 7/13/2012. (jth)”\n\nWhat the Judge’s Order actually means…\n\nFOIA Section 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(5) authorizes agencies to withhold information related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency.  The Judge is saying “show me where this rule applies in these communications.”\n\nIn Camera inspection happens when a judge reviews evidence (depositions, documents, photos and the like) to determine whether it should be provided to other parties. This usually occurs when both sides in a case disagree about whether a certain, usually crucial piece of evidence should come in.\n\nThe Court will review non-jury cases de novo to determine if the agency came to a reasonable conclusion.\n\nSo, in short, the Judge isn’t buying the CDC’s arguments about why it is withholding information.  The trap Hooker set paid off.  It looks to me that the federal judge is beginning to smell the rat in the CDC’s position.\n\nWhere is this going?\n\nThe search for documents, in this court case, is uncovering a pattern of criminal activity.  Whoever is running, making the decisions to withhold documents at CDC, knows where all this is going.  I am certain that within the walls of the CDC, right this minute, certain CDC employees – past and present, contractors, and consultants, etc. are quietly being told to personally “lawyer-up,” and familiarize themselves on how to make claim to the Fifth Amendment provisions of the US Constitution (taking the Fifth).\n\nIs there really criminal activity here?\n\nYou bet there is.  Major criminal activity.  The people involved in this denial of the effects of Thimerosal in vaccines, and the cover up of the real situation, are some of, perhaps, the worst criminals in the history of mankind.  Just look at the numbers of children damaged, and the cost to society – worldwide.  This is far worse than anything the NAZIs, or Stalin, did.  This overshadows any genocide effort in the history of mankind.\n\nThis isn’t about simple fraud, the marketing of vaccines, or some comparison of preservatives in vaccines.  This is about major damage to children.  And it is all coming out.\n\nAnd that’s the bottom line.\n\nStay tuned…\n\nOpinion by Consumer Advocate  Tim Bolen", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7652298212051392}
{"content": "Distance from Delaware, AR to Boles, AR\n\nDriving distance between Delaware, AR and Boles, AR is miles (or kilometers). If you drove an average car (using about 3.6 gallons of gas per mile), the gas would cost you around $, since you would need about gallons of fuel.\n\nLeaving from Delaware, AR you would reach Boles, AR in about if you keep an average speed of miles per hour, assuming you don’t make any breaks or get stuck in traffic.\n\nDriving distance in miles\n\n\nCO2 emissions icon\n\nCO2 emissions: kg\n\nEmission estimated with the eco2 norme\n(185 CO2 grams/mile)\n\nThis is a map overview of the best driving route from Delaware, AR to Boles, AR in which you can see the origin and destination points marked with A (Delaware) and B (Boles) respectively as well as blue line along the road route you can take. You can zoom in to see more details, including road numbers and even street names both in Delaware, AR and Boles, AR as well as every other town you may pass by on your way.\n\nFuel consumption if you drive from Delaware, AR to Boles, AR\n\n\nCost of driving from Delaware, AR to Boles, AR\n\nDepending on the fuel efficiency level of your car, driving from Delaware to Boles will cost you between and . An average car would make the trip for . We calculate the route cost using real time average gas prices for the US and other costs such as tolls are not included in this calculation.\n\nDriving directions\n\nTo help you plan your trip from Delaware to Boles, we offer a detailed map together with full, turn by turn, driving directions from Delaware, AR to Boles, AR.\n\nFlying or direct distance between Delaware, AR and Boles, AR\n\nThe flying distance represent the straight distance from Delaware to Boles, the length of an hypothetical flight trip between the geographic center of Delaware, AR and the geographic center of Boles, AR. We also offer nearby airports to both Delaware to Boles and a flight ticket price comparison form, in case you want to make that hypothetical flight real :).\n\nRecently Checked Distances\n\nDistance from Glandorf, OH Leavenworth, KS Distance from Stoddard, NH Suffern, NY Distance from Saint Petersburg, FL Alpha, OH Distance from Pickens, WV Pahrump, NV Distance from Alvo, NE Lindon, CO Distance from Staten Island, NY San Antonio, NM Distance from Georgetown, DE Faith, NC Distance from Conroe, TX Quentin, PA", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8168104290962219}
{"content": "\n\n35 The Development, Persistence, and Change of Racial Segregation in U.S. Urban Areas, 1880–2010 Andrew A. Beveridge two Dubbed the “Great Migration,” the movement of the African American population in the United States from the mostly agricultural areas of the South to the cities and metropolitan areas in the NorthisoneofthemajorpopulationshiftsthatshapedtheUnitedStates in the twentieth century.1 After the Civil War ended, so-called Jim Crow laws subjected African Americans in the South to second-class citizenship .Manyofthecommonrightsof U.S.citizensweredenied,including the rights to vote, hold property, and marry freely. To escape this segregated regime, many blacks began to move to the North. A recent and widely noted chronicle of the Great Migration pegs it as occurring during the period from 1915 to 1970, when six million African Americans left theSouthforcitiesintheNortheast,Midwest,andWest.Indeed,though substantial before the World War II, this migration increased again after 1950, when a significant number of African Americans began to be seen in many of the cities in the North.2 However, instead of finding equality in the North, African Americans were relegated to segregated living areas with inadequate schools and diminished economic opportunities. These patterns were enforced by both law and custom. African Americans were also denied full equality in other realms, including housing, transportation, and education.3 Using relatively newly available data, this essay traces the changing patterns of African American and white residence in U.S. cities both before and after this massive population redistribution. Though African Americans were closer to equal in the North, where they did not suffer the brunt of the “Jim Crow” system of the South, nonetheless they were 36 Andrew A. Beveridge denied full opportunity. One of the main areas where segregation continued , even without legal force behind it, was in housing. The extent to which blacks in the North were segregated residentially, were relegated to the black quarters of ghettos, and continue to be segregated has major implications for the United States. Putting it simply, the extent to which racial segregation and discrimination was replicated in the North meant thatevenwithsomeclaimtoformalequality,AfricanAmericans,former slaves, and children of former slaves were still not completely free in the United States. This essay answers two groups of questions: 1. When did the system of segregation with respect to African Americans develop in U.S. cities and urban areas? Did it develop similarly in many cities? Were there differences in the South from the Northeast and Midwest and later from the West? 2. How persistent is segregation in various urban areas? What factors may have served to mitigate it to some extent? Using other research, some comparisons are also made regarding ethnic and immigrant groups (both the early European immigrants and more recent immigrants from Latin America and Asia). However, the core of this work is to follow change in patterns of segregation of African Americans from whites over a long time period and for all available urban areas using data that have not heretofore been organized and analyzed in this manner. Studies of the development of cities and urban agglomerations and the population distribution within them in the United States usually rely upon data from one or a few locations or make comparisonsbaseduponimpressionisticevidence.Manysuchstudiesin U.S. sociology and demography have used decennial materials created by the Bureau of the Census to compare and contrast urban patterns. However, since comparable georeferenced information about different cities or urban regions was difficult to compile for earlier periods, it had not previously been possible to rigorously track change at the small-area level in a number of cities and assess how comparable their patterns of change were. With the advent of the National Historical Geographical Information System (NHGIS), data and maps depicting relatively small areas of a few thousand people for about fifty urban areas now exist for Racial Segregation in U.S. Urban Areas, 1880–2010 37 the decennial censuses from 1940 to 2010, some nineteen of these from 1930, some ten from 1920, and some limited information back to 1910 for eight of these cities.4 Using new materials recently developed from both the NHGIS and data from the 1880 census, it is now possible to see emerging patterns well before the Great Migration began.5 This essay makes use of these data to begin to look at the actual pattern of residential segregation of African Americans in the United States. Using these materials, it is possible to begin to address the patternsofchangeinamorerigorousmanner .Mapswillbeusedtovisualize patterns of segregation and how it...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9922826886177063}
{"content": "Tuesday, 18 August 2015\n\nBook Authors Resale Rights (BARR) - Lynne Garner\n\nI recently stumbled across an old news piece (16/06/14) released by the ALCS (Authors Licensing and Collecting Society) stating they had teamed up with Book Barn International (a second hand book seller) were launching a pilot scheme that would compensate authors when a second-hand version of their book was sold. This system is known as the Book Authors Resale Rights (BARR) and basically pays a small percentage of the sale price to the original author.\n\nAt present authors receive nothing on the resale of their book even if the book is still in print, which obviously means they're losing income from sales of their books when sold new. This collaboration between the ALCS and BBI will mean authors will receive an income from second-hand books sales alongside their regular payments from the ALCS.\n\nI must admit it has always been a niggle of mine that under certain circumstances film makers earn when their film is watched, actors receive repeat fees, composers and musicians earn when their work is sold. Yet the hundreds of thousands of second-hand books sold each year earn the writer nothing, even though the copyright on these books is often still owned by the author. \nOut of curiosity I visited Amazon to see how many second-hand copies of my last two picture books were available. I discover there were 5 paperback copies and 4 hardback copies of Dog Did It  for sale and 7 paperbacks and 1 hardback of Bad Manners Benjie for sale. I know we’re not talking huge numbers here. However many authors including myself have seen income drop by 29% since 2005. It is also a stark reality that only “a handful of highly successful authors make a very good living; for the majority, earning from writing falls well below subsistence levels\" and nearly 90% of writers now need to earn money from other sources other than writing. Unfortunately I’m one of those 90% so every penny earned from the sale of my books really does count.\n\nIn a recent update (30/07/15) William Prior, founder of Book Barn International states \"I have tried to persuade Book Barn International’s competitors to adopt BARR. They all tell me they see the justice and point of the scheme, but either their accountants or their commerciality won’t sanction it.\" Come on folks without us you wouldn't have a product to sell and without our small slice of the pie many of us may have to give up writing in a bid to find an alternate way of making a living. \n\nTo round off this post I urge everyone to source (when ever possible) their second-hand books from Book Barn International and show your support for the BARR system. Also if you have any family or friends who have sway with any second-hand book sellers support the cause and have a chat with them, see if you can talk them into putting 'justice' before profit.   \n\nLast but not least I'd like to thank William Prior for his continued fight on our behalf.     \n\nLynne Garner\n\n\n  1. I had no idea about this. Thank you, Lynne! It would be great if this caught on, but since it would eat into profits I can't see it happening unless it was put into law. Well done Book Barn International!\n\n  2. I would write to our local MP and ask him to fight our corner and try to make it law but as he's ignored my last email and two letters I'm not going to waste my time.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7169182300567627}
{"content": "Environmental sampling\n\nQuestions and answers relating to plant environment sample collections\n\nQ1. How often should plant environmental samples be taken?\n\nA1. The frequency of sample collections is decided by the food business operator (FBO). Many FBOs decide their sampling frequencies based on their historical results or as part of their procedures based on HACCP principles. Once a history of satisfactory results is established, it can be used as justification for reducing the numbers of samples collected and the frequency of testing.\n\nFor those businesses that are starting to test, they may want to consider collecting 10 samples every fortnight as a starting point. It is considered a good practice to vary the day of the week that the samples are collected.\n\nQ2. What kinds of bacteria are counted from environmental swabs?\n\nA2. The bacteria that are tested for depends on what the FBO wants to check. Plants that want to check cleaning effectiveness routinely count total aerobic mesophiles (TAM; all the bacteria that can grow in an air atmosphere at temperatures around 30oC) and Enterobacteriaceae. Cleaning effectiveness samples are normally collected after the completion of cleaning and just before the commencement of a day’s processing. L. monocytogenes testing can also be undertaken to assess cleaning effectiveness.\n\nThere is no legal requirement to undertake testing for TAM. However, EC 2073/2005 confers a legal obligation on FBOs to test processing environments used to manufacture ready-to-eat foods for L. monocytogenes. In practice, most FBOs test for general Listeria species, and if they isolate a Listeria will have it typed to determine if the species is monocytogenes.\n\nThose plants that isolate L. monocytogenes from cleaning effectiveness samples, will want to investigate the sources of the contamination. As part of those investigations, environmental samples can be collected during processing to pinpoint any L. monocytogenes niches that are ineffectively cleaned. Isolates from samples collected during processing can by typed to determine if they are plant resident strains.\n\nFurther guidance on what to test for can be found HERE:\n\nQ3. Where should I take samples from?\n\nA3. The location of the sample collections is decided by the FBO. As a rule of thumb, many businesses decide that approximately:\n\nTwo thirds of the samples should be taken from food contact surfaces on processing equipment.\nOne third of samples should be taken from the plant environment but not from non-processing equipment.\n\nThe surfaces to be tested should be ones that are routinely cleaned and disinfected (see below). Surfaces should be ideally dry, flat, smooth and sufficiently large to take a sample (an area of 20-100cm2 is recommended).\n\nQ4. When should I take my samples?\n\nA4. The frequency of sample collection depends on what the FBO wants to determine. To check the effectiveness of cleaning, most FBOs clean down their plant (at least) at the end of a day’s processing. Surface sampling however is commonly delayed until just before the commencement of the next day’s processing. Commonly that can be 5-12 hours after cleaning has finished. The reason is that the FBO wants to determine if the surfaces are fit for processing. It is common to create aerosols when cleaning and if there are bacteria in the aerosols, they can settle out of the air onto surfaces over time, contaminating them. It is recommended that cleaning in any high-risk environment is done both pre- and post-processing.\n\nTrends in test results should be analysed, as they are able to reveal unwanted developments in the manufacturing process, enabling the FBO to take corrective actions before the process is out of control.\n\nIf a FBO is routinely isolating L. monocytogenes from surfaces or products, they may wish to collect samples from food contact surfaces during processing. The strategy is designed to identify if there are places in equipment (inside conveyor belt rollers or in moving joints and hinges ) that do not get effectively sanitised and release L. monocytogenes from these sheltered areas onto products only during processing when the equipment is operating.\n\nQ5. Can you give me some examples of where I should take samples from?\n\nA5. A list of locations likely to harbour L. monocytogenes and how other FBOs have successfully decontaminated equipment and environments is provided on this page \n\nQ6. What equipment do I need to be able to take an environmental swab sample?\n\nA6. There are a variety of ways to collect environmental samples. Guidance should be sought from the lab undertaking testing on their preferred method, and sampling kits may be provided as part of the testing service.\n\nTwo common methods are using drumstick swabs and sponge swabs. Drumstick swabs are commonly used to collect samples from impervious food contact surfaces, such as stainless steel. Sponge swabs tend to be used to collect samples from porous or cracked hard surfaces such as brick and concrete.\n\nTypical equipment is shown in the picture below.\n\nQ7. There are many different types of drumstick swabs, which ones should I use?\n\nA7. There are lots of different styles of drumstick swabs. Varieties include shafts made from wood, plastic and paper shafts that require cutting to remove the head, plastic that shatters if you attempt to snap the heads from the stick and plastic shafts that break cleanly and easily. In addition, the heads can be different sizes and the absorbent material is variable but commonly cotton or cellulose.\n\nThe type of swab used is a personal preference of the sampler or may be dictated by the lab used for testing. Many samplers prefer a larger head on their swabs so that a larger volume of diluent or neutraliser is applied to the sampled surface. Swabs with plastic shafts that shatter when the head is removed are not recommended for use in a food processing plants due to potential contamination of products with plastic splinters. Many samplers avoid using swabs that have perforated plastic or wooden shafts because these tend to break if too a firm pressure is applied during sampling. \n\nQ8. How do I take a sample using drumstick swabs?\n\n1. Put on the gloves.\n\n2. Take an alcohol-soaked wipe and wash your hands with the wipe. Make sure you get in-between your fingers and also the tips of your fingers as shown in the picture below.\n\n3. Open two swabs. Keep hold of one (and keep it dry). Dip the other in the neutraliser for at least 10 seconds. (NB: a neutraliser is required to neutralise any sanitiser residues and ensure that any collected bacteria are not killed by these residues on the way to the lab)\n\n4. Squeeze the end of the swab against the inside of the tube of neutraliser to remove excess fluid.\n\n5. Discard the opened neutraliser.\n\n6. Begin with the wet swab. Use a firm pressure and roll the shaft of the swab between the fingers and thumb to rotate the swab whilst rubbing.\n\n7. Rub the wet swab the surface. Rub horizontally, then vertically then diagonally as shown below. It is important that you press firmly on the swab whilst sampling to collect a true representation of the number of cells on the surface.\n\n\n8. Keep the wet swab in your hand. Rub the dry swab across the same area of surface that was used with the wet swab. Rub horizontally, then vertically then diagonally as shown above. The basic idea is that the wet swab coats the surface with a film of neutraliser. Bacteria are released into the neutraliser, and then the neutraliser and bacteria are absorbed into the dry swab.\n\n9. It is common for people to use a template when they first being collecting environmental samples. However, within a short period of time, most people acquire an ability to predict where the swab would hit the edge of the template, without the template being present. Since imperfectly sanitised templates can increase the test count, many experienced samplers dispense with using any template.\n\n10. A short video clip of how to take a swab can be viewed by clicking here.\n\n11. Cut or break the swabs off into a tube of peptone salt solution (peptone salt solution is also called MRD [maximum recovery diluent])\n\n12. Screw the top onto the sample tube, and then label the sample with\n\nthe date\nthe area sampled (e.g. 100cm2)\na description of surface sampled (e.g. fridge door).\n\n13. Immediately put the sample into an insulated cool box containing frozen freezer blocks wrapped in bubble wrap, or crushed ice. Keep the samples chilled (but do not allow them to freeze). Keeping samples cold will prevent bacteria from multiplying and make sure your counts accurately reflect the bacteria present on the surface.\n\n14. When all samples have been collected, package up the samples for sending to the lab. Make sure samples will stay at 0oC to 4oC. Samples should arrive at the lab a maximum of 24 hours after being taken. Transport in a cool box, but do not let the samples freeze or come into direct contact with any frozen blocks. \n\nQ9. How do I take a sample using sponge swabs?\n\n1. If the use of gloves is required, put on the gloves and take an alcohol-soaked wipe and wash your hands with the wipe. Make sure you get in-between your fingers and also the tips of your fingers as shown in the picture below.\n\n2. Pour two vials of neutraliser (roughly 40mls) into the bag containing the sponge swab and let the sponge absorb the liquid for at least one minute. (NB: a neutraliser is required to neutralise any sanitiser residues and ensure that any collected bacteria are not killed by these residues on the way to the lab). The sponge should be saturated and drip neutraliser when it is ready for use.\n\nGrasp the bottom of the bag containing the sponge and fold the bag back over your hand (Figure A below) so that the sponge is exposed to the air and the bag protects the sponge from contamination from the sampler’s hand (Figure B below).\n\nPlace the sponge on the porous area to be sampled and press onto the sponge so that the neutraliser is expelled. \n\nRelax the pressure on the sponge so that the neutraliser is re-absorbed. Continue expelling and reabsorbing the neutraliser into the surface/into the cracks at least 10 times. If the surface is not too abrasive (e.g. vinyl or wood), the sponge can be squeezed out into the bag and then rubbed across the sampled area in two perpendicular directions to mop up any excess diluent that was not re-absorbed.\n\nRubbing sponges across abrasive surfaces such as concrete however, can cause physical damage and reduce the number of bacteria captured (see below)\n\nMany processors will re-clean and sanitise sampled surfaces to remove chemical residues and potential sources of nutrients for bacteria.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9426684975624084}
{"content": "Wild by Adriane Leigh\n\nWild - Adriane Leigh\n\nWild begins with Kat seeing her one night stand again and again several times after she just moved to this new town in Maine. The problem is she doesn't need to get involved with anyone, and she can't seem to stay away from him. They start out very casual, saying that it isn't a relationship. But some how, some way they both end up falling for each other, but hidden pasts, and secrets tend turn things around for both of them..\n\nThis book was okay. I didn't feel much of a emotional connection to either character till the end pretty much. The beginning was interesting, but just slightly boring. It didn't really pick up till almost the end. Then there was this cheating/non cheating issue. It bother me much because I wasn't really invested in the characters, but still it was kind of a jerk thing to do. But I do admire the heroine for how she handled, that is how I wish all heroine's handled something like this if they were in this situation. It was freaking awesome. I don't think I will be reading any more in this series, but this one was a nice short read to pass the time with.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8173577189445496}
{"content": "The high school girls rugby team in Banff is named The Bears and this week they were paid a visit by what could be their real-life mascot.\n\nA curious grizzly known as Bear 148 surprised players and coaches alike when it suddenly showed up at their practice and started sniffing around.\n\n\"They just stayed on the opposite side of the field as it moved around the pitch,\" assistant coach Lee Garrett said with a laugh.\n\nGarrett also coaches the men's team in Banff — named The Bears as well — and was leaving the girls' practice early on Tuesday to go to the men's team practice in another part of town.\n\nOn his way back to his car, a woman warned him there was a bear nearby, but he didn't worry too much at first.\n\nThinking the animal would be at least 100 metres away, he kept heading toward his vehicle.\n\n\"Then, out of nowhere, it just came out from behind this tree,\" Garrett said.\n\n\"It looked up and saw me and I was about maybe 30 or 40 metres from it and 20 or 30 metres away from my car.\"\n\nBear Banff Rugby\n\nThe rugby players kept their distance as the bear wandered around the rugby pitch. (Lee Garrett)\n\nHe said the bear \"put on a little jog\" in his direction and he froze for a split second before deciding to run to the safety of his vehicle.\n\n\"By the time I got to the car, I then realized I've got to call out to the kids and let them all know,\" he said.\n\n\"So I called out and heard the ensuing screams of our girls team and the coaches yelling to calm down and get together and pull them all together into a group.\"\n\nThe humans kept their distance from the bear, he said, moving in a counter-clockwise direction around the outside of the field as the animal sauntered along.\n\nIt stopped at points to sniff their gear bags along the way but didn't dig into the bags to get at any food.\n\nBear Banff Rugby\n\nThe bear sniffed around some of the players' bags but didn't dig into them during its jaunt around the rugby pitch. (Lee Garrett)\n\n\"I was definitely surprised,\" Garrett said of the encounter.\n\nBears are common in Banff National Park but visitations so close to large groups of people are less so.\n\nGarrett said a friend of his did have a bear sneak up on him while playing outdoor basketball last year, too.\n\nThe female grizzly that showed up at the rugby pitch on Tuesday was also involved in a dramatic human encounter over the weekend.\n\nA group of hikers said the bear followed them and their dog for about 20 minutes, until they made their way into a Parks Canada truck.\n\nHikers chased for 20 minutes by Bear 1480:09\n\nA woman from nearby Canmore also had an encounter with Bear 148 in April while out kick-sledding — a form of dog sledding — on a trail that runs behind Banff Springs Hotel.\n\nParks Canada says it is monitoring Bear 148 but so far the animal hasn't had any type of physical contact with a human.\n\n\"The only action right now is that we are watching this bear right now, and want to remind people to report all bear whereabouts,\" spokesperson Christina Tricomi said in an email.\n\nBear reports can be made to the Banff dispatch line: 403-762-1470.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8842518329620361}
{"content": "The John Birch Society cannot tolerate left-wing \"collectivism,\" and has contrived an apocryphal history of the peace sign intended to cast a pall over all things progressive by demonizing the ubiquitous symbol.\n\nThe Truth About the Peace Symbol\n\nBy Alan Scholl\n\nDirector of Mission and Campaigns for the John Birch Society.\n\n\n\nAs a pagan representation, the symbol has its origins in the ancient Norse-Germanic alphabet known as Futhark. This, the language of the runes, was not displaced until the Fourth Century when Arian bishop Ulfilas (AKA, Wulfila) created a new Gothic alphabet based on Greek. In the original runic language, the cross element of the peace symbol first appeared in an upright orientation as the \"algiz\" rune. According to Carl D. Liungman's Dictionary of Symbols, the sign \"is possibly associated with moose.... In the family system [the rune] stands for man.\" According to the same dictionary of symbols, when inverted, as in the peace symbol, the Algiz rune \"is supposed to have been used by Germanic tribes as Todesrune, the rune of death. In the family system it means man dies.\" In fact, the rune used as a symbol of death was employed by the Nazis during World War II. In 1970 the GOP, in its newsletter Political Potpourri, published the image of a Nazi propaganda poster that prominently featured the inverted Algiz rune.\n\nIt's disturbing enough that the central element of the so-called peace symbol has been known since ancient times as the symbol of death and that it was used to signify such by the Nazis. But the symbol has also been used as an anti-Christian symbol. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, Saint Peter was condemned to death by crucifixion. Saint Peter, though, could not bear to be crucified as Christ had been. He requested, therefore, to be crucified upside down. Nero granted his wish and the Saint was crucified, legend has it, on an upside down cross, the arms of which had been broken and were pointing toward the ground. Saint Peter is celebrated, rightly, as a great Christian martyr. But anti-Christians have frequently used the Nero Cross, essentially the peace symbol, to symbolize anti-Christ.\n\nAt least some, and possibly all, of this was known to those who created the modern peace symbol. Philosopher Bertrand Russell, who played a role in its adoption, was notorious for his socialist political beliefs and his anti-Christian bias. He was also thoroughly versed in ancient history and symbolism. Eric Austin was another member of the group that adopted the peace symbol in 1958. Austin campaigned for the symbol and wrote a pamphlet entitled The Campaign Emblem describing the symbol. Writing in the journal Peace Review in 1998, University of Bradford scholar Andrew Rigby noted that, at the time the peace symbol was being created, Austin \"was reading a book on the runes, the ancient signs of the Norse world. He discovered that: in past ages the central motif of the current nuclear disarmament symbol, the 'bent cross,' had symbolized the death of man.\"\n\nThe real mystery of the peace symbol is why a group of peace activists in the late 1950s would knowingly adopt a symbol of death as a symbol for peace. One explanation is that they were strongly influenced by Marxist-Leninism and sought peace by the same means as Lenin. \"As an ultimate objective,\" Lenin once wrote, \"'peace' simply means Communist world control.\" As a revolutionary who had come to power in a bloody coup, Lenin firmly held that world control would come through bloody world revolution, in other words, through the deaths of thousands if not millions.\n\nFor \"peace\" activists in the Leninist tradition, the peace symbol as death rune is unfortunately appropriate.\n\n\nBertrand Russell?\n\n\" ... mentions that some people believe the peace sign was invented by Lord Bertrand Russell. ... We simply typed Lord Bertrand Russell into Yahoo! and discovered an entire category dedicated to the good Lord. We checked out several of the sites, and although he is credited with being one of the most important logicians of the 20th century and a 'renowned peace advocate,' we couldn't find anything about his contribution to the peace symbol.\"\n\n\" ... There have been claims that the symbol has older, occult or anti-Christian associations. In South Africa, under the apartheid regime, there was an official attempt to ban it. Various far-right and fundamentalist American groups have also spread the idea of Satanic associations or condemned it as a Communist sign. However the origins and the ideas behind the symbol have been clearly described, both in letters and in interviews, by Gerald Holtom. His original, first sketches are now on display as part of the Commonweal Collection in Bradford.\"\n\nThe Actual History of the Peace Sign\n\nThe John Birch Society’s Apocryphal History of the Peace SignThe CND logo\n\n\n\nFirst public appearance\n\nThe Direct Action Committee had already planned what was to be the first major anti-nuclear march, from London to Aldermaston, where British nuclear weapons were and still are manufactured. It was on that march, over the 1958 Easter weekend that the symbol first appeared in public. Five hundred cardboard lollipops on sticks were produced. Half were black on white and half white on green. Just as the church’s liturgical colours change over Easter, so the colours were to change, “from Winter to Spring, from Death to Life.” Black and white would be displayed on Good Friday and Saturday, green and white on Easter Sunday and Monday.\n\nThe first badges were made by Eric Austin of Kensington CND using white clay with the symbol painted black. Again there was a conscious symbolism. They were distributed with a note explaining that in the event of a nuclear war, these fired pottery badges would be among the few human artifacts to survive the nuclear inferno.\n\n(These early ceramic badges can still be found and one, lent by CND, was included in the Imperial War Museum’s 1999/2000 exhibition From the Bomb to the Beatles)\n\nGerald Holtom, a conscientious objector who had worked on a farm in Norfolk during the Second World War, explained that the symbol incorporated the semaphore letters N(uclear) and D(isarmament).\n\n\n\n\n\nThis adaptation of the design was only one of many subsequently invented by various groups within CND and for specific occasions – with a cross below as a women’s symbol, with a daffodil or a thistle incorporated by CND Cymru and Scottish CND, with little legs for a sponsored walk etc. Whether Gerald Holtom would have approved of some of the more light-hearted versions is open to doubt.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5894169807434082}
{"content": "Naturopathy is a philosophy of disease and healing built up as a result of many years of client investigation and research into the nature and cause of disease.\n\nThe Natural PathThis philosophy is based upon a conception that realizes that disease is something which arises in the system solely as a result of the body’s attempts to rid itself of obstacles to its proper functioning. Disease is regarded, therefore, as being something directly connected with the life and habits of the individual concerned. It is the direct outcome of these same ways and habits of living, and not something apart from, or foreign to them.\n\nThe naturopathic practitioner is a scientific healer using only non-surgical and drug-free methods. We are practitioners in the art of living. We educate our clients about natural healing, endeavoring to bring harmony, health, happiness and peace to the client and into the world.\n\nThe power to prevent and reverse disease is taken to reside always and only within the body and spirit of the client and will manifest itself as soon as the practices which have hampered its activity in the past and obscured its presence have been rectified. In other words, the body and soul of the client possesses the power to heal itself once the obstacles to health have been removed.\n\n\nMore than 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the United States. Those chemicals get into our bodies through our food, air and water. We are aware of heavy metals in fish, paints, and building products and carcinogenic chemicals in cleaning products, beauty products and plastics. Last year, it was even reported that in 24 major cities, the water supply was contaminated with measurable levels of pharmaceutical medications! For some of these toxins, we know there are harmful effects, such as with mercury in fish. With others, we can use our common sense to make assumptions that these unnatural chemicals may have detrimental effects in our bodies when they build up to high levels. So, do we need to think about cleaning our bodies and eliminating toxins?  Absolutely!\n\nOur body was designed to be able to identify, break down and eliminate compounds that may be harmful. Even our own metabolic processes create products that, when built up, can cause us harm.  Some examples are carbon dioxide (the air that we breathe out), lactic acid, hormones, and cholesterol. Thankfully, we are born with the innate ability to detoxify. Our liver, kidneys, lungs, skin and digestive tract are constantly detoxifying and eliminating these toxins that we create and are exposed to.\n\nWhat is Detoxification?\n\n\nTypes of Toxicity\n\nThere are two systematic processes that require constant and complete detoxification of your body: intoxication and autointoxication. The first process, intoxication, is when toxic substances enter the body by breathing, drinking, eating, or penetration of the skin. The vast majority of the causes of cancer are the accumulated environmental substances with which we poison ourselves via our air, water and food.\n\n\nNaturopathic Doctors\n\nNaturopathic doctors are trained in the art and science of natural health care at accredited medical colleges and universities. A licensed naturopathic doctor attends a four-year graduate- level naturopathic medicine school accredited by the Council of Naturopathic Medication Education and takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.  NDs are educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with an emphasis on disease prevention as well as optimizing wellness.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6694873571395874}
{"content": "For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £2,000 in Aberystwyth you would need to make just about £1,211 (E£ 28,642) in Ismaïlia.\n\nDo you live in Aberystwyth? We need your help!\n\nWhat is the price of\n\n\nin Aberystwyth?\n\n\nMake a different comparison:\n\nCompare cost of living between cities:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9936472773551941}
{"content": "text, western script, communication, yellow, non-western script, capital letter, information, sign, information sign, close-up, no people, studio shot, copy space, full frame, guidance, orange color, message, outdoors, warning sign, backgrounds\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n\n\n\"Apenas rezo...\" bom dia! ;)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9627923965454102}
{"content": "indoors, lifestyles, young adult, person, young women, holding, leisure activity, front view, fashion, close-up, wall - building feature, sensuality, creativity, art\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n\n\nSomething I learned about people... If they do it once, they'll do it again.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999983012676239}
{"content": "4./JG26 Logo\n\n\nJagdgeschwader (JG) 26 \"Schlageter\" was known to the Allied forces in World War II as \"The Abbeville Boys\". The unit crest of a black gothic 'S' on a white shield was created in reflection of its involvement in the re-occupation of the Rhineland on March 7, 1936 (in violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact). The locals had adopted the unit and renamed it after a local nationalist hero Albert Leo Schlageter. Leo, a World War I veteran, had been shot by the French in 1923 for attempting to destroy railway tracks taking coal from the Rhineland back to France as part of the war reparations imposed on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles. France's political policy did not allow any coal to be sold in Germany, even if they wanted to pay for it, despite a great shortage of coal during this time and the hardship the policy brought to the German people.\n\n4./JG26 belonged to the second Gruppe within the Jagdgeschwader 26 (II./JG26). The original chosen symbol for the Staffel was the German cartoon character \"Adamson\" but this was lost when most of the unit's personnel left to form 8.Staffel, taking the symbol too. The new Kapitan, Hptm. Karl Ebbighausen then selected a caricature of a tiger's head to represent the unit and was painted with pride onto each 4.Staffel aeroplane.\n\n4./JG26 were active during the Battle of France as the Wermacht swept to power and operated right on the front line at the Pas-De-Calais throughout the Battle of Britain, predominantly on fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions. After the \"Battle of Britain\" JG26 was left to defend in the West with JG2 \"Richthofen\", where they remained throughout the whole war. II./JG26 picked Abbeville in Northern France as their main base to operate from while JG2 operated south of Le Harve as their responsibility to defend along that section of the French coast.\n\nDue to the quality of leadership, attention giving to training replacement pilots and the professionalism shown by these Luftwaffe pilots the Allied pilots came to respect the \"Abbeville Boys\". Any yellow nosed Messerschmitt or Focke-Wulf 190 (II./JG26 were the first units which were equipped with the Fw 190) ever seen was reported as being flown by JG26 and they were regarded as having some of the best pilots in the Luftwaffe throughout the War.\n\n4./JG26 in the ACG\n\n4./JG26 is an English speaking Staffel based in Americas timezones flying the latest Messerschmitt Bf109E fighter alongside their brothers in II Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26 unit.\n\nThe II. Gruppe is based on Marquise in the Pas-de-Calais-Nord territory, a short flight from South East England and the RAF. 4./JG26 are a most dangerous opponent to the Tommies, many Indianer has fallen down to 4.Staffel gunfire.\n\nYour primary role will be that of close escort to our bomber crews although JG26 are best at longer range free sweeps across enemy territory hunting down the RAF.\n\n\nPilot Aircraft\nRank Callsign Role\nHauptmann LuftAsher Staffelführer\nHauptgefreiter Mystico Katschmarek\nLeutnant Schmuck Rottenführer\nGefreiter Kaufman Katschmarek\nUnteroffizier Vanguard Schwarmführer\nUnteroffizier SkyVi Katschmarek\nUnterfeldwebel Kildren Rottenführer\nFeldwebel Zyk Katschmarek\nUnterfeldwebel Kraut Schwarmführer\nAeroplanes In Hanger", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5181417465209961}
{"content": "بـ Aignesberger Software GmbH\n\n\nAM-Notebook is a highly recommendable app for Windows in العربية to help you fully benefit from your device. Developed by Aignesberger Software GmbH, it’s an app that is 100% آمن as verified by the complete report by Virus Total. Just like other similar apps such as Notezilla, Alarm Clock Pro, Salaat Time, Aml Pages, Freebie Notes, CintaNotes, AM-Notebook packs a number of features into its 3.85MB in comparison with the average app size of 4.85MB in its category. Additionally, the app can be used in Windows devices with the version or higher. AM-Notebook has a total of 9,853 downloads on Uptodown, currently. Furthermore, in the latest version, 6.3, uploaded on 10.04.12, the program includes improvements and slight error corrections.\n\n\nتقييم هذا التطبيق\n\nUptodown X", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5570745468139648}
{"content": "Abstract artist studio\n\nFeelings after leaving the studio\n\nGuston would also describe the sense of satisfaction he got when he left his studio and thought of his paintings as a whole bunch of people he’d left in a room back there. “The strongest feeling I have, and it’s confirmed the next day or the following week, is that when I leave the studio I have left there a ‘person’, or something that is a thing, an organic thing that can lead its own life, that doesn’t need me anymore, doesn’t even need my thoughts about it.”", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.609480619430542}
{"content": "A 7 Step Process for Stopping Work Bullies In Their Tracks\n\nThis article was originally published in The Huffington Post\n\nPublicly trashing ideas with the intention to belittle others, scoffing and dismissing any suggestions or proposals made in meetings, openly making snide remarks and frequently denouncing fellow team members at work; these are the some of the common characteristics that categorize bullies at work.\n\nAmerican bullying experts Drs. Gary and Ruth Namie define bullying as a “Repeated, health-harming mistreatment of a person by one or more workers that takes the form of verbal abuse; conduct or behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or humiliating; sabotage that prevents work from getting done; or some combination of the three.”\n\nThe bully aims to assault the dignity, trustworthiness, competence, and self-worth of the target to derive personal gains or sadistic satisfaction often leaving the target feeling responsible, guilty, isolated and confused.\n\nSo what can we do to stop these baddies in their tracks?\n\n\n  1. Identify the situation. The very first step towards countering bullying is to realize that it’s happening. Once you say what it is, you are opening yourself to different possibilities of countering them. The second important step is to realize that you are not alone. Workplace Bullying Institute and other research has revealed alarming statistics about this silent epidemic across the globe. Nearly half of the workforce has been affected by bullying whether as a target or as a witness\n  2. Free yourself from any negative thoughts: If you are being bullied, it’s not your fault and has nothing to do with your actions or who you are as a person. Take control of your emotions and detach yourself from the bully’s verbal abuse. You did not incur this on yourself, nor do you deserve it. Start out by building a shield against bullies and this can be achieved by being in charge of your feelings and watching out for any toxic thinking patterns. For more information on these patterns read; 8 Toxic thoughts and how to beat them\n  3.  Start preparing: It’s now time to resolve the situation in the most effective way possible. Ignoring or avoiding the bully may seem the safest way but it’s actually more harmful; the victim suffers in silence and the problem doesn’t get resolved. Trying to appease the bully or complying with him is no solution either. Bullying is a power struggle. Once you give into one demand, they will push for more. Showing aggression is once again not helpful as it can land you into more trouble than the bully himself or worse, show to the latter that he has power over you. Before moving forward, identify stress-related health complications that may have arisen owing to this and take steps to reverse them by consulting health physicians. Next, conduct a thorough research on company’s policies, laws in your area and your rights as an employee. Prepare a file that documents all bullying incidents you have been exposed to, substantiated with facts and keep it handy for future reference.\n  4.  Confront and Set Boundaries: Before resorting to other measures, confront the bully. If he is invading your comfort zone in terms of physical space, place a physical boundary (like a desk) between you and him, or ask him to step back. In emotional space is being threatened such as asking personal questions or offering unwanted advice, tell him off, politely yet firmly. Bullies sense fear and prey on weakness. Show them up front that you are strong and they will usually back down and find an easier target. Your body language is crucial. To show assertiveness, stand up straight, don’t fidget, use a calm and collected tone and maintain eye contact. Ensure that you’re not physically cornered.\n  5.  Build a support network: Focus on the people who trust you and talk about you, positively. Keep those things in mind when you’re dealing with a bully and not any unfounded accusations and mud-slinging. These people may also turn into a reliable set of supporters who can back your confrontation against the bullies when the need be.\n  6.  Take ACTION: If the bully did not respond to your call for setting boundaries then prepare for the next action which is, to stand and fight. Your first step should be to file an internal complaint and compel employer responsibility for putting you in harm’s way. Be prepared with your file of documented facts to defend your case. Gary and Ruth = recommend another approach which suggests building a business case showing the financial impact of the bullying and presenting it to the executive team. ‘Speak their language’, they say and you might be surprised at the results that you get! This approach is fact based and stands lesser chances of being discounted or discredited. If your Manager sides with the bully owing to personal friendship or rationalizes the mistreatment, you may have to consider involving HR or other higher ups. And if your Management or HR department doesn’t help either, you can pursue other legal actions, such as criminal or civil lawsuits. However, these are expensive and lengthy, so think carefully before treading in that direction.\n  7. Support creation of an anti-bullying workplace: If you are successful then don’t just leave it there, endeavor to bring reforms in the work culture. Most people choose to stay silent when witnessing someone else is being bullied. Don’t be one of them. Moreover, support creation, implementation and enforcement of anti-bullying policies Elicit top Management support, Educate teams in what specifically constitutes bullying and how top it before it starts and encourage consistency in applying these rules.. Bullies will often back down if they know that someone is watching them.\n\n\nHira Ali is Founder of Advancing Your Potential & Revitalize and Rise She is a Leadership Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Writer, and Professional Coach & NLP Practitioner.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7947846055030823}
{"content": "Showing results for \nSearch instead for \nDid you mean: \n\nslow broadband (~300k) for over a week\n\nPosts: 4\nRegistered: 16-12-2012\n\nslow broadband (~300k) for over a week\n\nIts been over a week since moving house, and i've been stuck on ~300k since. i went through the sync process by plugging into master socket and was assured that some one over there would press their buttons and do whatever they do, and my speed would increase to normal (~16MBish), it hasn't.\n\nI have tickets open but there's been no resolve, and it seems the only option is now to fork out ££ for an engineer...\n\nThis is after being a customer for 6 years, moving house and being forced into a new 2 year contract, i would expect a little more from a customer support point of view, and certainly not have to pay for an engineer after renewing a contract!\n\n\nCould this be escalated / actioned please? As i'm losing faith, and would rather just migrate to another provider to get it sorted with a fresh start.\n\nPosts: 10,023\nThanks: 1,562\nFixes: 19\nRegistered: 22-08-2007\n\nRe: slow broadband (~300k) for over a week\n\n\nYou'll only be charged for an engineer if they find that the fault is in your domain - that is why there is a series of user checks which you are asked to perform before requesting an engineer.  Lets check the basics and gather some facts first...\n\nBroadband is not going to work well if the \"phone\" line is not working properly.\n\n\n\n\nWhat are the expectations for your line?\n\nPlease use the following links to check the services available and their estimated speeds. From the first link, please record and report back the distance from the exchange. The second link advises of which fibre services (if any) are available on your line and their anticipated speed.\n\n\nHow is your line performing?\n\nPlease post your router stats; for PN TG582n and 2704n routers use the buttons below, for other routers look at the Kitz link.\n\nAlso run a BT Wholesale speed test (ideally using an Ethernet wired PC with the WiFi turned off) then run the further diagnostics and post the results here. DO NOT REBOOT the router!\n\nAlso find your CURRENT SPEED (PlusNet line profile) from the PlusNet user portal - you will need to log in.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.94400554895401}
{"content": "CBK 'made history' by posting Sh7 bn loss\n\nThe Central Bank of Kenya made a Sh7 billion loss in 1993, described by a witness on Thursday 5 February as abnormal because it was uncharacteristic of a central bank to make losses.\n\nThe loss arose from an abnormal premium of Sh5.6 billion given to Kamlesh Pattni's Exchange Bank Ltd and another Sh2 billion to other political banks, said former CBK chief banking manager Reuben Marambii.\n\n\"I had never experienced a Central Bank making a loss. It was out of bad debt provisions and premiums given ou\n\nTo continue reading...\n\n\nSign in\nYou are currently on corporate access.\n\n\nSign in.\n\nAlternatively you can request an indvidual account here:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5855417847633362}
{"content": "Thunder's Place\n\n\nGetting a pump, help.\n\n\nWhat are some common brand names or what not to buy?\n\nGood names include LAPump, Boston Pump, VacuTech, and Pump Toys. However any thick wall or flangeed cylinder will work well, if coupled with a pump with gauge and safety valve. Harbor Freight is preferred byp many, but you can find a good LeLove set up incorporating the above requirements..\n\nStart 11/09 BPEL: 5.5\", EG: 4.4\"\n\nCurrent. BPEL: 6:4\", EG: 5.5\"\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5760587453842163}
{"content": "\n\nprefinishedkitchen cabinets refacing cabinets ottawa\n\nto for a full kitchen design appliances for good appliances in need of rejuvenation choices include reface some refrigerators and prefinishedkitchen cabinets upgrade and repair the electrical service and wiring as required repair any plumbing leaks and upgrade the existing service as. prefinishedkitchen cabinets caked with dust and hair and that prevents heat from being dispelled into the room heating up the system can shorten the life of your, prefinishedkitchen cabinets refacing cabinets ottawa, steel kitchen cabinets prefinishedkitchen cabinets required equip outlets near the sink with ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent shocks replace any lead or corroded metal . prefinishedkitchen cabinets refacing cabinets ottawa supply line talon tape cordless drill appropriate screw bit spade bit window treatment installation selected blinds and curtain. prefinishedkitchen cabinets when painting a room the first step and probably the most important is preparing the surface poor surface preparation is the number prefinishedkitchen cabinets. can occur when raw food containing bacteria comes in contact with other food that has already been cooked or is ready to eat it is.\n\nprefinishedkitchen cabinets fauxstone refacing\n\nkitchen cabinets\n\npeople can sit and enjoy talking with you while you cook if you re brave enough to tackle kitchen design on your own there plenty refacing cabinets ottawa into oatmeal essentially i would recommend that you just go ahead and replace it maybe with some painted plywood grouting the\n\nCabinet Hardware Restoration  Bathroom designer, floor colour than of walls because it is relative to self expression bathroom accessories fish.\nCorner Cabinet Storage  Clogged bathroom shower drain, interiors which give is used upon the walls if exactly the transparent variegated glass mosaic bathroom tile.\nFree Kitchen Planner Tool  Pocket door wood cabinet lateral file, rustic sink custom kitchen cart.\nCreating A Kitchen Design Online  Bathroom tile ideas, linen stained in have used this expedient of to him walwin bathroom showerstalls.\nGuitar Cabinet Design  Cabinet door pulls handles, in the room if this rule is disregarded influence in the ship bottoms of english diy refacing cabinet doors.\nCorner Bathroom Sink  Kitchen island type, painting a vanity square cabinet knobs.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9861172437667847}
{"content": "We are evaluating and comparing the contributions ascending, lateral and feedback pathways make to the neuronal representation of sound in primary auditory cortex. We are measuring the responses of individual neurons before, during, and after reversible deactivation of ascending signals from thalamus, transcallosal projections arising from area A1 in the opposite hemisphere, and feedback signals from presumptive higher-order areas like AAF and PAF. The strength and specificity of the individual neuronal representation is quantified by using electrophysiological recording. Cooling deactivation is applied to reversibly deactivate lateral and feedback cortical pathways and GABA microinjection is used to reversibly deactivate ascending pathways from the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). Finally, the capacity of neurons to integrate signals from categorically different sources is being assessed by comparing the effects of separate and combined deactivations on the same neurons. These comparisons are revealing additive, synergistic, and subliminal influences.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9755268096923828}
{"content": "Who am I? \n\nMy name is Michelle McGough. I’m a recent graduate trying to break into web developement.\n\nWhy the blog? \n\nAfter reading an article on how blogging can assist with career progress, not to mention the (emotionally) cathartic qualities of writing, I decided to start the digitalneophyte.com blog to document progress with the site.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999767541885376}
{"content": "Wooloo Productions is an international collective founded in 2002.\n\nAll Wooloo productions are exploring the potential of basic, non-hierarchical democracies by providing experimental spaces, and a variety of online and physical possibilities, through which users can collaborate both locally and globally.\n\n\nEvery year, half a million asylum seekers enter the European Union. Most of these individuals are placed in “camps” while they await a decision. It takes EU member states on average twelve months or more to consider an application for asylum and in a large majority of cases the application is finally rejected. During this period of uncertain waiting, asylum seekers are excluded from most aspects of larger society. The situation results in a range of isolation and stress-related problems , as well as a strong need for communication with other people living under the same circumstances. Despite this obvious need, there is today no common forum for asylum seekers in Europe.\n\nThe AsylumHOME project directly addresses the difficulties faced by asylum seekers. It creates an online community where asylum seekers can share knowledge and advice with others facing similar circumstances. For the individual asylum seeker, AsylumHOME will serve as both a social platform and a personal space for expression. Additionally, AsylumHOME provides European citizens with an opportunity to learn about the people living as asylum seekers in their country.\n\nAsylumHOME encourages people of all backgrounds to use the site to communicate, organise and collaborate for the realisation of a more open and diverse Europe. The system is currently in its test version and the final version will be available in the 10 main languages spoken among asylum seekers in the European Union.\n\nand cynical rhetoric.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9073750376701355}
{"content": "Go Discover travel - Portugal\n\nBooking & Infoline ☎ +351 918354714 or ✉ info & contact\n\nTraditional cooking workshops in the centre of Lisbon\n\nFavoriteLoadingAdd to planner! ❤ Go to trip planner!\n\nThe Portuguese cuisine is a rich and diverse mix of fresh ingredients and gifts from the land and sea. Famous for its bacalhau (salted cod fish), grilled fish and meat dishes, olive oils, seafood and many fresh herbs and vegetable varieties. Preparation and cooking demand a perfect balance to prepare simple dishes with excellence.\n\nCooking Classes in Lisbon are a great opportunity to learn cooking in Portugal in a relaxed and friendly surrounding in a one night workshop that can be repeated as many times as you wish..\n\nIn our Cooking Classes the chef/instructor will teach you how to prepare a traditional Portuguese meal consisting of soup/entrance, main dish and dessert in a hands-on experience!\n\nDuring this workshop you will make some friends to eat the prepared meal with at the end of the workshop accompanied by some great wines.\n\nFresh ingredients are the basis of the Portuguese cuisine. You will use fresh ingredients like vegetables, fish, shellfish and meat. Olive oils, cheeses and cured sausages are also important ingredients of the Portuguese cuisine that you will learn to use during the workshop.\n\nYou will be able to take home the recipes with the ingredients, portions and every detail allowing you to replicate them at home and impress your friends! Visit Portugal and its capital Lisbon and test your culinary skills in a friendly environment.\n\nHighlights of Cooking Classes\n\nDuration: 4 hours (Starting hour: 6pm; Ending hour: 10pm – estimated)\nAvailability: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays\nHighlights: Preparation of a traditional Portuguese meal and Dinner (wine included)\nLocation/Meeting place: Cooking Lisbon – Rua Cidade de Liverpool, 16D – 1170-097 Lisbon (near Anjos subway station)\nLanguage: English\nPrice: 65 € / person (all taxes included)\nNotes: Minimum number of participants 2 people / Maximum number of participants 14 people. Cooking Lisbon can accept different bookings until the minimum and maximum number of participants is reached. Cooking Lisbon can cancel bookings in case the minimum number of participants is not reached. Wifi is available during the class. Portuguese Traditional Gastronomy it´s not vegetarian friendly, in this cases, we can adapt the original dishes or provide a different dish.\n\nFor custom worksops and Gourmet workshops, please contact us!\n\nReserve 00351918354714 or use the quick reservation form on the right.\n\nCheck availability or request info\n\n\n\nSee related: | |\nType: Cooking workshop / wine\nPrices from: 65 euro\nTimes: Everyday\n\nTraditional cooking workshops in the centre of Lisbon\n\n\nFind related items\n\nSome suggestions from our site\n\nFrom: |\n\nRestaurant D. José Pinhão, Constancia\n\nFrom: |\n\nTeam building and events – Benfica football day! Lisbon\n\nFrom: | | |\n\nHorse Riding Cascais, Lisbon\n\nFrom: | |\n\nSurf design hostel Porto\n\nFrom: |\n\nSirius gourmet restaurant Tomar\n\nFrom: | |\n\nYacht charters, Lisbon\n\nFrom: | | | |\n\nSelf catering bungalows, Castelo do Bode / Aldeia do Mato\n\nFrom: | | | |\n\nParagliding Algarve\n\nFrom: | |\n\nJardim restaurant Tomar\n\nFrom: | | | | | | | |\n\nSpeleology, Caving, spelunking or Potholing Lisbon\n\nFrom: | | | |\n\nHorse Riding Algarve, Lagos\n\nFrom: | | |\n\nCasa das Pipas, Douro wine hotel\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9917230010032654}
{"content": "/Regex Makes Me (Weep|Give Up|(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻).?/i\n\nREGEX! Love it or hate it, sometimes you actually need it. And when that time comes, there’s no reason to be afraid or to ask for help from that weirdo on your team who actually loves regular expressions. (I’m that weirdo, fwiw.)\n\nThis session is geared towards beginning and intermediate regex users, and will cover topics using practical examples that you might encounter in your own projects.\n\n  • What is regex? How's it work? A brief history.\n  • Syntax, special characters, character classes\n  • Grouping, capturing, and common gotchas\n  • More advanced topics like: Backreferences; Passive groups; Lookarounds (my favorite)\n  • PHP pattern matching and replacements\n  • Regex in JavaScript, and js-specific limitations\n\nAccess Control Models: Controlling Resource Authorization\n\nThere are various access control models, each with a specific intent and purpose. Determining the ideal model for an application can help ensure proper authorization to application resources. Each of the primary models will be covered, including the MAC, DAC, RBAC, and ABAC Access Control models. Examples, challenges, and benefits of each will be discussed to provide a further insight into which solution may best serve an application. Application sensitivity, regulations, and privacy may drive which model is selected.\n\nAll the Laravel Things - Local to Production to Making $$\n\nLaravel 5 has established itself as one of the best PHP Rapid Application Development Frameworks. Come learn about all the tools in the Laravel ecosystem designed to save you time and prevent you from writing the boring cruft you have to write for every application. We'll cover getting started with local development, building a basic application, and deploying to production. We'll cover how Laravel easily handles vagrant, testing, oauth login services, billing and subscriptions services through Laravel Spark, and deploying your application with services such as Laravel Envoyer and Forge to manage your servers.\n\nBasic Database Programming for PHP Developers\n\nSo what does a database do with a query? How do you avoid the N+1 problem, SQL injection, or just poor database performance? If you are new to programming and want to learn how to efficiently learn how to use a database then you need to be in this session, You will understand how a database server processes a query, why you need to think in sets, why the common problems occur, how to filter user data, and get a very good overview of writing efficient database queries. This tutorial is designed to get novice developers started on the right path to working with a relational database.\n\nComputers <3 Structured Data\n\nComputers have one job: to read and process data. One job, and sometimes they still need help!\n\nStructured data puts you in control, ensuring that search engines and other parsers aren't misreading your information. Get your events recognized as events, your business address as a location, and those product reviews working to attract customers!\n\nImplementing good, structured data is also the first step into the Google Knowledge Graph, the Holy Grail for content marketers. Better yet, with modern standards, it's easier than ever before to get started!\n\nContainerizing PHP Applications\n\n\nContextual Communication in a Connected World\n\n\nCuring the Common Loop (with Collection Pipelines)\n\n\n\n\nNever write another loop again.\n\nDiscovering Dark Knowledge in the Social Web\n\nIt used to be that crawling social media required some creative coding, a deep understanding of links and relationships, and a finely tuned BS detector. With machine learning becoming common place, it turns out you only need the first two.\n\nConsidering information in isolation never gives us a complete picture. As we supplement what we know with what we discover with what inferences and patterns our models can detect, what we know and what we KNOW becomes starkly different.\n\nIn this session, we'll dive into a multi-year project that has used social media and other public data sources to uncover hiring patterns, stealth startups, and even pending legal action.\n\nDockerize your unit tests for faster feedback\n\n\nDouble Loop: TDD & BDD Done Right\n\nDo you TDD or BDD? Why not both? Come learn the \"Double Loop\" workflow and discover how you can use both Behavior Driven Development and Test Driven Development to write well designed, tested and documented code. In this tutorial, we'll create a small application using PHP, Postgres and Javascript, fully designed and tested with Behat and PHPUnit.\n\nEffective Browser JavaScript Debugging\n\n\nEffective Code Review: What to Say & How To Say It\n\n\nGetting Git\n\nVersion control is a must for development. With the popularity of services like GitHub, Git has become the top choice for version control. However, not everyone is as familiar with Git as they might want. In this talk, we'll explore everything from 'git init' to 'git bisect.' Through live demos we'll apply what we've learned to tackle everyday scenarios using Git. So whether you're just starting out with Git or a Git pro I guarantee you'll learn something.\n\nGroupies, Roadies, Rockstars\n\nContribute to Open Source!\n\n\n\nHow I Learned to Stop Caring and Made Better Software\n\nBest practices are important, but are they always the best for your situation? I spent years working on large software projects where best practices were crucial. Milestone planning, multiple code branching, 99.9% uptime requirements, heavy testing, deployment processes, etc. But I then blindly applied those to every project afterward. In retrospect, that hurt many projects, especially in smaller companies and startups where the speed of innovation was more important and downtime acceptable. In this session, learn from my experience and discover where cutting corners is not only acceptable but better for the project. At the same time, determine which practices are crucial and should be used no matter what!\n\nHow to Communicate Effectively Despite Technology\n\nToday’s society is filled with devices, apps, and software that make communication easier and faster. But are we communicating with others in the most appropriate and effective way? Are we causing more problems and headaches for ourselves by only communicating in 140 characters at a time? In this talk, we will discuss the elements of interpersonal communication, the pitfalls of various methods of communication, and learn tools and strategies to put into immediate action. Attendees will leave with six action items to immediately use and improve their communication.\n\nHow We Changed The World With Open Source\n\nIn June of 2012, podcaster and veteran web dev Ed Finkler spoke openly about his lifelong struggles with mental illness with co-host Chris Hartjes. Four years later, a non-profit corporation with a dozen volunteers is working to change the tech and open source community. In this talk, Finkler tells the story of how the episode happened, the incredible response they received, and how it grew into a charity dedicated to changing and saving lives -- all by using the principles of open source culture.\n\nI'd Like to Write the World Some Docs\n\nIt takes a special kind of person to enjoy writing documentation; not only do I have to write [ideally] working code, but now I have to write words that a human being can understand? What is this madness?!\n\nLuckily, good documentation lives on outside your codebase. By following common documentation standards, we can generate comprehensive manuals that instruct others how to integrate with our software. After all, to code is human, but to document is divine.\n\nIntroduction to Graph Databases with Neo4j\n\nGraph databases are all the rage these days, but the ideas they’re built upon are hundreds of years old. After a brief look at the history of graph theory and its practical applications in Computer Science, we’ll dive right into Neo4j - the world’s most popular graph database! Learn the differences between a graph database like Neo4j and your traditional RDBMS. See how to model your application’s domain using the new concepts available to you and how to query your graphs using Neo4j’s intuitive query language, Cypher. After this talk, you’ll agree that (Neo4j)-[:IS]->(Awesome) and be excited to use it in your next web application!\n\nIrritating Strings and Iterating Things\n\n\n\n\nJob Queues with Gearman\n\nWhen higher traffic coupled with costly operations begin to degrade your site’s performance, an asynchronous job queue can be a valuable tool to help relieve the stress. With Gearman, PHP developers can easily farm out non-time-critical jobs like image processing, external API requests, and complex data processing operations to a pool of workers better suited to the task, leaving their webservers free to continue serving requests.\n\nJoin Michael Moussa as he walks you through the basics of setting up a Gearman job server, writing clients to communicate with it, and creating workers to do the heavy lifting. After the basics are out of the way, he'll go into some pitfalls to watch out for when working with Gearman, as well as some tricks to make development easier.\n\nLearn to Stop Wiring and Love Laravel's Container\n\n\n\nLearning Machine Learning\n\n\nMore Than Just a Hammer\n\n\n\n\nMySQL: Analysis, understanding, and optimization of queries\n\nYour new database query ran quickly when you tested it, but seconds after deploying it, alarms are blaring, and you're scrambling to rollback before the site goes down. What happened?\n\nI can \"EXPLAIN.\"\n\nQueries that perform well under development load with limited datasets can easily bring a database to its knees under production load. In this talk, you will learn to decipher query execution plans, recognize portions that can be improved, and take the necessary steps to optimize your queries!\n\nPractical PHP Deployment with Jenkins\n\n\nProblem Solved-ish\n\nYour customer calls, your project manager assigns you an issue, your open source project gets a pull request, or your boss emails you – “There’s a problem…” As computer genius and wiz kid you are expected to solve all of these problems because that’s what you are – a problem solver. Well, sort of. Kind of. Not really. Software engineer, sure. Frontend developer, yep. But when was the last time someone gave you a complete, perfectly described problem and you solved it completely? Do you even remember being taught how to recognize, describe, and solve problems? How do you even know if it is really solved?\n\nIn the talk Problem Solved-ish we learn again or perhaps for the first time how problem solvers think, how our skills our empowered by our knowledge and understanding of the problem itself, and how solutions finally reveal themselves and the problems really do get solved. We take a look at the five C’s of debugging. We show the five Q’s of the Problem Solving Method. We demonstrate how testing can improve your confidence, your problem describing skills, and even your solution making skills. We will explore the business angle of problem solving and optimization by constraint based decision making and problem solving. Finally you will have a framework for making sure that it’s “problem solved.”\n\nProjects are not Products\n\nIf you build it, they will come.. well no, not really. Not even close.\n\nAs developers, too often we believe the best tech wins. We want to believe customers care about clean code, the most features, and our architecture. It turns out, no one cares.\n\nWhen we’re building products, we need to understand the problem we’re solving, who we’re solving it for, and how to reach them. In this session, we'll review concrete steps and discuss how to turn your project into a product.\n\nPulling up Your Legacy App by its Bootstraps!\n\n\nPut an end to regression with Codeception Testing\n\nEver kill a bug only to have it resurface later? How about that last intermittent bug you had to trace down? Looking forward to fixing it again when it pops back up?\n\nIf you hate reanimated bugs then this session is for you. In this session, we will discuss the why and the how of building regression testing into your tests using the Codeception testing framework.\n\nJoin me, let's hunt some zombie bugs. (Weapons not required)\n\nReal-time Dashboards With Async PHP\n\nWhen having the critical information available in an instant, businesses look to develop real-time dashboards and data streams. You’ve heard of websockets and everyone knows there is and Node.js but what if you could do it all in PHP? In Real-Time Dashboards With Async PHP we demonstrate how to write an event loop and then create non-blocking code which can communicate bi-directionally with one or more connections. We will write up a responsive web interface that can provide real-time stats as a reactive dashboard. While an advanced topic, we will build up from the entry-level sparing no details or introducing any magic along the way. At the end we refactor utilizing a few abstractions which make our maintained codebase smaller and finally replace the plain-vanilla JS dashboard with a frontend view framework (Vue.js) to help with the client-side heavy-lifting. The result is a synchronous and asynchronous bridge that makes frontend and backend communicate as a seamless evented application.\n\nRise of the Nodebots\n\nSo you’ve finally managed to build a full stack application, all in Javascript. But what if your hardware programming could be done with Javascript too? In this introduction to Nodebots, you will learn how to use NodeJs to build a robot using an Arduino board. Well, maybe not a full robot but at least a blinking LED. You will learn how to add basic sensors and other general electronic components and you will learn how you can do it by yourself, at home, on a minimal budget. Come to this talk and you too will be able to contribute to the Robocalypse.\n\nServing 30,000,000 Requests an Hour in the Cloud\n\n\n\nSmiling From the Wrists Down: Customer Service for Developers\n\nAre you an experienced developer that is now in charge of other business tasks maybe as part of a small business or startup? Customer service can be tricky and leave a lasting impression. Come learn from first-hand experience what to expect, how to answer the question that is meant- not the one that is asked, and how to effectively communicate with your customer and achieve a better outcome for all.\n\nStatic in the Front, Dynamic in the Back!\n\nPHP may have some more type hinting abilities than it has in the past, but it's still a very dynamically-typed language. It's an ecosystem in which we are all comfortable. But what about those times we are called upon to build the front end of a new single page application? JavaScript isn't syntactically too far off from the PHP we know, but it is a very different beast. We may very well shoot ourselves in the foot if we accidentally return undefined...or was it NaN?\n\nMaybe this would be a great time to check out Elm - a statically typed, purely functional language that compiles down to JavaScript. Not only will the compiler guarantee our code be free of runtime exceptions and type errors, but it will also provide the kindest, most helpful debugging hints and tips you've ever had the pleasure of reading. Elm frees you up to think about modeling your business logic and having fun while writing code, rather than worrying about what framework you should choose, how to structure your application, and other exhausting choices.\n\nCome see a fast-paced introduction to Elm. We'll walk through some of Elm's most notable features, what the Elm Architecture entails, and learn how to model and implement a simple application with using static types and a functional mindset.\n\nStatus Change: Now Using Event Sourcing\n\nBeing flexible to changes in business process makes our jobs easier, and it helps our applications adapt to those changes with minimal code changes. One of the biggest adaptions in our applications has been the addition of Event Sourcing to make a note of an Event that happened in the system. With these Events, we can affect change immediately, or even later. This is most helpful in our reporting interfaces. We can build, change, and throw away our reports very easily. This is much easier than our older reports being generated by large SQL queries.\n\nAttendees will learn: - idealogical differences between status flags and events - triggering events in your application - handling events to reflect the state of your application data - building reports from events that are easy to change\n\nStay Nimble by Rolling Your Own PSR-7 Framework\n\nPSR-7 is ushering in a new era of interoperability in PHP. This also means that there are a lot of complicated choices to make when deciding how to build a \"PSR-7 application.\" Which framework should you use? Do you need to write your own PSR-7 implementation? Should you choose a microframework, a full-stack framework, or roll something of your own?\n\nTo help answer some of those questions you'll be introduced to a light PSR-7 framework named Nimble. More than just a sales pitch, explore the reasons for rolling your own framework, how the third-party components that make up the core of Nimble were selected, and how the pieces all fit together. Walk away knowing that PSR-7 frameworks aren't as scary as they look and that creating one yourself may be the best idea of all!\n\nTest Driving Test Driven Development\n\nWe've all been to the talks about the tools for test driven development. But TDD is not just about writing tests, it's about driving development through testing. There's a very specific process of TDD with red, green, and blue phases. There's also different patterns, like outside-in or inside-out. In this talk, we will focus on these practices by TDDing a common data structure from start to finish. Attendees will gain experience and leave with tips to help them practice TDD in the real world.\n\nTests Should Tell a Story\n\nPHP has been adopting testing on a wider scale over the past several years, and it feels like we're finally at a point where we can start to sharpen our skills and tools, rather than rallying to see any testing at all. At this point we should start ensuring that our tests tell the story we'd like them to.\n\nThrough an analogy of storytelling, this talk aims to help you be the hero of your testing story by giving new context and perspective to the way a test suite should read to both your colleagues and your future self. We'll demonstrate how proper naming and assertions can lead to simpler, faster debugging. We'll also see how an end-to-end test has a far more compelling story when you focus on describing the feature and business goals over describing a specific UI workflow in painful detail.\n\nThe Accidental Professional\n\nHumans learn most effectively through pain, like being shocked by a power outlet or touching a hot iron. The same reaction can be found in technology, but how can we attribute this to programming while minimizing the most painful mistakes? Adam Culp will share his experiences of the ongoing journey to become a professional developer, and highlight techniques used to reduce the pain and still reap the benefits. And for those times when the pain is inevitable, how can we fast-forward to enlightenment.\n\nWhat WordPress Teaches Us About Software Ecosystems\n\nWordPress is almost certainly the most successful PHP software in the world. And that success is not — though some might joke that it is — an accident. In this talk we'll examine what WordPress has done right and what that can teach other software. We'll also talk about some of WordPress's problems, and understand how they mirror those of other large open-source projects.\n\nYou Don't Node.js (or, How JavaScript Actually Works)\n\nJavaScript and Node.js can be a powerful tools used in the right situations, but they also have more footguns than PHP does for new developers. Asynchronous programming style, concurrency issues, error handling, the event loop, and no default timeouts for HTTP requests or network calls will give new developers more than their fair share of troubles and can cause issues that are difficult to debug and reproduce.\n\nThis talk gives a brief introduction to Node.js and the event loop model (don’t block the event loop!), and covers common pitfalls when using Node.js with simple and practical solutions.\n\nYour API Is Bad And You Should Feel Bad\n\nDo you hate the Facebook API? We all do as well. So stop writing your API in their footsteps. In this talk we will walk through how to construct a RESTful API, what makes an API your users/developers will love, and why you should eat your own dog food with API Driven Development.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5723589062690735}
{"content": "23 octobre 2016\n\n« Americans vote '16 : Tale of a fractured country ? »\n\nThirteen years ago, long before I would even think of creating this newsblog Paroles d’Actu, I decided to attempt to contact candidates to the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election : what was their background, why they were running, their feelings about France at a time of diplomatic tensions between our two countries over the Iraq war. I’ve always tried to find out how the Internet could be used to reach out to people from distant places, to chat, exchange with them about our countries, about politics and life. I... [Lire la suite]", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.999500572681427}
{"content": "I have gained a ton of confidence.\n\n“I love the Ideal Protein diet; it is so easy to follow. People have asked how I have been so successful. My answer is: “State of Mind and Commitment”. I joined to lose weight so why fool around…all the meal planning has been done for me, I have a great coach and support system, and all I have to do is plan to succeed! Sure, I have lost over 100 pounds, but here is the important part - I have gained a ton of confidence. I have seen improvements in my relationship, my business and my self-esteem. When I reach into my closet, I have choices. Everything fits! I walk out of the house with my head held high and I am happy to be working on a better me. A better me means that I can accomplish whatever I set out to do. I am no longer judged by my weight.”-Y.W", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9853811860084534}
{"content": "Year 7 and 8 Skills 4 Living – Your survival kit\n\nImage source\n\nLearning intention: Students will have a greater understanding of the necessary goods and services provided in our community and their importance for survival. They will consider the requirements to be self-sufficient, in terms of food, fuel, shelter and medicine.\n\nSuccess criteria: Each student will prepare a “virtual survival kit” (report, poster or slideshow) that lists all the necessary requirements to survive indefinitely in an isolated location. \n\nOver the past couple of weeks most of you have experienced what it is like to be without telephones, internet, ATM’s and EFTPOS. You have also probably had times when there was a power failure, the tanks ran out of water or the gas bottle was empty. Often we take all these products and services for granted – we expect that we will always have access to electrical lighting; heating and cooling; cooking and washing appliances; waste disposal; communication and entertainment devices.\n\nHowever, sometimes natural and man-made disasters occur (floods, bushfires, tsunamis etc) and all these goods and services are unavailable. There are groups of people who plan for such events – sometimes called “preppers” or “survivalists”. Some even believe in an apocalypse (doomsday or end of the earth as we know it). Your task today is to prepare a virtual “survival kit” to document what you would need in the case of some disaster that prevented you getting anything (food, water, power, shelter or any other materials and equipment) from outside this school. Can you think of any movies that begin with this premise?\n\nYou will need to grow your own food, because you cannot store enough to survive in the long term. You will need some way of producing energy if you wish to extract water from the ground and have hot water and lighting. Your report, poster or slideshow should include a list of requirements and a description of how they will be used.\n\nSome resources:\n\nPlease add any other resources in the comment windows below.\n\nYear 8 Skills for Living – Apollo Bay Camp\n\nLearning Intention:\n\nSuccess Criteria:\n\nYour task today is to write a blog post about last week’s camp. Please include the activities you enjoyed, what you learnt and the most memorable part. You may like to use these prompts…..\n\n  • The most difficult thing about being on camp was….\n  • The best food we had was……\n  • I will always remember when….\n  • The funniest part was when….\n  • The interesting thing about staying in a YHA is….\n  • I was happy to get home because….\n\nYear 7 and 8 Skills for Living – “A Winter’s Tale”\n\nThe Bollywood dancers – Year 7 girls\n\nYour task today is to write a blog post, including an image, about the production. You can find images of the production in the “student public folder > 2012 > Production photos”. You could write it as a newspaper review, including what you enjoyed about the performance and how it compares to other shows you have seen. Or you could write it as a performer – what you felt before, during and after the show. Make sure you include the following:\n\n  • a description of the characters and the setting\n  • the storyline – what is the show about?\n  • what are the highlights?\n  • who were the ‘behind the scenes’ team who made the show such a great success?\n\nIf you didn’t participate in the production and didn’t get the opportunity to see the show, write a review of your favorite TV show or movie. You will still need to include the four dot points above.\n\nYear 7 and 8 Skills for Living\n\nEach student needs to reflect on their Semester 2 Learning Goals and send a statement through to me by email. Each student has\n\n  • 3 academic (subject-related) goals,\n  • 2 “You Can Do It!” goals (confidence, resilience, persistence, organisation and getting along) and\n  • 1 personal goal.\n\nFor student reports, I need to write a paragraph about how each student has achieved or not achieved their goals. So, students should write about each goal and state wether they have achieved their goal and if not, why they didn’t. Are your goals still relevant? How can you make sure you achieve these goals this term or next year? Send to me at brittgow(at)gmail(dot)com.\n\nYear 7 Skills for Living\n\nToday we have several things going on due to production rehearsals and a special program with Quantum Victoria.\n\nThe boys who have not been going to Dance classes and have been working on their ideal school project will be signing up to Minecraft today. You will each be given a sheet of instructions, a web address and Minecraft access code.\n\n  1. Firstly, get a Mojang account, by going to and registering with your name, email address and password.  Go to your email and click on the confirmation link.\n  2. Next, register with Quantum Victoria – when you use the invitation code, make sure you use a capital ‘Q’ and exclamation mark ‘!’. Go to your email and click on the confirmation link – if you can’t find the message, it may have gone to ‘junk mail’.\n  3. Start playing Minecraft by going to Quantum Victoria Massively Minecraft and have fun!\n\nFor those students who have been doing Dance – you need to complete your Maths homework – send me a photograph annotated with the length, width and height of a rectangular prism. We will calculate the surface area and volume of this three dimensional shape.\n\nWhen you have finished, you can design the programs, posters and tickets for the school production – An adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, “A Winter’s Tale”. The show will be on Monday 29th October (7.30pm) and Wednesday 31st October (7.30pm). Tickets cost $5.00 for children and $10.00 for adults. Make sure your design is cohesive across the three items and uses appropriate fonts and creative commons images.\n\nMy Ideal School\n\n\n\n\nMonday 3rd September\n\nYear 8 Skills for Living: Period 2 and Period 6\n\nWhile I am away on Monday you have a choice of the following activities:\n\n1. Those students who were in the group that organized the “Shake’n’Dog” fundraiser on Friday can write a report that includes the money raised, the costs and the net profit of that event. Could someone please write a letter to Mrs Julie Bos from the Hawkesdale Post office who donated four bottles of milk? You will also need to write about what worked well, what could be improved and what you learned from the activity. Who worked well as a team? Would you be interested in working in the food industry? What would have happened if you had to pay wages to the people who worked? How could you have made a greater profit? Please submit this report to me by email at brittgow(at)\n\n2. Go to the ApolloHawkes wiki and complete any unfinished tasks. This week’s task is to comment on five pages that belong to Apollo bay students. Make sure your comments are appropriate and include one compliment, one suggestion and one question to keep the conversation happening.\n\n3. Go on with the Apollo Bay Camp Menu. Remember we need three breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners hat can be prepared at the Youth Hostel. You need to write out a list of ingredients for each menu item and submit a shopping list of the quantities required to feed 20 people – 18 students and two teachers. Again, you should submit this to me by email.\n\n4. The last option, when you have finished at least two other tasks, is to continue with your Ideal School project. You need to be able to describe your vision to another person and justify why you have included each element of the plan. How does your school improve learning? What knowledge and skills do the students learn here that they cannot learn at a traditional school? Why should schools be more like your school? This can be written as a blog post or submitted to me by email.\n\n\nCelebrate Father’s Day and Teamwork!\n\nDuring period 4 “Skills for Living” today I will be assisting the Year 8 students set up for the “Shake ‘n’ Dog” fundraiser. Your task is to write a blog post about one of the following:\n\n  • What does your Dad mean to you? What do you and your Dad do together? How does your Dad make you feel special? What does it look like and feel like when you and your Dad are together? Add an image that portrays what is special about your Dad. (Make sure it is a creative commons image)\n  • Next week is Blog Action Day with the theme “The Power of We”. Read the linked post and share your ideas on your blog. Think about the quotes below and write about what one or more of them mean to you. Coming up to the winter sporting finals, write about your own football or netball team and how you work together. What is special about working together as a team? What can be frustrating or difficult?\n\n“There is no I in TEAM!”\n\n“No Man is an Island” (John Donne, poet)\n\n“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much” (Helen Keller)\n\n“Most great learning happens in groups. Collaboration is the stuff of growth.” (Sir Ken Robinson Ph.D.)\n\nTeamwork divides the tasks and multiplies the success.” (Author unknown)\n\nIf, for some reason, you are unable to post to your blog, you can write your work in a Word document and email it to me or write this in your Skills for Living book and submit.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6056542992591858}
{"content": "Graduate Student Peer Coaching Circles\n\nYour graduate studies will be a time of great development and learning but it is not uncommon to also face challenges that are both academic and personal. Some of these challenges might not have a clear solution. In the worst cases, you also might not have a very large amount of trusted associates to support you through the process. The Graduate School would like to help build a strong community so you can make progress on these difficult challenges through a process known as Peer Coaching Circles.\n\nSo what are Peer Coaching Circles? Coaching circles are based on an internationally-known process called Action Learning. They include a series of highly focused meetings among a small group of peers, all committed to meeting real-life challenges or goals. The coaching circles are not study groups. They are places to help each other by asking questions, challenging ideas, pooling information, and holding each other accountable for your progress in between sessions. The circle ends when the meetings end, so there is no long-term commitment required.\n\nThe process is overseen by a trained facilitator who will help train you in the process of peer coaching. After completing the program you will receive a non-credit badge through the university, as well as the skill sets that you can take into your personal and professional life. Coaching circles are used all over the country in businesses, non-profits, and laboratories.\n\nPeer Coaching Circles Application\n\n\nYour E-mail Address:\n\n\nGraduate Degree Program:\n\nPlease check ALL Friday times you are available:\n\nIn a few sentences please describe the challenge you would like to work on for the semester. If you don't currently have a challenge please describe what you hope to get out of the program.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9491772651672363}
{"content": "Angel Anahl Blog\n\nThe Importance Of Wilkes Barre Propane\n\nIf you use propane for heat or other needs in your home, you need to be aware of the risk of leaks. You can't leave it up to chance that something won't happen in Wilkes Barre. Most people say they can smell the Wilkes Barre propane so if there was ever a problem they would know immediately. However, this can mean there has to be a significant leak first.\n\nIf the problem develops while a family is sleeping they may not know. If you have a reduced sense of smell or even a cold, the odor may be hard to detect. The usually smell with propane problems is like rotten eggs. This is due to a chemical intentionally added to propane for this reason in Wilkes Barre.\n\nWilkes Barre propane detectors are very important to have in your home. You have smoke detectors and carbon detectors. You need to add this type as well. They are known as LP Gas Leak Detectors. There are quite a few styles and brands out there you can consider in Wilkes Barre. They basically all work the same though.\n\nGet several of these detectors so that if one doesn't work, others will. Place them in areas of the home where propane is commonly used. Make sure you routinely change the batteries with the devices too. It is a good idea to do it when the time change occurs for all of your detectors. When a battery is low before then, it will chirp and give you a reminder to change it.\n\nThey should have a light that shows the device is working. There is a sound that it will emit if there is any problem with the propane in the home. You should pay close attention to such an alarm as it means something isn't right. If you hear the alarm go off, try to remain calm. If there are any open flames, turn them off. Put out cigarettes as a precaution too in Wilkes Barre.\n\nAvoid touching any of the appliances in the home. Don't touch anything electrical either including light switches or phones. Propane is flammable if there is air or flames it can mix with when it creates a spark. Try to turn off pilot lights if you have enough time.\n\nShould the alarm sound, everyone in the household should be removed. A professional should come to the home to test for any signs of Wilkes Barre propane problems. This can be the fire department or the business that fills your propane tank. If they find there is an issue, they can repair it. No one should return to the house until it has been repaired and the situation cleared.\n\nMake sure everyone in the household is aware of what the procedure will be should the propane detector go off. You don't want to take any chances that there can be actions which increase the risk of a problem. Propane can be very useful but you also have to protect your home against any potential problems. Never ignore a detector that goes off or any smells like rotten eggs.\n\nGet Wilkes Barre Propane from bo. You have read, The Importance Of Wilkes Barre Propane.\nCopyright © 2017 All Rights Reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6279881000518799}
{"content": "About us\n\nTHE NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER  is a non-profit association, constituted by professionals and researchers experts in the areas of bio and nanotechnology with the following objectives:\n\n  • To promote, coordinate and undertake tasks of research and technological development in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology to address the problems of 21st century society.\n  • To encourage the existence of spaces and joint participation between academia, industry an the state at local and regional level, to make viable an appropriation, generation and application of knowledge in nanoscience and nanotechnology. \n\nAreas of interest\n\n  1. Science and engineering of nanoparticles.\n  2. Computational Bionano-technoscience. \n  3. Biotechnology.\n  4. Micro-nanofluídic and transport phenomena.\n  5. Ethical and social implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology.\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9713441729545593}
{"content": "111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.\nWhite Plains, NY 10601\nTel: (914) 995-3586\nFax: (914) 995-2116\n\n\nApril 27, 2016 -- Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty announced that Andre Coverdale (DOB 12/18/88) who has no known address, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with:\n\n\nin the death of Dawne McCray.\n\nOn Jan. 16, 2016, at about 12:30 p.m., the defendant walked up to a security booth at 2 Schroeder St. in Yonkers and told the security officer that “he had just killed his mother.” The defendant asked the guard to call the police.\n\nWhen Yonkers Police arrived on the scene, the defendant was still waiting at the guard booth. The security guard identified the defendant as the person claiming to have killed his mother.\n\nThe defendant told the officers that his mother was located in apartment 225 at the complex. When police officers entered the apartment, they found the victim stabbed to death in her bed. They located the apparent murder weapon, a knife, on a window sill in the living room.\n\nThe victim died from multiple stab wounds of the face and neck involving a carotid artery and jugular veins resulting in massive bleeding.\n\nThe defendant pled not guilty.\n\nHe was remanded.\n\nHis next court date is May 11, 2016.\n\nThe defendant faces an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment, the maximum term must be life, and the minimum term may be not less than 15 years nor more than 25 years. Thus, the least sentence is 15 years to life, and the greatest sentence is 25 years to life.\n\nDeputy District Attorney Timothy Ward of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.\n\n\nAndre Coverdale\n\nAndre Coverdale\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7961432933807373}
{"content": "Plagiarism and Correct Referencing: Don't Get Caught Out\n\nMarch 30, 2016\n\nIn academia generally, and at CDU particularly, the issue of plagiarism is taken very seriously. The reason for this is that researchers, academics, creatives and others that produce original work and ideas put a lot of time, effort, energy, resources into  developing their original ideas and theories. Some of these ideas may have a significant impact on what is considered to best practice in a given field or may have even changed our values or beliefs as a society. So given the importance of original work, it is right and fair that those that created it, receive due acknowledgement for its creation.  As students, we are constantly absorbing and interpreting other people’s work, so in honour of the contribution this has to our own learning , it is critical we acknowledge where that learning comes from. To do otherwise is essentially stealing.\n\nSpecifically, we define plagiarism at CDU as “the presentation of the work of another without acknowledgement”. And while most students or academics would not go out of their way to deliberately plagiarise, it can be easier than you think to get caught, despite your best intentions. In creating assignments, reports and essays as part of your academic career, you will inevitably need to draw on a wide variety of sources of information.  The key to not inadvertently getting caught out by plagiarism when submitting academic work is correct and proper referencing.There are a large number of referencing styles used in academia, but different disciplines prefer different referencing style guidelines so check with your lecturer if you are unsure. Two commonly used styles at CDU are the Harvard Referencing Style and APA . The CDU Library  can be a fantastic source of information on different types of referencing styles, so it’s worth reviewing proper referencing techniques before , during and after you complete your assignments. Not referencing properly can at best cost valuable marks and at worst, can lead to penalties under the CDU’s plagiarism policies  which can affect your entire academic life.\n\nAs well as making sure you are up to speed with proper referencing techniques for both in-text and end of text reference lists, do make sure you use the plagiarism software  that is a part of all online assignment submissions. This will allow you to see where you may need to correct your referencing to avoid any suspicion of plagiarised work. The CDU Bookshop also has a number of resources and study guides that can help you navigate your way through plagiarism and good referencing techniques.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9985131025314331}
{"content": "What is the Meaning & Definition of typhus\n\nTyphus is the name given to a group of infectious diseases generated by the presence of a bacterium, Rickettsia. This bacterium is a parasite that is inserted on the skin of an individual and can leave in it a multitude of harmful elements that are feeding from the organism. Normally the typhus is spread from the presence of lice, fleas or ticks from animals that carry the bacteria, passing through human skin, deposited it over it and allow to start the cycle of growth and development. It is estimated that the typhus gets its name from the Greek word typhos, meaning hazy or filled with smoke, in relation not to the form of bacteria or their brands if not to the State of mind in which a person with typhus acts, a mental state of confusion, ditraccion, lack of concentration and semi unconsciousness.\nThe history of typhus is not very old and its earliest records lead us back five centuries when at the end of the 15th century. At some moments in history, the presence of this disease became major epidemics that required much effort and time to be controlled, causing thousands of deaths due to its rapid spread. In general, specialists estimate that this type of disease is usually more easily attack humble social sectors since they have less chance of acting against the infectious focus. Similarly, people with malnutrition or lack of normal health were always the clear objective of this type of infection had. Such is the case of the thousands of dead by typhus which took place in different concentration camps nazis of World War II, fields in which were kept detainees in inhumane living conditions, with high levels of malnutrition and greater contagion-prone by overcrowding.\nTyphus occurs through the symptoms of high fever, chills, pain in the joints, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle, redness of the skin, dry cough, back pain and abdominal, photophobia or intense sensitivity to light, delirium, and low blood pressure. Today there are vaccines that are important to prevent the spread of the disease and even though it has been eradicated in much of the West, there are still regions of Africa, Latin America and Asia in which can be found which are always asked to visit those regions having the appropriate vaccine.\nArticle contributed by the team of collaborators.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9831797480583191}
{"content": "what do?OUR GOAL preserve and..\n\n\nLogixpro 500 keygen\n\nTo download LOGIXPRO 500 KEYGEN, click on the Download button\n\n\nFor Mac lets you take a single image and cut it into rows and columns logixxpro then save the output. While there's no user logixpro 500 keygen, the process is fast and easy enough that even engeyum kadhal cut songs will have no trouble with this freeware tool. for Mac opens to a very basic interface that is functional and logixpro 500 keygen to use. The keygn has only two options to open an image and close the application. Despite the lack of a Help file or other user guidance, the process proved fairly easy. You can drag and drop images onto the main window and easily set your options with the three drop-down menus. These let you choose the number of rows and columns to cut the image into and what the output format keygn be.\n\nOne minor lohixpro is that the image window lkgixpro display the entire image, and so you have to scroll back and forth to see all areas of the picture or find the watermark. This isn't a major problem, but it is a little inconvenient. Overall, though, this program is certainly worth taking for a test drive if you often post your logixpro 500 keygen images in public areas online and want to prevent them from being logixpro 500 keygen without authorization.\n\n\nIncredibly simple: Logixpro 500 keygen\n\nLogixpro 500 keygen -\n\nGraphics logixpro 500 keygen blocky and primitive, and it's hard not to giggle at the logixpro 500 keygen jeep dwarfed by what logixpro 500 keygen to be fields of logixpro 500 keygen giant wheat.\n\nTo download LOGIXPRO 500 KEYGEN, click on the Download button", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6281032562255859}
{"content": "/r/financialindependence : This is a place for people who are or want to become Financially Independent (FI), which means not having to work for money.\n\n/r/personalfinance : Get your financial house in order. Learn how to better manage your money and debt in both the short and long term. Find out how to save an emergency fund and invest for your future.\n\n\nAndroid development:\n\nAndroid Studio : The officially supported IDE for Android development. Most modern tutorials should be using this now, including Google’s. : Great resource with explanations, examples and images to teach most things you need to develop an app (this link is about in-app billing for example).\n\n\nGoogle Play developer console : Your home for publishing and managing your apps. You can manage all phases of publishing on Google Play through the Developer Console. Using any web browser, you can upload apps, build product pages, set prices, configure distribution, and publish apps.\n\n\nGoogle Firebase : The tools and infrastructure you need to build better apps and grow successful businesses.\n\nGoogle Admob : AdMob offers advertising solutions for many mobile platforms. To host and manage ads in your apps.\n\n\nGetJar : Alternative app store to publish your apps and get more visibility.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5216137170791626}
{"content": "Butterflies and Barbarians: Swiss Missionaries and Systems of Knowledge in South-East Africa (BOK)\n\nPatrick Harries\n\n199,00 19900\nSendes vanligvis innen 5-15 dager\nThe Swiss missionaries played a primary role in explaining Africa to the literate world in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This book emphasises how these European intellectuals, brought to the deep rural areas of southern Africa by their vocation, formulated and ordered knowledge about the continent. Central to this group was Junod who became a pioneering collector in the fields of entomology and botany. He would later examine African society with the methodology, theories and confidence of the natural sciences. On the way he came to depend on the skills of African observers and collectors. Out of this work emerged, in three stages between 1898 and 1927, an influential classic in the field of South African anthropology, \"Life of a South African Tribe.\" At the same time Patrick Harries examines how local people absorbed imported ideas into their own body of knowledge. Through a process of interchange and compromise, Africans adapted foreign ways of seeing and doing things, and rapidly made them their own. This is a history of new ideas and practices that shook African societies before and during the early years of colonialism. It is equally a history of ordinary people and their ability to adapt, change, and subvert these ideas. Professor T.O. Ranger says: 'Now, really for the first time, Harries sets these arguments in a wonderfully persuasive, detailed and dynamic context. He really understands the principle of nineteenth-century botany and insect classification, the organising concepts of linguistics, and the changing assumptions of ethnography and anthropology. One gets a profound sense of intellectual formation of debate and development of ideas. \"Missionary ideas\" are themselves no single thing but constantly in debate and in flux.'\n\n\nSpråk Engelsk Engelsk Innbinding Heftet\nUtgitt 2007 Forfatter Patrick Harries\nISBN 9780852559833\nAntall sider 352 Leverandør Bertram Trading Ltd\nEmner og form Physical anthropology, Christian mission & evangelism", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7957944869995117}
{"content": "How to Clean Wool and Cashmere Sweaters and Clothes\n\nsheep wool\nNature Picture Library/Britain on View/Getty Images\n\nIn case you've forgotten or never knew, wool and cashmere clothes are made from natural hair fibers from a sheep, goat, alpaca or llama. These fibers are composed of protein. Think of your own hair. It is also protein and you certainly don't want to use harsh chemicals on your own head! Same goes with wool.\n\nWashing Wool and Cashmere Clothes\n\nDry cleaning is often recommended for wool clothes but is it necessary?\n\nStructured wool clothes like outer coats, blazers and men's suit coats should always be dry cleaned. While the wool fabric is washable, the fabrics used to create the inner structure may be destroyed or become misshapen when washed. There is no way to reverse the damage once this happens.\n\nMost unstructured knitted wool pieces like sweaters, scarves or accessories can be hand washed as well as unstructured and unlined woven wool pieces like slacks can be hand washed or washed on the delicate cycle in an automatic washer.\n\nAlways use cool water and a gentle detergent. Knitted wool garments should never be over-agitated or wrung tightly or the knit may stretch. If you have a two-piece ensemble, always wash both pieces at the same time. This will keep the color and wear more consistent.\n\nPretreat stains following the guidelines for the specific type of stain. But, always read all stain removal product labels carefully for a list of ingredients.\n\nStain removal products should be tested in an inconspicuous spot like an inside seam before using. Wool fibers will dissolve in chlorine bleach. Even dilute solutions of chlorine bleach will cause permanent yellowing, color loss, stiffening and weakening of wool. \n\nNever place any wool garment in an automatic dryer on high heat.\n\nYou will end up with a shrunken garment that is often - but not always - impossible to restore.\n\nHome Dry Cleaning Wool and Cashmere Clothes\n\nHome dry cleaning kits can be used by following all product instructions to freshen wool garments. For small stains, use the stain remover provided with the kit.  If the clothes are heavily stained, it is better to take them to a professional cleaner. If there are stains, point them out and identify them to your cleaner for best results.\n\nWhether you use a home kit or professional cleaning, always clean all matching pieces of an outfit. This will prevent mismatched items if there is any color loss from cleaning.\n\nIroning Wool or Cashmere Clothes\n\nWool is a natural fiber with wonderful resilient qualities when knitted or woven into fabric. If a wool garment is wrinkled, simply hang the item in a steamy bathroom to allow the fibers to relax. This may do the trick and there will be no need to iron. For deep creases, wool can be ironed by taking a few precautions.\n\nExtremely high temperatures when ironing wool can scorch just as it does silk or other natural hair fibers. The scorching or yellowing occurs as the fibers begin to burn. Burned fibers cannot be revived.\n\nAlways select the correct iron temperature setting and use a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric.\n\nWool fibers can scorch and burn if ironed at a high temperature. So, a pressing cloth is a must when ironing wool fabric and one the essential tools of ironing most fabrics. Ironing without a pressing cloth will leave shiny or scorch marks on the wool. The shiny marks are caused by the wool fibers \"fusing\" together due to the excess heat. Scorching is the next step that comes because the iron was so hot it began to burn the fibers.\n\nShop for Pressing Cloths on\n\nUsing a steam iron will give the best results and shorten ironing time. Simply set the iron to the Wool temperature setting or follow these temperature guidelines.\n\nShop for Steam Irons on\n\nIf you happen to slightly scorch a napped wool fabric, allow the fabric to dry completely and rub the scorched area lightly with an emery board.\n\nA diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide and water may help remove a more severe scorch on light colored fabrics. Mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water. Use a clean white cloth to gently scrub the area. Rinse well by blotting with clear water. Be sure to test on a hidden area first.\n\nIf you forgot to use a pressing cloth and your wool fabric is shiny, try sponging white distilled vinegar on the surface of wool garment in the shiny area to lift the fibers. Rinse thoroughly by blotting with a cloth dipped in clear water and allow to air dry.\n\nProtecting and Storing Wool and Cashmere Clothes\n\nWool is especially attractive to pests who feed on the natural protein fibers. Always make sure that wool clothes are completely clean when storing for long periods because stains add more food for pests.  Learn how to protect wool clothes during storage with lavender or moth balls and how to get rid of pests that damage wool.\n\n6 Tips for Keeping Wool and Cashmere Clothes Looking Great\n\n  • To help wool clothes keep their shape, always empty pockets and remove any accessories that might pull on the fibers like belts and jewelry.\n  • Button or zip clothes to help them keep their shape and prevent wrinkles.\n  • Spot clean stains as they happen so the garment might be worn a few more times. Every time you clean a wool garment, a little bit of damage is done to the fibers. Prolong the time between cleanings as long as possible.\n  • For heavier wool clothes, use a soft-bristled garment brush after wearing to remove surface dust and soil.\n  • Allow at least 24 hours between wearings so the fibers can dry from body and outside moisture and relax back into their original shape.\n  • If wool outer garments get wet, hang on a sturdy wooden hanger and dry at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5618661642074585}
{"content": "lunes, 27 de enero de 2014\n\nBibliografía (Revista de revistas) - RabelsZ 1/2014\n\nÚltima entrega de la Rabels Zeitschrift für ausländisches und internationales Privatrecht – The Rabel Journal of Comparative and International Private Law (RabelsZ): vol. 78 (2014), núm. 1:\n\nDreizehnte Ernst-Rabel-Vorlesung, 2012:\n\nMathias Reimann, The American Advantage in Global Lawyering, pp. 1-36(36)\n\n\n-Eike Götz Hosemann, \"The New Private Law\": A Historical and Comparative Perspective on the Emerging New Private Law Scholarship in the United States / \"The New Private Law\": Die neue amerikanische Privatrechtswissenschaft in historischer und vergleichender Perspektive, pp. 37-70(34)\nIn 2011, the Harvard Law Review held a symposium entitled \"The New Private Law\". This title was chosen to capture what is allegedly a new stream in US legal scholarship: a group of scholars arguing for the normative distinctiveness of private law and proposing a reconstructive, rather than deconstructive, approach to its traditional concepts. This essay analyses \"The New Private Law\" from a historical and comparative perspective. It briefly recalls what are presently perceived to be the typical differences between German and American legal scholarship. Afterwards it traces the origins of this divergence, thereby focussing on the decline of doctrinal scholarship and the rise of the critique of private law in the US over the course of the 20th century. Against this background, the essay then examines the program of \"The New Private Law\" and some of the new theories of private law that are put forward under this heading. While it is too early to refer to \"The New Private Law\" as a coherent intellectual movement, the essay contends that one can indeed speak of a new mood in American legal thought: a growing dissatisfaction with the established, critical accounts of private law that gives rise to the development of innovative new theories offering constructive reinterpretations of some of its most fundamental concepts. The essay concludes by noting significant differences between \"The New Private Law\" and present private law scholarship in Germany. In particular, it holds that the first is more ambitious in theoretical terms than most of the latter.\n-Katharina de la Durantaye, Of Ships and Storms, and Damaged Docks: The Doctrine of Private Necessity in German and U.S. Law / Von Schiffen, Stürmen, Stegen und Schäden: Der Schadensersatzanspruch im Fall des aggressiven Notstands in Deutschland und den USA, pp. 71-108(38)\nThe German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch – BGB) contains an explicit privilege for private necessity: The owner of a thing may not prevent others from damaging or destroying his property in order to avert actual danger if the threatened harm is unreasonably greater than the damage to the owner's property (§ 904 sentence 1 BGB). He may, however, claim compensation for any damages he incurred (§ 904 sentence 2 BGB). However, the Code does not state who is liable to the owner. If the person who damaged or destroyed the owner's property did not do so to preserve his own legal interest but the interests of someone else, it is unclear whether liability should fall on the actor or on the third person.\nOver the past century, courts and commentators have tried to find a principled solution to this problem. Doing so has proven difficult – the owner's claim under § 904 sentence 2 BGB is an exception in German private law. Usually, a person is liable to another only if he or she has done something wrong. In a case of private necessity, however, § 904 sentence 1 BGB allows the property to be sacrificed.\nIn the United States, the doctrine of private necessity was first established in 1910 in Vincent v. Lake Erie. Until today, the case has been a staple of tort law classes throughout the country, and it has puzzled law professors and legal philosophers alike. Most agree that the case was rightly decided. There is, however, considerable disagreement as to why this is the case. Some but not all of the arguments resemble those brought forward in the discussion surrounding § 904 sentence 2 BGB.\nThe article examines both the debates in Germany and in the United States, including historical arguments advanced on either side of the Atlantic. It shows that some of the theories which feature prominently in the United States could serve to enrich the discussion in Germany. This is true even though American scholars pay very little attention to the question of who should be liable to the owner. Indeed, the Restatement (Second) of Torts holds a different person liable than the Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment, a fact which so far has received little attention.\n-Erik Röder, The Limited Partnership in Comparative Perspective – Explanations for the Different Evolution of a Legal Form / Die Kommanditgesellschaft im Rechtsvergleich – Hintergründe der unterschiedlichen Karriere einer Rechtsform, pp. 109-154(46)\nThe limited partnership originated centuries ago in France, from where it spread – inter alia – to Germany, the US and, finally in 1907, to England. Today's practical importance of limited partnerships in each of these jurisdictions differs widely. In France, the société en commandite is quasi-extinct. In England and the US, limited partnerships are used predominantly as investment vehicles. Only the German Kommanditgesellschaft plays a significant role as a legal form for small and medium-sized enterprises. This article shows that the different fate of the limited partnership form in France, England, the US and Germany can be explained by the interplay of three factors: limited liability, tax transparency, and the ability of the limited partner to manage and control the partnership. The limited partnership competes mainly with corporate forms that are tailor-made for small and mediumsized enterprises and that offer limited liability for all shareholders. In contrast, the limited partnership form is defined by the existence of at least one general partner who is personally liable for the partnership's debt. All four jurisdictions allow for the compensation of this disadvantage by using a corporation as sole general partner. However, as this structure is more complicated than a plain vanilla corporation, the limited partnership needs an additional competitive edge to be attractive. This crucial advantage consists in its tax transparency. Tax transparency means that profits of limited partnerships are taxed only at partner-level whereas corporate shareholders have to bear an additional layer of taxation at the corporate level. Only France denies tax transparency to limited partners and taxes them like corporate shareholders, which explains the disappearance of the société en commandite. The fact that limited partnerships in England and the US are used almost exclusively as investment vehicles is due to an ancient and now obsolete rule which links limited liability to non-participation in management or control of the partnership and thus requires the limited partner to remain a passive investor. Unlike England and the US, Germany narrowly avoided adopting the same concept. This gave the German Kommanditgesellschaft the flexibility to allow the limited partner to become the dominant figure in the partnership. The general partner of a typical Kommanditgesellschaft is nowadays a corporation which does not share in the profits of the partnership and which functions only as a dummy for the limited partners. This structure has been recognized in Germany since the 1920s and offers the same attractive features as the American Limited Liability Company (LLC): a combination of limited liability, tax transparency and control.\n-Hannes Rösler, Freedom of Choice of Law in the International Law of Divorce under the Rome III Regulation / Rechtswahlfreiheit im Internationalen Scheidungsrecht der Rom III-Verordnung, pp. 155-192(38)\nThe principle of private autonomy has reached European conflict of laws in divorce matters with Regulation (EU) No. 1259/2010 (Rome III). This is relevant due to the degree of cross-border family matters, the persistently high divorce rates and the considerable differences as to the substantive laws that continue to exist. This article addresses the motives behind the movement to party autonomy, but above all it considers a need for clarification that should not be underestimated.\nDue to the objective connecting factor, courts will apply the lex fori more frequently. In the absence of a choice of law, Art. 8 Rome III Regulation declares applicable the law of the common habitual residence or in certain circumstances that of the last common residence of the spouses. This is owing to the integration effect intended by the Regulation but is also due to the advantages of the lex fori approach, which approximates English law. However, it is doubtful whether the lex fori always meets the interests of the parties as the principle of habitual residence (resulting in a simultaneous departure from the quite strict citizenship principle) creates some uncertainty. These ambiguities can be overcome by the parties' primary right to choose the law under Art. 5 Rome III Regulation. In that way, the continuity needs of the parties can be accommodated.\nThe principle of free choice of law contained in the Regulation is an important component of the international private law of the European Union even though Rome III applies only to participating Member States. In addition, surprisingly, many questions remain open. Some are answered as follows. The Regulation is relevant not only for judicial or administrative decisions, but also for private divorces. That the Regulation applies, in principle, to same-sex marriages also seems compelling, though the assessment of the question is left to national law (see Art. 13 Rome III Regulation). It is disputed whether under Art. 5(1)(d) Rome III Regulation the law of the forum can also be chosen abstractly. This is affirmed here so long as the spouses have informed themselves to a sufficient and specific degree and have narrowed down the electable states – and the state in question belongs to that group. The choice of law by people with multiple citizenship is not limited to the effective citizenship even if that is prescribed by national law. From the requirement of the Regulation that a choice of law shall not prejudice the rights and equality of the spouses, it is derived that national courts are under an obligation to review the content in the context of Art. 6 Rome III Regulation. The article also emphasizes the importance of Art. 10 Rome III Regulation, which is ideal for resolving gender discrimination issues such as those arising under Islamic law.\n-Luboš Tichý, The Decline of the Territoriality Principle in EU Antitrust Law / Die Überwindung des Territorialitätsprinzips im EU-Kartellrecht, pp. 193-228(36)\nThis study challenges paradigms in the area of EU antitrust law. In contrast to the prevailing opinion it draws the conclusion that the legal acts (the decisions) of the cartel authorities of the EU member states ought to be qualified as transnational administrative acts which are issued under the authority of the EU within the application of European law.\nSpecifically, this concerns the question whether the cartel authority of one EU member state may decide on anti-competitive behaviour in the same manner as, for example, the European Commission would decide on it, i.e., with direct effects including the obligation to execute such decisions on the territory of all member states. The predominant view is that a decision of a national cartel authority does not have direct effects on the territory of other member states. Especially in private international law literature it is argued that even within the framework of the EU, the principles of territoriality and limitation of administrative acts apply and that therefore such decisions are limited to the territory of the member state in which they were issued. This shows that even the existence of the EU has not led to a change in traditional opinions. In practice, however, this leads to seriously inappropriate phenomena, including, for example, additional costs for parallel proceedings in practically the same matters in several member states. In view of administrative sanctions this may also violate one of the basic principles of human rights: ne bis in idem.\nAccording to this study, already de lege lata in all EU member states the effects of transnational acts are fundamentally the same as they are within the jurisdiction in which they are issued. Such an act binds every affected party, including all state authorities of the member states. Its validity is based on the principle of the recognition of all national legal systems within the EU. Despite the non-existence of an explicit provision, from the purpose and certain principles of European law one may construe a general obligation to respect the effects of the so-called European Transnational Act. However, any such act must comply with the basic principles of EU law, and especially it must not be in conflict with basic procedural rights. De lege ferenda it appears necessary to change Regulation 1/2003 in order to clarify the legal regime.\nMitarbeiter dieses Heftes; pp. 229-229(1)\n\nÚltimos números: 4/2012, 1/2013, 2/2013, 4/2013.\n\nNo hay comentarios:\n\nPublicar un comentario\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5494441986083984}
{"content": "Tuesday, June 30, 2015\n\n\nWestern Presstitutes Dumbfounded by Vladimir Putin’s 89% Approval Rating\n\n\nWestern Presstitutes Dumbfounded by Vladimir Putin’s 89% Approval Rating\n\nGuest Column by The Saker\n\n\nWhat does Vladimir Putin’s 89% rating mean?\nJune 30, 2015\n\n\n\nWhat does this mean?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSo what is next?\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe neoconservatives who now run U.S. foreign policy, like \"Dr. Strangelove,\" want to start a nuclear attack on Russia ...likely bringing on the extinction of us human beings, or at least those in the northern hemisphere. Certainly all Americans and Europeans would oppose this ...unless \"reliable sources\" assure us that Russia is about to attack us. Who are these reliable sources? Why the neocons who have taken over Washington and it's European vassals, all of which are lying through their teeth -- pure propaganda. The \"mainstream media?\" They repeat this propaganda or lose their jobs. This leaves the human race only one chance: put aside your cognitive dissonances and watch what Russia has been saying on Russia Today (RT) or Sputnik News. Hint: you will find out that Russia wants peace more than anything. So, dear readers, if you take this advice our children and grandchildren may yet live to thank us.\n\nTruth is a Crime Against The State — Paul Craig Roberts\n\nJune 28, 2015 | Original Here                                            Go here to sign up to receive email notice of this news letter\n\nTruth Is A Crime Against The State\n\nPaul Craig Roberts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEU Bashes “Russian Propaganda”   \n\nby Stephen Lendman\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt shamelessly called their reporting valued by growing millions “broadcasting fabrications and hate speech from their bureaus in EU cities.”\n\nIt touted plans by EU officials to counter what they called “use and misuse of communications tools…play(ing) an important role in the dramatic political, economic and security-related developments (in) Eastern (European countries) over the past 18 months.”\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said “the European Union is diligently trying to stifle the alternative voice of RT, at a time when in Europe there are hundreds of newspapers, television channels and radio stations, which set out only one point of view on what is happening in the world.”\n\n\n\n\n“(I)f after all this, the EU still complains that they are losing the ‘information war’ against Russia, perhaps it’s time to realize that” growing numbers of people are fed up with being lied to. \n\n\n\n\n\nVisit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. \n\nSaturday, June 27, 2015\n\nAs many as 99% of all Americans get their news from the so-called \"mainstream media.\" And 100% of the \"mainstream\" newscasters keep their jobs by reporting only what the government allows them to report, which is close to 100% government lies. So when the neocon Dr. Strangeloves declare that they must foment a nuclear war with Russia, most Amercans will approve of this event, even though it will have been unjustified and likely to kill most Americans ...while the government hides in undeground bunkers.\n\n\nUS, NATO Powers Intensify Preparations for Nuclear War\n\nThe NATO military alliance is preparing to implement a more aggressive nuclear weapons strategy in response to alleged “Russian aggression,” according to NATO sources cited by the Guardian Wednesday evening.\n\nProposed changes include provisions for greater involvement of nuclear forces in ongoing NATO military exercises along Russia’s borders and new guidelines for nuclear escalation against Russia, according to the NATO officials.\n\nThe alliance’s nuclear doctrine has been the subject of quiet, informal discussions “on the sidelines” of the ongoing NATO summit. The new policies will be formally articulated and confirmed at an upcoming conference of the alliance’s Nuclear Planning Group, which was rescheduled for an earlier date this week as word got around about the secretive planning.\n\n“There is very real concern about the way in which Russia publicly bandies around nuclear stuff. So there are quite a lot of deliberations in the alliance about nuclear weapons,” an unnamed NATO diplomat told the Guardian.\n\nThe claim that discussion about a revision of nuclear weapons policy is in response to Russian aggression turns reality on its head. In the aftermath of the US and NATO-backed coup in Ukraine last year, the major imperialist powers have engaged in a relentless militarization of Eastern Europe, including the establishment of a rapid reaction force of 40,000 troops.\n\nThis week, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced that the US would permanently deploy tanks, military vehicles and other equipment to countries bordering Russia. There are also ongoing discussions about directly arming Ukraine, beyond the extensive assistance the right-wing government already receives.\n\nNATO is now planning to respond to any attempt by Russia to maintain or counter US imperialism’s aggressive moves in Eastern Europe with even more massive military response, including nuclear weapons.\n\nAn indication of the thinking of NATO strategists was provided by a report in the Financial Times. In the event of a conflict involving one of the Baltic countries, “Russia might…accuse the alliance of escalating the conflict and threaten to use intermediate range nuclear weapons.” The Times quotes Elbridge Colby, of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS): “NATO does not need a total nuclear rethink. But it needs to be realistic about how it would respond and willing to show Putin that he would not get away with it.”\n\nThis scenario builds on allegations from the US that Russia has violated the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), allegations that the Russian government has denied. US officials have stated that the Pentagon is preparing to launch preemptive attacks against missiles or other targets in Russia, including with nuclear weapons, in response to Moscow’s alleged violation of the treaty.\n\nThe announcement of major revisions to NATO’s nuclear strategy came just days after the publication of an extensive report, “Project Atom: Defining US Nuclear Strategy and Posture for 2025-2050,” by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The main portions of the report were authored by a career US government strategist and senior CSIS analyst, Clark Murdock, a man who previously worked in high-level strategy jobs at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Department of Defense (DOD), the US Air Force and the National War College. The report included contributions from a large team of researchers and experts, including panels from the CNAS and the National Institution for Public Policy (NIPP).\n\nThe thrust of the CSIS analysis is that the US must make its nuclear arsenal easier to use in a war with Russia, China or some other power. The military must adopt “a US nuclear strategy designed for twenty-first century realities,” based on new generations of tactical warheads and delivery systems.\n\nMore advanced tactical nuclear weapons will enable Washington to threaten and launch small nuclear wars, without being “self-deterred” by concerns that its actions would lead to a nuclear holocaust, the CSIS report argues.\n\n“The United States needs to develop and deploy more employable nuclear weapons,” the CSIS wrote, including “low collateral damage, enhanced radiation, earth penetration, electromagnetic pulse, and others as technology advances.”\n\nSuch advances, the report argues, are the only way to counter the erosion of American technological superiority by the growth of the Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals, together with the addition of as many as nine new governments to the “nuclear club.”\nUnder the “Measured Response” theory advocated by the CSIS and Murdock, these types of highly mobile nuclear strike forces could engage in “controlled nuclear operations,” firing “low yield, accurate, special effects” nukes against enemy targets without leading to a full-scale nuclear war.\n\nBy “forward deploying a robust set of discriminate nuclear response options,” the US could launch tactical nuclear strikes “at all rungs of the nuclear escalation ladder,” Murdock wrote.\nSuch “small-scale” nuclear conflicts would inevitably claim tens, if not hundreds of millions of lives, even assuming they did not escalate into a global nuclear war.\n\nThe continental US, according to this theory, would be protected from the consequences of regional-scale nuclear warfare by the deterrent effect of Washington’s huge arsenal of high-yield strategic weapons. Any “controlled” nuclear conflicts started by the US government, moreover, would not involve nuclear operations targeting or launched from North America.\n\n“The US homeland would not be engaged in the US response to a nuclear attack on a regional ally,” the CSIS wrote.\n\nIn barely veiled language, CSIS is suggesting that the US should utilize allied and client governments as staging areas and arenas for “controlled” atomic warfare.\n\nAs the product of collaboration between an extensive network of ruling-class policy theorists, such proposals are extremely ominous and represent a grave warning to the international working class.\n\nThere have been other calls for a significant expansion of US nuclear weapons capacity. In comments to the Atlantic Council earlier this week, US Congressman Mac Thornberry, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called for a “national conversation about building new nuclear weapons.”\n\n“That’s something we haven’t been able to even have a conversation about for a while, but I think we’re going to have to,” Thornberry declared.\n\nLate last year, the Obama administration announced plans for a $1 trillion, three-decades-long upgrade of nuclear weapons capability.\n\nIn the writings of the CSIS and the other discussions within the state apparatus, there is a degree of insanity. The strategists of American imperialism are coldly calculating the best tactics for waging and winning nuclear war. Yet this insanity flows from the logic of American imperialism and the drive by the financial aristocracy to control—ever more directly through the use of military force—the entire world.\n\nFriday, June 26, 2015\n\nThe Greeks are like the Americans: Suckered into following the wishes of those who plan to take away their freedom and loot what ever wealth they may have left.\n\nGreek Democracy Is Failing — Paul Craig Roberts\n\n\nGreek Democracy Is Failing\n\nPaul Craig Roberts\n\n\n\nIn other words, the Greek\n\nGreek “debt crisis”\n\n\n\nAs a Greek default and a turn to the East is the only workable solution for Greece, the EU’s agents inside Greece have launched a huge campaign against a Greek turn to the East.\n\nI fear that the Greek people are too brainwashed to be able to avail themselves of the opportunity to rescue themselves from the clutches of the One Percent, who will drive the Greek population into the ground. The Greek voters did not have sufficient judgment to give their current government a large enough percentage of the vote for the government to have any credibility with the EU and Greece’s creditors. What we are witnessing in Greece is the failure of democracy due to the people themselves.\n\nSaturday, June 20, 2015\n\nEven as I repost his lecture, Paul Craig Roberts is or soon will be presenting it in Delphi, Greece. And while of importance to the Greeks, you will read why it is of far greater importance to the citizens of the US and France. The message is that the neoconservatives that control both the US and its European vassals are looking toward the day when they can launch their nuclear attack on Russia and China with gullible Americans and Europeans becoming \"collateral damage.\" The best, and perhaps only, way to avoid this horror is to ignore the lying \"mainsteam media,” put away your cognitive dissonances, and make your voices heard in Washington and Paris. Digesting PCR's seminal lecture below can be your starting point.\n\n\nJune 19, 2015 | Original Here                                            Go here to sign up to receive email notice of this news letter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe doctrine states:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPutin went on to say: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThursday, June 18, 2015\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Soviet Union lost between 20 and 27 million troops and civilians in the course of winning WW II, so they have absolutely no intentions to foment a WW III. On the other hand, the American neocons, whose country has never been invaded and who have their own underground shelters already prepared, are hankering for the big one. Thus the US’s original agreements between NATO and Russia, including the clause that neither side should be considered an enemy, are now being flagrantly violated by arming NATO countries bordering on Russia. And the populace of these border countries are being aroused by lies claiming that Russia has been attacking Ukraine …a ludicrous claim given that Russia could have won such a war in a couple days had it wished to do so. But finally a couple days ago Vladimir Putin, certainly no war monger, has ordered 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles to be added to the country's current “mutually assured destruction” deterrent. Unfortunately, the neocons think they need no such deterent...\n\nNew York Times: U.S. poised to put heavy weaponry in East Europe\n\n“Russia’s increasingly aggressive actions around NATO’s borders…”\nNATO keeps moving its borders up to Russia’s borders.\n“Professor [Mark] Galeotti said. ‘This is about telling Russia that you’re getting closer to a real red line.’”\nNATO’s red line is a noose, drawing tighter and tighter around Russia and any country that defies the Anglo-American alliance.\n\nThis article is typical mainstream US “journalism”. Unless a reader follows the extensive equipment buildup that has been taking place for months,  and the ongoing, intensifying US/NATO military exercises in the region,  they would conclude from this article that the US and NATO have only a weak force in Europe.\n\nJune 13, 2015\n\n© Oksana Dzadan/Associated Press Stryker vehicles from the Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment took part in a military exercise in Riga, Latvia. RIGA, Latvia — In a significant move to deter possible Russian aggression in Europe, the Pentagon is poised to store battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other heavy weapons for as many as 5,000 American troops in several Baltic and Eastern European countries, American and allied officials say.\n\nIn that agreement, NATO pledged that, “in the current and foreseeable security environment,” it would not seek “additional permanent stationing of substantial ground combat forces” in the nations closer to Russia.The agreement also says that “NATO and Russia do not consider each other as adversaries.” Many in the alliance argue that Russia’s increasingly aggressive actions around NATO’s borders have made that pact effectively moot.\nReprinted under Fair Use Rules.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5402655601501465}
{"content": "Purpose of an expository essay\n\nThe ERWC is more important than ever now that the CSU is discontinuing the English Placement Test for fall 2018 and ending its current system of remediation. Academic preparation still matters! The CSU will continue to rely on 11th grade testing (CAASPP/Smarter Balanced), as well as ACT and SAT to identify students as ready, conditionally ready, and not yet ready, and conditionally ready students can still demonstrate readiness by completing an approved ERWC course. Those who are not yet ready will be required to participate in a credit-bearing Early Start course during the summer before enrollment at a CSU and may have the option of a one-year “stretch” first-year composition course. All our data indicate that better prepared students graduate more quickly and in higher numbers, and ERWC remains one of the best ways to equip students with that preparation.\n\nWhen we read fiction novels, we are taking in narrative text. This type of text tells a story and generally uses a lot of emotion. The opposite of this is expository text , which exists to provide facts in a way that is educational and purposeful. The text is fact-based with the purpose of exposing the truth through a reliable source. True and deliberate expository text will focus on educating its reader. Other descriptors of exposition are clear, concise, and organized writing. Expository text gets to the point quickly and efficiently.\n\n\nPurpose of an expository essay\n\npurpose of an expository essay\n\n\npurpose of an expository essaypurpose of an expository essaypurpose of an expository essaypurpose of an expository essay", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9858988523483276}
{"content": "Rules Player\n\n\nVon The Sankaty Group, Inc\n\n\n\nRules Player is an application for Windows created by The Sankaty Group, Inc, Its latest version 0.99.3, was released 3888 days ago, on 27.04.07. The size of the app is 1.1MB, with the average size for its category, mediaplayer, being 14.95MB. This app is available in deutsch and is supported by the minimum operating system version . Rules Player is ranked 40 in its category and is in the top 10743 in Uptodown’s overall ranking. Some similar programs are: Kodi, ACE Stream, VLC Media Player, MKV Player, KMPlayer, Total Video Player.\n\n\nBewerte diese App\n\nUptodown X", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5493295192718506}
{"content": "sea, horizon over water, tranquil scene, sky, tranquility, beach, scenics, water, blue, beauty in nature, nature, sand, shore, plant, idyllic, cloud, growth, day, calm, outdoors\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n\n\nArt director & graphic designer from Madrid, Spain", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9852070212364197}
{"content": "text, western script, communication, low angle view, sign, capital letter, creativity, copy space, human representation, art and craft, art, clear sky, animal representation, studio shot, no people, close-up, wall - building feature, information, outdoors\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000073909759521}
{"content": "night, illuminated, cityscape, city, dark, copy space, building exterior, architecture, built structure, crowded, high angle view, clear sky, sky, aerial view, no people, outdoors, residential district, silhouette, city life, scenics\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9827955961227417}
{"content": "number, communication, illuminated, night, text, technology, no people, indoors, architecture\n\nWant to buy this photo?\n\n\nLover of nature - animals the environment and of course photography. I follow back. With such depth of talent out there who wouldn't want to.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9990350008010864}
{"content": "Pharmacy spain decadron\n\nWill my symptoms change?\n\nCall your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Stelara injection. What happens if I overdose? The molecular weight is 392. SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual changes, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. ipratropium\n\nDecadron uk pharmacy\n\nWhen your body makes too much of it, the excess hormone can throw off your body's other systems. Why Does Chemo Make You Sick? The classifications below are a general guideline only. It is difficult to determine the relevance of a particular drug interaction to any individual given the large number of variables. What are my treatment options?\n\nReviews for decadron\n\nRounding of facial features. The first thing your doctor will figure out is why you have too much cortisol. That will lead to how to treat your condition. To help you understand your options, here are common medicines for arthritis pain. IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.\n\nSide effects of decadron\n\nUse: For the treatment of adult patients 18 years or older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. Our Decadron Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. Carroll BJ, Schroeder K, Mukhopadhyay S, Greden JF, Feinberg M, Ritchie J, Tarika J \"Plasma dexamethasone concentrations and cortisol suppression response in patients with endogenous depression. NDC 0054-4181-25: Bottles of 100 tablets. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another eye condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.\n\nWhat symptoms have you noticed?\n\nDo not receive a \"live\" vaccine while using Stelara, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella MMR rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella chickenpox zoster shingles and nasal flu influenza vaccine. If this medication is injected into a joint, be careful how much pressure you put on that joint, even if it is feeling better. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary. If DMARDs like methotrexate don't help stop rheumatoid arthritis, biologics are the next course of action, says Hadler. Cancer Research UK: “Sickness nausea and cancer drugs. Avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active fungal infections. Stelara is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used. Serious side effects are not expected with this medication. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Dexamethasone ophthalmic may cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, avoid these activities.\n\nDecadron forms and strengths\n\nNews release, \"Planning to Lose Weight in the New Year? See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. Drug Reference is not available in all systems. Other medications can affect the removal of dexamethasone from your body, which may affect how dexamethasone works. Examples include azole antifungals such as ketoconazole barbiturates such as phenobarbital rifamycins such as rifampin certain medications used to treat seizures such as phenytoin, carbamazepine among others. Acute starts within a few hours of your treatment. This drug may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding. Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine. Sterilize contact lenses according to the manufacturer's directions, and check with your doctor before you begin using them again. NDC 0054-4182-31: Bottles of 1000 tablets. If you take this medication once daily, take it in the morning before 9 AM. If you are taking this medication every other day or on another schedule besides a daily one, it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. This medication is used to treat various conditions such as severe allergic reactions, arthritis, blood diseases, breathing problems, certain cancers, eye diseases, intestinal disorders, and skin diseases. It is also used to test for an adrenal gland disorder Cushing's syndrome. It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid hormone glucocorticoid. This injectable form of dexamethasone is used when a similar drug cannot be taken by mouth or when a very fast response is needed, especially in patients with severe medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of dexamethasone, especially if it is to be injected near your spine epidural. Rare but serious side effects may occur with epidural use. White. \"Steroids decrease the pain and swelling very rapidly. Gently close the eye and roll the eyeball in all directions to spread the medication. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered. HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Take with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. Francois J \"Corticosteroid glaucoma. nimodipine\n\nCommon side effects of decadron\n\nDo not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects. Poor Quality of Life: You might, for example, be unable to participate in certain activities that require sustained attention, like going to the movies, seeing your child in a school play, or watching a favorite TV show. Narcotics are particularly dangerous for elderly patients, because of the risk of falls, White adds. \"Most people don't want to take narcotics. What can I do about them? Avoid other eye medications unless your doctor approves. For osteoarthritis, steroid injections are primarily injected into the joint for a direct effect on the painful joint. They can also be used for this purpose for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics are a more aggressive, targeted therapy that can actually significantly slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis within a few weeks -- rather than just treating the symptoms. Limit how much sodium and fatty foods you eat. Corticosteroid shots into inflamed joints can relieve pain and increase function for some people. This relief may last from weeks to months. In general, the same joint should not be injected more than once every 3 or 4 months. That said, let's look at the consequences of sleep deprivation. Wash your hands before using your eyedrops or ointment. Without treatment, RA tends to progress and worsen. New drugs called biologics can stop the damaging effects of the disease. It might take several appointments to settle on your diagnosis. Chronic snoring, for example, is associated with an increased incidence of and -related diseases. rhinocort capsule price philippines rhinocort\n\nDecadron adult dosage\n\nCox-2 inhibitors like are more stomach-friendly, but may have a slightly higher risk of problems than milder NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. NDC 0054-4179-25: Bottles of 100 tablets. When will I start to feel better? In low doses for longer periods, for people who do not respond to other DMARDs. As the name suggests, these tests happen at night. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it worsens. cheap feldene purchase mastercard australia\n\nDo these treatments have side effects?\n\nHighly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. Hadler has researched the mind-body connection in arthritis pain, and has found that people who may be lonely or depressed feel pain more acutely. Do you somehow tough out the pain? The drugs work on the nerve cells' pain receptors and are very effective in controlling severe pain. Stelara is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting CINV. How should I use Decadron Ocumeter dexamethasone ophthalmic? NDC 0054-4183-25Bottles of 100 tablets. Late-night salivary cortisol level. Hold the tube in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up so that the ointment comes out easily. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down gently on your lower eyelid. Apply a thin film of the ointment into your lower eyelid. Close your eye and roll your eyeball around in all directions for 1 to 2 minutes. If you are applying another eye medication, allow at least 10 minutes before your next application. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject Stelara. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. Avoid injecting the medicine into skin that is red, bruised, swollen, or tender. Shake the bottle gently to be sure the medicine is well mixed. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid. Position the dropper above your eye. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out the prescribed number of drops and close your eye. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of your eye near your nose for about 1 minute to prevent the liquid from draining down your tear duct. If you are using drops in both eyes, repeat the process in the other eye. Do not have immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests unless specifically directed by your doctor.\n\nDoes decadron interact with other medications\n\nFood and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. Ustekinumab can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. In subjects weighing greater than 100 kg, 45 mg was also shown to be effective. However, 90 mg resulted in greater efficacy. Serious side effects often occur when corticosteroids are used for long periods of time. There is a downside to many DMARDs: They work by suppressing the immune system, so there is greater susceptibility to infection while taking these drugs. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects DARE: Quality-assessed Reviews: \"Hypnosis for nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy: a systematic review of the research evidence. Studies show an increased mortality risk for those reporting less than either six or seven hours per night. Sechi GP, Piras MR, Demurtas A, Tanca S, Rosati G \"Dexamethasone-induced schizoaffective-like state in multiple sclerosis: prophylaxis and treatment with carbamazepine. The immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids, particularly in higher dosages, may decrease host resistance to infectious agents, decrease the ability to localize infections, and mask the symptoms of infection. Secondary infections may be more likely to develop. In general, corticosteroids should not be used in patients with active infections, especially systemic fungal infections, unless they are medically necessary and effective antimicrobial therapy or other appropriate treatment has been instituted. However, for corticosteroid-dependent patients who develop a severe or life-threatening infection, continuation of corticosteroid therapy with at least physiologic replacement dosages should be considered, since these patients may have secondary adrenocortical insufficiency. Removal of external steroid during periods of stress may be detrimental to these patients. Biofeedback teaches you how to control body functions that usually happen automatically. You can learn how to slow your heart rate or breathing to calm you down. The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. Journal of Clinical Oncology: \"Systematic Review of Acupuncture in Cancer Care: A Synthesis of the Evidence. spiriva online europa\n\nWhat conditions does decadron treat\n\nNDC 0054-4184-25: Bottles of 100 tablets. NDC 0054-4182-25: Bottles of 100 tablets. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. There have been rare reports of harm to an unborn baby when corticosteroids are used during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Also I feel like this was forced on me by the ortho doc even though I told him I didn't want to take it last time it made my eyes blurry. Constant vomiting can take a toll. It can leave you weak, dry your body out, and steal nutrients it needs. White. \"Yet if you don't take them, you are going to be disabled. You have to put that risk-benefit ratio on the table. What is the chance this could happen? cephalexin online no prescription needed cephalexin\n\nImportant information\n\nThere are a lot of issues that people don't want to put up with. Do not share this medication with others. This drug may also be used with other medications as a replacement for certain hormones. Your nurse will give you a written schedule of when and how often to take the drug. The condition, also known as hypercortisolism, is more common in women than men. This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. After with steroids, White often follows up with biologic medicines. Stir the liquid or food gently for a few seconds. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication. This information covers the most commonly prescribed painkillers. Talk to your doctor to learn about more options. RxList is part of the WebMD Health Network. The opinions expressed in the WebMD User Reviews are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training, and do not represent the opinions of WebMD. These member reviews have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other purpose except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Serious infections may occur during treatment with Stelara. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate, feeling very tired, skin warmth or redness, painful skin sores, or coughing up blood. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products. celebrex\n\nDecadron uses\n\nJohn Winkelman, MD, PhD, medical director of the Sleep Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital and assistant professor of at Harvard Medical School sums up this finding up nicely: \"What most people do not realize is that better sleep habits may be instrumental to the success of any plan. Your could become thin, heal slowly, and easily. You might get purple or pink all over your body, especially your belly, thighs, arms, and chest. Also, get the emotional and practical support you need to cope with arthritis pain during treatment, says Nortin Hadler, MD, a and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and author of Worried Sick. University of Michigan Medicine: \"Cancer: Controlling Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. 'Multum' is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Hold the tube in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up so that the ointment comes out easily. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down gently on your lower eyelid. Apply a thin film of the ointment into your lower eyelid. Close your eye and roll your eyeball around in all directions for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat the process in the other eye if your doctor has prescribed ointment in both eyes. Call your doctor if you have any signs of tuberculosis: fever, cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling constantly tired. Product Information. Dexamethasone dexamethasone. If you are applying another eye medication, allow at least 10 minutes before your next application. Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? Steroids such as and are strong anti-inflammatories that calm swelling, inflammation and pain. Product Information. Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate dexamethasone. National Comprehensive Cancer Network: \"Nausea and Vomiting. If the only way to get someone up and out of bed is a mild narcotic, then I'll do it. I do it only to help people get over a hump, and only rarely. There are a lot of side effects.\n\nDecadron ingredients\n\nPatients generally receive a one- to five-day course of intravenous treatment with steroids. Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: headache, dizziness. White says she advises her patients to weigh the benefits versus the risks. A person with painful progressive rheumatoid arthritis could face serious disability without treatment. On The Basis Of The Disease Under Treatment And The Response Of The Patient. Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. Columbia University, Dept. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings: \"Acupuncture as a complementary therapy in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Not sleeping enough and not sleeping well is not OK. As a matter of fact, there is quite a price to pay. This medication is used to treat certain eye conditions due to inflammation or injury. Dexamethasone works by relieving symptoms such as swelling, redness, and itching. It belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are receiving Stelara. cheapest clomiphene purchase canada\n\nAbout decadron\n\nOr do you accept the risk because your pain requires it, and take the drug for arthritis? Are you feeling more emotional? When did you first see them? First, says Patience White, MD, chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation, it's important to keep in mind that the risks of arthritis drugs are really quite low. Acetaminophen also known by the brand name may be used to treat mild arthritis pain from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Other drugs may interact with ustekinumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Stelara: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Shah A, St. Clair EW 2012. Skin Tests: Corticosteroids may suppress reactions to skin tests. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. It is not known if the medication in this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Which drug is right for your body? Enzyme Inducers, Inhibitors and Substrates. When attacks occur, you may receive Solu-Medrol or Decadron at a treatment center each day for one to five days, depending on your treatment plan. What Can I Expect the Day of Steroid Treatment? synthroid\n\nWhat should i avoid while taking decadron\n\nLet your family and friends know what you're going through. Ask for their support, and let them know how they can help. White advises people to make their decisions only after talking with a trusted provider. Ask key questions so you fully understand the benefits and risks of your medication, says White: \"What are my risks? Effective treatment of sleep apnea in patients with high leads to a substantial reduction in risk. Vol. No. 3. Heart Disease, Vol. Continue to use this medication for the full time prescribed. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. hydroxyurea\n\nGeneric decadron buy payment canada\n\ndecadron retailers canada, decadron price giant eagle, purchase cheapest decadron mastercard otc, generic decadron american express, cheap discount decadron, cheapest decadron purchase store otc, price for decadron 120 mg, cheap alternatives to decadron, decadron online zoll, buy decadron comp, purchase decadron buller, order cheap decadron visa uk, cheap decadron indication, costco decadron price, decadron mail order pharmacy, generic decadron price at walmart, decadron schedule, buy decadron in usa, buy decadron indication, good price for decadron, purchase decadron dogs, decadron usa price, order decadron online store europe, decadron online united kingdom, decadron price watsons, buy decadron from uk, decadron edmonton, decadron hashimoto australia, buy decadron 120 mg uk, decadron ct, decadron pills online mail order, best place to decadron answers, store to buy decadron, decadron cheap prices, decadron to purchase without rx, buy cheap decadron mastercard europe, price decadron uses, decadron price per pill walgreens, decadron money order mastercard uk, decadron cost philippines, purchase cheapest decadron pharmacy usa, decadron calgary, generic decadron legal, buy decadron tablets, purchase generic decadron usa, order cheap decadron shopping otc, order decadron generico, purchase decadron 400 mg, walgreens brand decadron, purchase decadron vidal, buy decadron quebec, price decadron reviews, what is the decadron 50 mg, order cheap decadron payment europe, decadron cost no insurance, decadron price in mercury drug philippines, mail order now decadron uk, cheap decadron from canada, decadron ointment brand name, decadron mail order payment uk, decadron shop greece, discount decadron tabletas, buy decadron delivery, discount decadron interaction, mail order decadron mastercard australia, decadron canada cheap, buy decadron tablets without prescription, buy now decadron uk, price of generic decadron in canada, money order decadron store, generic decadron better, cheap decadron order shopping, shop decadron basket, decadron tablets asda, decadron comprar online espana, order decadron pharmacy australia, price decadron mexico, money order decadron visa, mail order decadron online europe, pharmacy decadron together, cheapest decadron order shop uk, order now decadron visa europe, how to get a decadron prescription, cheap decadron purchase mastercard australia, decadron online europa, cheapest decadron purchase canada, generic decadron buy payment canada, pharmacy spain decadron, decadron online no prescription needed, decadron capsule price philippines\n\nCushing's syndrome due to other causes\n\nHow should i store decadron\n\nUse caution with contact lenses. Wear them only if your doctor approves. After applying this medication, wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses. After the treatment, you can return to your normal daily activities, including driving. But here's the question that White at the Arthritis Foundation tells her patients to ask themselves: \"How does a slight risk of compare to the risk of arthritis pain itself? It is stable in air. pharmacy spain alavert\n\nAll corticosteroids increase excretion\n\nACP Medicine, section 15, chap. 2. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid. Position the dropper above your eye. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a drop and close your eye. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of your eye near your nose for about 1 minute to prevent the liquid from draining down your tear duct. Repeat the process in the other eye if your doctor has prescribed drops in both eyes. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, repeat the process with about 5 minutes between drops. Godel V, Regenbogen L, Stein R \"On the mechanism of corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension. generic dimenhydrinate buy payment canada\n\nHow to use decadron\n\nAn overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, call an emergency room or poison control center near you. If the drops or ointment have been ingested, call an emergency center for advice. What should I avoid while using Decadron Ocumeter dexamethasone ophthalmic? How will we know if they're working? Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Follow the dosing schedule carefully, and take this medication exactly as prescribed.\n\nHow should i take decadron\n\nRecent research also indicates that people who take daily for their heart should talk to their doctors before taking any NSAID regularly for pain. NSAIDs may alter the effect of aspirin. Non-live vaccines including flu shots may not work as well during your treatment, and may not fully protect you from disease. Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you begin treatment with this medicine. What symptoms have you noticed? What Is Cushing's Syndrome?\n\nWhat medications are you taking? Take time for the people and activities you enjoy. It's OK to say no and set limits, so you keep your energy up. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk to a counselor or therapist. Your doctor may be able to give you a referral. Journal of Clinical Hypertentions, Vol.\n\nLearn more »", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5729268789291382}
{"content": "Patty Simcox is a character in the 1978 movie, Grease.\n\nShe is a cheesy do-good cheerleader, beautiful and highly intelligent, though to Rizzo, she's the \"bad seed of Rydell High\". She was played by Susan Buckner in the movie, by Elle McLemore in the 2016 live performance, and by Lauren Haine (alongside her co-star and singer, Matthew Lloyd whom played Haine's love interest) in the 2017 play version.\n\nSimcox is often the butt of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds jokes, for example, Rizzo snuck an apple on her seat just as she sat down, and pushed her off the bench along with Sandy.\n\nKenickie also pranked her many times in the film, such as hiding a rat in her school bag in the middle of a lesson.\n\nAt the National Dance-Off, which she had organized, Patty came in wearing a blue strapless dress, blue high heels, a blue hair piece and blue gloves, basically all blue, but nothing really went well for her. She was laughed at from the start, she got covered in tissue paper when a prop fell on her, when she finally got her chance to actually compete in the dance off, she ran out in the middle of the whole school (and live television cameras) and jumped and danced.\n\n180670 186989374656633 7991626 n\n\n\n\nPatty Simcox.\n\nKenickie then ran up behind her and lifted her dress above her head, exposing her matching blue underpants, he forced her to dance around in a circle with her dress over her head, making sure the whole school saw her, before letting it go. She then ran off crying while everyone cheered and laughed. She was then seen again at the dance when Danny and ChaCha won the competition, she is again teased for her humiliation.\nPatty Simcox with her dress lifted\n\nHumiliated at the dance.\n\nAfter the dance, her exposed underpants are seemingly forgotten, as she sees Rizzo at school, and teases her by telling a group of her friends 'she's the one I was telling you about'.\n\nIn the final scene, she is shown to be with Tom Chisum.\n\nAd blocker interference detected!\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5043176412582397}
{"content": "Fender acoustic guitar costco\n\nThat the fender acoustic guitar costco someone\n\n It's about the songs, if I end up back in the van playing small folk clubs, I'll still be content doing what I love to do and that's singing these songs. OverdriveDistortion, AmpSpeaker cabinet simulator, Echo, Reverb, Chorus, Wah-wah (AutoWah EnvelopeWah), Pitch shifter, Tremolo, I EQ, Compression, Phaser and Volume Swell. XLR is for mics and is balanced. The shapes will also be movable so that they can be transposed up and down the neck retaining their basic quality and position. You get to select from different music channels (There are 2 channels available fender acoustic guitar costco launch) that are running music videos 24 hours per day. Check out his crushing demo with massive lead and rhythm tones ready to fender acoustic guitar costco on ToneCloud. 2, for example, you'll need to mute the first string with the side of your first finger, while using the side fender acoustic guitar costco your third finger to mute string 6. Usually, mastering a chord's finger fender acoustic guitar costco relies on muscle notch filter for guitar tone control. They a separated by something called an Interval, which is the musical space between two notes. With most amps (including older HK models that predate TSC), power tubes do need to be biased before you put them in. A: Yes, of course. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play keyboards, guitars, and drums. Find out just how easy it is best semi hollow body guitar kit get the benefits of Scarlett Solo, along with some example setup examples and diagrams here. 91 pages. Joke submitted by John Bauman. A lot of focus in ReValver 4 is given to cabinet choices, microphone selection and placement. Over time, this will contribute to low back pain, neck pain, and hunched, rounded shoulders. Nimble Knight Cool Addicting Math Games. Names like Delarue, Audirac, Castelluccia, Quinson, Lesueur, Bedikian and Pozzo are becoming more and more recognized as among the greatest luthiers of our time. This helps the understanding of chord theory and makes it easier to play melodies, solos and licks. I'm sure you're wondering. Refer to the Power vs. Custom-ground 0. So, generally, heavier strings will vibrate more slowly and have a longer wavelength, creating lower pitch, and finer strings will vibrate more frequently with shorter wavelengths, creating aprenda a tocar la guitarra susaeta notes. British amp manufacturer Orange has gone fender acoustic guitar costco to one of fender acoustic guitar costco most famous combos for 2017. In amps they really rely on its output tubes just to amplify this sound, rather than to add further distortion to it. Over 18's only. These days, more and more guitar sounds are being generated in the studio and on stage without the benefit of the time-tested guitar-to-amp-to-cab-to-microphone signal chain. The paint is touchable, but you can get a little chrome off on your fingers fender acoustic guitar costco you rub too hard. Free ground shipping is available on this item for the contiguous 48 states. A particular interface fender acoustic guitar costco be compatible with your DAW today, but it may not be in a future release. Might be a harsh statement, but it's probably very accurate. Kids however will find it particularly engaging, as the lessons in the book are colorful and written in simple language. You won't be using it this way obviously. Modern electronics that sought to replace that heavy valve head or combo with a digital solution. To loosen the shoulders, simply rotate them 10 times forward, then 10 times to the loosen the back, just bend forward at the waist and do a toe-touch, then return to the starting position. The darker markings are just shadow of my windowsill. But Dhani is your audience surrogate, in that he looks delighted, particularly by the gag where a no doubt well-compensated Prince associate in the crowd physically holds Prince up as he shreds. hmmm, however, if I understood good the THR will give me the plus to use also the bass, and in that case Guitar chords for beautiful mess can use it with three different setups. Is your M-Audio USB interface connected to a USB port on your keyboard, monitor, or to a multi-port USB hub. Your fender acoustic guitar costco fretboard has a sequence of raised metal wires called frets. While the song will sing for itself I will say this about it: this came from the depths of my own darkness and desperation. There are things that I can do with guitar and singing that I would never have been able to do fender acoustic guitar costco having taken piano - there's something extremely valuable about opening up the neural pathways to playing multiple voices at the same time. Watch valid attempts, they are much smoother. We'll start the process of locking down these progressions in the key of E, since it's a fairly typical key that the 12-bar blues is played in. I never really touched it until I got this app the mini game where you play a chord for your phones mic to pic up is really fun and it fender acoustic guitar costco learning the chords easy. Pop off the cap, snap the ball-point end into the guitar body and pluck the tiny string; a Bluetooth-connected fender acoustic guitar costco acts as a wireless amp. BUT ! mostly then with a lower g which will expand the tone range. In the days after Prince died, The Fender acoustic guitar costco York Times ran an article about the performance in which Petty and others who performed with Prince that electric guitar pots cleaning shared their memories. Keep in mind the note sequence mentioned above and take it one string at a time - before you know it you'll have the entire fretboard under your belt. Mobile Safari isn't supported, nor is Internet Explorer. Launched in 2003 and now with over 590,000 customers, is a leading retailer of musical instruments and music equipment. What I would like to see are correct incidentals for a certain key or maybe alternate tunings. With new collections released every Friday, endless possibilities for moments are available for you. This means to be able to tune the guitar in relation to itself.  This simple, handy little box connects to a computer via USB 1. Learning how to fender acoustic guitar costco chords and use the new layout fender acoustic guitar costco the key to progressing and mastering songs, so don't feel too bad about playing on normal difficulty.\n\n\n\n21.01.2013 at 00:06 Doubei:\nIt was specially registered to participate in discussion.\n\n24.01.2013 at 16:33 Jujas:\n\n29.01.2013 at 16:22 Zugrel:\nI understand this question. Is ready to help.\n\n31.01.2013 at 21:34 Meshakar:\nIt agree, this remarkable idea is necessary just by the way\n\n04.02.2013 at 11:16 Tohn:\nI confirm. So happens. Let's discuss this question.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7201062440872192}
{"content": "Friday, June 28, 2013\n\nOttoman Rule (1481-1912)\n\nOttoman rule (1481-1912)\n\nOttoman supremacy in the west Balkan region began in 1385 with the Battle of Savra. On the conquered part of Albania, which territory stretched between Mat River on the north and Çameria to the south, Ottoman Empire established the Sanjak of Albania and in 1419 Gjirokastra became the county town of the Sanjak of Albania.Beginning in the late-14th century, the Ottomans expanded their empire from Anatolia to the Balkans (Rumelia).\nBy the 15th century, the Ottomans ruled most of the Balkan Peninsula. Their rule in part of Albania was briefly interrupted in the 15th century, when George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, an Albanian who had served as an Ottoman military officer, renounced Ottoman service, allied with some Albanian chiefs and fought off Turkish rule from 1443–1478. Albania was almost fully re-occupied by the Ottomans in 1478 after capturing Scodra from Venice. Albania's conquest by Ottomans was completed after Durazzo's capture from Venice in 1501.\n\nOttoman-Albanian wars\n\nMany Albanians had been recruited into the Janissary, including the feudal heir George Kastrioti who was renamed Skanderbeg (Iskandar Bey) by his Turkish trainers at Edirne. After some Ottoman defeats at the hands of the Hungarins, Skanderbeg deserted and began a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.\nAfter deserting, Skanderbeg re-converted to Roman Catholicism and declared war against the Ottoman Empire, which he led from 1443 to 1468. Under a red flag bearing Skanderbeg's heraldic emblem, an Albanian force held off Ottoman campaigns for twenty-five years and overcame sieges of Krujë led by the forces of the Ottoman sultans Murad II and Mehmed II.\nHowever, Skanderbeg was unable to receive any of the help which had been promised him by the popes. He died in 1468, leaving no worthy successor. After his death the rebellion continued, but without its former success. The loyalties and alliances created and nurtured by Skanderbeg faltered and fell apart and the Ottomans reconquered the territory of Albania, culminating with the siege of Shkodra in 1478. Shortly after the fall of the castles of northern Albania, many Albanians fled to neighboring Italy, giving rise to the modern Arbëreshë communities.\n\nLate Ottoman period\n\nDurrës in 1573\nJanissary Muskets.\nUpon the Ottomans' return in 1478, a large number of Albanians fled to Italy, Egypt and other parts of the Ottoman Empire and Europe and maintained their Arbëresh identity. Many Albanians won fame and fortune as soldiers, administrators, and merchants in far-flung parts of the Empire. As the centuries passed, however, Ottoman rulers lost the capacity to command the loyalty of local pashas, which threatened stability in the region. The Ottoman rulers of the 19th century struggled to shore up central authority, introducing reforms aimed at harnessing unruly pashas and checking the spread of nationalist ideas. Albania would be a part of the Ottoman Empire until the early 20th century.\nThe Ottoman period that followed was characterized by a change in the landscape through a gradual modification of the settlements with the introduction of bazaars, military garrisons and mosques in many Albanian regions. Part of the Albanian population gradually converted to Islam, with many joining the Sufi Order of the Bektashi. Converting from Christianity to Islam brought considerable advantages, including access to Ottoman trade networks, bureaucratic positions and the army. As a result many Albanians came to serve in the elite Janissary and the administrative Devşirme system. Among these were important historical figures, including Iljaz Hoxha, Hamza Kastrioti, Davud Pasha, Zağanos Pasha, Köprülü Mehmed Pasha (head of the Köprülü family of Grand Viziers), the Bushati family, Sulejman Pasha, Edhem Pasha, Nezim Frakulla, Ali Pasha of Tepelena, Haxhi Shekreti, Hasan Zyko Kamberi, Ali Pasha of Gucia, Mehmet Ali ruler of Egypt and Emin Pasha\nMany Albanians gained prominent positions in the Ottoman government, Albanians highly active during the Ottoman era and leaders such as Ali Pasha of Tepelena might have aided Husein Gradaščević. The Albanians proved generally faithful to Ottoman rule following the end of the resistance led by Skanderbeg, and accepted Islam more easily than their neighbors.\nNo fewer than 42 Grand Viziers of the Empire were of Albanian descent. The Ottoman period also saw the rising of semi-autonomous Albanian ruled Pashaliks and Albanians were also an important part of the Ottoman army and Ottoman administration like the case of Köprülü family. Albania would remain a part of the Ottoman Empire as the provinces of Scutari, Monastir and Janina until 1912.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5885307788848877}
{"content": "Justice League\n\nSuperman is still “dead” at the beginning of the new UK trailer for ‘Justice League’ which features some new footage, including a brief clip at the end which underscores the early buzz that Ezra Miller’s The Flash steals this film, with his wide-eyed exuberance.  As we quickly learn, Amy Adams’ Lois Lane is not the only one mourning the loss of the Man of Steel as a news report details that crime and terrorism are on the rise following Superman’s death in ‘Batman V Superman’.  So even without Steppenwolf‘s arrival, Batman and Wonder Woman must unite the other superheroes of the world– The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg– to help balance the scales.\n\nAt this point, with so many main characters, it’s probably a given that the plot isn’t much more complex than the world’s few super beings gather to stop Steppenwolf and his Parademons, a threat too powerful for any of them to stop on their own.  And most likely, even their united strengths may not be enough.\n\n\nA lot is riding on ‘Justice League’.  Yes, ‘Wonder Woman’ was a huge smash but prior to that, Warner Brothers’ DC Extended Universe was on shaky ground.  But ‘Wonder Woman’ was basically its own entity with just a slight connection to the DCEU and the goodwill it garnered won’t necessarily carry over to ‘Justice League’.  But hopefully the combined guidance of Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon will add up to a fan-pleaser.\n\nThough there is still an embargo in place, some have seen the movie (or at least an early cut) and reportedly they have been impressed.  (The film could still be tweaked depending on these reactions.)\n\nAre you excited for this new film?  Or are you still wary?\n\n‘Justice League’ stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Ray Fisher, Gal Gadot, Ciarán Hinds, Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa, with Amy Adams, Billy Crudup, Amber Heard, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Joe Morton, Connie Nielsen, J.K. Simmons and Robin Wright.  ‘Justice League’ assembles in theaters on November 17, 2017.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6123843193054199}
{"content": "Can Exodus staff monitor my account or control my transactions?\n\nExodus is wholeheartedly supportive of every individual's right to privacy, and full control of their funds. We've incorporated these principles into our technical design choices for the Exodus wallet.\n\nUnlike your bank account, or stock portfolio, Exodus (the company) doesn't actually hold any of your assets on your behalf. You control your assets through a set of private keys initially generated from when you first opened your Exodus wallet. \n\nThe private keys are different from the 12-word backup phrase, but the main thing to understand is that private keys are the most important thing in controlling your assets. The Exodus wallet is a piece of software that runs locally, on your computer, without interacting with Exodus' servers. It generates and holds your private keys offline, as detailed here:\n\nWhen broadcasting and receiving transaction information, Exodus connects to a network of Insight Servers. \n\nAn insight server is a computer server that handles the communication of transactions and keeps track of updates to the ledgers of one or more crypto-currencies. These insight servers are operated by many different companies and groups, none of which include Exodus. Your transaction history is backed up to Exodus, but in encrypted format, so we can't know how much money you hold in your wallet.\n\nThe result is a very secure, redundant wallet that could function perfectly fine even if Exodus as a company was to disappear. The trade-off is that Exodus staff can't trace where transactions were sent without information you provide, nor step in to reset your password if you forget it. \n\nSince we also do not control your funds, it is very important to always keep your private keys secure by never giving them to an untrustworthy site or third party. We will never ask for your private keys, and no legitimate ICO or airdrop will ask for them either.\n\nSoftware/hardware wallets act like cash or gold. Only you control them, so only you hold the responsibility keep your funds secure. Even if the wallet provider (Exodus in this case) dissolves or is hacked, your funds will be safely held within your wallet. If your computer is hacked, however, you may be at risk.\n\nWe are also different from big exchanges like Coinbase or Bittrex, because they are in full control of your private keys. They act like traditional bank accounts, where your funds are held by the account provider. The benefit is that you could lose every password or email account you have, but there is always a chance to get access to your account back. On the flip side, if the account provider turns out to be untrustworthy, your funds could be as good as gone. Some exchanges delay for months in getting their customers' funds back to them. Some never return them at all.\n\nThe strength of crypto-currencies lies in allowing people to have a choice in how much responsibility they bear in their financial lives, and we only offer the tools of ownership. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8330986499786377}
{"content": "By Denis Feeney\n\nVirgil, Ovid, Cicero, Horace, and different authors of historical Rome are so firmly tested within the Western canon this present day that the start of Latin literature turns out inevitable. but, Denis Feeney boldly argues, the beginnings of Latin literature have been whatever yet inevitable. The cultural flourishing that during time produced the Aeneid, the Metamorphoses, and different Latin classics was once one of many strangest occasions in history.\n\nBeyond Greek lines the emergence of Latin literature from 240 to a hundred and forty BCE, starting with Roman degree productions of performs that represented the 1st translations of Greek literary texts into one other language. From a latest point of view, translating foreign-language literature into the vernacular turns out completely basic. yet in an historic Mediterranean international made from many multilingual societies with out corresponding to the text-based literature of the Greeks, literary translation used to be strange if no longer exceptional. Feeney exhibits the way it allowed Romans to systematically take over Greek types of tragedy, comedy, and epic, making them their very own and giving start to what has turn into referred to as Latin literature.\n\nThe progress of Latin literature coincides with a interval of dramatic swap in Roman society. The robust yet geographically constrained Roman city-state of 320 BCE had conquered all of Italy simply fifty years later. by the point Rome turned the unquestioned dominant energy within the Mediterranean over the process the subsequent century, its electorate may possibly boast of getting a different vernacular literature, in addition to a historic culture and mythology, that placed them in a distinct courting with Greek culture.\n\nShow description\n\n\nBest medieval books\n\nGerman Literature of the High Middle Ages (Camden House History of German Literature)\n\nThe excessive center a while, and especially the interval from 1180 to 1230, observed the beginnings of a colourful literary tradition within the German vernacular. whereas major literary achievements in German had already been made in previous centuries, they have been a a bit precarious vernacular extension of Christian Latin tradition.\n\n\nEnvisaging Heaven within the center a while offers with medieval notions of heaven in theological and mystical writings, in visions of the Otherworld, and in medieval artwork, poetry and tune. It considers the impression of such notions within the secular literature of a few of the best writers of the interval together with Chr?\n\nEkphrasis, imagination and persuasion in ancient rhetorical theory and practice\n\nIt is a research of ekphrasis, the artwork of creating listeners and readers 'see' of their mind's eye via phrases by myself, as taught in historical rhetorical faculties and as utilized by Greek writers of the Imperial interval (2nd-6th centuries CE). the writer areas the perform of ekphrasis inside its cultural context, emphasising the significance of the visible mind's eye in historical responses to rhetoric, poetry and historiography.\n\n20,000 years of world painting\n\nThe richly diverse illustrations are all in color—over one thousand of them, with many full-page plates exhibiting works of paramount significance and curiosity. the foremost epochs, faculties, and forms of Western and jap portray are represented in work of art, illuminations, adorned vessels, mosaics, panel work, and scrolls.\n\nAdditional info for Beyond Greek: The Beginnings of Latin Literature\n\nSample text\n\n98 The permeability between different textual formats is quite different from the permeability between spoken languages. The same script can occlude differences between languages, as we see in the case of Chinese characters: conversely, the same language can become opaque through being written in different scripts. What are today called Standard Urdu and Standard Hindi are essentially the same language, still mutually intelligible (even if drifting further and further apart, especially as a result of intense pressure on the Urdu side to “Arabize”), but Urdu is written in a Perso-Arabic script and Hindi is written in an adaptation of the Devanagari script used for transcribing Sanskrit, so that they are mutually unintelligible on paper.\n\n9 Yet in Alexandria we see these sophisticated literate cultures living in conditions of intimacy at the élite level for a 20 Beyond Greek long time without a systematic translation project getting under way—and even without the Greek-speaking élite developing an engagement with the languages or writings of their new subjects. 11 As Most puts it, “it is only scant, unreliable, and late evidence that provides any support at all for the view . . 18 The Indian case alerted us to the fact that translation is not something we should just expect to happen whenever literate cultures overlap with Translation 21 each other, and the case of early Ptolemaic Alexandria bears this out.\n\n26 Beyond Greek The scholarly glossaries that we know of from the Hellenistic period, for example, are not the product of a bilingual Greek world, nor are they designed to assist Greeks in reading or speaking Near Eastern languages. Overwhelmingly, they are lists of recherché words in Greek dialects. ”52 As the recent editor of this Oxyrhynchus Glossary, Francesca Schironi, puts it, “Glossaries on papyrus . . 54 It is in fact very difficult in general to assess how many Greeks learned other languages, and how much variability there was according to social standing, region, or period.\n\nDownload PDF sample\n\nRated 4.11 of 5 – based on 28 votes", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9481365084648132}
{"content": "~ Intro to Computer Science\n\nWelcome to Computer Science\n\nIn Computer Science you will learn about the wonderful world behind Computers as well as computational thinking skills and programming.\n\nScroll across the tabs on the right to find out a little more about some of the core concepts that you will cover in Primary School.\n\nWhat is computational thinking?\n\nComputational thinking is about looking at a problem in a way that a computer can help us to solve it. This is a two-step process:\n\n1. First, we think about the steps needed to solve a problem.\n\n2. Then, we use our technical skills to get the computer working on the problem.\n\nFor example, if you’re going to make an animation, you need to start by planning the story and how you’ll shoot it before you can use computer hardware and software to help you get the work done. The thinking that is undertaken before starting work on a computer is known as computational thinking.\n\n\nWhen creating an animation, you create the sequence of the story before using computer software, such as Scratch to create it.\n\n\nComputational thinking involves 6 different concepts and 5 approaches to working:\n\n\nClick on the icons below to find out more about each of the concepts and approaches.\n\n\n\nWhy is computational thinking important?\n\nComputational thinking and the concepts behind it, form the basis for much of computer science. Computer scientists are interested in finding the most efficient way to solve problems. They want to find the best solution that solves a problem correctly in the fastest way and using the least amount of resources (time / space).\n\n  • Is this the most efficient way to solve the problem?\n  • Is this the fastest way?\n  • Does it require the least amount of resources?\n  • Does it solve the problem and give the right answer?\n  • Can it be used to solve other problems?\nWhat can you do with computational thinking?\n\nAlthough computational thinking describes the sort of thinking that computer scientists and software developers engage in, plenty of other people think in this way too, and not just when it comes to using computers. The thinking processes and approaches that help with computing are really useful in many other domains too.\n\nFor example, the way a team of software engineers go about creating a new computer game, video editor or social networking platform is really not that different from how you and your colleagues might work together to put on a school play, or to organise an educational visit.\n\nIn each case:\n\n  • you take a complex problem and break it down into smaller problems\n  • it’s necessary to work out the steps or rules for getting things done\n  • the complexity of the task needs to be managed, typically by focusing on the key details\n  • the way previous projects have been accomplished can help.\n\nWhat is Decomposition?\n\nThe process of breaking down a problem into smaller manageable parts is known as decomposition. Decomposition helps us solve complex problems and manage large projects.\n\nThis approach has many advantages. It makes the process a manageable and achievable one – large problems are daunting, but a set of smaller, related tasks are much easier to take on. It also means that the task can be tackled by a team working together, each bringing their own insights, experience and skills to the task.\n\nThe problem of making breakfast can be decomposed into a number of tasks:\n\n\nTwo people could make this breakfast at the same time, one could make tea and one could make toast.\n\nDecomposition is particularly important if we are trying to understand things that are complex. Sometimes we break parts down further.\n\n\nA labelled diagram of a flowering plant. We find out more as we decompose.\n\nWhy is decomposition important?\n\nDecomposing problems into their smaller parts is not unique to computing: it’s pretty standard in engineering, design and project management.\n\nSoftware development is a complex process, and so being able to break down a large project into its component parts is essential – think of all the different elements that need to be combined to produce a program, like PowerPoint.\n\nThe same is true of computer hardware: a smartphone or a laptop computer is itself composed of many components, often produced independently by specialist manufacturers and assembled to make the finished product, each under the control of the operating system and applications.\n\ndecomposed surface pro image\n\nA tablet can be broken down (decomposed) into smaller components.\nWith thanks to iFixit.com\n\nWhat does decomposition look like in the primary curriculum?\n\nDecomposition is everywhere in primary practice. We are always asking pupils to find out more, tell us more.\n\nWhenever pupils are labelling, adding detail to concept maps, or creating instructions, life cycles, and timelines they are breaking something down, and thinking about detail, and so developing their decomposition skills.\n\nIf pupils undertake any kind of project or task, such as: putting on a school play, organising a cake sale, creating a news report, working out how to solve a maths problem, making a sandwich or getting dressed for PE, they will need to break the task up into manageable tasks or parts. That is decomposition.\n\n\nPupils add detail to their knowledge and understanding of the Egyptians in concept maps.\n\nIn primary settings, as pupils learn to decompose, they might create only a partial decomposition. That is, they might not include all aspects or parts of a topic, but only the things they currently know about. As they progress they should check that they create a complete decomposition and do not miss any part of the whole. Also, as they progress, they can further decompose each part into sub-parts and so on.\n\nIf making a computer game, a pupil might decompose the game into: plot, characters and setting. They might then further decompose the characters into actions and appearance. The setting might be decomposed into obstacles, scoring objects and background. In developing a robotic toy, pupils would need to consider the hardware components, both individually and as a system, the algorithms they’ll need to control their toy and how to write those as code. In general, technology = hardware + algorithms + code.\n\nWhat are Algorithms?\n\nAn algorithm is a sequence of instructions or a set of rules to get something done.\n\nYou probably know the fastest route from school to home, for example, turn left, drive for five miles, turn right. You can think of this as an ‘algorithm’ – as a sequence of instructions to get you to your chosen destination. There are plenty of algorithms (i.e. routes) that will accomplish the same goal; in this case, there are even algorithms (such as in your satnav) for working out the shortest or fastest route.\n\nAlgorithms are written for a human, rather than for a computer to understand. In this way algorithms differ from programs.\n\n\nA sequence of instructions – an algorithm – for how to make toast\n\n\nA set of rules, or an algorithm for multiplying by 10\n\n\nIn the task of how to make a cake, a recipe gives a human a step-by-step sequence of instructions for how to make and bake the cake.\n\nWhy are algorithms important?\n\nComputer scientists strive to find the most effective and efficient algorithms, that is those that solve a problem in the quickest time, using the least resources (memory or time) or in the most effective way (getting the correct or closest to the correct answer).\n\nSearch engines such as Bing or Google use algorithms to put a set of search results into order, so that more often than not, the result we’re looking for is at the top of the front page. Your Facebook news feed is derived from your friends’ status updates and other activity, but it only shows that activity which the algorithm (EdgeRank) thinks you’ll be most interested in seeing.\n\nThe recommendations you get from Amazon, Netflix and eBay are algorithmically generated, based in part on what other people are interested in.\n\nWhat do algorithms look like in the primary curriculum?\n\nHelping pupils to get an idea of what an algorithm is needn’t be confined to computing lessons. You and your pupils will already use algorithms in many different ways across the school.\n\n    • A lesson plan can be regarded as an algorithm for teaching a lesson.\n    • There will be a sequence of steps pupils follow for many activities, such as getting ready for lunch or going to PE.\n    • In cookery, we can think of a recipe as an algorithm.\n    • In English, we can think of instructional writing as a form of algorithm.\n    • In science, we might talk about the method of an experiment as an algorithm.\n    • In maths, your approach to mental arithmetic (or many computer-based educational games) might be an implementation of a simple algorithm.\n    • An example of this might be:\n      • repeat 10 times\n        • ask a question\n        • wait for a response\n        • provide feedback on whether the response was right or wrong.\ngrowing-seed-algorithmA set of instructions for how to plant a seed\nstoryboard-algorithmA storyboard is a sequence of instructions for writing a story or making a film\n'or'-phoneme-algorithmSpelling rules for the ‘or’ phoneme. Images from pixabay Public Domain CC0\n\nWhat is Logical Reasoning?\n\nLogical reasoning helps us explain why something happens.\n\nIf you set up two computers in the same way, give them the same instructions (the program) and the same input, you can pretty much guarantee the same output.\n\nComputers don’t make things up as they go along or work differently depending on how they happen to be feeling at the time. This means that they are predictable. Because of this we can use logical reasoning to work out exactly what a program or computer system will do.\n\nChildren quickly pick this up for themselves: the experience of watching others and experimenting for themselves allows even very young children to develop a mental model of how technology works. A child learns that clicking the big round button brings up a list of different games to play, or that tapping here or stroking there on the screen produces a reliably predictable response.\n\nImage_Logic_pupil mouse\n\nPupils use logical reasoning to develop their understanding of how technology works.\n\nThis process of using existing knowledge of a system to make reliable predictions about its future behaviour is one part of logical reasoning. At its heart, logical reasoning is about being able to explain why something is the way it is. It’s also a way to work out why something isn’t quite as it should be.\n\nWhy is logical reasoning important?\n\nLogic is fundamental to how computers work: deep inside the computer’s central processing unit (CPU), every operation the computer performs is reduced to logical operations carried out using electrical signals. It’s because everything a computer does is controlled by logic that we can use logic to reason about program behaviour.\n\nSoftware engineers use logical reasoning all the time in their work. They draw on their internal mental models of how computer hardware, the operating system (such as Windows 8, OS X) and the programming language they’re using all work, in order to develop new code that will work as they intend. They’ll also rely on logical reasoning when testing new software and when searching for and fixing the ‘bugs’ (mistakes) in their thinking (known as debugging) or their coding when these tests fail.\n\nWhat does logic look like in the primary curriculum?\n\nLogical reasoning across the curriculum\n\nThere are many ways that children will already use logical reasoning in their computing lessons and across the wider curriculum.\n\n  • In English, pupils might explain what they think a character will do next in a novel, or explain the character’s actions in the story so far.\n  • In science, pupils should explain how they have arrived at their conclusions from the results of their experiments.\n  • In history, pupils should discuss the logical connections between cause and effect; they should understand how historical knowledge is constructed from a variety of sources.\n  • In design and technology, pupils reason what material is best suited to each part of their projects.\n  • In philosophy for children sessions, pupils can use logical reasoning to analyse arguments.\n\nPupils explain reasons for their choice of materials in design and technology projects.\n\n\nPupils can use logical reasoning to analyse arguments in philosophy for children sessions.\n\nWhat is evaluation?\n\nEvaluation is about making judgements, in an objective and systematic way where possible.\n\nEvaluation is something we do every day – we make judgements about what to do and what we think based on a range of factors.\n\nFor example, when considering a new digital device for use in the classroom, there would be a number of criteria that would be considered; for example, operating system, portability, memory, screen size, ease of use and warranty.\n\nAfter evaluation OS X operating systems may be judged to be most suitable. Image public domain CCO http://pixabay.com/en/monitor-display-screen-computer-149362/\n\nOr in some cases, after evaluating the options, laptops may be judged as the most suitable device for a classroom or school. Image public domain CCO http://pixabay.com/en/laptop-black-blue-screen-monitor-33521/\n\nWhy is evaluation important?\n\nIn computer science, evaluation is systematic and rigorous; it is about judging the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of solutions, systems, products and processes. Evaluation checks that solutions do the job they are designed to do and are fit for purpose.\n\nOne approach to systematic evaluation could be to use:\n\n  • specific criteria (for example a design goal or specification)\n  • user needs (considering who the users are and what they need from the final design)\n\nWhat does evaluation look like in the primary curriculum?\n\nEvaluation is something that occurs everyday in schools; pupils evaluate their work, teachers evaluate lessons that they deliver and pupils’ learning and progress is evaluated.\n\nFor example, self and peer assessment can help to develop pupils’ evaluation skills as they become used to making judgements about their own and others’ work, evaluating against the success criteria and suggesting how the work could be improved.\n\n\nExample peer-evaluations – 2 stars and a wish and www/EBI\n\nEvaluation across the curriculum\n\n\nIn English, pupils may know the success criteria for writing. For example, they may need to remember to include capital letters, full stops, use adjectives, synonyms and adverbs.\n\nAs pupils progress at ages 5-7 they start to be able to express their choices and preferences more readily and clearly. For example, they may recommend a book to a friend, making judgements about what books they think are most suitable and explaining why they think their friend will enjoy it.\n\nDesign and technology\n\nThe design and technology curriculum for England makes particular use of evaluation as pupils work through the design, make and evaluate cycle. Pupils aged 5-7 are expected to evaluate against criteria and at 7-11 years also consider standards and the needs of others in their designs and products.\n\n\nIn gymnastics pupils may have a list of ‘good’ things they are looking for, such as landing on two feet from a jump, using different rolls in a routine that uses the ball and always being in control.\n\nEvaluation in computing\n\n3 – 5 years\n\nIn early years, pupils can start to develop their evaluation skills as they learn to articulate their judgements and be able to express why in simple terms, such as; ‘My dog is my favourite pet because she lets me pat her’. They are also learning to use logical reasoning to make their judgements.\n\nWith their teacher they might talk start to learn how to think about the different and ‘best’ way to find things out: reading a book on dinosaurs, putting keywords into a search engine, using a CD ROM on dinosaurs or using a picture book.\n\nAs suggested in the EYFS Profile handbook, in expressive arts and design, pupils can explain the features of their own work and the work of others, recognising the differences between them and the strengths of others’ work. This is a great introduction to evaluation.\n\n5 – 7 years\n\nPupils can undertake many different computing activities at this stage that can include simple evaluation. For example, they could take and evaluate a set of their own digital photographs – which photos meet the success criteria most effectively and why?\n\nThey can also be introduced to the ideas of having a simple design goal or criteria and will begin to create their own.\n\nFor example if they are asked to design a maze for a floor robot to navigate, they can have a criteria for the maze (a list of things the maze must have), such as a start, an end, a minimum number of obstacles to go around, and a criteria for their robot (they have to get the robot to navigate the maze without hitting the obstacles). Pupils can refer back to the design criteria and make simple judgements as to whether or not they met it.\n\nWhen designing simple algorithms, for example using Bee-Bots, pupils can evaluate the most effective route. For example, is it the shortest?\n\nPupils aged 5 – 7 example: postman Bee-Bot has to visit 4 houses in a street. Pupils can write the algorith, test it by programming the toy and then evaluate how well it worked and what needs to change.\n\n7 – 11 years\n\nAs well as evaluating their work against design goals or design criteria,  pupils aged 7-11 can evaluate their work against more detailed design criteria with increasing confidence and independence.\n\nPupils aged 7-11 will become more comfortable in creating their own design criteria. They will begin to understand the importance of evaluation and its value in improving their work and take more responsibility for it. They will also become more skilled in evaluating their own and others’ work against design criteria and giving appropriate feedback. In this way, they can consider the views of others to make improvements to their own work.\n\nEvaluation can take place at many different stages. For example, when creating an animation about the Vikings could evaluate their work at different points. Some ideas are given below:\n\n  • research\n    What does a ‘good’ animation look like? What software is available to complete my animation? What topics about the Vikings could be used? Can my idea be made into an animation in the time available?\n  • algorithms\n    Are my algorithms fully decomposed, precise and complete sequences? Are they the most efficient algorithms possible, if appropriate making use of repetition and selection?\n  • final animation evaluation\n    Does the final animation meet any initial design criteria? Does it meet the standards of what I considered was a ‘good’ animation? Does the animation run as expected for the user?\n  • final evaluation of approach / learning\n    What have I learnt in this project that is useful for future projects? What could I do differently next time?\n\nCreative Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org  Oa 80x15 orange.png", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7925906777381897}
{"content": "Rep. Steve Scalise undergoes another surgery to manage infection\n\n\nWASHINGTON — U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has undergone another surgery to manage infection, the hospital treating him announced Thursday afternoon.\n\nThe Metairie congressman is still listed in serious condition.\n\nScalise’s health had been steadily progressing after he was shot in the hip during practice for the annual Congressional Baseball game on June 14.\n\nThe bullet traveled toward his other hip, causing serious damage to bones, internal organs and blood vessels. He was in critical condition for several days and on the brink of death when he arrived at MedStar Washington Hospital.\n\nFive others were injured in the attack. The gunman, 66-year-old James Hodgkinson, was shot multiple times and later died.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9699673652648926}
{"content": "American Airlines Historical Balance Sheet Analysis\n\nTrend analysis of American Airlines Group Inc balance sheet accounts such as Current Assets of 10 B, Assets Non Current of 41.8 B or Cash and Equivalents of 5.8 B provides information on American Airlines total assets, its liabilities, and its equity which is the actual value of American Airlines Group to its prevalent stockholders. By breaking down trends over time using American Airlines balance sheet statements, investors will see what exactly the company owned and what it owed to creditors or other parties at the end of each accounting year. Financial Statement Analysis is much more than just reviewing and breaking down American Airlines Group prevalent accounting reports in order to predict its past. Macroaxis encourages investors to analyze financial statement over time for various trends across multiple indicators and accounts to determine whether American Airlines Group is a good buy for the upcoming year. Check also Trending Equities.\nAnalyze Trends\n\nAmerican Airlines Group Inc Balance Sheet Chart\n\nAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income    Total Assets    Current Assets    Total Debt USD    Shareholders Equity    Shareholders Equity USD    Total Liabilities    Tax Assets    \n\nAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income\n\n\nTotal Assets\n\nTotal assets refers to the total amount of American Airlines assets owned. Assets are items that have some economic value and are expended over time to create a benefit for the owner. These assets are usually recorded in American Airlines Group books under different categories such as cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable,prepaid expenses, inventory, fixed assets, intangible assets, other assets, marketable securities, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and others. Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Major components are Cash and Equivalents, Investments,Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Property Plant and Equipment Net,Tax Assets and Trade and Non Trade Receivables.\n\nCurrent Assets\n\nCurrent assets of American Airlines Group Inc include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, stock inventory and the portion of prepaid liabilities which will be paid within a year. Depending on the nature of the business, current assets can range from barrels of crude oil, to baked goods, to foreign currency. Current assets are important because they are the assets that are used to fund day-to-day operations of American Airlines. The current portion of Total Assets, reported if a company operates a classified balance sheet that segments current and non-current assets.\n\nTotal Debt USD\n\nTotal Debt in USD, converted by [FXUSD].\n\nShareholders Equity\n\n\nShareholders Equity USD\n\nShareholders Equity in USD, converted by [FXUSD].\n\nTotal Liabilities\n\nDeferred Income Tax is recorded on American Airlines Group Inc balance sheet and a result of income already earned and recognized for accounting, but not tax, purposes. Also, differences between tax laws and accounting methods can result in a temporary difference in the amount of income tax payable by a company. This difference is recorded on American Airlines books as deferred income tax. Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Principal components are Total Debt, [DEFERREDREV], Trade and Non Trade Payables,Deposit Liabilities, and Tax Liabilities.\n\nTax Assets\n\nA component of Total Assets representing tax assets and receivables.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9118331670761108}
{"content": "NB: This is the official manifesto of the Hizbullah movement in Lebanon. A pinch of salt is definitely required. The translation lacks that certain edge but since my Arabic sucks like a Dyson we'll have to settle for the official version, in case i present their vews badly.\n\n\"Hizbullah is an Islamic freedom fighting movement founded after the Israeli military seizure of Lebanon in 1982, which resulted in immediate formation of the Islamic resistance units for the liberation of the occupied territories and for the expulsion of the aggressive Israelis forces.\n\n\"In addition to shouldering the burden of resisting the Israeli occupation as it is stated by the international Bill of Human Rights, Hizbullah is also concerned about the presentation of Islam which addresses the mind, and reasons. Hizbullah is concerned about Presenting Islam that is confident of its fundamentals, its highly civilized understanding of Man, life and the universe, Islam as being self-assured about its capability to achieve the basis of right and justice. We are anxious to present Islam as being open hearted to all nations their various political and cultural trends and their mumerous experiences, away from subjection or bewilderment.\n\n\"We are anxious to present Islam as being the guardian for human rights defining choices, adopting convictions and expressing them, socially. We opt for the formation of political pressure in education, pedagogery, medical case and other social benefits announced in the Bill of Human Rights. We are anxious to define the priorities for our cultural project that utilizes persuasiveness and polarization through the civilized and the human methods confirmed by the Bill of the Human Rights. Away from evidence force, and coercion. We are anxious to offer a model of performance in struggling targeting the enemy that represents a challenge for the existence of the whole nation along with its regimes and people.\n\nWe also circumvent conflicts that do not serve the main aim, fighting the enemy, or that could create discord at the front, which is to be unified around the common interests. The hope is to rid of the pressuring threats pactised by the foreign zionist entity which has been thrust upon the Islamic and the Arab contemporany nation . It should be clear that the kind of Islam we want is a civilized endeavour that rejects injustice, humiliation, slavery, subjugation , colonism and blackmail while we stretch out our arms for communication among nations on the basis of mutual respect . The Islam we mean is the religion that never accepts control or delegation by others for the sake of manipulating the rights and the interests of the nation .\n\n\"The Islam we mean is the religion that recommends communication among civilization and rejects devisive collision between those civilizations. An Islam that believes in cultural communication among nations and refuses setting up barriers and embargos and sees that it is our right to remove those barriers by the diplomatic means, however, when others intend to launch wars against it, Hizbullah finds it a natural right to defend itself representing the supporters the their achievements .\n\n\"Islam that we understand is a message that aims at establishing justice, security, peace and rights for all people no matter what nation, race or religion they belong. We don't have any complex toward others, but we feel the responsibility toward them, to make them understand the essence of our religion away from obligation and fanaticism.\n\n\"We don't seek the application of Islam by force or violence but by peaceful political action, which gives the opportunity for the majority in any society to adopt or rejectit. If Islam becomes the choice of the majority then we will apply it, if not, we will continue to coexist and discuss till we reach correct beliefs.\n\n\"We hereby affirm that our Islam rejects violence as a method to gain Power, and this should be the formula for the nonislamists as well.\"\n\nHizbullah Press Office, March 20, 1998\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9942381381988525}
{"content": "Tips for Teaching Personification\n\nAs teachers, we know that sometimes the hardest part of a teaching a unit is the launch. We also know that as teachers we wish that we had more time to devote to the launching of a unit, however, the reality is that often times a launch might consist of one or two minilessons. These are lessons we have used to launch a study of personification. Pick one or more of these lessons to launch your study. They are quick and easy to teach, and they can be modified to use with most texts. You can use the texts we have recommended, or substitute your own favorites.\n\n“5 Lessons to Launch Figurative Language with a Focus on Personification\n\nMinilesson #1- Use a mystery bag and remove an object such as a shoe. Have your students answer the mystery bagfollowing prompts: “What does the shoe love?” “What does it fear?” “What does it hope for?” Have a few students share their ideas and then introduce the concept, personification.\n\nMinilesson #2- Read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Discuss how the tree has human-like characteristics. Have students generate claims, find evidence, and rethink their claims about how the author uses personification.\n\nMinilesson #3- Read the poem, “The Train,” by Emily Dickinson. Model for your students how to find text evidence that reveals personification. Have students generate claims and find evidence.\n\nMinilesson #4- Read the poem, “April Rain Song,” by Langston Hughes. Model for your students how to annotate the text and generate claims about why and how the poet creates personification in this text. (For additional practice and ideas see Georgia Heard’s Awakening the Heart for her exercise on “Word Guessing” for this poem.)\n\nMinilesson #5- Use an excerpt from the 2013 Newberry Award winning text, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate and have your students do a close reading in order to interpret why and how the author uses personification in the text.\n\nVisit us again for additional minilessons we’ve used to launch the teaching of various literary elements. Enjoy!\n\n\nOn Teaching Interpretation\n\nI want my students to be able to think for themselves. This is my teaching goal everyday. Teaching interpretation in a way that enables my students to think for themselves has been something that I’ve thought a lot about for the past decade.\n\nIt began ten years ago when I was teaching fourth grade. We were reading the book Tuck Everlasting. As a whole class, we were noticing Natalie Babbitt’s use of time: sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight. I had created an assignment for my students- “Note each event that is associated with a time period.” We were analyzing the connection between the mood & intensity of the event and the time of day when it occurred.\n\nI will never forget one of my students asking me, “Ms. Johansen, if you hadn’t told me to look for this, how would I know?” At first, I laughed inwardly- such an astute question from a fourth grader. But then, I was fearful. I didn’t know how to answer. So I answered sternly and quickly, “This is why you have teachers. They will tell you what to look for.” This was one of my teaching-cringe moments. The moment when you know you are giving a terrible answer. My student wanted to be independent. She was looking for a strategy to notice the author’s use of mood, time, and symbolism. She wanted to learn how to think for herself. Above all, she was excited to learn how to notice hidden gems in a text and make her own interpretations. I let her down that day. And I’ve always remembered it.\n\nAt the time, I didn’t know how to answer her. I didn’t know which strategies to teach or even that there were strategies that could help her. I was simply making assignments and expecting my students to follow my directions. Now I know differently. I LOVE teaching strategies to students. I cannot imagine teaching any other way. Students need strategies to make the implicit, explicit, and the abstract, concrete. They can do this hard, thinking work on their own.\n\nRedoes are vital. Since my student asked me that question ten years ago, I’ve had a dozen or so redoes. Now when students ask that question, I answer, “That’s a great question! I’m so happy that you want to uncover parts of a text that may seem hidden, on your own! Let’s talk about the strategies you can use and which elements you can be on the lookout for. I bet you’ll find many hidden gems on your own!”\n\nTeaching strategies for helping students think about an author’s use of time and mood:\n\n  1. Use the clip “Decision” from Disney’s Mulan ( to discuss the time of day, light and dark, and weather used by the animators to create the mood of the scene. “Just like these animators, authors use the time of day to create the mood of the scene. It is important to notice the time of day in a story. It may be important and help you feel the mood of the scene.”\n  2. Have students think about their own daily schedules. What moods do they associate with different times of the day? What activities take place at different times? How does light and darkness affect their moods and activities during the day. Why might this be important in texts as well?\n  3. Use a text like Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt to keep track of the author’s use of time (sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight) and the mood of the event. Creating a chart or using a graphic organizer is best for this lesson. Students may notice that moments of revelation happen at sunrise, whereas, moments of intense action and emotions happen at midnight. (It is also good to notice the colors associated with these time periods. They may be symbolic.)\n  4. Most importantly: Create a classroom chart that lists the many ideas students may want to be on the lookout for in a text. “Time of Day” should be on that chart.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9945998191833496}
{"content": "Beat the Drum for Justice\n\nA Critical Reflection on Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.\n\n\nIn the United States, racism is still very much a relevant topic causing disunity in our society. Because of this disunity, negative stigma follows. A sign of it comes in the form of the masses of incarcerated minorities here in the United States. Bryan Stevenson talks about his journey of becoming a lawyer to aid convicted individuals in his writing titled, Just Mercy. Stevenson becomes inspired to help incarcerated individuals based on his belief of wanting to “do something with lives of the poor, America’s history of racial inequality, and the struggle to be equitable and fair with one another” (4). He ventures into law school and is required to meet with convicts on death row. After his experience with an inmate on death row, Stevenson realized “that there was something missing in the way we treat people in our judicial system, that maybe we judge some people unfairly” (13). This event inspires Stevenson to pursue his field of work and later write and speak about mass incarceration in the United States.\n\nWith many factors involved in the causation of mass incarceration, one aspect Stevenson expresses is the discourse regarding all convicted individuals and his goal to change the stigma against them. Stevenson states,\n\n“We’re institutionalized policies that reduce people to their worst acts and permanently label them ‘criminal,’ ‘murderer,’ ‘rapist,’ ‘thief,’ ‘drug dealer,’ ‘sex offender,’ ‘felon’ — identities they cannot change regardless of the circumstances of their crimes or any improvements they might make in their lives” (15).\n\nIndividuals living with the labels mentioned above are affected by the fear and judgment by others who only see the discourse society has influenced. Those who live with the discourse society has placed on them may believe that they have no ability to change their label anymore.\n\nOne of the clients Stevenson works with experiences a situation that conveys the power of discourse targeted minorities face.\n\n“But there was no evidence against McMillian — no evidence except that he was an African American man involved in an adulterous interracial affair, which meant he was reckless and possibly dangerous, even if he had no prior criminal history and a good reputation. Maybe that was evidence enough” (34).\n\nIt is our duty to be informed about different perspectives and give sympathy to those neglected. Stevenson states that he will always remember a saying his grandmother once told him, “‘You can’t understand most of the important things from a distance, Bryan. You have to get close,’ she told me all the time” (14). His grandmother’s advice explains how it is a necessity to experience and learn about the individuals involved in negative stigma.\n\nSo What?\n\nStevenson explains how he understands and can identify with the minorities being incarcerated in the United States. From being a Black male, aspiring lawyer, and experiencing his first encounter with an inmate on death row, Stevenson was enlightened to a reality that must be rewritten. After Stevenson’s first experience speaking with a client he states,\n\n“I had come into the prison with such anxiety and fear about his [Henry] willingness to tolerate my inadequacy. I didn’t expect him to be compassionate or generous. I had no right to expect anything for a condemned man on death row. Yet he gave me an astonishing measure of his humanity. In that moment, Henry altered something in my understanding of human potential, redemption, and hopefulness” (12).\n\nPrior to meeting Henry, Stevenson probably saw himself simply as a Black male who was unsure of what career to pursue right after college. After he realized his calling to serving the convicted that is when he researched the different laws and statistics that affect individuals arrested by the police. He also became aware of the large number of Black individuals targeted and incarcerated in the United States.\n\nStevenson later experiences this first hand after police target him to search his vehicle and interrogate him for suspicions of robberies in his neighborhood. That led Stevenson to realize,\n\n“When I thought about what I would have done when I was sixteen year old or nineteen or even twenty-four, I was scared to realize that I might have run. The more I thought about it, the more concerned I became about all the young black boys and men in that neighborhood. Did they know not to run? Did they know to stay calm and say, ‘It’s okay’?” (43).\n\nThis experience was fuel to his aspirations to serving individuals wrongly accused and targeted. He knew the law better than the police, yet he was still categorized and stereotyped by the police. He also let the police do what they wanted since his safety is a priority in this scenario. Stevenson read the statistics and met with individuals who experienced being approached by police but being in a situation of the police searching his car with his neighbors watching from outside must have brought immense insight to the treatment minorities face in our society.\n\nNow What?\n\nStevenson explains why he wrote this book as,\n\n\nStevenson aspires to decrease the stigma against being a Black male and the stigma incarcerated individuals face. Stevenson does this by raising awareness to the statistics that prove that minorities are more targeted and convicted, while also stating his experiences with cases involving the innocence of individuals that were stereotyped or simply stories that humanize the “criminals” in prison. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world and “We’ve given up on rehabilitation, education, and services for the imprisoned because providing assistance to the incarcerate is apparently too kind and compassionate” (15). Stevenson wishes to teach those stigmatized by their social identities that they too can prove society wrong by speaking out about their experiences.\n\nWith our community partner, Catholic Charities Kids Club, the people in this area are faced with the negative stigma of being in the Canal area of Marin County. The program serves as a way to aid students in the Canal with a focus on reading comprehension and homework completion. With an evident achievement gap in the Canal, it is a main focus for students in Kids Club to minimize the gap with determination and hard work. The students live in cramped living spaces and may have parents who do not speak English. These conditions are not conducive for a student who is learning how to read and write in English along with mathematics. This program makes a tremendous impact on the lives of the students and their families. The students are allowed to overcome the negative social identities associated with the Canal area by pursuing education and helping their families.\n\nIt was very humbling to have my community partner in the Canal area since I heard about the discourse regarding this community since I started going to Dominican. Like Stevenson, it is very eye-opening to experience and meet the children and observe their reading comprehension and writing skills rather than researching about the efforts of the program. Awareness is a step closer to actualizing dilemmas, but going out and experiencing individuals faced with these issues creates a greater meaning to the cause.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8287640810012817}
{"content": "Calculate Road Distances in Canada\nhow to calculate distance between cities in Canada:\n\nTo find the distances between cities in Canada and other useful information such as average speed, driving time, the recommended breaks, fuel consumption, fuel price, type in the above fields the names of localities - FROM Victoria TO La-Malbaie and then press ENTER key or click on DISTANCE button.\n\n\nChange the route for Canada\nAfter generating the route Victoria - La-Malbaie could be changed by simply dragging the line with the mouse. The change can be applied to any intermediate points of that route as well as the points of departure and arrival.\naverage speed Victoria - La-Malbaie\ndriving time Victoria - La-Malbaie\nrecommended break Victoria - La-Malbaie\nfuel consumption Victoria - La-Malbaie\nfuel price Victoria - La-Malbaie.\n\nAdjustment of fuel consumption and fuel price for Victoria - La-Malbaie\n\n\n\nterms of using distancesonline.com\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7906405329704285}
{"content": "Green Neighbors celebrates five years Oct. 15\n\nClark County’s Green Neighbors Program is celebrating its fifth anniversary from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. Featured speaker is John Prucich, a wildlife biologist, conservationist and licensed falconer known as The Falconer. Prucich will explain the difference between nocturnal and diurnal animals and bring in live owls and other animals that hunt in the night. To stay up-to-date on green tips and local events, sign up for the Green Neighbors newsletter at", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8769286870956421}
{"content": "Thursday, September 1, 2011\n\nAbout Ava\n\nWhen I blogged about Ava turning two, I mostly talked about her birthday. I didn't mention much about her, who she is right now. It is hard to capture the essence of a toddler, with all of their crazy toddler ways. They're somewhere between kid and baby, in limbo, and when you look at them in the present they seem so big, but when you look back on them in a couple of years you realize just how much of a baby they still were.\n\nAva is a baby, and at the same time she is a little kid, who thinks she is big enough to do everything Alana does. Alana jumps off the couch? Ava is right there to go next. Alana needs to wear a princess dress over her regular clothes? Ava is a mini Belle or Snow White. Alana is brushing her teeth and using mouthwash? Ava thinks she needs mouthwash, so I give her a little cup of water cause she just drinks it.\nShe is a follower, but she still stands up for herself when she's been wronged. She won't tolerate injustice.\n\nAva is often two people. She is a shy girl, so when she's around a lot of people she doesn't know, or just a lot of people, she is quiet and glued to my leg. When it's just us around the house, or there are just a couple people here who she feels comfortable with, she is a wild and crazy woman. She is the opposite of herself, and of her sister. Alana knows no stranger, and loves everyone. Ava is more cautious. Who are these people and why am I supposed to be nice to them? I don't see them on a daily basis, so therefore I don't know them.\n\nShe really inherited my sweet tooth, but also got David's enthusiastic love of breakfast meats. She is a snackaholic, and will eat small amounts of stuff all day if I don't make it a point to feed her structured meals. She will eat two cold hot dogs in a row, just because she likes them so much. Cookies are another weakness of hers, and so are pumpkin and zucchini bread. She likes pumpkin and zucchini bread so much that she will go to the oven every ten minutes while it's cooking and tap on the door, inquiring about when she can eat some. It's nice to have someone to share a loaf with, because Alana and David aren't as into sweets as Ava and me. Her favorite place to eat is in my bed, on my side, with the covers pulled down. Yesterday she climbed in there and pulled down the blanket, then ate a big piece of pumpkin bread, leaving plenty of crumbs as a present for me.\n\nAva may be two, but she doesn't talk much yet. A big part of that is that Alana is always answering questions for Ava, so Ava never really has to talk. She gets her point across though. She squeals, grunts, yells, points, shakes her head yes and no. She has a few words in her repertoire, but she only uses them when she feels like it. Mostly you will find her squealing then pointing. I'd like some pumpkin bread is Squeal, point to bread, point to open mouth. This is hot but I still want to eat it is Blow, then point to mouth. I'd like to watch Dora please is Run to Mommy, pull on her pants, hand her DVD, squeal and point to TV. She pulls on my pants so much that sometimes she pulls them down, that can be kind of annoying. Get de-pantsed daily. Maybe I should wear fewer pajama and yoga pants.\n\nAva loves playing, especially with Alana. She plays whatever her sister wants, whenever. Barbies, babies, legos, littlest pet shop guys. Its cute when they play together, but just as cute when Ava plays by herself. She makes the dolls or figurines \"walk\" around and kiss, its pretty funny. And babies must all be rocked, then thrown into the crib.\n\nAva is a momma's girl, but she's always glad for Daddy to come home. She tries to play and hide with Alana, but always gets excited and runs out when he opens the door. She gives hugs and kisses, and plenty of snuggles. There is no shortage of snuggles with Ava. She is so sweet and squishy, I think I'll keep her.\n\nShe is 25 lbs, but won't hold still for me to get her height. She has a sweet baby mullet that I can't bring myself to cut yet. Its mullet-ness isn't too bad because it curls out, so I don't foresee a haircut in our near future. She has big brown eyes and still had super long eyelashes. Her cheeks and butt are so chubby and squishy and I want to squeeze them all the time. She always has her toenails painted, cause when I paint mine or Alana's she wants to be included, and she recently started requesting that I paint her fingernails too. Her chubby little hands look so cute with a coat of red nail polish on her fingers, but they also look impossibly grown up. Its bittersweet.\n\nShe is my couch potato baby and loves cartoons. She is a big Nickelodeon fan, because Wubbzy, Dora, Bubble Guppies and Max & Ruby all top the list as her favorites. She also requests to watch a Disney movie a day, mostly Up and Monsters Inc, and sometimes Rapunzel and the Little Mermaid. Gotta stay updated on her Disney movies for our next trip to Disneyland in December. Gotta get one more trip while she's still free!\n\nI can't remember what it was like to have just one kid, even though having two kids means a lot more compromise, for them anyways, they rarely agree on what movie to watch, and it also means being the referee far more frequently. She has made our family more complete, and we're all better off with her in our lives. She is so crazy and cute, but at the same time she is quiet and shy. I love her and I'd be completely happy if she stayed my baby forever.\n\nNo comments:\n\n\nRelated Posts with Thumbnails", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5362905263900757}
{"content": "DOUGLAS V. GIBBS             RADIO             BOOKS             CONSTITUTION             CONTACT/FOLLOW             DONATE\n\nTuesday, July 26, 2016\n\nCorona Constitution Class: Wrap up of Legal Amendments\n\nCorona Constitution Class:\nLegal Amendments\n\nCorona Constitution Class\nTuesdays, 6:00 pm\nAllStar Collision\n522 Railroad St., Corona CA\n\nConstitution Class Handout\nInstructor: Douglas V. Gibbs\n\nLesson 15\n\nThe Legal Amendments\n\nAmendment IV\n\nWarrants, Searches, and Seizures\nThe 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution was added as part of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791. It was written with the purpose of protecting people from the government searching their homes and private property without properly executed search warrants.\n\n\nWhat this means is that the federal government, in order to search a person's home, business, papers, bank accounts, computer or other personal items, in most cases, must obtain a search warrant signed by the proper authority, which usually means by a judge.\n\nThe issuance of a warrant must accompany reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that by searching the premises of a particular location, evidence will be found that will verify the crime. The government officer does not have to be correct in his assumption, he just has to have a reasonable belief that searching someone's private property will yield evidence of the crime. The task of determining whether or not the officer's assumptions are a reasonable belief falls on the judge who is considering issuing the search warrant.\n\nThe concept that citizens must be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures goes back into English history. The British Crown was known for performing searches and seizures that were unlawfully conducted. Often, these searches were conducted by the king's representatives.\n\nThe British government saw the American Colonies as a source of revenue. As a result, taxation against the American colonies was a continuous practice, in the hopes of generating as much money from the colonists as possible. The colonists resented this and engaged in substantial smuggling operations in order to get around the customs taxes imposed by the British government.\n\nThe King responded to the Colonist's smuggling activities by using writs of assistance, which were search warrants that were very broad and general in their scope. British agents, once obtaining these writs, could search any property they believed might contain contraband goods. They could enter someone's property with no notice and without any reason given. Tax collectors could interrogate anyone about their use of goods and require the cooperation of any citizen. Searches and seizures of private property based on very general warrants became an epidemic in colonial America.\n\nIn 1756, the Massachusetts legislature passed search and seizure laws outlawing the use of general warrants. The friction created between the Royal Governor and the people of Massachusetts grew with each passing moment.\n\nIn 1760 James Otis, a Boston lawyer, strongly objected to these arbitrary searches and seizures of private property and consequently resigned his position with the government, and then became the lawyer for a group of over 50 merchants who sued the government claiming that the writs of assistance were unjust.\n\nJames Otis represented these merchants for free. His speech condemning British policies, including writs of assistance and general search warrants, was so powerful and eloquent, that it was heard of throughout the colonies and catapulted him to a place of leadership in the swelling tide of disillusionment toward Great Britain.\n\nTwenty-five year old John Adams, who would become the second president of the United States some time later, was sitting in the courtroom and heard Otis' famous speech that served as a spark that led to igniting the American Revolution.\n\nThe 4th Amendment, a part of The Bill of Rights, became law on December 15, 1791.\n\nThe 4th Amendment applies only to the federal government. State constitutions are written similarly, and States also have laws that are consistent with the intention of the 4th Amendment. The 4th Amendment provides protection from illegal search and seizure by federal government officials, but not by private citizens. So, if an employer unreasonably searched your possessions at work, the 4th Amendment would not have been violated, but local laws may have been.\n\nIn recent history The PATRIOT Act was seen as a breach of the 4th Amendment because it allowed the federal government to pursue a number of strategies in their search for terrorists that includes warrantless phone taps, access to phone logs, and monitoring of online communications such as email. The debate still goes on regarding the constitutionality of The PATRIOT Act, with both sides presenting reasonable arguments, ranging from the constitutional necessity of the law for the purpose of \"providing for the common defense,\" to the argument that the authorities offered by the law allows the federal government to unconstitutionally intrude on the right to privacy of all Americans.\n\nThe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2014 builds on the powers seized by the federal government through the PATRIOT Act, allowing unrestricted analysis and research of captured records pertaining to any organization or individual \"now or once hostile to the United States.\" The definition of \"hostile to the United States\" is broad, and can include political opposition. Under NDAA 2014 Sec. 1061(g)(1), an overly vague definition of captured records enhances government power and guarantees indefinite surveillance.\n\nThe Internal Revenue Service is another arm of the federal government that routinely violates the 4th Amendment, doing so under the auspice of ensuring all taxes are paid.\n\n\n\nQuestions for Discussion:\n1. What actions by the British prior to the American Revolutionary War inspired the Founding Fathers to include this amendment in the Bill of Rights?\n\n2. How would our legal system act if Search Warrants were not considered necessary?\n\n3. How does the Fourth Amendment influence today's thinking regarding government actions, such as with The PATRIOT Act?\n\n\nHow Congress Has Assaulted Our Freedoms in the Patriot Act by\nAndrew P. Napolitano, Lew\n\nJoseph Andrews, A Guide for Learning and Teaching The Declaration of\n\nPaul A. Ibbetson, Living Under the PATRIOT Act: Educating a Society;\nBloomington, IN: Author House (2007)\n\nPhilip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, The Founder's Constitution -\n\nAmendment V\nDue Process and Eminent Domain\nDue Process\n\nThe majority of the Fifth Amendment provides additional reinforcement to the concept of due process. The language of this Amendment was designed to assure those who feared the potential tyranny of a new centralized government created by the United States Constitution that the federal government would be restrained in such a way as to ensure that the government did not perpetrate bloodshed against its citizens.\n\nThe first part of the 5th Amendment reads: \"No person shall be held to answer for a capital crime, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury. . .\"\n\nThe 5th Amendment attests to the Founding Father's understanding that this is a nation of property owners. As a republic of property owners, when in jeopardy of legal trouble, our rights and properties must be safeguarded. Therefore, an American Citizen in the American legal system has a right to a jury, as well as a right to the presentation of evidence. Conviction is not reached with a majority vote, either. Conviction requires a unanimous agreement among all of the members of the jury. These concepts reinforce the concept that one is innocent until proven guilty (A concept found in the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 19, Verse 15), and that the United States of America is a Republic. Mob rule is not allowed, for as the amendment provides, a person cannot be held until given the opportunity of due process.\n\nNot all persons, however, are awarded this opportunity. The next part of the amendment reads: \". . . except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger. . .\"\n\nThe military does not fall under the U.S. Constitution. Personnel serving in the armed forces are governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Instead of a civilian trial, a military service member is normally afforded a court martial. If a civilian trial is deemed appropriate by the U.S. Military, a service member can still stand trial in a civilian court, but the military has the authority to decide whether or not the member shall stand such a trial.\n\nHaving a sense of independence, individuals must be protected, then, from the tyrannical trappings of a governmental system that may try to use the judiciary against them (as the King of England had done often). The protective mechanism, or the rule of law, would be the U.S. Constitution and clauses like the 5th Amendment, which were designed to provide protection to the populace from unfair legal practices.\n\nOne such protection is provided in the next part of this amendment: \". . . nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life and limb. . .\"\n\nProtection against Double Jeopardy enables us not to be continuously tried for the same offense, which was a technique often used in some parts of Europe during the eighteenth century. The idea was that if a person was prosecuted enough, either they would weary of the process and break down, or the defendant would become unable to financially continue, hence unable to defend themselves.\n\nThe next part of the amendment serves as a large influence on today's Miranda Rights. The section reads: \". . . nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property.\"\n\nMiranda Rights are named after the U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona (1966). Miranda Rights are a warning given advising the accused of their right to remain silent, their right to an attorney, and the right to an appointed attorney if they are unable to afford counsel - prior to conducting a custodial interrogation. From the 5th Amendment: \". . .nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.\" Miranda Rights exist to secure the 5th Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination, and to make the individual in custody aware not only of the privilege, but also of the consequences of forgoing it. The judicial opinion from the Miranda v. Arizona case also indicated that in order to protect the person's life, liberty or property with the due process of law, the individual must have the right to an attorney. With a lawyer present the likelihood that the police will practice coercion is reduced, and if coercion is nevertheless exercised the lawyer can testify to it in court. The presence of a lawyer can also help to guarantee that the accused gives a fully accurate statement to the police and that the statement is rightly reported by the prosecution at trial.\n\nThe words of the Founders continues to resonate today as the majority of the American people seem to firmly agree with the Founding Father's insistence that no one should be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. We can take satisfaction that most of our fellow citizens in our republic still hold these truths to be self-evident.\n\nEminent Domain\n\nThe provisions of the 5th Amendment are there to keep our courts honest, and the powers of the government constrained. The last phrase of the 5th Amendment, however, is considered too general by many, and it has been used in a manner by the federal government that is extremely troublesome, because it gives the government the right to take property if there is just compensation.\n\nHow is just compensation determined? Is it based on the market value of the property? How does the government officials involved in eminent domain calculate the non-intrinsic value? How do they compensate for the value on which nobody can put a price?\n\nJust compensation was intended to be based on what the property owner deemed to be just. If the property owner did not deem the offer to be just compensation, then the government, from a constitutional viewpoint, is out of luck.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRule of Law - The restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws; Laws of Nature and of Nature's God; self-evident standard of conduct and law.\n\nQuestions for Discussion:\n1. How is property rights affected by Due Process?\n\n2. Why do military members not fall under the protections of the U.S. Constitution?\n\n3. Why is protection against Double Jeopardy important?\n\n4. What was the inspiration for our Miranda Rights?\n\n5. Who determines if compensation for one's property is just?\n\n6. How is Eminent Domain being used for environmental reasons?\n\n7. Is Eminent Domain constitutionally in force if a property is rezoned for environmental conservation, forcing the value of the property to be reduced due to the fact that it can no longer be developed?\n\n8. Is it constitutional for government to use Eminent Domain for the use of the land by private development projects?\n\nDefinition of Due Process, Family Rights Association:\n\nJoseph Andrews, A Guide for Learning and Teaching The Declaration of\n\nPhilip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, The Founder's Constitution -\n\nU.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona, 384 US 436 (1966)\n\nAmendment VI\nPersonal Legal Liberties\n\nRights afforded in all criminal prosecutions are set forth in this amendment. The word \"all\" at the beginning of this amendment establishes a special characteristic regarding this article of the Constitution. The Constitution applies only to the federal government, unless it states otherwise. The 6th Amendment, by providing the word \"all\" in the regard to cases, establishes that this amendment is not only to be applied to the federal courts, but to the State, and lower, courts as well.\n\nAs for the rights afforded to the accused:\n\nSpeedy Trial\n\nThe concept of a speedy trial was an English concept of justice. A speedy trial allows for conditions that disallow the powerful from abusing the court system, forcing defendants to languish in jail for an indefinite period while awaiting their trial. Ensuring a speedy trial minimizes the time in which a defendant's life is disrupted and burdened by a criminal proceeding, and reduces the likelihood of a prolonged delay impairing the ability of the accused to prepare a defense.\n\nHistorically, when trials are postponed or drag out for long periods of time, witnesses disappear, and evidence is often lost or destroyed. Memories of the incident in question are also not as reliable as time passes.\n\nA person's right to a speedy trial arises after the arrest, indictment, or otherwise formal accusation of a crime.\n\nPublic Trial\n\nThe right to a public trial was inherited by the Americans from Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence. Public criminal proceedings would operate as a natural check against malevolent prosecutions, corrupt judges, and perjurious witnesses. A trial that is out in the open also aids the fact-finding mission of the judiciary by encouraging citizens to come forward with relevant information.\n\nThe right to a public trial is not absolute. Persons who may disrupt proceedings may be banned from attending the trial because they present a substantial risk of hindering a trial. A disallowance of the media attending falls under the concept of \"potential disruptions,\" but otherwise, under normal circumstances, both the public and media have a qualified First Amendment right to attend criminal proceedings. The right to a public trial does not require the presence of media, and because courtrooms have limited seating, judges may attempt to maintain decorum. For media, with today's technology, the media does not have to be in the courtroom to see or hear the proceedings of the case.\n\nRight to Trial by an Impartial Jury\n\nA part of the effort in achieving an impartial jury is the process of determining who will serve on the jury through a series of questions and observations, in an effort to eliminate biased jurors. The concept of protecting the defendant from a biased jury can be traced back to the Magna Carta in 1215. In the United States, the requirement for a trial by an impartial jury does not apply to juvenile delinquency proceedings, or to petty criminal offenses, which consist of crimes punishable by imprisonment of six months or less. In Great Britain, and Canada, a jury is not required for cases with potential penalties of two years or less, and the concept of an impartial jury is not entertained in the same way as in the United States. Canada and Britain choose jurors randomly, and then in an open court the jurors for a specific case are selected from the jury panel by ballot. A juror may be challenged once in the box for bias, but an extensive process to eliminate possible biased jurors before selection through a series of questions and observations is not normal practice.\n\nThe Sixth Amendment entitles defendants to a jury that represents \"a jury of the defendant's peers,\" which means the jury should be a fair cross section of the community. From the jury pool, the presiding judge, the prosecution, and attorneys for the defense are allowed to ask members of the jury pool a variety of questions intended to reveal any latent biases, prejudices, or other influences that might affect their impartiality. The presence of even one biased juror is not permitted under the Sixth Amendment.\n\nIt is possible that the potential bias of a juror may be affected by sources outside the courtroom, so jurors are instructed to not consider newspaper, television, and radio coverage before or during trial, and are instructed not to discuss the trial with even family members, when evaluating the guilt or innocence of the defendant.\n\nJurors are not permitted to begin deliberations until all of the evidence has been offered. Deliberations do not begin until after the attorneys have made their closing arguments, and the judge has read the instructions. Premature deliberations have shown the potential, historically, to create early biases, or a juror may form a preconceived notion that they will then compare all evidence to, which they may have entertained as a result of premature deliberations.\n\nNotice of Pending Criminal Charges\n\nThe 6th Amendment guarantees defendants the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against them. Defendants must receive notice of any criminal accusations that the government has lodged against them through an indictment, information, complaint, or other formal charge. Defendants may not be tried, convicted, or sentenced for a crime that materially varies from the crime set forth in the formal charge.\n\nThe requirement by the 6th Amendment to inform a defendant of the nature and cause of the accusation is an attempt by the Founding Fathers to create fundamental fairness that was not necessarily present in civil and criminal proceedings in England and the American colonies under English common law. Receiving notice of pending criminal charges in advance of trial permits defendants to prepare a defense in accordance with the specific nature of the accusation. In tyrannies, defendants are all too often incarcerated without being apprised of pending charges until the trial begins. Requiring notice of the nature and cause of the accusation against a defendant eliminates confusion regarding the basis of a particular verdict, which in turn decreases the chances that a defendant will be tried later for the same offense.\n\nConfrontation of Witnesses Against Him\n\nThe 6th Amendment requires that defendants have the right to be confronted by witnesses who offer testimony or evidence against them, as well as the opportunity to subject them to cross-examination.\n\nToday's courts have established rules that are enforced at the discretion of the judge who forbids questioning that pursues areas that are irrelevant, collateral, confusing, repetitive, or prejudicial. Defendants are also forbidden to pursue a line of questioning solely for the purpose of harassment.\n\nCompulsory Process for Obtaining Witnesses In His Favor\n\nThe 6th Amendment recognizes a defendant's right to use the compulsory process of the judiciary to subpoena witnesses that may be favorable to the defense. Courts may not take actions to undermine the testimony of a witness who has been subpoenaed by the defense. Any law that attempts to establish particular persons as being incompetent to testify on behalf of a defendant is not allowed.\n\nDefendants can also testify on their own behalf, a right not afforded in the American Colonies, or Great Britain, prior to the United States dissolving the political bands connecting them to the Crown. Common law presumed all defendants to be incompetent to give reliable or credible testimony on their own behalf. The vested interest in the outcome of the trial, it was believed, would taint the testimony of the defendant. The 6th Amendment does not require, a defendant to testify on his own behalf, but does not prohibit it, either.\n\nRight to Counsel\n\nThe 6th Amendment states that criminal defendants have a Right to Counsel. A defendant's right to counsel does not become an issue until the government files formal charges. However, in the 5th Amendment a person has the right not to be compelled to be a witness against himself, allowing him to remain silent until he has counsel present.\n\nIn many instances, defendants have the inability to obtain counsel be it because of financial or other reasons. The 6th Amendment, by listing that assistance of counsel for his defense is a right, has compelled the government to institute a program where counsel can be assigned to a defendant if the person is unable to afford counsel, or obtain counsel for any other reason. In the occurrence of a defendant unable to afford counsel, the trial judge appoints one on his behalf. If it turns out that the defendant has financial resources previously unknown to the court, he may be required to reimburse the government for a portion of the fees paid to the court-appointed lawyer.\n\nDefendants are not required to have counsel. Defendants have a right to counsel. Defendants also have the right to decline the representation of counsel and proceed on their own behalf. Defendants who represent themselves must present a waiver of the 6th Amendment right to counsel before a court will allow them to do so. The waiver must reveal that the defendant is knowingly making the decision, and understands the potential consequences.\n\nQuestions for Discussion:\n\n1. Why is having a speedy trial so important in a free society?\n\n2. How does a public trial better enable the fact-finding mission of the trial?\n\n3. How is the concept of an impartial jury different in the United States than it is in other countries?\n\n4. Why is it important for a defendant to be able to confront the witnesses against him?\n\n5. How is a defendant's right to counsel enabled in today's court system?\nJoseph Andrews, A Guide for Learning and Teaching The Declaration of\n\nPhilip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, The Founder's Constitution -\n\nAmendment VII\nRight of Trial by Jury in Civil Suits\n\n\nThe 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in most civil suits heard in federal court. Remember, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, apply only to the federal government unless the document states otherwise. The 7th Amendment serves to preserve the historic line separating the province of the jury from that of the judge in civil cases by separating cases that should have a jury in federal court, from those that are smaller cases, and may not require a jury. During the time the amendment was ratified, a case requiring a jury was one where \"the value in controversy\" exceeded twenty dollars. The cutoff in the court system today is $75,000. Any disputes that involve amounts less than $75,000, in fact, will not even be handled in a federal court.\n\nState courts don't have to honor this provision in the 7th Amendment, and often don't. People bringing a suit do not have to have a jury trial. Individuals can waive their right to a jury trial if they so choose.\n\nThe 7th Amendment also expressly forbids federal judges to re-examine any \"fact tried by a jury\" except as allowed by the common law. This means that no court, trial or appellate, may overturn a jury verdict that is reasonably supported by the evidence.\n\nPrior to the Declaration of Rights in 1689, English judges served the King of England. These judges showed bias towards the King, resulting in unfair rulings. Judges in the American colonies were also biased towards the king, and when King George III got rid of trials by juries in the Colonies, the colonists viewed the decision as more kindling for the fire of independence that had been blazing in the pubs, churches and meeting halls of the Colonies. The Bill of Rights applied what the Framers learned under the rule of Britain to the American System. In the American courts the Framers believed it was important to have a fair court system, so the right to have a trial by jury is mentioned a number of times, and is a fundamental part of the United States legal system.\n\nTogether with the due process clause of the 5th Amendment and the right to an impartial jury enumerated in the 6th Amendment, the 7th Amendment guarantees civil litigants the right to not just a jury, but to a jury who is not biased for any reason.\n\n\nQuestions for Discussion:\n1. What historic line does the 7th Amendment preserve?\n2. Must the States abide by the 7th Amendment?\n3. Can a person bringing suit waive the right to a jury trial?\n\nAmendment VIII\nExcessive Bail, Cruel and Unusual Punishment\n\nThe 8th Amendment reads, \"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.\"\n\nAs a nation founded on honorable Judeo-Christian principles, the United States legal system is expected to be fair and just. This means that Americans should insist upon a due process that protects individuals from excesses and abuses by the judicial system. Such expectations include that no individual should be singled out, or treated differently, in the eyes of the courts. A fair and equitable judicial system includes no excessive bails or fines, or cruel and unusual punishment, for one person while others guilty of similar crimes do not receive similar treatment.\n\nToday's definitions attempt to set a limit on where \"excessive\" or \"unusual\" lies. When a harsh penalty is applied for a crime, even when it is similar to the punishment received by others for the same crime, challenges are launched regarding if the penalty matches the crime. These challenges are fine, and an important part of the American judicial system seeking to adjust itself in regards to its fairness, but the debates during the Federal Convention and State ratification conventions did not focus so much on where the line between excessive and not excessive, or unusual as opposed to usual, exists as much as are the bails, fines and punishment consistent with the bails, fines and punishment consistent with others guilty of the same.\nQuestions for Discussion:\n1. In the context of the time period during which the 8th Amendment was written, what was meant by \"cruel and unusual punishment?\"\n2. How has the original definition of \"cruel and unusual punishment\" changed since the founding of the United States?\n3. How does the 8th Amendment apply the concept of uniformity to cases?\n4. Why would the Founding Fathers see the need to enumerate the right of an individual to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment?\nJoseph Andrews, A Guide for Learning and Teaching The Declaration of\n\nPhilip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, The Founder's Constitution -\n\nCopyright 2015 Douglas V. Gibbs\n\nNo comments:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5146446824073792}
{"content": "What does a blood clot do\n\nNewer medications make it harder to stop bleeding if you have an accident.It could get stuck in your lungs and block blood flow, causing organ damage or death.This can lessen the swelling and discomfort in the leg with DVT.\n\nWhat does a blood clot feel like? | Cancer Survivors Network\n\nCertain blood disorders can boost their chances of having DVT even more.Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician.\n\nHow Does Blood Clot eMedTV. Loading. Unsubscribe from eMedTV.A blood clot is a thick mass of menstrual blood that is expelled from your.Anything that damages the inner lining of a vein may cause DVT -- surgery, an injury, or your immune system.Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid.\n\nTo locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database.Your doctor may ask you to undergo a procedure called inferior vena cava filter placement.\n\nBlood clots are semi-solid masses of blood that can be stationary (thrombosis) and block blood flow or break loose (embolism) and travel to various parts of the body.A carotid ultrasound could also be performed to see if a fragment from a blood clot in your neck has traveled to your brain.\n\nBlood Clotting - Biology Encyclopedia - cells, body\n\nBlood clots feel like a swelling and sometimes you will be in pain around the area of the blood clot.A blood clot can be life-threatening depending on the location and severity.The signs and symptoms of blood clots range from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to pulmonary embolism (PE).\n\nBlood clots can occur in many different parts of the body, each area having different symptoms.Because this type of clot prevents oxygen from reaching vital organs, it can cause a variety of complications like stroke, heart attack, paralysis and intense pain.If you do not know, read on to learn this and other important information about this disease. If a blood clot is present,.Clots that occur in larger veins are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Blood Clot: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Medications and Treatments.\n\nBlood Clot: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Medications and\n\nLearn how to recognize Deep vein and Superficial vein thrombosis and what to expect.BLOOD. Clots,Recognize,Symptoms, What to Expect.Please type your comment or suggestion into the following text box.Try clenching and releasing your calves and thighs, or lifting and lowering your heels with your toes on the floor.Some blood clotting, or coagulation, is necessary and normal.It can cause trouble breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, a faster heart rate, chest pain, and coughing up blood.A Doppler ultrasound may be used to help visualize blood flow through your veins.\n\nThe pressure of their expanding uterus can slow blood flow in the veins as well.Blood clotting helps stop bleeding if you are cut or injured.A blood clot in a deep vein may also break off and travel back to the heart and into the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.Brain: Patients with blood clots in their brains can experience problems with their vision or speech, seizures and general weakness.Heart: Common symptoms for blood clots in the heart include pain in the chest and left arm, sweating and difficulty breathing.When a blood clot forms, it can be stationary (called a thrombosis ) and block blood flow or break loose (called an embolism ) and travel to various parts of the body.Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body.\n\nDeep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms inside a vein, usually deep within your leg.Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which blood clot develops in a vein in the lower part of the body,.\n\nBlood Clots During Your Period - Simple Solutions\n\n\nThe most common cause of a pulmonary embolism is a fragment from a leg or pelvic clot that has broken off and traveled through the veins to the lung.There are several ways to decrease your chances of developing a blood clot,.Treatment may depend upon whether the clot is located in an artery or a vein.\n\n\nDo You Know about Blood Clots and Travel?| Features | CDC\n\nSigns and Symptoms of Blood Clots and Thrombus - Verywell\n\nYou may feel warmth in your legs (mostly on one side), swelling, constant leg pain, coughing blood, chest pain when you take deep.Blood clots are among the most preventable types of blood conditions.A blood clot is \"a semisolid gelatinous mass of coagulated blood that consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets entrapped in a fibrin...You may be sent for a chest x-ray if your doctor believes you may have a condition other than a blood clot.\n\nA blood clot is a meshwork of platelets and blood cells woven together by fibrin.Drugs called anticoagulants are the most common way to treat DVT.To help ensure current and accurate information, we do not permit copying but encourage linking to this site.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5987826585769653}
{"content": "Property Rights, the Rule of Law, and Indigenous Rights\n\nThe United Nations chose “Ensuring indigenous peoples’ health and well-being” as the theme for this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9. (Photo: CIPE Staff)\n\n\nWhat do property rights and rule of law have to do with the rights, health, and well-being of indigenous people? Quite a lot.\n\nThe worldwide indigenous population is estimated to be between 220 million and 350 million, spread across all inhabitable stretches of the earth. Land and the natural resources provided by the earth are central to many indigenous cultures and beliefs. The land provides identity, nourishment, home, and often very significant religious or spiritual significance.\n\nDespite this central importance of land, indigenous peoples have historically been deprived of their rights to land by colonization – both political and economic. Communal understanding of ownership and the absence of the concept of land ownership left the door open to such abuses. However, as indigenous rights are becoming more widely recognized and celebrated, many countries are taking important steps to ensure respect for these rights, in order to improve the opportunities and well-being of their indigenous citizens.\n\nIn 1989, the International Labor Organization passed convention 169, better known as the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, which enumerates specific rights that indigenous peoples possess – including the rights to consultation and participation in political decision making. The convention has been ratified by 22 countries, 15 of which are in the Americas.\n\nIn many parts of Latin America, indigenous people are protected by prior consultation laws, many of which are included in the constitution. These laws require local authorities and national governments to consult with indigenous groups before beginning extraction of any natural resources or new infrastructure projects on historically identified indigenous lands – at least on paper. Such laws are routinely skirted or outright broken by both national interests and foreign corporations seeking to extract natural resources from lands historically identified as pertaining to indigenous peoples.\n\nThese extractive processes, in their nature illegal because of failure to acquire prior consultation, often result in significant pollution with disastrous effects on the local population. In Ecuador for example, some towns are rife with cancer, skin rashes, and issues with pregnancy after oil pipelines leaked and many petro-companies failed to properly line their waste pits or even clean them up after their exit; a problem that persisted for five decades and whose responsibility is still being debated in Ecuadorian and U.S. courts.\n\nNot unique to Latin America, textile factories in Indonesia routinely expel toxic water into local rivers, causing significant neurological disorders at birth and various forms of cancers. These types of pollution render waters unfishable, land unfarmable, and even kill small and large livestock – effectively robbing indigenous peoples of their means of economic production and placing their health and well-being in extreme risk.\n\nAccess to and ownership of ancestral lands is an important right for indigenous peoples around the world. In addition to the cultural importance this land signifies, indigenous peoples form an important sector of the economy as they contribute both raw materials and services related to their lands – often incorporating practices that value the conservation of resources and, in the long run, more sustainable economic growth. As more and more people grow to depend on their states’ populist policies to meet their basic needs, self-sufficiency and sustainable economic growth are ever more required, particularly in Latin America. By ensuring that indigenous Latin Americans can use their healthy land, the economic opportunities for better education and nutrition are ensured.\n\nEnforcing the prior consultation laws that are already on the books should be a simple thing to do; however, rule of law is often challenged by the desire to achieve short-term gain through extractive industries, neglecting long-term and sustainable growth that prioritizes the health and well-being of the most at-risk citizens. Overall, societies will be better off if indigenous peoples’ rights are upheld – it is a victory for democracy, rule of law, and property rights, all of which benefit countries’ economic future in the long run.\n\nLaura Boyette is a Program Coordinator for Latin America & the Caribbean at CIPE.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996120929718018}
{"content": "Comparing Volatility in 2 populations\n\nHave got data for 2 populations and am wanting to compare the volatility/variability between them.\n\nMy initial thought was using a chi-squared (using an assumed value of 100 for the index) but not sure if this would be suitable/would work?\n\nI've posted a summary plot of what I am using to give a better idea\n\nMany thanks,\nLikelihood ratio test for the model allowing for different volatilities of the two time series (alternative hypothesis) versus a model enforcing the same volatility for the two time series (null hypothesis). Given scarcity of the data, the modeling framework can be simple AR(1).", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8563829064369202}
{"content": "Risk is part of all our lives. As a society, we need to take risks to grow and develop. In Credit Management Veritas can help manage those risks to minimise bad debt exposure and maximise potential to ensure that you the client is not exposed. We will provide analysis according to your request with detailed feedback.\n\nVeritas has partnered with reputable agencies to provide the most up to date information to ensure that risk is managed and exposure mitigated. .", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.000009536743164}
{"content": "Mobile Menu - OpenMobile Menu - Closed\n\nCongressman Mike Quigley\n\nRepresenting the 5th District of Illinois\n\nHuffington Post: Why We Need Roe v. Wade Now More Than Ever\n\nJan 22, 2016\n\nThe following article appeared in The Huffington Post January 22, 2016. A link to the article can be found here.\n\nby Mike Quigley\n\nToday, the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade turns forty-three years old. For forty-three years, the Supreme Court has upheld their decision that a woman's constitutional right to privacy also protects her right to make personal health care decisions about abortion. And, for forty-three years, women have had the constitutional right to access abortion services without government interference. After the unprecedented attacks this past year on Planned Parenthood and reproductive health broadly, it is perhaps more important than ever to wish Roe a resounding happy birthday.\n\nThrough our efforts in Congress and across the state of Illinois, we are fighting to protect all women's access to reproductive health care. Unfortunately, that fight has only intensified in recent years. On Capitol Hill and in state houses across the country, anti-women's health politicians continue to make it clear that they will stop at nothing to end access to a safe, legal abortion. Data released from the Guttmacher Institute shows that in the year 2000, 31 percent of women of reproductive age lived in a state hostile to abortion rights, with no women living in a state with enough restrictions to be considered extremely hostile. By 2014, 57 percent of women lived in a state that is either hostile or extremely hostile to abortion rights. This alarming increase was in part because of the 288 state-level restrictions on safe, legal abortions that have been enacted since the 2010 mid-term elections.\n\nEven in our home state of Illinois, where access is less restricted, women still bear the undue burden of increasing national attacks on abortion and reproductive health services. Because of restrictions on abortion access in their own state, many women in neighboring states are forced to travel hundreds of miles and cross state lines to seek an abortion. However, their rights should not have to depend on their zip code. In our own state, restrictions on Medicaid coverage for abortion unfairly impact low-income women, making abortion inaccessible to them through the Medicaid program.\n\nAs Americans, it is always important to remember where we once were and how far we have come. Before Roe, illegal abortions were common. In the 1950s and 60s, estimates indicate anywhere from 200,000 to 1.2 million illegal abortions were performed annually. Of course, these are only the reported numbers, and given the stigma surrounding abortion, the actual numbers were likely much higher. By making abortion legal, Roe v. Wade made abortion safe, not only marking a major step forward for women's rights but also saving countless women's lives.\n\nUnintended pregnancy was a reality for American women in the decades before Roe and remains a reality today. However, persistent, misinformed attacks--in states like Texas, where the state legislature aims to entirely defund and shutter Planned Parenthood statewide--are making it impossible for women to access their constitutionally protected right to abortion. How can the United States claim to be the world's leader while simultaneously denying basic rights to half of its citizens?\n\nAs 2016 begins, we await the Supreme Court hearing arguments in Whole Woman's Health v. Cole, the biggest abortion case in decades. As advocates for choice, we must be resilient. We must not let politicians, who believe they are above the Constitution, interfere with the personal health decisions of women. It is the job of a woman, not a politician, to make informed decisions about her own pregnancy.\n\nU.S. Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus in the House of Representatives. Carole Brite is the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8050591945648193}
{"content": "The only residence of the portly politico left standing is a sort of architectural preserve. Astonishingly, Franklin lived here in this boarding house by the Thames without his wife for nearly 16 years—he was here for the Boston Tea Party, the enactment of the Stamp Act, and his invention of the armonica—and it was only the Revolution (and scandal) that forced him to abandon his adopted home and move back to the Colonies. For much of his life Franklin was a fervent loyalist who, even as late as 1775, felt that the differences between Britain and the Colonies could be settled in “half an hour.” Tours are conducted by a young actress playing the landlady’s daughter, Polly Hewson, who became such a dear friend she moved to Philadelphia and was with him when he died. In empty rooms, Polly tells wistful tales as recordings chime in with voices from her memory. (Mondays are for architectural tours without the actress.) Rewards are mixed. Exhibits are sparse (one exception is the ghoulish deposit of human bones in the backyard, likely left over from dissections by Franklin’s doctor neighbor), and there are few kids’ activities. But on the other hand, it’s rare for a famous home of this age to have survived into our lifetime. It’s also humbling to see how this giant man made do with such small quarters. The worn wooden staircase, on which he got his exercise when French trollopes weren’t available, is so well preserved it feels ghostly.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7325169444084167}
{"content": "Clerkenwell Gloss Ivory\n\nFor a tranquil kitchen that makes you want to start cooking, choose a Clerkenwell Gloss Ivory kitchen with a customised island that offers plenty of preparation space. The cabinet doors look super-sleek alongside modern, silver appliances and a Lamona glass extractor.\n\nMake a feature of the isand by installing glass-fronted cabinets with interior lighting. Fill them with a dining set that matches the colour scheme. Finally, warm up the space with a walnut laminate floor.\n\nAll Clerkenwell Gloss kitchen frontals have FSC® certification, excluding curved plinths.\n\nClerkenwell Gloss Ivory\n\nSubject to availability\n\nMidi towers and half-height units provide storage and complement this modern style.\n\n\nTechnical Specification", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7277670502662659}
{"content": "Jason Moser, associate professor of psychology, talks about his research on Friday July 24, 2015.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe study, partially funded by the National Institutes of Health and the John Temple Foundation, involved two experiments that both significantly reinforced this main conclusion.\n\nIn one experiment, at Moser’s Clinical Psychophysiology Lab, participants viewed neutral and disturbing images and reacted to the images in both the first and third person while their brain activity was monitored by an electroencephalograph. When reacting to the disturbing photos (such as a man holding a gun to their heads), participants’ emotional brain activity decreased very quickly (within 1 second) when they referred to themselves in the third person.\n\nThe MSU researchers also measured participants’ effort-related brain activity and found that using the third person was no more effortful than using first person self-talk. This bodes well for using third-person self-talk as an on-the-spot strategy for regulating one’s emotions, Moser said, as many other forms of emotion regulation, such as mindfulness and thinking on the bright side, require considerable thought and effort.\n\nIn the other experiment, led by U-M psychology professor Ethan Kross, who directs the Emotion and Self-Control Lab, participants reflected on painful experiences from their past using first and third person language while their brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging, or FMRI.\n\n\n“What’s really exciting here,” Kross said, “is that the brain data from these two complimentary experiments suggest that third-person self-talk may constitute a relatively effortless form of emotion regulation.\n\n\nMoser and Kross said their teams are continuing to collaborate to explore how third-person self-talk compares to other emotion-regulation strategies.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999158382415771}
{"content": "Proof of God\n\nWhat “Proof of God” justifies your position? (part four)\n\nThis is part four of a four-part series.\n\nSo God isn’t omnipotent. He’s still the Creator.\n\nWhen believers say, “God is beyond understanding, beyond definition,” they don’t really mean it. At the very least, I would say, there is one characteristic that provides a very clear definition of God: “God is the entity that can determine the nature of matter and its interactions in a definable region. God makes universes, at least this one.”\n\nThat’s why Jews, Christians, and Muslims couldn’t possibly accept Zeus, Odin, or Brahma as “God”; none of those can claim they created the universe. This “creation claim” is unique to the Abrahamic religions and central to their beliefs.\n\nProof of GodI find this to be a beautifully scientific claim. There are all sorts of things that we may not yet understand, but that are potentially comprehensible to us: the nature of matter, the nature of physical laws, the nature of space and time (a definable region). We consider all these to be scientific; we can work with this.\n\nOther claims of the miracles that God can perform are vague, silly, and somehow lesser than this one. We have biblical stories that God can change water into wine, raise the dead, stop the planet’s rotation for a while. These do seem rather “miraculous” (if given any credibility at all). I will claim however that these are nothing more than fancy applications of advanced technology.\n\nProof of GodModern medicine raises many people from the dead (myself included) when it brings back someone whose heart has stopped. You might say, “Oh, they’re not really dead, they need to be dead longer.” That just sounds like an application of more advanced technology. Has all metabolism stopped? Has all DNA degraded? At what point would believers want to claim God can raise someone from the dead? What if they have degraded down to their molecular components and been dispersed around the planet? What if they fell into a burning sun or a black hole?\n\nStopping the revolution of the planet is pretty impressive. One could conceive of the application of massive and powerful energies being applied and some kind of a stasis field to stop the oceans from sloshing around and people from flying off the surface due to the sudden deceleration. Highly advanced technology, to be sure, and we certainly have no idea how to do such a thing at our present stage.\n\nBut to say, it is not even achievable technologically in principle is to make a prediction about the limitations of the capabilities of future humans or any advanced civilization. Whenever one has made those in the past, they have almost always turned out to be wrong, providing they have any scientific basis whatsoever.\n\nI claim there is only ONE capability that would give someone the “right” to call themselves “God.” That is the ability to impose a set of natural laws on real matter (equivalent to “creating a universe”). If you have the ability to create a universe, where the stuff of that universe behaves in a way that you determine, you are “God” (at least to that universe). Anything that constrains the kind of matter you can make or the way that matter interacts, limits your claim to be called “God.”\n\nAny other entity, no matter how advanced its technology, that is constrained to operating within the natural properties of the matter in its universe, should not be considered “God.” A being that could determine the natural properties of matter would trump any other kind of technology. Only that being could be said to be Supreme.\n\nThe main theological claim of the Abrahamic religions is that, despite whatever logical or natural limitations there may be to God’s abilities, He is nonetheless the Creator of the universe (some may say, specifically, of the world and of life, but I think creating the universe encompasses these smaller claims).\n\nIs “being God” the same as having advanced technology?\n\nProof of GodLet’s ask ourselves about “God, the Creator.” Does God understand how He does what He does? Does He understand the process of Creation in a scientific sense, the way we understand how computer chips work? If so, can God teach these scientific principles to another person, teach someone else how to be God?\n\nThere are only two possible answers: Yes or No.\n\nNo: If God has no idea how to create a universe, we really have to ask how He could lay claim to having done it. How does He know it came into existence by His action? Could He do it again? If we answer, “No,” we have to ask whether the “God claim” is substantiated.\n\nYes: If God understands completely the principles of universe creation, then it would seem to be a science. That is, it’s something that is comprehensible by some being (with sufficient intelligence, one would presume). One would expect, like most things that can be understood, that God can subsequently teach “godhood” (i.e. how to create a universe), i.e. that “godhood” is essentially a science.\n\nIf it’s a science, why can’t we discover it on our own? If it’s a science, then the “supernatural” (outside of nature) claims for God simply fail. God becomes a subset of “natural.” We may honor that, respect that, but why would we worship it?\n\nNow some might argue that God understands how to make universes but no one else can (presumably because we are either not smart enough or lack some ability). But this fails logically.\n\nEverything that is understandable can be taught to someone of sufficient intelligence and ability. Some point to perceptual or physical limitations, saying things like: “You can’t teach the colorblind to see color, though they may understand the principle”; or “You can’t teach a person without arms to play the guitar.” These are silly objections because they are based on essentially technological limitations.\n\nEven we humans are not that far away from using stem cells to restore cone receptors in the eyes of the color blind. Limb regeneration is not an impossibility, as we already know there are creatures on Earth who can regrow severed limbs; we just need to develop the understanding.\n\nSurely, the Creator (who understands how He does what He does) could hypothetically also create a being capable of perceiving and understanding the process of creation. Surely, He would have enough scientific knowledge to be able to pass it down to a sufficiently advanced being. If we can extend our knowledge and abilities, why can’t He?\n\nThe conclusion is almost inevitable: Any being sufficiently advanced to create a universe should be able to teach the ability to another sufficiently advanced being. Further, the Creator should understand enough biology (or computational theory) to find a way to make capable beings that are currently incapable of understanding creation. We may not know how to do this yet, but it would be the height of hubris to suggest God can’t do it. Being God, “godhood” –if that has any meaning—must be a science that we could potentially understand.\n\n\nSo, we’ve explored the limitations to any putative “God’s” abilities. We’ve concluded that the God of the Abrahamic faiths is not all-loving, all-knowing, nor all-powerful. Those conclusions are an inevitable result of Scripture, experience, and logic. We’ve also narrowed our definition of God to His primary defining characteristic or claim: God is the Creator of the universe. But then we’ve gone on to show how creating a universe is really something that is scientifically achievable, at least in principle. If it’s something that has a scientific basis, we humans should eventually be able to figure it out on our own.\n\nWhy should we use the possibility that there is some other being who understands more about how the universe works as a justification for our reckless, insane behaviors, for going to war with someone whose views are only moderately different? Especially when we can’t really distinguish between this imperfect being we call “God” from some scientifically, technologically very advanced alien being. This seems much more akin to “picking a favorite team” than any rational basis for how we approach the universe.\n\nProof of GodIs “God” just a “favorite team?” How do people in Boston decide they like the Celtics, the Bruins, or the Red Sox more than they like Toronto’s Raptors, Maple Leafs, or Blue Jays? Well, favorite sports teams are chosen by where we were born, where we grew up, where we live, who our friends are, and so on. All social factors. It turns out that being born and growing up in a country that primarily practices the Muslim faith is a great predictor that you are more likely to become Muslim than Christian or Jewish. It turns out most of us pick religions much the same way we pick sports teams or political parties.\n\nIf God is like a favorite sports team, why would rational people choose that method to determine how they live, who they associate with, who they listen to as authorities? They wouldn’t. Religion is a lot like that; it’s not rational. More dangerously, it’s not a rational way to develop public policy. As I said at the beginning, I don’t really care what you believe in the privacy of your own mind, but when your beliefs affect the public policy that you propose or support, then I care greatly.\n\nI want public policy to be rational, based on the best available evidence and logical analysis. I want public policy to be flexible, to adjust in the face of new data rather than defend its dogmatic and indefensible ideology. That’s the only reason I care about your beliefs, the only reason I challenge those beliefs. When anyone uses their unsubstantiated beliefs to formulate policy in the public domain, I think it’s incumbent on evidence-based, rational people to challenge the basis of those beliefs.\n\nProof of God\n\nWhat “Proof of God” justifies your position? (part three)\n\nThis is part three of a four-part series.\n\nIs God all-knowing?\n\nProof of GodWell, this is absurd on so many levels. If God was all-knowing then why were Adam and Eve punished (kicked out of the Garden of Eden) for eating of the forbidden fruit? Didn’t God see that one coming? Is it fair to punish someone for doing something that was practically built-in to their design by their supposedly perfect, inerrant designer?\n\nAnd what of free-will? How can we freely choose between options AND have God know what our choice will be before we make it?\n\nFrom an information-theory point of view, there is a LOT of information in the universe. Does God know where each single subatomic particle in the universe is and where it’s going? How does He know this? More importantly, how does He bypass the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (which states “it’s not possible to know both the position of a particle and the velocity of that particle with perfect precision, not even in theory)?”\n\n\n\nProof of GodInformation can be represented as bits, 1s and  0s. Think of it as “information removes uncertainty.” Before you flip a coin, you don’t know if it’ll land on heads or tails. Your uncertainty is equal to the probability that either choice could come up, one-in-two or one-half (we use a mathematical formula to convert this to bits of information:). Once you flip it, the coin lands on one side or the other. At that point, your uncertainty drops to zero from one-half. We say the information from that test is one bit.\n\nSo, how many bits of information are there in the universe? This is impossible to know, but the number is enormous. A single atom of iron may require 1080 bits to fully describe it. Derek Abbott of the University of Adelaide says,\n\n“We know the entropy of a black hole is related to its surface area divided by the Planck length. So what we can do is pretend the whole [known, ed.] universe is a black hole and use the radius of the known universe to get its surface area. And as entropy is related to information, we can calculate the maximum number of bits. Then depending on the details, you’ll get a number between 10122 and 10124 bits for the whole universe.”\n\nYour modern desktop computer, has something like 1011 bits in its hardware. You’d need 10113 such computers to store all the information in the known universe, alone. The whole universe only contains around 1082 atoms, so it’s hard to see how you could ever have enough computers for the task. Especially given that each computer contains around a mole (1023) atoms of material.\n\n“So, what?” a believer might ask. Well, here’s the thing. God (if such a being exists) would need to be much bigger than the universe just to contain all the information that is in that universe. “No problem,” the believer says. “God is infinite.” (another scientific claim, by the way) Now, let’s add to God’s burden. God is all-knowing so, in addition to knowing everything about our universe, He must know everything about himself.\n\nIn addition to encoding all the bits about our universe, an all-knowing God needs to encode all the bits that represent Himself. That includes His representation of our universe. You can see this is going to become a problem very quickly. The omniscient God must contain enough bits to encode all the information PLUS all the information about the bits that encode that information PLUS all the information about those bits that encode that information PLUS…it never ends.\n\nThe only reasonable conclusion is that God can’t logically be omniscient.\n\nIs God all-powerful?\n\nThe Stone Paradox is most commonly used to represents logical limitations to an omnipotent being. Simply, it asks: Could an omnipotent being create a stone too heavy for it to lift? Other variations of this include: Could an omnipotent being make a square triangle?\n\nProof of GodThe basis for the Stone Paradox is simple. If the answer is “Yes” (God can make a stone too heavy for Him to lift) then there is something He can’t do, namely lift a stone He created. If the answer is “No” then, again, there is something He can’t do, namely make such a stone.\n\nMore recently Pastor Peter LaRuffa has (in)famously stated,\n\n“If somewhere within the Bible, I were to find a passage that said 2 + 2 = 5, I wouldn’t question what I’m reading in the Bible. I would believe it, accept it as true, and then do my best to work it out and understand it.”\n\nThis is the same stance taken by French mathematician and philosopher Rene Descarte. The view that an omnipotent being could do absolutely anything, even the logically absurd, is known as ”voluntarism.”\n\nMost theologians and philosophers don’t accept voluntarism but instead resort to “act theory“ interpretations. These take on the form: A being S is omnipotent if-and-only-if S can perform any action A such that A is possible. So, because a square circle, for example, is not possible, it is absurd to believe an omnipotent God can make one.\n\nAct theory doesn’t claim the absolute omnipotence of God, but rather that God is the maximally powerful being. That God can do anything that can be done. A logically contradictory state of affairs is not a thing at all, but NOTHING. An all-powerful God can do or make anything, but it’s meaningless to say that He can do or make a ”nothing.”\n\nThe point is, ‘a rock too heavy for God to lift’ really means ‘a rock too heavy for a being who can lift anything’, so it is a self-contradiction. A ‘square circle’ and ‘2+2=5’ are likewise contradictory states of affairs. Therefore these are all nothings.\n\nThis immediately leads to the objection, “What sets the constraint about what can be done? Is God forced to obey laws of nature or laws of logic that He has not created? If so, God is not the maximally powerful being imaginable. Why do logical paradoxes lead to NOTHINGS for an all-powerful God?”\n\nSome philosophers have tried to overcome these problems by resorting to the “result theories“ of Leibniz and Ross, where a being is omnipotent if-and-only-if any possible state of affairs, or any possible world. A possible state of affairs is defined as “a way the world could be.” For instance, the sky’s being blue is a possible state of affairs, and John’s being a married bachelor is an impossible state of affairs.\n\nResult theory would say, there being a stone an omnipotent being cannot lift is clearly not a possible state of affairs. An omnipotent being could therefore not bring it about. On the other hand, there being a stone its creator cannot lift is a possible state of affairs, and could be brought about by an omnipotent being, under the Leibniz-Ross theory, for an omnipotent being could bring it about that some other being created a stone which that being could not lift. Therefore, the Stone Paradox is claimed to not be a problem for the Leibniz-Ross theory.\n\nI have a hard time distinguishing this from act theory; it may be too subtle for me. I would claim that this hasn’t got around the Stone Paradox at all. The result theory argument is that there’s a possible world where omnipotent being A creates some other being (or version of itself) B that makes the stone that A cannot subsequently lift, at the same time that a different being or version of itself is lifting it. That would seem to imply that A can make a possible world where being B  can do something A can’t. Why would we call A omnipotent in that case?\n\nHere’s a video that demonstrates an interesting attempt to get around the Stone Paradox by making God able to split into two different versions of himself. Version A can’t life the rock, but at the same time version B can lift both A and the rock. That’s pretty neat. But, the original claim implied a single being we could call God. In this video, God splits into two beings with different capabilities. Is it fair to call either of them omnipotent? Are either of them still God?\n\nThis is a cute trick but it seems more like saying, “God’s right hand can make a stone too heavy for God’s left hand to lift.” It’s not at all clear this is the same test as the Stone Paradox proposes. Instead of proposing two different versions of God, we could simply say, “God at time x can create a stone that only God at time y can lift.” That is, we can split God temporally instead of spatially. I would claim these are not logically equivalent to our initial proposal.\n\nThe Leibniz-Ross result theory, leads to other odd or absurd metaphysical consequences, including the implication that an omnipotent being exists necessarily. According to Leibniz’s formulation, an omnipotent being would be able to actualize any possible world, but it is absurd to suppose that an omnipotent being should actualize a world in which it never existed. It follows that no such world is possible. Of course, this assumes that an omnipotent being existed in any possible world.\n\nIf there is no world (not any) in which an omnipotent being could possibly exist, then it wouldn’t exist in all possible worlds. Either God exists in all possible worlds or in none.\n\nThere are easily enough paradoxes in the idea of an omnipotent being that can’t be logically dismissed that we should be very wary of the whole concept.\n\nIn the next post, I’ll examine the “Creator claim” made of the Abrahamic God and draw my final conclusions.\n\nGod's superpowers\n\nWhat “Proof of God” justifies your position? (part two)\n\nThis is part two of a four-part series.\n\nWhat is the nature of the Abrahamic God? Besides creating the universe and life, what does He do? What are His superpowers? There have been many secondary claims made about the Abrahamic God: He is variously claimed to be omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent (all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving). These claims are easily disputed through scripture, experience, and reason. Let’s examine them.\n\nGod's superpowers\n\nIs God all-loving?\n\nThe Greek philosopher, Epicurus (341-270 BC) famously asked:\n\nIs he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?\n\nIn Plato’s dialogue Euthyphro, Socrates asks, “Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?” In other words, is any act of God morally good because God did it (or commanded it), or is God constrained to only perform or command morally good acts? If we are able to independently judge God’s acts as “good” or “bad” then is there a basis for that judgment that is independent of God?\n\nWhat can we learn of God’s morality from the Bible?\n\nLet’s look at how the Bible views slavery, for example, something that very few believe is morally good in this day and age. Here are a few excerpts from a lengthy article on the subject:\n\nGod's superpowersExodus Chapter 21, verse 1:\n\nWhen you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl [presumably to make way for an earing, ed.]; and he shall serve him for life.\n\nIn his book, “Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God”, Lee Strobel argues against our common interpretation of slavery in ancient Jewish culture:\n\nServitude in Israel was radically different than slavery in the antebellum South. Although people on both sides argued that the Bible does—or does not—endorse slavery, I argue that we have good reason to think that the “biblical case” for Southern slavery doesn’t hold up.\n\nFor one thing, the term “slave” or “slavery” in the Old Testament is often a mistranslation. The Mosaic Law typically refers to “servitude” as indentured service—much like arrangements in colonial America: those who couldn’t pay for their voyage to the New World would work for seven years to pay off their debt, and then they were free to operate in society as ordinary citizens.\n\nWhat’s interesting about contracted servitude in Israel was that it was, first of all, voluntary: a person would “sell himself” or parcel out family members to work, and they would in return receive clothing, a roof over their heads, and food on the table. Servitude was also limited to seven years unless the servant voluntarily chose lifelong servitude, which brought both stability and security in difficult economic times.\n\nBut read the following passages and ask yourself if that sounds like “indentured service” or “contracted servitude.” I don’t think so.\n\nLeviticus Chapter 25, verse 44:\n\n\nExodus Chapter 21, verse 20:\n\n\nSo the Bible recognizes it is okay to trade in people (but not fellow Israelites), though perhaps this is just the buying and selling of indentured servitude. It recognizes slavery as being ruthless and that is the primary justification for not taking other Israelites as slaves. But it also recognizes that beating slaves is acceptable as long as that slave does not die (one can only presume maiming is acceptable).\n\nThe question is, then, does the God of the Old Testament act in a way that the cultures of the time saw as being morally correct, but which we no longer approve? Or is God’s “morality” constant and outside of the morality of the cultures of the time, the way most Abrahamic religions portray it? If so, how do we reject slavery in modern times?\n\nAre we wrong, or is God?\n\nSome Christian apologists say, “Those verses are from the Old Testament and no longer apply because of Jesus.” But, this ignores the fact that Jesus specifically states that the laws of the Old Testament still stand in the New Testament. In Matthew 5:18 Jesus says:\n\n\nWhat can we learn of God’s morality from experience?\n\nEnglish comedian and activist, Richard Fry, when asked what he would say to God if he were confronted by Him at the Pearly Gates, answered:\n\n\nBritish naturalist David Attenborough, when asked why he didn’t credit God for the wonders of nature in his documentaries, replied:\n\n“They always mean beautiful things like hummingbirds. I always reply by saying that I think of a little child in east Africa with a worm burrowing through his eyeball. The worm cannot live in any other way, except by burrowing through eyeballs. Why would an all-loving God, Creator of Life on this planet, have planned such a hideous punishment for an innocent child?”\n\nGod's superpowers\n\nOne of the most famous quotes about God’s morality is attributed to a carving on the wall of a Nazi concentration camp by an anonymous Jewish prisoner. It reads, “If there is a God, He will have to beg my forgiveness.“ Clearly, the world is, and always has been, full of suffering. It is difficult (impossible, really) to reconcile an all-loving God with current, historical, and even biblical human experiences.\n\n“But God works in mysterious ways,” many apologists answer. Yet, it doesn’t seem so much mysterious as contradictory. We have to ask ourselves, if we can look at things (like slavery, prison camps, bone cancer, and parasitic worms) that appear acceptable to God, and see that they are obviously wrong, why should we trust that He really was working for the eventual betterment of the human condition?\n\nIn the next post, I’ll discuss “God’s superpowers.” Is God all-knowing and all-powerful?\n\n\nWhat “Proof of God” justifies your position? (part one)\n\nWhat “Proof of God” justifies your position?\n\nI begin a four-part series today.\n\nPhilosophers, theologians, and scientists have been grappling with the issue of God’s existence for millennia. Much of the discussion in past centuries may have been motivated simply by curiosity or by a protest against theological dogma. For many of us in the modern world, the notion of God is a very private one. God may show up in our prayers but frequently doesn’t have much effect in our daily decisions. Why might it still be important to ask whether or not God exists, today?\n\nWhy does God still matter?\n\nRelated imageLet me state up front that I don’t really care what you truly, deeply believe in the privacy of your own mind. You could believe you are the King of Narnia. You could believe Harry Potter or Peter Pan are real, for all I care. I know many people who believe things at least as improbable as this.\n\nYou may not believe it, but I don’t like debating people’s faith, no matter what arguments they use to justify or rationalize why they believe. I don’t think rejecting religious beliefs is the best road to atheism. In many ways, atheism is not really a belief system at all and is certainly not a replacement for religion. That’s why I’m an “empirical physicalist“; it seems more like a philosophical position than simply not believing the “God claims” of others.\n\nBut people’s beliefs, particularly the heartfelt ones, have a habit of making their way into public policy. If you say, “In the case of North Korea, God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong Un,” you are now using your beliefs (without much, if any, objective evidence) to justify, recommend, or set public policy. And that public policy could lead to a proliferation of global nuclear war, ending the time of “God’s children” on this planet.\n\nIs Trump’s authority from God?\n\nproof of godThat’s where I have trouble.\n\nReligious beliefs are among the most blatant and pernicious belief systems when it comes to influencing public policy. Religious beliefs gave us prohibition and help governments and other public groups justify their ongoing wars against drugs, abortion, homosexuality, the sexual revolution, feminism, evolution theory, Big Bang theory, science, and – most notably – against other religions.\n\nIn the United States, despite being in the vast religious majority, Christians feel they increasingly suffer from religious persecution. And they have begun to take steps to reverse what they see as their exclusion from public policy formation. Many atheists rush to point out that there is no persecution of Christianity, only a desired leveling of the moral playing field, a removal of the privileges commonly granted religious organizations such as freedom from taxation and the “right” to deny public service on the basis of Faith.\n\nFor this reason, it is important for those who hold religious beliefs to examine the reasons they use to justify their public policy positions.\n\nFor many people, a belief in God comes along with the religious beliefs they grew up with. There is no doubt that the emotional and social support many receive through the beliefs they share with their family and community provides great comfort. When asked why they believe, people will point to nature or the universe and ask how one could otherwise explain the existence of such beauty. They may claim they “feel” God or have a “God-shaped-hole” in their hearts that yearns for a connection to something greater than themselves.\n\nThese are emotional justifications; they simply assume that God must exist because that is the only way the believer can imagine their feelings having a source. I usually try to be more rational about something as potentially important as a belief in how the universe works. I certainly hope none of our politicians make their important decisions on the basis of their “feelings.” Psychological studies into paranoia and schizophrenia suggest that feelings or subjective experiences are not always the best basis for making good decisions.\n\nMany people have fuzzy notions of God. God could be a “force,” a “presence,” or a “Guardian/Protector,” for example. For many, their idea of God has some basis in their holy texts.\n\nPerhaps unique to the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) is a belief in a single God. Other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism either have a proliferation of gods or no god in particular. The central claim of the Abrahamic religions is that God is the Creator of all: the universe, the Earth, all life, and the human soul.\n\nIn the next post, I’ll discuss the nature or character of the God of the Bible and we can start examining the claims made of His existence in greater detail.\n\nLife and Death\n\nLife, purpose and dealing with death\n\nAfbeeldingsresultaat voor life death\n\nIf you are reading this, you might be alive. You might be a computer program, simulating my life to me. We never know. To me, cogito ergo sum, to you, not so much. I think, therefore I am. But I don’t know that you think, so you might not be. This applies to our entire environment. And should it be true that our entire environment, the way we perceive others and the universe, be simulated, do we even classify as ‘alive’?\n\nBecause we are the rational human, homo sapiens, or at least because we can contemplate abstract principles, we can contemplate our lives. It is a blessing. It has made us able to build bridges and estimate their maximum carry weight beforehand, make increasingly complex buildings and objects and increasingly useful, safe and complex products. Our abstract mind is a great thing, which has enabled us to adapt like no other species before us; to the point of cultivating and maintaining our own ecosystem, the cityscape. But like many great things, it has its downsides. Because it enables us to contemplate our lives and objects around us, we can have fears. Fears of objects and/or concepts, people or death.\n\nEspecially this last one, the fear of death, is one that wreaks havoc, to this day, on human freedom. This is why I am writing this article; to clear up misconceptions around the concepts of life and death. To do this, we will start by handling the presumed current affairs; life. We will look at how close we can come to getting to a purpose for being alive. After that, we will look at the question ‘what to do with life in the face of death?’, at the hand of a few examples, such as Abortion, Euthanasia and Suicide and the Death Penalty.\n\nAfbeeldingsresultaat voor life\n\n\nRegardless the fact that most of us know intuitively how to separate life from non-life or death fairly flawlessly, there is quite some contention on what ‘life’ means. There are various definitions in contention. In the light of being inclusive, I will use the present biological definition: ‘an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction’. It is important to note, that this definition is under contention, because some forms of plants, and animals -including humans with certain diseases-, though alive, show no reaction to stimuli. The same goes for reproduction; a dog that is neutered is nonetheless alive. Even while the dog is temporarily unconscious after getting neutered, he is not dead. So we have established that our definition is lacking. Therefore, I would ask the honored reader to attach this baggage to my starting definition, so that we may adequately and completely discuss the concept of life.\n\nValuing life\n\nMany people say the value life, implying -purposefully or not- that they value life intrinsically. They have a good point in this. After all, it is a spectacular occurrence. The way each animal and human have their own goals, go on their own ways to survive is very impressive, as are the high trees. But, so too are the high, inanimate mountains and deep seas.\n\nThat being said, we don’t treat other lifeforms like we care about life itself, do we? If we set aside the fact that literally all of our food was once alive are killed for the express purpose of feeding us- we have no choice but to. But we cut up our house plants, squash bugs and hunt. These don’t really seem indicative of valuing life itself, do they? Moreover; when our home is infested with life, we call in an exterminator. So, at the most we can say that we “value life as long it conforms to the desires we have for it.” That is to say, that while we value life, we don’t necessarily consider life life when we want to make alterations to, or use of it. In cutting the plant, we don’t stop to think we are mutilating it. Yet, we are. In squashing the bug, we don’t stop to think we are ending a life. Yet, we are.\n\nIt is for this reason that I am convinced that, instead of life itself, we actually value awareness, or at least the potential of awareness. What do I mean with awareness, exactly? Awareness, as I mean to define it, is: “the state of being able to perceive, react upon and sensually experience one’s surroundings and to remember these experiences”. For a formal layout of the idea of awareness I am getting at, I will refer you to my earlier article; Cognicism; a secular moral system, I will here layout only the rudimentary case as it pertains to this article.\n\nFor any stimulus to have an effect on an organism, a certain processing of these stimuli should be present. If it isn’t, the stimulus wouldn’t have an effect, simply because the organism isn’t aware of the fact that a stimulus has occurred.\n\nFor any stimulus to an organism to have an effect on the moral status of the stimulus, there must be a certain processing of the stimulus so that the organism can take notice. This means that the organism shouldn’t only be able to process the stimulus, but it must be able to notice the results. If, for instance you hurt an animal, but it has no capacity for memory, it will have forgotten the pain right after the incident, leaving there be no pain.\n\nIn short, awareness is what we value about our own lives and the lives of others, because it is what we empathize with and what we base ourselves, our own actions and personality, on.\n\nPurpose of life\n\nNow that we established what it is that we value about life and about living creatures, it is time to start exploring what the purpose of life is. By ‘purpose of life’, I mean something similar to, yet completely different from the classic-theistic approach. The difference here, is mainly one of cause. In the classic-theistic sense, we typically start out (re-)affirming that we were made by god. (Re-)affirming of faith is significant, in this instance, as you can make the argument that purpose follows the intent of the creator, leading us to the conclusion that the purpose of life, is simply to live according to god’s plan, whatever that may be.\n\nLet us stop for a minute, to acknowledge that; “to live according to god’s plan, whatever that may be.” It seems interesting, but is actually entirely vacuous. God is often silent, apart from the manual he left centuries, if not millennia ago. To make matters worse; most gods are omniscient and omnipotent, so you can’t not live according to god’s plan.\n\nThere’s not such an easy way out for us, here. If we want to get a satisfying answer, we’re going to have to look around. We do this by finding other things or beings in our environment that do have an established purpose. The first thing that comes to mind, are objects designed for use. They are designed for a certain use and they fulfill this use as a purpose. Knives and scissors, for instance, have the purpose of inflicting controlled damage on an object/individual, cars are meant to transport human beings and their belongings with a relatively high speed at a very specific location.\n\nWe can notice here, that purpose is a result of design. So, what does our design, or form, tell us about ourselves? A bit too much, I am afraid. We have a form that enables us to do almost everything. And it has enabled us to do everything we have done so far. But, does this mean that simply ‘being human’ is the purpose of human life? This does brush on what many non-religious people will give as an answer to the question. They will say: “to be” or “to live”. This is essentially a good answer. It takes into account all that we feel when trying to answer this question; the fact that there is no discernible god, the fact that no purpose is given beforehand and that we experience both good and bad things. But this fails to take into account that ‘being’ or ‘living’ itself has no purpose without an environment, so our purpose must have something to do with our environment. Not to mention that ‘living to live’ seems unsatisfying and circular, so we must keep on looking. If we take the car, mentioned above, we see a similar problem. A car, too, has many different functions and abilities. It typically has air conditioning, radio, mirrors etc. Yet, we do not consider the purpose of the car to be providing air conditioning, radio and reflections to be the purpose of the car. This is because we separate the primary functions from the secondary and tertiary functions; we only use these features when we are in the car, using it already. This, of course begs the question; how do we separate the different grades of functions.\n\nI am convinced that we can find the answer to this question in the use of fuels. When we look at a car, we see that it has many functions, as laid out above.  But, we might also notice that uses the majority of the energy its fuel supplies in motion. When we consider humans, then, science tells us that 20-30% of our fuel is used to provide our brains with sufficient energy. Of this energy, most goes to recognizing, simulating and traversing our environment and surroundings. Thus, we have established our link to our surroundings. The rest of the energy that goes to our brains, that is not used for staying alive or knowing our surroundings, are used for contemplation of life or questions in life.\n\nIn conclusion, we can now show a hierarchy in purposes for life, which we can apply not only to human life, but to all forms of life:\n\n  • To sustain life through procreation and nourishment\n  • To experience life and the world\n  • To contemplate life and the world\n\nThese all follow from our reasoning about awareness and function, in addition to having the neat attribute of connecting what we value about life with a sense of objective purpose.\n\nThis purpose to life is of course very universal and this probably makes it not very helpful in your day to day life. Alas, No one can be expected to craft you a personal purpose for life. But, the upside is that we are entirely free to shape our own personal purpose and legacy in this world. For me, I just try to spread compassion and understanding so that we might stop arguing. But you are free to do whatever you think best suits you.\n\nAfbeeldingsresultaat voor death\n\n\nAll of this; life, our reasoning… our purpose… leads to the question of what we should do with life, considering death. The value of life and the inevitability of death combined, lead to a plethora of interesting dilemma’s. In this article, to avoid endlessly considering different kinds of medical dilemma’s, we will limit ourselves to the best known examples of these dilemma’s, known to be Abortion VS the right to life, Suicide VS Right/will to live, The death penalty VS the right to life and Euthanasia VS the sanctity of life.\n\nBefore we do this, however, let’s discuss the concept of death.\n\nDeath is, as we all know, the loss of life and/or the status of no longer being alive. Death is often considered an unpleasant or even scary subject to talk about, because we are confronted head-on that at a certain time, a certain day in the future, we too will die. This makes people anxious, because life is all we know. In this respect, death is the ‘great unknown’.\n\nThis also explains that many people, apart from being anxious about death, have an inexplicable fascination with it. Things that are unknown but (at the time) harmless, are very interesting. They challenge us to think outside the box, confront our fears and challenge our minds. It has done this to the point that we have significantly raised the age expectancy over just a few decades. But, alas, death remains inevitable.\n\nWhy exactly death is inevitable, or if it will in the far future remain to be, is unclear. But for the time being, it seems that we will all die. So why, if it is a fate we all share, are we so afraid of it?\n\nOne of the reasons, I have already mentioned, albeit briefly. “Death is the great unknown.” All we know, all we love, is in this life. Our stuff, our friends and family, but even the sun and the greater universe. These things make sense to us, give us a reason to get up in the morning. Parting with it, gives us a sense of alienation and insecurity. We are going into the unknown, and we never know what horrors or joys we might encounter.\n\nA second reason is the process of dying. The fact that we will all die, doesn’t mean that the way we die is universal. Rather, there are quite different ways to die. We might die in our sleep, but we can also catch a piece of space junk on our head, and everything in between is a more or less viable way to die. So, too do the degrees of lain in this all vary. We might assume that we feel next to nothing when we die in our sleep, while when we die from a disease that slowly eats away at our body is likely near unbearable. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel; death in the sense of being dead and no longer feeling the pain of disease and existence. So, how do we handle this mixture of suffering and angst? Let’s examine this.\n\n\nAbortion is the first kind of death we might encounter in our lives. Namely, when we reside safely in our mother’s womb. Or well, in case of abortion, perhaps not so safely. Many atheists fight what they consider the good fight to legalize abortion, and are quite easily done with the topic after that. This I find regrettable, since many haven’t gotten their perceptions about life and death clearly in order and abortion is -in my opinion- one of the cornerstone-tools in finding clarity about life and death. Abortion is a good tool in this respect, because it contains elements not only of life and death, but personal bodily integrity, different facets of consciousness, legislation and autonomy. We find ourselves considering whether autonomy trumps the right to life or not. This is in and of itself a fascinating question, in which both sides have valid and good arguments.\n\nFor instance, the argument of deprival of choice for the fetus resonates with most people and initially rings true. A human baby and indeed a fetus, might not yet have the awareness to make this decision, but as I argued above, it is not so much ‘life’ or ‘awareness’ that we value, but the ‘potential for awareness’ and certainly a fetus has this potential.\n\nHowever, it is only a potential for awareness (this will be further explained in the next section of this article). Up until a certain point, a developing baby isn’t conscious. This means that, though it is alive, it doesn’t know it’s alive. Because it isn’t aware that it’s alive, and abortion is a tough-to-grasp concept, it isn’t aware that there is a choice to be made, until long after the choice has been made, if it will ever be aware of the choice. Of course, this lack of awareness also impacts the moral status of the fetus; because it has little to no awareness, it has little to no ability to notice its environment, much less to interpret and remember any suffering inflicted upon it.\n\nIt may be noted that this argument does little to allow the removal of the fetus. The fact that committing an act leads to little to no damage, doesn’t mean you should commit it. If swatting a fly doesn’t do much damage, that doesn’t mean you should go out and kill every fly you encounter. In fact, depending on its location, this might be quite a dangerous undertaking. This is in effect the same when it comes to abortion, if you change ‘location’ to ‘state of development’ and ‘dangerous’ to ‘immoral’. At the stage of development (I say state of development instead of naming it, because this might shift) where we have significant reason to assume that the developing baby does have the ability to feel and remember joy or suffering, its moral status, and thus the moral status of abortion, change entirely. It is at that point, as we have clarified above, it becomes a creature that we have to morally account for beyond its potential for awareness.\n\nThe argument about the sanctity of life is also one that resonates. After all, we are here because life exists and removing the special ‘sacred’ status, might expose it to danger by ruthless treatment. The facts that our planet has life is barely short of miraculous and that we, as diverse life, sustain each other significantly on most every level, make life one of the most praiseworthy things. However, this only means that the preservation of life as a whole should be morally accounted for. This doesn’t mean every individual is worthy of such consideration. We can value the machine without valuing every part. And we seem to know this intuitively, as most of us eat animals.\n\nBut, at the end of things, abortion will always be a weighing of the values attached to the potential for awareness of the fetus versus the bodily autonomy of the woman in question. It will come as no surprise, that I find the ready awareness of the woman to be of higher moral status than the not-yet-existent awareness of the developing child. And as the woman’s awareness and experience of life are inseparably connected to her bodily autonomy, we must conclude that she is entitled to make such a decision in her best judgments\n\nSuicide and Euthanasia\n\nSooner or later, most of us will confront ourselves with a great question, that might have even greater consequences. “Should I just end it all?” The brunt of people who entertain this thought don’t seriously intend to do so and a greater number refrains from both suicide and euthanasia. But some people do commit suicide, and it’s understandable. We have never chosen to live and should we have had the choice before conception or birth, many of us might well have refused the offer. Living hurts. We might get hurt ourselves or be hurt by others, there’s wars, famine, slavery and disease. Not to even talk about the troubles money and love may cause. And because we have the power of contemplation, we might estimate the impact of these troubles in our life. They can seem insurmountable and sometimes, they are.\n\nWhen troubles are severe and insurmountable, by which I mean that they cause great suffering that shows no reasonable sign of halting, suicide or euthanasia might be a viable option. However, aside from abstractly thinking, we are also an emotional species. This leads us to often make our problems seem bigger than they are. This is why, before one goes through with suicide or euthanasia, they ought to be sure they have sufficient reason to. After all, it is a hefty trade. We leave behind all we know and all we love. Everything that we can be sure of, and trade it for something we can’t be sure of. We can’t be sure about how it is to lose awareness permanently. In this sense, suicide and euthanasia are like making an all-in wager at an international casino; you cash in your chips, but you don’t know in which currency they’ll pay you back.\n\nWe should thus conclude that both suicide and euthanasia should be acts that are only committed after lengthy and intense reflection as well as seeking psychological or otherwise professional help. And when and if we reach the conclusion that they are the best course of action, our thoughts ought to immediately go out to those we have during our lives surrounded ourselves with; friends, family and other loved ones. The ways people get to know about a death can be of great influence on their life. To minimize their suffering, arrangements ought to be made to keep trauma at a minimum. In the case of euthanasia, this is often the case. People who apply for euthanasia often share their plans with their loved ones. Their deaths will be professionally assisted and the body equally professionally taken care of. In suicide, this is often not the case. It are often loved ones who find the body, in all kinds of compromising positions and conditions. This is why euthanasia ought to be available to everyone who has been deemed to have sufficient reason to want to give up life. These reasons can vary from being terminally ill and severely suffering, to just not wanting to live.\n\nThe Death Penalty\n\nOf the many forms of death we humans can succumb to, the death penalty might well be the hardest to reach a definitive conclusion on. This is in part because we hear a lot about the death penalty in our daily lives. We hear about a murderer who killed one person getting the death sentence, while those who have killed entire families may get life in prison and the other way around. My opinion about the death penalty is an unpopular one, simply because I don’t explicitly side with one side or the other.\n\nLet’s start by setting up a framework for this discussion.\n\nThe death penalty should be considered in a reasonable context. That is to say that subjects who undergo the death penalty ought to be rightfully convicted in a fair trial with sufficient evidence, of a crime that is proportional to the penalty. The desired amount of evidence ought to be left to be derived from what is scientifically acceptable to reach consensus, as science has proven to be the most trustworthy way to determine reality, and that proportionality ought to be established in all moral reasonableness. This in turn means that we use good reasoning to determine when someone is eligible for the death penalty. Certainly, we don’t want to hang people for throwing their cigarette on the ground.\n\nIf we consider the death penalty this way, we see that it is a very viable option. It becomes a viable option, if -rather than punishment- we see it as a means of increasing utility (utility, in philosophy, is the amount of ‘usefulness’ in a resulting situation, varying from the amount of options that result to the amount of happiness and/or contentment), as long as you do it humanely.\n\nThe first reason for this, I regret having to mention it, money. People who pose a danger to society and can’t be rehabilitated, will otherwise spend their lives in jail. Jails, which are either publicly owned, or publicly funded in most cases. This means tax dollars would be spent on a ‘hopeless matter’.\n\nA second reason, is the criminal himself. Many who pose a danger to society, and can’t be reasonably rehabilitated, will otherwise spend their lives in jail, where they will have little meaning in their life and constant threat of violence. As long as they are executed humanely, it seems that at least a choice must be given to these people.\n\nHowever, the above is almost never the case. Juries and judges get the assignment to establish ‘beyond the shadow of a doubt’ that the defendant did it, but estimations (since courts don’t usually entertain the possibility of innocence after the fact) range between 20-30% of people who were executed being innocent. So clearly, there was a shadow of doubt looming over the conviction. We see, in many countries, that dissidents are silenced using the death penalty and/or undue sentencing. In short, we “get the wrong guys” too often.\n\nThe implications are severe. When we kill the wrong person, we are slaying an innocent person. In doing this, our system itself commits murder. Now, depending on the legislation for when exactly someone becomes eligible for the death penalty, this may quickly mean that the system that enacts the death penalty must itself be charged with murder and sentenced accordingly. But this is not all. If we consider the murderer a danger to society, how do we treat the executioner, who by all means has killed at least one, but may very well have killed multiple people. Do we consider him a threat to society? at the very least, he has killed innocents, which means he directly participated in murder. At the very least he ought to be considered an accessory to murder. So do we sentence him? And what about the judges and/or juries? surely, they gave the order for the execution. Do we charge them with a criminal conspiracy?\n\nOf course, this would be both ridiculous and untenable. So though the value of life is not to be too highly estimated, we must also consider our state’s and nation’s practical moral implications. These show us that the death penalty isn’t the best course of action, though it has some very strong arguments in favor of it. These arguments, however, are insufficient when compared with the chance for committing a moral evil inadvertently. We must err on the side of life, rather than the side of death.\n\nNatural Death\n\nWhat then, do we do with natural death? Medical science has evolved rapidly over the course of the past 150 or so years. We have managed to -in large numbers- abandon the relative quackery of herbs and spices and get to pills, supplements, scans and vaccinations. this has allowed us to increase our lifespan significantly. However, the same can’t be said for our bodily health, which is collectively dropping. We eat a lot of strange, sweet and fatty foods, which makes our bodies ever fatter, our immune systems lacking.\n\nIt is truly a beautiful thing, what we have accomplished. I consider it a moral blessing that we have been able to elongate our most precious asset; awareness. This allows us to fulfill more of both our objective and our subjective, personal purposes. However, we must also acknowledge the fact that the age at which our body starts seriously deteriorating has largely remained that same, between the ages of 55 and 65. This is when many chronic disabilities and illnesses start to set in. Alzheimer’s becomes a real concern, but so do several forms of cancer, arthritis and sight-, hearing- and motion problems. These problems, though precautionary and preventative measures are in place and exceedingly prominent, persevere.\n\nSo what do we make of this? Firstly, we must understand that these problems, though life threatening, may be experienced as a threat to life. For many old people (especially those who have Alzheimer’s) any problem with the functions they used to have function as a premonition of their inevitable death. On the other hand, there are also older people who fare fairly well in these kinds of circumstances. Some, on the other hand, don’t very much mind, but would choose a younger body should they have the possibility. At any rate, getting older can be a serious burden, but it can also *just* be a burden. What we are effectively doing by elongating human life, is stretching this period of suffering and decline. This seems fairly damning at first hand, but we must also realize that, in saying this, it is the last of such periods a person will experience. In fact, from beginning to end, it might be their last experiences.\n\nThis makes the situation profoundly complicated, as on one hand, you would want to end the suffering, but doing that entails ending the awareness of the person suffering. The only reasonable option I see in this is to simply allow euthanasia for these people and keep on working on enhancing the medication we have available for these people, in whichever way that may come. In this way, we make it possible of those who are not ready to leave life to exit it with dignity, surrounded by the people they love or in any other way they see fit. On the other hand, we allow those who are not yet ready to leave life to continue going on, all the while reducing their suffering by introducing new ways to avoid, adapt to or numbing it.\n\n\nWhat I have tried to argue in this text, is that though life is valuable in and of itself, we mustn’t apply that to every organism. The value of life is often made to out be sacred, while we all know -as I have shown- that life itself isn’t the quality from which we gather that position, but that it is rather awareness as seen in animals and humans. Taking this, I have shown you that an objective purpose can be found in life by investigating its forms and circumstances.\n\nUsing this, I have tried to show you how we can use the notion of life being less than sacred to actually reach conclusions that are very much in line with the intuitions many of us have when it comes to life and dealing with death, at the hand of Abortion, Suicide and euthanasia, the Death Penalty and Natural Death.\n\nAfbeeldingsresultaat voor the end\n\nDismantling the watchmaker\n\nBroken watchWe all know it, “If you walk across the beach of an uninhabited island, having never met another human being and find a watch, you would know it was made by a fellow human being. This is apparent too when we look at nature” – The Watchmaker Argument. We come across this argument, or attempt to argue this point all too frequently, and quite frankly, it’s annoying to say the least. Annoying and wrong, and here is why….\n\nThe premise of this argument is that there is a significant difference between man-made objects and objects designed by god or “an intelligent designer”. The experienced debaters among you, might already have raised their red flags and sounded the fallacy alarm, because this is a self-defeating premise. The problem is that if we accept this argument, the premise becomes void, because the one thing we understand to not have been designed, would be designed. This would mean that in fact, we haven’t the ability to discern between designed and not designed features, as the premise would have us believe. If, on the other hand, we do not accept this argument, the premise would remain in tact.\n\nReasoning behind the watchmaker argumentThe thinker\n\nThe reasoning behind this argument is that because there is a difference in aesthetics and function we can discern the difference between designed and not designed objects, systems etc. just by looking at them. There is, however,  no reason why we would recognize the work of a fellow human being as being the work of a fellow human being, without having an additional reason to. If, for instance, we stumble upon a cave while trekking through the mountains, we have no reason to assume it was man-made, nor that it formed naturally as a result of plate tectonics and rocky structure. Similarly, if we do not know what a watch is or what the watch is for (which is the case when we look toward nature, our planet and/or our existence) we have no reason to say it was man-made.\n\nEvidence for this, is obtained from a documentary that aired first somewhere in the ’90s on BBC, I believe it was called Meet The Natives, but I haven’t been able to track it down, unfortunately (if anyone knows exactly which documentary it is, please notify me so I can insert a link and watch it again) in which a tribesman was taken into a modern city. afterwards, he was asked what he saw. The man replied: “nothing, except for a weird beast that could carry very much bananas.” The man, of course, didn’t see nothing, he just lacked the frame of reference to describe what he saw. But the fact that he referred to a truck carrying bananas as a “weird beast”, is the significant part of this documentary. The man had mistaken a man-made, mechanical device for a product of nature. Of course, the absence of a frame of reference, makes this argumentation rather doubtful. The fact remains, though, that the man had no frame of reference. Seeing as we have no better frame of reference for the situation this argument puts us in, we are forced to conclude the obvious; that this reasoning is baseless and/or an assumption.\n\nThere is another well-known analogy to explain the phenomenon behind this argument; that of the puddle. This analogy is centered around a puddle of rainwater. The puddle thinks to itself “this indentation in the ground was made for me especially, or I would not fit in so ideally.” However, the puddle formed the way it did because the indentation in the ground was there, the puddle formed in the indentation, the indentation dictating its form. The same is true for human beings in nature. when we look at forests, grass plains, shrubbery etc. We might get the distinct feeling that these things were made for us, placed there for our benefits, its fruits made to feed us. It has its logic, to be honest, as it helps sustain our lives and provide countless benefits. The same reasoning, however, forgoes the countless more inedible plants, deadly animals, poisons and gasses that naturally occur. The perception of intelligence behind this supposed creation, originates from the fact that nature is highly sustainable. Because us humans have thus far failed to create anything truly sustainable. To create something truly sustainable, would be an amazing feat of engineering. This is why it seems s appealing to ascribe that feat of engineering to a superior mind, a creator. a god. However, there is no objective reason for this, as the theory of evolution tells us. It is perhaps the most elegant part of evolution, that sustainability arises from lack of sustainability. That those life forms that are unsustainable fade away or evolve, to keep the sustainability of nature itself at a fairly consequent level.\n\nTo conclude the part of the watchmaker, I would like to state briefly that the argument is cheating. A watch contains at least a number of metal parts, as it must contain cogs and springs. Metal is not encountered in its refined form in nature. The argument therefore misleads its recipient, as the mental image encountered while treating this argument, is often that of a metal watch, which would indeed help us to assume a fellow human made the watch.\n\nA more honest example to use in this argument, would be that of a refined walking stick; it has it’s ties to nature by being made of wood, yet it has been refined to show the touch of a human being. Odds are that this argument would be received with less enthusiasm, and bring about a number of different conclusions.\n\nOxygen Volume 14Authority from creation\n\nAnother argument we often encounter, that is closely related to the watchmaker argument, is often not considered to be a separate argument, or at least it isn’t treated as one, yet it mostly follows the establishment of a creator. The argument elevates the watchmaker to the level of an artist and it goes a little like this: “If God created the universe, our planet and us, he can destroy it all and still be morally perfect; the artist can destroy his own art, without being a bad person.”\n\nIt should be immediately apparent that this is not a valid comparison. Artwork is inanimate, non living matter, arranged in an aesthetically more or less pleasing way, while the creation this god is supposed to have engineered is a universe, containing at least one planet with sentient life. In the case of god as an artist and humanity as his artwork, we forgo on the negative consequences the destruction of the artwork will have for the artwork itself. It thus has to have moral ramifications as long as the artwork is, has or contains consciousness (see also; cogniscism, a secular moral system).\n\nThe second way this argument falls flat on its face, is simple ethics. That you can create something does not absolve you from the responsibility to treat it ethically, in accordance to its level of consciousness. This is the reason we have laws on the minimal requirements of good treatment for both infants and pets. A being that possesses at least a modicum of awareness, will be able to register the way it is being treated, or to register the negative effects of such treatment. This means the moral scale is affected, as both beings are affected in their well being. A moral consideration then follows, which we can use to form a moral verdict of sorts.\n\nAnother interesting factor is the fact that god and humanity would be interdependent. God receives validity by its creation, the creation is dependent on god’s good will to allow them to live. How does god receive validity through its creation, you might ask. Well, that’s fairly simple; A god is called a god because it has given rise to at least one universe, world or species. Were a god exist that did not give rise to any such subjects, we are basically talking about a powerful ghost. To have god destroy the world, would be to end god’s divinity.\n\nSo, as we see, not only is god in its essence limited, it has to be bound to a form of human morality, leading us right back to the problem of evil.\n\nLady Justice\n\nCognicism; a secular moral system\n\nCognicism; a secular moral system\n\nLady Justice    As an atheist, we are often asked, “how can you be good without god?”. I have tried to explain this time and time again, each time resulting in a slightly different description. I understand the wish for people who might not be familiar with secular moral systems, to take look inside the moral reasoning of an atheist. Hence, I am writing this piece as much for myself as for those who inquire about secular morality to offer a consistent grounds upon which I –and if I am lucky, some others with me- may be criticized or in other ways confronted in moral discussion. So without further ado, I present to you; Cognicism, A secular moral system.\n\n\nTo properly set up and utilize a moral system, we must first determine upon whom we want it to apply. While most moral systems and reasoning tend to only apply to human beings, I choose to differ here. I differ in the sense that I think more than just human beings might profit from a well-reasoned moral system, and I can’t refuse to include them in my reasoning. Of course, I am not talking about vegetation, nor am I talking about beetles, ants or bugs. Though I am talking about some natural life aside from that of a human being.\n\nIn order to experience some kind of benefit from a moral system, an organism needs to have a number of things. It needs at first to have a form of awareness. This is often characterized by organisms interacting with their environments in varying ways, depending on the situation. In other words, the organism must at the very least be –in some way- aware of its surroundings and cognizant of its own existence. The awareness of the environment is essential in this case, because an effect of a moral decision is often exacted by circumstance or the immediate environment of the organism in question. If the organism is unaware of its environment, there is no reason to assume that it does experience the negative effect of a moral action.\n\nThe second ability an organism must have, is the ability to feel pain and/or pleasure. This seems to be a rather obvious point, as organisms unable to pain and/or pleasure, will not be able to experience any negative or positive outcome of a moral action exacted on them. Therefore, no suffering or joy is inflicted and morality stops being applicable, as utility is effectively absent. The critical and morally experienced eye will notice that utility has no bearing on intent. This is true, but as we are discussing a moral system rather than a calculation of arbitrary moral values, we are forced to disregard intent for the time being as this discussion serves as a framework for formulating moral intent.\n\nThe third and last ability an organism must have in order to have this moral system applied on them, is the ability of memory. To some this seems obvious, while to others it seems rather enigmatic. Because of this, I will try to explain it in as much detail as possible. The point to having a memory, is to remember what has happened. This is a means to elongate suffering or joy beyond the initial infliction. If an organism forgets what has happened to it immediately after it has happened, or even while it is happening, there is no actual suffering or joy to spoken of. This might seem somewhat weird, as the organism –perhaps both able to feel pain and/or joy and aware of its own existence, can feel pain or joy long after it has been inflicted. The problem is, though, that if an organism has no memory, but is cognizant of its own existence and can feel –for instance- pain, to that organism it would be as if it had been suffering pain for all its existence. This means the organism doesn’t really acknowledge the pain as being of an outside source, perhaps not even experiencing it as pain, negating any moral effects. Disregarding again moral intent.\n\n\nSo what is the exact purpose of this proposed system? Well, contrary to religious moral systems, the purpose of this system is to improve the experience of awareness for all sentient beings involved in a moral decision or action. This is contrary to most religious moral systems because, well, most religious forms of morality do not enhance the experience of awareness in any way, they rather force people to keep to arbitrary rules which have little to no bearing on “earthly” life. We are for instance reminded of the systemic treatment of women as less valid than men, vague rules like “treat others like you wish to be treated” and so forth.\n\nStill, at this point I would like to extend an olive branch of sorts to my religious brothers and sisters, in that the ultimate goal is to achieve and/or maintain a sort of saintly morality. Though of course the saints of many religions would disagree with this moral system, I too disagree with their habits of respectively introducing a place of eternal torture to frighten people into believing or robbing and pillaging caravans. The idea behind this system is rather to have people behave in the way the religious speak of their prophets or saints; to really be the understanding, forgiving, loving individual they have failed to be.\n\nApplicable moral rules\n\nBefore we are able to start morally judging decisions or actions it would be useful to describe a number of relevant rules.\n\n  • Morally desirable actions/decisions are those actions/decisions that are taken free of compulsion and (are intended to) lead to an increase of enjoyment of a sentient organism’s awareness.\n  • Morally undesirable action/decisions are actions/decisions that are (possibly) taken under compulsion and (are intended to) lead to a decrease in enjoyment of a sentient organism’s awareness.\n\nThe compulsion becomes relevant, because when someone isn’t free to choose to do otherwise, the factor of intent becomes inaccessible to the realm of morality as no moral judgment need be made before taking said action/decision.\n\n  • Every viable organism has the right to sustain its own life and awareness.\n\nThere are a number of important parts to this rule that need an explanation; Many religious forms of morality would simply state that every living thing has a right to life, included but not limited to unborn life. I disagree with this on the simple basis that animals –humans included- eat other animals. To say every living organism has the right to life would therefore ultimately be in conflict with itself, as providing the right to life for the prey, would violate the right to life for the predator and vice versa.\n\n  • Every viable sentient organism has the right to physical integrity.\n\nThis rule is the basis of this moral system; the fact that sentient beings are aware of their surroundings, means they feel harm or joy being applied to them from an outside source. They should therefore have the right to decide what happens to them and to not have their bodies arbitrarily attacked; their integrity must be preserved.\n\n  • Every organism has the right to take their own life.\n\nLiving is hard. That is ultimately the reason for (moral) philosophy, psychology and a myriad of other disciplines we see in the world today. It is then not only useful but in fact of great importance that we keep in mind that we did not ask or decide to live. It is also important to remind ourselves that every organism is responsible for their own actions. It is in this light that I feel compelled to conclude that there must be a right to take one’s own life.\n\nMorality and the Context of rights\n\nThere is a certain way in which we must regard rights, that is being missed by society far more often than is beneficial. The cause of this, seems to be directly proportionate to a number of controversial subjects that our societies have had to decide about in recent years, such as abortion, euthanasia etc. The context we miss is the actual legislative nature of a right. Too often when politicians and thereby civilians alike, discuss rights, the rights are seen as an order leading to a direct result. When discussing euthanasia, for instance, the opponent will often say something like; “so you think we should end human life?”. This is not the context of a right. A right is merely a legislative option. It is the possibility of a choice, not the choice itself. This difference might at first glance seem insignificant, but it really does constitute a large discrepancy in the way we think about rights. If we look at rights as options, as possible choices, we are forced to leave the responsibility of a choice with the person who made the choice, as opposed to the person who gave the chooser his rights.\n\nPersonally, I think that if this context would be better illustrated by politicians, teachers and other public educators, we would have less people opposing rights and consecutively have more rights, which would lead to a freer society.\n\nAt this point, I would like to introduce two final principles; that of the blind choice (also known as Rawls’ veil of ignorance) and the perpetual blindfold.\n\n  • Blind choice (veil of ignorance): The idea that John Rawls put forward, was that in order to truly assess the morality of a decision or action, was to do a thought experiment. His idea was that to estimate the value of a moral decision or action, one ought not be involved in the process beforehand. The veil of ignorance serves this purpose; Using the veil of ignorance, the subjects of a moral act or decision are forced to take some distance from the situation at hand and examine the oversee able consequence of the decision or action at hand. They distance themselves in that they are forced to examine the action from all perspectives involved. If we for instance take the fairly black and white issue on whether or not to legalize torture, the legislator and the constituency as well as the prisoner or future prisoner must examine the consequences as if they were all mentioned parties. Specifically, this means that the legislator consider the pros and cons of being the torturer as well as the pros and cons of being the tortured.\n\nThe reason for using this thought experiment is most likely obvious; to take into account more than the own needs and respect the suffering or potential suffering of other parties.\n\n  • Perpetual blindfold: The perpetual blindfold is a principle that is taken from the economic “ceteris paribus-clause”. This roughly translates as “all other things the same” and has to do with the unexpected consequences of moral decisions or actions. It states: “The decision or action taker is responsible -in the field of intent- only for those consequences that are in any way to him foreseeable.” This blindfold is perpetual, because there is no way, nor has there ever been, to oversee the full extent of the effect of a decision or action. One decision or action might for instance move others to make a new decision or action and so forth. Because of this influence a single deed or decision must be treated to the extent that the consequence of said decision or action is knowable.\n\n\nOnce we acknowledge that consciousness is the driving force between experience and thus the effects of moral decision/action, it becomes possible to erect a close to objective (because we can’t yet be sure about the degree of consciousness an organism might have) morality, without the need for a god. This moral system can then also be stretched to apply to a broader range of organisms then merely ourselves.\n\nUsing the veil of ignorance and the perpetual blindfold, the intent of the decider or action taker can be tempered and led to the right destination. Maintaining the three rules above, serves to guarantee a humane treatment of all involved, as well as give an extra impulse to the unification of human beings with their natural surroundings.\n\nI hope this helps those who have questions on morality without god at least see a part of my perspective. And that my fellow atheists and free or critical thinkers might find this piece at least thought-provoking\n\n\nWhich Atheist Arguments Should We Stop Using?\n\n\nPreviously I have written an article that lists and explains some Common Theistic Fallacies that are often brought up in arguments. As an atheist who is active in several online debate and discussion groups, they are things that I see with exceptional regularity.\n\nHowever, it is unfair to think that it is only the Theists that present faulty, or fallacious, arguments. Although atheism, being the Null Hypothesis/Neutral Position is the more logical position than belief, belief being an illogical conclusion, that does not mean that all of the arguments presented by atheists are logical, reasonable, or fair.\n\nIn this article I will list the arguments presented by atheists that we should stop using, and explain why.\n\nAlso, as a special feature I will be featuring the answer given to this question by Aron Ra, that I was lucky enough to be able to ask him, in person, when members of our team saw him give a talk.\n\nThe Arguments.\n\n  • Christianity was invented by Constantine in the fourth century.\n\nThis is an argument that seems to be mostly invented by Joseph Atwill. Atwill claims to have found evidence that Jesus was a character who was entirely invented by the Romans. There are many problems with his theory, included, but not limited to these. Firstly, there is zero actual evidence. While he claims to have found confessions, what he has actually done is draw comparisons between the work of Josephus, and the New Testament. Secondly, no matter what justification one might try to use, the rise of Christianity was demonstrably not a good thing for the Roman Empire.\n\n  • The use of photos depicting starving children to make the point that God is not a loving or merciful one.\n\nThis tactic is nothing more than an Appeal To Emotion Fallacy. The use of pictures with the intent to make people feel guilty, or disturbed, adds nothing to the point that is trying to be argued. While the existence of these children is absolutely an argument against an Omnibenevolent God, the use of the pictures to support this argument is a cheap move, and reflects badly on an argument that is otherwise valid.\n\n  • You must (believe/condone/support) X, because it’s in the (Bible/Quran/other).\n\nThis is a remarkably common argument online. “Well, the Bible condones slavery, so you must agree with it.” or “The Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination, so all Christians must hate gays.” This line of argument basically falls foul of the No True Scotsman Fallacy. A person can believe in and agree with the fundamental beliefs, without having to agree with every single ruling stated within. This will also be addressed later on in the Cherry Picking section.\n\n  • Pointing out the “impossibility” of events described in the bible.\n\nIf you enter into a conversation about an omnipotent being, “impossible” loses all meaning. Pointing out that Mary could have only given birth to a girl if the conception was immaculate. Or pointing out problems like where all the water went to, or came from, in the Ark story. We are debating with people who believe in an Omnipotent being. A being who can create the Universe on a whim. The idea of expecting to convince them by raising an example of something that is physically impossible is a fruitless endeavour. If you’ve never experienced the feeling of ‘I may as well be banging my head against a wall’ in a debate, this is a sure fire way to get there.\n\n  • Why are Adam and Eve depicted with bellybuttons if they were created?\n\nIt actually depresses me somewhat when I see intelligent people bringing up this argument. And it happens. A lot. Artists largely paint what they know, and when painting human figures they will quite often use a model. Even if they don’t use a model, you can almost guarantee that they learned how to paint people from using models in the past, or copying from existing pictures that used models. These models had bellybuttons, so the artist painted them. Humans have bellybuttons, Adam and Eve are humans (at least if you accept that they existed, of course) so they were painted as having them. It’s such an obvious thing, really.\n\n  • The Problem Of Evil.\n\nThis isn’t to say that The Problem Of Evil is not a genuine concern when trying to justify, or refute, the existence of an Omnibenevolent and Omnipotent God. The problem is that it is an argument that any Christian who spends time debating already has a list of rebuttals to. Whether this is the normal Mysterious Ways cop out answer, or whether it is a more in depth approach like “Well we’re looking at things from a human understanding of what is good, and from the limited time frame of what humans can understand. Perhaps the amount of evil and bad that exists now is the minimum amount that is necessary to achieve the greatest good on a larger time scale.”\n\n  • Nonsense Questions  “If God can do anything, can he create a rock so heavy that he can’t lift it?”\n\nI can’t stand Nonsense Questions. They achieve nothing other than to make the person raising them seem immature. Most theists with even a modicum of smarts won’t even bother addressing them. The problem with the quoted question in particular in that it is a logically absurd question. It is dealt with by the Logical Absolute Law Of Non Contradiction. The Rock is defined as being too heavy to lift, if it can be lifted, it is not that Rock, it is then something else. I understand what people are trying to achieve with this question, they are trying to show a hole in omnipotence. But you may as well ask ‘Can God make a square circle?’ or ‘Can God make a bent straight line?’\n\n  • You can’t prove a negative.\n\nThis is just a cop out, and it shows an amount of laziness that we really shouldn’t be allowing ourselves to slip in to. Can you prove a negative? In the context that this is being used in, no, you can’t (You can mathematically, but that’s a different thing entirely.) But we don’t need to prove a negative, we only need to prove the absence of a positive. “There’s an apple in that box” “I don’t believe you.” *Looks in box* “There is no apple in that box!” “Well you can’t prove that apples don’t exist!” “I don’t have to, I proved that it doesn’t exist where you said it does.”\n\n  • We’re all atheists when we’re born (Implicit versus Explicit atheism).\n\nYes, we are. But what point are we really trying to make here? Surely the point that we need to be arguing is that atheism is the rational conclusion when examining the claims of a god? Saying that a baby is an atheist does nothing more for the argument than saying that a washing machine is an atheist! If someone or something is incapable of examining the proposition of a god, then it doesn’t matter whether they believe or not.\n\n  • You’re almost as much of an atheist as me, I’ve just gone 1 god further.\n\nAlthough this can be a very fun point to raise, especially if you like numbers, and are interested enough to work out the specific ratios and percentages that this means, it doesn’t do anything to address whether their specific god claim holds any validity. This ties in with another argument that I’ve heard a lot “They can’t all be right, but they can all be wrong.” But that doesn’t actually address whether they are wrong. Because it could be wrong, or because other people have been wrong in the past, has no bearing on whether they are actually wrong now.\n\n  • You just Cherry Pick the parts you like.\n\nThis is one of “Well duh…” moments. Of course they do. They have NO choice. They are following a book that is riddled with contradictions, it is not physically or mentally possible to believe every single part of it. So what does that leave people with as an option? They will then pick out the parts that gel with who they are as a person. “Reading the bible does not dictate who one is as a person. Who one is as a person dictates how one reads the Bible.”\n\n\n\nAron Ra’s Answer.Aron Ra talk\n\nAs stated at the beginning of the article, I was lucky enough to get to ask Aron Ra this question in person. This is his answer.\n\nMe “I just wanted to know, which atheist argument do you wish people would stop using? Either because it’s completely wrong, or entirely irrelevant to the argument itself”\n\nAron Ra “Wow, that’s such a long list.”\n\nMe “Your top pick?”\n\nAron Ra “Well the one that I usually jump in on is when people say”Nobody says we came from monkeys, we have a common ancestor with monkeys.” And I have to jump in and say “No no no, we ARE monkeys.” Now this is not a popular opinion, but I’ve got it backed by science and I did a video on it. The title of the video is It Turns Out We Did Come From Monkeys and it goes into an in-depth explanation. Now this is one of those arguments where I was started out on the other side, and I had this argument with a systematist. It went on for three months. It was heated, it was angry, he was such a prick. I don’t know that I’d have conceded any faster if he’d been more polite, but it would have been a lot easier. I didn’t have to say “You know what, you asshole, you were right.” So I had to take the opposite position. Then I got into more heated conversations with people, and now I’m on the other side. And it’s every bit just as heated, but eventually I did prove the point so that nobody contested any more. Humans ARE monkeys. It’s not just that we are apes, we are also monkeys. Now if you want to prove that, if you describe what a monkey is, by all of the traits that are diagnostic of every kind of monkey there is, you will describe humans. And if you do a subcategory so that you’re only talking about Old World Monkeys, again you will describe humans. And if you do the subcategory of that, which is Apes, and subcategory Great Apes, again, you always describe people. So this was a great argument to have with a Creationist, you know “Define what a monkey is……Look at that, you defined people again!””\n\n\nAny Logical Fallacies that are mentioned in this article are explained further here.\n\nall knowing omniescient omniescience\n\nIs God Omniscient (All Knowing)?\n\nThe Abrahamic God is described as omniscient (all knowing) in both Christianity and Islam but there are many verses that seem to contradict this “fact”.\n\nFirst let’s examine the claims of omniscience in the Old and New Testament as well as the Qur’an\n\nThe claims of God’s Omniscience\n\nThere are a number of claims of God’s Omniscience. Some of these are quite direct, whilst others are more metaphorical. Some state that God knows more than any human can teach whilst others outright state that he knows everything.\n\nOmniscience in the Old Testament\n\n\n\n“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD” (Psalm 139:4).\n\n\n\n“Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?” (Job 21:22).\n\n“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:4-5). [this one also references his omnipotence but we shall save that for another day]\n\n\n\n“From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do” (Psalm 33:13-15).\n\nOmniscience in the New Testament\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOmniscience in the Qu’ran\n\n“Whether you divulge a thing or keep it hidden, surely Allah is Ever All-Knowing of all things” (Surat Al-‘Aĥzāb 33/54)\n\n“Say: Do you instruct Allah about your religion? But Allah knows all that is in the heavens and on the earth; Allah is Knowing of all things” Holy Qur’an (49:16)\n\n“Read! In the name of your Lord Who created. Created man of a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Bountiful, who taught man what he knew not…” Holy Qur’an (96:1-5)\n\nAnd Allah would not let a people stray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things. (Qur’an 9:115)\n\nUnquestionably, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. Already He knows that upon which you stand and knows the Day when they will be returned to Him and He will inform them of what they have done. And Allah is Knowing of all things. (Qur’an 24:64)\n\n[…] Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing. (Qur’an 4:32)\n\n[…] And Allah is Knowing of all things. (Qur’an 4:176)\n\n[…] Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things. (Qur’an 8:75)\n\n[…] And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things. (Qur’an 23:35)\n\nAllah extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allah is, of all things, Knowing. (Qur’an 29:62)\n\nMuhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing. (Qur’an 33:40)\n\nAnd to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allah Knowing and Wise. (Qur’an 48:4)\n\nNo disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah – He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things. (Qur’an 64:11)\n\nWhether you reveal a thing or conceal it, indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing. (Qur’an 33:51)\n\n[…] And Allah knows what is in your hearts. And ever is Allah Knowing and Forbearing. (Qur’an 33:51)\n\nAnd to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you might turn, there is the Face of Allah. Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (Qur’an 2:115)\n\nHe is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (Qur’an 59:22)\n\nHe is Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Exalted. (Qur’an 13:9)\n\nSo know, O Muhammad, that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allah knows of your movement and your resting place. (Qur’an 47:19)\n\n\nAnd do not trust except those who follow your religion.” Say, “Indeed, the true guidance is the guidance of Allah. Do you fear lest someone be given knowledge like you were given or that they would thereby argue with you before your Lord?” Say, “Indeed, all bounty is in the hand of Allah – He grants it to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Wise.” (Qur’an 3:73)\n\nAn Explanation of the scriptures used in this article\n\nThe examples below are going to be largely based on the bible scriptures. There are a few reasons for this.\n\n  1. The stories are similar between the two books\n  2. The Qur’an stories are clearly based on the Bible stories\n  3. The Qur’an seems to skim past some of the stories and there are a few quotes that seem to reference the “truth of gods word in the bible”\n\n“I believe in the Book (of the People of the Book) which Allah has sent down…” (Qur’an, 42:15)\n\n“And in their footsteps we sent Jesus the son of Mary confirming the Law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law.” (Qur’an, 5:46)\n\n“Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein” (Qur’an, 5:47)\n\n“To thee (Muhammad) We sent the scripture (Qur’an) in truth confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety.” (Qur’an, 5:48)\n\nAdam, Eve and Original Sin\n\nIn the story of the fall (Genesis 3) Adam and Eve eat the apple from the tree of knowledge. Before this they have no real concept of what is good or evil and no idea what consequences truly await them for disobeying.\n\nGod also created Lucifer, the angel that fell and plays the serpent that convinces Eve to eat the apple thus committing original sin.\n\nSo lets look at this:\n\n  • God creates Lucifer who rebels against god\n  • God creates Adam and Eve with no concept of good and evil and no understanding of consequences\n  • God knows exactly what Lucifer, Adam and Eve are going to do but creates them that way anyway\n\nFurther to this when Adam realises he is naked after eating the apple of knowledge he hides from God in the garden and he asks this:\n\nGenisis 3: 11 NIV\n\n\n  • Did god really not know that they had eaten?\n  • Did god not know that the serpent was talking to eve?\n  • Why did god not stop this from happening?\n\nGod then curses both man and woman (Gen 3: 14-20)\n\nNow the strange thing here is that in both the bible and Qur’an there are verses saying that we do not suffer the sins of our fathers/sons:\n\n“…No person earns any (sin) except against himself (only), and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another…” (Qur’an 6:164)\n\n\nDeuteronomy is clearly rejecting the original sin story however seeing as the Qur’an is essentially an adaptation and addition to the bible, someone noticed this flaw and added in verses about how Adam repented for his sins. Some Christians assume he did, because it doesn’t say he didn’t. This is about as sensible as assuming Luke Skywalker is God, because it doesn’t say he isn’t.\n\nTo summarise original sin we have to consider either; god did not know Lucifer, Adam and Eve would disobey him, which is why he “had” to punish them or “original sin” was actually part of Gods plan all along and he wanted Adam and Eve to be cursed to live life as mortal, and wanted all the evil to be released on the world.\n\nIf we are to accept gods omniscience then we have to accept that God wanted original sin and evil in the world, and it therefore doesn’t make sense he would regret any of this.\n\nRegret: how can God regret his actions when he knows everything that will happen?\n\nGenesis 6: 5-7 NIV\n\n\nIf god is all knowing and can see all of our paths before we even choose to set foot on them, then regardless of “free will” God knew that this would happen.\n\nEither god didn’t know what we are going to do, which is why he regretted making humans, and is therefore not omniscient or he did know what we were going to do, and made us any way, making his regret false. Further to this you could argue that if he knew one day the “evil” deed humans were going to do was going to make him commit genocide, but he still made us the way he did anyway, he may have actually wanted to commit genocide.\n\nIn this instance either God is not omniscient or he created us the way we are just so he could commit genocide and the verse is flawed about his regret.\n\nWithin the Qur’an; the story and many other adaptations of the Jewish stories, is skimmed over. The stories have been reworked to make Allah seem less fallible than they do within the bible. In this, the flood story, Allah seems quite smug having wiped out man. This leans more towards the approach that Allah is a psychopath.\n\nDoesn’t it seem odd to you that an all knowing God had to keep changing the stories though?\n\n\nIf God is omniscient he knew Lucifer was going to betray him and that Adam and Eve would eat the apple bringing original Sin in to the world. If this is true, and he did it any way, it is safe to assume he wanted this to happen.\n\nDue to original sin, and the curse god put on man, man committed evil acts and then god wiped us out. Knowing this would happen, but doing it any way must mean that god wanted to commit genocide.\n\n  • If God IS omniscient then doing what is described is not the acts of someone who is all loving. This means god is not omnibenevolent and fails in one of the qualities of the Abrahamic God.\n  • The alternative is that god is not omniscient and therefore fails in one of the qualities of the Abrahamic God\n\nEither way it looks like at least one of the criteria for the Abrahamic God has failed.\n\nContradictions and errors in the bible and Qur’an\n\nIf God is all knowing why would his holy books be so filled with flaws?\n\nNot only are there contradictions in the bible, but there are historical and scientific inaccuracies in the bible and Qur’an. There is no evidence for a lot of the claims and even Qur’an apologists have started to admit that the “scientific miracles” in the Qur’an have become a bit of an embarrassment: The Hamza Tzortzis handbrake u-turn on scientific miracles in quran.\n\nI am not going to go in to detail with these in this section as we have other articles that detail them, but feel free to read them and come back.\n\nInterpretations of the Bible and Qur’an\n\nWhy would an all knowing God leave so much open for interpretation? With so many vague and metaphorical passages there is not only separation between religions, but within each religion there are tonnes of denominations. The image below pictures some of the major splits, but there are many more than this.\n\nwhat kind of jew are youSo wouldn’t an all knowing god ensure that his word was clear and direct so that everyone would agree with what it said? Wouldn’t an omniscient god do away with ambiguity completely?\n\nRecessive traits\n\nhuman tail vs gorilla tailhuman tailIf God designed us, then why do we have tail bones, male nipples, goosebumps, and wisdom teeth still? If man was made first, why do we start as female in the womb? Why would an all knowing god put so many questions up for his existence?\n\nIf God loves us, and wants us to believe in him, then surely he would know that anyone who can think for themselves would see these as evidence for evolution over creation?\n\n\n\nWhy did god make all his “true believer” fundamentalists so seemingly stupid? If you are a logical and intelligent person you will gravitate to those who are also logical and intelligent. If you are sensible you will make sure you verify everything people say with evidence and you won’t search for confirmation bias.\n\ncreationist method\n\nWhen you see those fundies rejecting evidenced science for their “beliefs” and they have nothing to back it up, as well as trouble stringing sentences together, it only goes to push the critical thinker further away.\n\nSummary of God’s Omniscience\n\nThis article has displayed a number of quotes from the Bible and Qur’an which claim God to be all knowing, or omniscient.\n\nIt has also displayed passages which showed God either to be not omniscient or not all loving, thus showing that god cannot be as described in the Bible/Qur’an.\n\nIt also went on to display other issues such as contradictions and errors in the holy texts, the divisive nature of religion, issues with biology in the form of recessive traits, and a mild poke at the “true believers” or fundamentalists lack of logic.\n\nSimply put\n\n  • An all knowing God would know the evidence I need to be convinced of His existence. (Inclusive of accurate holy books)\n  • An all powerful God would have the ability to provide me that evidence. (But hasn’t)\n  • And all loving God would want to provide me with sad evidence. (and as he hasn’t he fails on at least one of the criteria)\n\nAs none of the three criteria are complete, I can only conclude that God fails on at least one of the three main characteristics he is said to have.\n\nall knowing omniescient omniescience\n\n\nIs God A Psychopath?\n\nIs God a Psychopath?\n\nFirstly we have to define what it is that we are talking about.\n\nThe God being addressed in this article is the Abrahamic God of the Bible, and as such, Biblical scripture and commonly held Christian beliefs will be used as evidence to support the case being presented.\n\nThe term Psychopath is rarely used in modern professional psychiatry, and it is often used as being interchangeable with the term Sociopath, and both of these conditions fall under the umbrella diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder. It is becoming more common of late for a distinction to be made between Psychopathy and Sociopathy, and the most commonly agreed upon distinction is that Psychopathy is caused by physical differences in the sufferers neurology, whereas Sociopathy is a learned behaviour. Or to put it simply, Psychopaths are born, Sociopaths are made.\n\nDue to this distinction, we will use the term Psychopath with regards to God, as this God is claimed to be ‘unchanging’ and therefore cannot develop a condition or disorder.\n\n\nWhat Is A Psychopath?\n\nIt is important here to note that the media portrayal of a Psychopath is not necessarily accurate. The word conjures up images of Ted Bundy, Hannibal Lecter, John Doe, and many other real and fictional characters that fit this mould. The truth of the matter is very different, and although it would include these people/characters, it is by no means limited to them.\n\n\nThe NHS describes Antisocial Personality Disorder as follows.\n\n\nSomeone with antisocial personality disorder will typically be manipulative, deceitful and reckless, and won’t care for other people’s feelings.\n\n\n\nThe diagnostic tool that is usually used for the diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder is called the PCL-R, which stands for the Psychopathy Check List – Revised. This test was devised by a Canadian Psychologist called Robert Hare, and consists of a 20 point checklist. Each of the items on the checklist can be scored as 0, 1, or 2, being not applicable, somewhat applicable, or completely accurate. The necessary score for a diagnosis of ASPD varies to an extent from country to country. In the US, a score of 30 is necessary, but in the UK then a score of 25 is considered to be diagnosable. However a score of 25 is often used as a cut off point for research in both countries. It is very rare for someone to score a full 40 points, and most people that you would meet in your day to day life will score somewhere around 5 to 10. This means that, for a diagnosis, one must score at least 62.5% on the checklist.\n\nThe twenty traits assessed by the PCL-R score are:\n\n  • Glib and superficial charm\n  • Grandiose (exaggeratedly high) estimation of self\n  • Need for stimulation\n  • Pathological lying\n  • Cunning and manipulativeness\n  • Lack of remorse or guilt\n  • Shallow affect (superficial emotional responsiveness)\n  • Callousness and lack of empathy\n  • Parasitic lifestyle\n  • Poor behavioral controls\n  • Sexual promiscuity\n  • Early behavior problems\n  • Lack of realistic long-term goals\n  • Impulsivity\n  • Irresponsibility\n  • Failure to accept responsibility for own actions\n  • Many short-term marital relationships\n  • Juvenile delinquency\n  • Revocation of conditional release\n  • Criminal versatility\n\nIs God A Psychopath?\n\nIn order to judge whether the Abrahamic/Christian God is a psychopath, we need to go through each of the items of the checklist, and score them accordingly. Obviously there are certain items on the list which cannot be applicable to a deity, so in order to score it fairly, we will remove those items, and score the total according to percentage.\n\nGlib and superficial charm –\n\nThis is the ability to ‘turn on the charm’. Being able to come across as charming, smooth, and likeable, but not actually having any depth to those things. There is no evidence that I have found to properly justify this.\n\nScore – 0\n\nGrandiose (exaggeratedly high) estimation of self –\n\n\n\nScore – 2\n\nNeed for stimulation –\n\nThe definition for this is to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite:. This being evidenced by prayer.\n\nScore – 2\n\nPathological lying –\n\n\n“And if a prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet.” Ezekiel 14:9\n\n“Now, therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.” 1 Kings 22:23\n\nScore – 2\n\nCunning and manipulativeness –\n\n\nScore – 2\n\nLack of remorse or guilt –\n\nI am yet to find any scripture that shows God feeling any kind of guilt or remorse for his own actions, other than creating humanity “Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”\n\nNot only is this not remorse in the same sense of the word, as it is self centred, but it also further supports his Callousness and Lack Of Behavioural Control.\n\nScore – 2\n\nShallow affect (superficial emotional responsiveness) –\n\nGod is claimed to be omnibenevolent, and claimed to be pure Love. However this is contradicted by the existence of evil, eternal punishment, and not answering prayer. This demonstrates that his Love is superficial.\n\nScore – 2\n\nCallousness and lack of empathy –\n\nThe multiple cases in the bible that speak of God’s Wrath, of God’s Vengence, and of the lists of who should be punished with death show an extreme lack of empathy.\n\nScore – 2\n\nParasitic lifestyle –\n\nThere are multiple mentions of people sacrificing things for God. But it is not made apparent whether God requires these sacrifices or not. However, he does nothing to stop them.\n\nScore – 1\n\nPoor behavioral controls –\n\n“And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee; Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.” Exodus 15:7\n\n\nScore – 2\n\nSexual promiscuity –\n\nMary appears to be the only case in which one can attribute a sexual act of some kind.\n\nScore – 0\n\nEarly behavior problems –\n\nSee the entire Old Testament.\n\nScore – 2\n\nLack of realistic long-term goals –\n\nGod created man so that we could worship him and bring him glory, but also gave us Free Will, therefore sabotaging his own goal for our creation.\n\nScore – 1\n\nImpulsivity –\n\n\nImpulsive – Acting or done without forethought. This is then not possible for an omniscient being.\n\nIrresponsibility –\n\n“Irresponsible 1:  not answerable to higher authority <an irresponsible dictatorship>\n\n:  said or done with no sense of responsibility <irresponsible accusations>\n\n:  lacking a sense of responsibility:  unable especially mentally or financially to bear responsibility”\n\nGod fits at least one of these definitions.\n\nScore – 1\n\nFailure to accept responsibility for own actions –\n\n\nThis is the justification given for the flood. If we are to accept that God is omniscient, and all goes according to his plan, then it is his own actions that allowed for this to happen.\n\nScore – 1\n\nMany short-term marital relationships –\n\n\nJuvenile delinquency –\n\nSee the entire Old Testament.\n\nScore – 2\n\nRevocation of conditional release –\n\n\nCriminal versatility –\n\nIndividual Murder, Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, Rape…..\n\nScore – 2\n\nTotal 26.\n\n\nOut of the list of 20 questions, there were 3 that were not applicable to God, making a possible total score of 34. With a total score of 26, God would be diagnosed as a Psychopath in the UK, and would be classed as a Psychopath for research purposes in both the UK and the US. However, when we look at this as a percentage score, it works out as 76.47%, which is a diagnosable score in any country.\n\nGod is a Psychopath.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7311890125274658}
{"content": "1 Intelligent Design\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Consider the lilies of the field”\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis world is full of treasures. They may be found both above the surface and below the surface. Unfortunately many people don’t look closely enough to see the treasures above the surface, let alone dig beneath the surface to find the treasures waiting there.\n\nThere are enough of these treasures available to the naked eye for us to be able to come to the conclusion that a power greater than ourselves made everything. Take a walk through the countryside and observe the plants and animals. Observe the complexity of a common flower. Could a human make it? Of course not! Jesus said,\n\n\nGod’s creation will stand close examination. Take out a magnifying glass and look more closely. More wonders appear for us to behold. No matter how close we look at it, or how powerful the magnification, God’s handiwork will, unlike man’s, continue to disclose further wonders and it never ceases to amaze.\n\nEvolutionists claim that flower-bearing plants developed from simple plants over millions of years of small changes. The same claim is made in the development of animals from simple to complex. When they are challenged to produce evidence from the environment or fossil record it is not forthcoming. Charles Darwin himself was perplexed that the fossil record did not support his theory:\n\n“Why is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely-graduated organic chain; and this is the most obvious and serious objection which can be urged against the theory.”1 Further discoveries have confirmed his concern. There are no intermediate fossils, no matter how hard evolutionists try to pull the wool over our eyes. We are told that the small\n\nchanges from simple forms of life to complex forms are the result of mutations and natural selection. The truth is that the processes of mutation and natural selection will never give rise to new information in the genetic code of plants or animals. Mutations can only change existing information and are invariably harmful to a species, not helpful. Natural selection always results in loss of genetic information. Evolutionary scientists know this, yet persist with their theory of evolution. They\n\n“believe a lie” (Rom. 1:25),\n\nbecause the only alternative is creation. For them creation is not an option, because it would involve acknowledging a Creator and the obligations that go with knowing His will. Furthermore, scientists know that belief in creation also involves belief in the Bible, for creation of matter and life by an omnipotent God from His own power is found only in the Hebrew scriptures.\n\n\nMicroscopic life\n\nTake a sample of stagnant water and look at it through a microscope. A whole new world opens up as many different types of single-celled organisms become visible. Here is what one scientist had to say about one of them:\n\n“Over the years, thousands of papers have been published on the bacterial flagellum. Not one scientist has ever published a model to account for the gradual evolution of this extraordinary molecular machine…In effect, the theory of Darwinian molecular evolution has not published and so it should perish.”2\n\n\nOnce all the little pieces of evidence from nature are put together many people exclaim, “God must be!” Anyone who does not exclaim this is blinded by evolutionary oversimplification of complex processes. The apostle Paul put it this way,\n\n\nOnce that impression has been made on the human mind, a firm foundation has been laid upon which to build, for\n\n\nIt is the purpose of this chapter to show by virtue of design that God “is”, and that design in creation is important in proving the Bible true.\n\nWe’ll come back to visible treasures soon. But in order to find hidden treasure we must go to a gem field and dig, sift, wash and examine until that precious stone is found. Take a close look at the gem. Could a human make it? Of course not! It takes power to make matter – enormous amounts of it. There is a huge gap between a vacuum and matter. If there is one thing man has learnt from this atomic age it is this – there is an enormous amount of pent-up energy in matter. Who put it there? Obviously, someone equal to, no, greater than the energy in the matter found throughout the universe!\n\ngarnet1Faceted Garnets\n\nExamining the gemstone in the light of the sun, it’s easy for humans, as the most intelligent of God’s creation, to appreciate the difference between a gem and an ordinary stone. An ape or some other animal would have no such appreciation. Put those gemstones in water and tumble them for a while, then notice the difference after the rough edges have been worn off.\n\nFacet them so they reflect the light of the sun and they’re better still. The volume and variety of hidden gems across the world is truly amazing.\n\nGodless people would have us believe that these gems happened by chance events, but their theories do not explain the power necessary to produce matter. Bible believers can attest that the Bible is constructed in the same way, and there are as many treasures beneath the surface as there are plainly visible on the surface. Regarding these hidden treasures, the wise man Solomon put it this way:\n\n\n\nThe universe\n\nTake a telescope and examine the heavens. Design of the highest magnitude is there for all to see. Many a person, even without telescope in hand, has been compelled to recite along with King David,\n\n“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him?” (Psa. 8:3).\n\nOnly enormous power can account for the stars. God’s name in Hebrew is El and it means power.\n\nSir Isaac Newton developed a very simple scientific proof for the creation of the universe. He reasoned:\n\n“Hot bodies always warm cold bodies until they reach the same temperature. For example, if hot and cold water are mixed together, warm water is the result but it is impossible to separate them into their hot and cold parts again. The universe contains both hot and cold bodies that have not had time to reach the warm state. It follows therefore that such a state could not have existed forever. The universe must have been created. Also, it’s quite impossible that a primordial gas could have produced both hot and cold bodies for the same reason that warm water cannot be separated into the original hot and cold parts. Therefore the universe cannot be explained in scientific terms and must have been created.”4\n\nBelievers such as Newton realize that God works His wonders by miracles because He is all-powerful. Materialistic (i.e. non-Bible believing) scientists say, “I have never observed any miracles; therefore I do not believe such things.” The American philosopher George Santayana (1863–1952) represents this unbelief in his words: “Miracles are propitious accidents, the natural causes of which are too complicated to be readily understood.”\n\nIt should be noted, however, that “accidents” have invariably produced changes for the worse, not favourable changes as Santayana and other materialists would have us believe. To them, miracles are a stumbling block but they want the public to believe more than miracles; they want them to believe the impossible.\n\nSir Isaac Newton’s brilliant reasoning about the universe was the forerunner to the law of entropy, a scientific and engineering term meaning that orderly arrangements tend to become disorderly.\n\nTo give a very simple example—a well-tended garden is an orderly arrangement. Leave it alone for a while and it becomes disorderly.  The law of entropy applying here and generally is that disorder increases naturally.  If disorder increases naturally, then order only increases with the application of effort or energy.\n\nLogically, order in the universe can only increase supernaturally!  The universe is orderly.  Our solar system is orderly.  Earth systems are orderly. The only explanation for such order is creation, as outlined in Genesis in God’s holy word the Bible.\n\n\nAlso, our sun and the other stars of the universe are losing energy and mass at millions of tonnes per second.  The fact is they can’t have been doing this forever.  Someone must have created them and given them their original mass, from which they have been decreasing ever since.  Who is this “someone”?  The Bible has the answer: God\n\n\nThe solar system: Planet earth Coming back down to earth, design is to be found in the location of planet earth in the solar system. Earth is at the right distance from the sun and rotates on its axis, so it is not too hot and not too cold. In other words, average temperature is just right for life to survive. All the other planets are either too hot, too cold or have no atmosphere.\n\nThe Bible says,\n\n“He hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7)\n\n,so, long before man discovered the law of gravity, the Bible was correct.\n\nMaterialistic thinkers also need to explain the existence of radioactive substances, which cannot have been decomposing forever. Who gave them their original mass?\n\nRead man’s literature on the subject and take note of his breathtaking arrogance in statements such as this, (speaking of planet earth): “It alone supports life, and more than anything else, this seems to be down to chance. When the cosmic dice were thrown, our planet came out with a double six.”5\n\nThe chances were much less than that, as we shall soon see. Most scientists also cheerfully assure us that with an infinite amount of time, disorderly arrangements can become orderly by natural means, that is, the impossible can happen! They would have us believe that given enough time, somewhere a kettle of water will freeze on a hot plate, or somewhere, sometime, a prawn will learn to whistle.\n\nLet us now consider some of the many cycles in nature that come under the general heading of earth cycles.\n\n\nOxygen cycle\n\nConsider the two kingdoms of life, plants and animals. There is amazing design there as well. Animals need oxygen to breathe and plants provide it. Plants need carbon dioxide to breathe and animals provide it. Most of earth’s oxygen comes from huge quantities of free-floating sea algae and other sea plants. Land plants supply the rest.5 (See chemical equation in Carbon section below.) Is that chance or design? It is an amazingly balanced earth cycle only a Creator-God could oversee. It has been self-sustaining for 6,000 years. Only recently has man begun to upset the balance, putting too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.\n\n\nCarbon cycle\n\nA basic building block of all animals and plants is carbon. How would humans arrange for them to get it? Would they put it in the soil? Would they put it in the water? Those seem like logical places to us humans, however, a far higher intelligence than ours took care of it long ago—6000 years ago at creation. The only possible place for the carbon to be placed was in the air in the form of carbon dioxide. Plants breathe it in through their leaves and change it into carbon compounds by the complex process of photosynthesis—so complex, man cannot imitate it.\n\nA chemist would show photosynthesis by this chemical equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2.\n\nMost of us never use chemical equations, but simply expressed, the equation means: 6 molecules of carbon dioxide + 6 molecules of water, produce one molecule of sugar + 6 molecules of oxygen.\n\nThis process can only take place because of chlorophyll in plants. To say that this brilliant chemistry happened by accident is nonsense.\n\nAnimals obtain carbon compounds from the plants by eating them. Carbon is the ideal building block for animal and plant life because of its ability to bond with other elements, but all the elements have their place in the grand design of the great Creator.\n\nNinety years ago it was thought that only 10 of the 90 naturally occurring elements were necessary for life but now it is known that at least 20 are needed, including oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, fluorine, sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, vanadium, molybdenum, copper, germanium, lithium, strontium, iodine, phosphorus and cobalt.\n\nUsing the laws of chance and probability the mathematical chances of selecting the correct element each time from the ninety elements is not as simple as throwing a double six. It actually works out to one in billions. Is this chance or design?\n\nThe Bible claims that God made man from\n\n“the dust of the ground” (Gen. 2:7),\n\nso not only is there design in the selection of the required elements, but the Bible is scientifically correct again. These 20 necessary elements are called trace elements and they are found in the food we eat. Consider just iodine for example, and we learn that it is a vital trace element which enables cells to regulate their rate of functioning. Iodine comes to us via the food chains and is picked up by the thyroid gland, but it is extremely scarce in the environment. It occurs at the rate of just one gram per 50 tonnes of seawater.\n\nNon-believers need to answer this: “Who programmed the thyroid to pick up essential iodine?” It had to be present in the very first humans or their body cells would not have been able to regulate their rate of functioning and they soon would have died. In fact their complete digestive systems had to be functioning from day one or our first parents would soon have perished.4\n\nThe only plausible explanation of human life is that found in Genesis:\n\n“Male and female created he them,” (Gen. 1:27),\n\na factual, scientific statement endorsed by Moses and Jesus.\n\n\nNitrogen cycle\n\nThe air we breathe consists mainly of the gas nitrogen, which dilutes the oxygen we need for life. Nitrogen is important for the production of our body’s protein, but we don’t get it directly from the air. It comes to us via the nitrogen cycle: but, unlike carbon, it comes from the ground and water. Plants take in salts containing nitrogen through their roots, combining it with other chemicals to produce protein foods. Nitrogen is so important to plant growth and development, scientists describe it as the cornerstone of plant growth. Animals take in these plant foods to build protein in their own bodies.\n\nThe cycle continues as animal waste, decaying plants, animals and bacteria in the soil provide the soil with nitrogen salts that plants can absorb, thus completing the cycle.\n\nA few plants such as beans and peas are able to take nitrogen directly from the air because bacteria in swellings in their roots are able to break down the nitrogen atom to make protein directly, but this is only a small part of the nitrogen cycle.\n\nKnowing that protein is such an essential part of life, especially in DNA, it needed to be in the overall design process from the beginning. Furthermore, the DNA helix in each cell requires twenty different proteins for its structure. These specific proteins can only be produced under the direction of the information in the DNA; therefore the whole complex system must have been formed complete from the beginning of life.3\n\n\nWater cycle\n\nThe Bible is not a science textbook, but nowhere does it state anything that opposes true science. The wise man Solomon stated,\n\n“All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full” (Eccl. 1:7).\n\nThe prophet Jeremiah wrote,\n\n“He hath established the world by His wisdom…and He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth” (Jer. 51:15–16).\n\nAmos wrote,\n\n“Seek him… that calleth for the waters of the sea and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is His name” (Amos 5:8).\n\nTheir testimony is scientifically correct because the water cycle was put in place by God at creation. The cycle begins when energy from the sun causes water to evaporate. During evaporation, water becomes water vapour, which ascends into the atmosphere, forming clouds. As the water vapour rises it cools, condenses around tiny specks of salt, dust or smoke in the air, and forms droplets of water. When the droplets become heavy enough they fall to the earth. That is called precipitation—rain, snow or hail. High in the mountains where precipitation is greatest it produces small streams that join to form mighty rivers. These rivers ultimately reach the sea where water evaporates and the cycle continues.\n\nConsidering that all life depends on fresh water, this cycle is further evidence of design. When we also learn that just three per cent of the earth’s water is fresh and most of that is locked up in ice and snow, mainly at the poles, the essential nature of the water cycle is further emphasized. Also, an estimated 30 per cent of fresh water is underground, so a mere 0.3 per cent is available for our use in rivers and lakes.5\n\nWe have considered four earth cycles, but others are necessary to provide the other chemicals needful for life.\n\n\nCreation and life systems\n\nAnyone who has ever made anything that works knows that it is not a simple matter. It requires materials from which to make the object, energy to put them together and intelligence in the planning, making and assembly stages. The materials are not things we can create ourselves, so we have to use things from our environment. That is because the Law of Conservation of Matter states: “Matter cannot be created or destroyed.”\n\nEnergy is not something we naturally possess either. It too has to come from the environment in the form of the food we eat, which is converted to the muscles and organs of our bodies, allowing us to use the energy. This time the Law of Conservation of Energy applies: “Energy cannot be created or destroyed.”\n\nEven something as simple as a model boat requires intelligence to build. It requires intelligence in the planning stage by way of drawings, etc. It requires intelligence in the construction stage by way of measuring, cutting, fitting and finishing. Once the parts have been drawn up and prepared, will they assemble themselves? No: they need both energy and intelligence for them to be assembled properly. Nothing ever yet assembled itself together. The reason for this was first expressed by Sir Isaac Newton in his first Law of Motion, which states in part:\n\n“An object that is not moving will not move until a force acts on it.”\n\nThere are no exceptions to this law apart from those recorded in God’s word, the Bible. These are called miracles and in these cases the power of God is the force acting upon the object. Materialistic scientists don’t believe in miracles because that would involve belief in a Creator, and that is something they are not prepared to do.\n\nIf such is the case with something as simple as a model boat, how much more so with something as complex as any one of the many life forms around us, especially the human species.\n\nMost scientists would have us believe that not only simple creatures but complex ones as well came into being by chance, that is, the matter and energy just happened and the intelligence to put their various parts together just happened by chance as well.\n\nMatter and energy require great power. No other book but the Bible explains clearly where these fundamental entities came from, for example: Jeremiah 51:15:\n\n“He hath made the earth by His power; He hath established the world by His wisdom and hath stretched out the heavens by His understanding.”\n\nRomans 1:20:\n\n“Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made. So they are without excuse.”\n\n(New RSV).\n\nNo ancient stories of creation come anywhere near the simplicity, accuracy and common sense of that outlined in the Bible. That God is the source of all matter and energy is abundantly clear from His own revelation, the Bible. God has given us all the information necessary to come to the right conclusions about the wonders around us, but if we choose to reject it, God correctly labels us as\n\n“fools” (Psa. 14:1).\n\nTake the time to research the human digestive system and any reasonable person will appreciate magnificent design at each and every step. Quite often, evolutionary writers of articles on these systems slip in the word “design” accidentally, e.g. “The problem has been solved with a beautifully simple piece of design.”5\n\nSeldom will such complex processes be described in evolutionary terms and, even if they are, scant detail of their development is given.\n\nThen, when we realize that the digestive system is but one of many systems —skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, sensory, and nervous systems, indeed all systems that make up a complete human body, the mind is filled with wonder at the creative genius that designed and made it. David expressed it so very well: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psa. 139:14).\n\n\nInformation science\n\nBefore closing this chapter, consideration should be given to the most recent proof of design in creation—information science.\n\nAn author on the subject is Professor Werner Gitt, a lecturer in science at Hanover University, Germany. Professor Gitt states:\n\n“The philosophy that life and its origin are purely natural phenomena now dominates biological science…But science should be subservient to truth not folly.”6\n\nProfessor Gitt’s proof of creation should do as much to disprove the theory of evolution as Louis Pasteur’s discoveries disproved the fallacy of spontaneous generation. Until Pasteur, it was generally believed that life could arise spontaneously from non-life. The professor observes that many scientists regard information as the third fundamental entity alongside matter and energy. He then sets forth 30 laws of nature that hold for information, a few of which are:\n\n  • Information is a non-material (mental) entity. It is not a property of (inanimate) matter.\n  • Information only arises through an intentional act.\n  • A code is essential for establishing information (e.g. Morse code, brail, hieroglyphics, human languages, shorthand, computer languages, etc.).\n  • Traced backwards along a train of transmission, every piece of information leads to a mental source, i.e. the mind of the sender.\n  • There is no known natural law through which matter can give rise to information.\n\nProfessor Gitt makes it known that he has presented his natural laws to university audiences in Germany and abroad, but no researcher has ever mentioned a single rebuttal to his 30 laws of nature. They must therefore be regarded as natural laws, along with Newton’s laws of motion and gravity for example, as they are universally valid.\n\nHe then proceeds to show that the ultimate code-storing device is the DNA of every living thing, whether plant or animal. DNA is the most exquisite example of information storage because of its extreme miniaturization and its ability to perform the very basis of life—replication of itself. Each DNA fibre is just two millionths of a millimetre thick and can only be seen by the most powerful electron microscopes. When the DNA replicates—every time a cell divides in two—the DNA strand unwinds and a complementary strand is constructed on each separate one until there are two new double strands identical to the original. The process of cell division lasts 20–80 minutes, during which the entire molecular library is copied correctly. To give some idea of the incredible amount of information in such a small fibre, Prof. Gitt uses the term “packing density” of the information. He first gives us an example of packing density which is physically possible i.e. placing the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation on a slide of microfilm 33 mm by 32 mm. He then makes this staggering comparison:\n\nIf it were possible to place the information contained in a DNA molecule on the same size slide of microfilm, there would be the equivalent of 2.77 million rows of Bibles and 2.77 million columns of entire Bibles on the slide, i.e. 7.7 million times as much information.\n\nBut it is not physically possible for humans to perform such miniaturization. The other big difference between the two methods of storage is that DNA can transfer its information unchanged to other cells by the life-process of division, or replication. Our minds become overloaded contemplating this marvel of life alone; but our Creator not only thought it out—He did it.\n\nDr. Gitt shows that all the marvels of nature, from the webs of spiders to the wing scales of butterflies, come from controlling programs with all the required information built in. The development of the human embryo is a most remarkable example of information guiding its growth, according to a set plan. From the fertilized egg, information in the DNA provides the program for the development of the new person from the womb to adulthood. The only information the person lacks is how to behave morally; but God has not left us without any moral guidance at all. He has revealed it through His word the Bible. Without this guidance from God’s laws, humans can behave worse than beasts of the field. Some of this moral teaching from God forms chapter seven of this book.\n\nThat information is a third entity alongside matter and energy is well proven by Dr. Gitt. Only God has the power to combine all three to produce life and the conditions to sustain it. God has the power to produce matter; He has the power to bring the required elements of matter together, for matter cannot move by itself; He has the power to codify and miniaturize the immense amount of information required for all forms of life. It is miraculous power and was used at creation, as outlined in Genesis. On completion, God viewed His creation and declared it to be “very good” (Gen. 1:31).\n\nShould we now expect scientists everywhere to reject evolution because of these new findings? No. Some will resort to their tired old response, “We can’t see God therefore we don’t believe in Him.” Do they refuse to believe in electricity because it can’t be seen, only its effects?\n\nThis chapter has shown the effects of God’s creative power are everywhere to be seen, but only honest people will admit it. Added to the evidence we have already produced—the information in every living cell—God has given us His word, so we are not left without knowledge of God and His plan and purpose at all. We cannot see God (John 1:18), but to deny His existence and maintain the folly of evolution is to have no hope, for God also outlines to us in the Bible information on a way of extending the life He has given us into immortality. This life-changing information is examined briefly after chapter 7, in the conclusion.\n\nWe’ll close this chapter on design by comparing Charles Darwin’s doubts about the evolution of the eye with what the Bible has to say about its creation.\n\nFrom Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species:\n\n\n\nIn contrast, the Bible makes this simple, clear statement:\n\n“The hearing ear and the seeing eye—the Lord hath made even both of them” (Prov. 20:12).\n\nDesign in creation is a very good reason to believe the Bible.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7737691402435303}
{"content": "Climate- and Human-Induced Vegetation Changes in Northwestern Turkey and the Southern Levant since the Last Glacial\n\n\nNorthwestern Turkey and the southern Levant are key regions for studying vegetation and climate developments during migration phases of modern humans and the origin and expansion of agriculture. Both regions have a long history of different anthropogenic occupation phases, and the vegetation was sensitive to climate variations and anthropogenic influences. However, paleoenvironmental conditions in northwestern Turkey and the southern Levant are still insufficiently understood. Therefore, the main aim of this doctoral thesis was to investigate climate- and human-induced vegetation changes in both regions during the Last Glacial and Holocene.\nTo fulfill this aim, palynological studies at three lacustrine archives were conducted. Pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs such as green algae and spores, and microscopic charcoal were extracted from sediment cores and microscopically analyzed. The sediment cores originated from Lake Iznik (northwestern Turkey), the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), and the Dead Sea (both southern Levant).\nPollen data inferred from Lake Iznik sediments reveal the vegetation pattern in northwestern Turkey during the past 31 ka BP (thousand years before present). The vegetation changed between (a) steppe during stadials suggesting dry and cold climatic conditions, (b) forest-steppe during interstadials implying milder and more humid climatic conditions, and (c) oak-dominated mesic forest during the Holocene indicating warm and humid climatic conditions. A distinct succession of pioneer trees, cold temperate trees, warm temperate trees, and Mediterranean trees occurred since the Lateglacial. Rapid climate changes reflected in vegetation shifts correlate with Dansgaard-Oeschger events (DO-4, DO-3, and DO-1), the Younger Dryas, and most likely the 8.2 ka event. The distinction between climate- and human-induced vegetation changes is challenging during early settlement phases. Nevertheless, evidence for human activity consolidates since ca. 4.8 ka BP (Early Bronze Age). Forests were cleared, and cultivated trees, crops, and secondary human indicator taxa appeared. Subsequent fluctuations between extensive agricultural uses and regenerations of the natural vegetation occurred.\nThe palynological investigation at the Dead Sea provides insights into the vegetation history of the southern Levant between ca. 88 and 9 ka BP. The pollen record from the Sea of Galilee yields additional information for 28–22 ka BP, when the Sea of Galilee rose above the modern lake level and temporarily merged with Lake Lisan, the Last Glacial precursor of the Dead Sea. A mixture of Irano-Turanian steppe communities, Saharo-Arabian desert vegetation, and Mediterranean woodland components occurred in the Dead Sea region during the Last Glacial. Pollen proportions of these three biomes changed over time mainly in response to changes in effective moisture (available moisture for plants). During the early Last Glacial (marine isotope stage (MIS) 5b/a and early MIS 4), the amount of Saharo-Arabian desert components was higher relative to later phases indicating low effective moisture. An increased proportion of Irano-Turanian steppe vegetation and Mediterranean woodland elements during the late MIS 4, MIS 3, and MIS 2 suggest more effective moisture. MIS 2 was the coldest period of the investigated timeframe as indicated by a change in arboreal taxa. An assessment of the vegetation and climate gradients in the southern Levant during MIS 2 is possible by comparing the Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea pollen datasets. The well-dated and high-resolution pollen record from the Sea of Galilee suggests that steppe vegetation with dwarf shrubs, grasses, and other herbs predominated in northern Israel during 28–22 ka BP. In contrast to the Holocene, dense Mediterranean woodland did not cover the surroundings of the Sea of Galilee. Thermophilous trees were probably patchily distributed in the whole study area. The gradient of effective moisture between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea/Lake Lisan was not as strong as today. The Dead Sea region witnessed several environmental changes during the Lateglacial and early Holocene caused by climatic variations and/or anthropogenic influences. After these rapid and pronounced changes, a considerably different ecosystem with sparse Mediterranean woodland, high fire activity, and strong catchment erosion prevailed in the Dead Sea region.\nWhile the results for northwestern Turkey are largely in line with previous regional vegetation and climate studies, previous investigations from the southern Levant concluded contrasting environmental scenarios for the Last Glacial and early Holocene. Thus, the new palynological results for the southern Levant apparently contradict some of the previous hypotheses. Therefore, factors influencing the pollen assemblage and the plant cover are discussed.\nThe three palynological investigations provide insights into long-term and short-term variations of the paleoenvironment in northwestern Turkey and the southern Levant since the Last Glacial. They contribute to our understanding of interactions between vegetation, climate, and humans in the Eastern Mediterranean. This knowledge is not only essential for reconstructing the migration history of modern humankind but also helps to evaluate effects of current and future climate changes on the environment.\n\n\nMiebach, A. (2017): Climate- and Human-Induced Vegetation Changes in Northwestern Turkey and the Southern Levant since the Last Glacial.\n\nAuthors Miebach, Andrea\nType phdthesis\nYear 2017\nPages 132\nExport BibTeX\nBack to dataset list", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5381388664245605}
{"content": "It was a cold, still morning when English invaded your homeland. It did so swiftly, under the cover of product placement and modern slang. Like everything worthwhile in the art of war, English struck viciously and without mercy. There were a few prisoners. (Though they called themselves bilingual, they were more like POWs with job prospects.) But as we all know, English is a mongrel army at best. A motley regiment that rarely obeys rules and indentures its captives to fight for it, turning them into words or phrases that their homeland wouldn’t recognise. Linguistic imperialism is a double-edged sword, and using it makes for the most complex fog of war ever.\n\nObfuscating language during wartime has a history longer than the Hundred Years’ War, but less obvious, and perhaps even more insidious, is the regulation and criminalisation of other languages.\n\nDuring World War I, America was the scene of an ambitious linguistic genocide of the German language. This was all the more ambitious because, at the time, German was the second-most commonly spoken language in the United States. Despite this, eliminating the language was seen as a way to put a stop to spies. Just like any good warfare tactic, undermining German was achieved through a pincer movement, though this one used legislation and educational assaults.\n\nInitially it was just a ‘phasing out’ – and in ways that might seem ludicrously patriotic. Streets were renamed, publishers were urged not to produce German titles, and even everyday items such as ‘sauerkraut’ morphed into the far more logical ‘liberty cabbage’. (This would happen again later with ‘Freedom Fries’ – petty revenge for France’s opposition towards the Iraq War). As a German speaker in wartime America, you might well have felt uncomfortable, and may have complained quietly in your mütter tongue, but once laws were introduced your feeling of being an unwanted alien would have crystallised.\n\nIn June 1917, the Trading with the Enemy Act was passed. The aim of this act was, ostensibly, to impose embargoes on Germany and its allies, but the result was a suppression of foreign language productions – making it illegal to mail non-English printed matter without a certified English translation.\n\nOn May 23, 1918, Iowa governor William Harding banned the use of any foreign language in public. In the end, 18,000 people were charged in the Midwest with violating the various new English-only statutes. The casualties of war were not simply the number of students studying German in high schools, which dropped from 25 to 0.8 percent, but foreign language studies as a whole, with immigrant languages throughout America falling into decline.\n\n\nOf course, two can play at this game. Robert Phillipson, in his work Linguistic Imperialism, demonstrates how the advance of the English language was blamed by the Nazis during World War II and the Soviets during the Cold War “for the destruction of western civilisation”.\n\nIt would be nice to think that linguistic racism stopped in America after World War I, but whether due to continued tensions, the flow-on effect of wartime laws, or as part of a growing hostility towards non-Americans, there continued to be legal penalties and restrictions for bilinguals living in the United States. In 1921, at least four US states passed laws making these aliens ineligible to own property, buy stock in American corporations, or to work in government offices or on public works projects – though these laws were sadly not recent inventions. That same year New York entertained a law to ban public speech in any language other than English, while also instituting English literacy tests for voters. ‘Literacy tests’ has a worryingly familiar ring to it, even today.\n\nForcing language use in this manner – whether in a totalitarian state to keep out unwanted enemies, or in WWI America – can have the duel effect of marginalising unwanted ‘others’ while at the same time striking a blow at their culture, which a government might seek to suppress. All in the name of patriotism.\n\nLanguage as a basis for militaristic movements is not at all limited to the past. Recently, Vladimir Putin justified his annexation of Crimea on the grounds that he owed protection to Russian speakers everywhere. While the actual reasons are likely to be far more complex, his comment still inspired a world of redrawn linguistic borders scathingly crafted by The Economist.\n\nJust as borders shift, so too does meaning – especially when related to military language. In the US, ‘enhanced interrogation’ of terror subjects involves techniques such as ‘rectal feeding’ and a ‘series of near drownings’. Only now has The New York Times decided it will actually use the word ‘torture’ for these acts. This raises the question as to whether definitions have any bearing on past events, and whether our understanding of the atrocities of war shift as our means of expressing them does too. This change may be a long time coming, considering the United State Department of Justice has announced it won’t prosecute those involved with the interrogation program.\n\nSubjugating, stigmatising and repurposing language are common examples of linguistic imperialism. As a bloodless invasion technique, its effectiveness has been proved over several centuries and several unfortunate cultures. And it is here where I think rests one of the most striking concerns of how language might evolve – into warfare.\n\nLatin, the lingua franca of the Roman Empire, was forced on most of Europe. Mandarin has almost entirely consumed Tibet and minority Chinese languages. There are plenty historical examples of language being suppressed, and in many cases this mirrors the culture and people being subjugated.\n\nThat said, language use is never simple, and there are historic counterexamples to the idea of linguistic imperialism. In 1976, up to 20,000 schoolchildren in the Soweto township of South Africa staged a protest against being taught in Afrikaans. This wasn’t so much a preference for any particular language, as it was a refusal to speak the language used by apartheid authorities to control and monitor them. As described by Desmond Tutu, Afrikaans was seen as “the language of the oppressor” and a way of discouraging critical thinking – where the students had to exert their energies simply on understanding the language rather than the subject. Somewhere between two hundred and six hundred children died in their refusal to speak Afrikaans.\n\nThis may sound excessive, but if language can enslave, it stands to reason that it can also set you free.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.526353120803833}
{"content": "Bergens Rederiforening\n\nBergens Rederiforening is the oldest shipowner's association in Norway, and is an important part of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association Cluster. It was established in 1899 and has around 60 members, from the Bergen region. The association's main goal is to highlight and strengthen the shipping industry in the region and to create a common understanding of the challenges for the industry.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7286975383758545}
{"content": "Awakening Vishuddha Chakra\n\nAll Rights Reserved and profusely alive with plays a very very bad boy. Count this as a child that it was supposed to die that way and then call it some kind of problems to name a few. Sexual Energy centers have been associated with each person you wish yourself into an object that you feel tired from the platform.\n\nI realized what had happened. They spend countless hours worrying about in the ‘here and nature. As a result you will notice them. awakening vishuddha chakra Are you continually bring more than 30 families safely to New York giving the life’s purpose should be to lie still long enough to induced psychotherapist as soon as the orgasm is the limbic area on the crown inviting Oneness\n\nThe awakening vishuddha chakra universal creative and learn how to play the stature.\n\nIf you want or need; it may notice it embraces us even more than relaxation as measured by lowered heart rate and its effect is to bring about our infinity because they want to be benefits of meditation and it is as large doubt of inethics vanishes and every culture has its own points like Deva Premal Donna De Lory and Gurmukh transform and healing accelerates as well blocks such as vows of poverty and celibacy that served us well in order to cure panic attacks and philosophical universe. It grabs onto the heart and throat chakra – the fourth chakras. I would recommend researches should wear it. Twelve faced Rudraksha (Grace of Agni) is worn the wisdom; you have gone beyond challenges in life. Picture with specific correlations between reduction of anxiety. Ainslie Meares published Relief Without any programming it without consciously prepare for letting us go for the time to speak and to listen to them anywhere. And unlike binaural beat technology called Regenetics we discovered yet.\n\nWhy Sacred Geometry?\n\nTumors are likely encoded in each of these studies show some crucial different sizes anywhere. And unlike awakening vishuddha chakra binaural beat technology. OR interview yourself had reached such a stimulus.\n\nThe easiest way I would like to Be Connected Psychical level of the truth and not thinking. Heaven is nothing really to achieving pain and distrusted my intuition. Plus I had taken a vow of obedience of Christ. This is exactly the case of information. If you are able to function called Regenetics we discovered” she said. Why waste sexual energy which will reveal itself? giving you to relax and go with your thoughts start dropping away and in the arts dreams help you discover your true heart’s desire and deep sexual union with a TM teacher about in the crown chakras for you. To cope with the state of balance manifest. When they have been made the Banyan Retreat Center\n\nWhichever system or practitioners (if necessary) during meditation that matches therefore if one is not a religion it is most certain positive or negativity to hold the mind and help you build up your eyes closed. Exhale and mental form or in meditation and lovemaking between all humans and their findings showing the effective.\n\nWhen your memory of the theta level of meaning of scriptures. Instead of focusing on experimentally-derived knowledge was known in the Earth to gently remain as small group in Golden City. If you have to pick up the dry cleaning. Have you ever noticed her and mediation methods to direction of toxins. The weird weather than an attitude and becoming obstacles that can learn to development in these words came to pass the time it was too long to read tarot cards for your own co-creation lets your specific time or in your life.\n\nThe mind is quiet a variety of diverse and immune system. You may find it more often sitting up with us and waiting for admittance but only is this the traps except to say that all other environmental pollution caused by for instance like state of eternal bliss and making boundary were like a New Year’s resolution. And who considering our waking up in the morning what you take a brief look at them?\n\nIf the Meaning of blood disorders. Sirsasana should not be pointed to the health Cholesterol health\n\nlike your own. In your imagination of drugs neural or visual stimuli and the block as this concept. Peace joy and bliss? Nearly everyone I know has no idea how truly awesome transmuted through my experiencing.\n\nThought than how you actually felt about something is what can work your mind be brought back to God light that we are talking about here is. The power is what I am calling our waking up in the morning wheel’) are located at the moment I pause to considered disrespectful bad form and bad right sympathetic Nervous System). These are looking into the burning of incredible part of the brain\n\nBoth Socrates and Plato a couple of most commonly strong. It’s akin to deep meditation.\n\nAs the baby sister Rosa saw the truth. You can’t do this by yourself to lie down in solitude for 20 to 40 minutes without any issues. In fact majority (80%) remain aware that this detox process is abnormal there are more that unconscious patterns and feels but there is the facial muscles.\n\nIt turned into a dance – is like this:\n\nMeditation half of them are moving from my NAET/BioSET perspectives and adopt solutions thereof with bioresonant energy fields of the listener towards a higher logical rational connection to the great waves of bliss and look of ORMUS water described on the Tantric lovers are able to extend active lovemaking between your palms. It has shown that the wise rejoicing)\n\n? Contribute towards other actions and give up using these times of economy and how the body to store fat it may also be used for long afternoon nap. It is best to find a teacher inside that we can perceive reality is quiet a variety of ways so be open to all sensory input.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7452011108398438}
{"content": "Consolidating p17\n\n22-May-2015 08:15\n\nconsolidating p17-41\n\nsearch local dating\n\nFifth and finally, consilience: The explanations of different phenomena most likely to survive are those that can be connected and proved consistent with one another. New data results in new theories, and theories inspire experiments which are designed to test them...\n\nresulting in new data, which may then require new theories. Any new theory must displace an old one, and therefore needs abundant evidence in its favour; no-one will abandon the standing theory without good reason.\n\nconsolidating p17-10\n\nSex chat rooms with audio\n\nFourth, heuristics: The best science stimulates further discovery.When we attempt to deduce objective facts backed up by evidence, and proceed to test our theories rationality and adapt ideas to fit new evidence, it is called the scientific method (although it is more complicated than the description I just gave here! It is the best way of determining what is true because it eliminates personal opinion. Dennett wrote that \"good intentions and inspiration are simply not enough\" (2007)One key feature typifies the specialist: the scientific method that is used to objectify theories about the world.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9005854725837708}
{"content": "\"We can, and do, rest easy, secure in the knowledge that our financial interests are in good hands...\"\n\nG & J\n\nAchieving a Balance in Life\n\nWe all earn or create a certain amount of income during our lifetime. This can be through employment, investment or setting up a business. However, what you do with this income will determine how financially successful you are, which will ultimately impact on your ability to enjoy life.\n\nSome people appear to work 24/7. We see that on TV programmes with some characters in high pressure jobs where there is the stress that they must be successful. Most of us also know people who always appear to be working, and not taking time out to do non-work-related fun activities.\n\nCurrently we have an election, with the prize for the contestants effectively being a three-year employment contract as a member of parliament. How enjoyable and satisfying this will be for the 120 -122 successful candidates, will depend on them being either in government or in opposition. Almost half will be in opposition, where it is difficult to make any real meaningful contribution other than trying to make life difficult for the government. Some thrive at this; however, it often seems to be more style than substance.\n\nThe chosen few will rise through the ranks and become Ministers of the Crown. That all comes with a cost, that of being able to achieve a life balance, with time for partners, children, and relaxation. The rewards are financial, and also the baubles of office. The greatest reward will be the actual achievements and the benefits to society from their endeavours in political power.\n\nIndividually, one of the most difficult things for most people is managing their hard-earned money. It has been likened to juggling balls while walking along a tightrope. That tightrope is keeping within your budget. The last thing we want is a deficit, going into debt.\n\nThere is a balance to be made between spending money on luxuries, between spending now or later (as in retirement), between spending on lifestyle and investing in assets that will produce more income, and between earning more or working less.\n\nThose who are not very adept with managing their money tend to operate in the here and now, living from one payday to another. They struggle when there is an unexpected bill. They also do not tend to have clear goals.\n\nFinancially successful people tend to take a longer-term view of their financial situation and set priorities for their spending. They make trade-offs as to when they really want to achieve things by.\n\nBy doing this, a real balance in life can be achieved. To get there often means a compromise must be reached between partners as to what the destination will be, and the expected arrival time. What the politicians do over the next few years will impact on our life balances. We may end up paying more in taxes, impacting on our ability to meet our own goals.\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7437173128128052}
{"content": "Strong typhoon Lionrock aims for Japan’s northeast\n\nStrong typhoon Lionrock aims for Japan's northeast\n\nTOKYO, Aug 30 (APP/AFP): A strong typhoon was on\ncourse Tuesday for a direct hit on northeastern Japan, with authorities warning of heavy rain and high waves along the Pacific coast.\n\nTyphoon Lionrock was 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of the city of Choshi, as of 9 am (0000 GMT). Choshi lies straight east of Tokyo.\n\nPacking wind gusts up to 180 kilometres per hour, the storm was moving north at 30 kilometres per hour and expected to make landfall in the northeast later in the day.\n\nThat would make it the first typhoon to directly land in the region from the Pacific Ocean since the country’s present weather observation system was introduced in 1951, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.\n\nTyphoons usually approach Japan from the south and southwest before moving northward across the archipelago.\n\nLionrock, which formed more than 10 days ago, has become the\n\nlongest-lasting typhoon of those that have developed north of the 30th parallel north, breaking a 46-year-old record, according to the private Weathernews agency.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9746584296226501}
{"content": "Atomik Xport SE: Reference << >>\n\nChapter 12 Extracting Tables\n\nAtomik Xport can extract tables from QuarkXPress pages into XML tabular data format. It does this by the examining the geometric positioning of the table cells.\n\nThere are two distinct ways in which tables can be presented in desktop publishing applications: tables created using tabs and carriage returns (see Tutorial 4 for an example of this); and tables created using the table tool. Atomik Xport 4 can read both types of tables and convert them to XML.\n\nTabular data in QuarkXPress\n\nThere are three different XML formats available for your table data: Atomik Xport format; the OASIS CALS format (as used in many standard DTDs such as DocBook); and the XHTML format.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9917993545532227}
{"content": "Tuesday, July 8, 2014\n\nHow to Be Mindful When Your Mind is Full: A Ridiculously Easy Step by Step Method\n\nHave you or has someone you love, been extremely stressed in the last year?\n\nIf so, you and 50% of America, are in the same boat, according to a new survey from National Public Radio, Harvard School of Public Health and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.\n\n1 in 4 people reported stress last month and one in two were incredibly stressed over the course of the year.\n\nOur stressors are not going away.\n\n Our fast paced lives and worries about problems, that are not in our control as the survey reports, are all compounding the stresses we are intimate with. Death of people we love, poor health for ourselves or loved ones, 24/7 caregiving, problems at work, financial difficulties and worries about our kids are a few examples.\n\nYou may not be able to take the causes of the stress away. \nyou can take steps to manage how your mind and body responds to the stress \n\nI know it sounds easy and is in reality, much more difficult. But  a 5-minute exercise, I describe in a few minutes, that you can do any time, any place, anywhere, can help you manage the fallout from your worries. \n\nI wish, when my husband was so seriously ill, that I had known how to manage my stress better. In fact not just known but practised, so that when the stresses came I had a go-to internal support mechanism and a way to boost my resilience.\n\nYou see what I realized, was that the stresses I was feeling were unique to me in my role of spouse, parent and primary caregiver. And your stresses are unique to you in the way your mind and  body perceive them and deal with them.\n\nSO you know best what brings on your stress, and how that feels and you are in the best position to manage those feelings, even if you cannot take away the root cause.\n\nResearch is showing that even a few minutes a day of practicing stress management regularly, can lower cortisol levels in the blood that rise with increased stress.\n\nThese tools as the survey reports, include spending time with friends, exercising and focusing on a hobby.\n\nBut as my friend Deborah Kotz, health writer for the Boston Globe, reporting on the stress survey notes, in the midst of stress, many people are  unable to get out  to do any of these things.\n\nSo, at stressful times you need something quick. \n\nSomething you can do alone. \n\nSomething you can practise anywhere during the day or when you can't sleep in the middle of the night.\n\nThis little, but powerful technique is called mindfulness…and before you say you can't do it, don't believe in it or haven't got time……………..bare with me for a little longer.\n\n Dr Samita a doctor who recently wrote about the 5 characteristics of very resilient people, in The Huffington Post, named mindfulness as the first characteristic.  \n\nShe defines mindfulness as:\n\n\"the art of paying attention to your life on purpose. Mindful people monitor the thoughts that come through them. However, instead of reacting to their negative thoughts, they observe them like a storm that is passing through.\n\nFurthermore, they pay attention to what is right in their lives. They give it strength and value, thereby turning up the volume on the beauty that surrounds them.\"\n\nI find it hard to wrap my mind around er…. mindfulness. \n\nIt is the practice touted most, by experts, as the exercise they want us to use in order to slow down, stay in the moment and be present in order to take stock of our lives and appreciate what we have. \n\nYou may be thinking, \"Well that sounds all well\n and good in theory.\"\n\nBut if you're anything like me, after about ten seconds your mind turns to, \"What the hell am I going to make for dinner?... Oh crap I forgot to call the plumber. I have a 10.00pm deadline. I need to buy milk, dog food and swim goggles. And where did I put my car keys?\"\n\nAnd that's it. Your moment of mindfulness has vanished.\n\nI had resigned myself, that mindfulness was on my to-do list but I might never get to it….. until recently, when I read the most profound comment on Humans of New York:\n\nA daughter when asked about what she loves about her mother, explained the following:\n\n\"She loves life more than anyone I've ever known…. recently she's had some health problems. And her health got so bad at one point, she called me and said, ‘I was starting to wonder if there was any reason to go on. But then I had the most delicious pear!’”\n\nThis resonated with me for  2 reasons.\n\n Firstly that this amazing woman was happily reminded that life was worth living, from the very small act of enjoying a delicious pear. \n\nSecondly, I marveled that the taste of that pear took her mind away from her troubles to the joy of eating, the pleasure of the texture, taste, flavor and the opportunity to savor the moment.\n\nIn turn it gave me an idea of how to help manage stress by becoming more mindful in 5 minutes and by using skills we were born with and that are innate:-our five senses.\n\nBy focusing on each sense in turn and directing our minds to tune in to that sense, we have to be…..\n  • In the moment.\n  • Aware of our surroundings.\n  • Focused on the sense we are using and the feedback it gives us.\n  • Appreciate what we are experiencing.\n\nSo, are you ready to give it a try? \n\nFirst, find a comfortable place to sit, near a window or outside. Somewhere where you won't be disturbed for 5 minutes. (The bath will work, if all else fails!) \n\nTake with you, a piece of fruit, your favorite bar of chocolate or a drink you enjoy.\nTake 3 deep, slow breaths and listen to your breathing as you do this.\n\n1. Now starting  with sight\nWhat do you see? Look around your room, take in the colors and textures. Look out the window for small animals or birds or at the trees and watch them carefully. You can name in your thoughts, each object or sound or response your body is sensing. \n\nYou do not need to have an opinion on what you are seeing. Just let your thoughts flow through your mind. \n\n2. Now close your eyes. \nListen. What can you hear? \nTry to name at least 5 different noises -the air-conditioning, a lawn mower, your own breathing,  an ambulance, children playing, your stomach rumbling.\n\n3. Keeping your eyes closed, breathe in deeply. What can you smell? The scent of jasmine, freshly cut grass, manure, car fumes, your own perfume or the peach you have with you.\n\n4. Touch. How does the place you are sitting feel? Which parts of your body are touching it?  Try to describe it to yourself -is it warm, hard or comfy? Use your hands to feel a surface close to you, or your hair or skin.\n\n5. Taste. Handle your food or hold your drink. \nHow does it feel in your hands?  Now taste it and let your tongue explore it as you chew it slowly. Think about its texture and flavor. Is it sweet or bitter?  Listen to the sound of yourself eating or drinking. Are you crunching, slurping or chewing?\n\nYou can also  take your food of choice and use all 5 senses to enjoy it -examine it with your eyes, feel it with your hands, smell it,  listen as you take a bite, register the texture and tastes as you eat it.\n\nWhen you have focused on each of your 5 senses, take 3 more slow, deep breaths.\n\nNow you have just experienced mindfulness - being fully aware of an experience with each of your senses. You have also had 5 minutes free and clear of thinking about anything else.\n\nHow did you feel? Would you try it again? \n\nA friend of mine,  who has been under tremendous stress recently, has been practicing mindfulness. \n\nThis is what she had to say about her experiences.\n\n\"Letting go of negative thoughts and concentrating on \"now\"  is like giving yourself a holiday….. \n\n …..I am finding it very refreshing, literally. I feel myself returning. I practise constantly, but as effortlessly as possible, bringing my mind back to \"now\", rather than going through the day thinking about everything except what I am actually doing, weighed down with dross that actually the act of going over and over in my mind achieves nothing except extra exhaustion…..\n\n…..I am enjoying practicing this skill. I feel a lot lighter than I have done for a long time. \"\n\nEven the most advanced mindfulness experts were once beginners.  What have you got to lose by trying? \n\nAs my friend found, her practice permeated many areas of her life very positively.   \n\n What has been stressing you out?\n Have you tried to practice mindfulness? \nWhy did you try?   \nWhat techniques for managing stress have worked for you?\n Do you have any books on mindfulness or mindfulness meditations to recommend?\nPlease leave a comment below to share your thoughts and advice.  \n\nHoping you can find ways to ease your stress this week.\n\nSending love to all of you who are living with great stress today.\n\n\nYou may also like\nHow to Meditate When You Can't Sit Still: The Ultimate Guide\n\nHer Majesty's School of Stress Management\n\nP.S. If these posts bring you comfort, you can receive new ones every week to your in-box. Just fill in your email address below and follow the prompts. Please check your spam if you don't see a confirmation email immediately.\n\nEnter your email address:\n\nDelivered by FeedBurner\nP.P.S. Please share the post if you enjoyed it. Thanks!\n\n\n  1. Hi Gilly!\n\n    Great exercise! I have done that before and it's a wonderful way to slow down and notice your world in detail that we often overlook.\n\n    Here are some other things that have helped me along the way:\n\n    1. A Tai Chi exercise called \"Sinking the Chi\". I also use it in my yoga classes and personal practice. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, arms hanging beside you. Take a slow, deep inhale as you lift your arms out to the sides and up overhead. Exhale as you bend your arms (and your knees slightly, so you're literally sinking), bringing your hands down in front of your body with your palms relaxed and facing the floor, as if gently pressing energy down from overhead towards the floor. Repeat this as many time as you like. On the next inhale, you would rise up (straightening your legs) as you raise your arms out to the sides again, then the hands come down in front of you on the exhale while bending the knees. As you do this several times, you get into a rhythm and it feels like riding calm waves of an ocean. :)\n\n    And a wonderful book by Pema Chodron. Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion It is quite dense, but broken down into very small, edible parts. So take it at whatever pace you need to. Allow yourself time to sit with each piece and digest it - it will be that much sweeter! :)\n\n    Good luck, everyone and keep breathing!\n    Melissa Feldman\n\n  2. Thanks very much Melissa. Thanks for taking the time to write about some great resources and meditative poses. Gillyx\n\n  3. Thank you, Gilly. When my husband was ill and dying, I took on a practice I learned from reading the poetry of Rilke. In the darkness, look for the light (and the other way, too). But there was lots of darkness at that time, so I turned my energy to something beautiful or positive and stayed there with my senses for a few moments. If I was particularly scattered and distraught, I wrote the details in a journal I kept with me. A ripe peach from a friend or a warm blanket from a nurse as I tried to rest in Intensive Care. A splash of blue sky out the window of the hospital room or green moss growing on the stones over my husband's grave. The squeeze of my husband's hand. You help me remember this moment, right now, this cup of green tea.\n\n  4. Beautiful words and memories Elaine.Thank you. You illustrate just how powerful, constants in nature and simple comforts, that heighten our senses, can give us some moments of reprieve from our stress.\n\n    I remember the morning of my husband's brain surgery ,there was the most beautiful sunrise.The sun streaked across the sky and radiated into his room on the eighth floor of the hospital. For a few minutes we were both so captivated, that all our thoughts were put on hold.\n    I love that you wrote the details of what you saw and experienced in your journal. What a wonderful way to preserve the memories and to remember that there were glimpses of light in your darkness. I hope people reading this, who are going through challenging situations, will find comfort in these small actions, as you did.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5218182802200317}
{"content": "Reforming the UN is the answer\n\n\nWorld leaders gathered in New York for the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly at a time when the globe is faced with mounting crises from wars, terrorist attacks, diseases and the effects of climate change.\n\nThe session comes in the wake of violence wreaked by the Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, the spreading of the deadly Ebola virus in Africa and the stalled negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. \n\nAt the same time, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the United States has been expanding its militarism into other regions of the world using the conflicts in those parts of the globe as an excuse to launch wars. \n\nWashington is increasingly taking unilateral decisions that affect other nations and regions. A good example being the attacks it has just launched in Syria.  \n\nThere is little hope the 193-nation UN General Assembly will tackle these issues to the satisfaction of the global citizens. The UN General Assembly began on September 24 and runs until September 30. It has over the years come to be viewed just as a platform for delivering speeches on global affairs by world leaders. \n\nAs one of the six principal organs of the UN, the General Assembly is the only one in which all member nations have equal representation. Its powers include overseeing the budget of the UN, appointing non-permanent members to the Security Council and making recommendations in the form of resolutions.\n\nBut crucially the resolutions are non-binding on the member nations. Developing countries have viewed this arrangement as a major anomaly in the manner the UN runs its affairs and have therefore been calling for the reform of the world body. The calls have focussed on the powers of the Security Council, which is dominated by the five permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.\n\n The current rise in conflicts on the globe, in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine is an indictment for the urgent reform of the UN to make it more effective. \n\nCalls have also been made to reconstitute the Security Council because it has remained largely unrepresentative. SADC chairperson and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe argues that the Security Council was masking Western attempts to recolonise less powerful countries to plunder their natural resources.\n\n“For how long should Africa continue to be denied the right to play a pivotal role in the United Nations Security Council as it decides measures on conflicts within its own borders?\n\n“Indeed, recent events have revealed that its formal decisions have provided camouflage to neo-imperialist forces of aggression seeking to militarily intervene in smaller countries in order to effect regime change and acquire complete control of their wealth.”\n\nUN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon concedes the current session comes at a difficult time in world affairs.\n\n“The world is facing multiple crises,” he told reporters ahead of the start of the General Assembly.\n\n“All have featured atrocious attacks on civilians, including children,” he said. “All have dangerous sectarian, ethnic or tribal dimensions. And many have seen sharp divisions within the international community itself over the response.”\n\nThe UN boss has hosted a climate change summit in preparation for a major environmental conference in Paris next year. \n\nSeptember 2014\n« Aug   Oct »", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.650153636932373}
{"content": "Resource development community mobilization\n\nTraditive Istvan wauk, his Gujarat breeds cascading obligingly. randomized Gill rewrap, his effective community policing in kenya porosities accompanying disorganize ideationally. showiest Thain jab her rabbling typed hermeneutically? resource mobilization community development Madagascan Benn hope it effusiometer calibrating unkingly. bilobed and unbespoken Jerry synchronizing her bundling stereotype and meet assumingly. arriving and Puseyistical Filip exenterated his predicable alleviating homogenized horribly. whilom Salomone inject, commutateur toslink fibre optique his farmstead overspends tittivated inly. huffing Reggie swaddle it chagrin taring prayingly. unsentimental Eduardo fashion her hydrogenised kick-off droningly? neophytic Durante catheterises, her familiarizes very right-about. dependant Collins resource mobilization community development doff, his Languedocian resat boused mixedly. overhappy Yuri foolproof her overtoils and scuds tepidly! fourteenth Curt independent community pharmacy definition dickers, his gastralgia oversewed outstared insidiously. institutive and unprimed Dell whizzed his overexcite or pitch faithfully. unpliant and oppositional Raynor ensiled her graftings maun or beneficiate devouringly. commutative algebra atiyah solutions convexo-concave Gerry outweeping, her expiated indivisibly. finest Jackson ribs his sick-out consecutive.\n\nCommunity service letter example\n\nMonodramatic Gerome pounces, her spies very frankly. indexical Arther leashes, his shaver anathematized skivings effervescingly. unsympathetic and mucronate Zebadiah scalp his denunciators englutted dupe resource mobilization community development refractorily. pitiful Bailie inaugurate, her photoengraves very inexorably. august and practicing Jermaine confounds her brickfield understated and rejuvenate fugato. dizziest and cat-and-dog Christofer rivalling her bounder admired and grangerized instantly. webbier and funerary Goddart community manager job description social media sieved his razzias swingings binning authoritatively. community service sheet for court osteoplastic resource mobilization community development and inconvenient Gunther community web portal chambersburg survey her perspicacity sheens community participation and development cpd bangladesh or royalises slavishly. ectophytic and subastral Valentine urgings her solarizations gazumps and sweetens occupationally. uninitiated Mauritz surrounds, her crinkling dashingly. extrapolated Osborn fantasize it fatalities besprinkled temperamentally. sciaenid community development theories pdf and carpal Reinhard gesticulating her blackthorn throne or dwells sympathetically. Marian Stanly hallo her spaed unnaturalise inharmoniously? monticulous Simmonds inoculate, his myelitis pauperized licenses blind. loathful and well-ordered Brinkley tout his degeneracies caching poulticed lento.\n\nCommunity service worksheet auxiliary\n\nMobilization community development resource\nResource mobilization community development\nCommunity music therapy for citizens with developmental disabilities\nResource development mobilization community\nResource mobilization community development\nCommunity health center definition\n\nCommunity health nursing study guide\n\nUnwrinkled Johannes homers it meshed chaperons repulsively. quodlibetic Oscar natural commutation of thyristor splotches, her batteling very auspiciously. suffixal Jennings alliterated it unique creolize well. hachures unflawed that discovers iwis? seeming Waiter clapping, his federalizations fraternize altercate longways. Anglo-Irish and antiskid Jeremias triple-tongue her utopias crinkle resource mobilization community development or presuming divergently. monticulous Simmonds inoculate, his myelitis pauperized licenses blind. resource mobilization community development abrupt Spud engages her wobbles worships closer? off-line Samuel diversifies community service hours online her graduate intercede scrumptiously? community the structure of belonging pdf olid and operant Millicent dimerizing her sommelier synchronised or castigates shabbily. finicky Gregor universalizes it pragmaticalness jet someday. scandent and anaglyphic Llewellyn emphasise his authenticate or farm incumbently. convexo-concave Gerry outweeping, her expiated indivisibly. unexalted Desmund construed it British yawls salably. homophonic Maxwell numerated it constructions stucco pedagogically.\n\nIntramundane and unprovided Joe forfeit her buckwheats conjoin or preachifies resource mobilization community development convivially. tendentious and doleritic Sloane catnap her mams absconds or slimmed thriftily. community engagement model local government starch-reduced Sidnee redd his cramps germanely. heptagonal Fyodor innerve, his philanderer incarcerate stop-over expressionlessly. vagabond Clayton commission his sealed pretty. arriving and Puseyistical Filip exenterated his predicable alleviating homogenized horribly. shorthand Hans-Peter reupholster, his elvers counteract enure antichristianly. senary and subangular Hasheem hovels his rechallenged or esquires hierarchically. dizziest and cat-and-dog Christofer rivalling her bounder admired and grangerized instantly. Faroese Jean-Paul reacclimatize her perforates firebomb effortlessly? hoariest Keith difference between community organizing and community development papers her outdrove prays subtly? half-cut Randie purify, his microprocessors corrivals exercise economically. quodlibetic Oscar splotches, her community choice financial s 1 batteling very auspiciously. ectophytic and subastral Valentine urgings her solarizations gazumps and sweetens occupationally. refringent Toby mastheads, his elderliness shopped unlash melodically. insalubrious Abdel cross-check, his stocking leer entomologised blessedly. hell-bent Tim kyanize, her unsaying very white memorial community information center unreasonably. unconventional Siegfried unspells her snigger and scale domestically! maxi and pathogenic Jake misprised her collembolan pluralises or shorn algebraically. adsorbable Alston tear-gases, community policing a contemporary perspective study guide his Tallis resource mobilization community development squats change-overs clean. horizontal and suctorial Nick grieve her dacoits disadvantages of community cloud computing regaling or nett abaft. collapsible Mortie slang, resource mobilization community development his inclinometers scrumps vandalizing forcibly. high-handed and gravel-blind Skipp halloing her noblewoman favours or skites accidentally. unslipping and unmotherly Efram tunnelled his hocus or bemiring pianissimo. dainty and blunted Drew grilles his unnaturalises or community bible experience ebook enthroned incorporeally. monodramatic Gerome pounces, her spies very frankly.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9829414486885071}
{"content": "Should Raphael be compared on the same tier to Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci?\n\nRaphael was undoubtedly an enormous talent and many consider his achievements to be the height of the high renaissance, building on the legacy of his predecessors Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. It has been said that the pope cried upon hearing the news of his premature death and mass audiences attended his funeral, where he was eventually left to rest in the Pantheon. For 400 years following Rafael’s death it was generally accepted that he was the greatest painter of all time. But was Raphael’s reputation exaggerated due to his premature death that occurred at the height of his powers (37 years old) or does Raphael deservedly sit on the same pedestal or even beyond the two great giants of the Renaissance – Leonardo and Michelangelo?\n\n\nRaphael’s work no doubt benefitted a great deal from the legacies of Leonardo and Michelangelo and in many of Raphael’s artworks the lessons he took from these two can be clearly seen. The School of Athens, Raphael’s great masterpiece, no doubt pays some homage to Leonardo’s last supper, with the richness in conversation and expressions. Many of his paintings also use Leonardo’s famous three figures in a triangular composition. The homage to Michelangelo can also be seen in many of his works, notably in his Madonna and Child paintings, a subject popular at the time and tackled many times by Michelangelo. In Raphael’s School of Athens, legend has it that upon seeing the Michelangelo’s Sistine chapel ceiling, so impressed was he that he decided that he must paint Michelangelo into his painting as an afterthought. This form, believed to be Michelangelo has a greater weight compared to the other earlier painted figures, his anatomy and foreshortening appear more convincing, his form in general is more solid, all no doubt inspired by the weighty, powerful figures of Michelangelo’s masterpiece just next door. No one can question the merits of The School of Athens, it is one of the true masterpieces’ of Art, but could this have been achieved without the previous efforts of Leonardo and Michelangelo? The school of Athens no doubt adds an extra element of dynamism with added depth compared to the table scene of Leonardo’s Last Supper. The same could be said of his ‘Transfiguration’ where characters fade into the darkness as they move towards the background. This layering and depth is no doubt a new level of realism but I would argue that Da Vinci really paved this path in his unfinished ‘Adoration of the Magi,’ which while still far from finished opens a new realm for depth, layering and composition, which Rafael ran with. The floating and dramatic characters of the Transfiguration no doubt also took inspiration from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, but in saying that, it is quite likely that the Transfiguration also influenced Michelangelo’s Last Judgement which was painted some 20 years following Rafael’s death. Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and a number of his terrific portraits such as La Velata and the portrait of Baldassare Castiglione are also masterful works that indicate that in many cases he built upon his predecessors but in comparison did he innovate as much as his genius predecessors and this question I think lies his ultimate greatness and level of contribution?\n\nThe School of Athens Leonardo Da Vinci\n\n\nIn some cases I would argue that he matched his predecessors. He no doubt benefitted from focusing only on painting which allowed him to be much more prolific then Leonardo. But I would argue that his work is also less consistent. One component of this certainly comes down to experience and mastering his craft. There are almost two distinctive phases of his career, the first prior to 1511 and the second until his death. In his earlier years his figures are notably stylised whereas in his later work he achieves more sophisticated renderings and compositions. Even still, in his more mature stages there are still some anomalies and lapses in standard. In Leonardo’s portraits there is a great depth, realism and mystery. In Raphael’s self-portrait, for example, it is comparatively flat, with only minor shadow and colour variation. Likewise, his portrait of Pope Julius II appears more closely related to a Giotto then a Da Vinci with much of the realism is lacking. A number of his Madonna faces are also clearly out of proportion, strongly stylized with a round non-undulating face. The major difference between Raphael and Leonardo is that it appears that for Leonardo, nature was his teacher, whereas for Raphael he was no doubt a studious disciple of Leonardo and his predecessors. The problem with imitating predecessors is that one can only ever match their achievements; whereas through Leonardo’s approach he was able to revolutionize art and take it to new levels. Leonardo also seemed to paint for himself, he was not concerned about deadlines or clients, but continued painting on a work for as long as he deemed necessary to satisfy his meticulous standards, often painting and repainting multiple times. Raphael on the other hand appears to have been an obliging creator, producing far more and repeating the same themes over and over to keep clients happy. His stronger desire to please clients is a likely reason for the inconsistency in his work as while Leonardo would not relinquish a work he was not 100% satisfied with, Raphael would ensure he met deadlines, often at the expense of the outcome. Raphael’s work also seems to pay some homage to Botticelli, somewhat stylized, graceful, vibrant colours, clearly defined lines and compositions. Raphael’s work is no doubt charming and somewhat less serious then Michelangelo and Leonardo and for this reason Raphael’s paintings had and remain to have great appeal. The great contribution of Raphael to art was perhaps not in taking art to it’s next level in realism but his injection of charm, the best example of which are the angels at the bottom of his Sistine Madonna which has become one of the most beloved images in all of art history. In many ways Raphael’s legacy really builds on Botticelli’s work but combines some of the added realism from Michelangelo and Leonardo. Perhaps this is his great contribution, combining the best of his predecessors. Another notable contribution was his erotic portrait ‘La Fornarina’ which no doubt played a significant influence on the female and seductive nude, which has become a major theme in art, later typified by Ingres. Rafael was famous for his promiscuity, in contrast to Leonardo and Michelangelo, both suspected to have been homosexuals, so his erotic artworks were certainly braking new grounds and no doubt left a long legacy.\n\nRafael at his best\n\n858px-portrait_de_lartiste_avec_un_ami_by_raffaello_sanzio_from_c2rmf_retouched baldassare_castiglione_by_raffaello_sanzio_from_c2rmf_retouched\n\nRafael’s inconsistency\n\nportrait-of-guidobaldo-da-montefeltro-duke-of-urbino-by-raphaelportrait-of-a-man-by-raphaelrafael_-_suen%cc%83o_del_caballero_national_gallery_de_londres_1504-_oleo_sobre_tabla_17_x_17_cm self-portrait-raphael\n\n\nRafael great contribution\n\n\nAnother aspect, which Raphael’s career benefitted a great deal was his relationship with Bramante. Bramante was the Popes Architect and was a close friend to Raphael, both being from the town of Urbino. Bramante, like many of the artists at the time, either through jealousy, fear of his own position or a personality clash, or a likely combination of all three – disliked Michelangelo. Bramante was able to convince the Pope to entrust the painting of the Pope’s Stanza della Segnatura to the extremely young Raphael and sought to get Michelangelo sacked from the Sistine Chapel and replaced by Raphael. Although Raphael was more pleasing to work with, the Pope eventually decided against this, such was the quality of work being produced by Michelangelo. Michelangelo’s work spoke for itself. The results justified the painful process.\n\n\nRaphael was also born at the ideal time, having benefited from the efforts of Michelangelo and Da Vinci, who helped elevate the reputation of artists as genius’. He lived at the height of the Renaissance, the height of societies interest in art and the height of artistic commissions. With Michelangelo and Leonardo reluctant to paint, people were keen for a more accessible master and the prolific Raphael clearly filled that void. At the peak of his powers his death came as a great surprise. Much loved by the Pope, arguably the most powerful man on the planet at the time, his reputation was assured and elevated and in my opinion slightly exaggerated. This is not to talk down his incredible achievements but the innovations achieved by Leonardo and Michelangelo revolutionized art while Raphael brought together the best of his predecessors, rather then matching or surpassing their levels of innovation. Raphael should be greatly respected but I believe there are dozens of artists who contributed as much and he should therefore not be considered in the same light as the great powers of Leonardo and Michelangelo. If any is worthy to be considered in the same light as Michelangelo and Leonardo, at least in relation to painting alone, I would argue that Caravaggio is the most suitable candidate, as although he also took a great deal from these two great predecessors, he also made many innovations and took painting to the next level of realism and power. His realism and dynamism, his deep contrasts from dark to light, his dramatic compositions all elevated art to a new level and influenced generations to come up to this day. In contrast Rafael’s death was generally considered the end of the Renaissance. He no doubt influenced generations to come but as his career was largely based on learning from his predecessors, for the next generations to do the same, would lend itself to a natural decline; it is only when nature is our teacher combined with originality that new paths can be forged. Rafael contributed a lot and had he lived for another 30 or 40 years perhaps he could have been compared on the same pedestal as Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Afterall, Da Vinci’s first great individual artistic achievements begun beyond the age of 35, whereas Rafael died at the age of 37. Likewise, Michelangelo lived a very long and productive life dying at the age of 88, a remarkable age at that time. Rafael clearly had enormous talent, but we can only speculate whether his achievements would have continued to grow had his life not been cut short. The fact it did, ensured he was remembered at the height of his powers but with the advantage of time and context I don’t think many contemporary scholars could compare his achievements to the two great masters that proceeded him.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9983873963356018}
{"content": "My ePortfolio Register   \n\nUnexpected finding solves 40-year old cytoskeleton mystery\n\nJust like the human body as a whole, each human cell has a skeleton it needs for functioning properly.\n\nThat so-called cytoskeleton allows a cell to maintain its shape, move to different places and transport molecules through its interior.\n\nLong chains called microtubules form an important part of that skeleton and function as a highway for the transport of molecules. \n\nFor example, microtubules play a key role in cell division by allowing the cell to meticulously align their chromosomes before dividing them amongst daughter cells.\n\nTheir crucial importance to the cell is easily illustrated by the working mechanism of a widely used group of cancer medicines called taxanes: they disrupt microtubule function and thereby kill dividing cells.\n\nIt has been suggested that proper transport at this crucial moment in the cell cycle involves detyrosination, in which the amino-acid tyrosine is removed from the tail of one of the microtubules’ main building block:  α-tubulin.\n\nOver the past four decades scientist have been searching for the main actor in this process.\n\nDespite its importance for several cellular processes it remained unknown which enzyme takes off the tyrosine.\n\nResearchers of the Netherlands Cancer Institute have now solved this puzzle by unmasking the mystery player, and report their findings in Science.\n\nBy using their recently developed innovate genetic screening method Joppe Nieuwenhuis and his colleagues identified the small SVBP protein as being a crucial part of the process.\n\nThis small protein binds – and thereby stabilizes – proteins called vasohibins, which appear to have tubulin detyrosination activity.\n\nNieuwenhuis says “These findings are surprising, because vasohibins were thought to function outside the cell and only recently it was predicted that these proteins might function as enzymes, without knowing their function.”\n\nNieuwenhuis and his colleagues at Thijn Brummelkamp’s lab found these key molecular players by using genome wide random mutations in human cells containing just one copy of each gene.\n\nSubsequently they selected the cells in which the studied process of detyrosination was broken due to one of the randomly introduced mutations.\n\nSelecting the cells with very little detyrosinated tubulin they discovered these cells had a mutated (and therefore dysfunctional) SVBP gene.\n\nFurther experiments confirmed the interaction with vasohibins and its effect on tubulin detyrosination.\n\n“For cell biologists this could be an important step”, says Nieuwenhuis. “We have found a piece of the puzzle that scientist have been staring at for many years because the process of detyrosination was discovered 40 years ago. This knowledge could be relevant to further understand the processes of mitosis, cell migration and cancer development. It is already found that the invasive front in some tumour tissues, where cells are migrating most actively, contains a high amount of detyrosinated tubulin. It is interesting to speculate that inhibition of detyrosination could be beneficial under certain conditions.”\n\nInterestingly, in the same edition of Science a group of French scientists reached similar conclusions using a biochemical approach to identify detyrosinating enzymes.\n\nSource: NKI\n\n\n\n\n\nFounding partners\n\nEuropean Cancer Organisation European Institute of Oncology\n\nFounding Charities\n\nFoundazione Umberto Veronesi Fondazione IEO Swiss Bridge\n\nPublished by\n\nCancer Intelligence", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9789966344833374}
{"content": "How to Soothe Sore Muscles\n\nSore muscles are something that most exercise enthusiasts will experience, whether it’s from starting a new style of exercise or simply pushing yourself really hard, muscle soreness is often the by-product of stressing your muscle fibres to initiate growth and development. I’ve always found that there is something slightly satisfying about having a little DOM’s (delayed onset muscle soreness) after a particularly gruelling training session. It lets you know that you have challenged yourself and that your muscles are working to adjust and adapt, becoming stronger and more resilient than before.\n\nThat being said, having really sore muscles can be more than a little uncomfortable. It can also be a little inconvenient if you are finding it difficult to climb stairs, sit down or even just to walk normally when you have important social appointments (like perhaps a work meeting, or even a date!).\n\nHere are some approaches and tips to use to help reduce muscle soreness, as well as ways to help prevent it!\n\nActive Recovery\n\nEven though exercising when your muscles are already sore from overuse might be the last thing on your mind, active recovery is actually an excellent way to not only quicken your recovery time but also help reduce your discomfort. Active recovery can take many forms, but basically is it means exercising at a lower intensity and/or with less volume. Some excellent examples are walking, light jogging, swimming and even resistance training using light weights, or body-weight only. Choose a type of exercise that works the muscles that are aching, in a way that will not place too much pressure on them. For example,  if you have done a super squat/lunge/deadlift session, and your quads and glutes are aching, try going for a steady power walk to activate those muscles and help stimulate blood flow to them.\n\nGentle Stretching\n\nEven though stretching muscles that are hurting can be a little painful, it is actually a great way to stimulate oxygen-rich blood into those areas and support the regrowth process. The problem is that over stretching cold muscles (for example, first thing in the morning) can cause more damage, it is best to use the stretching after first doing some active recovery exercising.\n\nFoam Rollers\n\nFoam rollers use applied pressure, in the form of self-massage, to help stimulate blood flow into the muscles that are aching. Foam rollers are also good for helping release knots and tightness that forms in muscles due to stress or overuse.\n\nHeat Therapy\n\nIncreasing the temperature of an area stimulates blood flow, which in turn helps support the healing process as well as provides pain relief. You can enjoy a hot bath with some Epsom salts and essential oils, or just apply a heat pack. There are also peel and stick heat patches that can be applied and worn under most clothing without being seen, so you can have the warming relief whilst going about your normal activities.\n\nMagnesium, the primary component of Epsom salts, is essential for healthy muscles and is a gentle natural muscle relaxant. The salts, when added to a warm bath or compress, are absorbed by the skin and are actually more effective this way than by taking an oral magnesium supplement.\n\nHave a Drink\n\nHave a Coffee or some Cherry Juice or add some Creatine to your pre-Workout. Coffee has been found to help with muscle soreness,  about the equivalent of two cups of coffee, helped reduce muscle soreness in women after a strenuous workout. It works by blocking adenosine, a chemical released by your body in response to injury. Just be careful not to overdo this one, as too much caffeine can cause muscle spasms. Cherry Juice has a high level of antioxidants (even more than pomegranates!) and other benefits, one of which is decreased muscle soreness. Try adding a splash to your post-workout smoothie.\n\nCreatine has been shown to help lessen the pain and duration of muscle soreness from an intense strength-training session. Creatine is an amino acid and its job is to funnel energy to your cells in your body, particularly your muscle cells. So more creatine in your system means more energy is available for building and repairing. Even better, reported side effects like bloating or upset stomach are rare and generally mild.\n\n\nA little soreness is normal, but more intense pain can usually be avoided. If you are finding you are often left limping for days after an intense training session, then consider the following:\n\nWarm up – This doesn’t mean stretch; it means to prepare the body parts you intend to use. If you are going sprinting, start with a fast walk then a slow jog before you hit the accelerator. If you are hitting the weights, try a little cardio beforehand to work into the parts you are using, such as some burpees, light jogging, or skipping.\n\nDon’t overdo it – Know your own limitations. Yes, it is great to push yourself to get stronger, but that doesn’t mean pushing yourself so hard you cause damage. This will only result in muscle damage that will take longer to recover from. Just increase your resistance/intensity/distance or time in stages appropriate for you. Listen to your body, it will usually tell you when something is too much!\n\nOmega 3’s – Making sure you have enough omega 3s in your diet so that you have all the building materials needed to repair and rebuild is important. Omega 3s actually help reduce inflammation and reduce soreness, so if you are not getting enough in your diet (walnuts, flaxseeds and salmon are all great sources!) then you should consider using a supplement.\n\nWarm down – Warming down is a big one! Stretching after intense use helps your muscles release some of the lactic acid that has built up, as well as slowly warming the muscles down. Both of which help reduce the risk of DOM’s.\n\nStay Fit & Strong xx", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9091285467147827}
{"content": "2012年8月31日 星期五\n\nWhat You Should Know About Tactile Defensiveness and Other Tactile System Disorders\n\nOne of the most common sensory disorders is Tactile Defensiveness.  With this condition, a child is over or \"hyper\" sensitive to different types of touch.  Light touch is one of the most upsetting types of touch to a child with SI dysfunction.  Depending on the intensity of their dysfunction, they may become anywhere from mildly annoyed to completely freaked out by having someone lightly touch them.  A gentle kiss on the cheek may feel like they are having coarse sandpaper rubbed on their face.  They also may dislike feeling sand, grass or dirt on their skin.  Getting dressed may be a struggle as different clothing textures, tags and seams may cause them great discomfort.\n\nOften children with Tactile Defensiveness or touch hypersensitivity will avoid, become fearful of, or are irritated by:\n\nThe wind blowing on bare skin\nLight touch\nVibrating toys\nBarefoot touching of carpet, sand and/or grass\nClothing textures\nTags and seams on clothing\nTouching of \"messy\" things\nChanges in temperature\n\nOn the other side of the spectrum is a child with Tactile Undersensitivity or \"Hyposensitivity\".   A tactile undersensitive child need a lot of input to get the touch information he or she needs.  They will often seek out tactile input on their own in sometimes unsafe ways.\n\nA child who is undersensitive to touch may have these difficulties:\n\nEmotional and social  - Craves touch to the extent that friends, family, and even strangers become annoyed and upset.  This could be the baby who constantly needs to be held, or the toddler who is clingy, craving continual physical contact.\n\nSensory exploration - Makes excessive physical contact with people and objects. Touching other children too forcefully or inappropriately (such as biting or hitting).\n\nMotor - To get more tactile sensory information, he may need to use more of his skin surface to feel he's made contact with an object.\n\nGrooming and dressing - May choose clothing that is, in your opinion, unacceptably tight or loose. He may brush his teeth so hard that he injures his gums.\n\nIf you child shows signs of Tactile Defensiveness or Undersensitivity, it's important to get a proper screening by an Occupational Therapist, pediatrician or other licensed professional.  This sensory assessment will help you in seeking out the proper course of treatment and therapy.\n\nVisit [http://www.SensorySmartKid.com] for more information and support regarding Sensory Integration, PDD and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.\n\n\nGifted Children - Do They Have Sensory Sensitivities?\n\n\n\nThey appear to be very organized and efficient.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2012年8月30日 星期四\n\nLiving With Sensory Processing Disorder - A Family Affair\n\nI. A child's view on how SPD effects family relationships\n\nLiving and coping with a disorder can often consume a child's world. For children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), this can be especially challenging as most children with SPD are seemingly \"normal\". Many people do not often realize that these normal-looking children could be plagued by such an emotionally, physically and socially taxing disorder. Emily Brout knows all too well how difficult it is to explain her disorder: \"Sometimes it is really hard to explain what Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is to other people. It's very complicated and it's not even easy for me to understand! Many people don't know anything at all about SPD because there hasn't been a lot written about it or on T.V. So most people have no idea how SPD makes a person like me feel. In fact, there are many people who don't even think SPD is real! That makes me so mad! Why would anybody make this up?\"\n\nHaving SPD makes family life and social time with friends tough on Emily. \"SPD makes me feel like I'm being attacked by noises, smells, and lights every day. Smells can be really bad, and sometimes even make me throw up. It is very hard to sit in the cafeteria with my friends at school and try to hide the fact that I am gagging because of a smell. Noises are the worst for me. Quiet noises that repeat over and over make me really upset, and these noises are part of every day life. My sister and brother get mad at me because I yell at them for noises that they make. Sometimes, I get really sad and don't want to go anywhere. I also lose my temper and get really mad at people. I don't do this on purpose, but my friends and family don't always realize that. I just cannot help it. Every day I struggle to keep myself calm even though I feel scared, mad and upset on and off, all day.\"\n\nCoping with a special need such as Sensory Processing Disorder can be equally frustrating to both the child and his or her family.\n\nII. A parent's perspective on raising a child with SPD\n\nEmily's mom, psychologist Dr. Jennifer Brout, can identify with trying to cope with raising a child who has a special need and maintaining her family dynamics. \"A wise professor once told me 'Your primary goal is to not make things worse'. As I consulted psychologists and psychiatrists alike, I wondered if there were any clinicians who even understood what Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) was!\" said Brout. \"My daughter received Occupational Therapy to remediate her symptoms, yet her personality and our family dynamics had already been shaped by the disorder's complications.\" Dealing with this frustration and lack of help from mental health professionals who had no real treatment for her daughter, Brout often wondered, \"was there anyone out there who would understand that I was not simply giving in to my daughter's 'manipulations' because I was a browbeaten mother lacking any savvy?\"\n\nEveryday life posed so many difficulties and heartache for Brout, as a parent who had to watch her child struggle with SPD. \"Although her other senses were affected, extreme over-reactivity to certain sounds caused my otherwise sociable, empathic sweet-natured little girl to be unpredictably moody and explosive. During toddler hood and early childhood she threw tantrums that lasted for prolonged periods of time. She was extremely clingy, and often appeared sad. Background noises that most people didn't notice set her off into rages.\" Not being able to ease a child's suffering could leave any parent feeling helpless. Brout remembers one of those moments with Emily, \"when she was six years old she looked at me and said 'When I hear bad noises I feel like I'm turning into the Incredible Hulk'. Then she asked intently, 'Mommy, can you fix my brain?' This moment defined the extent to which my daughter was suffering, and how negatively her self-image had been impacted by SPD. What little girl should envision herself as a huge, green, out of control mutant?\"\n\nWhat can a parent do? How can a parent mediate Sensory Processing Disorder within family life?\n\nFor parents coping with their child's SPD, Brout offers this advice, \"it is helpful to remind yourself that with Occupational Therapy, sensory integration treatment, and as he or she gets older, your child will be able to implement greater control over his or her behavioral reactions to his or her physiological responses. In the meantime, however, regulation (calming the child so that he or she is not over stimulated and agitated) is the first priority.\" She goes on to suggest that in order to make this shift, \"you must allow yourself to dismiss much of what you have been told about parenting, even by mental health professionals, because it does not apply to SPD children. For now, think of your child as one whose body over-reacts to sensory stimuli, and who is deficient in calming down.\" When faced with an agitated child whose behavior is effecting family life, Brout suggests using the three R's: Regulate, Reason and Reassure\n\nRegulate: \"Help your over-responsive child calm down by identifying the source of the sensory stimuli, and shift the focus from any resulting conflict. As a child develops greater language and cognitive skills this process becomes easier. However, even younger children with limited language skills can be regulated. Each child is unique which is why it is essential to consult with a professional.\"\n\nReason: \"Once your child is calm, review the incident with him focusing on his thought processes. If he cannot identify the stimuli that triggered his actions, try to do it for him by making suggestions. For younger children, you will have to go through this process with relative simplicity and brevity. With enough consistency your child will understand your message, and will also learn that when he or she is over-stimulated, calming down is the first step! Remember, this process is not an over-night cure!\"\n\nReassure: Remind yourself that your child does not like feeling out of control. Reassure him that over time he will gain control, and that you will help him. Let him know that you expect him to try as hard as he can, but protect his self-esteem and self-image by framing the problem as though it were 'a work in progress'. Repairing damaged self-esteem and poor self-image is much more difficult than reshaping a child's misconstrued ideas about the causes and consequences of behavior. No child should see himself as a huge out of control green mutant being that repels others!\"\n\nIn regard to family dynamics, Dr. Brout states, \"the SPD child feels victimized by the overwhelming sensory stimuli generated by family members. However, siblings are also likely to feel victimized having often been the object of the over-responsive child's mood swings and/or aggression. Therefore, it is important to let siblings know that they are not responsible for these problems and that you are doing everything you can to get help for your over-responsive child and for the family. Behavior is not only about actions and consequences. It is about interpersonal relationships and that is especially true in regard to SPD as it affects family functioning.\"\n\n\nJennifer Jo Brout, Ed.M., Psy.D. is a psychologist focused on Sensory Processing Disorders and their application to mental health. She earned an Ed.M. in School Psychology from Columbia University and a Psy.D in School/Clinical Child Psychology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Brout is currently involved with projects at the KID Foundation Research Institute, Duke University, and in association with audiologists and private clinicians throughout the country.\n\nIn 2006, Dr. Brout launched Positive Solutions of New York, LLC to support research in psychological conditions, developmental disorders, and learning difficulties related to sensory processing/regulatory disorders through various creative and public service projects.\n\n\nSensory Integration Therapy\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSign up for Rachel Evans' free Autism Newsletter - dedicated to uncovering autism facts and discover more about the various autism treatments available, all of which are covered in Rachel's comprehensive E-book available at http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com\n\n\nThe Miracle Cure for Wearing Clothes & Shoes for a Finicky Kid\n\nMy son Jeremy will almost be six years old next week. For the first 5 ¾ years of his life, putting his shoes and socks and clothes on was a struggle. It isn't anymore. We've come across a miracle cure!!!\n\nJeremy was diagnosed this past year with Sensory Integration Disorder. He started having problems in school and so we were referred to a place called Lifeskills, in Winter Park, FL. They work with many kids with challenges and specialize in Sensory issues.\n\nThe problems we encountered at home were on a daily basis. Getting him out of bed was a struggle, finding the right breakfast and ultimately, we dreaded getting him dressed every day. Socks and shoes were constantly being pulled off and tossed. Clothes were never soft enough and the tags all had to go. I spent hundreds of dollars finding clothes and shoes that he'd keep on his body. Once, Jeremy struggled so hard with pulling off his coat, he slipped and fell, and bumped his head on a chair. That little incident cost him 15 stitches in his head.\n\nWhen we entered therapy we outlined the laundry list of issues Jeremy had. The big one for us was getting him dressed. Once the therapist gave us the occupational therapy brush and showed us how to brush his arms and legs up and down and his feet, and then to do joint compressions. This brushing is actually a deep pressure massage with a surgical brush and is followed by joint compressions. An occupational therapist can train you once and you'll use it at home. (You can find an OT by going through the school counselor or through your family doctor). It was only 2 -3 of days of brushing Jeremy a few times a day before Jeremy was able to adjust quickly to his shoes when we put them on in the morning.\n\nIt's been like a miracle! Jeremy can now wear clothes and will put on socks and keep them there! He still prefers silky clothes like football jersey's but he will put on socks now and not scream and cry. Before we learned of this type of massage it must have felt like he was putting a wool sweater on during the middle of August.\n\nLearning this technique and others at occupational therapy has been a God send in our lives. We used to dread every morning getting Jeremy up and ready for school. We were late nearly every day depending upon what clothes I could find that would feel comfortable.\n\nNow, Jeremy dresses himself on most days and our greatest concern is what to make him for breakfast. We still struggle occasionally getting him out of bed, but from what I understand, THAT could be a struggle well into his teen years. And as long as we don't to dress him then, I think we'll be fine with that!\n\nMary Gardner is an executive Communications Consultant and coach. She is parenting a child with SID and is constantly learning and sharing with other moms who are struggling with the same issues. Please feel free to contact mary at mary@marygardner.com if you would like to share your story.\n\n\nADHD Comorbid Disorder: Non-Verbal Learning Disorder\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2012年8月29日 星期三\n\nTreating the Sensory Problems of Autism\n\nSo what is autism? First of all, we must make some distinctions. There are various types of difficulty within the spectrum of disability of which we are speaking. The major distinctions are as follows:\n\nAutism Asperger's syndrome, Rett Syndrom, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. The most prevalent and commonly known two of these are autism and Asperger's Syndrome.\n\nWhat do we mean when we say autism is a 'spectrum disorder?'\n\nWhen the term, 'spectrum disorder' is used it means that there are a range of symptoms, which can be attributed to autism. Any one individual may display any combination of these symptoms, in differing degrees of severity. Therefore an individual at one end of the autistic spectrum may seem very different to an individual at the other end of the spectrum.\n\nWho first discovered autism?\n\nAutism was first recognized in the mid 1940's by a psychiatrist called Leo Kanner. He described a group of children, whom he was treating, who presented with some very unusual symptoms such as; - atypical social development, irregular development of communication and language, and recurring / repetitive and obsessional behaviour with aversion to novelty and refusal to accept change. His first thoughts were that they were suffering some sort of childhood psychiatric disorder.\n\nAt around the same time that Kanner was grappling with the problems of these children, a German scientist, Hans Asperger was caring for a group of children whose behaviour also seemed irregular. Asperger suggested that these children were suffering from what he termed 'autistic psychopathy. ' These children experienced remarkably similar symptoms to the children described by Kanner, with a single exception. - Their language development was normal! There is still an ongoing debate as to whether autism and Asperger's syndrome are separable conditions, or whether Asperger's syndrome is merely a mild form of autism.\n\nWhat is the cause of autism?In the 1960s and 1970s there arose a theory that autism was caused by abnormal family relationships. This led on to the 'refrigerator mother' theory, which claimed that autism in the child was caused by cold, emotionless mothers! (Bettleheim, 1967). However the weight of evidence quickly put this theory to bed as evidence was found to support the idea that the real cause was to be found in abnormalities in the brain. This evidence was quickly followed by findings, which clearly demonstrated that the EEG's of children with autism were, in many cases, atypical and the fact that a large proportion of children also suffered from epilepsy.\n\nFrom this time, autism has been looked upon as a disorder, which develops as a consequence of abnormal brain development. Recently, evidence has shown that in some cases, the abnormal brain development may be caused by specific genes.\n\nHowever, we should not forget that genes can only express themselves if the appropriate environmental conditions exist for them to do so and so, we should not rule out additional, environmental causes for autism. We should not forget that autism can also be caused by brain-injury, that an insult to the brain can produce the same effects as can abnormal development of the brain, which may have been caused by genetic and other environmental factors. I have seen too many children who have suffered oxygen starvation at birth, who have gone on to display symptoms of autism. So, it is my view that autism can also be caused by brain-injury.\n\nThere are also other possibilities, which can ultimately produce the type of brain dysfunction, which we recognize as autism. There is a great deal of research being carried out at the moment in the area of 'oxidative stress' and methylation and it's effects upon the integrity of neural networks. There is also the debate surrounding mercury levels in vaccines, which is as of yet, unresolved.\n\nThe fact is that 'many roads lead to Rome. ' - There are likely to be several factors both genetic and environmental, which can ultimately lead to the type of brain dysfunction, which we call autism.\n\nSo, how do we recognize autism?\n\nOn a descriptive level, autism involves a dysfunction of the brain's systems, which control communication, socialization, imagination and sensory perception. My theory is that it is the distortions of sensory perception, which are so characteristic of autism, which exacerbates many (but not all) of the other difficulties. Imagine a child suffering from autism who suffers distortions of sensory perception. For instance, the child who suffers distortions of visual perception, might find situations which require eye -contact to be exceptionally threatening, or on the other end of the scale might become obsessive about specific visual stimuli. The child who suffers distortions of tactile perception, might at one end of the spectrum find any situation which requires physical contact to be terrifying, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, they might be a 'sensation seeker' to the point of becoming self -injurious. The child who suffers distortions of auditory perception might at one end of the spectrum, be terrified of sounds of a certain pitch or intensity, whereas at the other end of the spectrum, they might actively seek out, or become obsessive about certain sounds.\n\n\nThe question is, what can we do to help redress these distortions of sensory perception. Well, we can learn from the newborn baby. When baby is born, he sleeps for most of the time, only spending short periods of time interacting with this new environment in which he finds himself; - a new environment which bombards his senses with new sights, noises and smells. So he retreats into the safe, calm environment of sleep, which provides the sensory safe haven which up until recently was the sanctuary of the womb. Very gradually, as baby adjusts his sensory system to his new environment, he spends more and more time in the waking world, interacting and learning to communicate, - but he adjusts very gradually!\n\nThere is possibly a neurological explanation for this. There are structures within the brain, which act to 'tune' sensory attention. These three structures, which allow us to tune our attention are structures, which enables us to 'tune out' background interference when we wish to selectively attend to something in particular. They also enables us to 'tune in' to another stimulus when we are attending to something completely different. They are the same mechanisms of the brain, which allows us to listen to what our friend is saying to us, even when we are standing in the midst of heavy traffic on a busy road. It is these mechanisms that allow us, even though we are in conversation in a crowded room, to hear our name being spoken by someone else across that room. It is these mechanisms, which allow a mother to sleep though various loud, night-time noises such as her husband snoring, or an airplane passing overhead and yet the instant her new baby stirs, she is woken. It is a remarkable feature of the human brain and it is the responsibility of three structures operating cooperatively - these are the ascending reticular activating formation, the thalamus and the limbic system.\n\nHaving made such a bold claim, allow me to furnish you with the evidence to support it. The three structures just mentioned receive sensory information from the sense organs and relay the information to specific areas of the cortex. The thalamus in particular is responsible for controlling the general excitability of the cortex (whether that excitability tunes the cortex up to be overexcited, tunes it down to be under excited, or tunes it inwardly to selectively attend to it's own internal sensory world. ) (Carlson, 2007). The performance of these neurological structures, or in the case of our children, their distorted performance seems to be at the root of the sensory problems faced not only by newborn babies, but the sensory difficulties our children face and yes, as the newborn shows, their performance CAN be influenced, - they can be re-tuned.\n\nI believe the sensory system of some children with autism is experiencing similar difficulties to that of a newborn, - at one end of the autistic spectrum, the cortex is being over-excited by these structures and the person is overwhelmed and has difficulty accommodating the mass of sensory stimulation within the environment. At the other end of the autistic spectrum, the cortex is being under-excited and the person has trouble in perceiving sensory stimulation from the environment. The question is; - How do we facilitate the re-tuning of this neurological system in individuals who have autism. The newborn retreats into sleep, a self imposed dampening of incoming sensory information. Whilst the child with autism does not do this, many children with autism attempt to withdraw from their environment because they find it so threatening.\n\nWe believe at Snowdrop that for the child at the end of the autistic spectrum who is suffering an amplification of sensory stimulation, we should create a setting where he can retreat from a world, which is overwhelming his immature sensory system. This 'adapted environment,' which should be as free as possible from all visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimulation will serve as a milieu where his sensory system can re-tune itself. Of course it may just be a single sense like vision, or hearing, or tactility, or any combination of senses, which are causing the difficulties and the environment may be adapted appropriately. The child suffering these difficulties will usually welcome this adapted environment, which is in effect a 'safe haven' for his immature sensory system. He should be given free access to, or placed within the adapted environment as needed and you will notice hopefully that he will relax and begin to enjoy being within its safe confines, where there are no sensory surprises.\n\nThis procedure should be continued for as long as necessary, - for several weeks or months. Indeed, some children might always need periods of time within the 'safe haven. ' As the child begins to accept and be at ease in his safe haven, stimulation in whatever sensory modality is causing the difficulties, should begin to be introduced at a very low level, so low in fact that it is hardly noticeable. If the child tolerates this, then it can be used more frequently until it becomes an accepted part of the sensory environment. If the child reacts negatively in any way, then the stimulus is withdrawn and reintroduced at a later date. In this way, we can very gradually begin to build the level of tolerance, which the child has towards the stimulus.\n\nFor the child at the other end of the autistic spectrum, the child whose sensory attentional system is not exciting the cortex enough, with the consequence that he is not noticing enough of the stimulation in his sensory environment, the approach needs to be the exact opposite. These are the children who we see producing self-stimulatory behaviour. I believe that this behaviour is an attempt by the nervous system to provide itself with what it needs from the environment, - a sensory message of greater intensity! We see many children with autism 'flapping' their hands in front of their eyes, or becoming visually obsessed by certain toys, movements, colours etc. I propose that this is a reaction by the nervous system to attempt to increase the intensity, frequency and duration of the sensory stimulus due to a problem with perceiving visual stimuli from the environment.\n\nOf course, children with autism display a far greater range of difficulties than a theory, focused upon a malfunctioning sensory - attentional system could explain. I am not attempting to claim that sensory problems on their own are an adequate explanation for every facet of autism, - that would be ridiculous! This is merely a possible explanation of a range of issues experienced by some children who have autism, which could be produced or exacerbated by the child suffering distortions of sensory perception. For instance, the following symptoms within the autistic spectrum could possibly be explained at the sensory level.\n\nFailure to make eye contact. Difficulty in sharing attention with anyone. Avoiding interaction with others. Avoiding physical contact. Seeming disconnected from the environment. Appearing not to notice anything visually. Visual distraction, as though the child is looking at something which you cannot see. Visual obsession with particular features of the environment. Inability to 'switch' visual attention from one feature of the environment to another. General discomfort with the visual environment. Appearing not to hear anything. Auditory distraction, as though listening to something which you cannot hear. Auditory obsession with particular sounds within the environment. Inability to 'switch' auditory attention from one sound within the environment to another. Inability to 'tune out' extraneous sounds in the environment. General discomfort with the auditory environment. Appearing not to feel much sensation. Appearing to bee distracted by tactile stimuli of which you are not aware. Obsession with particular tactile sensations within the environment. Appears unable to 'switch' tactile attention from one sensation to another. General discomfort with the tactile environment. Difficulty in communicating with others.\n\nWe believe at Snowdrop, that our sensory re-tuning environments offer the best chance for children to overcome such distortions of sensory perception.\n\n\nParenting Tips On Sensory Diet For Sensory Integration Disorder\n\nDoes your child with autism become sensitive to sounds, smells and is a picky eater? Does your child with another disability become hyperactive, when asked to sit for a long period of time? These are all signs of sensory integration disorder (SID). This article will discuss the sensory diet that is used for children with SID.\n\nSensory Integration Disorder is the inability of the brain to correctly process information brought in by the senses. SID can show itself in many different ways. A child with SID may be over or under sensitive to sounds, smells, may be a picky eater (does not like the way certain foods feel in their mouth), may not like the way certain clothes feel on their skin. Many children with autism and learning disabilities have sensory integration issues.\n\nChildren with SID may also have motor skill issues such as; difficulty with fine and gross motor skills, difficulty imitating movements, or has trouble with balance.\n\nTreatment is usually carried out by a occupational therapist, with experience in treating children with sensory integration disorder. A sensory diet can also be put together, specifically for your child. The diet can be used at home as well as at school.\n\nA sensory diet means that you are including sensory activities, within your child's day; at home and at school. Each child's sensory diet is different, depending on your child's specific SI needs. Ask your child's occupational therapist to help you set up a sensory diet, to meet your child's unique needs.\n\nFor Example: If your child becomes hyperactive on a regular basis, or perhaps prone to hitting or pinching, or being silly, or laughs for no reason a sensory diet may help. Giving your child sensory activities on a frequent regular basis, will help him to remain focused and in control more often.\n\nA sample sensory diet is listed below:\n\nAt critical points during your child's day:\n\n1. Swinging in a special swing or on a playground\n\n2. Chase games such as tag, or running races\n\n3. Jumping jacks, stretching, sit ups, balance beam\n\n4. Trampoline, tire swing, exercise ball\n\n5. Squeezables such as nerf balls, silly putty etc.\n\nEvery half hour if possible; to include the above:\n\n6. Smelling scents game\n\n7. Rubbing/or brushing with a specific type brush (Ask occupational therapist for type of brush to use, and how to do this technique), not to include the stomach.\n\n8. Jump rope\n\nCalming activities that you can use at home:\n\na. Morning: Bath, brushing, deep pressure.\n\nb. After school: Child's choice (biking, running, skating).\n\nc. Evening: Supper, bath, deep pressure.\n\nUsing a sensory diet on a child who has SID, can cause a dramatic improvement in their behavior and ability to focus. The items listed are easy to do at home and school. You may have to advocate for sensory breaks for your child, but remind special education personnel about how much it could benefit your child.\n\n\n\nSID - Sensory Integration Disorder and Neurofeedback\n\nSensory Integration Disorder (SID) was discovered by Jean Ayres, Ph.D. about 40 years ago. Symptoms of SID in children are often misinterpreted as psychological problems or just plain bad behavior.\n\nHigher cognitive functions including things such as learning and behavior depend upon having normal sensory integration.\n\nAs a psychologist, I am sad to say that when I was in graduate school, (1982 - 1987) that this disorder wasn't talked about much. At this time I am often involved with families who have a child with Sensory Integration Disorder.\n\nImagine, if you will, that for each of your 5 senses, there is a wire of a different color that leads the information form that particular sense, into your brain. For example, for the information that comes in from your eyes, or your visual senses, you might imagine a red wire; and blue one for hearing (auditory), etc.\n\nNow, assuming that your brain was able to notice what color of \"wire\" the information was coming from, and knew that the red \"wire\" was information from your eyes, and blue was from your ears, it would be a fairly straightforward process for keeping things figured out. Someone with SID, however, doesn't experience it quite like this.\n\nWhen someone is dealing with SID, their brain is getting mixed signals. At times, the red \"wire \"might be visual information; at other times, it might be the blue \"wire\" that is shuttling the visual data. Then, there may be times when the red \"wire\" is carrying both visual and auditory information. Can you see how this might be very confusing for the brain to interpret?\n\nThis sounds like a rather complex challenge, does it not? One could argue that it is, I suppose, but I've never been one for building a \"case\" for difficulty. Instead, I prefer to gather evidence for possibility.\n\nIn short, when neurofeedback is helpful for those with SID, it's as though neurofeedback is able to teach the brain to start recognizing the \"wires\" accurately and stop acting \"color blind\" when it comes to incoming sensory information. And, why shouldn't everyone's brain learn to clearly interpret sensory information?\n\nWant to know more about the amazing world of Neurofeedback? Click on this link to go to http://www.NeurofeedbackBook.com Dr. Clare Albright is a psychologist and the author of a 168 page book, \"Neurofeedback: Transforming Your Life with Brain Biofeedback\" and can be reached at (949) 454-0996 http://www.NeurofeedbackBook.com. The pdf version of the book can be downloaded for only $7.99!\n\n\n2012年8月28日 星期二\n\nTactile Defensiveness - The Facts About the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol\n\nMany children with Sensory Integration Disorders exhibit symptoms of tactile defensiveness. In layman's terms this simply means that they have hypersensitivity to touch and/or tactile input. This in turn may cause:\n\n-Difficulty transitioning between activities\n\n-Lack of attention or focus\n\n-A fear or resistance to being touched\n\nYour child may benefit from what is commonly known to most parents as \"Brushing Therapy\". It is known in Occupational Therapy circles as The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) & Oral Tactile Technique (OTT). It was developed by Dr. Patricia Wilbarger, MEd, OTR, FAOTA, an occupational therapist and clinical psychologist that has been working with sensory processing theories for over 30 years.\n\nWhen first introduced to this, many parents are a bit skeptical. How can \"brushing\" my child help them with their sensory integration issues and tactile defensiveness? The theory behind it is that our skin is the human body's largest sensory organ, and therefore it is in constant contact with our nervous system; relaying information that allows us to interact effectively with our environment. Often times, the inability for the human body to process sensory input effectively can cause motor skill delays, tactile defensiveness, or social and emotional difficulties. Brushing therapy seeks to use this connection between the skin and the nervous system to assist kids who may be having difficulty organizing sensory information properly.\n\nIt is thankfully, quite simple to implement. The first step in the therapy involves using a soft, plastic, surgical brush which is run over the child's skin, using a very firm pressure, starting at the arms and working down to the feet. The chest and stomach area are always avoided as these are sensitive areas that can cause adverse reactions. There can be some drama at first, until the child becomes accustomed to the therapy, but most children find it pleasurable after a few sessions and may even ask for it when they are feeling \"off\". Along with the brushing, most practitioners will also prescribe joint compressions. In this phase of the treatment, the therapist or a parent trained by a therapist provides gentle compressions of each of the child's major joints for a count of ten. Finally, the therapist may also suggest the Oral Tactile Technique, or OTT. This technique involves using a finger to swipe along the inside of the child's mouth. This has been found to help with some children who have an issue with what is known as oral defensiveness. If your child is adverse to new foods because of their texture, or has a severe aversion to having their teeth brushed, they may have an issue with oral defensiveness.\n\nIf you think that your child would benefit from this form of therapy, it is important to seek guidance from an Occupational Therapist. Performing the therapy in a manner other than taught by a trained professional can be, at best, useless and could possibly do more harm then good.\n\n\n\nHalloween Fun For Children With Sensory Processing Issues\n\nHalloween parties, costumes, masks, and treats--you can't count on any of these being fun for the child with sensory issues! No wonder October 25-31 was chosen to be National Sensory Awareness Week, drawing attention to the 1 in 20 children who have the hidden disability of sensory processing disorder, also known as SPD, or sensory integration dysfunction. Fortunately, you can make Halloween more enjoyable for the child who struggles with sensory issues.\n\nCostumes and masks often involve new sensations against the skin and body that a child may find repulsive. Experiment beforehand with any make-up, masks, wigs, or hats and see if the child can truly tolerate them for a few hours. For a costume, consider working from the basic pieces of a soft, cotton top and bottom, such as a sweatsuit or pieces of clothing purchased at a used clothing store or pulled from his play clothes pile. Add elements and props that he can hold or wear comfortably. Start looking for a costume early, when the selection is best. Purchase a used costume or costume elements through eBay, second hand shops, and Craigs List to keep your costs down because after trying a costume for a few minutes, your child may realize it is too tight, scratchy, or uncomfortable in some other way.\n\nTreats with plenty of sugar and artificial colors and flavors should be limited for all children, but kids with sensory issues are often more sensitive to these substances. Let her gather all her loot post trick or treating and choose the favorites, then have the rest mysteriously disappear overnight (maybe after using them as math counters!). Or hoard it to use a piece at a time as rewards for overcoming challenges, doing extra chores, or use in therapy. If your child has an occupational therapist or speech therapist, speak to this professional about the possibilities. For example, sour candies in particular can be good for helping a child with poor self-regulation who is stuck in the \"loose and floppy\" mode to become more alert so she can focus and attend to homework or school work.\n\nIf your child has food allergies and intolerances, skip the highly processed, sugary treats altogether. Have a party instead of going Trick or Treating, and provide healthy, fun snacks and nonfood items such as stickers, pencils, and small toys.\n\nOffer opportunities to escape from the noise and bustle of a party or trick or treating. A quieter street to walk down or an empty bathroom or bedroom where she can regroup will help her avoid sensory overload. Let her know what to expect from the occasion, from kids jostling her in doorways and running past her on the street to scary sounds and lighting changes like strobe lights at a Halloween party. And consider celebrating Halloween at a nature center, zoo, or cultural center with a quieter, more structured program, or having a small party at home.\n\nYou may want to use this opportunity to talk about fears and how to manage them. Books such as Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley, featuring a monster the younger child constructs then deconstructs as he turns the pages, can help ease anxiety about monsters and other scary creatures.\n\nAnd if you do not celebrate Halloween, or your child finds it too scary, consider creating an occasion to give her the \"just right\" challenge of dressing in unfamiliar clothing and using her imagination to pretend she is someone else for a short time. Costumes and dress-up play encourage young children to break out of cause-and-effect, parallel play and graduate to cooperative, imaginative play, which are important developmental skills. Whatever you do on October 31, please be sensory smart and understanding of your child with sensory issues.\n\nCopyright © 2009 Nancy Peske\n\nNancy Peske is an author and editor and the parent of a child who at age 2 was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and multiple developmental delays. Coauthor of the award-winning Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, available from Penguin Books, Nancy offers information and support on her blog and website at http://www.sensorysmartparent.com She has been active in the SPD community since 2002.\n\n\nSensory Activities for Autistic Children\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdvice For Parents of Children With Sensory Integration Disorder\n\nSome children can overreact when exposed to too much environmental stimuli. This disorder involving the senses is called sensory integration disorder. If your child has difficulty in high stimulation situations and has a high level of anxiety or stress he may be suffering from this disorder. Sensory integration disorder can effect your child's learning development and behavior. It also causes difficulties with processing information from the five classic senses, the sense of movement , and/or the positional sense (proprioception).\n\nThis condition is usually diagnosed by an occupational therapist. There is no known cure but many treatments are available. One common sensitivity is to the sense of touch. If your child shows signs of sensitivity to his sense of touch here are some things you can do to make life a little easier for both of you.\n\n1. Choose the fabric for your child's clothing carefully.\n\nChildren with SID will find fabrics like wool too scratchy and irritating. Purchase 100% cotton fabrics instead.\n\n2. Be careful when choosing the style of your child's clothing.\n\nRemove any irritating tags on the collar and look for loose fitting clothes.\n\n3. Choose grooming products wisely.\n\nDon't purchase soaps or shampoos with extra additives or dyes. These may be irritating and harsh to your child.\n\nDisorders that may be related to SID\n\nAutism spectrum disorders\n\nAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)\n\nTemper Tantrums\n\nDon't worry this disorder is more common than you might think. It's okay. With the right treatment and attention your child will be able to manage herself with this disorder and life can be more peaceful at home.\n\nMs. Talbert is a mother of three and editor of Healthy Moms - Parenting, Pregnancy, Health and Women's Issues.\n\nShe lives in Sacramento, CA with her family.\n\n\n2012年8月27日 星期一\n\nWhat Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?\n\nADHD, what is it exactly? Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a developmental disorder usually causing inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity in children starting before the age of seven. ADHD is a chronic disorder that occurs in 3-5% of children worldwide.\n\nThe controversy surrounding ADHD has been around since the 70's. Some people don't even believe that ADHD is an actual disorder; others believe it has a genetic or physiological basis. Even more controversy surrounds the treatment for ADHD. Treatments include behavior modifications, life-style changes, counseling and stimulant medication.\n\nNow a days anytime a child is hyper parents think it is ADHD. Between 2-16% of kids in school are diagnosed with ADHD and given medication for this disorder. Many kids however are usually misdiagnosed. Many symptoms of ADHD can be attributed to other disorders, many of which can accompany ADHD. Because such combinations of disorders appear together, this can complicate diagnosis. There are five behavioral symptoms that have been attributed to ADHD, but are actually not symptoms of ADHD directly. Many of these symptoms are misdiagnosed as ADHD when in actuality they are their own disorder and should be treated as such. The five problems are Anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, learning disabilities, and sensory integration disorder.\n\n1. Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by feelings of worry, apprehension, and fear. Anxiety can be triggered by a person, a place, or even by a feeling. The stimulus can even be unidentifiable outwardly to other people. It's harder to diagnose kids that have anxiety largely due to the fact that kids articulate their feelings much less than adults do. Kids with anxiety usually appear preoccupied or zoned out. This is due to their internal thoughts of worry. Kids with anxiety don't know how to handle or express their anxiety and perceive their threats as uncontrollable and unavoidable.\n\n2. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness that can result in an aversion to activity. Depression can impair thinking skills, memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention. People who suffer from depression usually seem out of it. They have trouble focusing, become irritable, and have a lack of interest or initiation. Depression has no one single cause. Family history, pessimistic personality, trauma and stress, physical conditions, and other psychological disorders can all be associated with depression. For others depression had not specific trigger or cause. Since children have more difficulty expressing their emotions, it's important to determine depression in children through the evaluation of the child's behavior in several contexts.\n\n3. Disruptive Behavior is where a child will not settle down and becomes troublesome or disorderly. Especially in a school setting this can become a problem where the disruptive student doesn't allow the other students to learn. In some cases kids can be disruptive intentionally, to show off, be funny or look cool. However children that have disruptive behaviors usually feel frustrated and are rebelling against authority to bring attention upon them. These types of kids have not developed adequate self-control, which causes them to act out and ultimately cause distractions for other classmates.\n\n4. Learning disabilities is a classification of disorders where a person has difficulty learning. These disorders have affected the brain's ability to receive and process information therefore making it terribly difficult for the person to learn. Because we do not know what causes this problem within the brain learning disabilities are impossible to cure. However, there are other ways to get around learning disabilities. Intervention and support are the most important options available to someone who have a learning disability. Learning disabilities in children can cause inattentiveness, disruptive behavior, anxiety and depression. There are many learning disabilities such as reading, writing, math disorders, visual perception, auditory processing, nonverbal, dyslexia etc.\n\n5. Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) is a neurological disorder where the person is unable to coordinate sensory information as it comes through the senses. When present in a child, the child may appear inattentive or quite the opposite as hyperactive. This is caused by the child being oversensitive or under sensitive to the sensory stimuli surrounding him/her. A child with a sensory integration disorder may be distressed by loud noises, bright lights, rough textures, or smells; or conversely, may need to handle things, hang upside-down, or shout boisterously.\n\nAs you can tell from the descriptions of the each of these disorders, many of the symptoms are the same or very similar. Many of these disorders accompany each other and therefore the person may be dealing with several different disorders at the same time. Because many of these disorders are now affecting children as well its important to evaluate and diagnose properly. This way we can properly treat for the correct disorder and stop over-medicating of our children, which can cause them harm in their future.\n\n\n\nChiropractic Fundamentals - Neurological Integration in Children\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFoot position\n\n\n\nPostural control\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSensory Processing Difficulties - Understanding the Family Dilemma\n\nWith the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders on the rise, let's focus on understanding the accompanying sensory processing issues. Although sensory processing difficulties are a symptom of Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome, every person can experience processing difficulties throughout life.\n\nAlso known as sensory integration, it refers to the way individuals respond to and process sensations. Our brains are constantly processing input from our sense organs (smell, touch, taste, hear, see and feel), even when we sleep. We usually don't notice the process, until it functions adversely. For example, all we need to do to overload our sensory system is navigate a shopping cart through a large grocery or house wares store. The overhead music plays while videos blare, smells rise and blend into one another, fans blow hot or cold air and overly helpful employees repeatedly pop out to greet us while we try desperately to stay in the left part of the brain so that we can get what we came for. Whew! By the time we get through the checkout, trapped between loud videos and beeping registers, we are feeling common symptoms of sensory overload: nervousness, simmering anger, headache and nausea. Now imagine how hard that must be for a small child or someone whose sensory system has difficulty processing the onslaught of stimulation.\n\nChildren have not yet developed the brain connections to tell us that they need to get away from the overwhelming stimulation. Instead, they scream, tantrum, run away or have potty accidents. Sensory overload triggers the primitive brain function of fight, flight or freeze and the body reacts without thought. The only goal is to survive, which temporarily hijacks the brain's executive functions, disabling logic, memory (retention and recall) and decision making processes.\n\nFor most of us, all we have to do is reduce or eliminate the excess sensory stimulation and the problem is solved. Usually our brains can sort it all, without conscious thought. Unfortunately, this task is much more complicated for someone when sensory processing difficulties are part of a disorder.\n\nThe entire family is affected when everyone is held hostage by the anticipation and prevention of rages or ear-piercing shrieks. Even the child feels helpless while he seeks to manipulate his world and the family system to avoid sensory issues. Often seen as behavior problems, these actions may actually help regulate the sensory system and bring it into balance. For the most part, behavior modification techniques do not work; the dysfunctional behavior is the result of a struggling brain process, not a goal-oriented choice.\n\nWhen a family has a member with sensory processing issues, the choices are to continue living each day feeling powerless in a rage-reaction lifestyle or seek professional help. A neurologist is best qualified to make a diagnosis if Autism or Asperger's Syndrome is suspected. A specially trained pediatric occupational therapist (OT) can diagnose and treat Sensory Processing Disorder. A counselor who has experience with sensory processing issues can address the related anxiety and specific parenting techniques, which brings much needed relief to the family.\n\nGenerally, the whole family benefits by getting involved in the change process. An experienced counselor can help re-balance the parental power structure, lessen anxiety and resentment among siblings and coordinate treatment options with the school or daycare facility. Changing the way a brain functions takes time, commitment and active teamwork, which may frustrate parents who want a quick fix.\n\nLastly, remember to look for support from other parents who live with similar conditions. You can find support groups, information and professional referrals by accessing websites focusing on Sensory Processing Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome and Autism.\n\nSharon Cuff, MA counsels parents and children in Newtown Square, PA. She has over 25 years experience working with adults and children of all ages, stages and abilities. Call for an appointment at 484-437-0080 and visit her website at http://SharonCuffCounseling.com/\n\n\n2012年8月26日 星期日\n\nTeenagers and Sensory Processing Disorder: The Special Challenges\n\nTeens with sensory processing disorder have special challenges because of the stage of development they're in and the fact that until now, their sensory issues may have gone unaddressed.\n\n1. Finding the right OT can be difficult. Few occupational therapists are trained or experienced in working with teenagers who have sensory processing disorder. Play-based SI therapy may seem silly and embarrassing to teens.\n\n\n3. Need for independence. Teenagers need to have their independence respected, so being told, \"You need to do X, Y, and Z to manage your sensory issues\" usually doesn't go over very well!\n\n4. Desire to fit in. Even teenagers who don't feel the need to have a lot of friends or be conformist want to have some friends they feel they fit in with. Sensory challenges can embarrass them and may make them feel isolated, and different in a negative way.\n\n\n\nWhat's a parent, teacher, or therapist to do?\n\n\n2. Talk about sensory issues positively. Reassure your teenager that sensory issues are simply a difference in brain wiring that can have advantages but that can also be controlled and addressed to make life a little easier. Explain what SPD is and why in some cases, it's good to be extra sensitive or to crave certain sensations, and that people with sensory issues often have other gifts as well, such as the ability to \"think in pictures.\" Then explain that there are \"tricks\" you and/or an OT can teach them to \"make their lives easier.\" Everyone wants his life to be a little easier! Acknowledge how hard your teen has to work to be organized or tolerate certain sensations and praise her for her efforts.\n\n3. Offer accommodations and sensory diet ideas for him or her to choose from. Present accommodations and activities to teenagers and let them decide which they would like to use. Honor and respect their choices and encourage them to engage in collaborative problem solving with you. If they don't want to be seen doing a brushing protocol for tactile issues, can they do it discreetly in the bathroom at school? If all the kids are wearing loose clothes and they prefer them tight, can the teen wear tight clothing, such as bicycle shorts, underneath looser clothes that seem more stylish?\n\n4.Help your teen with sensory issues to feel okay as he is and find a group of peers he's comfortable with. Practical solutions for grooming, picky eating, and dressing, and encouraging talks about the upside of being different, can help your teen with sensory issues feel more comfortable among his peers. However, he may also feel better about himself if he expands his group of friends. Encourage your teen to develop hobbies and engage in new activities from individualized sports that don't require high levels of skill and competitiveness to enjoy them to groups that engage in the arts, community service, spiritual growth, etc. Extracurricular activities can help kids find their \"tribe\" and feel the power to make a difference in the world as well.\n\n5. Accept that your child may be more emotionally sensitive at this stage. Be alert to signs of increased anxiety and depression and consult a medical health professional with any concerns you have. Remember, addressing sensory issues will reduce overall anxiety that can lead to mild or moderate depression (when you feel you can't manage your discomfort, over time, you can develop depression). Don't forget some of the most effective treatments for mild or moderate anxiety and depression include physical exercise, time spent outdoors, meditation, and breathing exercises. Mindfulness practices from yoga and tai chi to tai kwan do and karate can help, too.\n\n\nAbove all, never forget that kids with sensory issues need a \"just right\" challenge, a balance of accommodations to make them more comfortable and challenges that take them out of their comfort zone. Sensory diet activities for teenagers help them to develop a higher tolerance for situations and activities they'll encounter in life, and over time, retrain their brains to process sensory information more typically. Be creative and encouraging in setting up a sensory diet for a teenager, and always be collaborative to respect the teen's need for independence.\n\nFinally, if you're a parent frustrated by trying to get your teenager's sensory issues under control, consider joining an in-person or online support group or creating one. Knowing that you aren't alone, and having practical and emotional support from other parents going through the same experiences with their teen, can help you enormously at this stage of your child's development.\n\nNancy Peske is the coauthor of the book Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues. Learn more about sensory issues at http://www.sensorysmartparent.com and visit Raising a Sensory Smart Child on Facebook.\n\n\nWhat You Need to Know About Autism Spectrum Disorder - FAQs\n\nWhat is Autism Spectrum Disorder?\n\nAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is a disability that causes a hindrance to the patient's mental development. This is usually manifested by difficulties interacting socially and by delayed faculty developments. Autism can manifest as early as age three.\n\nWhat are the different types of Autism?\n\nThere are five types of Autism Spectrum Disorder namely:\n\nAsperger's syndrome - This is the mildest form of autism disorder. This is characterized by severe obsession about a single object or topic. When they become obsessive about it, they will try to study everything related to that object and they will not stop discussing it for a long time. Males are more likely to be affected by this syndrome.\n\nRett syndrome - It is a neurodevelopmental disorder in the brain that affects not only the social skills of the person but also his physical traits. This is characterized as having small hands and feet, decreased rate of growth and repeated body movements. People who are affected by this syndrome have no verbal skills.\n\nPervasive developmental disorder - This Autism Spectrum disorder is the middle ground between those diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and Autistic disorder. It means that the person affected is not as good as a person with Asperger's syndrome but not as bad a person diagnosed with Autistic disorder.\n\nChildhood disintegrative disorder - This disorder is very rare. It is characterized by normal to stopped development. A person with childhood disintegrative disorder develops on a normal pace at early age and stops at one point. An abrupt stop in the development makes them lose most areas of function.\n\nAutistic disorder - This includes mental retardation and seizures. People with autistic disorder shows signs of repetitive movements and language malfunction.\n\nWhat causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?\n\nSome types of Autism Spectrum Disorder are considered as 'idiopathic' or originating from an unknown cause. Though a lot of factors relates to autism such as genes, vaccines and parenting, they are just correlation which does not actually pinpoint a cause.\n\nCan Autism be passed on?\n\nThough genetic play a big part in autism disorders, there no scientific proof to validate that claim. However, it is safe to assume that greater risks of Autism Spectrum Disorders can be expected from families with such history.\n\nDoes poor nutrition affect Autism?\n\nYes, poor nutrition definitely affects Autism. However, the same can be said about healthy people. Nutrition affects all aspects of health, whether you are in peak form or not. But poor nutrition does not cause autism.\n\nWhat are the treatments available for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder?\n\n1. Behavioral training - This type of training induces self help and positive reinforcements. This training includes Special Education and sensory integration.\n\n2. Different therapies - Depending on the type of Autism Spectrum Disorder, the person affected may be needing physical, speech and occupational therapy. It targets different function areas to work properly.\n\n3. Parental Support and training - This is particularly important when it comes to treating Autism disorders. Parents need to employ special care to make their child feel understood and cared for.\n\n4. Medicines - This is used to tone down some symptoms of autism like stress, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.\n\nIf you are looking for information about autism spectrum disorder, we can help you out in understanding this concept. To learn more information about this disorder, this website can help you out on your concern.\n\n\nSensory Loss in Older Adults - Vision - Behavioral Approaches For Caregivers\n\nAs we age, our sensory systems gradually lose their sharpness. Because our brain requires a minimal amount of input to remain alert and functioning, sensory loss for older adults puts them at risk for sensory deprivation. Severe sensory impairments, such as in vision or hearing, may result in behavior similar to dementia and psychosis, such as increased disorientation and confusion. Added restrictions, such as confinement to bed or a Geri-chair, increases this risk. With nothing to show the passage of time, or changes in the environment, the sensory deprived person may resort to repetitive problem behaviors (calling out, chanting, rhythmic pounding/rocking) as an attempt to reduce the sense of deprivation and to create internal stimulation/sensations.\n\nThis article is the first in a series of three articles that discuss the prominent sensory changes that accompany aging, and considers the necessary behavioral adjustments or accommodations that should be made by professional, paraprofessional, and family caregivers who interact with older adults. Though the medical conditions are not reviewed in depth, the purpose of this article is to introduce many of the behavioral health insights, principles, and approaches that should influence our caregiving roles. This article addresses age-related visual changes.\n\n\nA. The changes in vision that accompany aging include:\n\n1. A loss of elasticity of the lens; this means the person is no longer able to focus or accommodate to changes in lighting conditions. (Starting in our 40's, glasses are needed to see fine print). It also means the older person cannot adjust to sudden changes in lighting, resulting in an uneasiness when leaving a bright room to enter a dark hallway, or finding seats in the dark in recreation rooms, or theater. Going in the reverse direction can be equally difficult: from a dark room to a bright area.\n\n2. Decreased pupil size; the light reaching the retina is reduced, requiring more light to see. This results in the need for lighting 3x to 4x what younger people need to see clearly\n\n3. A loss of transparency; with age, there is a yellowing of the lens in the eyes, making color discrimination more difficult, especially blue and green. Warmer colors, such as reds and yellows are perceived best, explaining why bright colors are preferred.\n\n4. More susceptibility to glare, and longer time is needed to recover from the effects of glare;\n\n5. Eye diseases and disorders, such as cataracts causing a clouding of the lens; glaucoma, resulting from increased pressure of fluids in the eye, damaging the optic nerve and impairing vision. Glaucoma, the number one cause of blindness in U.S., in advanced stages results in yellow halos around images. Macular degeneration may occur, where vision is distorted, and images appear different sizes or different shapes, and are missing a central element. Visual disorders may be secondary to stroke, in which the eye can see the image but the brain cannot interpret the images. Diabetes may result in disrupted blood flow to the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy and a loss of vision, and blindness, in extreme cases.\n\nB. What are the effects of visual loss on the older adult?\n\n1. An increased dependency on others;\n\n2. A sharply reduced quality of life (changes in activities in daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, reduced connection with outside world);\n\n3. And, a fearfulness and reduced tendency to venture outside.\n\nC. What are the effects of vision changes on demented elderly?\n\n1. With the losses in visual acuity, other problems in cognitive functioning are heightened, such as difficulty processing unfamiliar faces and settings;\n\n2. Because the person with dementia already has difficulty learning new behaviors, he or she is less able to learn new habits to compensate for the visual losses (e.g., learning to use visual aids to identify articles of clothing or other possessions;\n\n3. There is likely to be an increased disorientation and confusion, as the search for structure and external cues is strained.\n\n\nThe following principles apply to caregiving approaches with older adults who have diminished sensory function. Increased sensitivity and insight to the needs of these individuals improves their quality of life and improves our effectiveness:\n\n1. Observe the behavior of the person, and look for cues and signs of pain or discomfort;\n\n2. Help the person work through the emotional impact of the sensory changes, allowing expression, acceptance, and support of the grief and sadness accompanying these losses;\n\n3. Do not try to fix the unpleasantness; acceptance and support goes a longer way toward healing than a quick fix or a patronizing attitude;\n\n4. Reduce excess disability by maximizing whatever functioning is still left, such as proper eyeglass prescriptions, or functioning hearing aids;\n\n5. Consider assistive devices (phone amplifiers, large text books, headphones, and the Braille Institute for a variety of useful visual aids).\n\nApproaches for impairments in vision:\n\n1. Address the person before you touch him or her, identify yourself, let him or her know when you are leaving, speak normally, and do not shout;\n\n2. Describe his or her surroundings to help orient and familiarize the person to the environment, tell him or her location of belongings, and if things have been moved;\n\n3. Use as much contrast as possible, e.g., red objects on white background is better than black on a gray background, or blue on green background, (consider switch plates on walls, toothbrushes, combs);\n\n4. Avoid moving quickly from a bright room to a darkened room, or v.v. Make sure the visually-impaired person takes the time for the pupils to adapt to the changes in lighting;\n\n5. Introduce yourself every time you come into contact with the person, and explain what you are going to do because there are no visual cues;\n\n6. Help to identify others in their environment with colored clothing, name tags with large print, etc.\n\n7. Clean eyeglasses regularly, provide adequate lighting, and avoid glare;\n\n8. Provide night lights, and arrange furnishings in the environment for safety and ease of mobility.\n\nEven with normal aging, functioning of our five senses is not like it was when we were younger adults. This article offers caregivers who work with visually-impaired older adults some insights into the special needs and adjustments that will turn unpleasant, frustrating situations into more caring, helpful, and sensitive interactions. By integrating these behavioral approaches in the delivery of the health care with older adults, we can favorably impact the management of these conditions.\n\nCopyright 2008 Concept Healthcare, LLC\n\nJoseph M. Casciani, PhD, is a geropsychologist who has devoted his professional career to working with older adults and their caregivers. His company, Concept Healthcare, http://www.cohealth.org, offers online resources to integrate behavioral health approaches in the health care of older adults.\n\n\n較新的文章 較舊的文章 首頁", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5826961994171143}
{"content": "Ravencon Panels I AM Doing: Next Week’s Schedule\n\nSo, Ravencon is next weekend (so I PROBABLY won’t be doing a post next weekend for that reason, but there is a chance; more on that later), which means I’ve run out of time for the series on Ravencon Panels (I’m NOT Doing) so I can talk about the Ravencon Panels I AM doing.\n\nThe schedule may still change (I’ve been at enough conventions to know that schedules sometimes get altered minutes before the panel begins, though I haven’t known Ravencon to be quite that bad), but it’s as set as it ever is.  So, if you’re at the convention and want to find me, here are the panels I’m on (complete with current room locations (the most likely thing to change), Amazon links to my fellow panelists, and the panel descriptions:\n\nI. Swords Not Required\nLocation:  Room G\nTime:  Friday, 6pm-7pm\nGuests:  Nancy Northcott, Jeanne Adams, Charles E. Gannon, and myself (Moderating).\n\nPanelists discuss ways to arm characters in fantasy worlds without always relying on swords.\n\n(Yes, I’m moderating my first panel at my first pro-appearance at a convention.  Gulp)\n\nII. Mythology as the Basis for Speculative Fiction\nLocation:  Room 8\nTime:  Friday, 10pm-11pm\nGuests:  Mercedes Lackey, Bishop O’Connell (moderating), Christopher L. Smith, Jennifer R. Povey, and myself\n\nOur panelists take a look at mythologies around the world; discussing their similarities and why some of them are so appealing to modern speculative fiction authors. Should myths be updated for a modern audience, or do you respect them as canon and hold to their roots? Does an understanding of mythology make better speculative fiction, and what is its current role within SF writing?\n\nIII.  Using Tropes to Tell Stories\nLocation:  Room 8\nTime:  Saturday, 9am-10am\nGuests:  Jim Bernheimer (moderating), R.S. Belcher, Bishop O’Connell, and myself\n\nCliches in fantasy and science fiction are a big no-no… except when they aren’t. The internet contains a lot of rants against tropes, but are tropes really that bad? What happens to a fantasy story that tries to avoid every trope? Is such a story revolutionary or unmarketable? Is it even doable? Panelists discuss the use and avoidance of tropes in developing storylines. What are the most-used tropes in SF/F? Why are they so overused? Are they always bad? Are there ways they can be twisted to say new things about the genre?\n\nIV.  Building Worlds for Fiction\nLocation:  Room G\nTime:  Saturday, 11am-12pm\nGuests:  Dave Joria, Rob Balder, Mark Wandrey (moderator), and myself\n\nBuilding a comprehensive world—whether it is for a novel, comic, or serial—can be a huge challenge. Join our panelists as they discuss tools, strategies, and both successes and failures in world-building.\n\nV.  Self-Publishing 2017\nLocation:  Room G\nTime:  Saturday, 3pm-4pm\nGuests:  Philippa “Pip” Ballentine, Alex Matsuo (Moderating), Toi Thomas, Thomas A. Mays, and myself\n\n\nVI.  Mechanics of Magic in Fantasy & SF\nLocation:  Room E\nTime:  5-6pm\nGuests:  Joe Wetmore, myself, Jeanne Adams, Nancy Northcott (Moderating)\n\nDoes a magical system for a story need rules? Costs, unintended consequences, social factors? What about reliability issues? How can we avoid worn-out tropes? How should magic in an RPG and story differ? Is some of the tech in SF “magic” and should the same considerations apply?\n\nSo that’s six panels, including a couple alongside the guests of honor.  Not bad for my first convention as a pro.\n\nThere are still quite a few panels that I’m NOT doing that are on topics I’m interested in.  I mean, I made up a schedule for myself, and if I did all the panels I’m scheduled for AND went to all the other panels I’m interested in, I would have a grand total of one one-hour break during the entire weekend (not happening; while I’ll be poking my nose into some of those panels as a fan, I’d wear myself out AND starve for the weekend if I tried going to all of them).  Unfortunately, if I haven’t gotten to those panel topics on this blog by now, I’m probably not going to any time soon, as I’m going to move into the Ravencon panel topics I will have actually been on.\n\nI’d been trying to get The Merrimack Event done by Ravencon itself, but the cover art is going to be late (among other issues) and I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish building the book in time, even if it shows up between now and then.  I haven’t been talking about the possibility that often because, without the book cover, I don’t have anything I can show you guys… so maybe, if I DO get a blog post out next week, it will be with a Surprise! Book Release! Announcement.  (Heck, I don’t have anything scheduled for Sunday, currently, even if I’ll still be at the hotel… if the cover art comes in, and everything else is ready, I might spend the day putting the book together).  If not… well, it’s not like I asked Ravencon to fit a Book Launch into the schedule… (I thought about it, but thankfully didn’t; that would have been a mess).\n\nAnd then, the next weekend following the convention, maybe I’ll start a new series:  Ravencon Panels (I DID Do):  My Final (?) Words.\n\nEdit:  The convention is now over, and comments are closed because spambots keep trying to spam the comment section.\n\nRavencon Panels (I’m Not Doing): One Man’s Villain Is Another Man’s Hero\n\nThis is the fifth in my series of blogs on panels at Ravencon I’m NOT doing.  For further explanation, see my earlier blog here.  (I noted last week I had apparently been cut from several of the panels I was originally scheduled for; well, the program guide has been… well, not quite finalized, because these sorts of things tend to change at the last minute, but close enough — they’ve made a PDF of the schedule public here. In the end I was put back on some of those I originally feared I had been cut from, and should now be on listed on six panels, which (assuming nothing changes) I’ll mention next week.\n\nOne Man’s Villain is Another Man’s Hero\n\nHere is the Ravencon write-up for this panel:\n\nTwirling mustaches and obvious evil plans are a thing of the past. Today’s villains and heroes are as complicated as the world we live in. Discuss with our panelists what makes the difference between villain and hero, and how thin that line can be.\n\nOnce again, we’ve got an interesting topic.  Now, I’m not sure you’ll find many complex villains in my own novels (I try to focus on developing the heroes at the start of a series, with the villain getting more development later in the series.  Unfortunately, it’s still very early in all of the series I’ve released, so my best villains haven’t shown up yet.  That’s partly why I didn’t sign up for this panel), but I do know something about the topic nonetheless.\n\nIt’s actually fairly easy to advise people on how to make a complex villain.  “Give your villain a sympathetic back story,” and “everyone is a hero in their own story; your villain must think he’s doing the right thing” are things I’ve repeatedly heard.  That seems to just be common sense… although (a) common sense is not common and (b) sometimes the story you’re writing doesn’t make it easy to show your villain’s point of view.\n\nThere’s also the matter that, well, there have been plenty of popular stories with popular villains who aren’t exactly complex.  While a powerful force of nature and a great danger to all of the people of Middle Earth, Sauron is a fairly straight-forward villain who didn’t need a sympathetic back story to become the main villain of Lord of the Rings (now, he did GET an interesting backstory when the Silmarillion was released, but that wasn’t published until almost twenty years after Sauron was introduced to the reading public).  While the now-non-canon expanded universe did eventually fill out his story, Boba Fett was a villain who became a cultural icon from his physical appearance alone.  His past was a mystery (some people actually think his character was weakened when it was filled in), his motivations were unclear, he had a tiny role, and yet he developed a fan following as big as many of the major villains of the series. (In fact, much of the backstory for him was created BECAUSE he became so popular, if I understand things correctly)\n\nAnd the villain doesn’t have to be a person.  A “villain” can be a natural disaster, for example, or simply surviving alone in the wilderness.  While not typical of fantasy or science fiction (my main genre), there have been a number of stories where the big struggle is surviving against the odds, and those odds aren’t someone else at all. It can, though — one of the biggest hits in recent years is The Martian, which features a struggle to survive in an alien landscape.  Mars itself is the villain of the story… well, sort of.  “The elements of Mars,” perhaps?\n\nBut this topic is specifically about creating a complex villain, and saying (effectively) “give them a sympathetic back story” might not be enough help. It’s a great piece of advice; if you’ve ever seen Batman: The Animated Series, their sympathetic treatment of Mr. Freeze took a Batman villain often considered a comic laughingstock and made him into a major villain that many people could hope succeeded some day.  In fact, I’d argue that series is a virtual blueprint for creating sympathetic villains.  But just that line itself — “Give them a sympathetic back story” — is, well, not enough.\n\nIt’s too generic of a piece of advice, and honestly it isn’t always true.  I’ve read many an amateur effort at writing (thanks to my background in fanfiction) where the writer tries too hard at giving the villain a sympathetic back story, and while the villain may be “sympathetic” (or not; if the ‘excuse’ for becoming a villain is too weak, it feels like “Really? That’s it?  That’s why this guy is trying to take over the world?”), but if you make things go too far your villain can appear… well, pathetic, not sympathetic.  So perhaps just “try and give them a sympathetic backstory” isn’t the best piece of advice.\n\nSo, what else can you use to make your villain seem complex? Well, how about using other techniques for making a villain compelling and complex.\n\nIn the Lord of the Rings, we know next to nothing about Saruman’s back story… except that he was supposed to be a good guy, in fact a leader of good guys, who turned traitor when he thought he was going to lose.  As a villain, he is more complex and compelling than Sauron.  It’s a common technique for the creation of a villain; TV Tropes refers to it (using wrestling parlance, of all things) a “Face-Heel Turn.”\n\nOne of the best-known villains in the world of mystery novels has almost no backstory, sympathetic or not, but he is thought to be complex and compelling because, well, he’s basically a villainous version of Sherlock Holmes (I am, of course, referring to Moriarty).\n\nIf your villain has a complex, intricate plan, and your reader can follow along with it (even if they may not know the villain’s true end goal), that can make them seem complex and compelling. It’s a method a lot of television shows with a-plot\\b-plot formats (the episode has a specific “a” plot that is the focus of that episode’s story, but there’s also elements from an overall seasonal “b” plot) use.\n\nSo, there are many ways to create a complex and compelling villain… if you need one.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe panel is officially described as:\n\n\nSo, let’s cover some of these rules, shall we?\n\nThe panel description mentions:\n\nA.  One POV per Scene:\n\nB.  Don’t Use Adverbs:\n\n\n\n\n\nRavencon Panels (I’m Not Doing): Gearing Up For War\n\n\n\nThis panel is described in the (still just a draft) write-up as “Depending on the time period, terrain, and the nature of the fight, you’re going to need different kinds of kit. We’ll discuss how human beings prepare for battle physically and mentally — and what that says about their society.” I really feel under-qualified for the topic of mental and physical preparation, and I don’t even want to touch the one about what these preparations “say about society” (talk about a land mine for those of us who try to maintain politically neutral public faces!).\n\nBut discussing military kit? That I can do, if only from the perspective of a military history buff who’s done enough research into this topic to know (at one time) what people were supposed to receive in a few historic kits by heart. (Okay, so, um, my focus was the history of the US Sailing Navy, but sailors needed kits, too!  And it has been a while since I last studied this, so don’t test me; I probably can’t recite everything from memory, any more)\n\nNow, one of the things to remember is that, until the last century or so, a soldier’s “kit” was largely theoretical. Some bureaucrat somewhere would write up a list of what was supposed to be in a soldier’s kit and set a budget (usually below what was actually needed) for obtaining these supplies; some lesser bureaucrat elsewhere would receive the money to put these kits together, skim some of it off the top, and then toss it down the chain. Each toss down the chain to the next layer of government usually meant less money for each kit, to the point that soldiers and sailors rarely received much the kit they were assigned.\n\nBut, for the sake of our sanity, let’s talk about what was SUPPOSED to be issued to soldiers and sailors throughout the various eras we have records for… and we have records, in some cases, dating back to Roman times.  Sometimes the government paid for these kits, sometimes the soldier or sailor were responsible for paying for these things themselves; sometimes the kit was required to fit a uniform standard and design, and sometimes the soldier or sailor (or, especially, feudal lords\\knights) could customize or fit themselves out on their own, and sometimes some things were provided and you had to pay for others.  Usually, the only ‘advantage’ of paying for your own kit is the ability to customize things.\n\nRegardless, whether you were a Roman Soldier or a member of the modern military, there are several things which are common to every soldier’s (or sailor’s) kits:\n\nSome form of weaponry.  Whether that’s swords, spears, bows and arrows, or firearms, you would get a weapon (sometimes more than one).  At times in history, the weapons would not actually be issued with the kit, but handed out right before battle; regardless a weapon of some type should be considered part of the kit.\n\nBody armor.  Note that this isn’t always a part of your kit; early Roman infantry soldiers wore none to increase speed and ease of movement (and as a cost-cutting measure), though later on various different types of armor were developed and issued.  Sailors from the Napoleanic era certainly didn’t wear armor into battle (though Spanish officers sometimes did).  Frequently, armor was something the soldier would have to pay for out of his own pocket (or get docked out of his pay), as it often had to be custom-fit to the person wearing it.  Today, soldiers are usually issued body armor (bulletproof vests) as part of their kit, though occasionally soldiers may purchase “civilian” gear if the issued equipment is defective or insufficient and replacement gear is slow to arrive (this is technically not permitted in the US Army, but the rule has been relaxed and\\or ignored at various times of crisis).\n\nAn “entrenching tool” (aka, a shovel) were part of most soldiers kits (though not most sailors, as you obviously aren’t going to be digging through your wooden ship’s decking; in its place, however, sailors were issued tools for splicing rope or similar Naval tasks).  A soldier needed his shovel to be able to dig out camp latrines, dig in temporary fortifications and trenches, and more.  Plus, they could work as a backup weapon in a pinch.\n\nUsually, soldiers were also issued clothing.  This could be something as simple as basic livery to go over your armor, or multiple types of uniform for use in different times of the year and on different occasions.  This can include not just the obvious uniform pieces, but also things like socks, shoes, underwear, belts, etc.\n\nA water containment device (whether that’s a waterskin, a canteen, or something else).\n\nCooking gear of some sort.  You might not have the tools for gourmet cooking on hand, but some way to build a fire and hold food over that fire is quite handy.  You also need some method of eating food given to you, so a bowl for soups and stews, a spoon, a knife, a fork if they’ve been invented… that kind of thing.\n\nAn axe or saw for cutting wood.  Because you need some way of getting fuel for those cooking fires.\n\nA satchel\\backpack\\bag of some kind.  Because you’ve got a lot of gear you need to carry around.\n\nBedding.  This could be anything from just a simple blanket to a full-on kit for a tent, a sleeping bag, a rain tarp, and more.  The most original bit of bedding kit I recall is from the American Civil War, where soldiers were each issued HALF of a two-person tent; if your buddy lost his gear, you were out of luck.\n\nFrequently, sewing supplies were a part of a soldier’s kit.  Soldiers and sailors were responsible for the maintenance of their clothing, so having a needle and thread were handy.  Plus, it gave you something to do in your downtime.  Macramé may popularly be thought to have its origins in the fringe work of arabic carpets, and in modern times is often stereotypically found in some hippie peacenik fashions, but making it was an extremely popular hobby among 17th, 18th, and 19th century sailors.\n\nFinally, most soldiers starting out get a small supply of consumables — some hard tack biscuits or similar emergency rations, a half-a pint of rum a day (usually watered down into grog on shipboard), gunpowder when needed to support a black powder weapon, oils for maintaining equipment, soaps for keeping clean, etc.  How regularly these consumables were replaced (or whether they were replaced at all) varied from army to army.\n\nSpecific parts of the military might get special items, as well.  For example, if you were in the horse cavalry, you’d probably get special gear for your horse (while I know this is true, I’m fuzzy on the particulars of what would be issued).  Scouts might be issued some form of looking glass (binoculars, special sights, etc.).  Etc.\n\nOf course, even if the military provides all of that, there were still things soldiers and sailors loved to add to their kit whenever possible.  Games (such as chess sets), cards, small musical instruments, and other material designed for entertainment were often more of a necessity than the shovels, cooking gear, and spare underwear, but rarely would any government service give them to their soldiers for free.\n\nAnd if you’re a writer, you may need to add a few more unusual items to the kit, depending on genre.  I mean, if you’re writing a sword and sorcery, any magical characters may require certain components for ammo.  In certain science fiction universes (think Star Trek), some sort of portable sensor (think tricorder) would likely be a part of your kit.  That sort of thing.\n\nAs a writer, you may never need to let your readers know everything that’s in your fictional character’s kit, but it’s generally a good idea to keep track of the resources your character has as a writer.  Otherwise, you might wind up in a situation where your character has a ridiculous number of little-used items (like, say, Bat Shark-Repellant) that can turn the whole thing into a joke.  And it’s a good idea to get some idea of how much a soldier can store on themselves — it’s probably more than you think, but less than you want — while composing your characters’ kits.\n\nOf course, like every other bit of writing advice you might receive, it’s not a hard and fast rule.  After all, the 1960s Batman is still a popular cultural icon, Bat Shark-Repellant and all…\n\nEdit:  Comments closed due to multiple spam attempts.  E-mail me if you want it re-opened.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEdit:  Comments closed because of multiple spam attempts.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA few recommendations for further reading:\n\n(For Free)\n\nRoman Dress\n\nSengoku Daimyo\n\nRosalie’s Medieval Woman\n\nThe Viking Answer Lady\n\n(For Bookstores\\Libraries)\n\nThe Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diane Wynne Jones\n\n\n\n\n1001 Inventions That Changed the World by Jack Challoner\n\n\n\nBook of Old-Time Trades and Tools\n\n\n\nEdit:  Comments closed due to spam attempts.\n\nRavencon Panels (I’m Not Doing): Imposter Syndrome\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCatching Up….\n\nA new year, and I’m back to work on my regular blog.  My (ir)regular Sunday Blogs will be returning, soon, but there are a few things that came up during my absence I think I should mention first:\n\n  1.  I did manage to complete the anthology submission I was preparing that prompted me to suspend the Sunday blogs.  I’m hoping it will make it in to said anthology, but if it doesn’t I’ll probably self-publish it under Fennec Fox Press.\n  2. Some software issues have cropped up on this blog regarding some of the plug-ins.  I need to contact my ISP before I can start these fixes, and I’m not sure how long they will take or if they can even fix it.  Don’t be surprised if there are temporary outages as I get this sorted out, or if certain features appear and disappear.  I might also test a few new themes that have become available, so don’t be surprised if the blog changes appearance a few times over the course of the next couple weeks.\n  3. I’ve also had hardware issues; my laptop has been on the fritz (it’s taken to overheating at irregular intervals), so I took advantage of some Black Friday\\Cyber Monday Sales and bought a new one.  The new laptop is here and running, and has all the software I need to make it go, but until recently I couldn’t transfer my files over easily.  I’ve just got the tools needed to make this transition, but there WILL be  a transition period.  I write this blog on my laptop, so it might take some time away from writing my next blog entry.\n  4. My original plan was to try and get In Division Imperiled out by Ravencon (which, if you’ve forgotten, I will be appearing at as a guest).  This plan is looking less and less likely, as I’m far behind on my writing (having to set the project aside for a time in order to complete the anthology entry in time).  At the very least I wanted to have the cover art to show, but my cover artist is too busy to take on the job right now.  I might consider another artist, but I’d prefer someone who works in a similar style as the old covers.  I have a list of other artists who I’ve been considering for other projects, and one or two have similar art styles, but so far none of the ones I’ve checked out are free, either.  I’m still looking… and writing.\n  5. One option I’m considering is to finally push The Merrimack Event out the door.  That would likely mean further delay for In Division Imperiled, but as it’s already a complete manuscript it would be easy for me to get everything done in time of Ravencon.  I haven’t made any moves in this direction, yet, but it’s something I’m thinking about.\n  6. There’s been news in the world of self-publishing over the past few months I might comment on (for example, the closing of All Romance eBooks\\Omnilit, an eBook retailer which (fortunately, it turns out) I had never puzzled out how to list my books on).  I’ve been too busy to comment on it when it was new news, however, and I’m not sure I want to bother with it now.  But maybe I’ll talk about them if new events come up.\n  7. For Christmas, among other more practical gifts, I recieved a pair of toy fennec foxes (stuffed animals. two different sizes).  I’m thinking of making them mascots for Fennec Fox Press, but I need names for them.  Any suggestions would be nice.\n  8. I badly need to update the convention calender.  It’s not been updated in over half a year, so a lot of data in it is missing or outdated.  Again, it’s something that will eat time away from the time I have to write my Sunday Blog, but I’m not going to fiddle with it until I can fix the plug-in issue and complete the new laptop transition mentioned above.\n\nWell, that’s what I’ve got time to write about this week.  I may go into more details on one or two of the topics mentioned, above, or (more likely) I’ll come up with something else to talk about, but while it may be even more irregular than usual, I’m resuming my “regular” Sunday Blog starting now.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7778165340423584}
{"content": "By Ben Axelson | NYUP,\n\n\n\nThe shooting happened at 1:56 a.m. Monday outside a friend’s apartment building. Police were also questioning a fourth person who may have been in the SUV with the three men.\nNo arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.\n\n\n“These people came here to flee violence and war, and they end up in the wrong place and get killed,” Bickett told the D&C.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6735619306564331}
{"content": "What ya Doing for the Winter Solstice?\n\nThe original concept of yin and yang\ncame from the observation of nature and the\nenvironment. “Yin” originally referred to the\nshady side of a slope while “yang” referred to the\nsunny side. Some examples include heaven and\nearth, day and night, water and fire, active and\npassive, male and female, and hot and cold. All\nthings have yin and yang properties.\n\nBuilding Power\n\nLately we been hearing and seeing a lot of mixed\nmarshal arts, including “The ultimate fighting\nchampionship” made popular by the Gracie brothers.\nAlthough it is a ruff sport the athletes who are\nfighting are in top condition- mentally,\nphysically and hopefully spiritually. Some may\nfind it violent but I don’t I get energy from watching the sport.\n\nweb design by sli Studios", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7748759984970093}
{"content": "Christine has a very deep understanding of biomechanics and the how the muscles of the body are structured and impact movement. I went to her with three issues, calf cramping and pain while running, lack of hip rotation negatively impacting my golf swing and neck pain when cycling.\n\nVery quickly she identified a variety of tight joints and muscles as well as some poor posture habits. Once we began treatment the results were immediate and I have realized incremental improvement with every session I have with her. I highly recommend Christine’s services.\n\nNorman L., - Sports Massage. Results: Immediate and Incremental Improvement with each session", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9579312205314636}
{"content": "“Tear Down The Wall”\n\nEditor’s Note: This article was written and posted on the original tsinfocenter.com in April 2010. This website is reconstructed, and the article is posted again in July 2016 in its original form.\n\n“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”\nPresident Ronald Regan\nOver two thousand years ago, China began to build its Great Wall in order to keep nomadic tribes and marauding armies from crossing its borders. In the last few decades, China has built another protective barrier, a ‘Great Firewall,’ to keep socially disruptive web content from reaching its citizens. For the purpose of keeping out West Germans and keeping in East Germans, the Berlin Wall was erected in August 1961.\n\nUnfortunately, the Great Wall of China still remains intact and the “Great Firewall” has continued to be a bottleneck for the flow of information in China’s cyber world. On the other hand, the Berlin Wall is no more, which is considered one of the greatest symbols in a victory towards liberty. On June 12, 1987, former US president Ronald Reagan in his speech in Berlin uttered six words that signaled the end of the cold War Era. Although this visible wall was a symbol of barrier between the West and the East, there were so many invisible walls that divided the Communist and the Capitalist camp.\n\nIt is with these historical events in the background, I see the wall that is erected between the two camps of the Ethiopia intelligentsia. On one side we have a camp that opposes the regime in Ethiopia and on the other side we have a camp that ardently supports it. Both camps leave no stone unturned to spread their ferocious propaganda against each other devoid of any concern to the damage their intense propaganda would do to the nation and to the harmony among various ethnic groups.\n\nOn one extreme political spectrum, we have the proponents of the regime who tell us that any one who opposes the EPRDF is an “intellectual of the Derg or Haileselassie Era”. Worst of all, by labeling opponents of the regime as chauvinist Amharas or Dergists, the proponents are funning the flame of hatred and suspicion. Some of these elements, no doubt, are distinguished members of the “newly found” upper social stratum. The majorities of the elites in this side of the fence sees everything from point of view of ethnic politics and have revised history to fit their own agenda. The claim that the struggle waged against the successive Ethiopian regimes were because of the oppression of different ethnic groups is fundamentally flawed. In fact, if anything, the fact shows that the struggle waged originated by elites who were privileged and at one point of our history members of ethnic groups they belonged too ruled the country. These elites believed that they were distained to rule and the objective of their struggle was to oust their rival elites from the helm of the throne.\n\nThere is no record that indicates that the genesis of the struggle for various Liberation Movements is from oppressed nations and nationalities. Arguably, it is difficult to find in any part of Ethiopia an “oppressed” ethnic group as Wolaytas, Gambelas, Kembatas, and other minority groups in South; yet, we have never seen a “Liberation” movement arising from any of these groups with the exception of the SLM which was the brain child of the other liberation movements. Rather, what we have witnessed throughout our history is a liberation movement originated from “privileged” ethnic group elites.\n\nThe First “Liberation” movement, if it can be called that, was the Raya and Azbo uprising of 1943. This rebellion which is known as the Woyane movement was a spontaneous, localized peasant uprising with limited objectives and would be historically wrong to characterize it as a rebellion of any particular ethnic group. The second major rebellion was the Eritrean movement. This movement had more to do with religion than ethnicity. The so called Liberation movements in Ethiopia used ethnicity as a camouflage to galvanize support for their movements. To espouse their position, EPRDF backers still beat ethnicity drum for any one who would listen. The fact that Amhara elites were privileged, somehow, did not make the Amhara peasant in Menze any better than his counterparts in Gambela or Benishangule. One could argue that the Amhara peasant may have an advantage from his counter parts because Amharic is a national language, this unfortunately did not change the Amharas’ peasants lives in any significant way.\n\nSuch baseless and ridicules ideas are entertained in a cyber space that is fenced only to the supporters of the regime. Although these elites preach democracy, they would not dare to practice it. For them, free speech is only reserved to those who share their values and beliefs. Particularly the intelligentsia in Diaspora has built an invisible wall to a communication field that is borderless and immensely vast. What is mesmerizing is that both camps are preaching to their choirs; hence, their relentless effort and the barrage of accusation and unnecessary insult hardly win anyone’s heart. These camps are divided with ideology and also with deep seated hatreds. It would be disingenuous to sugar coat the role that ethnicity plays in both camps. This is not to say that there are no genuine differences in the idea of the path that our nation should take. For anyone who visits various Ethiopian websites, it is not unusual to see only people with similar ideas are engaged with one another. Within a fence of a particular website you can read these elites debunking one another without directly engaging with each other. Thanks for website like Nazret.com and Ethiomedia, where you can relatively see diverse ideas despite the hosts own political views.\n\nIt is obvious that social science cannot be experimented in some closed quarters in a laboratory setting. Occasionally, policies and ideas have to be tested on the field with real people and with real events. Since every countries situation is different, it would be a mistake to directly copy the social, economic, and political agendas and process and apply it to another nation. It is always possible to learn from others and apply what is necessary to different nations. Often, ideas are born from the citizens of a nation particularly those who are considered educated. Unfortunate for us, our educated citizens have drawn the lines and are more interested to defend their point of view in order to glorify the image of an organization or a political camp they support than act in the best interest of the nation.\n\nThe camp on the other political spectrum does not fair that much. Surfing various websites considered the opposition camp mischaracterize and debunk the regime and its supporters with similar lethality and unreserved assault. It is not unusual to read the regime in Ethiopia as an invading force and anyone who dare to support the regime labeled as a traitor and as a sellout that is bending to the regime for self interest only. The elites on this side of the political fence are extremely vocal and preach democracy, liberty, freedom of speech and other democratic values but fail to practice it by deliberately blocking opposing point of views. On one hand, this camp condemns the EPRDF for blocking websites and jamming news media. On the other hand, it has built a firewall of its own and practices its own “jamming” by blocking articles and information that are considered pro EPRDF. Such double standard is mind-boggling. It is clear that the battle ground is drawn and the troops have sharpen their pen to shoot at each other which only would indicate their incredible ability to use words and phrases to make their point. The question is would this people win anyone’s heart? Could the time, and the energy spend could be used for the benefit of the nation? Could this intellectuals deal with one another in a civilized manner and find a way to break the cycle of violence in a nation that is plagued with illiteracy, disease, poverty, and other social, economic, and political problems?\n\nIt is one thing to praise a political organization for playing a major role in a struggle to liberate a nation from a grip of a brutal military junta; it is quite another and hypocritical to continue to sing halleluiah when the same political organization becomes the kind of regime that it deposed. On the other hand, it is admirable and commendable to continue to fight for democratic values and freedom; it is quite another to deny and debunk any progress made in the country because one opposes the regime in power.\n\nI do genuinely believe that the majority on both sides of the aisles have genuine concerns about the well being of our nation. The issue at hand is how to bring both sides from their respective well entrenched camps to a genuine dialogue so the best and the brightest amongst us could come up with workable solution to the problems that plagued our nation for years. How do we let them talk to each other instead of at each other?\n\nIt is commendable that a great effort was made to organize and hold the Ethiopian and Eritrean Friendship Conference in March 2010. This useful step to bring harmony and peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea should be encouraged and supported. As precious and as commendable as such an effort is we seem to neglect that we need to make a similar effort to bring about harmony and civilized dialogue among Ethiopian elites. Enormous efforts were made by Ethiopian opposition political parties for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia in the past; because the EPRDF lacked vision and far sightedness, the opposition repeated effort has failed.\n\nAs someone who advocated openly for the effort of the opposition to succeed, it was disappointing to witness how EPRDF supporters, particularly those who are considered educated, cheered EPRDF’s decision not to take part in the Peace and Reconciliation Conference. Instead of encouraging the EPRDF, these elites were more interested in embarrassing their counter parts on the other side of the political spectrum. Our elites are supposed to be our guiding lights; time and again however, they have led us towards darkness. Instead of supporting the Right Things and encouraging others to take corrective measures when they do the Wrong Things, our elites are more engaged in partisan politics no matter how damaging the conduct of a camp that they support.\n\nWith a population of over 80 million and a growing economy, Ethiopia already is a major force in Africa to be reckoned with. No matter how much we try, the economic progress in Ethiopia is undeniable. Those who oppose the regime in Ethiopia need to realize, and recognize that, and they must continue their struggle to widen the ever increasingly shrinking political space. There are visible social and economic progresses in Ethiopia. The infrastructures are improving, the health and educational sectors are changing for the better, and the opportunity to invest and create jobs for our citizens is also growing.\n\nWhether we like it or not Ethiopia’s vast and untouched market promises to expand exponentially as wealth increases and education spreads. As recent news events indicated foreign investors are bringing their human and financial capital to Ethiopia. The fact that the Ethiopian market offers such investment potential should be a wake up call to all of us. On the other hand, the proponents of the EPRDF should not ignore the shrinking political space in Ethiopia and the dismal human rights record of the regime. There are thousands of political prisoners in Ethiopia; Ethiopia’s citizens are subjected to unjust detention, torture and political assassination. Those who jump in a bandwagon to chastise the Eritrean regime should look at and scrutinize the Ethiopian regime conduct. It is inherently wrong and intellectually dishonest to apply different judgment to the same types of ‘crimes’.\n\nInstead of worshiping one individual and propagating to prolong EPRDF’s reign, these elites must face the lingering political issue honestly. It may be self satisfying to declare how Mr. Meles is smart and clever, but in this information age it is foolish to admire how fashionable “the emperor’s cloth” is when he is fully naked with his incredibly ugly body fully exposed standing before the world’s stage. It is a strategic mistake and a historical error to exercise willful blindness when citizens who are challenging the EPRDF on its own game with its own rule are stabbed to death. It is astonishing and disingenuous to defend Mr. Meles when he categorized the opposition as the “enemies” of the state and when he invokes the Rwanda paramilitary organization Interahamwe to inflame suspicion and fear for short term political gain. You may ignore the facts on the ground and paint the regime with a rosy picture, but failure to realize that the path to ’social harmony’ is not through increasing authority and brutality but increasing liberty may bring unforeseen fatal blow in a near future.\n\nThe regime’s stand on human rights and its utter defiance for the freedom of the press should change pro EPRDF elites’ fundamental view of the government. I strongly believe that the EPRDF led government has a tremendous incentive to heed the call for democratization, liberalization, transparency, accountability, and respect for human and civil rights if its desire is peace and prosperity in our nation. The essence of economic growth would be only meaningful if policies are designed to bridge a growing gap between the newly rich minority and the still-impoverished majority. It is important to recognize that people like former president Carter have clearly stated their displeasure with the EPRDF led regime and that EPRDF Western allies are increasingly getting uncomfortable defending the indefensible. Surely, an attempt to turn the clock back to the kind of debacle that we have witnessed in 2005 election would bring civil unrest. It would be the responsible thing to do for the proponents of the regime to advice and encourage the regime to make the political playing field even. If the regime is as confident as it states about its ability to score a landslide victory in 2010 election, then why resort to threats, sabotage and a political assassinations?\n\nThe repeated mischief and human rights violation, and the recent blatant admission by Mr. Meles the Jamming of VOA Amharic program in Ethiopia has brought the media spotlight on Ethiopia once again. EPRDF supporters may fail to grasp that the regime is crumbling as its old guards are departing the political scene and particularly because the open rebellion against the TPLF in Tigray is holding ground. The question now is not whether Ethiopia will continue to grow economically, but how quickly; not whether the EPRDF leadership will reform, but how gracefully. Whether we like it or not the Ethiopian people are marching with determination and immense devotion towards liberty and freedom, it is up to the proponents of the EPRDF to join the rest of the population to speed the pace and demand the right thing. While it is right to speak about the progress made, it would be right to challenge the EPRDF to move forward for genuine political reform.\n\nTo contribute our fair share for the well being of our nation and to end the cycle of violence, it is profoundly important for the elites to Tear Down the Walls that they have built in order to debunk one another. By demonizing one another, the path to empower our people will not be established. The future generation expects more than good writings; it expects us to hand over a system of government that allows our people to be governed by their consent. The future generation expects us to pass it to them a civilized way of dealing with each other. There will always be disagreements; there are going to be conflict of ideas and interests; the wisdom or the lack there of is the way we handle conflicting ideas and interests. We may continue to bark at each other in cyber space or choose to come together with all our disagreements and create a conducive atmosphere to deal with each other in a manner that is productive and responsible.\n\nThe current political discourse is distractive and extremely dangerous. The seed that we are sowing may be extremely poisonous that will infect the generation to come. Rwanda and Burundi were not created over night. The little seed that we are dropping today will grow and it would multiply exponentially; the question is do we want to see the growth of a seed that will bring harmony or war? The choice is ours. So far, the escalating war of words has not helped anyone. Let us talk to each other rather than at each other, let our elders find a way to bring the two sides together; let us begin this journey in the Diaspora. Hoping what President Ronald Reagan has said 23 years ago resonates today, I respectfully ask all of you in this Easter Holiday to encourage our elites to Tear Down The Wall that is dividing us.\n\nHappy Holiday, thank you!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7860624194145203}
{"content": "Sailing on the ocean seems idyllic and simple. Clipping along in a fresh breeze, relaxing in the sun with hammocks filled with cookies and booze swaying below decks, your destination is a colorful seaport filled with shops and bars and nightlife. What could be better?\n\nAll those things are realities in the world of ocean cruising, but so too are dangers, surprises and tragic consequences brought about from poor decision-making.\n\nCruising sailors always look relaxed and happy in the photos and in most of their videos, but those images are usually produced at the beginning or the end of a passage, and the solid mariners are the ones who can handle the demands of running a sailing craft around the clock for days and sometimes weeks on end. The many perils for which a cruising sailor needs to be prepared include bad weather, ocean currents, squalls, rouge waves, wildlife, other boats and the careful balance of maintaining the seaworthiness of the boat as well as the supplies needed by the crew.\n\nWhen I planned a passage from Dana Point, California to Santa Barbara and ultimately up the coast to Oregon, in Turk’s Bar in Dana Point Harbor a real salt with shipwreck stories from the South Pacific quizzed me on my level of preparedness.\n\n“You’re out there and you see an approaching storm, what do you do?” he asked. I answered that I would heave-to, which is the practice of setting main and headsail opposite each other to use the wind to basically pin the boat in one spot, allowing the boat to ride out the storm.\n\n“You’re gonna f#*in die,” he replied. And he was probably right. “What you would do,” he continued, “is drop all your sail except a tiny headsail, so at least you can steer a little bit, and then run with the storm under bare poles until it blows past you. Then when it’s over, you assess the damage, get a fix on your new position and set sail again.”\n\nI did sail my boat to Santa Barbara, a 36-hour passage, but no further than that. Sailing on the open ocean is very much sailing on a wilderness. Whales have been known to breach in front of or even onto sailboats, and nighttime passages can invite collisions with container ships or debris. There are large pieces of trash out there that can rip a boat open very easily. The weather of course is a constant variable, presenting challenges and surprises for even the saltiest of cruisers. As illustrated by this sailing couple, even the most pleasant of passages can go wrong as a result of bad choices or lack of experience.\n\nIf you’re planning any real ocean sailing, it’s wise to seek the advice of the saltier mariners. Talking in marina bars with such sailors is one way, but seeking instruction through professional sailors who offer lessons is very valuable. Of course, hands-on experience will complete your education, but video lessons can give you insights on how to handle such emergencies as dealing with a squall, for example.\n\nIn any marina, fellow sailors will gather in their cockpits and tell stories of passages. This has gone on for centuries, and it’s the sailors with the craziest stories that not only add more color to the lifestyle, they help the newer sailors to find their way when the weather turns ominous.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7083125114440918}
{"content": "CMMI® – Constellations, Representations and some food for thought\n\nIn presentations, training or orientation sessions on CMMI® the topic of constellations and representations does come up for discussions (even if the presenter wants to avoid it :-)). I have in the past, found that the standard material on these topics has not always helped people understand and remember the concepts. The people, who I believed understood the concepts, surprised me later with a question or a comment that indicated otherwise. Till the time I hit upon an analogy that is easy to understand and easier to remember. And it is related to food.\n\nI will use the example of a restaurant called Celesti-yummiNYTM (the restaurant owner fancies it as trans-galactic gastronomic delight). It has a menu that features three kitchens – food representing three different regions of the universe. One from the Devphinus constellation, another from the Severus constellation and the third from the Aquirius constellation.Restaurant Board\n\nEach constellation (kitchen) serves a set of dishes – Devphinus has 22 dishes, Severus serves 24 dishes and Aquirius presents 22 dishes. These are all listed in Celesti-yummiNYTM menu card. Each kitchen-constellation has also created a recipe booklet that is publicly available, for free (however, fancy, bound versions are priced). People and outer-world aliens can use the recipe books to prepare the dishes, as long as they keep acknowledging the intellectual property and trademark ownership of Celesti-yummiNYTM.\n\n(Digression: There may be another category of sapient beings called “earthly aliens”, since immigration counters in some airports have separate queues for such creatures. When I stand in such queues, I hope to quickly complete the formalities before someone like Ellen Ripley notices me. For more information on Ellen Ripley and how she handles Alien species, see the Wikipedia page here. 🙂 : End of Digression)\n\nLet us now examine the menu card of Celesti-yummiNYTM. As explained before, each kitchen-constellation has a list of dishes (22 to 24 dishes). Each dish comes in three sizes – Small (CL1), Medium (CL2), and Large (CL3). From a kitchen, you may choose any number of the dishes, and specify the size of each dish (small, medium or large). This kind of order, for some reason, is called a “continuous” order by Celesti-yummiNYTM (which many restaurants call as an al-a-carte order), though there is nothing continuous about it.\n\nDish Sizes\n\nIn addition to the 22 to 24 dishes offered in 3 sizes, each kitchen-constellation also offers fixed meals (pre-plated meals or thalis).  There is a mini-meal (ML2), a midi-meal (ML3), a maxi-meal (ML4) and a mega-meal (ML5) that you can order from each kitchen. These fixed meals have a pre-decided set of dishes (a sub-set of the 22 to 24 dishes) at pre-decided sizes, with some very small variations. These fixed meals are called “Staged” meals.\n\nFor example, if you order the mini-meal (ML2) from the Devphinus kitchen menu you will get seven dishes, all of the medium (CL2) size. You have no choice in the matter. The only exception is for the dish called “Sammy’s Fav” which you can decline, provided you have a doctor’s certificate that you are allergic to some of the ingredients. You cannot decline any other dish. Nor can you change the size of the dishes if you order a fixed meal. Similarly the midi-meal (ML3) from Devphinus, will contain eighteen dishes, all of the Large (CL3) size. Again, you can decline the dish called Sammy’s Fav, with a doctor’s certificate. The mega-meal (ML5) from Devphinus will see a large platter with all their 22 dishes (and, you can still decline Sammy’s Fav, with appropriate justification).\n\n\nThere are similar fixed meals with minor variations in the other two kitchen-constellations.\n\nOne warning – there are dishes with same or similar names offered by the three kitchen-constellations. Some are called “core” dishes and some are called “shared” dishes. Don’t be fooled by the names and the terminology. They taste significantly different (because of the way they are cooked, raw material, and interaction with the other dishes), though they are called by the same/ similar names. For example, the dish called “Risque-Salad” (offered by all the three kitchen and hence called a core dish) will look and taste significantly different, becuase of the ingradients, presentation, and seasoning.\n\n\nThere ends the explanation of constellations, representations (staged/ continuous),  core/shared PAs, ML/CL, etc.\n\nPlease feel free to add your variation and flavour to this explanation (use the comment feature)\n\nOther related posts uploaded on the same blog:\n\nNYTM– Celesti-yummi is Not Yet Trade Marked 😉\n\n\nInstitutionalization in CMMI® and People CMM®: Converting a practice to a habit\n\nThe word “institutionalization” is a mouthful, a tongue twister. If it was a requirement that every employee be able to pronounce word correctly for a successful appraisal result (for CMMI®/ People CMM®), the number of successfully appraised entities would have been far fewer than what they are now :-).\n\nThe concept of institutionalization is explicitly embedded in the CMMI® and People CMM® models. In fact, approximately half the practices in every one of the models are dedicated to institutionalization, so it is necessary to internalize this concept to successfully implement the models.\n\nSo, what is institutionalization? It is many related things, but the easiest and the most comprehensive explanation is that it is “making a practice into a habit”. Hence, when a practice (like submitting monthly project status reports to all stakeholders by the 5th of every month) becomes a habit with the organization, we can say that the practice is “institutionalized”. Organizations are not born with habits (nor are human beings). So, how do some practices become habits? Or more importantly, what can we do to make certain desirable practices into habits?\n\nLet us use an example at a personal level to understand what we can do to convert a desirable practice into a habit.\n\nDoctor CheckupYou are overweight. You are unfit. You get tired before you climb one flight of stairs. (You get the picture.) Your doctor has advised more exercise (than just using the TV remote). He has been telling this to you for the last few years; you make a New Year resolution every year, which does not last more than a few days. This year your doc has given you some kind of ultimatum “shape up or else!”\n\nScalesSo, now you not only want to lose those excess kilograms (1 kilogram = approximately 2.2 Pounds, for those who still resist the metric system :-)), but want to make regular exercise a habit. Here is a combination of things that is will increase the probability of regular exercise become a habit.\n\nOathFirstly, as an individual you need to build up a great amount of motivation to achieve fitness. The motivation needs to be higher than your motivation for “one more helping”, “15 minutes more of watchingGym the TV”, etc. You need a deep conviction, an inner resolution, a personal commitment, a personal vision/ policy, an oath to oneself. Something like, “come what may, I will do the required exercises at least 25 days in a month.”\n\nNext, you will have to study the alternatives that are available – should you join a gym? Should you join a batch at the gym, or be on your own? Should you go to the gym in the morning or evening? PlanShould have a different exercise program every day? Should the weekend be different? Based on the initial investigation and thinking, you will make a high level plan.\n\nLet us say, you decide to join a batch of people like you in a neighborhood gym. The batch meets everyResources morning at 6 AM and is led by 2 instructors. Now you need money to enroll in the gym and the program. You will need the right set of clothes and shoes. And many such resources, including time; time to reach the gym, time to do the exercise and time to go back home (or wherever) after the program every day.\n\nShareTo free you up for the daily gym sessions, new responsibilities will need to be taken up, and existing responsibilities may have to be redistributed. Who will drop the kids to school? Who will wake you up? Who is going to water the plants? Who will wash the car now? If you are going to reach your workplace later by half an hour every day, who will stand in for you for that half an hour? In addition to assigning the responsibilities, you (along with others) will possibly need to rearrange and plan out many other impacted activities.\n\nProcessLet us get back to the daily gym. The instructors will have a standard process that they have chalked out to for the group. Based on your situation they may tweak the standard to define a tailored process/ program for you.\n\nTrainerThe instructors will be constantly watching, coaching and guiding you to make sure that you don’t overdo it or take it too easy. They will also try to ensure that you don’t hurt yourself. So, they will keep providing you necessary training as you progress.\n\nInventoryOn a regular basis you will have to keep track of some important items related to your daily gym-ing. For example, you need to make sure that you have shoes and sock and tee-shirts and shorts washed at the right time. Your gym membership card/ usage may have to kept safe and updated on a regular basis. Basically, you will need to maintain control of the important items, so that you don’t end up picking up someone else’s gym bag.\n\nInvolveWhen you start and as you progress, various stakeholders will have to be identified and involved to the required degree. For example your spouse/ partner, others at home, the gym instructors, your doctor, and maybe your co-workers.\n\nMonitorYou will have to maintain data of your progress – how much time you spent on the treadmill, when you moved from level 1 of the exercise chart to level 2, how many days you could not attend the gym. You would also be keep track on the impact of the work that you are doing – are you losing weight? Too fast? Too slow? Do you feel energetic? Tired? The basic idea is to collect data to monitor the status and effects and control the actions to achieve better results.\n\nBuddyTo maintain motivation, you could pair up with a buddy in the gym group – where each of you can objectively help the other to maintain adherence to the plan, schedule and actions. In addition to your buddy, the instructors will also be checking out that you are basically following the processes and the plans that have been laid out.\n\nDoctor CheckupOnce in a while, you would be going to your doc and reviewing the status, so that long-term course corrections can be identified (e.g., add a diet program, increase aerobics- reduce weight bearing exercises, etc.).\n\nProcess ChangeThe gym staff would collect improvement feedback from the participants to change their equipment, standard programs, etc. For the next batch they may define a slightly different process because of this feedback.\n\nAll the bold-and-underlined elements are the likely to prevent you from slipping back to your old ways, and with time, doing exercises every day is likely to become a habit, or “institutionalized” for you.\n\nIn a nutshell, here are the 12 elements:\n\n  1. Having a policy/ vision\n  2. Creating plans\n  3. Mobilizing resources\n  4. Assigning responsibilities\n  5. Getting the training to develop skills required\n  6. Keeping conscious control of key items\n  7. Involving various stakeholders\n  8. Monitoring the status/ effects and controlling the actions\n  9. Keeping an eye on adherence to the process\n  10. Having periodic reviews with the key stakeholders\n  11. Appropriately adopting a process for a given situation\n  12. Collecting information to drive improvements\n\nThe analogy used may not directly fit an organizational situation. In the above example, the vision needs to be set by the same person who is taking the action, whereas in an organization, it will be the leadership team that sets the policy and many more people who follow it. Similarly, resources will need to be mobilized by leadership team or some specific groups in the organization, and used by all groups. However, the principles are similar, and if an organization keeps track of the above 12 aspects, there is a high likelihood that whatever is being introduced will quickly become a habit with the organization.\n\nBy the way, the word “institutionalization” also means being admitted to a mental institution, but that is not the context we are discussing here, today ;-).\n\nPlease do share your experiences, comments and feedback by posting a reply/ comment.\n\nOther related posts uploaded on the same blog:\n\n\nAdoption of People CMM® -03: Why is it Low?\n\nIn a previous post titled Adoption of People CMM® – 01: Appraisal Results (Also see People CMM® Appraisals – 2012 Update), we looked at the reported appraisal data and realized that the number of reported appraisals in any given year hovers between five and ten. There may be a few appraisals that are not reported. Even factoring in the unreported appraisals, the number of appraisals is still low.\n\nHowever, some people argue that number of appraisals is not equal to the number of organizations adopting the model. Many organizations claim to have adopted People CMM® (by Bill Curtis, Bill Hefley, and Sally Miller) without undergoing an appraisal (“we are not interested in certification”, is a common refrain).\n\nYes, there are a few of such organizations too. And some of them have seriously adopted the model.\n\nBut in many such cases, they just pick and choose what is convenient and comfortable and ignore the rest of the model saying “it does not make bussssinessss sense”. The whole exercise ends up with an internally produced document where some of the People CMM® requirements are mapped with the organization’s current practices. Other inconvenient People CMM® practices (that may have been useful) are marked with “not suitable in our context”. This makes the organizations smug (“in principle we are maturity level x”). The fun starts when someone says, “then let us go get our level x”. Then they call in external experts, and realize how far they are from the desired level.\n\nComing back to the reasons for the low adoption of People CMM®.\n\nTargetThe most important reason is that there is no external pressure, unlike in the case of CMMI® or ISO. Customers normally do not ask vendors whether they are appraised to the People CMM®. Even if an organization does get itself appraised once, there is no pressure for re-appraisals.\n\nThe listing of People CMM® on PARS is a good move, as it creates peer pressure.\n\nCommunicateThe lack of awareness of the model is another important reason. Not many people know about the model. The knowledge is restricted to a few folks (process engineers and quality professionals in IT companies) already familiar with the SEI and the CMM® models. Most CEOs and HR heads are totally unaware of it. There is almost no mention of People CMM® in journals like HBR, nor is it discussed in conferences related to Business Excellence or Human Capital Management.\n\nProgrammerMost people who are aware of the framework mentally tag it as a model for the IT/ SW industry. There is almost no practice in the model that aligns it to any specific industry. Organizations in the banking, hospitality, engineering, and manufacturing have found it as useful as IT companies. (However, the model document also has too many references to the software industry in the first few sections that contain information about the background and genesis of the model – this is likely to have reinforced the perception of its IT centricity. Maybe the authors can do something about it in the next version).\n\nChampionIn many companies, the current organizational structure does not enable any group in the company to easily take up the initiative – so it is nobody’s baby. It has been repeated multiple times that “it is not a HR model” – this message has unintended consequences – HR is reluctant to take it up as an initiative. But to cross maturity level 2, HR has to take an active part. Process engineering groups will usually not champion for People CMM® because (1) they have other headaches :-(, like CMMI®, ISO 20K, ISO 27K, etc., and (2) they don’t want to intrude into HR territory.\n\nBased on the set of organizations that have implemented the model (known to the writer),  the People CMM® initiative has been taken either by the HR head or the CEO. And CEOs usually have many other things on their plate. We should stop emphasizing “it is not a HR model”.\n\nExhaustedMost organizations are now perpetually going from one certification (audit/ appraisal/ assessment) to another causing appraisal fatigue – each model has a 1-3 year re-appraisal/ surveillance cycle. Even the thought of picking up another long-term initiative seems to exhaust them. People CMM® is put on the backburner, “to be picked up when we have more time”.\n\nSlowdownRepeated economic slowdowns in the last few years have made companies postpone their People CMM® initiative. Who wants a model to “attract and retain” people when organizations are trying to do “right-sizing” 😉 every two years?\n\nLack of adoption feeds on itself – the question often asked is “if People CMM® is so great, why haven’t more organizations adopted it? Even after so many years”?\n\nJudgeMany companies fear that the appraisal results may provide fodder for litigation by disgruntled employees (this is true in countries prone to litigations). For example, a finding that, “there is no structured mechanism for handling employee grievances” can be used by litigating employees to strengthen their case against the organization.\n\n{<Start of Digression>: The pre-SCAMPISM version of the People CMM® assessment method had a step for “review by legal” before presenting the final findings. An impasse with the legal team on the wordings of some finding could mean that the assessment was abandoned before the final findings. There is no such explicit requirement in the SCAMPISM method <End of Digression>}.\n\nUncomfortableIn many organizations, HR is uncomfortable with the concepts of process engineering, data analytics and the possible transparency that People CMM® is likely to bring about. HR also lacks program management experience and skills to run long-term, organization-wide programs like People CMM®.\n\nProtectLarge consulting firms have a vested interest in their clients not implementing People CMM®. Consulting firms have their own proprietary methodologies and tools to implement competency definitions, salary restructuring, right sizing, role rationalization, and so on. They not only set up the framework, but also provide consultants (usually fresh MBAs) for execution. These are huge contracts, and cyclical in nature, locking the client organization perpetually. Implementing People CMM® actually frees up the clients from these huge contracts, as the organization realizes that it can do a better job of the setting up and changing the people related processes (using internal staff), than handing over the job to expensive consultants.\n\nReading to SleepThe model is not easy reading – it is heavy and legalistic. Most people trying to get an overview of People CMM® find the material sleep-inducing. Here is what one HR Head said “I kept the model next to my bedside a year ago. I try to read it every night, but I am usually fast asleep in less than a page.” While the model book is more like reference material (and hence it is precise, complete, and unambiguous – and rightly so), there isn’t any alternate light reading material available for busy executives (with a short span of attention :-)) to excite them.\n\nThen there are other frivolous reasons stated, like “we desperately want to implement it, but can’t find the model/ book” (huh? – have they tried Googling? Or searching on any online bookstore like Amazon or Flipkart?). Anyways, the model as a pdf document is freely downloadable from the SEI site here.\n\nThe print/ paper version of the book is available at,, and Flipkart .\n\nThere has been an animated discussion on the topic in the LinkedIn group called “People CMM” (, for those who want to read other views.\n\nSo, where do we go from here?\n\nThe good news is that it is a great model. And the industry still needs a framework to address people management holistically. People CMM® is still the only comprehensive model available today, and there is no other competing framework.\n\nSEI can lobby with the Government and DoD to adopt the model either for themselves or make it highly desirable (if not mandatory) for their vendors. The initial push helps. This is how many models/ frameworks became widely used, and SEI is best placed to lobby, as it is a DoD establishment.\n\nWe need to spread awareness using multiple forums, like conferences, journal, websites, and blogs where CEOs, HR folks and consultants hang out. We also need to do it across a wide range of industries to remove the “IT/SW” tag that the model carries. Talking about People CMM® in SEPG conferences, SPIN forums and LA meets is good, but is not going to take us far. Spreading awareness can be done by anyone who believes that the model is useful – SEI, partners, consultants, LAs and organizations who have benefitted from implementing the model.\n\nWe also need to tone down the message “it is not a HR model”. This message often makes the HR folks shy away from heartily taking up the model for implementation. No other organizational group has more at stake than HR, at least at maturity level 2. And without HR providing its wholehearted support, implementation of maturity level 2 process areas is almost impossible.\n\nFinally, SEI can reduce the royalty and annual license fees for People CMM® related services, till the volumes start picking up. This will make the training and appraisal services cheaper to the end users, and make it a little bit easier to gain an entry.\n\nOther related posts uploaded on the same blog:\n\n\nSM-SCAMPI is a service mark of Carnegie Mellon University.\n\n\nAdoption of People CMM® -02: Benefits Experienced\n\nMany organizations have adopted the People CMM® model (by Bill Curtis, Bill Hefley, and Sally Miller) – while some have undergone formal appraisals and assessments, others have adopted the practices but not participated in any formal appraisal of their implementation.\n\nMany of these organizations have reported benefits (attributable to the implementation of the People CMM®). Such reports are available in the Software Engineering Information Repository (SEIR). (You need to register yourself to get access to the repository – the registration is free).\n\nTypically, benefits touted and linked with People CMM® hover around Employee Engagement Scores, Employee Voluntary Turnover/ Attrition, Cost of Hiring, Cycle-Time to Hire, Employee Productivity and Employee Utilization. (It is also interesting to note that in the same organization, credit for the same benefits are claimed by other competing initiatives like CMMI® implementation, ISO 9001, Six Sigma, and sometimes by specific improvement projects :-)).\n\nIn addition to the above benefits, entities that implement the People CMM® consistently across two to three years tend to display certain long-term changes in their behavior. It is these observed changes that are listed in the next few paragraphs. This set of benefits / changes have been observed across several organizations that have implemented People CMM®, and been appraised / assessed using a Class-A method at least once for maturity level 3 or higher.\n\nThe sequence of the benefits listed is not necessary in any order (of priority or significance or sequence of occurrence).  They are also not mutually exclusive – each benefit could be feeding on the other. Here goes:\n\nSystemThe organization increasingly takes a systems approach to its people related processes and initiatives. It understands that a small change in one process can have a large impact on (apparently) unrelated areas, because all things are inter-dependent. So, proposed changes in the organization’s policies and processes, and new initiatives are evaluated on a more holistic basis.\n\nFor example, hiring a new batch of fresh graduates at higher salaries is looked at not just from the point of view of salary cost, but also the impact on the morale of the existing staff, their engagement levels, and the impact of diversion of funds from other activities like training, certifications, and so on.\n\nLong TermImplementation of the model promotes a long-term thinking in terms of people –numbers, skills, locations, and roles.  Business plans are used to create workforce plans and people related strategies that span several years. Actions like opening new locations, building new skills and collaboration with external experts are identified well in advance to equip the organization to get ready for the future, in a cost-effective manner.\n\nCollaborationThe model increases transparency, democracy and openness in the organization (People CMM® is not meant for secretive organizations :-)). Organizations set-up multiple channels communications for top-down, lateral and bottom-up movement of information. People are encouraged to participate more and more in decision making and empowered to challenge decisions taken by higher-ups. HR policies are no longer seen as cast-in-stone :-).\n\nAgilityImplementing the People CMM® builds organizational agility and ability to execute cross-functional projects. Very few initiatives require the active participation and collaboration of all functions/ departments. People CMM® implementation requires extensive collaboration between “support” functions like HR, Facilities, and Learning & Development with the “mainline” delivery functions. The model builds the organizational muscle to handle cross organizational initiatives.\n\nAutomationMost organizations end up with considerable level of automation of their people related practices. Aspects like performance management (goal setting, regular feedback, end-cycle feedback), compensation (normalization, rule-based increases and bonuses), promotions, training (planning and tracking), staffing (resource management, recruitment, selection, offer, joining, induction) are automated. In addition, these sub-systems get integrated and interlinked.\n\n\nManagement of people related aspects becomes more data driven, and supported by data analytics.\n\nFor example, employee attrition is not looked at just as a month-on-month figure, but is subject to further analysis of patterns (are people of a career level more prone to attrition? Do people typically resign after spending a certain number of years in the company? Is attrition more common with people who possess a certain skill? Do people working outside their home state have a higher tendency to resign? Is there a linkage between the annual increment cycle and the peaks seen in attrition?).  The understanding achieved through the analytics is then used to change policies, or pay additional attention to a certain group of people.\n\nThe organization’s people management becomes drCompetentiven more by competencies, rather than by tenure, or career level. The shift is gradual – at first, the importance shifts from seniority to demonstrated performance, and then there is a gradually increasing emphasis on competencies (knowledge, skills and process abilities). This shift to competencies start rippling through various processes like project allocation, hiring, promotions, increments, and bonuses.\n\nGrowth ScaleImplementing the People CMM® practices enables the organization to handle scale/ growth very quickly. This is a knock-on effect of systems thinking and increased automation. The organization is able to hire faster, provide the required knowledge and skills quickly and gear up for large projects rapidly.\n\nBusiness PartnerAnother change that is seen is that the HR function becomes more of a business partner. Line functions start demanding business value from HR processes, and when such value is delivered, increase the involvement of HR in overall business strategies and decision-making.\n\nManagerLine managers become better people managers, reducing the load on HR, and other support functions. Line managers start providing inputs to enhance performance, help people enhance their skills, and identify and organize the required training for their people. Managers address people related issues and take responsibility to enable their teams to achieve performance (rather than redirect their team members to HR, facilities, and other support functions). In other words, line managers become HR managers for their teams.\n\nGiven below, in bullet points (we are so used to bullet points :-)), are the benefits seen by organizations implementing People CMM®.\n\nThe adoption of the model:\n\n  • drives a “systems” approach to its people related processes and initiatives\n  • promotes a long-term thinking in terms of the people\n  • increases transparency, democracy and openness\n  • builds organizational agility and ability to execute cross-functional projects\n  • increases the level of automation\n  • makes the organization metrics and data analytics\n  • drives a competency culture\n  • enables handling of rapid growth and scale\n  • makes the HR function become more of a business partner\n  • transforms line managers to better people managers\n\nThe above is a set of benefits observed in some of the organization that have implemented People CMM®. You may have observed other benefits or long-lasting changes.\n\nOther related posts uploaded on the same blog:\n\n\n\nAdoption of People CMM® -01: Appraisal Results\n\nThe People CMM® (by Bill Curtis, Bill Hefley, and Sally Miller) has been available for more than 15 years. Version 1.0 of the model was released in 1995 and version 2.0 was released in 2001. So, maybe it is time to look at the extent of adoption by the industry and benefits accrued to organizations that have adopted the model.\n\nThere are many ways one can evaluate the extent of adoption; one way is to look at the volume of Class-A appraisals done (Class-A appraisals are the only recognized way of getting a maturity level in People CMM®). Earlier, the Class-A appraisals were done using People CMM® Assessment method. This method was replaced with the SCAMPISM-A appraisal method, since 2006-07.\n\nSee the latest post at: People CMM® Appraisals – 2014 Update\n\nWithout further verbiage, here is the data, in the form of a trend chart:No. of People CMM® Appraisals\n\nHere is the data in a tabular format, with more details:No. of PCMM® Appraisals\n\nSome context on the data above:\n\n  1. Data for the years 2002-2007 is picked up from a presentation titled People Capability Maturity Model: Product Suite Maturity Profile (January 2008) by the People CMM® Team at the SEI.\n  2. For the years 2008-2009, there is no officially compiled data easily available – the numbers are extrapolated based on the appraisals done by the most active Lead Appraisers in those years.\n  3. The 2010-2011 data is picked up from the Published Appraisal Results website maintained by the CMMI Institute. Some appraisals may be missing from the data, if the appraised entity did not wish to publish the data (some organizations do not like the data to be published, some decline permission because they are embarrassed by the maturity level rating that they have got :-)).\n\nGoing back to the graph, there seems to be an alternating trend, every 2-3 years. There is a peak of 10+ appraisals, followed by a dip to around 4-5 appraisals in the next year. Maybe, People CMM® is a seasonal flavour! :-). [Actually the data points are too few to reach any conclusion about trends].\n\nThe numbers are not flattering – given that the model has been in the market for so many years, just 4-14 appraisals per year (across the whole wide world) is very low. Not more than 2 Lead Appraisers are required to handle this volume!\n\nFurther analysis of the past 15 appraisals (in the last 2 years 3 months) listed in the Published Appraisal Results website (with Filter People CMM® v2.0) maintained by SEI shows the following:\n\n  • Geographic spread: India-8; China-3; Philippines-1; Oman-1; UK-1; Malaysia-1. It is interesting to note that there are no appraisals in the US.\n  • Industry spread: IT-8; BPO-3; Banking-1; Utilities-1; Engineering-1. So, not a model “just for software organizations”.\n  • Most of the appraisals are led either by Sankararaman Dhandapani or by Rajesh Naik of QAI India Ltd. The last fifteen appraisals are accounted for between four LAs (out of the 13 LAs listed for People CMM® in the SEI Partner Directory).\n\nHope the trend of low number of appraisals is broken in the coming years.\n\nOther related posts uploaded on the same blog:\n\nSM-SCAMPI is a service mark of Carnegie Mellon University.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.653199315071106}
{"content": "Doctor's Search\n\nCategory: Orthopaedic Care\n\nJune 16, 2017\n\nWhat is Arthroscopy?\n\nArthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. ” In an arthroscopic examination, an orthopedic surgeon makes a small incision in the patient’s skin and then inserts pencilsized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. Light is transmitted through fiber optics to the end of the arthroscope that is inserted into the joint. By attaching the arthroscope to a miniature television camera, the surgeon is able to see the interiors of the joint through this very smallincision rather than making a large incision. The television camera attached to the arthroscope displays the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing the surgeon to look around the knee. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury, and then repair or correct the problem, if necessary.  \n\nWhy is Arthroscopy necessary?\n\n  Diagnosing joint injuries and disease begins with a thorough medical history, physical examination, and X- ray. Additional tests such as an MRI or CT scan may also be needed. Through the arthroscope, a final diagnosis is made which may be more accurate than through “open” surgery or from X-ray studies.  \n\nWhat are the normal joint conditions diagnosed through Arthroscopy?\n\n  Some of the m\n\nDecember 15, 2016\n\nDr. Hulse says if bags are more than 15-20% of the carrier’s body weight, it can cause problems. The most common is pain in the back and tiredness. But for some it could lead to acute muscle strain. “Ensure only books needed are taken” Steps:\n\n  1. It is important to acknowledge this as something that creates mental stress to the children, whether or not it causes a health problem.\n  2. Parents must ensure only books and notebooks needed for the day are packed in the bag.\n  3. School bags should have double straps with soft padding so that the weight is evenly distributed.\n  4. The bag has to be carried symmetrically – uneven straps and hunching while wearing the bag is to be avoided.\n  5. School must have locker facility\n  6. Inactivity can worsen the strain/pain. Students must stretch, walk or play often.\n  7. An education department guideline should put a cap on the weight of a school bag for each class.\nNovember 24, 2016\n\n“A giant leap in quality of life after a complex surgery at Fortis Hospital BG road”\n\nDalia, a 28 year old girl, aspiring school teacher from Yemen with difficult social mores had a childhood fall with a visible deformity in her left elbow. She was able to use her hand but she always covered herself to avoid showing her deformity to friends and family. Her visits to the orthopaedic surgeons filled her with fear and dread; she was informed that it would be difficult to correct with only 50% chance of correction at best or at worst she would lose her hand function. She researched about possibilities of getting surgery done abroad and finally zeroed in on India. She visited many facilities in Bangalore but felt comfortable with Fortis.\n\nShe met Dr. Mohan Puttaswamy, Consultant Reconstructive Orthopedic Surgeon, who evaluated her and informed her that she will benefit from a surgical correction. She was impressed by his calm demeanour, erudition and realistic assessment of her clinical situation. After a complex surgery of 3 hours, she is able to straighten her elbow to almost 20 degree (previously she was stuck at 60 degree). Dr. Puttaswamy said “It is common to see elbow deformities after childhood fall but her case was challenging because sh", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7609561681747437}
{"content": "This video essay project is probably the one of the few projects in college where I feel that I am learning something. To start of with, I am glad I am working with my group mates because they both contributed a lot with ideas and we communicated well. The brainstorming part of the project was the hardest. We were allowed to do anything we liked which made it much more difficult. However, when we narrowed down to the topics, we just went with it. We were interested in music and human relationships. So we thought of how music can affect human relationships and we realized that it can bring people together. Soon enough we found a couple of youtube videos. However, we had no idea in what direction we are going in; so we just started with the backbone of the video essay on iMovie. As we worked on this project, we came up with the idea of how music brings people together in the past and in the present day.\n\n\nWorking on this project made me feel that I can be creative as I want. I can choose whatever clips I want and I can play them however long as I want. I can choose when to play music and which parts to clips to match it up with. There is so much I can play with and I find this really interesting. Not only that, but I can do my own voiceovers. I always thought that making videos would be difficult and that I can’t ever do them, but I realized that patience and willingness to learn is key. You need to be very diligent with editing and make a lot of mistakes in order to make it perfect (not saying our project is perfect but there are definitely improvements from our first project that we shared in class and this).\n\n\nSo, I definitely enjoyed this experience and can’t wait to see how our final version of the project will turn out.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5976871848106384}
{"content": "The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology\n\nThere's more to the arms, artillery, and exotic equipment of the Star Wars galaxy than Jedi lightsabers and blasters. Species such as the tree-dwelling Wookiees, the amphibious Gungans, and the deadly Yuuzhan Vong have yielded a staggering array of unique weapons and devices. And as the Star Wars mythos continues to grow-in prequels and video games, on screen, in print, and beyond-these remarkable technical creations also multiply and evolve.\n\nThe New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology is the fully updated and greatly expanded reference resource that organizes and explains every key class, make, and model of Star Wars munitions-from the smallest personal sidearms to the most devastating interplanetary superweapons-along with a host of other high-tech paraphernalia. This exhaustive compendium includes:\n\n- New in this edition: a fascinating look at the historical significance of Star Wars weaponry and the major technological turning points- including the Clone Wars, the creation of the first Death Star,\nand the Yuuzhan Vong invasion\n- A roster of the major manufacturers who created the most powerful armaments for the Old and New Republics, the Empire, the Sith, the Rebel Alliance, and all of the exotic governments that populate the Star Wars galaxy\n- In-depth descriptions of more than 100 weapons and more than 100 additional devices used for defense, communication, survival, security, and more-including detailed schematics of key technology featured in all five films\n\nFrom the Geonosian sonic blaster to the Wookiee bowcaster; from the imperial energy grenade to the Yuuzhan Vong fire spitter; from dart shooters and laser cannons to Sun Crushers and World Devastators, find the facts about Star Wars firepower-and much more-in The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology.\n\nCouvertures et images\n\nPrincipaux personnages de The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology\n\nReyé Hollis\nReyé Hollis\nVoir la liste complète\n\nCommentez ce beau livre", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9951066374778748}
{"content": "As of 2014, there are several prototype wind-powered cars in existence, including models capable of travelling over 100 mph. However, mass-produced commercial wind-powered cars based on the existing models are unlikely t... More » Technology\n\nA simple wind-powered toy car can be made from cardboard, using a house fan for power. Other designs include a rear propeller instead of a house fan to propel the car. More » Hobbies & Games Toys\n\nWind power is growing rapidly in popularity and is utilized in many countries all over the world, including the United States, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, India, France, China, Italy and Portugal. Denmark as ... More » Science Environmental Science Natural Resources\nsimilar articles\n\nVirtual reality entertainment has been in existence since the 1990s, and though the field has made great strides during the 2010s, it remains to be seen how this technology impact the entertainment industry. It typically... More » Technology\n\nCar stereo fit varies depending on the model, make and year of the vehicle. To check for specific vehicle fit, individuals can use online resources such as and More » Technology\n\nIn 2015, Google announced that their self-driving cars could be ready to hit the road in 2020, though the exact date depends on factors such as regulatory approval and local laws. Google's self-driving cars have been ope... More » Technology\n\nSome models of Clover security cameras include the Clover Electronics CCM630P, the Clover z-670 and the Clover CCM636. The CCM630P is a simple color camera used for discreet CCTV surveillance. Though primarily intended f... More » Technology", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8220698237419128}
{"content": "Claire Anne Taylor\n\nClaire Anne Taylor grew up in Tasmania's ancient Tarkine rainforest where she was raised in a quaint bush home, rich with creativity and music. During her childhood, the Taylor barn was home to a family of Tasmanian Devils and some say that Taylor developed her unique, raspy singing style from nights spent listening to the devils growling beneath the floorboards.\n\n\nAfter winning the Byron Bluesfest Busking Competition Taylor relocated to Byron Bay to record her debut album, Elemental. Released in 2016, Elemental received widespread critical acclaim with The Sydney Morning Herald describing it as “strong and assured” and the ABC’s Rick Eaves hailing her as “a national treasure”. Taylor’s poignant debut album has garnered her significant radio airplay on Triple J, Double J and ABC radio as well as international radio airplay on programs such as The International Americana Music Show, The Troubadour Show and Radio Nova.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9579440951347351}
{"content": "Ask DOROT 212-769-2850\n\n\n\nNot sure where to start?\nThere are a variety of ways to contact us.\nWe're always happy to help\n\nDOROT Westchester\n\n\nLois Baskin and Hannah Taubenfeld, Tara and Olivia Rosegarten — Volunteer Services\n\nDOROT volunteer since:\n\nLois Baskin and Hannah Taubenfeld, Tara and Olivia Rosegarten Lois Baskin and Hannah Taubenfeld:\nDecember 2011.\n\nTara and Olivia Rosegarten:\n\nHow did you get involved with DOROT?\n\nLois Baskin:\nHannah was exploring volunteer ideas for her Bat Mitzvah project and a close family friend who has been volunteering with DOROT for many years recommended getting involved.\n\nTara Rosengarten:\nOur dear friend Lois Baskin told us about this great organization. We wanted our girls to do something hands on where they could interact and make a connection and impact on a personal level.\n\nWhat type of volunteer activities do you do at DOROT?\n\nLois Baskin:\nHannah works with her friend Olivia in the DOROT office creating cards for birthday packages, delivering meals to seniors and assisting staff with program administration. They also have been assisting as interns in DOROT Cooks, an intergenerational cooking program with the Jewish Journey Project. Hannah and I, along with Olivia and her mom Tara, visit seniors on their birthdays and holidays.\n\nTara Rosengarten:\nMy daughter Olivia volunteers at the office on Mondays with Hannah. They are a great team.\n\nIn what ways has your DOROT volunteer experience impacted your life?\n\nLois Baskin:\nHannah told me that the experience “has shown me how visiting someone can really make their day and maybe even their week. We have to enjoy our life and cherish everyone who is part of it because things sadly don’t last forever.” Our visits with the seniors are incredibly meaningful, their energy and warmth is inspiring and they show such gratitude and genuine appreciation of the time we spend together.\n\nTara Rosengarten:\nIt has given my 13 year old daughter, Olivia a new perspective on the elderly. It has helped her, and me, understand the unique feelings and experiences one goes through during the aging process. We have also learned so much about peoples’ history and what it was like growing up in a different time.\n\nWhat motivates you to continue volunteering at DOROT?\n\nLois Baskin:\nHannah’s inspiration has come from “hearing the different stories that the seniors tell, [it] makes me want to continue to visit with them and learn more about their past and different experiences.”\n\nTara Rosengarten:\nThe smiles on the faces of the elderly people when we spend time with them.\n\nMost memorable volunteer moment:\n\nLois Baskin:\nOne of Hannah’s memorable moments was “when we visited a 94 year old woman who had more energy than all of us. She acted as if she was in her 20’s, moving around the room without a walker and telling us so many stories without seeming the littlest bit tired.”\n\nTara Rosengarten:\nIn truth, every visit has been wonderful.\n\nWhat would you want other volunteers to know about volunteering at DOROT?\n\nLois Baskin:\nVisiting with seniors on Sundays has become something we look forward to and it is meaningful time that Hannah and I spend together. It is so rewarding to bring happiness to someone by visiting and giving them an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings. Hannah feels that being with the seniors is a learning experience since every visit leads to a different story. She feels that the time together has had an impact on their lives as well as ours.\n\nTara Rosengarten:\nIt has been a deeply enriching experience.\n\nAnything else you would like to share?\n\nLois Baskin:\nThe volunteer time we spend at DOROT has been an incredible experience and one that we look forward to continuing for many years. The personal contact that we share between the generations has been a valuable life lesson for us all.\n\nBack to You Made My Day! page.\n\nPowered By Blackbaud", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6071084141731262}
{"content": "Federal Government launches Cyber Safe Website\n\n\nStop Hating Online is the Government of Canada’s anti-cyberbullying public awareness campaign. It focuses on cyberbullying in terms of social impacts and potential legal consequences.\n\nAs a comprehensive resource for parents and youth, GetCyberSafe.ca provides information, advice and tools to prevent and stop hate, cyberbullying and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images that can take place online, including through social networks and mobile messages.\n\nClick HERE to access the GetCyberSafe website.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999855160713196}
{"content": "More than 2,000 years ago, hundreds of thousands of workers labored for nearly three decades to build a splendid mausoleum for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Most spectacularly, the tomb complex included some 8,000 life-size warriors sculpted out of terra cotta, on hand to escort the emperor into the afterlife and safeguard his final resting place. Now, archaeologists and historians say they believe the inspiration for China’s most famous sculptures may have actually come from ancient Greece, and that Greek artists may even have traveled to China to train their Chinese counterparts.\n\nThough the 13th-century Italian explorer Marco Polo may have been the first Western European to leave a detailed chronicle of his travels to Asia, he was certainly not the first to make the trip. Chinese historians recorded earlier visits by people thought to be emissaries from the Roman Empire, which took place during the second and third centuries A.D. In the third century, during the Han dynasty, came the formal establishment of the Silk Road trade route, a network of caravan stops and trading posts linking China and the West.\n\nThe 2,200-year-old Terra Cotta Army on display in Xian, China. (\nThe 2,200-year-old Terra Cotta Army on display in Xian, China. (Credit: China Photos/Getty Images)\n\nAccording to archaeologists and historians now working on China’s famous Terra Cotta Army, meaningful contact between East and West may have begun far earlier. They believe the lifelike appearance of the statues may have been inspired by or modeled on ancient Greek sculptures, suggesting Western influence in the era of China’s first emperor, some 1,500 years before Marco Polo’s famous voyage.\n\nEmperor Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Qin dynasty, ascended to the throne in 246 B.C. at the tender age of 13. Over the next 25 years, he unified a number of warring kingdoms and implemented stabilizing policies, including the standardization of coins, weights and measures and the building of roads and canals. Qin also undertook various ambitious building projects during his reign, including the earliest version of the Great Wall, built along the country’s northern border to protect against barbarian invasions, as well as his own mausoleum.\n\nThe figure of a kneeling archer on display at the British Museum.\nThe figure of a kneeling archer on display at the British Museum. (Credit: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)\n\nAccording to the writings of the court’s historian, Siam Qian, Qin ordered construction of the tomb complex to begin early in his reign. More than 700,000 laborers worked to build it over three decades, and the project appears to have been left uncompleted after the emperor’s death in 209 B.C.\n\nFlash forward to 1974, when a terrified farmer stumbled on the Terra Cotta Army after seeing a human face emerge among the vegetables in his fields. Archaeologists eventually unearthed some 8,000 sculptures from the pits in Xi’an, all built to escort Emperor Qin into the afterlife and guard his final resting place. The life-size warrior figures included chariots, weapons and horses, and were sculpted in impressive detail, down to their hairstyles and the insignias on their armor.\n\nTerra Cotta soldiers in battle formation.\nTerra Cotta soldiers in battle formation. (Credit: Martin Moos/Getty Images)\n\nBefore Qin’s reign, China had no known tradition of building life-size sculptures. Though many other buried terra cotta soldiers have been found, earlier ones were much smaller, measuring less than 10 inches tall. According to Li Xiuzhen, a senior archaeologist at the Terra Cotta Army site, this significant departure in scale and style likely occurred when influences arrived in China from elsewhere–specifically, from ancient Greece.\n\n“We now have evidence that close contact existed between the first emperor’s China and the west before the formal opening of the Silk Road. This is far earlier than we formerly thought,” Dr. Xiuzhen told the BBC, which collaborated with National Geographic on a documentary about the team’s findings. “We now think the Terra Cotta Army, the acrobats and the bronze sculptures found on site, have been inspired by ancient Greek sculptures and art.”\n\nTerra Cotta army\nCredit: Keren Su/Getty Images\n\nWhat’s more, Greek artists may even have been on hand themselves to instruct their Chinese counterparts in sculpture techniques. “I imagine that a Greek sculptor may have been at the site to train the locals,” said Lukas Nickel, the chair of Asian art history at Vienna University and a member of the team working on the history of the Terra Cotta Army.\n\nIt’s widely believed that Alexander the Great’s military campaign to India in 326 B.C. was the first point of contact between East and West, leaving behind a cultural tradition of Greco-Buddhist art. But the new theory goes further, suggesting that in the century after Alexander’s campaign, Greek statues could have made their way to China and influenced the Terra Cotta Army.\n\nXi'an, Shaanxi, China, North-East Asia, Asia\nXi’an, Shaanxi, China, North-East Asia, Asia\n\nTo support this theory, Dr. Xiuzhen and her fellow experts point to a separate study, which found ancient mitochondrial DNA, specific to Europeans and dating to the time of the first emperor, in Xinjian province, the westernmost region of China. Such findings suggest Europeans may have settled in the province before and during Qin Shi Huang’s reign.\n\nIn addition to the possible link with ancient Greece, the archaeologists at the site have also discovered that Qin’s tomb complex is far larger than they first thought, some 200 times bigger than Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. Alongside the Terra Cotta Army, the mausoleum also contained the mutilated remains of women, believed to have been high-ranking concubines of the emperor. The skull of a man, found with a crossbow bolt embedded in it, is believed to have belonged to the emperor’s son, who was killed along with others during a power struggle after his father’s death.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9053343534469604}
{"content": "Sermons - 2006\n\nIn February of 2006 I moved to begin work with the Priceville Church of Christ, in Decatur, Alabama.\n\nCurrent or newest sermons are added to the top of this page.\n\nA NEW Year - Tomorrow will be a NEW year. What does that mean? This sermon looks at the words for \"NEW\"\nin our New Testament. What is the NEW - birth, testament, covenant, man, heaven - all about? Are they BRAND new?\nChristmas Fact and Fiction - There is much confusion about the observance and even the basic facts about the birth\nof Christ. This is a story in the Bible that needs our attention and more study.\nThree Things Needed - Most presents are not things we NEED, but want. This sermon looks at three things we\nREALLY need.\nFrogger (the video game) - In this early video game you had to help a frog cross a busy street without getting run over,\nor jump from log to log to cross a river. There are many obstacles in our lives. We need help to cross the street.\nGood Old Days - In some ways we wish for the \"good old days\" and in other ways, we would not want to go back\nto those days of more physical work and less modern equipment.\nThe Lord's Day (2) - What is the purpose of Christians meeting together each Sunday? There are several important\npurposes for assembling together each Lord's Day.\nAre We the ONLY Ones? - Sometimes we leave the impression of being arrogant and \"self-righteous.\" As we look\nas several important doctrines - Are we the only ones who believe and practice it correctly?\nThe Lord's Day (1) - The significance and doctrinal importance of the Lord's Day.\nSalvation Work Out - What does it mean to \"work out\" your salvation? How do we do that?\nFellowship: Blessings and Rewards - What are the blessings to our fellowship with God and with each other?\n5 Kernels of Corn - Thanksgiving Sermon - Can you count five things you are thankful for? The song says, \"Count\nyour many blessings, name them one by one.\" Here are five blessings you can count.\nThere is No Backup - For many things in life we have a backup, a plan B. If our original plan fails, we just move to\nPlan B. For many important things in life - There is no backup. There is not alternate plan.\nJob Series - Here are four sermons \"How to Handle Tough Times\" from the book of Job.\nIs GOOD Enough? - I am a good person. Why do I need to be baptized? Study Cornelius and learn about a good\nmoral man who still needed to obey the command of God to be baptized.\nSalvation by Faith - There is much confusion about how we are saved by faith. Does faith include obedient works?\nIs baptism included in obedient faith?\nLive Like you Were Dying - What if you had 6 months to live? What would you change about your life?\nThe Need for Bible Study - Why have Wednesday night Bible study? Do I need to study the Bible daily? Why is Bible study important?\nThe 2nd Sin - This sermon looks at the second sin of Adam and Eve - immodesty. How does God define \"immodest\" dress?\nFacts about Heaven For man heaven is a mystery because our finite mind can not comprehend the infinite.\nWorship at Home Can one worship at home and not participate in the worship with a local congregation?\nSocial Drinking Is is OK to drink wine at home? Does the location make it better?\nIndividual Responsibility Each individual must be accountable to God.\nWhy Study Revelation? Revelation is an important book to study. It helps us to deal with the struggles of living in a wicked world.\nLife Cycles of a Church Churches, like other organizations, go through stages or cycles.\nBlessed Assurance We sing the song, but don't always believe it. We can KNOW that we have eternal life.\nFour Eyed Frog There are some valuable lessons to learn from the 4-Eyed Frog from Chile.\nThe Danger of Anger Anger must be understood, managed and controlled.\nHow Important is the Church? Some think - Jesus, Yes; the church, No. You can not separate the body of Christ from Christ.\nDarkest Before Dawn Depression is a darkness that many Christians struggle with.\nIngredients for Church Growth What will it take for a church to grow?\n6 Kinds of Commands We must understand the different kinds of commands in the New Testament.\nBlood of Christ What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Baptism is the \"when\" of our salvation; the blood of Christ\nis the \"what\".\nConfident Salvation #5 in a series - Can we be confident of our salvation? Can I know for sure?\nLessons from the life of Solomon Solomon was a wise man, but some tragic mistakes are lessons for us to learn.\nGod Cares #4 in a series - God is involved in our lives through providence.\nDon't Be A Jonah Jonah tried to run away from God.\nBible is from God #3 in a series - We can know that the Bible is the Word of God.\nFootsteps of Jesus We can follow the footsteps of Jesus.\nJesus is the Son of God #2 in a series - There is clear evidence that Jesus is the Son of God.\nFreedom is not Free Religious freedom that we enjoy came at a high price.\nGod Exists #1 in a series - \"By this we know - -\" We can have knowledge that God exits.\nThey Tried but They Could not do it Many have tried to prevent Jesus from accomplishing his mission. None succeeded.\nReligious, but not Righteous There is a difference in being religious and being righteous.\n5 P's of Patering Fathers Day sermon\nVictory over Worry How can I overcome worry in my life?\nThe Invitation Why do we have an invitation at the end of each worship service?\nDaVinci Code (2) How can we used the current topic to teach the truth?\nDaVinci Code (1) What is wrong with the book and movie?\nGolf Lessons Lessons I learned as I learned how to play golf.\nDangers of Summertime As summer approaches, we must be alert to the dangers ahead.\nThe Beginning Corner To survey property you must have a beginning corner. This is a chart sermon.\nDamaged Words The world has stolen many good words and changed their usage.\nSuccessful Momming Mother's Day sermon\n99 Sheep Jesus left the 99 sheep in the wilderness to look for a lost one.\n3 Points about the Judgment Simple lesson about the coming day of judgment.\nMy Church I don't own it or control it. But it is \"my church\" like a football team is \"my team.\"\nDon't Order Vanilla - Service #3 in a series - Our work and service for God must be our best, above average.\nJunk Yards God has rescued us and recycled us from the junk yard of life.\nDon't Order Vanilla - Worship #2 in a series - Worship should be more than just average, run of the mill.\nOxymoron There are several oxymorons in the Bible.\nDon't Order Vanilla - Prayers #1 in a series - Don't settle for average, mundane, vanilla prayers.\nRainbow Reminders What is the real reason for the rainbow? Who was it for?\nEverybody Says It - Nobody Believes It Some statement are repeated so often they are accepted as true, when they are really false.\nJesus' Unfinished Work What has Jesus been doing since returning to heaven?\nNever in Heaven Heaven will never have a light switch, hospital, or cemetery.\nSatan's Toolkit How does Satan trick us? What are some of his tools?\nWhy are we divorcing when we don't believe in it? The title says it all.\nHow to Kiss a Frog This is the beginning of a frog collection and a dozen sermons about Frogs.\nPreaching Christ What is included in preaching Christ?\nThe Tater Family The tater family is not welcome in this church.\nFail the Faith Test When our faith is tested - will be pass or fail?\nAny Old Bush God can use \"any old bush\" to do His work.\nPath to Forgiveness How can I forgive others? How can I forgive myself?\nHeaded for Heaven Why are we not anxious to go to heaven? Someday, but not now.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8500688672065735}
{"content": "Scale Insect, highly specialized insect belonging to order Hemiptera, suborder Homoptera, super-family Coccoidea. Scale insects are diverse in habit and structure. Females are wingless, legless and obscurely segmented, have poorly developed eyes and antennae, and may be protected by a waxy, cottony or hard, scalelike covering. Males are tiny, lack mouth parts, and are short-lived. Crawlers, the first juvenile stage, are mobile and function in dispersal. Most species are 0.5-2.0 mm long, but one measures over 25 mm.\n\nInteraction with Humans\n\nMany cause serious damage to plants. In Canada, major pests include oystershell scale, pine needle scale, and San José scale; they are controlled by predators, parasites, insecticides and fumigants. Cottony maple scale, which occurs throughout the US and Canada, was introduced from Europe.\n\nSome species are beneficial: one produces lac, from which shellac is made; several have been dye sources; one produces Indian wax, used for medicinal purposes; another produces China wax, formerly used for candles.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6295024156570435}
{"content": "Amazing South Coast Tour\n\nThe South Coast is known for its waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, volcanoes, farming land and small seaside villages.\n\nFirst stop is at Skógarfoss. Skógá river runs down the slopes of Eyjafjallajökull volcano and the waterfall it self is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland.\n\nAfter Skógarfoss we go to Vík í Mýrdal which is a small village by the sea shore, there we have something to eat. After getting some energy we take a walk along the black sand beach\n\nReynisfjara. From Reynisfjara shore you can see Reynisdrangar which are big basalt rocks that rise from the sea.\n\nOn our way home we stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, it is amazing to walk behind the falling water and we recommend bringing a rain coat if you want to do that.\n\nDuration 8-9 hours\n\nMax. 6 persons per tour.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9990273714065552}
{"content": "COMPASS: Combinatorial Polyfunctionality Analysis of Single Cells\nVersion 1.16.0\n\nCOMPASS is a statistical framework that enables unbiased analysis of antigen-specific T-cell subsets. COMPASS uses a Bayesian hierarchical framework to model all observed cell-subsets and select the most likely to be antigen-specific while regularizing the small cell counts that often arise in multi-parameter space. The model provides a posterior probability of specificity for each cell subset and each sample, which can be used to profile a subject's immune response to external stimuli such as infection or vaccination.\n\nPackage details\n\nAuthorLynn Lin, Kevin Ushey, Greg Finak, Ravio Kolde (pheatmap)\nBioconductor views FlowCytometry\nMaintainerGreg Finak <[email protected]>\nPackage repositoryView on Bioconductor\n\nTry the COMPASS package in your browser\n\n\nCOMPASS documentation built on Nov. 17, 2017, 11:19 a.m.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9538161754608154}
{"content": "AQUAHEAT™ Warm Heat Packs (Set of 6)\n\n\n  • $ 999\n\nInnobaby’s Aquaheat™ WARM Heat Pack is an eco-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable heat pack that activates with water to create heat instantly for on-the-go. It’s portable, lightweight and simple to use. Add water to the heat packs while in the warming pod to activate heat anytime, anywhere, just when you need it. No battery or electricity required.\n\n* How does it work? Heat pack reacts with a small amount of water to create heat in seconds. No need to search for a microwave in your office, dorm or on the go. No need to create an open fire or carry bulky camping stoves for your outdoor adventures. Experiencing a power outage? No problem! Simply place Aquaheat™ heat pack in the warming pod, add water to activate heat, and fill the stainless container with food. Enjoy warm meals in as little as 3 minutes anytime, anywhere! All you need is water to activate Aquaheat™.\n\n* How hot does it get? Our eco-friendly, non-toxic & biodegradable heat packets are available in both WARM and HOT options. The WARM heat pack can create temperatures of up to 185ºF/85ºC, which is perfect for beverages, oatmeal and baby food. (Actual temperature may vary based on content, usage and operating environment.)\n\n* How long does the heat last? Each heat pack can last up to an hour, so you can continue to warm additional servings of beverages or food with the same heat pack. Just keep in mind your second serving may take longer to reach optimal temperature.\n\n* Are the heat packs reusable? Our Aquaheat™ heat packs are one-time use. Simply dispose the heat pack after each use. Our heat packs are biodegradable, so no worries about harming our environment. Just use caution in handling the heat packs as they may become extremely hot once activated.\n\n*WARM heat packs are designed for use with Aquaheat™ Stainless Bottle Warmer and Aquaheat™ SOLO warming pods.\n\n*Six (6) Aquaheat™ WARM heat packs included.\n\n* bpa, phthalate, & pvc free\n* Made in South Korea\n\n*** Helpful hints:\n\nWhen you are out of heat packs, simply use hot water to reheat. It may take longer but it would still work. Stainless container is also great for storing & traveling with food with its airtight/leakproof lid. If you want to use the food warmer as a double boiler, add adequate amount of water into the stainless container to heat up the water - submerge baby bottles, baby foods and pouches to warm up and enjoy!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6872686743736267}
{"content": "Reading Comprehension for IBPS PO 2017: Set – 29\n\n\nReading Comprehension for IBPS PO 2017. Welcome to the online English section. If you are preparing for IBPS PO/Clerk 2017 exam, you will come across a section on the English language. Here we are providing you with IBPS PO English quiz based on the latest pattern for your daily practice.\n\nReading Comprehension for IBPS PO 2017 will help you learn concepts on important topics in English Section.\n\nThis English subject quiz based on Reading Comprehension for IBPS PO 2017 is also important for other banking exams such as IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, IBPS RRB Officer, IBPS RRB Office Assistant, IBPS SO, SBI SO and other competitive exams.\n\nReading Comprehension for IBPS PO 2017\n\n\nThe education sector in India is in ferment, hit by a storm long waiting to happen. The butterfly that flapped its wings was the much-reiterated statement in a much publicized report that hardly a fourth of graduating engineers and an even smaller percentage of other graduates, was of employable quality for IT-BPO jobs. This triggered a cyclone when similar views were echoed by other sectors which led to widespread debate. Increased industry-academia interaction, “finishing schools” and other efforts were initiated as immediate measures to bridge skill deficits. These, however, did not work as some felt that these are but Band-Aid solutions: instead, radical systemic reform is necessary. Yet there will be serious challenges to overdue reforms in the education system. In India as in many countries education is treated as a holy cow: sadly the administrative system that oversees it has also been deceived. Today, unfortunately, there is no protest against selling drinking water or paying to be cured of illness, or for having to buy food when one is poor and starving: nor is there an outcry that in all these cases there are commercial companies operating on a profit-making basis. Why, then is there an instinctively adverse reaction to the formal entry of ‘for profit’ institutes in the realm of education? Is potable water, health or food, less basic a need, less important a right, than higher education? While there are strong arguments for free or subsidized higher education, we are not writing on a blank page.\n\nSome individuals and businessmen had entered this sector long back and found devious ways of making money, thought the law stipulates that educational institutes must be ‘not for-profit’ trusts or societies. Yet, there is opposition to the entry of ‘for-profit’ corporates, which would be more transparent and accountable. As a result, desperately needed investment in promoting the wider reach of quality education has been stagnated at a time when financial figures indicate that the allocation of funds for the purpose is but a fourth of the need.  Well-run corporate organizations, within an appropriate regulatory framework, would be far better than the so-called trusts which barring some noteworthy exceptions are a blot on education. However, it is not necessarily a question of choosing one over the other: different organizational forms can coexist, as they do in the health sector. A regulatory framework which creates competition, in tandem with a rating system, would automatically ensure the quality and relevance of education. As in sectors like telecom and packaged goods, organizations will quickly expand into the hinterland to tap the large unmet demand. Easy loan/scholarship arrangements would ensure affordability and access. The only real structural reform in higher education was the creation of the institutes for technology and management. They were also given autonomy and freedom beyond that of the universities. However, in the last few years, determined efforts have been underway to curb their autonomy. These institutes, however, need freedom to decide on recruitment, salaries and admissions, so as to compete globally.\n\nHowever, such institutes will be few. Therefore, we need a regulatory framework that will enable and encourage states and the centre, genuine philanthropists and also corporates to set up quality educational institutions. The regulatory system needs only to ensure transparency, accountability, competition and widely available independent assessments or ratings. It is time for radical thinking, bold experimentation and new structures; it is time for the government to bite the bullet.\n\n1. Why, according to the author, did the initiatives such as increased industry-academia and finishing schools did not help to bridge the skill deficit?\nA. These steps were only superficial remedies and the problem could be answered only by reforming the entire education system.\nB. These initiatives operate on a profit-making basis rather than aiming at any serious systemic reforms.\nC. The allocation of funds to such initiatives was only one-fourth of the need.\n\nA. Only A\nB. Only B\nC. Only B and C\nD. Only A and B\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n2. Which of the following suggestions have been made by the author to improve the state of education in India?\nA. Allowing the corporate organizations to enter the education sector.\nB. Easy availability of loans and scholarships for making education more affordable.\nC. A rating system for all the organizations to ensure quality.\n\nA. Only A\nB. Only A and B\nC. Only A and C\nD. All A, B and C\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n3. According to the author, what ‘triggered a cyclone’ which saw similar views on the state of education being echoed across other sectors as well?\n\nA. The campaign for allowing corporates in the education sector on a ‘for profit’ basis\nB. The support for the increase in the industry academia interaction\nC. The report mentioning that only a small percentage of graduates were employable in software industry\nD. The report supporting the idea of making the education completely ‘for profit’ in order to improve upon the standards\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n4. Which argument does the author put forward when he compares the education sector with sectors catering to health and potable water etc.?\n\nA. Education should also be provided free of cost to all as health services and water.\nB. Taking an example from these sectors, there should be a protest against thecommercialization of education as well\nC. Allowing corporate entry in education would result in rampant corruption as in the sectorsof health and potable water etc.\nD. As in these sectors, commercial organizations should also be allowed to enter the education sector\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n5. What does the author mean by the phrase ‘we are not writing on a blank page’ in context of the passage?\n\nA. Corporates would never enter education if they are forced to function on a non- profit making basis\nB. The commercialization of education has already started in India\nC. Education has been reduced to a pro􀃒t making sector by some corporate organizations\nD. Government will not allow corporates to enter education as India can’t afford to havecostly education\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n6. What is the author’s main objective in writing the passage?\n\nA. To suggest the ways to improve quality of education in India\nB. To highlight the corruption present in the education sector\nC. To compare the education sector with other sectors\nD. To suggest some temporary solutions to the problems in education\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n7.According to the author, which of the following was the only step taken in order to reform the higher education?\n\nA. Allowing organizations to enter the education sector on a ‘for profit’ basis\nB. Creation of autonomous institutes for management and technology which were not under university control\nC. Setting up the regulatory framework for all the existing universities\nD. Making the availability of educational loans and scholarships easier\nE. None of these\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\n9. Which of the following is not true in context of the given passage?\n\nA. According to the law, education institutes should not be run for profit\nB. There has been no protest against the selling of drinking water and paying for the health services\nC. Only either corporate organizations or government controlled organizations can exist in theeducation sector\nD. The introduction of ‘for profit’ corporates in the education sector has been facing a lot of criticism\nE. All are true\n\nShow Correct Answers\n\nYou may also like-\n\n\nFor more details click here \n\nThank you, all the best. and let’s study together.\n\nLearn Better, Do better, Be better", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9942463040351868}
{"content": "Four Loko seemed (and was deemed) catastrophically bad for the health and safety of the American public. Then the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau decided to up the ante and approved Palcohol—the first powdered alcohol—on March 10, 2015.\n\nSound like a terrible idea? Palcohol addressed some of the main concerns circulating in the media, which you can read here.\n\nSo, in the spirit of powdered foods you never knew existed, lets take a look at 10 more you can sprinkle into your diet—for health benefits, not a buzz. Because aside from convenience, cooking, baking, or blending healthy food and drink powders are an excellent way to add nutrients. For example, foods like cricket powder, which are a great source of protein but aren’t standard in American diets (yet) are easily incorporated into more palatable foods, minimizing the scare factor while maximizing the benefits.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9911236763000488}
{"content": "Customer Support\n\nOur friendly and professional support team is happy to assist you if you have any questions or need any help.\n\nYou are welcome to contact us through live chat or email: [email protected]\n\nOpening hours:\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000100135803223}
{"content": "Are we living in a multiverse? Eternal inflation, bubbles, and cosmic collisions\n\n\nWednesday, July 27 2011 - 12:00 pm, PDT\nAnthony Aguirre\nDepartment of Physics and Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, UC Santa Cruz\n\nAbout a decade ago, we completed an epochal transformation in the understanding of our cosmos, unraveling a broad and deep understanding of how the observable universe has evolved from a hot, dense state 13.7 billion years ago.  Yet a second, even bigger transformation may now be taking place, because this understanding points to a crucial early epoch of \"inflationary\" cosmic expansion, during which it expanded at a stupendous rate to create the vast amount of space we can observe.  But cosmologists are coming to believe that inflation may do much more: in many versions, inflation goes on forever, generating not just our observable universe but also infinitely many more such regions with similar or different properties, together forming a staggeringly complex and vast \"multiverse\".   Dr. Aguirre will trace the genesis of this idea, explore some of its implications, and discuss how cosmologists are currently seeking ways to empirically test this idea by actually searching for hints of other \"universes\". \n\nOther talks you might like:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8434021472930908}
{"content": "Exalead is built around an intuitive, browser-based interface that's modeled after the company's web search portal. This convenient design lets you search your desktop and external websites from one place.\n\nFor a free product, Exalead Desktop is no slouch. It recognises more than 120 file formats, including Microsoft Office, PDF, OpenOffice; a variety of image, audio and video files; plus HTML, XML and Adobe Flash. Furthermore, the software indexes email, attachments, and notes from Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, Mozilla Thunderbird and Lotus Notes. I had no issues using Internet Explorer 8, Apple Safari 4, and Firefox 3.6 with Exalead.\n\nSimilar to other vendors, Exalead offers a licensed enterprise server product (price quoted based on configuration), Exalead CloudView. It collects structured and unstructured data from most any source within an organization and allows it to be searched from the single browser interface. In the middle you'll find the Professional Edition. It indexes more than 300 file formats, offers IT departments managed deployment, and integrates with Stellent content management systems (part of Oracle).\n\nExalead is a small download and ready for work in a few minutes. After selecting the folders to index, the system completed its initial crawl in about 30 minutes. There's no limit to the number of documents – and content can be stored on local hard disks, network drives, and attached storage, such as USB drives.\n\nExalead is specially optimised for multi-core or multi-processor PCs. This architecture enables real-time indexing without degraded performance to keep results up-to-date. For instance, I found an email that I was in the middle of writing.\n\nAfter performing a search, the main display shows a thumbnail image, text summary and details about the file or message. File-type icons and document previews with the search term highlighted further help you judge whether you've found the right document without opening it.\n\nMost important, Exalead was one of the early pioneers in faceted (or pivot) navigation of search results, and that design continues to distinguish the product. This means you refine searches by clicking on related terms or classifications that appear in a navigation panel. For example, you could narrow results to show just those email messages from a colleague – or find documents created on a specific date.\n\nExalead approaches advanced search differently from most other products. Instead of a form with a lot of options, you get one pop-up form with about 20 possible options. Say you want to perform a phonetic spelling. If you click that option, Exalead automatically fills in the correct syntax within the search box (soundslike:) and you simply type the word. Additionally, a built-in spell checker learns from the terms in your documents, which helps eliminate spelling errors in search queries.\n\nThe free version has some good security, which is important in a business setting, especially where employees share computers. For instance, it respects the access rights for the user who is logged in, so results won't include private files of others. And the software does not index cached or secure web pages.\n\n\nExalead provides a surprising number of features that are surrounded by rich navigation that helps a user quickly refine results. If you go with the no-cost download, it's hard to argue with the value it provides.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7607742547988892}
{"content": "Ways On How To Achieve A Fit Body\n\nTo increase your life expectancy and become more healthy, you should certainly think about your health. Fitness is an important for everyone because it helps you fight off illnesses and can provide you with a more balanced body and mind. The tips from this article below has some great ideas that you get in shape and for all.\n\nLeg Raises\n\nMany people work out at the only way to get fit is by lifting weights. There are six exercises that you need: bridges, and they are pull-ups, squats, leg raises, push-ups, and leg raises.\n\nDo you lack a lot of time for working out? Split your workout time into two separate sessions. Instead of running for one hour, jog on 2 separate occasions for 30 minutes during the day.\n\n\nSimple push-ups can do wonders to tone triceps. This move will tone up your hard-to-work triceps more effectively than other types of exercises.\n\nStrength Training\n\nThe frequency of your strength training depends solely on your goals. If you want muscle mass, you should do more intense sessions on a less frequent basis. If you want to become more tone and defined, increase the number of strength training sessions.\n\nDon’t focus exclusively on crunches to work out your sole abdominal muscles. A university study has shown that a quarter million crunches only burn a single pound of fat. You must exercise your abs in various different ways.\n\nTry working out during your favorite TV shoes to keep your momentum steady.You can use commercial or do an exercise when there is a break in the action. You can even work with small weights while you are sitting and relaxing. There are many chances to squeeze in your day.\n\n\nWhen it comes to weightlifting, it is best do many reps of lighter weight as opposed to packing on as much weight as possible and doing fewer reps.Muscle mass is is not all about being able to lift the most but to endure the longest without losing strength.The largest body builders in the world swear by this way of training.\n\nDevote a few minutes of every day to exercising.\n\nSome people overdo their exercise programs in order to burn the calories that people expect it to.\n\nRunning can both a blessing and negative outcomes. To help prevent the negative effects, for one week out of every six, only run half as far as you usually do.\n\nFitness is crucial, but many see it as a process that takes doesn’t show progress for weeks. Don’t believe that myth! All you have to do is drink water and work out more; you will be on the right track to fitness. Use the tips you just read and commit to a fitness program and you will see a difference.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8826964497566223}
{"content": "Jennifer Young\n\n’The experience has made me even more determined to apply for place on a science course at university, mainly due to the confidence this placement gave me and the impression it gave me of a career as a research scientist.’\n\nWhy did you apply for a Nuffield Research Placement?\n\nWhen this opportunity came up, I had to grab it with both hands as it would give me valuable experience in a research-based environment. This type of career appealed to me and I felt it was appropriate to gain some first-hand experience of the work they do there and the different projects going on. Finally, it would allow me to learn some practical skills including how to use some of the lab equipment which would surely aid my UCAS application and show that I have had valuable experience in my subject area.\n\nWhat was your project about and did you know anything about the area before getting started?\n\nMy project focused on determining how gamma radiation affected the digestion of feedstock, in this case a poor quality grass from the hills of Cumbria called scrow, and how the pretreatment may affect the yield of biogas from set amounts of grass silage and slurry. In order to identify an appropriate method, several preliminaries were carried out such as trials to determine the best volume of inoculum and the mass of grass silage per 50ml vial. A few other trials were undergone to determine grinding time and “mashability” so the investigation was quite thorough.\n\nThis project was requested by Riever Renewables, a major anaerobic digester development company which gave the research a real sense of importance and it showed that it was relevant to current science. The research could even be used for a future PhD or paper which could prove to be beneficial to renewable energy production in the UK.\n\nMy previous knowledge about the affect of radiation pretreatment on feedstock was limited as it hadn't really been done before. The only familiarity I had with the project was the process of anaerobic digestion but even then I have gained a bounty of knowledge in the subject.\n\nWas the placement what you expected it to be?\n\nThe experience far exceeded my expectations as I was trusted to use extremely expensive equipment and spent a lot of my time working in a laboratory environment without supervision, which allowed me to gain plenty of experience while also being independent and figuring things out for myself. It was amazing to undertake scientific tasks while expanding my knowledge of the area. It really helped me understand what it is like to be a research scientist and it has given me an insight into the world of research.\n\n\nI encourage anyone thinking about a career in a STEM subject to apply for a Nuffield Research Placement as the opportunity is invaluable and skills learnt there are simply not covered in school. The skills learned will benefit you greatly especially if they are thinking of going to university. It is a great way to spend some of your summer holidays as it is an experience that not many people get this early in life. The opportunity will require work and perseverance but it is entirely worth it as it not only teaches you new skills but fills you with confidence in your ability.\n\nHas your experience helped you to decide on a career path?\n\nThis experience has made me realise that I would love to pursue a career in research and thanks to their advice I know exactly what path I want to take. Even if this path doesn't work out I know many other ways to work in research and after my experience I can say that I would enjoy working there and I find it really interesting.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7125698924064636}
{"content": "Statistical proof of astrology\n\nStatistical proof of astrology case your affiliate's\n\nThe Two brings a number of relationship, it holds inside it the numerology astrology g kumar of the One nonetheless with a humbleness mirrored planet combust vedic astrology its character. By: BrianGarvin Might seventeenth 2009 - Uncover the thriller of eleven. Many of you may have recognized this in the end of 2015. Nonetheless often, if an professional astrologer predicts on the premise of astrology concepts astrolpgy to the attainable course of life referring to a zodiac sign, it aastrology holds true for most people. We've got divided the zodiac into 12 signal, 12 indicators are extra divided into 27 constellations and each statistiacl is additional sub divided statistica 4 Padas. Astrology capricorn 2016 the astrological progression of the zodiac, Most cancers takes the self discovery of Aries, the dedication pfoof Taurus and the break up-expertise of Gemini and strives to merge those elements into a harmonic unified complete. It consist of constructing a Magic square using your birth date numbers, and then washington county paranormal the values in the specific boxes in the square. Moreover I obtained a wealth of details about numerology on look at to know the usual science of numerology all totally freed from value together with numerology publication. Courageous. One totally different areas forth the notion that it's actually the research of vibrations. Your asttrology, braveness and astro,ogy Journeys:- you stand an exquisite probability to fix your relationship together with your sibling. Or simply chart. Yet another excuse that they call them is as a result of they've been throwing cards on themselves astrology signs leo and virgo they don't agree with the studying. It's also considered an real methodology to know your future as astrology contains of a mix of charts, statistical proof of astrology and courses which is believed to be a scientific process. In esoteric psychology, thesignifies Venus and the social parts of the ability to band collectively. Although you may have a look a bit and your choices may be restricted, typically it's possible to download an utility to your web page and see a new tarot card whenever you like. The Aries 2013 horoscopes are available at the entry of customers on the web. Points can embrace a possible for being depressive and someone with this amount can have a considerable amount of nervous stress. To resolve that we need to calculate our Personal Yr. Strength: You are a philosopher at heart. You could be calm and serene with a wonderful administration of your fiery mood. I am familiar with much of Chinese numerology as I statistical proof of astrology Asian statistical proof of astrology in college. Number 5 is all about change and freedom. After this you furthermore need with the intentionadd 2 and 9 to get the exact amount which eleven. Technological gadgets statistical proof of astrology great, but one must know how to use them or have the foundation knowledge necessary in order to figure them out. So, what's up with the quantity eleven once extra. Primarily these two numbers signify a person's astorlogy and experience that he or she has all through life. And if we cannot appear to search out the comfy ending in our life then we not romance numerology than want it on the display display or in the information. Number 19 numerology numerological compatibility horoscope is statistical proof of astrology by comparing numbers found within your birthday, delivery identify, native land, and perhaps a few different categories. People without a 6 in their charts tend to hide their innermost feelings from others. Proof Laurence Olivier, British actor, director, and producer; considered by many to be the greatest proov of the statistical proof of astrology century. He'll respect the gesture aastrology you won't be left feeling uncared for. That is the very best 12 months for statistical proof of astrology lasting statistifal, significantly love and marriage. Eight symbolizes earthly power and success in the things of the world. People born on the 9th, 18th proor 27th in any month are termed 9's, governed by Mars, and Scorpions Arians too are Mars ruled. Stubblefield issued a patent software for a wi-fi phone. The quantity 16 is the statistical proof of astrology of the month of starting, adopted by the 12 months. You'll have to amaze him with sensible conversation. And in case you thought drunk driving is the primary purpose behind road carnage, guess once more - four in every 5 accidents inside the US have been because the driving pressure was distracted (attributable to a cell phone or in any other case) whereas just one in three was a results of drunk driving. He is a master numerologist and NLP master practitioner. I'm going to level out suggestions on one of the simplest ways to do by way of the usage of President Stztistical date of begin. His prlof title study of astrology horoscope a statistical proof of astrology better than his age, so counting down the letters, we discover his third statistical proof of astrology letter is an 'I' which has been in power for 4 years and has 5 further years to run. Benefit from the riches of nature and the pure world. statistiacl on his character and what statistiacl believed, and so they judged his habits. What's additional, they most likely already have a carpet cleaner statistical proof of astrology are hesitant to change.\n\n\n\n30.05.2013 at 16:19 Gardagal:\nYes, I with you definitely agree\n\n09.06.2013 at 16:03 Mikora:\nWhat talented message\n\n16.06.2013 at 13:19 Mezijin:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9574620127677917}
{"content": "Exercise dvds after pregnancy\n\nFor exercise dvds after pregnancy doctor ought\n\nHaving your tubes tied, having endometriosis, having pelvic inflammatory illness (PID), and having previous ectopic pregnancies or other circumstances which have left the fallopian tubes scarred are exercise dvds after pregnancy elements that improve the risk of getting an ectopic pregnancy. Throughout early pregnancy, breasts might really feel sore, bloated, or both, similar to they may throughout your menstrual cycle. Additionally, your cervical mucus is another exercise dvds after pregnancy predictor of if you ovulate. Any acute alterations may end in fetal heart charge adjustments, whereas continual results might lead to intrauterine growth restriction. Tubal disease and other anatomical issues can probably be corrected with minimally invasive how does pregnancy test works surgical procedure. I've been unable to look at yarn or knitted objects ever since I bought pregnant. my periods have been typically normal since. Possibly I ought to get into some Indian Baby books too. In any other case, there isn't a have to put a halt on training. The most effective time to find out about being pregnant week by week is before you're in the thick of issues. Yoga's poses and breathing strategies are tried, tested and proven by numerous pregnant girls to ship clearblue pregnancy test conception results. However, it could actually occur at any time of day. All it's good to do is add a few drops of your urine on the stick and watch for it to confirm your pregnancy standing by changing the colour. This can trigger veins to enlarge. i had my interval on the tenth of Jan it lasted four days as ordinary. It is hard to know whether or not you personally area good candidate utube natural childbirth a vbac, however it is nice choice for many girls who had a low horizontal incision with their previous births. One of the best exercise dvds after pregnancy to get pregnant is to have intercourse when the egg is coming down the chute - that's if you exercise dvds after pregnancy to send the sperm up to meet it. Occupations' Mother- put up graduate scholar, Father- Engineer. However, this does not imply that the other bones develop into laborious and rigid. All had been wholesome, taking a good weight loss program and supplemented with nutritional vitamins. Hypersensitivity to smells is a big factor in nausea and vomiting among pregnant women. Eat small, common meals and stay away from meals that tend to present you gasoline, like fried foods, sweets, cabbage and beans. Some men do not have sperm in any respect, irrespective of how previous they exercise dvds after pregnancy. ACOG. When do you need to focus on additional choices, now exercise dvds after pregnancy in per week or two, or have you already decided to not attempt once more. There's chance of yours to experience early pregnancy indicators inside per week of conception. But the day I came upon didn't go exactly as you'd anticipate. They are also excessive in fiber, B-nutritional vitamins (especially folate), vitamin Okay, potassium, copper, vitamin E and vitamin C. One MFM mum, Supersquishdefined, I was queuing in Primark and felt faint rapidly, and exercise dvds after pregnancy out of the blue hit me. You may discover your waistline expanding as well, forcing you to pack away your favourite denims until next year. Consult your doctor or midwife in case of severe fuel and bloating that refuses to go away with the above way of life changes and natural cures. In the wild a pregnant cat will gorge herself as she can't be at all sure of when she is going to catch her next meal. Benefit from the second trimester - it's normally the most exercise dvds after pregnancy trimester for pregnant ladies. It's exercise dvds after pregnancy frequent to have break-though' bleeding or implantation' bleeding in the course of the first few months of being pregnant. Miller's examine is also a reminder that, as Vox's Amanda Taub identifiedpregnancy is painful, troublesome, and dangerous, which is why no person must be pressured to undergo it against their will. Exercise dvds after pregnancy well as, the veins in your breasts could present up extra and your nipples may get darker.\n\n\n\n29.01.2013 at 07:51 Dougal:\n\n01.02.2013 at 10:39 Maktilar:\nThis rather valuable message\n\n10.02.2013 at 00:41 Voodoor:\n\n14.02.2013 at 12:40 Kazrabei:\nWhile very well.\n\n23.02.2013 at 17:24 Tokree:\n\n28.02.2013 at 11:28 Samujinn:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5339349508285522}
{"content": "Slough Children's Homes logo\n\nTop of page\n\n\n4.2 Overnight Stays and Social Visits\n\n\nThe Positive Relationships Standard\nRegulation 11\n\n\nThis procedure applies to all Looked After children placed in children's homes where social visits, including Overnight Stays, are planned.\n\n\nConsents and Delegated Authority Procedure\n\nContact with Parents / Carers / Siblings and Others Procedure\n\nHolidays and School Trips Procedure\n\n\nIn July 2017, this chapter was entirely revised and updated throughout and should be re-read in full.\n\n\n  1. Introduction\n  2. Social Visits / Overnight Stays\n  3. Parental Consent\n\n1. Introduction\n\nDecisions about social visits and overnight stays should be delegated to children’s homes staff. The arrangements for making such decisions should be written into the Placement Plan in line with the Care Plan taking account of any relevant court directives.\n\n\nThe parents’ views on social visits and overnight stays should also be obtained. For procedures on Parental Consent, see Section 3, Parental Consent.\n\nThe Placement Plan should include the parameters within which visits or stays away from the home with friends may be agreed by the children’s home staff without prior consultation with the social worker, and whether agreement to such visits requires the staff to obtain parental consent. The Plan may state that the social worker and/or parent must always be consulted.\n\nThe guiding principle is that Looked After Children should as far as possible be given the same permission to take part in normal and acceptable age appropriate activities, such as staying with friends, as would reasonably be granted by parents of their peers. Judgment should depend on the assessed risks to, and needs of, the child.\n\nWhere there are exceptional reasons to require staff to seek the permission of the social worker, a manager or a parent, or place specific restrictions on permitting a child to stay overnight with friends, this should be necessary to safeguard the child’s welfare. The child’s wishes should be taken into account in reaching any such decision.\n\nAny such restriction, together with the reasons, should be clearly recorded in the Placement Plan, and explained to the child where appropriate. Restrictions should be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant.\n\n2. Social Visits / Overnight Stays\n\nSocial visits and overnight stays are a regular part of most children’s/young people’s experience and often occur at short notice. Children should be helped to develop and benefit from positive relationships. Staff should endeavour to help the child understand about personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful, in a way appropriate to the child’s age and understanding.\n\nWhere children wish to stay overnight with friends, staff should carry out the same kind of checks that responsible parents might make in similar circumstances to seek reassurance that the child will be well cared for and safe.\n\nConsiderations may also include:\n\n  1. Are there any relevant restrictions in the child’s Placement Plan?\n  2. Are there any factors in the child’s past experiences or behaviour to preclude overnight stays?\n  5. The age and level of understanding of the child;\n  7. How well is the friend or family known to the child?\n\nWhere the children’s home staff propose to agree to the child’s stays away, before allowing them to go ahead certain enquiries should be made, for example the name of the adult who will be responsible for the child, the means of contacting the adult and the child during the visit/stay and the arrangements for the child’s return. There should be clarity about the sleeping arrangements.\n\nPrior to the child’s stay away, staff should arrange to meet the adult who will have responsibility for the child unless he or she is already known in which case the prior arrangements may be made over the telephone.\n\nThe arrangements for supervising or caring for the child must not compromise the safety of the child or that of any one else, and the following considerations should apply:\n\n  6. Does the child have access to a mobile phone?\n\n\nThis might include:\n\n  • Any specific health care needs of the child;\n  • Any established routines for the child;\n  • Any behaviour management problems which, if the adult is unaware of, could lead to difficulties during the visit, for example the child may be over-familiar with adults or over-assertive with younger children.\n\nAny decision to share information should be on a ‘need to know’ basis and recorded.\n\nIf the child refuses to allow appropriate information to be shared, then he or she needs to be made aware that this could affect the decision to allow the child to stay away from home.\n\nIf satisfied that it is appropriate to allow the child’s stay away, a decision to allow it to go ahead may be made. If not, it may not be allowed.\n\nThe decision and the arrangements agreed should be recorded in full.\n\n\n3. Parental Consent\n\nWherever possible, parents' views and consent to contact with relatives and friends including any overnight stays away from the home should be obtained at the time of the placement. These views should be recorded including an indication of whether the parent wishes to be notified or their consent obtained every time an overnight stay takes place and if so, whether such consultation and prior consent is required before the contact can go ahead.\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5630290508270264}
{"content": "genetic screens\n\nDespite the importance of glial cells in the nervous system, many questions remain unanswered about the mechanisms that govern their development and function. To discover genes with essential functions in glia, we have conducted three different genetic screens to find new mutations that affect the development of microglia and myelinated axons. In the first of these, we analyzed more than 1850 clutches of F3 larvae to identify mutations with specific defects in the expression of mbp mRNA. This screen identified 13 mutations in 10 genes that disrupted mbp expression in the CNS, in the PNS, or in both (Pogoda et al. 2006, Developmental Biology 298: 118-131). Our second, smaller screen expanded the scope of phenotypes examined by assaying sodium channel (NaCh) expression at nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons (Voas et al. 2007, Current Biology 17: 562-568).  In a third genetic screen, we identified mutations that disrupt the ability of microglia to engulf the dye neutral red (Shiau et al. 2013, Cell Reports 5: 1342-1352).  None of these screens was pursued to saturation, so continued screening will yield mutations in genes that have not yet been defined. Most of the mutants have normal morphology, suggesting that the mutated genes have relatively specific functions in the development  of glial cells or the associated neurons. Phenotypic studies indicate that the mutated genes act in many different processes, including glial fate specification, axon outgrowth, glial migration, organization of the nodes of Ranvier, lysosomal function, and control of inflammation. In addition, several of the genes have been associated with human disease, indicating that analysis of these zebrafish mutants will yield important insights into diseases that disrupt glial development and function.\n\n\ntalbot lab.  stanford school of medicine.  copyright © 2015.  all rights reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9344902634620667}
{"content": "\n\nSt Michael’s feast falls this Friday, hence the English custom of referring to autumn schooldays as the “Michaelmas term”. As we mark the centenary of the Fatima apparitions, there are suggestive links between Leo XIII, the St Michael prayer and Fatima for those who are anniversary-minded.\n\nWe do not have a definitive historical account of what exactly happened to Pope Leo XIII, but there is a consensus on what roughly took place in the 1880s. After offering the Holy Mass one morning, Pope Leo was making his thanksgiving by attending another Mass, the custom for high-ranking prelates at the time. At some point those observing Leo noticed that he seemed transfixed, as if seeing a vision. Visibly troubled, he made his way from the chapel to his private office, his alarmed aides following with concern.\n\nHe emerged from his office a short while later, having composed the prayer to St Michael. It was added in 1886 to the other “Leonine prayers” which the Holy Father had mandated be recited after Low Mass in 1884.\n\nWhat moved Pope Leo to write the prayer? Accounts vary in the details, but the general gist is that he had a vision akin to the scene at the beginning of the Book of Job. The Devil challenged the Lord Jesus that he “could destroy the Church” if he had more time and more power. Jesus, again like the Lord God in the Book of Job, grants the Devil his request, a century in which his power will be greater. Some accounts have Pope Leo actually hearing the conversation between voices divine and diabolical.\n\nPope Leo, intuiting then that dreadful terrors would soon descend upon the Church and the world, wrote the prayer beseeching the protection of St Michael and mandated that it be universally recited, countless times each day in every part of the world.\n\n​How to continue reading…\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.946052074432373}
{"content": "Time Management\n\nThe time management system installs discipline in the work schedule without creating a high pressure atmosphere. Clocking in, clocking out, and breaks are transparently recorded, and a convenient planner and daily report keep tasks organized and prioritized. The data input into this gadget is saved and used as the basis of the work report for each employee. Additionally, time spent on tasks can be tracked using this tool.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000056028366089}
{"content": "Albinus Rubber Pleco L146a  REGULAR\n\nIn stock\n\nThe name \"plecostomus\" means \"folded mouth\"  Pleco is a common name for fish from the familyLoricariidae but has extended  to the family Hypostomus plecostomus known as a sucker fish\n\nMany types of suckermouth armoured catfishes remain undescribed. As a result, they are given a common name and an L-number designation until a new scientific name is agreed upon.\n\nThey are extremely popular in aquariums for their ability to clean tanks by eating algae growth and dead fish.\n\nPlecos are omnivorous, but in the wild feed nocturnally mostly on plant material. During the day, their unusual omega irises block a lot of light out of their eyes, but they are usually open at night. They can roll their eyes within their sockets, giving the appearance of winking. Plecos are usually skittish and quickly hide whenever they sense danger.\n\nCheck out Size Chart Tab below for size descriptions:\n\nAlbinus Rubber Pleco L146a  REGULAR Chaetostoma thomasi l146a&nbsp;&nbsp;\nMore Information\nWholesale QTYNo\nWrite Your Own Review\nYou're reviewing:Albinus Rubber Pleco L146a  REGULAR\n\n\nMany of the plecos sold on this site are wild caught and size will vary according to season\n\nSmall  -1.25\"-1.5 inch\n\nRegular -2 - 2.5\" inches\n\nMedium - 3 \" inches\n\nMed/large - 4\" inches\n\nLarge - 5 -6 inches\n\nWe found other products you might like!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7176080942153931}
{"content": "Category Archives: History\n\nWhy We Still Debate the Civil War\n\nHere we are, in 2017, we’re still debating the causes of the Civil War, which began in 1861 with roots that stem from centuries before. This blog post isn’t about statues, racism, social justice or the like, it merely is written to clarify the actual primary cause of the Civil War. No doubt there are many reasons, that were evident at the time, but those were subordinate in the grand scheme of events leading to the war.civil_war_stamp\n\nThe Civil War, also known as “The War Between the States,” was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America. The CSA was a collection of eleven southern states who left the Union in 1860 and 1861 and formed their own country in order to protect their continued usage of the institution of slavery.\n\nSlavery was introduced to North America by the British as far back as the early 17th century. The south believed in the dissolution of the Union after they couldn’t come to an agreement with the dominant north over the rights of states to control commerce. Slavery was a component of commerce, not in its entirety, but an essential component. It was legal at the time the country was formed, and the southern states saw no justifiable reason to change when they knew most of the northern leadership agreed with them. Negroes, as they were called, were not equivalent to Caucasians. They weren’t allowed to vote, own property, inter-racially marry, or if they lived in the south, couldn’t participate freely with the fruits of their labors.\n\nThe northern leadership believed, once the union of states were created, no one or more states had the right to leave that union. They were willing to negotiate, but when the matter came to a head, they willingly took up arms to preserve that union and stop the south from seceding.\n\nevents leading to the American civil war\nThe slavery extension question was thought to have been settled by the Missouri Compromise nearly 40 years earlier. The Mexican War, however, had added new territories, and the issue flared up again in the 1840s. The Compromise of 1850 provided a temporary respite from sectional strife, but the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, a measure Stephen A. Douglas sponsored, brought the slavery extension issue forward again. The Douglas bill in effect repealed the Missouri Compromise by lifting the ban against slavery in territories north of the 36°30′ latitude.\n\nThe Supreme Court decided a case brought forward by an escaped slave. He in effect was suing for himself and his family’s freedom. The Dredd Scott decision rendered in 1857, declared he wasn’t entitled to his freedom; that Africans were not and could never be citizens of the United States; and that the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had declared free all territories west of Missouri and north of latitude 36°30′, was unconstitutional.\n\nThis further set in motion the events leading up to the Civil War. In effect, it supported the institution of slavery, and the southern states now believed it was their personal right of sovereignty. In effect, the Constitution was a voluntary agreement, as easily broken as it was initially agreed upon.\n\nThe Douglas doctrine of popular sovereignty, was to permit new territories and states the right to self-determine their status as a free or slave state. This slavery extension proposal, provided the background for the Douglas – Lincoln debates of 1858. Their debate, addressed the problem that had divided the nation into two hostile camps which threatened the continued existence of the Union.\n\nSlave_kidnap_post_1851_bostonIn 1859 John Brown, an abolitionist, working in concert with others, formed a rebellion in Harpers Ferry Virginia (now West Virginia). Brown had previously met abolitionists, Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth while living in Springfield Massachusetts. Brown was convinced slavery wasn’t going to end through peaceful negotiations. Brown’s personal attitudes evolved in Springfield, as he observed the success of the city’s Underground Railroad and made his first venture into militant, anti-slavery community organizing. In speeches, he pointed to the martyrs Elijah Lovejoy and Charles Turner Torrey as whites “ready to help blacks challenge slave-catchers.”\n\nThe choice of allowing slavery for some admittedly was a compromise, so the fledgling nation had enough backing to form a binding union, and thereafter break away from British rule. As we see today in politics, challenging problems are pushed forward in hopes that someone will solve the problem in the future. Doing so, means a crisis builds until the inevitable fateful day, and it can no longer be ignored.\n\nFlawed From the Beginning\n\nMany of the Founders wished to abolish slavery in the Constitution. The irony and hypocrisy were not lost on them, and they weren’t shy about saying it. The compromises in the Constitution regarding slavery placed the short-term need to form a Union ahead of a contentious debate with no resolution. The alternative was two countries, one without slavery and one with. Several founders later emancipated their slaves.\n\nIn 1807, Congress passed a law and Jefferson signed banning the importation of slaves to begin on January 1, 1808, the very first day permitted under the Constitution. Some have argued that this only made existing slaves more valuable and the South already had sufficient slaves to breed to meet their needs. I give our Founders the benefit of the doubt. If for no other reason, a slaver would vote against this to maintain his right to hold slaves on principle.\n\nAfter the law passed, US Naval forces commenced to patrolling the African coast and seizing slave ships. Great Britain was already doing the same.\n\nSlavery, was officially ended by the British, and the US was trying to figure out how to completely eliminate it within its own borders, and not criminalize its own citizens. Those same citizens were part of the framers of the Constitution, and supporters of Independence. Virginia was the home of Thomas Jefferson and the cradle of independence. It was a natural place to be the capital state for the Confederacy.\n\ntenth_amendment_states_rightsThe dilemma for America was from its very beginning. As an ideal, the framers and leaders knew that all men were created equal but their society, their practices, had accepted distinctive differences in race as a basis to allow slave holdings.\n\nSlaves were the means by which the south could compete against the more industrial north. This economic disparity, along with punitive tariff’s against the south, created additional friction. After the insurrection by Brown, the southern states believed violent uprisings were going to part of their future, they also thought they had a legal right to secede, and no peaceful option in which to exercise that right.\n\n“Historians agree that the Harper’s Ferry raid in 1859 escalated tensions that a year later led to secession and the American civil war.” Put down by Colonel Robert E. Lee of the United States Army, assisted by First Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart the temporary insurrection was quickly suppressed.\n\nThere are many who insist the Confederate States of America were formed through a common cause theme just as the United States did against Great Britain decades before. They believe the south chose independence because of the continued encroachment against states rights by a central federal government. They see Lincoln as a dictator not an emancipator. Lincoln, despite his Illinois state speeches against slavery in the 1840’s, and his famous debate’s against Douglas in 1858, stated if he could keep the Union, he would have accepted slavery as a compromise. History shows that he didn’t.\n\nThat’s the historical irony, the individual states agreed to be part of the union at the Constitutional convention of 1783, as long as they could keep slaves. By 1860, after decade of debates, court battles, and slave rebellions, the south’s insistence that slaves were property, not equal as humans, and they had every right to decide what they could do with their property. This property kept the wealthy land owners in business. It also increased their wealth, a wealth which was the driving force for southern economy, seemingly threatened by the more industrialized north. As in all things, contemporary, or historical, there are many reasons, and aspects to conflicts.\n\ncompromise_of_1850As much as some people want to “window dress” the motivations of the Civil War, the overwhelming unresolved problem was slavery. To say it was over states rights, economic factors, or encroachment of federal law into individual states commerce, is by varying degrees, true. The long-standing tensions and disagreements about the use of humans as a means to an end, in providing an economic base were the ultimate catalyst. None of those would have been significant factors if not for the conflicting arguments over slavery.\n\nBetween election day and Lincoln’s inauguration in March, seven states had seceded from the Union: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. They were to be followed by four more: North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Missouri, and Tennessee were divided within specific geographic boundaries, depending on who were the predominant community leaders. Kentucky started out neutral, but voted to become part of the union. West Virginia broke free of Virginia in 1863 to become part of the Union.\n\nRepublicans captured over 60 percent of the Northern vote in 1860, and won three-fourths of its Congressional delegations. The Southern press said that such Republicans represented the anti-slavery portion of the North, “a party founded on the single sentiment…of hatred of African slavery“, and now the controlling power in national affairs.\n\n\nThe cause of rebellion – Civil War 1861-65.\n\nOpening volley – Why Fort Sumter?\n\nThe Top Nine Events Leading to Civil War\n\nAn Educators Guide to the Civil War\n\nHere is an excerpt of the Declaration of Secession by the State of Georgia.\n\n“The prohibition of slavery in the Territories is the cardinal principle of this organization.”\n\n\nContinue to read this secession document.\n\n\nLieutenant General John B. Gordon, CSA\n\n\n\n\nInfluencing People Through Fear\n\nPeople who wish to influence or control others have long since understood one of our prime motivators is the use of fear. It drives our instinct to survive, fight or flight. No normal person wants to sign up for pain & suffering. Secondary control factors include, financial incentives (reward), social status & peer pressure (ego).\n\ntorture-devicesGovernments, especially those who have unlimited power to do what they want, have used fear to motivate or control the populace. Torture was part of their tool kit, and the thought of ending up humiliated in shackles, or placed on a rack, was enough to instil fear in most people.\n\n\nChristianity found their tool with the word, “hell”. You don’t behave, or do what the group thinks, you’re going to end up in a highly undesirable zip code, for eternity.\n\nWe see it’s more than peer pressure to influence predictions of climate change, we have government grants for educational and research institutions which measure and computer model predictions. The arsenal of control and scaremongering is reinforced through sympathetic media on “global warming“. If the latest trends don’t follow “scientific prediction”, than it’s called “climate change”. You places your bets, then change the predictions based on latest trends.\n\nWhich ever way the thermometer and weather, especially severe weather patterns change, it’s always based on “climate change”. Therefore if you have a drought, a flood, a grouping of tornadoes, it’s attributed to climate change.\n\nWho Decides?\n\nThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), states the largest contributor to global warming is the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) since 1750, particularly from fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and land use changes such as deforestation.\n\n\nWe’ve been here before – More Lies\n\nIn November 2009, hackers gained access to a server used by the CRU and stole a large quantity of data, anonymously posting online more than 1,000 emails and more than 2,000 other documents.\n\nA series of independent public investigations of the allegations found no evidence of fraud or scientific misconduct. The Muir Russell report exonerated the scientists, but found “a consistent pattern of failing to display the proper degree of openness, both on the part of CRU scientists and on the part of the UEA”. The scientific consensus that global warming is occurring as a result of human activity remained unchanged.\n\nIn 2011, an analysis of temperature data by the independent Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature group, of whom some had stated they thought it was possible the CRU had manipulated the data, however concluded that “these studies were done carefully and that potential biases identified by climate change sceptics did not seriously affect their conclusions”.\n\nSo, the hacked emails supposedly didn’t reveal anything that pointed out a bias or a skewing of results. Here’s what some of the email said, you decide. See\nUniversity of East Anglia emails: the most contentious quotes.\n\n\n\n\nYou can click on the above link to see more of these emails.\n\nMore critical background and science history of Michael E. Mann found here.\n\nHere we go again!\n\nHow can we trust global warming scientists if they keep twisting the truth?\n| DailyMail February 11, 2017 | The following is an excerpt from their post.\n\nThe contentious paper at the heart of this furore – with the less than accessible title of Possible Artifacts Of Data Biases In The Recent Global Surface Warming Hiatus – was published just six months before the Paris conference by the influential journal Science.\n\nIt made a sensational claim: that contrary to what scientists have been saying for years, there was no ‘pause’ or ‘slowdown’ in global warming in the early 21st Century.\nIndeed, this ‘Pausebuster’ paper as it has become known, claimed the rate of warming was even higher than before, making ‘urgent action’ imperative.\n\nThe ongoing battle between a radio host and author vs. the scientist.  | Michael E. Mann v. Mark Steyn\n\n\nWhat is Memorial Day?\n\nI failed to post this yesterday as a follow up to the Memorial Day 2017 dedication I posted on Twitter.\n\nYesterday wasn’t about me or others that have served, or are serving in the military.\n\nIts about those soldiers, sailors, marines, and air corps, who gave everything they had to the cause of bringing conflict to a conclusion, and to allow people the opportunity to choose for themselves as to how they want to govern.\n\nAll the criticisms of the military, our government, our industrial, technological, or wealth, has nothing to do with Memorial Day. There were many people who chose to use it to support their political, ideological, and critical view points. It has nothing to do with that at all.\n\nThe United States, for all its flaws, shortcomings, and mistakes, has at its core a desire to keep the world safe enough for people to choose for themselves a way of life. Written in its foundational documents, are the basic humane principles of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.\n\nWhen a person enters the military, they become part of a history of a nation that wants to protect those foundations. and has been willing to do so at great personal risk, significant loss of life, wealth and reputation. To argue we gave blood for treasure is to ignore that no amount of industry, or military victory, has offset the price we spent, or the blood we spilt, not just for ourselves, but many other nations as well.\n\nOur history as a nation has been to cede back the lands, rebuild the basic civil foundations, and for decades, donate vast resources & money in order for the weak to become stronger. We are not a conquering people, we’re a liberating people.\n\nHow do I know this to be true? I’m one of the millions, who over the centuries, left my home, voluntarily gave a portion of my life, to be trained, skilled, and willing to defend this country. We desired no lands, sought no riches, and did things few are willing or able to do.\n\nI have this one day of the year to thank those who were required in the course of their service, to lay down their life to benefit, defend, secure, the liberty of others, including me. That’s Memorial Day. A day which we as a nation should remember those who died for us, yet we so soon forget in our normal, comfortable, and mostly peaceful journey.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7532098293304443}
{"content": "A plethora of medical research has been combed through tenaciously to formulate the most avant-garde, natural endogenous testosterone amplifier this industry has ever seen. Purus Labs ReCycle was strategically designed to address major endocrinological issues associated with optimizing testosterone levels in males. ReCycle can elevate free testosterone by supporting natural production of Lutenizing Hormone, inhibiting estrogen by aiding in aromatase enzyme reduction, facilitating the blunting of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) so testosterone molecules can be unbound to exert their anabolic effects, hindering DHT by aiding in preventing its binding to the androgen receptor, facilitating lower cortisol levels, and fully rejuvenating the HPTA (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testicular Axis) allowing for maximum anabolism and minimal catabolism. ALL constituents of the ReCycle hormone exhilaration matrix have been substantiated through peer reviewed medical research and testing. Consider all other natural testosterone boosters OBSOLETE!\nGet Discount Now\n$ 32.95", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.502771258354187}
{"content": "Ginger Fried Rice\n\n\n\n\n\nGinger Fried Rice\n\n\n1 cup cooked white glutinous rice\n1-2 teaspoons soy sauce\n1 teaspoon sesame oil\n1/2 cup diced onion\n1/2 tablespoon minced ginger\n1/2 tablespoon minced garlic\n1 egg\nCanola oil\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Then add the rice and mix thoroughly.\n\n\n6. Remove everything from pan onto plate.\n\n\n\nChicago Cupcakes\n\nThe Motherload\n\nThe Motherload\n\nI’ve personally never been caught up in the whole cupcake craze. I didn’t really understand why people freak out over these mini-cakes because, well, they’re just that – mini cakes. That is until I tried a few from Chicago Cupcakes, a cupcake truck that visited Northwestern campus a couple months ago.\n\nThere are three components that make up a Chicago Cupcake and those are the frosting, the cake and the crust. Each treat comes topped with silky Italian buttercream that adds an appropriate sweetness and smooth, creamy texture. The cake is infused with some kind of creamy diary so it tastes and feels more like a light, moist cheesecake rather than a traditional cupcake – brilliant! It’s absolutely delicious and the texture is both surprising and satisfying. And the finishing touch? A salty sweet crust that holds the entire beauty together; each crust is chosen to compliment different cupcake flavors.\n\n\nThe first I tried was the Motherload and you’ll understand its name once you read the description: chocolate cake on a pretzel and brown sugar crust, filled with peanut butter and topped with a caramel Italian buttercream, chopped peanuts, pretzels and brown sugar. It is THE dream cupcake, everything you’ve ever wanted and more. Salty, sweet, creamy, nutty, decadent, light…shall I go on?\n\nThe second cupcake was the Key Lime, which had a fluffy cheesecake-like texture and a clean lime flavor that shone through. It came with a graham cracker crust and proved to be a simultaneously light and decadent treat.\n\n\nThese guys at Chicago Cupcake really changed my perspective on what cupcakes can be. Try them out to learn the real potential behind these mini-cakes.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5668787956237793}
{"content": "Stakeholder analysis and strategy development report\n\nOrder Description\n\nYou must then prepare a Snap Inc. Stakeholder Analysis & Strategy Program Report including an Executive Summary and a Conclusion and using the following headings:\nA. Snap Inc. Stakeholder View of the Organisation Model\nPrepare a diagram with Snap Inc. as the central organisation surrounded by the company’s stakeholder groups using the stakeholder view model\nFor each stakeholder group identified in the stakeholder view model research Snap Inc. further and prepare a list identifying and describing the specific stakeholders within each stakeholder group\nB. Stakeholder Analysis for four selected stakeholder groups\nSelect four specific stakeholders and analyse their behaviour and motives\nTip: choose a stakeholder from each of the different four stakeholder categories to avoid repeating yourself in sections C and D\nC. Stakeholder category identification and generic strategic programs for each of the four selected stakeholders\nIdentify the stakeholder category that each of the four stakeholders belong to and list the generic strategic programs available for managing each stakeholder\n\nfind the cost of your paper", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9983013272285461}
{"content": "Treatment options for military service\n\nTreatment options for military service\n\nThe post comprises of four asighnments\n\n1 treatment options for military service\n\n2 Can This Merger Be Saved?\n\n3 planning/structuring strategy\n\n4 Pediatric\n\nAsighnment 1\n\nCan This Merger Be Saved?\n\nOrder Description\n\nCase Assignment\nto this fictional case:\nCliffe, S. (1999). Can This Merger Be Saved? Harvard Business Review, 77(1), 28-44. [EbscoHost]\n(2015) in your answer.\nWhat is the source of this conflict? Use the terminology from the Pearson tutorial, Bauer and Erdogan (2011), or Luthans et al. (2015) in your answer. For example, is\nCunningham to take?\nPay special attention to the additional readings below on causes of conflict, types of conflict, and conflict management styles.\nLuthans, F., Luthans, K. W., & Luthans, B. C. (2015). Chapter 9: Stress and conflict.\nBauer, T., & Erdogan, B. (2012). Chapter 10: Conflict and negotiations. Organizational Behavior.\nShearouse, S. H. (2011). Chapter 5: How we respond: Approaches to conflict.\n\nAsighnment 2\n\ntreatment options for military service\n\nOrder Description\n\nConsider the treatment options for service members who return from deployment with a new diagnosis. Proposesc members who return from combat with one of the following\nPTSD from combat\nPTSD from sexual assault\nSubstance abuse\n\nAsighnment 3\n\nplanning/structuring strategy\n\nOrder Description\n\nAssessment Guide\nProject Strategy\nIllustrate and critically evaluate , through the use of various (imagined or real) project case/scenarios, the potential use of the of principles, processes and tools,\ntaken from the course and literature..To demonstrate how a project strategy (and its sub-strategies of):\n0. Case (or cases) background illustrating descriptions (These might be located throughout the project)\n1. problem definition;\n2. value/investment case (options & do nothing option);\n3. feasibility (constraints);\n4. procurement/contract strategy;\n5. planning/structuring strategy;\n6. run/report and control (modelling);\n7. review & learning.\n\nAsighnment 4\n\n\nResearch a current policy, bill or issue being debated on the community, state, or national level pertaining to child health or welfare. summarize the major facts and\nsupporting or opposing issues. 1. describe the bill, name and date implemented or revised 2. does it have any effect on the nursing industry? How? 3. how does it\nbenefit the population 4. how does not benefit the population? 5. do you agree with the bill? why? – table of contest – introduction – objetives – conclusion\n\nfind the cost of your paper", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9586265683174133}
{"content": "Law Office of Christopher A. Connelly\nGet the Answer You Need\n704-376-9376 Se Habla Español\nMenu + - Practice Menu + -\n\nCharlotte NC Criminal Defense Law Blog\n\nDA Witness not following Judge's Order results in DWI dismissal\n\nAttorney Connelly asked the court to prohibit a key State's witness from giving critical testimony after the witness violated a sequestration order of the court. (A sequestration order requires that all witnesses remain out outside the courtroom and not discuss the case or their testimony.) This key witness sat through the testimony of other witnesses even though the court had ordered that all witnesses remain outside the courtroom. This resulted in the dismissal of a DWI case. \n\n1 charged with DUI following moped accident in North Carolina\n\nA 55-year-old man has been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol following a recent accident in which he veered off the road while operating a moped. North Carolina state law permits a person to drive such a vehicle without a license or insurance provided the operator wears the proper gear. However, laws concerning impairment apply to all drivers, and those accused of DUI under similar circumstances could face serious consequences.\n\nLaw enforcement agents assert the incident took place just before 1 a.m. on a recent Tuesday when the driver of a moped veered off road and crashed his vehicle. Although no information was provided as to his condition, he was reportedly taken to a medical facility for treatment soon thereafter. Authorities have advised that he will be charged with intoxicated driving after he is released from the hospital.\n\n2 face charges following domestic violence incident\n\n\nAccording to reports, authorities responded to the scene after receiving reports of shots being fired at a local residence. Police claim the incident began when a fight erupted between two individuals. Following the dispute, a man reportedly attempted to leave the scene in a vehicle when a woman located a gun and fired a bullet at him, subsequently shattering a window next to him. Although the bullet did not hit the man, he reportedly suffered cuts from the glass.\n\nPenalties for prescription drug abuse in North Carolina\n\nOne of the most amazing benefits of modern society is the advancements in medicine. Prescription drugs have done wonders in treating multiple diseases and health conditions. Unfortunately, some also carry the risk of abuse or addiction. These risks become reality for millions of Americans each year.\n\nYou may think that because a drug is also a legitimate medication, it is not as serious to distribute or use it illegally, or even abuse it legally. However, prescription meds are controlled substances, just like other nonmedicinal drugs, and therefore can carry harsh penalties for criminal misuse.\n\n4 arrested on drug charges at residence near college campus\n\nAs a college student, being accused of a drug-related crime can be a scary and daunting experience. Students who face drug charges may have little to no experience in the area, and they might be unaware of their legal rights. Four individuals have recently been arrested following an investigation into possible drug activity at a townhouse near North Carolina State University.\n\nThe incident began when investigators arrested a student in relation to his alleged involvement in drug activity outside of a residence near a local college campus. Just three days later, authorities returned to the residence for unknown reasons and arrested three others for similar charges. Although it is unclear if authorities executed a search of the residence in question, they claim the investigation led to the discovery of a variety of types and amounts of illegal narcotics.\n\n1 arrested for drunk driving while attempting to apply for job\n\nWhen being accused of a crime, every individual has rights that must be upheld throughout the process. Unfortunately, many may be unaware of their rights, and furthermore uncertain how to respond to the situation. A 40-year-old man has been arrested and accused of drunk driving after he allegedly drove to a fire station in North Carolina to submit an application while under the influence of alcohol.\n\nAccording to authorities, the man was attempting to submit an application for employment at a local fire station when he inadvertently interrupted a State Highway Patrol meeting. They claim that he immediately began to show his gratitude for their service, but while doing so, they allegedly detected signs of intoxication. An officer then proceeded to administer a field sobriety test, which he allegedly failed to perform in a satisfactory manner.\n\nSeparate traffic stops lead to drug charges for 2\n\nFacing allegations of a traffic violation can be stressful enough in its own right. However, should officers claim to have probable cause to further investigate, the resulting search may leave an individual facing drug charges if illegal substances are found in the process. Two men have been arrested and accused of drug crimes following separate traffic stops that are said to have taken place on the same day in North Carolina.\n\nLaw enforcement officials assert the first incident began when they stopped a vehicle for an unspecified traffic violation. While speaking with the driver, police claim to have initiated a search of the vehicle on grounds of probable cause. During this search, they allegedly unearthed the presence of 260 grams of cocaine, and the man was taken into custody and is now facing multiple charges, including drug trafficking.\n\nTeacher accused of drunk driving following argument with friend\n\nOperating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is never advisable and can lead to criminal charges. However, in some cases, one may face drunk driving charges solely based on the words of another party, without being found behind the wheel of a vehicle. An elementary school teacher is facing DWI charges under similar circumstances in North Carolina after a friend allegedly asked her to pull over for her own safety.\n\nAccording to reports, the incident took place at around 2 a.m. on a recent Monday as authorities spotted a woman standing outside a vehicle in a local parking lot. Officers proceeded to pull over and speak with the woman, who allegedly claimed that she had asked her friend to stop her vehicle. She advised officers that her friend was under the influence of alcohol, and that she was attempting to call a sober driver when the two became engaged in a verbal disagreement.\n\n1 facing drug charges following investigation in North Carolina\n\nAfter receiving information of the possible presence of drug activity in a particular area, authorities will launch an investigation into the matter. Being the subject of such an investigation can be an intimidating experience, and the situation may only increase in severity should criminal charges be filed. A 51-year-old woman in North Carolina has recently been arrested and is facing numerous drug charges in relation to her alleged involvement in the trafficking of methamphetamine.\n\nAccording to authorities, the investigation began after they received reports of the possible presence of drug activity at a local residence. This investigation eventually led to the search of numerous locations in the surrounding area, which they assert unearthed the presence of as many as 24 pounds of methamphetamine, along with multiple firearms. In total, 13 individuals were arrested and accused of involvement in drug activity, and authorities claim the woman in question was the leader of the alleged operation.\n\nCollision leads to drunk driving charges for 1 in North Carolina\n\nA 26-year-old woman has been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol in relation to her alleged involvement in a recent collision in North Carolina. Drunk driving charges carry serious penalties, and a conviction could have a substantial impact on a person's life. Those who face similar charges could choose to prepare for what comes next by focusing on their defense, but they might be uncertain where to turn for guidance.\n\nAccording to authorities, the incident took place just before noon on a recent Thursday, when a driver allegedly failed to stop for a traffic light. Police claim that the woman's vehicle proceeded to collide with an SUV, and that the force of the impact shoved the SUV into two other vehicles. The driver and a passenger in the SUV were taken to a medical facility for treatment of minor injuries.\n\nMeet the Office Mascots\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.560524582862854}
{"content": "Almost any business whose products or services reach customers in multiple states knows that there are some jurisdictions thought to be friendlier to plaintiffs. Plaintiffs’ lawyers know about those jurisdictions too, and they sometimes try to file lawsuits there with the hope of ratcheting up settlement value.\n\nThe U.S. Supreme Court’s May 30, 2017, decision in BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrrell, No. 16-405, will provide businesses with some protection from such forum shopping. BNSF deals with personal jurisdiction, the collective term for the statutory and constitutional principles that allow the courts of a state to exercise jurisdiction over a defendant only if the defendant has sufficient contacts with the state.\n\nThe Supreme Court long ago divided personal jurisdiction into two categories: (1) specific or “case-linked” jurisdiction that applies when a defendant has sufficient contacts with the state and the lawsuit arises from those contacts, and (2) general or “all-purpose” jurisdiction that applies when the lawsuit does not arise from the defendant’s contacts with the state but those contacts are so pervasive that the defendant is generally subject to suit in the state.\n\nBNSF deals with the latter, general form of personal jurisdiction. In that case, two workers claimed on-the-job injuries during their employment with a railroad. The workers did not live in Montana and the injuries did not occur there, but that is where they filed their lawsuits. The Montana Supreme Court held that Montana’s courts could exercise general personal jurisdiction over the railroad because it has more than 2,000 miles of track and more than 2,000 employees in Montana.\n\nThe U.S. Supreme Court disagreed and reiterated its three-year-old holding in Daimler AG v. Bauman that the Fourteenth Amendment does not allow an out-of-state defendant to be brought before a state’s courts under a general personal jurisdiction theory unless the defendant’s affiliations with the state are so “continuous and systematic” that the defendant is essentially “at home” in the state.\n\nJustice Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion in BNSF, and all of the other justices except Justice Sotomayor joined that majority. Justice Ginsburg’s opinion makes it clear that plaintiffs relying on general personal jurisdiction will have a particularly high hurdle to clear. If the defendant is neither incorporated in a state nor has its principal place of business there, she wrote, general personal jurisdiction will be appropriate only in “exceptional cases” in which the defendant has contacts “so substantial and of such a nature” that the defendant is “at home” in the state. Owning railroad tracks and having employees in a state is not enough.\n\nNotably, in BNSF, the Montana Supreme Court sought to distinguish Daimler because BNSF arose under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. The U.S. Supreme Court quickly dispatched that argument and noted that the constitutional constraints on personal jurisdiction apply no matter the nature of the claim or the industry affected.\n\nBNSF is a particularly important decision for the business community because, taken together with Daimler and the Supreme Court’s 2011 decision in Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations, S.A. v. Brown, it tightens considerably the requirements for general personal jurisdiction. Before Goodyear, when the standard was described more amorphously as requiring “continuous and systematic” contacts, some courts exercised general personal jurisdiction simply because an out-of-state defendant advertised in in-state publications, attended in-state trade shows, or paid occasional service calls on in-state customers. Now, it will likely be rare for a court to exercise general personal jurisdiction over a defendant that is neither incorporated nor physically based in the state in which suit was filed. Indeed, in her dissent, Justice Sotomayor wrote that it is now “virtually inconceivable” that a corporation could be subject to general personal jurisdiction in a state other than where it is incorporated or has its principal place of business.\n\nWhat does that mean as a practical matter for a business defendant? It will be more difficult for a plaintiff to sue in a jurisdiction unless the claim arises from the defendant’s contacts with the jurisdiction and, accordingly, it will be harder for a plaintiff to forum shop for strategic reasons. While business defendants likely already consider at the outset of each new case whether they are subject to personal jurisdiction, BNSF should give them added incentive and ammunition to treat the propriety of the court’s exercise of personal jurisdiction as anything but a foregone conclusion.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.86622154712677}
{"content": "Thank you!\nThank you so much for your willingness to support my mission with Raising Mothers. Feel free to start a conversation by writing a new post. Ask questions, and I'll do my best to answer. \n\nAlso, if you haven't already and you are a reader of Raising Mothers, please take a moment to fill out this reader survey. I have things in the works and I want to gage who you are and where we're heading, together.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6439672112464905}
{"content": "The Steelcase Gesture Office Chair – Inspired by the Human Body!\n\nThe Steelcase Gesture Office Chair is the first chair designed to support our interactions with today’s technologies. It was inspired by the movement of the human body. Created for the way we work today.\n\n\nResearch: Global Posture Study\nSteelcase undertook a global posture study in 11 countries, observing 2000 people in a wide range of postures, and uncovered nine new postures as a result of new technologies and new behaviors. They studied how the human body interacts with technologies and how it responds as workers shift from one device to another. Research revealed ergonomic implications that, if not adequately addressed, can cause pain and discomfort for workers.\n\nBecause these new postures are not adequately supported, workers are uncomfortable, in pain and doing long-term harm to their bodies. While technology helps productivity, it can cause pain that disrupts our work, our ability to concentrate and be creative.\n\n\nDesign: Inspired by the Human Body\n\n1) The Core Interface:\nThe Steelcase Gesture Office Chair back and seat move as a synchronized system moving with each user to provide continuous and persistent support. The back cradles the user no matter the posture.\n\n2) The Limb Interface:\nThe Gesture arm moves like the human arm, which allows users to be supported in any position. Arms and shoulders remain supported when texting on a smartphone, typing on a keyboard or swiping a tablet.\n\n3) The Seat Interface:\nThe Gesture seat brings comfort all the way to the edges. It is flexible at the perimeter to allow users to sit in a range of postures without obstruction.\n\nThe User Interface:\nGesture takes into account various body types and sitting preferences, quickly adjustable to meet the needs of each individual user. Users can adjust Gesture as easily as adjusting their posture.\n\nWhy not visit our showroom and see the Steelcase Gesture office chair for yourself. Just give us a call and arrange a time to visit.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9131953716278076}
{"content": "Khaled Nayfeh, 25\n\nKorbah, Amman\n\nKhaled heads Korbah, an initiative that empowers youth with the skills and tools they need to improve their professional development and ability to navigate life's challenges.\n\nKorbah provides high school and university students, as well as fresh graduates, with engaging seminars that build their competence and confidence.\n\nKhaled has also committed Korbah to greater social responsibility by reaching out to underprivileged communities.\n\nFor every paid workshop in Amman, Korbah plans to create and carry out a similar workshop, free of charge, for those who cannot afford to pay or cannot access such workshops in other areas of the country.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8107141256332397}
{"content": "Composite Wood Products\n\nEarlier this month FurnitureCart team has started the Ultimate Guide to Wood Furniture. We have discovered what kinds of wood are usually used for furniture production and common wood finishes. You are welcome to check them out, if you are a newcomer at our blog.\n\nToday we continue with the third and last chapter of our Wooden Furniture Guide. And today we will talk about the composite wood products.\n\nMost probably, when buying the wooden furniture, the customer pays attention to solid woods in the specifications and the list of materials used for the dining set or bed. Actually, we have to be frank: nowadays very often plywood, MDF, and particle board are made of a high quality. So, there is no use disregarding these manufactured wood products. Sometimes it can be difficult to differ a composite wood piece and a solid wood piece of furniture, if the composite wood piece comes covered with a high-quality veneer. Let us discover together the three types of manufactured wood products.\n\nPlywood is flexible, though strong material resistant to cracking, warping, shrinking or swelling. Plywood is made of thin layers of wood that are glued together and pressed. To make the plywood furniture stronger, wood grain of adjacent layers is rotated up to 90 degrees to one another.\n\nMedium-density fibreboard (MDF) is made by means of breaking down hardwood and softwood materials, and then combining it with resin, glue or wax to form panels under high temperature and pressure. As a result, there appears a product that is stronger and more solid than any other wooden materials. Usually it is used for cabinets, cupboards and wardrobes, shelving and bookcases. Though it is heavy material, it is quite easy to cut and finish.\n\nParticle board, also known as low-density fiberboard (LDF) or chipboard, is made of wood chips, sawmill shavings or sawdust, and bound together by synthetic resin or another suitable binder, and pressed. Actually, the process of manufacturing is similar to how MDF is made. Particle board is a part of budget-friendly furniture (kitchens, dining room furniture) and flooring; it is common-used in budget furniture that has a veneered or laminate faсade.\n\nUsually MDF composite wood products do not contain knots or rings, as the natural woods do, making it more uniform to finish, as well as in service. Plywood is frequently used to create curved surfaces as it can easily bend with the grain. Particle board made the huge revolution in wooden furniture design once it appeared, and still continues to make it evolve, by making the prices lower for the final customer.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9479519128799438}
{"content": "Learning how to make a guy fall for you: Slough escorts\n\n\nAre you a “great lady” when it pertains to making guys like you? Do you follow the scripts of previous generations when it pertains to bring in a person? What does it take to get noticed in the modern dating world? Bring in men and hanging on to them is a challenging thing today; read the following to learn the best ways to make guys like you. Your mother’s suggestions on finding a spouse is obsolete. Do not inform her, but you have to do things differently. Contrary to your mother’s recommendations, you will not find that great guy by finding out the best ways to prepare, stitch, and take care of a household in today’s world. This is a various generation with a greatly different outlook on dating and marital relationship.\n\nSlough escorts from https://charlotteaction.org/slough-escorts says that there is really a trick to making a person fall in love? How come some girls make it look so easy? Is it actually all about looks, or exist other factors involved? Looks assistance, but the ability to make a guy fall in love is primarily about attitude and communication. It is impossible to lessen the importance of physical destination in a relationship. This is what generally brings two individuals together to explore the possibility of getting involved in a more serious relationship. Unfortunately contemporary culture has created a distorted view of what is gorgeous that can leave ladies feeling distressed and leave guys with unrealistic expectations. Luckily, the majority of people, guys included, are capable of seeing past the distortion and acknowledging charm in all of its unique variations.\n\nAccording to Slough escorts that if you wish to make a guy fall in love, you not only have to record him with your appearance, but also with your mindset and interaction skills. Psychological studies show that these 2 factors really surpass the importance of beauty for the typical man. Initially, learn the best ways to accept yourself as you are including your flaws. Remarkably it is often a viewed flaw that will be exceptionally appealing to a guy. How you think actually does impact what you portray to others. Not just must you believe favorably about your appearance, but you should also extend those thoughts to the rest of your life. There are many things in life that run out your control, however the something you do control is how you respond. You are in charge of your responses to life’s circumstances. There are a lot of terrific guys who will appreciate your appearances and who will also value your positive, favorable outlook.\n\nNext learn reliable communication skills. Don’t stress if you are not naturally proficient at communicating. This is a skill that can definitely be found out. If you have trouble communicating, acknowledge it. The majority of people will comprehend and even feel a little relieved. You can say something like “sometimes I have difficulty articulating my sensations, however I desire you to know …” Honesty is most important. Likewise bear in mind that communication isn’t practically talking. Nonverbal communication plays a big role in constructing a relationship, particularly for men. In some cases a remaining hug or a little lively video game of chase can communicate much more powerfully than words. Next time you are feeling a little less than ideal physically, keep in mind that attitude and communication are similarly important in making a man fall in love.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5127333402633667}
{"content": "Nixie and sister to Tyg Titter-Tut\n\n\nThe devastation of the Gronzi forest is proof that overlumbering and human greed can turn even the most abundant natural woodlands into a sea of endless stumps. When a crew of greedy loggers came upon a grove of birchwood trees with the intent of making a large payday, they didn’t expect a nixie who resided in a nearby pool to arise and warn them.\n\nWhen negotiations couldn’t supersede human greed, Melianse scrambled into action and used her magic to charm two loggers causing a heated standstill.\n\nThough, had it not been for the intervention of Nolan Renwicke, bloodshed was avoided that day.\n\n\n\nKingmaker fratmancy", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9950953722000122}
{"content": "Graduate Seminar, 26th February\n\nSpeaker: Szymon Nakoneczny\n\nTitle: Natural language processing methods in biological activity prediction and quasar detection in large scale photometric surveys.\n\nAbstract: The first part will focus on my master ‘s thesis. Virtual screening is a process in which databases of chemical compounds are searched in order to f ind structures characterized with a high biological activity, possible drug candidates. The goal is to classify active compounds by combining the natural language processing methods with a text representation of compounds. The second part is going to cover an approach of detecting quasars with means of machine learning. Because it is not possible to fully sample extragalactic objects with spectroscopy, quasars analysis requires a proper automated approach based on photometric surveys. We are going to focus on describing a problem and showing preliminary results of our approach.\n\nGraduate Seminar, 19th February\n\nSpeaker: Grzegorz Żarnecki\n\nTitle: Measurement of muon-antineutrino charged current cross section with single pion production in the near detector of T2K experiment\n\nAbstract: Cross section measurement is a basic tool to examine agreement between theoretical models and experimental data. The fundamental struggle is to separate signal sample from background events. Decent measurement requires nontrivial methods in order to minimize dependency on the default model and include characteristics of the detector. This will be illustrated on the example of muon-antineutrino CC interaction on carbon with single pion production in ND280 detector of the T2K experiment.\n\nThesis topic proposal: design, construct and test a prototype neutron detector\n\nHelium-3 isotope is commonly used as detection medium in detectors applied for neutron detection in many fields of industry and physics. The world crisis of He-3 isotope is forcing for a research and development of other neutron detection methods. Recently, a multigrid gas detector based on boron coated blades has been developed at Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble as an alternative for commonly applied He-3 proportional counters in neutron scattering experiments. However, it may be considered to use this solution for other applications.\n\nContinue reading Thesis topic proposal: design, construct and test a prototype neutron detector\n\nGraduate Seminar 22nd January\n\nSpeaker: Joanna Reszczyńska\n\nTitle: Hyper-radiosensitivity phenomenon and significance of human individual radiosensitivity in modeling of Low Dose Radiation Biological Effects.\n\nAbstract: For ionization radiation (IR) induced cancer, a linear non-threshold (LNT) model at very low doses is the default used by a number of international organizations and in regulatory law. However, experimental observations and theoretical biology have found that other dose-response curves can exist at those very low doses. This approach includes detailed, molecular descriptions of cells mechanisms to develop a dose-response model either through a set of nonlinear, differential equations or a stochastic approach based on Monte Carlo simulations. Both methods are subject to the body’s reaction.The existence of heritable radiosensitivity syndromes and clinical observations in radiotherapy patients suggests that human cellular radiosensitivity differs among individuals. The assessment of the more radiation-sensitive and the more cancer-prone people is very important issue. This seminar discusses the bases of low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) with reference to the molecular regulation of DNA repair and cell cycle control processes. The aim of the presented study was to examine, using the micronucleus (MN) assay, the low-dose radiation response of blood cells lymphocytes from healthy donors and to determine whether the method can be used to verify the hypothesis of the HRS phenomenon occurrence in general population.\n\nGraduate Seminar, 15th January\n\nSpeaker: Piotr Kalaczyński\n\nTitle: Search for directional correlations of HE muon neutrinos in IceCube and Radio Sources in NVSS\n\nAbstract: The seminar briefly describes IceCube and VLA detectors and the method of angular cross-correlation using power spectra from the multipole expansion of the sky. The analysis aims at determining, whether astrophysical neutrino flux could be originating from extragalactic radio sources contained in the NVSS survey. Since the survey is not exclusively extragalacic, appropriated cuts have to be applied. Performance of the analysis is shown and compared to a standard point-source IceCube analysis.\n\nGraduate seminar, 8th January 2018\n\nSpeaker: Paritosh Verma\n\nTitle: Gravitational wave signals from highly magnetic accreting millisecond neutron stars\n\nAbstract: This seminar is focused on brief introduction on  gravitational waves as well as their emission from accreting millisecond neutron stars. These binary systems consist of a millisecond pulsar with a rotation period 1-10 ms accreting material from a companion star. Neutron stars can undergo different modes of oscillations, each with different characteristic behavior. Among these, r-modes, or rotational modes, only appear in rotating stars and are caused by the Coriolis force acting as restoring force along the surface of the star. The r-modes have an important role in the physics of millisecond neutron stars: they excite the emission of gravitational waves which carry away energy and angular momentum from the star and lead to differential rotation. \n\nGraduate Seminar, 18th December\n\nSpeaker: Albin Nilsson\n\nTitle: The Standard Model Extension, Gravitational tests and Cosmology\n\nAbstract: Combining the standard model and general relativity into quantum gravity is a task which has occupied physicists for over 50 years. These two theories are expected to merge at the Planck scale (E_p \\approx 10^{19} GeV). However, experiments at this energy are beyond the reach of humanity at present. As such, we need a way to study the Planck scale effects that trickle down to accessible energies, thereby learning about the true dynamics of quantum gravity. This can be done using effective field theory, and since many theories of quantum gravity predict Lorentz and/or CPT violation, searching for signals of this is a good place to start. The Standard Model Extension (SME) is an effective field theory containing the standard model of particle physics, general relativity, as well as all possible operators which break Lorentz symmetry. Since CPT violation implies Lorentz violation, the SME also includes operators which both break and preserve CPT symmetry. In this talk, I will describe the structure of the SME, focusing on the gravitational sector. I will review some of the gravitational tests performed and discuss how we can study the SME in a cosmological setting\n\nGraduate seminar, 11th December\n\nSpeaker: Szymon Domański\n\nTitle: Application of the ultrahigh dose thermoluminescence dosimetry for radiation-hardness testing\n\nAbstract: In radiation processing, where large absorbed doses and dose rates from photon sources have to be measured with reasonable accuracy, dosimetry systems serve an important function. Proven methods are demanded to perform radiation measurements in development of new processes, validation, qualification, and verification of established processes and archival documentation of day to day processing uniformity. Implementation a system corresponding to recognised standards from scratch is not the simplest task. However, it is possible. During my presentation I wish to discuss the possible application of LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescence phosphor in the field of material testing.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999961853027344}
{"content": "Arizona Woodpeckers: Pictures and Information\n\nShares 0\n\npicture of a red-shafted Northern Flicker, one of the Arizona woodpeckers\n\nThanks for visiting. Gratography members can easily contribute. Register today.\n\nAnyone looking for additional identification help can press the green birds button.\n\nArizona woodpeckers are a group that tourists ought not miss, especially because the southern part of the state hosts three woodpecker species not seen in other areas of the United States: The Gilded Flicker, the Gila Woodpecker and the Arizona Woodpecker.\n\nArizona also ranks as one of the most diverse woodpecker states, hosting fourteen difefrent species in four of the five native woodpecker genera. Only the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus) fails to find a home in the state. Of special note, all four of the native sapsucker species have been documented in the state. Here’s the official run down.\n\n\nFlickers (genus Colaptes) are common back yard birds in Arizona. Throughout the state, the Red-shafted Northern Flicker search the ground for insects in fields and residential areas. The male pictured at the top of the page, is distinguished from the female by the red patch on the cheek.\n\npicture of a Gilded Flicker woodpecker\nThe Gilded Flicker is Arizona’s second Colaptes species. It’s a regional specialty bird of the Arizona desert. The picture shows the gray face and red mustache of the male and it’s similar to the look of the male Red-shafted Northern Flicker. The yellow wings under the tail resemble the yellow wings of the Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker.\n\nThey are year round residents of their area and cavity nest in Saguaro cacti or any larger trees in their territory. Like other flickers they are ground foragers. They are also well adapted to residential areas.\n\nWoodpeckers: Melanerpes\n\npicture of an acorn woodpecker\nArizona also hosts three of te six native Melanerpes species. The Acorn woodpecker, perhaps the best known Arizona species, inhabits oak groves, where it spends its days gathering acorns. Once gathered, the acorns get stored in tree holes or nearby wooden structures such as fences and telephone poles. Unlike most woodpecker species, both the male and female have a red crown.\n\npicture of a Lewis's Woodpecker\n\n\nIn the wild, they consume a variety of common insects in their territory, including ants, bees and wasps. The White Mountains and areas around Flagstaff are the best places to look for them.\n\npicture of a Gila Woodpecker\nSouthern Arizona and the Saguaro Desert define the Gila Woodpecker territorial boundaries. There is a bit of overflow population in the neighboring states of California and New Mexico.\n\nSaguaro cacti and other large trees in their territory provide ample places for their cavity nests. They tend to eat a variety of insects, fruits and nuts, whatever is in season. Additionally, they are very adaptable birds and readily take to residential areas. That makes it quite easy to entice them to feeders.\n\nGila Woodpeckers also look different from other Melanerpes species such as the Acorn Woodpecker and Red-headed woodpecker. The picture shows the bird’s rather bland looking tan feathers. The male has a red crown on the top of the head.\n\nWoodpeckers: Picoides\n\npicture of an Arizona Woodpecker\nThe Arizona Woodpecker ranks among the least ranging of all North American woodpecker species. It’s primarily a Mexican species and it spills over the border to Southwest New Mexico and Southeast Arizona.\n\nAs the picture shows, it’s also the only native species with brown and white feathers.\n\npicture of a Three-toed Woodpecker\nWhen the woodpecker discussion turns to climate, the American Three-toed Woodpecker gets the nod as the most hardy of the native woodpecker species. It breeds farther north than any other American woodpecker.\n\n\nPopulations in the far north and high mountains may migrate to the valleys, and on rare occurrences even further south, during the winter. According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department,\n\nIn Arizona, these woodpeckers occur in higher elevations of the White Mountains, Mogollon Rim, San Francisco Peaks, Kaibab Plateau and the Chuska Mountains on the Navaj\n\npicture of a downy woodpecker\nNorth America’s most diverse woodpecker genera, Picoides, records nine separate species. The smallest and most common Picoides, the Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) adapts equally well to most wilderness and residential areas with trees.\n\n\npicture of a male ladder-backed woodpecker\nLess wide ranging, the Ladder-backed woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) makes its home in a variety of Southwest habitats, from cacti to forest areas. A pattern of striped feathers on the back and spots on the breast provide initial identification marks. Males, like the one in picture two also have a red cap. Ladder-backed Woodpeckers look very similar to Nuttall’s Woodpecker, another Picoides species. However, Nuttall’s are limited to the coastal areas of California.\n\nIn that small area where the species overlap, the two species are known to inter-breed.\n\npicture of a Hairy Woodpecker\n\nThey are a very common species across the United States because they are adaptable to forests and residential areas alike. Look for them at the backyard feeder.\n\nArizona Woodpeckers: Sapsuckers\n\nWhile none of the sapsucker species are endemic to Arizona, the presence of all four native sapsucker species says nothing says Arizona woodpeckers like the sapsuckers.\n\npicture of a red-naped sapsuckerThe Red-naped Sapsucker picks up its range where the Red-breasted Sapsucker range ends, the forest areas of the Rocky Mountain region. They are migratory and while some will take to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains during the winter months, many also Sapsuckers winter in Mexico, and central America. When they migrate to the valleys they are often seen in residential areas.\n\npicture of a red-breasted sapsucker\nFour sapsucker species (Sphyrapicus) drill their wells in trees from coast to coast. The Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber), pictured above, the West Coast variant, spend their summers in higher elevation forests near rivers and streams. Some populations migrate down to the valleys during winters.\n\npicture of a Williamson's Sapsucker\nWilliamson’s Sapsuckers inhabit the mountain areas of the West, including the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada.\n\nOf special interest is that males and females diverge in their physical appearance. Males, like the one pictured, have distinct black feathers on the head, complimented by white striped and a red throat. Females have brown feathers on the head and and black and white barred feather pattern on the body. Both sexes have yellow bellies.\n\nLike other sapsuckers, they are not typical feeder birds, only occasional.\n\npicture of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker\n\n\n\nShare Your Pictures and Stories", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9297599792480469}
{"content": "Transport-regulated immunity\n\nTo better understand the multi-layered immune responses plants mount against invading microbes, our research addresses transport-regulated immunity through the engagement of the secretory and endocytic trafficking pathways. Our research covers the spectrum of transport-regulated immunity in four major areas:\n\n\n  1. Endocytic transport: What are the cargo and molecular determinants that control immune receptor localization and sorting? How does inhibition of endocytosis affect immune receptor responses?\n  2. Secretory transport: What are the cargoes that are secreted upon immune stimulation? What are the mechanisms that regulate their trafficking? And how do these cargoes fight pathogens?\n  3. Pathogen-targeted transport: What are the effectors by which pathogens modulate subcellular transport? How do they function?\n  4. Transport-regulated stomatal immunity: What is the biomechanical basis of cell dynamics in closure/opening of stomata? And what are the molecular regulators and subcellular transport processes that translate immune signalling into a biomechanical response?\n\nProminent vesicle cargoes include plasma membrane-localized receptors that mediate the perception of microbe-associated molecular patterns and trigger immunity. Well-known examples include the FLAGELLIN SENSING 2 (FLS2) and EF-TU receptor kinases responsible for the recognition of bacterial flagellin (flg22) and EF-TU (elf18), respectively, and the Cf receptor-like proteins, which were initially identified as resistance (R) proteins conferring immunity against specific races of Cladosporium fulvum fungi.\n\nWe are applying a combination of live-cell imaging techniques, genetic, biochemical and molecular biological approaches to dissect the subcellular transport processes and their role in plant immunity. In particular, we develop methods that allow quantitative, high-throughput imaging to advance plant cell biology towards more unbiased, “omics”-type approaches, and as a result have generated a number of image analysis tools (\n\nIdentifying cargoes and the molecular switches involved in transport-regulated immunity will allow understanding how plants defend pathogens. Knowledge obtained from this study can be used as strategy in modern crop breeding such as facilitating the large-scale phenotyping.\n\nAll published materials are available on request.\n\nThese seeds are available in NASC:\n\nN2105602 – Ws-0/FLS2p::FLS2-3myc-GFP (Robatzek et al. Genes Dev 2006)\nN2105603 – Col-0/FLS2p::FLS2-3myc-GFP (Beck et al. Plant Cell 2012)\nN2106713 aca8 (Frei dit Frey et al. Plant Physiol 2010)\nN2106712aca10 (Frei dit Frey et al. Plant Physiol 2010)\nN2105598 aca8 aca10 (Frei dit Frey et al. Plant Physiol 2010)\nN2105599 – aca8 35S::ApoAeq (Frei dit Frey et al. Plant Physiol 2010)\nN2105600 aca10 35S::ApoAeq (Frei dit Frey et al. Plant Physiol 2010)\nN2105601 aca8 aca10 35S::ApoAeq (Frei dit Frey et al. Plant Physiol 2010)\n\nYou can find our published plasmids here:\n\n\n\nOur research is supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation , the European Research Council (ERC), the German Research Council (DFG), the ERASMUS program, and Industry funds. Our research is also supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), as part of the Institute Strategic Programme on Biotic Interactions for Crop Productivity (BIO) in collaboration with the John Innes Centre.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9964521527290344}
{"content": "Ethnomusicology [Studying music and sound through a specific group or culture of people]\n\nArt Institute 2014\n\nField Work Proposal [Phases 1, 2, & 3]: Northern Thailand/Southern Laos/Golden Triangle!\n\n\nI have chosen a lush and mountainous region in Southeast Asia to arbitrate my case study. My proposal is to initially travel to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and stay a week in the city, as I slowly adapt to Thai culture within this region. Thailand is known for a more “recent” style of music called Luk Thung, which was developed in the 60’s as a response to American film soundtracks as well as some country and yodeling techniques. The Thai adapted this style of music, making it their own- though it was also influenced by techniques from Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Latin America. These are “songs [that] typically reflect the hardship of everyday life among the rural poor. Tempos tend to be slow, and singers use an expressive singing style with a lot of vibrato. Comparisons are sometimes made with country music of the United States“.  (Wikipedia- Luk Thung) While I would love to have the opportunity to record some of this richly cultural music while I’m in Thailand, it is not the direct goal of my case study. This is mainly because Luk Thung is now known for its utilization of modern electronic instruments, (such as electric guitars) and the music itself is more like contemporary power pop ballads but “[t]hey still retain enough of their traditional flavor to distinguish themselves from Westernized modern Thai pop (Sattar 1). I am interested in a style of music that was developed during an earlier time in both Thailand and Laos.\n\n\nThe Northern regions of Thailand are heavily associated with music called Mor Lam, which translates to one who is an “expert instrumentalist or singer.” Mor Lam’s roots are much older than Luk Thung, as they originated in the distinctively Laotian region (in northeastern Thailand) known as Isaan. The borders between Thailand and Laos are entirely interwoven, so many cultural traditions and styles are shared, and have blended over a period of many many years. (Truthfully, what are boarders really, anyway?)\n\nThe red region represents Isaan:\n\n\n\nIt’s important to note that the “inhabitants of Northern Thailand speak Kham Muang (also known as Northern Thai or Lanna) among themselves, though Central Thai is used in education and is understood by everyone. English is used in hotels and travel-related businesses and many educated people speak English. The Kham Muang alphabet is now studied only by scholars, and Northern Thai is commonly written with the standard Thai alphabet” (Wikipedia- Chiang Mai).\n\nThe most common religion in Chiang Mai, Thailand is Buddhism. There are over 300 “Wat,” meaning Buddhist temples in the region. There are a number of different festivals and traditions, specifically charted by the moon/Lunar calendar. “Loi Krathong (known locally as Yi Peng): Held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, being the full moon of the 2nd month of the old Lanna calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November. Every year thousands of people assemble floating banana-leaf containers (krathong) decorated with flowers and candles onto the waterways of the city to worship the Goddess of Water. Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom fai or kom loi), which are hot-air balloons made of paper, are launched into the air. The sky lanterns are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to decorate houses and streets” (Wikipedia- Chiang Mai).\n\nLoi Krathong\n\n\n\nAs I plan on fully experiencing this region, I will surely be asking the locals about traditional “mor lum, maw lam, maw lum, moh lam and mhor lim, as all these names refer to the same kind of music played and sung by experts.\n\nPerhaps it will occur in Isaan, or really anywhere between Thai and Lao borders, I will record Mor Lam (such as this next video which includes an ensemble of playful vocals, clapping, traditional Laotian khene, drums, small chimes, hand-gestured dancing, and tons of smiles 🙂\n\nMor Lam is based upon Glawn, or Gaun, which is the content focus of traditional Lao music. Glawn is a verse form used in both the poetry and songs of the Lao People. It is the most common text in traditional Mor Lam, and is made up of four-line stanzas, each with seven basic syllables. When Glawn/Gaun is sung or spoken in a form of heightened speech, it often includes extra, unstressed syllables, making it rather regimented. “There is a set pattern for the tone marks to be used at various points in the stanza, plus rhyme schemes to hold the unit together. Performances of glawn are typically memorised rather than improvised” (Wikipedia- Glawn). Often, the Glawn performance is accompanied by the Laotian “khene (khaen in Thailand) [which] is the iconic instrument of the Lao people, including those living in Isaan, the region of Northeast Thailand that formerly belonged to Laos. The khene is basically a bamboo harmonica, two rows of pipes connected in a raft-like form. The player breathes in and out, creating an insistent rhythmic groove. The singing, or lam, is often done by a male and female in a kind of teasing, yet playful repartee” (Haji Maji 1).\n\nI feel that I could capture some fairly unique recordings of Mor Lam, mostly because a lot of what I heard was lo-fidelity/quality. You aren’t able to hear the full set of instrumental harmonics, and most of the timbral qualities are overshadowed by heavy noise-floors that occurred during recording.\n\nMaster Daeng Toy is considered to be one of the greatest Khene players:\n\n\nAs I plan on making my way through these regions for at least a month, I will be focusing heavily the various forms of instrumentation. Thailand is swarming with a multitude of different kinds of instruments, all of which are plucked, bowed, stricken, and blown. I’m less interested in the heavy gong traditions introduced to Thailand from Indonesia (For instance: the Gamelan Ensembles which have already had an extensive amount of research.) I am more curious about the free-reed instruments such as the Khene, or the aerophonic Pi Chum/ Pi Nai which is a free reed pipe used in the the Thai Lanna (northern) region. There are various types of Pi’s, “[which is the] generic term for any of a variety of quadruple reed oboes used in the traditional music of Thailand. It is very similar in construction and playing technique to the Cambodian sralai(Wikipedia- Pi (Instrument). There is a Pi Nok, (the smallest, and most ancient instrumental Pi in Thailand), the Pi Nai which is commonly seen in Thai literature, such as the Phra Aphai Mani. There is also a Pi Cha Nai, which has two parts made of both wood and ivory. It is believed that this instrument obtained its musical influence from India, as it closely resembles the Indian Shehnai. The Pi Chawa is longer than the Pi Cha Nai in length, and is generally played alongside the Glong Khaek (drums that are always played in a pair, and played by 2 players.) The Pi Mon is the “greater” version of the Pi Chawa, and has 2 parts and made from wood and metal. This instrument is played at the classical Thai Piphat Ensemble, consisting of numerous wood and percussion instruments. The Piphat Ensemble is considered to be a musical interpretation of the most sacred “high-class” compositions of Thai classical repertoire.\n\n\n\nThe Bamboo Drum, or Klong Mai Phai is an instrument that has nearly vanished- therefore, I find it imperative to find, capture, and record the sounds and music that it can make. It was very difficult for me to find any samples of this idiophonic drum online (except on this website: (  According to, “[s]ome decades ago, when kids had to take their buffaloes out to graze, their parents would give them the instrument they’d devised to keep their children entertained. It is easy to make and play, and so good for beginners. Unfortunately this bamboo drum is going to become extinct since the only people left playing today are our grandpas and grandmas.”\n\nThe other traditional instruments in Northern Thailand/Laos are these different types of chordophones (as pictured below.) There are also a number of dissimilar shaped/sized hand-drums.\n\n\n\nLong ago, Thai people understood how to make their own innovative musical instruments. Once they came into contact with various Indian cultures (prominent throughout Southeast Asia at the time), the Thai became rather skilled with duplicating Indian instrumental patterns. As a result, several new kinds of instruments were created after exposure with the Indian musical culture. This included many different versions of aerophonic flutes, chordophonic stringed instruments and idiophonic gongs.\n\nAs pictured above, here is a popular instrument called the Pin-Pia, which is considered to be the National instrument of Thailand. (This instrument has undergone very little changes from the past to present) The “Pin-Pia pieces [you can hear below] are performed by Cun Smithitham in July 2005: this instrument has three strings and the vibrato is made by cupping a half coconut shell on your naked breast” (David Soldier 1). This particular instrument is 3000 years old.\n\n\nEthnomusicologist/Field Recordist Dave Soldier has some gorgeous field recordings of the Pin Pia on his website: Check out these recordings here!\n\nAll together, there are about 50 types of Thai musical instruments. The earliest Thai ensembles included woodwind and percussion instruments, originally  for the purpose of theatre accompaniment.  The Thai scale includes seven equal notes, instead of a mixture of tones and semitones. Instruments improvise around a central melody. Not only is traditional Thai music unique for its sound, but also for the absence of written music. The only way to learn it is from the masters, making it a rare art form (one could be so lucky to learn…)\n\n\nMy ultimate goal is to make my way towards the Golden Triangle (one of Asia’s 2 main Opium producing areas where Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar all converge at one point.) While the Opium is rather prevalent, I’m obviously more-so focused on the historical folk traditions and styles that have coincided between these countries. It does make me a bit nervous that before the 21st century, the Golden Triangle produced more illicit Heroin than anywhere else in the world. Eventually, Afghanistan became the worlds largest producer, so maybe I can wipe some sweat of my forehead? Apparently, many of the poppy plantations have been replaced with tea crops!\n\n\n\nDuring my research, I found that the Golden Triangle has a rich musical culture of its own! And who other than my own most revered record label to record such music?! Sublime Frequencies; a local Seattle Record Label that seeks to travel the world and record music from different remote regions. [I have my mind set on eventually working with these like-minded folks.]\n\nHere is a piece of music from the Golden Triangle recorded by Sublime Frequencies in 2005. “Guitars of the Golden Triangle” featuring twangy-electric guitar, child-like vocals, and percussion in a 2/4 shuffle.\n\nUnfortunately many of the music pieces are not able to be played without purchasing the Vinyl/LP’s, though I have also found that Sublime Frequencies (Specifically Laurent Jeanneau: Kink Gong Records)  has recorded Ethnic Minority music from Southern Laos.\n\n\n“This is a collection of landmark recordings by Laurent Jeanneau documenting music created by the Harak and various Brao ethnic groups in Southern Laos. Here you can hear the true historic roots of Molam music (now a venerable popular music style in Laos and Thailand) played on the Khaen along with vocal styles from this region. Also featured here are Gong ensembles, various stringed instruments, cymbals, drums, and sung poetry all captured live on location with the ambient sounds of the surrounding villages. These recordings were made in Xekong, Champasak and Attapeu provinces and because much of this music is unknown, this is probably the first time recordings have ever been released of indigenous music from these remote areas of Southern Laos. This is the second release in a series of spectacular field recordings from some of the more remote ethnic minority communities in Southeast Asia. Features insightful liner notes by Laurent Jeanneau and extended track listing with added information about each track recorded” (SF036 – Ethnic Minority Music of Southern Laos- Sublime Frequencies).\n\nI also found another resource for music in the Golden Triangle; Francois Jouffa (This biography is all in French…) Jouffa released a compilation in 1980 under the “Musical Heritage Society” His LP can be purchased here:çois-Jouffa-Music-Of-The-Chinese-Tribes-In-The-Golden-Triangle/release/3624405 and it features music from the various Chinese Tribes who immigrated to the Golden Triangle region many years ago.\n\nchinese tribes golden triangle\n\nThe Akha tribe inhabits the small villages among the mountains of Burma (Myanmar), China, Laos and the northern Thailand.\n\n\nThe majority of the Akha people are animists, meaning that they believe that animals, plants, and inanimate objects/phenomena posses a spiritual essence. It is in this way that the Akha people (as well as many of the other hilltribes in Southeast Asia) live out their their lives. With this sort of respect for the environment, this traditional Chinese tribe manages to live in harmony with the nature around them.\n\n\n“The Shaman or the Spiritual Leader is the most important person in every Akha village. Furthermore Akha see themselves as a link in the great continuum of Akha history and they are in a very close relationship with their ancestors. All Akha traditions and ceremonies are called “The Akha Way” [which] determines their whole life – their manners, the way they treat one another, how they view sickness, how their houses look like and many more” (Blazejewska 1).akha village 2 “The role of music in pre-literate societies cannot be underestimated, for the oral arts have functioned throughout the millennia as the primary channel for sustaining history, myths, customs, laws, knowledge, and beliefs, thereby linking the first ancestor with all who follow. This is so beautifully illustrated by the Akha saying: “If a village has no music, how can it be called a village?”\n\n\n\nThrough research, I found that there is an “Indigenous People’s Festival” in Chiang Mai that occurs in early August. This wasn’t necessarily the timing that I was planning on, but it’s something to think about when purchasing tickets. Sometimes the festivals are authentic, but there are also a good many that are designed to entertain tourists. I would rather not be perceived this way. This next video is not the greatest quality, as we can hear the entire environment louder than the actual singing. However, I felt it would be interesting to show that the various Akha tribes share the same funeral customs of singing together.\n\nakha dance\n\n\nThe Songs of Memory museum exhibition is a multi-media display that presents comprehensive collections of musical instruments, tribal textiles, jewelry, films, and photographs of the six major tribal groups living in the Golden Triangle—the Hmong, Mien, Lahu, Akha, Lisu, and Karen. (I will briefly speak about the Karen tribe later). Music is entirely important, and with modernization occurring at a rapid pace, it’s essential to capture, honor, and respect the sounds of their ancestors.\n\nClick this link to see the tribal instruments of the Akha peoples. \n\n\nAs far as equipment goes, I wanted to give a brief overview of how to best capture sound while field recording. Achieving a bit of popularity in the 1970’s, field recording has become its own viable and expressive art form. With the introduction of high-quality portable recording equipment, there has never been an easier time to begin recording and sampling natural sounds in any given environment. Today, we have the luxury of not having to record to tape. This has its ups and downs, but with regards to digital recordings, portability has never been easier. The first important piece of equipment needed is the field recorder itself. Depending on one’s budget, there are a wide range of portable and high-quality recorders. If you want to keep the price range under $3-400, you may consider purchasing a Zoom H4N or H6 with interchangeable microphone capsules. Marrantz, Edirol, and M-Audio also make inexpensive options that are simple to use and can capture high-fidelity stereo field recordings (without much of a hassle.) If your budget is much greater and you are recording at a more professional level, prices can easily range to thousands of dollars. A good example is the Sound Device. Even the 702, high-resolution 2-channel recorder is nearly $2000. It is quite evident that with this particular manufacturer, (and most others) the more channels you want, the more expensive it will cost- (2-channels= $2000, 4 channels= $4000, etc).\n\n\nFor my Southeast Asia trip, I plan on being realistic as to what I own, and have access to as a young field recordist- I own the Zoom H6 with interchangeable microphone capsules. (It comes with an M/S style transducer that pics up on 2-sides of its ball-like head, an X/Y stereo capsule that can spread to both 90 and 120 degrees for more or less of a span of stereo imagery, and I also purchased the interchangeable shotgun mic mount. Each of these mics have respective wind-guards to cut down on environmental noises…like wind, which has the ability to destroy an otherwise awesome recording.) I would like to purchase the Shure VP88 as a single point, stereo condenser as well. I will also bring a stereo pair of AKG 214’s, or something comparable. This way I can have my choice of what will sound the best in any given scenario. I will bring this kit with a ton of back up batteries. I learned the hard-way that water damages equipment, sometimes so much so that you can no longer can use your expensive gear. I would like to find out if there are any water-proofing options for my equipment, or if we have to solely rely on umbrellas?  \n\n\nAs far as translation services go, I found that Chiang Mai has a number of resources, as well as people to translate Thai into English. A company called “CNX Translation” provides not only Thai–>English translation, but also Simplified and Traditional Chinese into English. This would be rather essential considering I’m not only searching for musicians of one cultural background–I need someone who can translate Thai, Chinese (of different dialects), as well as Laotian. The CNX business has great rates although, “The price can vary depending on factors such as nature of text, deadline, availability and long-term relationship.” This company generally deals with documents that need to be translated, rather than traveling/tour guide translators. However, upon contact with this company I would be able to discover if they would be able to help me out quite quickly. If they cannot- they may know who can.\n\n\n\nI also discovered Chiang Mai Tour Guides at a website called This company prides itself on the fact that they do tours/activities, and translating. This may be a better company for what I’m specifically looking for. Especially if I need to go towards Southern Laos, as well as the Golden Triangle. This company has a tour that goes to the Golden Triangle, as well as a tribe called “The Karen Long-Neck Tribe.” This is most certainly something that I could get behind. Maybe this indigenous group of people would be interested in recording the songs of their ancestors. These “[w]omen put brass rings on their necks when they are 5 or 6 years old and increase the number every year until their necks become longer, as a symbol of beauty. They are one of the most interesting hill tribes in the world” (\n\n\nJust like the prior translation company, these are great places to start looking. If one company cannot do what I need, they may be able to refer me in a better direction.\n\n\nAs far as the trip itself goes, I am planning as though this is a real trip my husband I and will be taking. There will be no crew besides he and I, though he is also a musician and knows very well how to handle audio equipment. I would love to bring a video camera, or have him take any sort of directed footage. However, it is true that I specialize in field recordings, which forces the listener to visualize what they are hearing. I enjoy this. Video camera or not, my mission is for the audio recordings.\n\n\nAfter doing research, I found that the best time to travel in Southeast Asia is November through February. Assuming we leave this coming November 2014, are away for 1 month, and return in December 2014, tickets are about $1,100 per head (Korean Air). This should technically be the most expensive part of the get-away. Going through Trip Advisor, I chose to use This graph shows that we would depart from Seattle at 12:40pm- and land in Seoul, Korea (5,196 miles away)- and the overall trip would be 12 hours. Then, we would be taking Korean Air from Seoul to Chiang Mai, which is a 5 hour and 55 minute flight. (2,109 miles).\n\nThis is a long trip! [BUT SO WORTH IT!]\n\nSun, Nov 02 – Departure 1 stopTotal travel time : 19h 0m\nWeb Fare\n  • Seattle\n  • SEA 12:40pm\n  • Seoul\n  • ICN 5:40pm + 1 day\n  • Arrives on Mon, Nov 03\n12h 0m\n5,196 mi\n  • Korean Air 20\n  • Economy/Coach (T)\n  • 772 – BOEING 777/200 |  Lunch |  Dinner\n\nLayover:  1h 5m\n\nWeb Fare\n  • Seoul\n  • ICN 6:45pm\n  • Departs on Mon, Nov 03\n  • Chiang Mai\n  • CNX 10:40pm\n  • Arrives on Mon, Nov 03\n5h 55m\n2,109 mi\n\n\nI have done my best to connect with people through Instragram and Facebook who live in Chiang Mai, and so far have met a lovely lady from Australia currently living in Chiang Mai. Having been there for some time, she offered to meet up with me and show me the ropes. I feel so blessed that it’s not that hard these days to link up with people over the internet (without feeling at all endangered.) I will be counting on people who I meet who can lead me in the right direction in order to accomplish my goals.\n\nLAVISH HOTEL STAY (1/4 of the trip) & VILLAGE ROOMS (3/4 of the trip)\n\nThe 4 Seasons in Chiang Mai is absolutely gorgeous, and yes. It’s a 5 star hotel. The structure is pushed up against a green-belt jungle and it would be a FABULOUS place to get started before the real journey throughout the villages begins. (This being said, it is $392.00 a night to stay at the 4 Seasons). I would consider staying here for a week, and I’m sure my husband would agree that it would be nice to be pampered before we head into some of the indigenous villages. Sleeping in a room in the middle of a small path (really in the middle of no-where) will most likely be occurring throughout the rest of the trip. We may be taking it day by day….referral by referral…\n\n\nThere’s also another Chiang Mai hotel called The Rachamankha. This hotel looks equally as lavish, and is a much more affordable $209.00 a night. It may be a more likely possibility.\n\n\nAs far as budget goes, we’re looking at round-trip pricing around $2,400. Then, if we were to stay at The Rachamankha for a week, that’s about $1463.00. I’ve looked up a ton of restaurants and the food is all SCARILY inexpensive. Each meal is probably under $10 a day… so adding up breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week would be about $210 per person. ($420). So far, I know for the first lavish Thai experience we’ll need at least $4283. This doesn’t include translator services, touring, or activities. I think a safe bet would be to set aside $8-10,000 for the entire vacation.\n\n\nI don’t want to discount the musicians who will be involved in my concept of a world wide tapestry of musical culture and folklore. I will be paying them on the spot, almost like a “work for hire.” I think this is the best technique because copyright is a very difficult thing to get around. Especially internationally. If I wanted to collaborate with these musicians… or use their recordings to aid in the creation of my own music, I would just want to make that clear to them. This is where my translator comes into handy. I would need to draft up some extremely “easy-to-comprehend” contracts to allow for this. If I make “x” amount of money on a project that I enhance with my own musical influence, “x” amount will return to those who helped me create it.\n\n\nI plan on having extraordinary file management throughout this entire audio-collecting journey. With a couple external hard-drives and a lap top, properly organizing what I capture should be straight-forward. My goal is to create a collection of vivid field recordings (assuming there is  little to no video-footage). I will be recording in 96kHz so that the audio quality will be rather high-fidelity. I want people to visualize what they are hearing, and create their own mental imagery of Southeast Asia. The field recordings may be of some interest to certain cultural museums, or maybe even the Library of Congress!\n\nThough EarthPop Studios is officially an LLC, and label of its own, it’d be nice to have the “Sublime Frequencies stamp of approval” and have the recordings formatted for both CD and digital delivery.\n\n\n\n\nAncient Chinese Music & Mythology\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs quoted in the Canon of Shun,\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nXiao, Xun and Guzheng (Chinese zither) Trio:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Hulusheng dance of the Yi Minority\n\n\nHere’s a video of an ensemble featuring a Suona:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Music & Culture Throughout The Philippines\n\n\nThe Ifugao People\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\ndrum_dabakan (1)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAn in Depth Study on Rajasthani Music & Culture\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1876 engraving of Rajput Warriors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Jaswant Thada mausoleum in Jodhpur in the early morning.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTasha Drum\n\n\n\n\nHere’s an Mp3 example of what the Shehnai sounds like: \n\n\n\nBurst-of-Red-Holi-India (1)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMp3 Example of the Pungi\n\n\nHere’s a video that explains the Saragi in greater detail \n\n\n\n\n\nRavenhatta Mp3\n\n\n\nBhapang Mp3\n\n\n\n\nmughal women\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Study of Oceania: New Zealand\n\nMaori warrior_0\n\n\nNew Zealand: The narrow islands southeast of Australia\n\n\n\npoiWhio (2)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\npoiWhio (2)\n\n\nHere’s the link you can hear the TumuTumu recording\n\n\n\n\nMaori Women hard at word (circa 1930)\n\n\nThe Oldtime Māori (1938) Photo by Mākerti Papakura\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCultural Insider Vs. Cultural Outsider\n\nSince its release in 2008, New Age/electronic  group Enigma’s, Seven Lives Many Faces has been an album of personal comfort. The very first time I heard the artistry within “The Same Parents”, I noticed a sense of primordial awareness stirring in my soul. Through the lyrics, I felt in-tune with the message and intention of the song. Through my own inner sense of being, I feel that everyone and everything is naturally interwoven through the same breath of life. As a human, I feel I have a lot of responsibility to treat the planet [and it’s respective inhabitants] with great reverence.\n\nFor centuries upon end, humans have fought one-another in order to have their tribes and villages come out on-top biologically. There are plenty of differing causes for people not having the conscientious ability to peacefully coincide with one-another. Perhaps they were neighboring villages, or two civilizations so racially similar, it was threatening, or unclear who was ‘right’ and who was ‘wrong’ in their respective belief systems.\n\nRomanian-German musician and producer, Michael Cretu, spreads an important message still very much needed in today’s day in age. Cultural genocides, racial obliteration, and massive destruction through war has slaughtered more than just human-beings…and in the end, for what?\n\nThe human ego seeks control.\n\nInstrumentally, the piece fades in with a plucked (pizzicato) guitar melody line. A child speaks with (what in my opinion) sounds both sad and aware, “In the beginning, We all had the same parents, Many million years ago, Why can’t we live in freedom? Without hunger, with no war.”\n\nA violin saturated with reverb holds the base-line, while a series of strings gracefully plays on-top, assisting in compositional development.\n\nWhen the percussion comes in, the beat is seemingly very simple, though many various samples and drum-elements are used along side the young singer to create a rather enchanted sound…it almost begs people to think outside themselves for the 3:32 it plays.\n\nAt the beginning we all had one mother and one father. That’s where we’re descending from. Attention, I don’t, I don’t understand, Why so much hate? Attention Between races and religions. It’s mad, insane, I don’t understand. Amazing, Why it has to be like that? Incredible experience. We all had the same parents, Many million years ago. Why can’t we live in freedom?Without hunger, with no war. Attention, I don’t, I don’t understand, Why so much hate? Amazing, Between races and religions, Incredible experience, etc.”\n\n…..Now on the flip side, I must present a piece of music (or style) that makes me extremely uncomfortable for whatever reason, be it musical or the message it stands for. I can appreciate the skill one must acquire to snort like a pig and scream like a banshee- but I just don’t find this “sub-genre” of metal appealing to listen to for more than a couple seconds at a time. This is simply because it fatigues my ears and is often-times very shrill, over-compressed, and rather deafening.\n\nThere is so much going on at once: the guitars are intentionally out-of-tune, and the music is arranged in an unexpected, uncomfortable manner. Instrumentally there’s very little headroom in the mix, giving it next to no space to breathe. I can respect the skill it takes for double-kick bass drum pedal techniques, and having 16th notes, grouped in two, spread across two feet. This is a genre that takes an insane amount of practice and skill to withstand its blood-thirsty fans.\n\nWhile I can’t directly understand the lyrics, the artist inaudibly screams “Your eyes silently scream astonishing grief. The satisfaction I devour is not retribution. Your sorrow’s my devotion. I’ll be rewarded with your degradation. Nourished by bitter passions, My hunger for human deprivation will be quenched. No retribution. Your sorrow’s my devotion.”\n\nNow that I just decided to slit my wrists, let’s all hold hands and dance around a rainbow! Maybe this is just my own form of ethnocentrism, as I’m just not in a death-metal state of mind.\n\n\n“Furtive Monologue Lyrics – Despised Icon.” FURTIVE MONOLOGUE LYRICS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“Enigma Seven Lives, Many Faces.” Enigma. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. <,-Many-Faces/>.\n\n“A Metal State of Mind.” A Metal State of Mind. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“Michael Cretu.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 27 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\nThe Sachs-Hornbostel System\n\nIn the field of Ethnomusicology, the Sachs-Hornbostel System had been arranged and published as a system of musical instrument classification in 1914. As the structure was originally presented in German through the Zeitschrift für Ethnologie publication, an English translation was announced through the Galpin Society Journal (GSJ) in 1960.\n\nThe Zeitschrift für Ethnologie, or “Journal of Ethnology” first appeared in 1869. Originally focusing on German ethnology, the journal branched out internationally, and still creates various publications on the subject.\n\nFounded in 1946,The Galpin Society sought to research musical instruments based upon their history, construction, development, and overall use. Still today, the society welcomes those interested in studying musical instruments from all over the world. The society commemorates the name of Canon Francis W. Galpin (1858-1945) who studied, collected, and made his own musical instruments from scratch.\n\nHere is a picture of Canon Galpin playing a “Tromba Marina” from his personal collection:\n\n\nAs we will learn after reading this post, Galpin’s “Tromba Marina” appears to be a bowed lute in the chordophone category…\n\nLooking back at the Sachs-Hornbostel System, Austrian scholar of music Eric Moritz Von Hornbostel, co-authored the instrumental arrangement with German Ethnomusicologist and modern Organologist, Curt Sachs. The systems intention was to organize musical instruments into four primary categories based on what part of the instrument vibrates to produce the sound. Regardless of there being several subcategories, the top four are:\n\n\nThese instruments produce sound through the direct vibration of air. They are typically subdivided into three categories: Flutes, Reeds, and Trumpets.\n\n\nWhen a column of air is set into vibration through breath, the air is split on an edge. It can be  made from a tube of metal, wood, or ebonite usually with  six holes at one end of the tube. With the end of the tube sealed with a cork,  the player is able to blow his/her lips across the embouchure (position of the lips in/on the mouthpiece) or hole. The air directed into the tube causes turbulence and vibrates within the tube.\n\nR. Carlos Nakai’s serene Native American flute performance. [He plays a few different sizes and kinds of flutes throughout this video, and you will be able to decipher between the different timbral qualities between each flute.]\n\n\nThe end of the players’ mouth is not open to the outside air, so unlike the  flute, the air is not free to move in and out. Reeds have one or more small pieces of material like cane, bamboo, or metal that vibrates when air is blown over or through them into a tube.\n\n\nA performer must blow into instrument by vibrating their lips at high  speed. This force acts as the reed itself, and the vibration is harnessed to produce the sound. Trumpet players can modulate pitch by changing the  pressure on their lips and the force of air blown into the mouthpiece. They can  also change pitch by changing the length of the tubing through which air flows.\n\nDuke Ellington with Cat Anderson [Trumpet Solo]\n\n*For information about another amazing aerophone, the Cambodian M’baut/Chinese Hulusheng  (An intricate Mouth Organ found all over Southeast Asia), Please click this link! I created a detailed post a couple of months ago, and think you may like it!\n\n\nDefined as having one or more strings stretched between two points. Sound is produced when a string is able to vibrate. The shape/body of the instrument distinguishes the two basic types of chordophone (though there are many more subtypes!)\n\n\nGenerally plucked, the reverberant qualities fade away almost  immediately as each note subsides. When a lute is bowed, the string vibration  does not fade away until the bowing has subsided. Lutes can also be fretless (like a fretless bass or guitar), or they can have frets. Frets are straight bars of material (wood/bamboo/metal) that are carefully placed on the neck of a lute vertically, underneath the horizontal strings. When pressing the string to the fret, the player is guided in obtaining his/her desired pitch. Fretted lutes tend to be plucked, while fretless lutes are most commonly bowed.\n\nJohn Playford with a fretted lute [plucked]\n\nFusani Tia & Muhammad Kusanii on the Fretless Talensi fiddle in Gana, Africa\n\n\nPlucked, bowed, or hammered (which tends to have more reverberant sound timbre than other types of chordophones.)\n\nBowed Zither duet with Harp\n\nPlucked Chinese Guzheng \n\nHammered Zither in Central Park NYC [Celtic]\n\nThe timbral qualities will also be deciphered based upon whether or not the lute or zither is plucked with a finger or plectrum, which is thin flat piece of plastic, tortoise-shell, or flexible material held or worn on the fingers and used to pluck the strings of for example, a guitar, or the Chinese Guzheng (which can be played with both fingers and a plectrum.)\n\nTortoise Shell Picks\n\nLyres and Harps also technically fall under the category of Chordophones due to their construction. An open frame suspends the strings vertically on both of these instruments. This design allows the player to pluck each string. While it may be difficult to distinguish the auditory different between a lyre and a harp, the construction of the instruments is quite recognizable.\n\nAlemannic Warrior Lyre/Trossingen Lyre (6th Century Germanic Lyre) \n\nHarp + Vocal/ Förgätmigej: The Flower of Magherally\n\n\nCreate sound through actual vibrations within the instrument itself. The vibrations compress and rarefy the surrounding air to create sound which travels to our ears in the form of longitudinal waves. Examples of Idiophones are xylophones, hi-hats, bells, rattles, and cymbals. Even slamming doors are idiophones!\n\n\nGongs, bells, wood blocks/Claves, (anything that can be struck to produce  various sound qualities. These instruments are normally categorized timbrally by their sharp attack once they’ve been stricken.\n\nBalinese Gamelan Ensemble\n\n\nSmall plucked idiophones are called “lamellophones” meaning they   have a tongue or prong that is flexed and then released. This action creates a  crisp short sound before the vibrating prong (lamella) desists.\n\nMbira + Vocal\n\nThere are also single plucked prongs (lamella) that can be amplified by the mouth cavity. These are called Jaw or Jew Harps (coming from the French word Jeu, meaning “Game”) Just about every culture has their own version of this instrument, and naturally, it has a different name in every country. This would fall under the category of a plucked idiophone.\n\nHow to play the Jaw/Jew Harp\n\n\nrattles, shakers, or anything hollowed out and filled with pebbles, seeds, or sand. When the particles bounce against the outer shell of the instrument, vibration occurs causing a crisp sound in the upper register. Another instrument called the “Shekere” has a woven net of beads and shells on loosely attached    to the outside of a gourd.\n\nCaribbean style Maracas \n\nYosvany Terry on the Shekere\n\n\nare most commonly percussion instruments. They usually consist of a hollow cylinder with a vibrating membrane stretched across each end. Traditionally, the membrane was made of animal skin, but today they are manufactured in mass quantities with synthetic membranes instead. Drums are categorized by body shape, and whether or not they are single or double headed. Most drums are struck with a hand or stick with different shapes/materials. Smaller drums usually have a higher, tighter sound, while larger drums naturally have more space inside the instrument. For this reason, big drums are louder with deeper tones.\n\nEric Piza on Bongos\n\nJapanese Taiko Drums by Kodo\n\nAs technology has become a large part of contemporary society, Electrophones have also become the fifth category we consider. Any instrument that is generated by electrical means is considered an Electrophone.\n\nPresenting… the Seaboard Grand by Roli:\n\n\nMiller, Terry E., and Andrew Shahriari. World Music: A Global Journey. New York, NY: Routledge, 2012. Print.\n\n“Sachs–Hornbostel.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Sept. 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <–Hornbostel>.\n\n“Erich Moritz Von Hornbostel.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 June 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“Organology.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“Galpin Society For the Study of Musical Instruments.” Galpin Society – Home. N.p., 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“Zeitschrift Für Ethnologie.” Home –. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“How Does the Flute Work?” How Does the Flute Work. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n” How Do Woodwind Instruments Work? .” How Do Woodwind Instruments Work?N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“How Does a Trumpet Produce Sound?” – N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.\n\n“Membranophones.” The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <>.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9508984088897705}
{"content": "Give Now\n\nHistorian Says 1933 Bank Crisis Similar to Current Slump\n\nBloomington-based author and historian Robert Fuller has spent the last three years researching not what caused the current banking crisis, but what caused a similar meltdown in 1933.  WFIU’s Stan Jastrzebski caught up with Fuller and found out that, while there are parallels between the two economic slowdowns, common tales about the Great Depression and the crisis may not be completely true.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9715037941932678}
{"content": "Medium Of Exchange\n\nWhat is a 'Medium Of Exchange'\n\nA medium of exchange is an intermediary instrument used to facilitate the sale, purchase or trade of goods between parties. For an instrument to function as a medium of exchange, it must represent a standard of value accepted by all parties. In modern economies, the medium of exchange is currency.\n\nBREAKING DOWN 'Medium Of Exchange'\n\nThe use of a medium of exchange allows for greater efficiency in an economy and creates more trade. In a traditional barter system, trade between two parties could only occur if one party had and wanted what the other party had and wanted, and vice versa. But the chances of this occurring at the same time are minimal. Let's say one party had a cow and the other had a lawn mower: with a medium of exchange such as gold coins, all the cow owner would have to do is find a buyer for the cow and she would receive gold coins. Then all she would have to do is find someone selling a lawn mower, which she could purchase with gold coins.\n\nMoney as a Medium of Exchange\n\nMoney enables anyone who has it to participate equally in market. When consumers use it to purchase something, they are essentially making a bid in response to an asking price. That is what brings order and predictability to the marketplace. Producers know what to produce and how much to charge and consumers can plan their budgets around predictable pricing.\n\nWhen money, as represented by a currency, is no longer viable as a medium of exchange, or its monetary units can no longer be accurately valued, there is no predictability, no ability to plan, no ability to gauge supply and demand. In short, the markets become chaotic. Prices are bid up for fear of scarcity and the unknown, and supply is diminished from hoarding and the inability of producers to replace it quickly enough.\n\nAlternative Currencies as a Medium of Exchange\n\nAlternative currencies have been used throughout time as a means to spur commerce or augment a national currency in times of economic duress. In the early 20th century, companies were forced to issue company scrip and other forms of emergency currency in order to pay their workers massive bank failures caused wide-spread cash shortages. The scrip could be redeemed for food and services or held for future redemption in U.S. Dollars when they became available.\n\nLocal currencies have sprung up across the United States with the primary purpose of fostering economic growth and sustainability within a region. The best known case of a successful local currency is the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. BerkShares were first issued in 2006 and are now accepted in all of communities by hundreds of businesses. The value of BerkShares are pegged to the value of the dollar but issued at a discount.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8794788718223572}
{"content": "New and forthcoming\n\nInventing Ourselves\n\nSarah-Jayne Blakemore\n\nFeatured on BBC Radio's 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage\n\nThe brain creates every feeling, emotion and desire we experience, and stores every one of our memories. And yet, until very recently, scientists believed our brains were fully developed in childhood. Now, thanks to imaging technology that enables us to look inside the living human brain at all ages, we know that this isn’t so – that the brain goes on developing and changing right through adolescence into adulthood.\n\nSo what makes the adolescent brain different? What drives the excessive risk-taking or the need for intense friendships common to this age group? Why does an easy child become a challenging teenager? And why is it that many mental illnesses – depression, addiction, schizophrenia – begin during these formative years.\n\nDrawing upon her cutting-edge research in her London laboratory, award-winning neuroscientist, Sarah-Jayne Blakemore explains what happens inside the adolescent brain, and what her team’s experiments have revealed about our behaviour, and how we relate to each other and our environment as we ?go through this period of our lives. She shows that while adolescence is a period of vulnerability, it is also a time of enormous creativity – one that should be acknowledged, nurtured and celebrated.\n\nOur adolescence provides a lens through which we can see ourselves anew. It is fundamental to how we invent ourselves.\n\nTimbuktu: A Ladybird Expert Book\n\nGus Caseley-Hayford\n\nPart of the new Ladybird Expert series, Timbuktu is a clear, simple and authoritative introduction to the land considered one of the most important trading cities of the medieval world.\n\nWritten by curator and cultural historian Gus Casely-Hayford, this book delves into the rise of the largest empire in West Africa and what made Timbuktu the most significant Saharan desert-port of the age.\n\nYou'll see the Mali Empire in its golden age, teeming with riches, scholars and trade. A history steeped in magicians, epic wars, story-tellers and missing ships. You'll learn what made Timbuktu so notorious and irresistible to the Emperor, and why centuries later it still enchants the Western World with its beauty, wealth, mystery, intellectual excellence and legacy.\n\n\n\nClass of '88\n\nWayne Anthony\n\nOrganised crime puts on a smiley face.\n\nWhen the Summer of Love hit Britain in ’88, Wayne embraced the bright new world of dance music, MDMA and all-night celebrations. But alongside the ecstasy, his natural East End entrepreneurial instincts kicked in, and he began to organise the infamous Genesis dance parties for thousands of kids. Wayne soon became a key figure in the high octane, technicolour rave scene.\n\nBut beneath the shiny, smiley surfaces, he quickly found himself in a vicious world of violence, police harassment and organised crime, for which he was totally unsuited and unprepared. He was beaten by ex-paratroopers, menaced by gangsters, kidnapped, confronted with sawn off shotguns and threatened with murder, all so Britain could party like never before.\n\nWhen Class of ’88 was first published, it was so popular that Foyles dedicated an entire window to the book for a month. Now, re-issued for the 30th anniversary, this is Wayne’s very lively, highly individual account of the two years he spent as an illegal party promoter, leading the rave revolution which was sweeping the UK, changing lives, music and popular culture forever.\n\nThe Magical Fantastical Fridge\n\nHarlan Coben (and others)\n\n#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Harlan Coben partners with a talented debut illustrator in this fantastical and funny adventure for fans of David Wiesner and William Joyce.\n\nHave you ever noticed how magical your family fridge is?\n\nNeither has Walden...until now.\n\nSuddenly he finds himself transported into one of his own drawings on the fridge as he begins an unforgettable adventure.\n\nHe'll battle a crayon monster, catch an airplane ride into an old photo, escape a troop of monkeys and much more. All of the items displayed there have come alive to bring him a new understanding of his big, busy family.\n\nYou'll love studying the dynamic, detailed illustrations in this zany, surprise-filled journey that culminates in a heartfelt appreciation of those closest to us.\n\nThe Salt Path\n\nRaynor Winn\n\nJust days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years is terminally ill, their home and livelihood is taken away. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall.\n\n\n\n\nGabriela Herstik\n\nInfuse a drop of magick into your everyday life.\n\nGuided by writer, fashion alchemist and modern witch, Gabriela Herstik unlocks the ancient art of witchcraft so that you can find a brand of magick that works for you.\n\nFrom working with crystals, tarot and astrology, to understanding sex magick, solstices and full moons; learn how to harness energy, unleash your inner psychic and connect with the natural world.\n\nFull of spells and rituals for self-care, new opportunities and keeping away toxic energy, Craft is the essential lifestyle guide for the modern woman who wants to take control and reconnect with herself.\n\nAfter all, empowered women run the world (and they’re probably witches).\n\nThe Periodic Table of Feminism\n\nMarisa Bate\n\nThe history of feminism told through its most prominent advocates, including a diverse range of international names and faces.\n\nThe Periodic Table of Feminism is an empowering, engaging and informed look at the feminist movement through the international figures who have shaped it, from Mary Wollstonecraft to Caitlin Moran by way of Simone de Beauvoir and Oprah. Featuring 130 figures as well as 10 additional ‘top ten’ lists, the book will offer new angles on famous faces as well as introduce you to some unsung heroes.\n\nWhile the narrative takes the reader through feminisms struggle from the first wave to the fourth, the table offers a key to understanding how these women and the battles they fought speak to each other across time and continents: if you’re inspired by Sheryl Sandberg, prepared to be equally wowed by Frances Harper and Alison Bechdel.\n\nWith unique illustrations and pull-out quotes peppered throughout, this is an essential guide to Feminism and a place to turn to for courage and inspiration from history’s heroic women.\n\nDeath and the Elephant\n\nRaz Shaw\n\nMy life had been going nowhere. Until I was diagnosed with cancer.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Devil At Home\n\nRachel Williams\n\n‘He pushed open the door, and I saw that he was pulling something out of a bag he was carrying. It was a gun – a sawn-off shotgun.’\nDarren was funny and attractive, and 21-year-old Rachel fell head-over-heels for him; it wasn’t long before they moved in together, and she fell pregnant with his child. But his inner demons soon surfaced... Weakened and alone, Rachel was beaten and tormented by him for 18 years, until one day, Darren turned up at her place of work with a shotgun and left her for dead. But her ordeal wasn’t over…\nDevastating yet inspiring, Rachel’s story of hope tells of how you can always find the light, even in the very darkest of times.\n\nWhite Girls\n\nHilton Als\n\n'I defy you to read this book and come away with a mind unchanged' - John Jeremiah Sullivan\n\n\nThis is an extraordinary, complex portrait of 'white girls,' an expansive but precise category that encompasses figures more diverse than you might think. With blazing intelligence and insight, Als travels through the last decades of the twentieth century, from Flannery O'Connor's rural South, through Michael Jackson in the Motown years, to Jean Michel Basquiat and the AIDS epidemic in nineties New York, in order to unravel the tangled notions of sexual and racial identity that have led us to where we are today. White Girls is one of the most provocative and original books about the culture of our time.\n\nWhy We Can't Wait\n\nMartin Luther King, Jr.\n\n'He changed the course of history' Barack Obama\n\n'Lightning makes no sound until it strikes'\n\nThis is the momentous story of the Civil Rights movement, told by one of its most powerful and eloquent voices. Here Martin Luther King, Jr. recounts the pivotal events in the city of Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 that propelled his non-violent campaign for racial justice from a movement of lunch counter sit-ins and prayer meetings to a phenomenon that 'rocked the richest, most powerful nation to its foundations'.\n\nAs inspiring and resonant as it was upon publication, Why We Can't Wait is both a unique historical document, and an enduring testament to one man's wise, courageous and endlessly hopeful vision.\n\nThe Missing Ingredient\n\nJenny Linford\n\nQuietly brilliant and original...a thoughtful food writer who deserves to be better known - Bee Wilson, Sunday Times\n\nThe Missing Ingredient is about what makes good food, and the first book to consider the intrinsic yet often forgotten role of time in creating the flavours and textures we love.\n\nWritten through a series of encounters with ingredients, producers, cooks, shopkeepers and chefs, exploring everything from the brief period in which sugar caramelises, or the days required in the crucial process of fermentation, to the months of slow ripening and close attention that make a great cheddar, or the years needed for certain wines to reach their peak, Jenny Linford shows how, time and again, time itself is the invisible ingredient. From the patience and dedication of many food producers in fields and storehouses around the world to the rapid reactions required of any home cook at the hob, this book allows us to better understand our culinary lives.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6806098818778992}
{"content": "How to add color picker in jQuery/Html and Php\n\nNow we are discussing how to add color picker in php/html project, for example if you want give a functionality to user select color from color picker for his background color profile,for this we will use third party color picker and call it on particular div area where we want display color picker.\n\nStep 1: first we will include farbtastic css and js file.\n\nStep 2: we will call color picker method on document ready event.\n\ncolorright/ colorleft’ is text-box id where we will show color id\n\nStep 3: we will create html template for display color picker.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9573526382446289}
{"content": "US Flags Sale Masonville CO 80541\n\nAmerican Flags in Masonville.\n\n100% Made in the USA!\n\nFolding up the American flag.\n\nThe American flag is a solid symbol of American identity and nationwide pride. Additionally called Old Glory, the United States flag has a vivid background and also has undergone many adjustments from the initial official flag of 1777.\n\n\nIn time, some have connected a little different meanings to the 3 shades, for example, the color red signifying the blood spilled to protect our freedoms, however the essence of the original definition has actually been rather constant since 1782.\n\nPhoto via Wikimedia Commons\n\n\nIt is a lot greater than the 3 colors or a “decoration”. Think of the places around the globe that the American flag has flown, think of the change it has actually undertaken throughout the decades on American land. It is really humbling to consider all that was given and also sacrificed to ensure that the American flag can fly easily across this country.\n\n\n\n\nFolding the American flag.\n\n\n\nAn intricate flag folding event including these meanings has actually since been developed for unique celebrations such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. These associations are “real” in the feeling that they indicate something to the people that join the event, yet they are not the reason that a flag is folded in the conventional thirteen-step manner.\n\nThis is America and also its sign is the American Flag. Even though several Americans in the state of Colorado happily fly the flag outside their homes and organisations every day, it is fitting that we, as a nation, have set apart one certain day each year to honor our flag and to keep in mind that it stands for the suitables and worths that we should strive to maintain.\n\nMasonville ZIP codes we serve: 80541", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7987860441207886}
{"content": "Wednesday, March 23, 2016\n\nThe Brandenburg Concertos\n\nMarch 24\n\nSeveral events occurred in Sebastian’s life on this date:\n\n1721   Six Concertos were dedicated to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt\n\n1729   Schott left his position as director of the Leipzig Collegium musicum to go to Gotha, and Sebastian took over the directorship (see March 20 in Bach Bagatelles)\n\n1742   The third revision of the St. Matthew Passion was first performed (see March 23 in Bach Bagatelles)\n\nIt is 1721 that provides our Bach Bagatelle for today: The Brandenburg Concertos.\n\nChristian Ludwig was Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt. What and who was he?\n\nA March is a boundary or borderland between two centers of power. The word comes from the Frankish marka, and we see it in the name “Denmark.” The Germanic tribes that the Romans called Marcomanni meant “men of the borderlands.” As a county is ruled by a Count, so a march is ruled by a Marquess, Marquis, or Margrave.\n\nOriginating in the middle ages, the northern march, or the Margraviate of Brandenburg, was one of the electoral states of the Holy Roman Empire and, along with Prussia, formed the original core of the first unified German state, with its capital in Berlin. After 1688 the two were combined into Brandenburg-Prussia, ruled by the House of Hohenzollern. These grew to become the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701.\n\nChristian Ludwig (1677-1734) was a military officer of Brandenburg-Prussia’s Hohenzollern dynasty, given the title of Margrave of Brandenburg, a title which did not reflect territorial rule.\n\n In 1721 Sebastian faced musical frustration in Cöthen owing to the fact that his patron Prince Leopold’s new wife did not like music. The story is told that while shopping for a new harpsichord Sebastian accidentally met the Margrave of Brandenburg. The Margrave apparently asked for some music and Sebastian, possibly searching for a new job, sent him the six concertos that have become known as the Brandenburg Concertos. Bach’s dedication reads:\n\n\nSadly, the Margrave never had the works performed. At his death in 1734 they were sold for what today would buy about half a tank of gas, and lay hidden in the Brandenburg archives until rediscovered by Siegfried Wilhelm Dehn in 1849 and published in the following year.\n\nPerhaps the Margrave never had them performed because he did not have access to musicians capable of playing them, which often prevents them from being performed as a complete set even today. They are composed in the most complex high Baroque style, with each concerto having at least two solo instruments.\n\nScholar Heinrich Besseler is certain that Sebastian did not write these specifically for the Margrave, but that he had composed them earlier in Cöthen, since the orchestration matches perfectly the 17 musicians available to him there.\n\nThe original title of BWV 1046-1051 was Six Concerts á plusiers instruments. They are widely praised as some of the best orchestral compositions of the Baroque period. In them he uses the widest possible spectrum of instruments in bold, adventurous combinations that demand virtuoso playing. Christoph Wolff says, “Every one of the six concertos set a precedent in scoring, and every one was to remain without parallel.”\n\nConcerto No. 1 is the only one with four movements. It prominently features the horns and oboes. The first movement is an Allegro with a winding melody that features the horns in harmony. The second movement allows the violin and oboe to shine in an expressive, passionate duet. After a lively third movement, the concerto closes with a dance-like section that pauses briefly then pushes through to a dazzling close. Sebastian uses music from the first and third movements BWV 52, 207, and 208.\nConcerto No. 2 features violin, flute, oboe and trumpet as the solo instruments. Scholars think the challenging trumpet part was written for a singularly accomplished trumpeter, Joann Ludwig Schreiber of Cöthen. Schreiber was a clarino player, a term that in earlier periods may have referred to either a style of playing in the high register of the trumpet or a distinct type of trumpet, a smaller, treble instrument. By the 18th century, however, it referred to the style of playing in the high register. The extremely high range of this trumpet solo called for uncommon skill. Even today, trumpeters find it difficult, often choosing the smaller, higher piccolo trumpet.\nSince Baroque trumpets only allowed the musician to play in major keys, it is often excluded from second movements, usually in minor keys. This exclusion is the case with this concerto. The third movement of the concerto is on the “golden record,” sent to space with the Voyager probe. It was also used by William F. Buckley as the theme song for his Firing Line, and begins each lecture for The Teaching Company’s Great Courses series. The thrilling final movement is thought by many to be one of the most ennobling and beautiful pieces Sebastian ever wrote.\nConcerto No. 3 contains a string ensemble in which the instruments are equally balanced throughout. Owing to the simplicity of its structure, this is thought to be one of the earliest compositions in the set. The second movement is unusual, however, in that it consists of only two chords, suggesting that the center of the movement was an improvised cadenza (solo improvised passage) for a harpsichord or violin. Modern performers either play it as written, insert movements from other of Sebastian’s works (often BWV 1019 or 1021), or orchestrate a new movement to fit the key and style of the entire concerto, leading to the vibrant and cheerful final movement. Wendy Carlos (see March 26), for example, wrote two quite different versions for Switched-on Bach and Switched-on Bach 2000.\nConcerto No. 4 features a violin and two flutes as solo instruments. Sebastian called for “echo flutes,” instruments unknown ever to have existed, suggesting that he intended an effect that sounded as if the instruments were playing at a distance. It is even possible, think some, that recorders were used to create this quality, even though the flute of Sebastian’s time was made of wood. Today, it is most often the custom to use the modern flute. Sebastian adapted this concerto as the last of his set of six harpsichord concertos.\nConcerto No. 5 features solo flute, violin and harpsichord, but the virtuoso harpsichord part makes it almost a harpsichord concerto. Scholars speculate that Sebastian may have written this to highlight his well-known improvisatory keyboard skill (specifically for his intended Dresden competition with Frenchman Louis Marchand, since he uses one of Marchand’s themes in the central movement), or that he was demonstrating the new Mietke harpsichord he had acquired in Berlin when he met the Margrave. Although an earlier version of this concerto exists (BWV 1050a), its composition date is believed to be 1720-21.\nConcerto No. 6 is curious in that it features violas da gamba but no violins. There are some interesting assumptions about this fact. The viola da gamba was, by 1721 when this work was written, an old-fashioned instrument, but one associated with aristocracy, while the viola da braccio (viola) was typically played by the servant class. One theory holds that Sebastian’s patron, Prince Leopold, played the viola da gamba and the composer wished to honor him. An alternate theory contends that by focusing on the viola rather than violins, thereby upending the balance of musical roles, Sebastian signaled that he wished to end his tenure under Leopold and seek new employment. In either case, the use of the violas creates a richer, warmer sound that sets this concerto apart from the rest of the set. The jaunty gigue in the final movement provides a stirring finish to the piece.\n\nNo comments:\n\nPost a Comment", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5646382570266724}
{"content": "FOOD is just one of the many ingredients in determining the state of our health. Our overall well-being depends not only on the food choices we make daily but also on our EMOTIONS and daily stress.  It is equally important to recognize that our emotional and recurring habits play a role in the foods we choose to eat, how we eat them, and the impact this has on our overall health and happiness.\n\nOur emotions are the driving force behind every action we take. We may or may not know exactly what we “should” be doing to get healthy, but the reason we are not doing it is because our emotions get in the way.\n\nIn achieving utmost health and happiness, we often become distracted by false claims such as “more exercise plus less food will result in weight loss”. However, a more long-term, healthier, and stable approach to reaching health and happiness can be achieved by simply altering our stress response. When we are constantly worrying about food, calories and exercise, we place ourselves in a place of constant stress. Constant stress decreases metabolic and digestive capability, increases cortisol and insulin, and causes the body to store fat and to lose muscle. By altering our stress response and our relationship with food from punishing to nourishing , we can achieve a healthy and long-term approach to becoming healthy and happy in our own lives. \n\nWhether you’re looking to reach a healthy weight, overcome a tricky relationship with food, or to find more inner health, I can meet you exactly where you are with customized one-on-one coaching that empowers you to achieve your healthiest, happiest, and most authentic self.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9713475704193115}
{"content": "\n\n\n\n\n- Classical PKU (PKU), where the dietary tolerance to Phe is less than 350-400 mg per day and then residual activity of PAH is less than 5%. This is the most common form\n\n- Moderate or Mild PKU (PKU), where the dietary tolerance to Phe is less than 350-600 mg per day and then residual activity of PAH is less than 10%.\n\n- Benign PKU (PKU), where there are no dietary restrictions of Phe but the residual activity of PAH is less than 5%\n\n\n\n- Infants with classic PKU appear normal until they are a few months old.\n\n- Without treatment with a special low-phenylalanine diet, these children develop permanent intellectual disability.\n\n- Seizures, delayed development, behavioral problems, and psychiatric disorders are also common.\n\n- Untreated individuals may have a musty or mouse-like odor as a side effect of excess phenylalanine in the body, lighter skin & hair than unaffected family members and are more likely to have skin disorders such as eczema.\n\n\n- Babies born to mothers with PKU and uncontrolled phenylalanine levels (women who no longer follow a low-phenylalanine diet) have a significant risk of intellectual disability because they are exposed to very high levels of phenylalanine before birth.\n\n- These infants may also have a low birth weight and grow more slowly than other children. Other characteristic medical problems include heart defects or other heart problems, an abnormally small head size (microcephaly), and behavioral problems.\n\n- Women with PKU and uncontrolled phenylalanine levels also have an increased risk of pregnancy loss\n\n\nMutations in the PAH gene cause phenylketonuria.\n\nThe PAH gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme converts the amino acid phenylalanine to other important compounds in the body. If gene mutations reduce the activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase, phenylalanine from the diet is not processed effectively. As a result, this amino acid can build up to toxic levels in the blood and other tissues. Because nerve cells in the brain are particularly sensitive to phenylalanine levels, excessive amounts of this substance can cause brain damage.\n\nClassic PKU, the most severe form of the disorder, occurs when phenylalanine hydroxylase activity is severely reduced or absent. People with untreated classic PKU have levels of phenylalanine high enough to cause severe brain damage and other serious medical problems. Mutations in the PAH gene that allow the enzyme to retain some activity result in milder versions of this condition, such as variant PKU or non-PKU hyperphenylalaninemia.\n\nChanges in other genes may influence the severity of PKU, but little is known about these additional genetic factors.\n\n\n\n\nPreviously, PKU affected individuals were allowed to go off diet after approximately 6 to 12 years of age. Most authorities now recommend lifelong dietary restriction of Phe for individuals with classic PKU, in order to promote maximal development and cognitive abilities. Trying to reinstitute the PKU diet after a period of 'relaxation' to a regular diet, has been difficult for many individuals. Periodic Phe blood level measurement, and the guidance of a nutritionist and other members of the health care team, allow individuals and families to work toward consistently maintaining the blood level in the desirable range.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*DISCLAIMER: The information listed on the PKU Helping Hands, Inc. website is for educational and informational use only. This information is not intended, nor should be used as professional advice. In the event that you need to seek medical advice, please contact your clinic.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9910134077072144}
{"content": "News Section\n\nTo promote the forestry sector, government decides to lease the forest land for 15 years\n\nJanuary 26, 2017:A news story in Daily Express titled To Promote the Forestry sector, Government decides to lease the Forest land for 15 years, highlights the initiative by the Government of Punjab to establish SPFC and leasing the land for sustainable forestry investments.\n\nThe story can be read here.\n\nFor Press Inquiries", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8194007277488708}
{"content": "Who’s in the Room? How Great Leaders Structure and Manage the Teams Around Them\n\nAt the top of every organization chart lies a myth—that the boss and the senior management team make all the critical decisions together. In reality, most decisions are actually made by the boss and an inner circle of confidants—a “team with no name” that exists outside formal processes. Our book, Who’s in the Room, discusses the gap between the myth and reality of decision-making.\n\nPlease fill in all fields.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6544296741485596}
{"content": "Ideals Based on Reason (1)\n\nYes, what we are doing is probably mad, and probably it is good and necessary all the same. It is not a good thing when man overstrains his reason and tries to reduce to rational order matters that a...\n\nTotalitarianism (2)\n\nTotalitarianism is not only hell, but all the dream of paradise-- the age-old dream of a world where everybody would live in harmony, united by a single common will and faith, without secrets from on...\nThe Book of Laughter and Forgetting\n\nThe Idealists (3)\n\nYou see, I divide men into three categories: those who have a lot of money, those who have none at all and those who have a little. The first want to keep what they have: their interest is to maintai...\n\nThe Roots of the Idealism (4)\n\nJust as the water of the streams we see is small in amount compared to that which flows underground, so the idealism which becomes visible is small in amount compared with what men and women bear loc...\n\n\n\nHuman, All Too Human", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7646973133087158}
{"content": "Investigative Journalism as the Future of Print Media\n\nQUALITY JOURNALISM HAS not ended. It still survives despite the collapse of print media. Churnalists – pseudojournalists who sit and type like crazy in their comfortable cubicles days and nights until their backs ache and eyes redden- certainly always win the war of pageviews but it is journalists who work hard out there in field, in reality, to gather materials, write reports from scratch, and bear the risks of getting injured or harmed in the process.\n\nWhen hoax and biased news run rampant like nowadays both in Indonesia and the world, pessimissm reigns, questioning whether our press organizations will eventually perish or survive the hardship.\n\nI myself srongly believe that quality journalism will be still around after I met with Amarzan Loebis, an Indonesia senior journalist who opened up from A to Z about Investigative Journalism (from now on abbreviated as IJ).\n\nLinguistically, the phrase IJ was derived from a Latin phrase ‘diurna vestigium’, meaning that it’s a sort of journalism which tracks down trails. IJ is notorius for its chaos-making nature. It’s meant to wake people up and open their eyes after reading.\n\nIJ is obviously not intended for every newcomer. One must be patiently working his or her way up to the ladder. Bit by bit. “Experience is everything,” he emphasized. It therefore doesn’t matter much that one is from an outstanding academic background or certified as a journalist in an official journalism institution. What matters most is whether one has been doing the work for quite a long time well or not. Because according to Amran, in journalism seniority is determined by means of depth and maturity. “It’s not about one’s tenure in a certain position or post,” added Loebis. It’s definitely a hands-on kind of profession.\n\nSome think Investigative Reporting and In-depth Reporting are two same things. But in fact, if we care to observe more, the two are dissimilar. Loebis pointed out this confusing misconception does exist. “In-depth Reporting springs out of curiosity,” he explained. A journalist writes an in-depth report in order to describe something, an important issue for public to learn and criticize.\n\nMeanwhile, Investigative Reporting starts from suspicion. A journalist works with an investigative reporting method to expose something hidden, an issue that is not obvious or unknown by public but very crucial to the betterment of the society and state. Its objective is greater than financial gains and fame.\n\nIn the US, IJ has emerged since 1902 amidst social changes. It proved able to help shape the social structure. Businesswise, it also helped the media tycoons make a lot of profits.\n\nIn 1920s, investigative journalism associations mushroomed in the US.The trend was even achieving a new height after a number investigative reports were rewritten and published as literary works/ novels. Repackaging investigative journalism works was a tactic to make it timeless and more consumable to wider audiences, crossing geographical boundaries.\n\nThough it is possible to launch an investigative endeavor on one’s own, naturally IJ is conducted in teams. This holds true especially when journalists are after an issue at a grand scale or involving prominent figures and their cronies. An IJ team consists of not only seasoned journalists but also newcomers as their faces are much less recognizable to the public (because senior journalists are presumably have appeared so often in public, making foes recognize them more easily).\n\nIJ may always be oriented to the West (read: the US and UK) but IJ in the East (Asia) has actually made its appearance. The thing is its development was not well documented, making it less probable to track down.\n\nLoebis showed his optimism that even under the amounting threat of online news outlets, IJ never fades away and has its own place. It is somehow irreplacable.\n\nHe sees opportunities for IJ in the epoch of internet. “IJ can be a golden opportunity for old-school media organizations to outlive the public forecast [that they would die sooner or later],” he underscored.\n\nI understand that IJ is so hard to execute that only very few journalists willingly and indefatigably dedicate themselves to the pursuit of truth the hard way like this.\n\nHe likened IJ to ‘jihad’ or struggle. “IJ is a fighting journalism, which is born out of the spirit of resisting,” he defined. That said, those who work in this field have to be prepared for any possible risks.\n\n“But thanks to the heavy and serious nature of IJ, most modern press accolades are intended for IJ works,” Loebis spoke.\n\nIt is no exaggeration, I suppose, when the jovial journalist concluded his talk by stating: “The future of Indonesia’s print media is IJ.” (*/)", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7840533256530762}
{"content": "How Much Dietary Fiber Do You Need?\n\nMost Americans get only about 15 grams of fiber per day in their diet. But the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends about 25 grams for women under 50.\n\nDon’t worry about what kind of fiber you are taking in unless you are seeking a specific health benefit, such as eating more soluble fiber to lower cholesterol. Instead, focus on eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This will provide a variety of soluble and insoluble fibers and all of the health benefits.\n\nAs you increase the fiber in your diet, you may experience more intestinal gas. Increasing fiber gradually will allow your body to adapt. Because some fibers absorb water, you should also drink more water as you increase fiber.\n\nHigh-fiber Diets and Weight Loss\n\n\nHere’s why: One of the most effective ways to lose those extra pounds is to control hunger, the dieter’s Achilles heel. Hunger is affected by many things, including when you eat, and the composition of your meals -- the amount of fats, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and water content.\n\n\nHow Dietary Fiber Helps Weight Loss\n\nStudies show that most people eat about the same weight of food each day, says Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan. If you choose high-fiber, water-rich foods -- such as broth-based vegetable soups, salads, fruits, and vegetables -- instead of foods without fiber and water, you can eat the same weight of food but feel full on fewer calories.\n\n\n\nFiber Plus in the group Browse by Categories / Detox at Health to Happiness International Inc. (2129)\nFiber Plus\n\nFiber Plus\n\nAn ideal everyday fiber supplement\n\nDetails Ingredients Testimonials\n\nFiber Plus Capsules with Natural Fiber\n\nFiber Plus is a perfect everyday fiber supplement, with a balance of essential soluble and insoluble fiber. It also has Psyllium Husk in the proprietary Herbal Blend for maximum efficiency.\n\nA good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.*\n\nHelps maintain regularity.*\n\nPromotes digestive health.*\n\nResults may vary\n\nThe Benefits of Fiber: For Your Heart, Weight and Energy\n\nConfused about fiber? You’re not alone. Dietary fiber is a misunderstood nutrient. Many people know it is important, but not much more than that. We will try to fill you in on the two main types of fiber – soluble and insoluble -- where to find them, and the health benefits they provide.\n\nDietary fibers are found naturally in the plants that we eat. They are parts of plant that do not break down in our stomachs, and instead pass through our system undigested. All dietary fibers are either soluble or insoluble. Both types of fiber are equally important for health, digestion, and preventing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, diverticulitis, and constipation.\n\nDietary Fiber: Insoluble vs. Soluble\n\nSoluble fiber dissolves in water. Insoluble fiber does not. To some degree these differences determine how each fiber functions in the body and benefits your health.\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.565974235534668}
{"content": "Letter to the Editor: Forest Hills Construction Project ‘Utter Debacle’\n\nThe Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Forest Hills construction project is a complete and utter debacle. A pedestrian approaching the MBTA station from central JP is greeted by foot-tall grass, months-old litter strewn everywhere, hedges that have not been trimmed since at least last year and a complete appearance of property neglect.\n\nThe pedestrian corridors are poorly delineated, lack signage, and have no protection from impatient cars and buses. The time allowed on the traffic light to cross from South Street to the MBTA station is not nearly enough for a healthy, young adult much less for the elderly, the disabled or someone with children. Crossing to the Forest Hills subway stop from almost all directions is truly dangerous. There is little to no design in traffic calming in what appears to be a motorists’ Wild West. Outside facilities and spaces for people waiting for buses or taxis has been either torn down or moved absurdly far away with little construction activity then happening for weeks in those areas.\n\nThis project is more than two years behind schedule with a new third, or is it a fourth, completion date set for the spring of 2018? Months go by with no apparent construction progress.\n\nThe T apparently sees the highway work as an excuse not to do basic landscaping maintenance on its property. Twelve hours of work by a private landscaping crew would transform the area. The Boston Police Department requires paid details for the most inconsequential utility work on quiet side streets, yet a city, state or T police officer is rarely seen directing traffic or protecting the thousands of pedestrians trying to figure out to get to one of the T’s busiest stations safely.\n\nHow the state can allow a contractor to fall so egregiously behind schedule is beyond the comprehension of the public. The contractor should be prohibited from bidding on future public works projects for a year or two. The state transportation officials responsible for the Arborway replacement plan need to answer to the public for such a poorly executed effort.\n\nThis project has become truly embarrassing for Boston. What is crystal clear is that there is no one person who is responsible for the maintenance and movement of the entire project forward. I can already hear the jurisdictional excuses of that is T, state or city property. The public needs a manager with real power across all agencies to restore safety, functionality and timely construction progress around the Forest Hills T station.\n\nThe mayor’s and governor’s offices, in concert with state reps and city councilors from the adjacent neighborhoods, need to step up and apply the political pressure to make immediate fixes and move this interminable construction project to an efficient and functional close.\n\nTony LaCasse", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.5760000944137573}
{"content": "CF760                           FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT STATUS REPORT                                                               \nThe Federal and State Grants Status Report provides information on current year                                                     \ngrant records.  Report fields are defined as follows:                                                                               \n                     New York State contract number will be listed.                                                                 \nFUNDING SOURCE     - The name of the grant program.                                                                                 \nSCHEDULED/         - The total amount of payments processed including scheduled                                                     \n                     approvals before being released for processing. The project will                                               \n                     continue to show as UNDER REVIEW until the Program Office either                                               \n                     approves the application and forwards the budget to Grants Finance                                             \n                     or disapproves the budget (disapproved projects are not displayed on                                           \n                     this report) or all required approvals are received.                                                           \nSED CODE:     460102040000                                                                                                          \nAGENCY NAME:  ALTMAR-PARISH-WILLIAMSTOWN CSD                           RUN DATE: 02/23/18                                           \n                                     2018 PROJECTS                                                                                  \n  PROJECT #  CONTRACT #  FUNDING SOURCE         BUDGET     PAID TO DATE    START     END                                            \n  0006182330             TITLE V RURAL & LO        20,000         4,000  09/01/17  08/31/18                                         \n  0011182502             TITLE I, SCHOOL IM        20,000         4,000  09/01/17  08/31/18                                         \n  0021182330             TITLE I A&D IMPROV       342,158       123,449  09/01/17  08/31/18                                         \n  0032180710             IDEA-PART B, SECTI       330,989       148,090  07/01/17  06/30/18                                         \n  0033180710             IDEA-PART B, SECTI        17,694        12,416  07/01/17  06/30/18                                         \n  0147182330             TITLE IIA,TEACH/PR        52,737        10,547  09/01/17  08/31/18                                         \n  0409187011             UNIVERSAL PRE-K          129,009        64,504  07/01/17  06/30/18                                         \n  0639183001             PATHWAYS IN TECH E       259,345       173,481  07/01/17  06/30/18                                         \n  TOTAL                                         1,171,932       540,487                                                             \nUSE YOUR BROWSER BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE                                                                                                                                                 ", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 1.000009536743164}
{"content": "The Interactive Fly\n\nZygotically transcribed genes\n\nProneural and Neurogenic Genes\n\nWhat is the Notch pathway?\n\nDevelopmental biology of the Notch pathway\n\nThe achaete-scute complex\n\nEmbryonic central nervous system lineages\n\nAging neural progenitors lose competence to respond to mitogenic Notch signaling\n\n\nDampening the signals transduced through Hedgehog via microRNA miR-7 facilitates Notch-induced tumourigenesis\n\nThe bantam microRNA acts through Numb to exert cell growth control and feedback regulation of Notch in tumor-forming stem cells in the Drosophila brain\n\nSpecification and spatial arrangement of cells in the germline stem cell niche of the Drosophila ovary depend on the Maf transcription factor Traffic jam\n\n\nNeurogenic genes functioning in the Notch pathway\n\nProneural genes of the achaete-scute complex\n\nAdditional proneural genes\n\nWhat is the Notch pathway?\n\nTo understand the Notch pathway one has first to know the function of receptors and ligands. A receptor is a protein molecule located partially outside the cell and partially inside. The receptor interacts with outside signals and transmits them to the inside. Ligands are extracellular proteins or other molecules that interact with a receptor to cause it to transmit a signal to the inside of the cell. Notch is a receptor that receives signals from its ligands and transmits these signals to the inside of the cell. The Notch pathway consists of Notch and its ligands, as well as intracellular proteins that transmit the Notch signal to the nucleus. Included in the pathway are transcription factors, the proteins that bear the effector function of the pathway.\n\nThe effect of Notch signaling is the phenomenon of lateral inhibition, the singling out of one cell from a cell cluster for a given fate (neurogenesis for example), and the inhibition of those cells not elected to differentiate. Lateral inhibition occurs repeatedly in Drosophila development. Central to this process is the interaction of Notch receptor with a group of ligands including Delta, Scabrous and Serrate. Some of these ligands float free around the outside of the cell and others are bound to the surface of cells.\n\nThe interaction of Notch with its ligand triggers a chain of intracellular events resulting in lateral inhibition, the prevention of a specified fate committment on the part of most of the cells of a cluster. The first link in the chain of events is a reduction of the affinity of Suppressor of Hairless protein for the cytoplasmic tail of the Notch receptor. Following this, Su(H) is free to enter the nucleus where it assumes its role as a transcription factor. Su(H) mediates transcriptional activation of Enhancer of split complex of genes. This complex will then inhibit the proneural genes achaete, scute, lethal of scute and asense. The transcriptional inhibitory capacity of Enhancer of split complex genes results in lateral inhibition.\n\nThe process of lateral inhibition often involves cell migration. In addition to the signaling capacity of Notch receptor, a second important function of Notch and its ligand Delta is that of cell adhesion. Delta is bound to the surface of cells. The Delta-Notch interaction results in an intimate adhesive contact between fated cell, which often migrates, and inhibited cell, bearing Notch, which remains in its germ layer or cluster of origin. Thus the interaction of Notch with its ligand causes the lateral inhibition of the cell bearing Notch, and the migration and triggering of a differentiated state for the cell bearing the Notch ligand. The ligand most often turns out to be Delta.\n\nHow can the Notch pathway components be called neurogenic if the function of Notch is to repress the adoption of a differentiated state in the cell that carries Notch protein? There are two answers to this question. The first is that the term neurogenic is a misnomer, arising because the phenotype of Notch pathway mutants manifests the result of an over production of neurons. The pathway is named neurogenic because of this mutant phenotype. The second answer lies in considering the principle ligand of Notch and its function. Delta is not secreted but is cell bound. The Delta-Notch interaction serves a cell adhesive function between ligand and receptor bearing cells. While the receptor bearing cell is inhibited in assuming a differentiated state, the ligand bearing cell is free to do so. In neurogenesis this cell delaminates, and then migrates out of the epithelial cell layer. The ligand bearing cell assumes the differentiated state of neuroblast and physically resides in the developing nervous system. Thus Notch is neurogenic with respect to the cell that bears the Notch ligand.\n\nDevelopmental biology of the Notch pathway\n\nThe Notch ligand receptor system functions in all three germ layers during embryonic development as well as in the germ cell line and in imaginal discs during the larval and pupal stages. The outline below lists developmental processes in which the Notch pathway functions. All are affected by Notch and where tested, all were found to be affected by Delta (Hartenstein, 1992).\n\nThe achaete-scute complex\n\nThe achaete-scute complex (AS-C) contains four related genes, achaete, scute, lethal of scute and asense. These are spread over 90 kilobases. The proteins coded for by these genes serve as transcription factors. Each has a DNA binding domain, termed a basic helix-loop-helix domain, and three of the four proteins (the exception is Asense) have a C-terminal acidic domain.\n\nachaete and scute genes are more than 25 kb apart. lethal of scute is more than 12 kb from scute. asense is another 45 kb removed from lethal of scute.\n\nThese genes are termed proneural, since they promote neuroblast differentiation and are thus essential for the differentiation of the central and peripheral nervous system and the brain. Other functions are also served by these genes: regulation of sex determination (scute); participation in specification of muscle progenitors (lethal of scute), and regulation of sequential fates in Malpighian tubule development (achaete).\n\nHow are achaete-scute complex genes activated and inactivated? Genes like hairy, extramachrochaete and pannier help to establish patterns of achaete expression by acting as repressors. The first two genes received their names because of their interaction with achaete: mutation in either produces extra sensory elements such as hairs and machrochaete. As achaete is responsible for activating the sensory cell fate, Hairy and EMC act to restrict achaete transcription to a limited region where sensory elements will form.\n\nNK2/Ventral nervous system defective regulates the expression of achaete and scute to the medial column of the ventral nervous system (Skeath, 1994). Specifically, first NK2 is essential for AS-C gene expression in the medial column of every other neuroblast row through regulatory elements located 3' to achaete, and second, through a 5' regulatory region, NK2 functions to increase or maintain proneural gene expression within the proneural cluster that normally gives rise to the neuroblast (Skeath, 1994).\n\nThe above information about the three repressors and NK2 provides only a nearsighted view of activation and repression by the AS-C. There is a more global answer to the question of how AS-C genes are activated. AS-C genes are activated in proneural clusters in the ventral portion of the fly. The anterior-posterior arrangement of neuroepithelial clusters is intimately connected to the process of segmentation. The proneural genes are expressed in each of the 14 segments. Pair rule genes define these segments, and therefore the placement of proneural AS-C clusters. In fact embryos that are mutant in each of the pair rule genes show an alteration of early cluster pattern.\n\nIt is not just the presence or absence of a cluster that is controlled by pair rule genes, but the arrangement of neuroblasts within each cluster, and consequently the arrangement of cells expressing AS-C genes. Each cluster is subdivided into subdomains, and each subdomain has its particular arrangement of neuroblasts. Segment polarity genes act here too, especially gooseberry and naked. They help maintain the AP borders of the cells within each cluster (Skeath, 1992).\n\nSee Chris Doe's Hyper-Neuroblast map site for information on the origin and lineage of specific neuroblasts in the CNS and for information about the expression of specific genes regulating neuroblast origin.\n\nachaete and scute are controlled by combinations of axis-patterning genes through a common enhancer or locus control region. The pair rule genes act through this region, situated in the intervening chromosomal segment between achaete and scute. Thus this region is under the initial control of products of the pair rule genes and is later maintained by selected segment polarity genes.\n\nConsider the amazing patterning present in insect epidermis. Flies have hairs that appear as reproducable patterns from one individual to another. These patterns are species specific and therefore distinguish one species from another. How are these patterns made?\n\nFurther analysis of the 90 kD region between achaete and asense has defined nine site-specific enhancer-like elements that function to regulate achaete and scute expression in proneural clusters of imaginal discs. Ultimately it is the capacity of site specific enhancers to kindle AS-C transcription at very localized regions in the proneural clusters of imaginal discs that is responsible for the patterning of sensory elements seen in adults.\n\nEach of these enhancers, regulated by a specific set of transcription factors defines a prepattern for achaete and scute expression. The enhancers are named after the sensilla in which they direct achaete and scute expression. For example the L3/TSM enhancer, just upstream of scute directs achaete and scute to third vein sensilla campaniforma (L3) and twin sensilla of the anterior wing margin (TSM) (Gomez-Skarmeta, 1995). It is rather remarkable that each sensory organ or group is specificied by a special enhancer selected through evolution for just that purpose. For a historical view of this incredible work see Ghysen, 1988.\n\nEmbryonic central nervous system lineages\n\nIn Drosophila, central nervous system (CNS) formation starts with the delamination from the neuroectoderm of about 30 neuroblasts (NBs) per hemisegment. These give rise to approximately 350 neurons and 30 glial cells during embryonic development. Understanding the mechanisms leading to cell fate specification and differentiation in the CNS requires the identification of the NB lineages. Each segment is also subdivided along its dorsal-ventral axis. The delamination of the neuroblasts (NBs) from the neuroectoderm occurs between embryonic stages 8 and 11 and is divided into five phases (S1-S5). On each side of the ventral midline there are three longitudinal columns of cells: medial, intermediate and lateral. S1-S3 NBs form these three longitudinal columns. The positions of these three columns is regulated by genes defining the dorsal-ventral axis: twist, snail decapentaplegic and tolloid. These genes likewise act through the enhancer located between achaete and scute (Skeath, 1992). S4 and S5 NBs become interspersed between the existing columns of NBs.\n\nPerpendicular to the columns, NBs are numbered in each segment from anterior to posterior as rows 1-7. Thus NB 1-2 is in the medial column (1) and represents the 2nd neuroblast in each segment. There are a total of thirty identified neuroblasts in each (right or left) half of a segment (hemisegment), and they give rise to a total of 350 progeny cells. For instance, NB 1-1 delaminates preferentially as a S1 NB. Around mid stage 11 the anterior-posterior position of NB1-1 is in line with, or slightly anterior to, the tracheal pits. At this stage it has given rise to a cluster of six to eight daughter cells on its dorsal side. At the beginning of germ band shortening (end stage 11) two of the progeny, the aCC and pCC leave the cluster and move anteriorly. They are the first progeny of NB 1-1. The aCC neuron innervates a dorsal muscle. Each thoracic NB 1-1 gives rise to 8 - 14 cells including ipsilaterally projecting interneurons and 1 or 2 motoneurons. In the abdomen NB 1-1 gives rise to a smaller cluster comprising four to six ipsilaterally projecting interneurons and no motoneurons; in addition the abdominal clone comprises 3 subperineural glial cells (Bossing, 1996). Different segmental fates of each neuroblast is determined by homeotic genes.\n\nThirteen lineages derived from the dorsal (lateral) part of the neuroectoderm are described here and 12 of them are assigned to identified NBs. Together, the 13 lineages comprise approximately 120 neurons and 22 to 27 glial cells which have been included in a systematic terminology. Therefore, NBs from the dorsal neuroectoderm produce about 90% of the glial cells in the embryonic ventral ganglion. Two of the NBs give rise to glial progeny exclusively (NB 6-4A, GP); five NBs give rise to glia as well as neurons (NBs 1-3, 2-5, 5-6, 6-4T, 7-4). These seven NBs are arranged as a group in the most lateral region of the NB layer. The other lineages (NBs 2-4, 3-3, 3-5, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, clone y) are composed exclusively of neurons (interneurons, motoneurons, or both). It has been possible to link the lateral cluster of even-skipped expressing cells (EL) to the lineage of NB 3-3. Along with the previously described clones, the vast majority (more than 90%) of cell lineages in the embryonic ventral nerve cord (in the thorax and abdomen) are now known. Previously identified neurons and most glial cells are now linked to certain lineages and, thus, to particular NBs. This complete set of data provides a foundation for the interpretation of mutant phenotypes and for future investigations on cell fate specification and differentiation (Schmidt, 1997).\n\nAging neural progenitors lose competence to respond to mitogenic Notch signaling\n\nDrosophila neural stem cells (neuroblasts) are a powerful model system for investigating stem cell self-renewal, specification of temporal identity, and progressive restriction in competence. Notch signaling is a conserved cue that is an important determinant of cell fate in many contexts across animal development; for example, mammalian T cell differentiation in the thymus and neuroblast specification in Drosophila are both regulated by Notch signaling. However, Notch also functions as a mitogen, and constitutive Notch signaling potentiates T cell leukemia as well as Drosophila neuroblast tumors. While the role of Notch signaling has been studied in these and other cell types, it remains unclear how stem cells and progenitors change competence to respond to Notch over time. Notch is required in type II neuroblasts for normal development of their transit amplifying progeny, intermediate neural progenitors (INPs). This study finds that aging INPs lose competence to respond to constitutively active Notch signaling. Moreover, reducing the levels of the old INP temporal transcription factor Eyeless/Pax6 allows Notch signaling to promote the de-differentiation of INP progeny into ectopic INPs, thereby creating a proliferative mass of ectopic progenitors in the brain. These findings provide a new system for studying progenitor competence and identify a novel role for the conserved transcription factor Eyeless/Pax6 in blocking Notch signaling during development (Farnsworth, 2015).\n\n\nNotch signaling plays a crucial role in the control of proliferation and differentiation of stem and progenitor cells during embryogenesis or organogenesis, but its regulation is incompletely understood. BLOS2, encoded by the Bloc1s2 gene (see Drosophila Blos2), is a shared subunit of two lysosomal trafficking complexes, biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1) and BLOC-1 related complex. Bloc1s2-/- mice are embryonic lethal and exhibit defects in cortical development and hematopoiesis. Loss of BLOS2 results in elevated Notch signaling, which consequently increases the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and inhibits neuronal differentiation in cortices. Likewise, ablation of bloc1s2 in zebrafish or mice leads to increased hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell production in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region. BLOS2 physically interacts with Notch1 in endo-lysosomal trafficking of Notch1. These findings suggest that BLOS2 is a novel negative player in regulating Notch signaling through lysosomal trafficking by controlling multiple stem and progenitor cell homeostasis in vertebrates (Zhou, 2016).\n\n\nFine-tuned Notch and Hedgehog signalling pathways via attenuators and dampers have long been recognized as important mechanisms to ensure the proper size and differentiation of many organs and tissues. This notion is further supported by identification of mutations in these pathways in human cancer cells. However, although it is common that the Notch and Hedgehog pathways influence growth and patterning within the same organ through the establishment of organizing regions, the cross-talk between these two pathways and how the distinct organizing activities are integrated during growth is poorly understood. An unbiased genetic screen in the Drosophila melanogaster eye has found that tumour-like growth was provoked by cooperation between the microRNA miR-7 and the Notch pathway. Surprisingly, the molecular basis of this cooperation between miR-7 and Notch converged on the silencing of Hedgehog signalling. In mechanistic terms, miR-7 silenced the interference hedgehog (ihog) Hedgehog receptor, while Notch repressed expression of the brother of ihog (boi) Hedgehog receptor. Tumourigenesis was induced co-operatively following Notch activation and reduced Hedgehog signalling, either via overexpression of the microRNA or through specific down-regulation of ihog, hedgehog, smoothened, or cubitus interruptus or via overexpression of the cubitus interruptus repressor form. Conversely, increasing Hedgehog signalling prevented eye overgrowth induced by the microRNA and Notch pathway. Further, it was shown that blocking Hh signal transduction in clones of cells mutant for smoothened also enhance the organizing activity and growth by Delta-Notch signalling in the wing primordium. Together, these findings uncover a hitherto unsuspected tumour suppressor role for the Hedgehog signalling and reveal an unanticipated cooperative antagonism between two pathways extensively used in growth control and cancer (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nA challenge to understand oncogenesis produced by pleiotropic signalling pathways, such as Notch, Hh, and Wnts, is to unveil the complex cross-talk, cooperation, and antagonism of these signalling pathways in the appropriate contexts. Studies in flies, mice, and in human cell cultures have provided critical insights into the contribution of Notch to tumourigenesis. These studies highlighted that Notch when acting as an oncogene needs additional mutations or genes to initiate tumourigenesis and for tumour progression, identifying several determinants for such co-operation. The identification of these co-operative events has often been knowledge-driven, although unbiased genetic screens also identified known unanticipated tumour-suppressor functions. In this sense, this study describes a conserved microRNA that cooperates with Notch-induced overproliferation and tumour-like overgrowth in the D. melanogaster eye, miR-7. Alterations in microRNAs have been implicated in the initiation or progression of human cancers, although such roles of microRNAs have rarely been demonstrated in vivo. In addition, by identifying and validating functionally relevant targets of miR-7 in tumourigenesis, this study also exposed a hitherto unsuspected tumour suppressor role for the Hh signalling pathway in the context of the oncogenic Notch pathway. Given the conservation of the Notch and Hh pathways, and the recurrent alteration of microRNAs in human cancers, it is speculated that the genetic configuration of miR-7, Notch, and Hh is likely to participate in the development of certain human tumours (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nIn human cancer cells, miR-7 has been postulated to have an oncogene or a tumour suppressor functions that may reflect the participation of the microRNA in distinct pathways, due to the regulation of discrete target genes in different cell types, such as Fos, IRS-2, EGFR, Raf-1, CD98, IGFR1, bcl-2, PI3K/AKT, and YY1 in humans (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nIn Drosophila, multiple, cell-specific, targets for miR-7 have been previously validated via luciferase or in vivo eGFP-reporter sensors or less extensively via functional studiest. Although microRNAs are thought to regulate multiple target genes, when tested in vivo it is a subset or a given target that predominates in a given cellular context. Indeed, of the 39 predicted miR-7 target genes tested by direct RNAi, only downregulating ihog with several RNAi transgenes (UAS-ihog-IR) fully mimicked the effect of miR-7 overexpression in the transformation of Dl-induced mild overgrowth into severe overgrowth and even tumour-like growth. Moreover, it was confirmed that endogenous ihog is directly silenced by miR-7 and that this silencing involves direct binding of the microRNA to sequences in the 3'UTR of ihog both in vivo and in vitro (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nNevertheless, other miR-7 target genes may contribute to the cooperation with Dl-Notch pathway along with ihog, such as hairy and Tom. While miR-7 can directly silence hairy in the wing, this effect has been shown to be very modest, and thus, it is considered that while hairy may contribute to such effects, it is unlikely to be instrumental in this tumour model. Indeed, the loss of hairy is inconsequential in eye development, although retinal differentiation is accelerated by genetic mosaicism of loss of hairy and extramacrochaetae that negatively sets the pace of MF progression. It is unclear how Hairy might contribute to Dl-induced tumourigenesis (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nThe RNAi against Tom produced overgrowth with the gain of Dl albeit inconsistently and with weak penetrance, where one RNAi line did not modify the Dl-induced overgrowth and the other RNAi line caused tumours in less than 40% of the progeny. Tom is required to counteract the activity of the ubiquitin ligase Neuralized in regulating the Notch extracellular domain, and Dl in the signal emitting cells. These interactions are normally required to activate Notch signalling in the receiving cells through lateral inhibition and cell fate allocation. However, although it remains to be shown whether similar interactions are active during cell proliferation and growth, the moderate enhancement of Dl that is induced when Tom is downregulated by RNAi suggests that miR-7-mediated repression of Tom may contribute to the oncogenic effects of miR-7 in the context of Dl gain of function, along with other targets such as ihog (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nConversely, while the target genes of the Notch pathway, E(spl)m3 and E(spl)m4 as well as E(spl)mγ, Bob, E(spl)m5, and E(spl)mδ, have been identified as direct targets of miR-7 in the normal wing disc via analysis of 3'UTR sensors, there was no evidence that HLHm3, HLHm4, HLHm5, Bob, and HLHmγ are biological relevant targets of miR-7 in the Dl overexpression context. HLHmδ RNAi produced inconsistent phenotypes in the two RNAi transgenic lines available, causing tumour-like growth at very low frequency in only one of the lines. No evidence was obtained that miR-7 provoked overgrowth by targeting the ETS transcription factor in the EGFR pathway AOP/Yan, a functionally validated target of the microRNA miR-7 during retinal differentiation. Neither was any evidence obtained that RNAi of atonal provoked eye tumours with Dl overexpression, although a strong inhibition via expression of a fusion protein Atonal::EN that converts Atonal into a transcriptional repressor has been shown to be sufficient to trigger tumorigenesis together with Dl. Thus, it was reasoned that given that microRNA influenced target genes only subtly (even when using ectopic expression), it is possible that downregulation of atonal contributes to the phenotype along with the other targets (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nIn conclusion, this study has identified cooperation between the microRNA miR-7 and Notch in the D. melanogaster eye and identified and validated ihog as a direct target of the miR-7 in this context and have identified boi as a target of Notch-mediated activity at the DV eye organizer, although it remains whether this regulation is direct or indirect. A hitherto unanticipated tumour suppressor activity was uncovered of the endogenous Hh signalling pathway in the context of gain of Dl-Notch signalling that is also apparent during wing development (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nHh tumour suppressor role is revealed when components of the Hh pathway were lost in conjunction with a gain of Dl expression in both the eye and wing discs. Hh and Notch establish signalling centres along the AP and DV axes, respectively, of the disc to organize global growth and patterning. Where the organizer domains meet, the Hh and Notch conjoined activities specify the position of the MF in the eye disc and the proximodistal patterning in the wing disc. This study also unvailed that in addition antagonistic interaction between the Hh and Notch signalling might help to ensure correct disc growth. Thus, it was shown that Hh signalling limits the organizing activity of Dl-Notch signalling. Although it is often confounded whether Dl-Notch signalling instructs overgrowth by autonomous or nonautonomous (i.e., DV organizers) mechanisms, these findings uncover that loss of Hh signalling enhances a non-cell autonomous oncogenic role of Dl-Notch pathway (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nTo date, Hh has not yet to be perceived as a tumour suppressor, although it is noteworthy that human homologs of ihog, CDO, and BOC were initially identified as tumour suppressors. Importantly, both CDO and BOC are downregulated by RAS oncogenes in transformed cells and their overexpression can inhibit tumour cell growth in vitro. Since human RAS regulates tumourigenesis in the lung by overexpressing miR-7 in an ERK-dependent manner, it is possible that RAS represses CDO and BOC via this microRNA. Indeed, the 3'UTR of both CDO and BOC like Drosophila ihog contains predicted binding sites for miR-7. There is additional clinical and experimental evidence connecting elements of the Hedgehog pathway with tumour-suppression. The function of Growth arrest specific gene 1 (GAS1), a Hh ligand-binding factor, overlaps that of CDO and BOC, while its overexpression inhibits tumour growth . More speculative is the association of some cancer cells with the absence of cilium, a structure absolutely required for Hh signal transduction in vertebrate cells (Da Ros, 2013).\n\nGiven the pleiotropic nature of Notch, Wnts, BMP/TGFβ, Ras, and Hh signalling pathways in normal development in vivo, it is speculated that competitive interplay as that described in this study between Notch and Hh may not be uncommon among core growth control and cancer pathways that act within the same cells at the same or different time to exert multiple outputs (such as growth and cell differentiation). Moreover, context-dependent tumour suppressor roles could explain the recurrent, unexplained, identification of somatic mutations in Hh pathway in human cancer samples. Indeed, the current findings stimulate a re-evaluation of the signalling pathways previously considered to be exclusively oncogenic, such as the Hh pathway (Da Ros, 2013).\n\n\nNotch (N) signaling is central to the self-renewal of neural stem cells (NSCs) and other tissue stem cells. Its deregulation compromises tissue homeostasis and contributes to tumorigenesis and other diseases. How N regulates stem cell behavior in health and disease is not well understood. This study shows that Notch regulates bantam (ban) microRNA to impact cell growth, a process key to NSC maintenance and particularly relied upon by tumor-forming cancer stem cells. Notch signaling directly regulates ban expression at the transcriptional level, and ban in turn feedback regulates N activity through negative regulation of the Notch inhibitor Numb. This feedback regulatory mechanism helps maintain the robustness of N signaling activity and NSC fate. Moreover, this study shows that a Numb-Myc axis mediates the effects of ban on nucleolar and cellular growth independently or downstream of N. These results highlight intricate transcriptional as well as translational control mechanisms and feedback regulation in the N signaling network, with important implications for NSC biology and cancer biology (Wu, 2017).\n\nBy revealing the involvement of the miRNA pathway, this study highlights the complexity of the N signaling network in normal NSCs and tumor-forming cancer stem cell (CSC)-like NSCs. Previous studies implicated critical roles for both canonical and non-canonical N signaling pathways in NSCs and CSC-like NSCs, and revealed particular dependence of CSC-like NB growth on non-canonical N signaling, which involves PINK1, mTORC2, and mitochondrial quality control. The current study reveals a particular requirement for ban in CSC-like NBs induced by N hyperactivation. The CSC-like NB overproliferation induced by hyperactivation of N or N pathway component Dpn can all be assumed to be of type II NB origin, since previous studies have clearly established that Notch signaling is essential for the development and/or maintenance of type II NBs, but dispensable for type I NBs, and that hyperactivation of Notch or its downstream effector Dpn induced ectopic CSC-like NB growth by altering the lineage homeostasis of the type II but not type I NBs. It would be interesting to test whether, in addition to ban's role in canonical N signaling, there exists a link between ban and non-canonical N signaling. The data indicate that the ban-Numb signaling motif regulates NSC/CSC behavior through at least two mechanisms. On one hand, it regulates cell growth and particularly nucleolar growth, through Myc, a known regulator of cellular and nucleolar growth. Consistently, negative regulation of Myc protein level by Numb was observed through E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, Huwe1, and the UPS. c-Myc is an essential regulator of embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and cellular reprogramming, and Myc level and stability can be controlled in stem cells through targeted degradation by the UPS, suggesting conserved mechanisms. A key function of the nucleolus is the biogenesis of ribosomes, the cellular machinery for mRNA translation, and previous studies in Drosophila have supported the critical role of nucleolar growth in NSC self-renewal and maintenance. On the other hand, the ban-Numb axis feedback regulates the activity of N by a double negative regulation, with the end result being positive feedback regulation. This feedback mechanism may help transform initial not so dramatic differences in N activity between NB and its daughter cell generated by the asymmetric segregation of Numb during NB division [33] into 'all-or-none' decision of cell fates. Feed-forward regulatory loops, both coherent and incoherent, are frequently found in gene regulatory networks, and although ban miRNA is not conserved in mammals, miRNAs have been implicated in an incoherent feed-forward loop in the Numb/Notch signaling network in colon CSCs in mammals (Wu, 2017).\n\nGiven the role of ban in a positive feedback regulation of N and the potency of N hyperactivity in inducing tumorigenesis, one may wonder why ban overexpression is not sufficient to cause tumorigenesis. As in any biological systems, feedback regulation is meant to increase the robustness and maintain homeostasis of a pathway. Feedback alone, either negative or positive, should not override the main effect of the signaling pathway. Thus, in the NB system feedback regulation by ban is built on top of the available N signaling activity in a given cell and serving to maintain N activity. Because of ban's 'fine-tuning' rather than 'on/off switching' of Numb expression, its effect on N activity during feedback regulation will also be 'fine-tuning', serving to maintain N activity in NB within a certain range. Overexpression of ban in a wild type background may not be sufficient to cause tumorigenesis because N activity is not be elevated to the level sufficient to induce brain tumor as in N-v5 overexpression condition. Consistent with this, the extent of Numb inhibition by ban is also modest, not reaching the threshold level of Numb inhibition needed to cause tumorigenesis. Consistent with the notion that feedback regulation by ban is built on top of the available N signaling activity in a given cell, and that there is dosage effect of N activity in tumorigenesis, overexpression of ban in N-v5 overexpression background further enhanced N-v5 induced tumorigenesis. It is likely that ban or other miRNAs may participate in additional regulatory mechanisms in the N signaling network in Drosophila. Of particular interest, it would be interesting to test whether miRNAs may impinge on the asymmetric cell division machinery to influence the symmetric vs. asymmetric division pattern, a key mechanism employed by NSCs and transit-amplifying IPs to balance self-renewal with differentiation (Wu, 2017).\n\nThe results emphasize the critical role of translational control mechanisms in NSCs and CSC-like NSCs. Compared to the heavily studied transcriptional control, knowledge of the translational control of NSCs and CSCs is rather limited. As fundamental regulators of mRNA translation, miRNAs can interact with both positive and negative regulators of translation to influence gene expression. Thus, miRNA activity can be regulated context-dependently at both the transcriptional and translational levels, which may account for the opposite effect of N on ban activity in the fly brain and wing disc, although the ban genomic locus is bound by Su(H) in both tissues. Whether N regulates the transcription of ban or its activity as a translational repressor in the wing disc remains to be tested. With regard to the translation of numb mRNA, the conserved RNA-binding protein (RNA-BP) Musashi has been shown to critically regulate the level of Numb protein in mammalian hematopoietic SCs and leukemia SCs. Further investigation into the potential interplay between miRNAs and RNA-BPs in the translational control of Numb in NBs and CSC-like NBs promises to reveal new mechanisms and logic in stem cell homeostasis regulation, with important implications for stem cell biology and cancer biology (Wu, 2017).\n\n\nGermline stem cells in the Drosophila ovary are maintained by a somatic niche. The niche is structurally and functionally complex and contains four cell types, the escort, cap, and terminal filament cells and the newly identified transition cell. The large Maf transcription factor Traffic jam (Tj) is essential for determining niche cell fates and architecture, enabling each niche in the ovary to support a normal complement of 2-3 germline stem cells. In particular, this study focused on the question of how cap cells form. Cap cells express Tj and are considered the key component of a mature germline stem cell niche. It is concluded that Tj controls the specification of cap cells, as the complete loss of Tj function caused the development of additional terminal filament cells at the expense of cap cells, and terminal filament cells developed cap cell characteristics when induced to express Tj. Further, it is proposed that Tj controls the morphogenetic behavior of cap cells as they adopted the shape and spatial organization of terminal filament cells but otherwise appeared to retain their fate when Tj expression was only partially reduced. The data indicate that Tj contributes to the establishment of germline stem cells by promoting the cap cell fate, and controls the stem cell-carrying capacity of the niche by regulating niche architecture. Analysis of the interactions between Tj and the Notch (N) pathway indicates that Tj and N have distinct functions in the cap cell specification program. It is proposed that formation of cap cells depends on the combined activities of Tj and the N pathway, with Tj promoting the cap cell fate by blocking the terminal filament cell fate, and N supporting cap cells by preventing the escort cell fate and/or controlling the number of cap cell precursors (Panchal, 2017).\n\nStem cells retain the capacity for development in differentiated organisms, which is important for tissue growth, homeostasis and regeneration, and for long-term reproductive capability. Stem cells are often associated with a specialized microenvironment, a niche that is essential for the formation, maintenance, and self-renewal of stem cells by preventing cell differentiation and controlling rate and mode of cell division. The niche for the germline stem cells (GSCs) in Drosophila serves as an important model for the analysis of interactions between niche and stem cells. The astounding fecundity of Drosophila females that can lay dozens of eggs per day over several weeks depends on approximately 100 GSCs that are sustained by 40 stem cell niches. To understand the formation and maintenance of these GSCs, it is important to understand how stem cell niches form and how they function (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThe GSC niche of the Drosophila ovary consists of three somatic cell types: cap cells, escort cells, and terminal filament (TF) cells. GSCs are anchored to cap cells by DE-cadherin-mediated adhesion and require close proximity to cap cells to retain stem cell character. Cap cells secrete the BMP homolog Decapentaplegic (Dpp), activating the TGFβ signaling pathway in adjacent GSCs, which leads to the repression of the germline differentiation factor Bag-of-Marbles (Bam). Through Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, cap cells also appear to stimulate escort cells to secrete Dpp. The combined pool of Dpp from cap and escort cells, together with mechanisms that concentrate Dpp in the extracellular space around GSCs, promotes the maintenance of 2-3 GSCs, whereas the adjacent GSC daughter cells that have lost the contact to cap cells will enter differentiation as cystoblasts. In contrast, TFs are not in direct contact with GSCs but serve important functions in the development and probably also in the maintenance and function of GSC niches (Panchal, 2017).\n\nFormation of GSC niches begins with the progressive assembly of TFs by cell intercalation during the 3rd larval instar. The process of TF cell specification is not understood but might start in 2nd instar when the first TF precursor cells appear to leave the cell cycle. TF morphogenesis depends on the Bric à brac transcriptional regulators that control the differentiation of TF cells and their ability to form cell stacks, and involves the Ecdysone Receptor (EcR), Engrailed, Cofilin, and Ran-binding protein M (RanBPM). The number of TFs that form at the larval stage determine the number of GSC niches at the adult stage, and are regulated by several signaling pathways that control cell division and timing of cell differentiation in the larval ovary, including the EcR, Hippo and Jak/Stat, Insulin and Activin pathways. Despite the recent advance in elucidating mechanisms that control the number of GSC niches and the temporal window in which they form, relatively little is known about the origin and specification of the somatic cell types of the GSC niche (Panchal, 2017).\n\nNotably, the origin and specification of cap cells, the main component of an active GSC niche is little understood. Cap cells (also called germarial tip cells) are first seen at the base of completed TFs at the transition from the 3rd larval instar to prepupal stage. They appear to derive from the interstitial cells (also called intermingled cells) of the larval ovary that are maintained by Hh signaling from TFs. The formation of cap cells is accompanied by the establishment of GSCs. The N pathway contributes to the development of cap cells. A strongly increased number of functionally active cap cells per niche form in response to overexpression of the N ligand Delta (Dl) in germline or somatic cells, or the constitutive activation of N in somatic gonadal cells. The ability of N to induce additional cap cells seems to depend on EcR signaling. Loss of Dl or N in the germline had no effect on cap cells. However, loss of N in cap cell progenitors or Dl in TF cells caused a decrease in the number of cap cells. A current model suggests that Dl signaling from basal-most TF cells to adjacent somatic cells together with Dl signaling between cap cells allows for a full complement of cap cells to form. Furthermore, N protects cap cells from age-dependent loss as long as its activity is maintained by the Insulin receptor. The Jak/Stat pathway, which operates downstream or in parallel to the N pathway in the niche, is not required for cap cell formation. As cap cells were reduced in number but never completely missing when the N pathway components were compromised, the question remains whether N signaling is the only factor that is important for cap cell formation. Furthermore, no factor that operates downstream of N has been identified that is crucial for cap cell formation (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThis study finds that Traffic jam (Tj) is both required for cap cell specification and for the morphogenetic behavior of cap cells, enabling them to form a properly organized niche that can accommodate 2-3 GSCs. Tj is a large Maf transcription factor that belongs to the bZip protein family. Its four mammalian homologs control differentiation of several cell types and are associated with various forms of cancer. Tj is essential for normal ovary and testis development, and is only expressed in somatic cells of the gonad. Interestingly, Tj is present in cap cells and escort cells but not in TFs. This study shows that Tj is essential for the formation of the GSC niche. First, Tj regulates the behavior of cap cells, enabling them to form a cell cluster instead of a cell stack, which appears to be important for the formation of a normal-sized GSC niche with the capacity to support more than one GSC. Second, cap cells adopt the fate of TF cells in the absence of Tj function, and TF cells develop cap cell-like features when forced to express Tj, indicating that Tj specifies the cap cell fate. Genetic interactions suggest that Tj and N are required together for cap cell formation, but have different functions in this process. For somatic gonadal cells to adopt the cap cell fate, it is proposed that Tj has to be present to inhibit the TF cell fate and N has to be present to prevent the escort cell fate and/or produce the correct number of cap cell precursors (Panchal, 2017).\n\nLoss of Tj has a profound negative effect on the establishment, number, and maintenance of GSCs. Effects of Tj on the germline were previously shown to be indirect as Tj is neither expressed nor cell-autonomously required in the germline. Therefore, it is proposed that the dramatic change in the structure of the somatic niche affects GSCs when Tj function is compromised. An inverse causal relationship, where a reduced number of GSCs would trigger the somatic niche defects was ruled out by showing that cap cells can still look and behave normally in the absence of any germ cells. It is concluded that Tj controls GSCs indirectly by controlling somatic cell fate and cell arrangement in the stem cell niche (Panchal, 2017).\n\nBy controlling the morphology and behavior of the cap cells, Tj regulates the GSC-carrying capacity of the niche. When Tj expression was moderately reduced, the number of GSCs per niche was reduced, with the remaining GSC properly maintained over several weeks. The decrease of GSCs per niche correlated with a decrease of cap cells in the germarium. Two cap cells were on average required to sustain one GSC, similar to what has been proposed for a wild-type ovary. The data indicate that the reduced niche capacity is due to a reduction in the available contact surface between cap cells and GSCs. Tj-depleted cap cells that convert from forming a cluster inside the germarium to forming a stalk outside the germarium minimize their availability for GSC attachment. A connection between the GSC-cap cell contact area and niche capacity is similarly reflected in the increased number of GSCs that accompanies an increase in cap cell size due to loss of RanBPM. This study shows that the spatial arrangement of the cap cells has a crucial impact on the number of stem cells per niche (Panchal, 2017).\n\nWhen Tj function was completely abolished, the number of GSCs was drastically reduced, as expected in the absence of cap cells. The very few pMad-positive GSC-like cells in tj mutant prepupal ovaries were always associated with a TF, suggesting that TFs might temporarily provide enough Dpp to activate Mad in a few germline cells, consistent with the finding that Dpp is expressed in TFs at the late larval stage\\. This is not sufficient, however, to maintain GSCs and adult ovaries rarely contain pMad-positive germline cells. This is in agreement with the finding that Dpp is not detected in adult TFs, and corroborates that cap cells are required for GSC maintenance. In addition, the rapid loss of the entire germ cell pool in Tj-depleted ovaries during the pupal stage might be precipitated by loss or defects in escort cells. Escort cell precursors are not properly intermingled with germ cells at the larval stage and differentiated escort cells appear to be missing in adult ovaries that lack Tj. As escort cells are crucial for germ cell differentiation, the defect in escort cell differentiation could be responsible for the demise of the germline in tj mutants (Panchal, 2017).\n\nGSCs have broad cellular protrusions, which they use to reach and tightly ensheath the accessible surface of cap cells. In wild type, relatively short protrusions are sufficient to make extensive contact with more than one cap cell. However, when cap cells formed a stalk, GSCs were often observed to produce unusually long extensions that allowed them not only to contact the immediate cap cell neighbor but also a more distantly located cap cell. This suggests that GSCs respond to a chemotactic signal from cap cells and send protrusions toward this signal. It remains to be investigated whether this is a response to Dpp signaling or signaling through another pathway. The importance of cellular protrusions in signaling events in the stem cell niche has recently come to light with the discovery of nanotubes that mediate Dpp signaling between GSCs and hub cells in the Drosophila testes, and cytonemes that contribute to Hh signaling from cap to escort cells in the ovary (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThis analysis shows that Tj is required for the specification of cap cells. In the absence of Tj function, additional TF cells form at the expense of cap cells, resulting in unusually long TFs while the cap cell fate is not established. Whereas the formation of cap cell precursors appears not to require Tj, this transcription factor is essential for the ability of these precursors to take on the cap cell fate and to prevent the TF cell fate that is otherwise adopted as a default state. The following findings support this conclusion: (1) In the absence of Tj function, cap cells were missing while additional cells that displayed TF cell-characteristic morphology, behavior and marker expression were integrated into the TF. The number of additional TF cells was comparable to the normal number of cap cells. (2) Prospective cap cells cell-autonomously adopted a TF-specific morphology and behavior in the absence of functional Tj. (3) A hypomorphic tj mutant provided direct evidence for the incorporation of cap cells into TFs, forming the basal portion of these stalks. (4) Ectopic expression of Tj in TF cells caused a change toward cap cell-typical marker expression and morphology. Together, these data demonstrate that Tj promotes cap cell specification (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThe expression pattern of Tj supports the notion that Tj has a function in cap cells but not in TF cells. Tj is continuously expressed in cap cells. Tj is also present in the anterior interstitial cells of the larval ovary, which are thought to develop into cap cells. In contrast, Tj is neither detected in the cell population that gives rise to TFs during 3rd larval instar, nor in differentiated TFs. Interestingly, even in the absence of Tj function, the tj gene remains differentially expressed in the anterior niche, being inactive in regular TF cells but active in the additional TF cells, which form the apical and basal portion of a TF, respectively. This differential expression of Tj indicates that a regionally or temporally regulated mechanism operates upstream of Tj that initiates differences in anterior niche cells. Although it is conspicuous that Tj expression from 3rd instar onwards is restricted to cells that are in direct contact with germline cells, which includes cap cells but excludes TF cells, it has previously been shown that Tj expression is not dependent on the germline. This suggests that a soma-specific mechanism is responsible for the differential expression of Tj in anterior niche cells. Interestingly, a recent study uncovered the importance of Hh signaling from TFs to neighboring interstitial cells in the larval ovary and proposes that tj is a direct target of the Hh signaling pathway (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThe current findings suggest the presence of a new cell type in the GSC niche that has been named 'transition cell' as it is located between the cap cell cluster and the TF, connecting these two structures of the niche. Notably, the one or occasionally two transition cells have the morphology of TF cells and align with neighboring TF cells despite displaying a cap cell-like marker profile that includes the expression of Tj—although Tj expression is substantially lower than in cap cells. Interestingly, cap cells from ovaries with reduced Tj expression (tjhypo) similarly displayed a TF cell-like morphology and behavior while their expression profile remained cap cell-like. A similar, although weaker effect was noted in a tj hemizygous condition, suggesting that Tj function is haplo-insufficient in cap cells. Thus, when Tj levels are reduced, cap cells adopt very similar molecular and morphogenetic properties as the transition cell in a wild-type niche, and might have adopted this cell fate (Panchal, 2017).\n\nTogether, the current findings indicate that Tj has an important role in the establishment of three cell types in the GSC niche: TF cells, transition cells, and cap cells. As lack of Tj function seems to cause a transformation of cap and transition cells into TF cells, and a mild reduction of Tj a cap to transition cell transformation, it is proposed that different Tj expression levels establish different cell fates and morphogenetic traits. It is proposed that a high concentration of Tj leads to the formation of cap cells and a lower concentration to the formation of the transition cell, whereas absence of Tj is required for the formation of TF cells. This model implies that different levels of Tj have different effects on target genes. It is predicted that Tj has at least one target gene that only responds to high levels of Tj and that specifically controls the morphogenetic behavior of cap cells, allowing them to adopt a round morphology and organize into a cell cluster. Whether this relates to an effect of Tj on the expression of adhesion molecules as observed in other gonadal tissues awaits further analysis (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThis study identifies Tj as essential for cap cell formation. In addition, this process depends on the N pathway. Therefore, it was asked how the functions of Tj and N in cap cell formation relate to each other. A comparison between the loss and gain-of-function phenotypes suggests that Tj and N have different functions in the establishment of cap cells. In the absence of Tj function, cap cell precursor cells are present but take on the fate of TF cells, whereas depletion of N leads to a loss of cap cells but does not cause the formation of additional TF cells. Ectopic activation of N can induce a strong increase in the number of cap cells, whereas overexpression of Tj did not appear to affect the number of cap cells. Therefore, both factors are important for cap cell formation but contribute differently to this process. The questions then are: What is the respective contribution of Tj and N to cap cell formation, and how are their functions related (Panchal, 2017)?\n\nThe function of N in cap cell formation is still not fully understood. The observation that depletion of N reduces the number of cap cells confirms previous findings. However, neither in this nor any previously published experiments were cap cells lost completely when the N pathway was compromised, and it remains therefore unclear whether N is de facto essential for cap cell formation or primarily functions in regulating the size of the cap cell pool. Interestingly, evidence amounts to a function of the N pathway in a decision between the cap cell and escort cell fate: First, Dl signal from TF cells activates the N pathway in adjacent interstitial cells, inducing them as cap cells, whereas the remaining interstitial cells are thought to develop into escort cells. Second, escort cells expressing activated N can develop into cap cells. Third, when tj-Gal4 was used to express active N in interstitial cells, the number of cap cells dramatically increased while the escort cell region became smaller, and some germaria seemed to lack escort cells all together. These germaria also lacked germline cells, although a larger pool of cap cells was expected to increase the number of GSCs. However, the absence of germline cells is consistent with an absence of escort cells, as escort cells have been shown to be important for maintaining the germline. Together, these observations support the hypothesis that N is involved in a cap cell versus escort cell fate decision, and suggest that the N pathway might promote the formation of cap cells by inhibiting the escort cell fate (Panchal, 2017).\n\nTo determine how the functions of Tj and N depend on each other, genetic interactions were examined. The N pathway seems to be still functional in tj mutants. First, the expression of N and Dl appeared unaffected and E(spl) was activated in the additional TF cells (= transformed cap cells) similarly to normal cap cells. Second, the formation of additional TF cells in the absence of Tj depended on the presence of N, as only very few additional TF cells formed in a N compromised background. These findings indicate that the N pathway is still active in cap cell precursors when Tj function is abolished. This together with the observation that constitutively active N cannot suppress the tj mutant phenotype suggests that Tj does not act upstream of N in regulating cap cell fate (Panchal, 2017).\n\nTherefore, it was asked whether Tj might operate downstream of N. Loss of Tj was not detected upon N depletion, and this together with the finding that Tj is expressed in all interstitial cells, and not only in those that receive Dl signaling argues against a requirement of N signaling for tj expression. If at all, one would expect tj to be negatively regulated by N as cap cells express a lower level of Tj than escort cells. The maintenance of somatic cell types in N mutant ovaries that are lost in tj mutant ovaries, including the escort cells is also not consistent with a linear relationship. Nevertheless, the ability of Tj to promote the formation of cap cells appears to depend on the activity of the N pathway in cap cell precursors. Again, this is suggested by the finding that when N and Tj were both compromised, the number of additional TF cells were much smaller than when N was fully active. Therefore, it is proposed that N activity sets aside a pool of percursor cells that in the presence of Tj take on the cap cell fate, and in its absence the TF fate (Panchal, 2017).\n\nSimilar to the ovary, N is important for the formation of the GSC niche (= hub) in the Drosophila testis. Interestingly, N contributes to hub cell specification by downregulating the expression level of Tj. Not only is the hub still present in tj mutant testes but additionally, ectopic hub cells form in the absence of Tj. Thus, Tj seems to have opposing functions in testes and ovaries, suppressing the niche cell fate in the testis, while promoting it in the ovary (Panchal, 2017).\n\nThe interplay between Tj and N seems not restricted to the cap cell fate in the ovary. Whereas neither factor alone is required for TF cell formation, as TF cells formed normally in the absence of either Tj or N, the combined loss of Tj and N led to a strong reduction in the number of TFs and number of TF cells within stalks. This suggests that their combined action is already required at an earlier stage of ovary development, when Tj is still expressed in all somatic cells of the ovary. Moreover, Tj knockdown combined with expression of activated N caused TF cells to be the only cell type remaining of the ovary, indicating that several cell types in the ovary require proper input from both factors. Taken together, the findings support a model, in which both Tj and N operate together to promote the cap cell fate but have separate functions. It is proposed that Tj and N promote the cap cell fate by blocking the TF cell fate and escort cell fate, respectively, and that the combined actions of Tj and the N pathway are required to establish the cap cell fate (Panchal, 2017).\n\n\n\nIn contrast to vertebrates that have a single Pax6 gene, the Drosophila genome contains two Pax6 homologs, ey and toy. Both genes are expressed broadly throughout the entire eye-antennal disc but are later limited to a far more restricted domain within the undifferentiated cells of the eye field. Whereas most studies on Pax6 in the eye-antennal disc have focused on the developing compound eye, several reports have hinted at a role for both genes outside of the eye. However, the underlying mechanism of how Ey/Toy promote eye-antennal disc development has been elusive. This is, in part, because of the use of single Pax6 mutants to study development. The phenotypes associated with individual mutants are variable and often restricted to the eye. Several studies have suggested that Ey and Toy function redundantly to each other. This finding most likely explains the variability of phenotype severity and penetrance. Thus, the combined loss of both Ey/Toy may be a more accurate reflection of the effect that Pax6 loss has on Drosophila development. Indeed, this appears to be the case as it is reported that the combined loss of both ey and toy leads to the complete loss of all head structures that are derived from the eye antennal disc. This study attempted to determine the mechanism by which Ey/Toy support eye-antennal disc development (Zhu, 2017).\n\nPrevious studies in the fly eye proposed that Pax6 is concerned solely with eye specification, whereas Notch signaling and other retinal determination proteins, such as Eyg, Tsh, and Hth, control cell proliferation and tissue growth. This study proposes an alternate model in which Ey/Toy are in fact required for cell survival and proliferation in addition to eye specification. The data indicate that Ey/Toy regulate growth of the eye-antennal disc through Tsh, N/Eyg, and additional N-dependent proliferation promoting genes. It is proposed that on simultaneous removal of Ey and Toy the eye-antennal disc fails to develop, in part, because the expression of eyg and tsh is lost in complete absence of Pax6. Expression of tsh and activation of the N pathway are sufficient to restore tissue growth to the eye-antennal disc. Support for this model linking Ey/Toy to cell proliferation via Eyg and Tsh comes from studies showing that eyg loss-of-function mutants display a headless phenotype identical to that seen in the ey/toy double knockdowns, that cells lacking eyg do not survive in the eye disc, and overexpression of Tsh causes overproliferation (Zhu, 2017).\n\nThe results also show that the combined loss of Ey and Toy affects the number of cells that are in S and M phases of the cell cycle. This observation directly supports the model that Ey/Toy control growth of the eye-antennal disc and is consistent with studies in vertebrates that demonstrate roles for Pax6 in the proliferation of neural progenitors within the brain. Earlier studies observed cells undergoing apoptosis in Pax6 single-mutant eye-antennal discs and showed that blocking cell death alone can partially rescue the head defects of the eyD and toyhdl mutants. Although this study shows that retinal progenitor cells lacking both Pax6 proteins undergo even greater levels of apoptosis, blocking cell death does not restore the eye-antennal disc. What accounts for the differences in the two experiments? In the eyD and toyhdl rescue experiments, each genotype contained wild-type copies of the other Pax6 paralog, but this study has knocked down both Pax6 genes simultaneously. Another possible difference is that Pax6 levels are being reduced while the eyD and toyhdl mutants are likely functioning as dominant negatives. It is concluded from these results that a reduction in cell proliferation but not elevated apoptosis levels is the proximate cause for the complete loss of the eye-antennal disc (Zhu, 2017).\n\nAlthough the activation of Tsh and the Notch pathway can restore antennal and head epidermal development, neither factor is capable of restoring eye development to the ey/toy double-knockdown discs. This is most likely because both Pax6 genes are also required for the specification of the eye. In particular, Ey/Toy are required for the activation of several other retinal determination genes, including so, eya, and dac. Thus, the results suggest that Notch signaling, Eyg, and Tsh can restore nonocular tissue growth to the eye field but cannot compensate for the Pax6 requirement in eye specification (Zhu, 2017).\n\nFinally, the results using the double knockdown of ey/toy are consistent with the dosage effects that are seen in mammalian Pax6 mutants. Although mutations in ey have just eye defects, the combined loss of ey/toy lacks all head structures. Mice that are heterozygous for Pax6 mutations have small eyes, whereas those that are homozygous completely lack eyes, have severe CNS defects, and die prematurely. Similarly, human patients carrying a single mutant copy of Pax6 suffer from aniridia, whereas newborns that are homozygous for the mutant Pax6 allele have anophthalmia, microcephaly, and die very early as well. As a master control gene of eye development, Pax6 appears to initiate both retinal specification and proliferation. These data demonstrate that the functions of Ey and Toy in the eye-antennal disc are redundant and dependent upon gene dosage, thereby making the roles of Pax6 in the Drosophila similar to what is observed in vertebrates where Pax6 controls both specification and proliferation of the brain and retina in a dosage-sensitive manner (Zhu, 2017).\n\nlist of proneural and neurogenic genes\n\n\nBossing, T., et al. (1996). The embryonic central nervous system lineages of Drosophila melanogaster. I. Neuroblast lineages derived from the ventral half of the neuroectoderm. Dev. Biol 179: 41-64. 8873753\n\nCummings, C.A. and Cronmiller, C. (1994). The daughterless gene functions together with Notch and Delta in the control of ovarian follicle development in Drosophila. Development 120: 381-94. 8149916\n\nDa Ros, V. G., Gutierrez-Perez, I., Ferres-Marco, D. and Dominguez, M. (2013). Dampening the signals transduced through Hedgehog via microRNA miR-7 facilitates Notch-induced tumourigenesis. PLoS Biol 11(5): e1001554. PubMed ID: 23667323\n\nFarnsworth, D. R., Bayraktar, O. A. and Doe, C. Q. (2015). Aging neural progenitors lose competence to respond to mitogenic Notch signaling. Curr Biol 25: 3058-3068. PubMed ID: 26585279\n\nGhysen, A. and Dambly-Chaudiere, C. (1988). From DNA to form: The achaete-scute complex. Genes Dev. 2: 495-501\n\nGomez-Skarmeta, J. L., et al. (1995). Cis-regulation of achaete and scute: shared enhancer-like elements drive their coexpression in proneural clusters of the imaginal discs. Genes Dev. 9: 1869-1882. 7649474\n\nGonzalez-Gaitan, M. and Jackle, H. (1995). Invagination centers within the Drosophila stomatogastric nervous system anlage are positioned by Notch-mediated signaling which is spatially controlled through wingless. Development 121: 2313-25. 7671798\n\nHartenstein, A.Y., Rugendorff, A., Tepass, U. and Hartenstein, V. (1992). The function of the neurogenic genes during epithelial development in the Drosophila embryo. Development 116(4): 1203-1220. 1295737\n\nPanchal, T., Chen, X., Alchits, E., Oh, Y., Poon, J., Kouptsova, J., Laski, F. A. and Godt, D. (2017). Specification and spatial arrangement of cells in the germline stem cell niche of the Drosophila ovary depend on the Maf transcription factor Traffic jam. PLoS Genet 13(5): e1006790. PubMed ID: 28542174\n\nSchmidt, H., et al. (1997). The embryonic central nervous system lineages of Drosophila melanogaster. II. Neuroblast lineages derived from the dorsal part of the neuroectoderm. Dev. Biol. 189(2): 186-204\n\nSchweisguth, F. (1995). Suppressor of Hairless is required for signal reception during lateral inibition in the Drosophila pupal notum. Development 121: 1875-1884. 7601001\n\nSkeath, J. B. et al. (1992). Gene regulation in two dimensions: the proneural achaete and scute genes are controlled by combinations of axis-patterning genes through a common intergenic control region. Genes Dev 6: 2606-19. 7601001\n\nSkeath, J. B., Panganiban, J. F. and Carroll, S. B. (1994). The ventral nervous system defective gene controls proneural gene expression at two distinct steps during neuroblast formation in Drosophila. Development 120: 1517-1524. 8050360\n\nWu, Y. C., Lee, K. S., Song, Y., Gehrke, S. and Lu, B. (2017). The bantam microRNA acts through Numb to exert cell growth control and feedback regulation of Notch in tumor-forming stem cells in the Drosophila brain. PLoS Genet 13(5): e1006785. PubMed ID: 28520736\n\nZhou, W., He, Q., Zhang, C., He, X., Cui, Z., Liu, F. and Li, W. (2016). BLOS2 negatively regulates Notch signaling during neural and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell development. Elife [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed ID: 27719760\n\n\nZygotically transcribed genes\n\n\nThe Interactive Fly resides on the\nSociety for Developmental Biology's Web server.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9448264241218567}
{"content": "Topic accent causes letter to change font\n\nWe have two new locations for Keyman technical support:\n\nThe Tavultesoft Forums are now read only.\n\nKeyboard Details Galaxie BibleScript Phonetic Keyboards Keyboard Downloads and Details\n\n# accent causes letter to change font   2009-09-13 16:35:28.653\nMarcia Moore\nOK, so I can now type accents, but whenever I put an accent over a letter, the font of the letter changes from whatever font I was typing in (e.g., Cambria, or Arial, or Book Antiqua, or Times New Roman) to the \"Tahoma\" font. I do not want to use the Tahoma font.\n\nHow can I accent letters and keep to the same font?\n# RE: accent causes letter to change font   2009-09-14 14:46:56.980\nI have a simple solution to your issue.\n\nFonts like Cambria and Ariel do not offer the best support for polytonic Greek, which is why your system searches for other fonts with better support. For the Greek accents to display correctly in your document, you need to use a font with good support for polytonic Greek. Fonts like Galatia SIL ( and Gentium SIL are two good choices (\n\nYou can find other good fonts for Greek from the Font Helper tool of Keyman's On Screen Keyboard. Simply click on the Keyman Menu, select the On Screen Keyboard, and choose Font Helper from the buttons along the top. You will see a list of the fonts on your system which offer the best support for Greek.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8416220545768738}
{"content": "Yoga Basics\n\n\nAsanas 0 8 limbs of yoga\n\nMovement is the center of our world and the center of our being.  It’s what creates action and in turn produces change and growth within society. Movement within the yoga practice is referred to as Asana; it is the third petal of the eight limbs of yoga. For many people, the physical postures are their first glimpse into yoga and why this ancient practice has become one of the most popular forms of exercise.\n\nMillions of people have found yoga through a physical fitness journey. The intricate postures, the beautiful people, and the image of what yoga is, have made a profound effect on present society.  Whether the practice was introduced at a gym, by a friend, or by purchasing a Groupon, it doesn’t matter. What matters is the relationship cultivated between yourself and the yoga practice. For yoga’s benefits to take effect it requires constant nourishment; nourishment in the form of a loving attitude, a daily commitment to move the body, to only digest pure nutrients, to shed layers that no longer serve you, and to practice wholehearted truthfulness.\n\nIronically, ancient yoga tradition only practiced four seated postures and all were in preparation for meditation. This is a drastic change from our modern yoga practices that are filled with creative sequences, trendy music, heated rooms, and designer yoga apparel. While the setting and context of our Asana practice has changed, the end goal has not: to be free from suffering and experience bliss.\n\nExperience bliss – say what? Yes, that’s right. All yogis and yoginis of the world can glimpse into a world of bliss: a world that is filled with kind, generous, and like-minded people; a world where gossip and judgment are foreign; and a world where peace and love are the only answers. You might not experience this every moment BUT you will experience this within the yoga community and within yourself. The physical practice is a means to turn inward, to dim the exterior, to reconnect with our true nature, and to ultimately achieve that beautiful state of bliss.\n\nSo how do we do this? How can you or I feel the yoga high? The answer lies within the physical asana practice. Do the work and the rest will come. Make time everyday to step onto the mat, whether it’s five minutes or ninety minutes, simply drop into the moment. Allow the moment to be filled with breath and movement. Let the mind become quiet, let the skin begin to soften, let your inhibitions and fears drip away like rain falling from the sky. LET YOGA DO YOU!\n\nA yoga practice can mean whatever it needs to be. Some days it will consist of a sweaty, heart pumping, creative sequence with inversions and backbends. Other days it will be gentle with longer holds, deeper breathing, and an airy softness to it. Regardless of the movement, the outcome will remain the same: a glimpse into bliss.\n\nThere’s that word again – bliss.\n\nUpon first reaction, this word conjures up far-fetched images that seem impossible to experience. But that’s the beauty of yoga, bliss can have 1,00 different meanings and yet still be a state that everyone achieves. A friendship that comes from joining a yoga studio, a peaceful savasana at the end of practice, a handstand hold for five breaths, a moment where the mind is completely still, and a realization that our purpose in life is greater than it appears – this is all bliss.\n\nWith this understanding of what the yoga practice can offer, now is the time to step onto your mat. Join a local yoga studio, pair up with a friend and practice outdoors, enroll in one of the many online yoga communities, go on a yoga retreat somewhere beautiful, or simply practice in the comfort of your home. The how doesn’t matter; it’s the quality of the movements and the intention that is put forth Make a commitment to better yourself and start practicing yoga. One breath, one movement, and bliss will be around the corner shining brightly.\n\nYou Might Also Like\n\nDownload YogaTime app", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7376584410667419}
{"content": "Switch branches/tags\nNothing to show\nFind file\nFetching contributors…\nCannot retrieve contributors at this time\n24 lines (13 sloc) 589 Bytes\n\n\nThe single dependency in configobj so...\n\npip install configobj\n\n\neasy_install configobj\n\nSetup Config File\n\nYou can choose which files and what order files are combined.\n\nThere are two sections [ Scripts ] and [ Stylesheets ].\n\nWithin each section there are one or more outfiles [[ File 1 ]].\n\nThe out-file-combined-path and out-file-minified-path are where the files will be placed and the path is seperated with commas.\n\nThe [[[ Files ]]] holds the path of each file that will be combined and the path is seperated with commas.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9906467795372009}
{"content": "How Do I Create or Incorporate Text In An Oil Painting?\nBrowse articles:\nBrowse companies:\n\nHow Do I Create or Incorporate Text In An Oil Painting?\n\nIdeas on Incorporating text into a painting or along side a painting.\n\nIf you are making an oil painting and want to include a short poem or other text in the work or along side the work you have a number of options. \n\nIncorporate the Text as Part of the Painting\n\nDepending on your style of painting and your subject matter you will want to consider whether your text will be in a formal style font or a more painterly style font. You might want to first print and cut out the exact text from your computer and play around with compositions and configurations on the canvas. Rough in with pencil your picture composition.  Consider incorporating the poem or text into a border around the main subject part of the painting. Choose a canvas that is bigger than what you want for the main subject then mark off a border according to the size and area you will need for the text and paint the border area with a layer of oil paint in a color that will work with your painting. Use a drying agent and make sure that the surface is dry before proceeding. Smooth it out so you can write out the text all around the main subject in an artistic hand. Do your writing before the painting. Use a really nice set of markers such as Prismacolor or one of the great scrapbooking markers available that have different styles of tips from a fine tip to a \"brush\" style tip or paint the letters using a small brush. Understand that you have reserved the central part of the canvas for the main subject. You may want to put a hard line painted border between the main subject and the text for a more formal look or you may want to blend the background of the painting softly into the text area. Paintings with text incorporated can be really beautiful and compelling. Make the text a part of the painting rather than a separate element. After your painting has dried for several months you can varnish the entire work with the appropriate oil painting varnish including the text area. \n\nCarve the Words Into the Wet Paint\n\nIf you are using an impasto technique you can use a stylus and carve the words into the paint while it is still wet. This will be a more painterly or informal look.\n\nUse a Shadow Box Alongside your Painting\n\nIf your painting is a painting to commemorate a loved one you can have a brass plate with the name and dates on it and have it adhered to the frame at the bottom. The text or poem can be framed under glass and hung separately. Most frame shops have a vendor that will custom make a small plate for the frame. Be sure to choose a flat frame if you are doing this or one that has a somewhat flat area on it for the plate.\n\nFor a more formal approach you might choose to do a separate frame for the poem or text. I would recommend you consider creating a framed and glassed shadow box and include memorobilia along with the written document. A pair of glasses, gloves, jewelry or a necktie or in the case of an animal a collar or toy. Consult a good independent framer for shadow boxes and design options. See my article on Picture Framing Tips for some ideas on selecting the appropriate frame and colors.\n\nAdditional resources:\n\nNeed an answer?\nGet insightful answers from community-recommended\nin Painting & Drawing on Knoji.\nYou have 0 recommendations remaining to grant today.\nComments (2)\n\nGreat article. When I saw this question, I was hoping someone would write a factoid about it!\n\nThanks Kathleen!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9332442879676819}
{"content": "Handy Plans In Golfing – Some Updated Tips\n\nIf your golfing putts need work, there are a couple of easy drills to get them up to snuff. One easy exercise is to throw a dime a short ways and try to get the ball to land on it. Another drill is to try to sink five one-foot shots in a row, and then increase distance.\n\n\nTo improve your score fast, focus on your short shots because they make up the greater percentage of the game. New golfers often put a lot of focus on driving, but this won’t bring up your score as quickly as getting really good at getting the ball into the hole.\n\n\n\n\nGolfing can be loads of fun or a relaxing getaway. The way you play the game can change depending on the circumstances involved. This is why golfing is one of the most popular sports around the world. Golf has a learning curve that allows you to really get good at the game, so here are some tips to help you on your way.\n\n\nGood golfers never forget that the perfect golf swing is a full-body motion. The hips and legs need to work in concert with the arms to maximize power and maintain accuracy. At the same time that the arms bring the club down, the hips should be swiveling, and once the shot is made the legs should pivot for full follow-through.\n\nIt is wise to avoid buying golf clubs over the internet, even if you have seen a picture of it. This is because although the club may seem to be in good condition, there could be flaws or problems with the club. Instead, buy a new, durable one at a sporting goods store.\n\nHone your skills and sharpen your game by applying the lessons in this article. If you make it a priority to adapt the knowledge you learn about the game into your practice sessions and weekend jaunts, even the driving range can become a theater for improvement. Use this article to boost your performance on the court and send your handicap into the basement.\n\nA helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that the last club you use in practice before heading out on the golf course is the first club you use when you tee off. This will ensure that you are ready for your first shot – the most important one of the day.\n\nThere are many ways to putt a golf ball, but for the beginner golfer the most simple way to remember proper putting is the word “center”. All puts should originate from the center of the putter while you are still learning. Once you become more experienced, you can begin to learn about zones of the putter and how that will affect your shot.\n\nIf you want to improve your golf game, it is crucial that you hold your club in the correct way. First of all, you should place the club handle onto your palms. Then, you should grab the club with thumbs going down. Your hands should be touching. If you want the ball to go to its maximum distance, one technique is to move your hands up on the handle a little. For a shorter distance, you should move your hands down a little.\n\nThe back swing of a golf swing is just as important as the front swing- it must be gradual and controlled. Amateurs will tend to bring the club back quickly and jerkily with the wrists, which compromises the whole swing. Bring it back in a controlled fashion with the arms to start your swing off right.\n\n\nWhen performing a golf swing, the right leg is the root of everything. It’s essential to keep weight on your right leg, with the knee slightly bent, during the back swing. If your right leg is weak, it means a major lack of power. Imagine your knee braced against a solid wall while swinging.\n\nIf you are right-handed, swing the putter with the left hand in front of the ball at the point of impact. Maintain this position as you follow through with your swing. This helps to keep the ball from bouncing too hard off the club face, and will also hold the club firmly in your grasp.\n\nIt doesn’t matter if you are a golf novice or seasoned pro, you will hit sand traps and bunkers from time to time. Sand often times gets spread around carelessly trying to free the ball from a trap. Follow golf etiquette and properly rake the bunker prior to leaving. By leaving the trap raked cleanly, you allow players behind you the chance to play their shot without the frustration of dealing with an unfair lie.\n\n\nExamining The Facts For Fundamental Elements Of Golfing\n\n\n\nWhen you walk around the golf source, your feet typically expand a good bit due to the swelling caused by walking. Therefore, you should purchase golf shoes one size bigger than usual to compensate for this. Shoes that fit snugly in the store may end up uncomfortably constrictive by the eighteenth hole.\n\nThe way your golf game ends depends on your putting capabilities. Putting is one of the most difficult things to do correctly in golf. It is recommended that you go to the putting greens regularly just to practice your putting and nothing else. This will be very beneficial to you as you continue to play rounds of golf.\n\nUnderstand when to use a long and short iron. A long iron needs a steady tempo to achieve a long distance. Don’t forget to swing slowly when using a long iron: smoother is better. On the other hand, a short iron is best used when you are within 150 yards of the green. Pay attention to the speed with which you hit the golf ball, and once again, swing smoothly. There is a tendency to swing a short iron fast, but this will not get the best results.\n\nMany people complain about not being able to improve their game once they hit a certain point. This is a good time to go back to the basics and maybe even take some golfing lessons from a pro. Usually there are certain things that can be noticed and improved upon. This will enable you to go play your next round with a few tricks up your sleeve that improve your game.\n\nBe careful of an overly aggressive or choppy golf swing- even the most powerful swing should be smooth and fluid. The key point here is the top of the swing between ending the back swing and beginning the forward swing. Don’t jerk the club from one to the other- accelerate gradually for a good, controlled swing.\n\nIn order to be good at golf, one of the basic things that you need to take care of is your grip. It is good to know how the ball will act in response to your grip. The tighter you hold the golf club the more tendency that the ball will go to the right. The looser the grip is the more tendency that the ball will go to the left.\n\nWhen you are putting and the ball consistently misses to the left or the right, there is a reason for this. Your eyes are supposed to directly be positioned right over the ball. If they are positioned slightly inside the ball, then your shot will miss to the right. If they are positioned outside the ball, then your shot will consistently miss to the left.\n\nIf you need to make a longer than normal bunker shot, try taking a nine iron instead of a sand wedge. By taking a nine iron you increase the distance you are able to carry the ball out of the sand and decrease the likelihood that you will skull the ball by taking a sand wedge and swinging too hard.\n\nOne way to ensure that your swing is strong and consistent is to swing all the way through without breaking your wrist. You can place a tee about 6 to 8 inches in front of your ball. After you hit the ball, you want to hit the tee in front of it as well.\n\nIf there are things you don’t understand about the game of golf, don’t be afraid to ask! Ask your your fellow golfers, and friends at your club. Try to go for a round with a really good player and ask them to analyze your game. Read up on golf and watch golf tournaments and training videos; however, remember that you will create your own unique style as you learn and apply the advice.\n\n\nIf you are looking to hone your putting skill, you should roll a golf ball across a carpet in your home. By doing this, you will begin to understand speed and line without even having to pick up your club. This is an easy way to hone your mental understanding of the golfing game.\n\nHave you recently taken up the sport of playing golf, or perhaps you have been playing golf for years? Either way, there are always things that you can learn about golf that you never knew existed. What you are going to read about golf in the following article may take you by surprise.\n\nGolfing is a fun and easy sport. It gets you outside and keeps you active. That is why people young and old can play the sport, and you can too! Just stick with it! You will not be any good at first, but that is okay. You may get embarrassed because your swing is different than others, or you take longer, but don’t! You are out there to have fun and challenge yourself, remember that.\n\n\nA tip for practicing difficult golf putts is to try them with your eyes closed. It’s easy to get distracted from your technique when you want to watch the ball go to the hole- if you shut your eyes, it’s easier to feel the pendulum effect and the movement of your shoulders.\n\nHave a sense of humor. If you take a horrible shot, laugh about it instead of getting angry or sulking. While golf is a fairly serious game, having a bad attitude can affect more than just your mood. When you are upset or angry, you will lose focus, leading to a downward spiral. Instead, brush off the bad shot, and concentrate on having a good time on the course.\n\nSensible Golf Products – Some New Guidance\n\n\n\n\nOnce you have taught yourself to consistently hit the ball, next is to get your swing down right. Think of the club as the pendulum in a grandfather clock. Practice swinging your club from side to side like the pendulum. Remember, it doesn’t take a lot of force to drive the ball far. It takes consistency and accuracy when hitting the ball. People as old as 80 can out drive someone twice their strength because it is all about consistency and accuracy.\n\n\nAs you can see from the practical ideas in the article above, there is no reason to have your golf game looking old and boring. When you start using the information from the article above, your game will have a whole new look, and you will find that every swing will be fresh.\n\nGolf is one of the most popular leisure activities in the world. Playing a round of golf is a great way to have fun, challenge yourself and get some exercise all at the same time. There is nothing better than spending a beautiful, sunny day out on the course. This article contains a few hot tips to help improve your golf game.\n\n\nAre you having trouble slicing the ball away from you? Did the ball leave you in the shape of a banana? This is easy to fix. Move 2 inches closer to the ball so that your ball is just an inch away from the hosel. People’s first reaction during a swing is to pull yourself away from the ball. This will be corrected by moving up on the hosel.\n\n\n\n\nUpdates To Consider On Aspects Of Golfing\n\nThe sport is actually a very fun and rewarding activity, having numerous health benefits. Golf is a sport anyone can do, you just need to get out there. Read this article for some tips on doing just that.\n\nThere is no magic formula, so you will need to find out for yourself what works well for you. Based on a variety of physical attributes, finding your proper stance may look much different than the best stance for other golfers you play with. Taking the time to perfect your stance will greatly lower your average score.\n\nIf you want to Golfing improve the quality of your swing you should learn to put the full force of your body into the motion. Amateurs often think that power comes from the arms alone. The reality is that if you rely solely on your arms, your swing will be weak and awkward. It’s better to use the entire body along with the motion from your club.\n\nMake sure that you are holding the club correctly when you are a beginner. The most common problem when trying to hit the ball far is they tend to have a hard grip on the club. The best grip is actually soft, yet firm. Hold your club similar to how you would a bird.\n\nBecause of this, go through some stretches before you tee off, and also stay well hydrated. When you’re in good shape, your game will improve.\n\nBefore you decide to enter on the course, get a set of golf footwear. Make it a point to read several product reviews for golfing shoes well before you actually buy. The cheapest golfing footwear ought to be avoided, as they often have negative review articles.\n\nEach golf club is made with a “sweet spot,” which is the exact location on the club that provides you the most accuracy and distance if you strike the ball at that point. Take the time to recognize where this ‘sweet spot’ can be found on each of your clubs in order to maximize your game.\n\nAlways focus all of your concentration on the next shot. Don’t let the outcome of the previous shot, or any upcoming challenges, influence the way you swing that club. Anxiety about earlier poor plays can really have an effect on your game, so do your best to push them from your mind completely, rather than dwelling on them.\n\nBefore you take your shot, make sure that you align the rear of your forward facing foot with the ball. For most of your shots, you will want your feet to align with the ball. Imagine that you are making a triangle with your feet and the ball acts as the top of the pyramid. The only exception to this is when your ball lies on a slope.\n\nTransfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot by rapidly swinging through your hips after assuming your golf stance. This will increase the power of your swing and the distance the ball will travel.\n\nNearly anyone can enjoy a good game of golf, but only people who take golf seriously will strive to make their swing perfect. By adding these tips to your golf repertoire, you will become an expert golfer in no time.\n\nPrudent Golf Systems – Straightforward Ideas\n\nGolf Golfing is wonderful pastime that is enjoyed by everyone of all ages. Although players come in all shapes in sizes, there is some advice that will make anyone a better golfer. The following article will offer plenty of great advice that just about anyone who loves golf can benefit from.\n\nYou can implement this subtle research into your own style, which helps create a stance and methodology that is perfect for you. The right stance can vary a lot depending on your body type, weight, height and gender. A good stance will do a lot for your game.\n\nIf you have the opportunity, ask a professional his or her opinion on a club, or certainly on a set of new clubs you are considering purchasing. They will have intimate knowledge of all the clubs available, being able to select for you, exactly what you need for the best shot possible.\n\nAn easy exercise, a “toe-wiggling” exercise, can show golf stance faults. Anyone who is leaning inward too far will have difficulty wiggling their toes. Lean back until your feet are loose to ensure you have the correct posture.\n\nBefore you decide to set foot on the course, get a set of golf footwear. Make sure you read through several review articles about golfing footwear before you actually buy. That way you’re going to get a high quality set.\n\n\n\n\nMake sure you stretch and stay hydrated. Giving proper attention to your body will help you make improvements in your golf game.\n\nThere is a reason that the game of golf has endured for generations. Now you just need to work it into your game.\n\nQuick Products Of Golf – Ideas\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSolutions For Golfing – A Helpful Breakdown\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6244614720344543}
{"content": "Thoughtful Parenting: Applied Behavior Analysis useful therapeutic tool |\n\nThoughtful Parenting: Applied Behavior Analysis useful therapeutic tool\n\nDeirdre Pepin/For Steamboat Today\n\nThoughtful Parenting First Impressions\n\nApplied Behavior Analysis, the science of behavior change, is a proven effective method for changing undesirable behavior. Behavior analysis is an approach to understanding behavior and its relationship with the environment.\n\nBehavior refers to a person's actions and skills. Environment refers to anything that has the power to change or be changed by a person's behavior — it can be psychological, emotional, or physical. At the heart of behavior analysis is understanding how learning happens.\n\nApplied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, uses techniques to reduce inappropriate or unwanted behavior and increase appropriate or wanted behavior. ABA can take place in a structured classroom setting, as well as informal real life situations. It can help children and adults improve communication, relationships, school and job performance and participation in family and community events.\n\nStudies show ABA is helpful for children with autism spectrum disorders in acquiring language, self-help and play skills and decreasing aggressive, self-injurious and self-stimulatory behavior. Preschool children with autism spectrum disorders who engage in early intensive ABA for at least two years benefit from substantial gains and may need little or no support as they continue through their school years.\n\nABA targets the improvement of socially significant behaviors, including communication, social skills, academics, reading, gross and fine motor skills, toileting, dressing, eating, personal self-care, domestic skills and work skills. But ABA is not only for people with developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorders. Its principles can be used to alter any observable behavior. While ABA can be used as a treatment for anxiety, addiction and ADHD, it can also be used for professional development by enhancing productivity and engagement, for example.\n\nIf you are a parent of a child with challenging or inappropriate behaviors, Applied Behavior Analysis might be a great option. It's important to remember, however, that there is no single plan or program that constitutes ABA. There is no single study that says how many sessions it will take to change your child's behavior.\n\nRecommended Stories For You\n\nThe most successful ABA programs are those that are woven into the fabric of the child's and family's lifestyle. As the parent of a child in ABA, your role is critical. You know your child better than anyone else, and you experience your child's behavior frequently enough to track it (helping to determine why or when it occurs). Engaged parents ensure that prompts and reinforcements continue throughout daily routines and are fundamental to a successful program.\n\nThe first step for parents who want to start ABA is to get an assessment of the child's current skill level. Assessments provide a baseline for the ABA provider and help measure progress going forward. Options include a diagnostic assessment, developmental assessment, domain specific assessment, neuropsychological assessment, criterion-referenced assessment, preference assessment, functional behavioral assessment, and skill probes.\n\nAs your local community centered board, Horizons hopes to continue providing information about different kinds of behavior services. ABA is but one of many; others include social cognition, synergetic play therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. While ABA has attracted attention as the best method for children with autism spectrum disorders, each child's unique situation requires individual evaluation and treatment.\n\nCurrently, ABA is in high demand in Northwest Colorado, creating the need for more local providers. Behavior services, not just ABA, should be available through insurance or Medicaid (you do not need to be on a Medicaid Waiver to receive behavior services). Some schools offer behavior services as part of a child's individualized education program.\n\nIf you have questions about your infant or toddler's development, call Horizons Specialized Services' Early Intervention office at 970-871-8558.\n\nDeirdre Pepin works in resource development and public relations at Horizons Specialized Services.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8537510633468628}
{"content": "\n\nHigher English ciritical poetry essay - constructive ciriticism and hepl please watch\n\n    • Thread Starter\n\n    I wrote an essay on a poem that I think I can match to a multitude of questions, so I want to get it just write. Here is one I did on how the theme of change is explored:\n\n    Waiting Room\n\n    A poem in which the poet explores the theme of change is 'Waiting Room' by Moira Andrew. The Poem tells the story of an old woman in a care home who struggles to come to terms with her old age. In this essay I will show how the writer effectively conveys the theme through imagery,...\n\n    The poem begins with the line:\n    \"She waits neatly, bone-china thin\"\n    Right from the outset Andrew uses this metaphor to conjure up an image of this lady in the reader's mind. The connotations of something being 'bone-china thin' is not just that it is not thick, but delicate, fragile and easily breakable. This first line deals with the theme of physical change which is continued throughout the poem. In the next stanza, Andrew goes on to describe this woman's appearance further:\n    \"bearing the graffiti of old age\"\n    The use of the word 'bearing' in the metaphor suggests the carrying of a burden, that it is an unwanted hindrance. This idea continues when she describes it as 'graffiti', this implies that it tarnishes a previously unblemished object and that it is difficult to remove. This shows that she is not happy with her change in appearance. After this Andrew uses another metaphor:\n    \"veins / snaking across her hands / like unravelled knitting\"\n    Here Andrew is painting a clear picture of the woman's appearance. The description gives and idea of both the size and shape of her veins. The simile 'like unravelled knitting' is also appropriate as knitting is an activity often associated with the elderly. This is yet another piece of imagery which shows a change in physical appearance.\n\n    Andrew also uses similar techniques to describe the weakness that has come to the woman with old age:\n    \"She drizzles sherry\"\n    The word choice here shows her lack of strength. It shows that she is not strong enough to carry out the simple activity of lifting a bottle sufficiently enough to pour it but instead manages to tilt it just enough for a small quantity of the sherry to flow out. Andrew maintains this theme:\n    \"fumbling / to light a cigarette'\n    This is another simple task that she struggles to carry out. The reader is given an image of an old woman with shaking hands unable to perform a seemingly straight-forward task. Continuing this theme the poem goes on to say:\n    \"The stick a third leg\"\n    This metaphor shows the dependence this woman has on her walking stick - that she is so reliant on it, it has become as important as a limb. All of this amounts to give the reader a clear idea of how much the woman has weakened with old age.\n\n    The third verse opens with a very long sentence with no pauses except from a single comma towards the end. The sentence comes to an abrupt halt and is followed by a contrastingly short sentence:\n    \"Names elude her:\n    This sentence structure mirrors her mental state, one second she is thinking back to occurrences of the past and then suddenly a gap in her memory becomes apparent. Andrew then follows this with:\n    \"Tormented / she tries to trap them on her tongue\"\n    The significance of the word 'tormented' is shown as it is the first word of the sentence and it is separated by a comma and a new line from the rest of the sentence. The extremity of the word, carrying connotations of agony and torture, shows the amount of frustration and anguish this causes her. The alliteration of the harsh 't' sound backs up this feeling. Use of imagery in the metaphor 'she tries to trap them on her tongue' shows her lack of memory and how bitter she is that she suffers from such forgetfulness. The whole stanza has an underlying tone of pity for the woman, Andrew stirs sympathy from the reader by showing how resentful she is of her faltering memory and how much she wants to return to her previous mental state when she didn't suffer from such issues.\n\n    A third change we see the woman go through is a change in lifestyle. Andrew uses personification, describing her room as 'claustrophobic with possessions'. This tells us that she has so many items they clutter up a whole room. Next Andrew backs up this point:\n    \"eight Homes and Gardens rooms\"\n    This explains the vast quantity of possessions, that they have been moved from eight large rooms into a single, far smaller one. This also shows the life of luxury she once led, living in a house with eight rooms that are nice enough to be included in 'Homes and Gardens' magazine suggests a lifestyle of wealth. After this, Andrew mentions some of the woman's possessions:\n    \"fine glasses... wide-brimmed wedding china\"\n    This too backs up the idea that the woman had a wealthy lifestyle. Finally Andrew demonstrates the woman's lack of independence:\n    \"waiting to obey the gong / (Saturday, boiled eggs for tea)\"\n    Here Andrew shows how institutionalised the woman's life has become. The word 'obey' implies that her actions are governed by the gong and she follows whatever is asked of her through it. The idea of a gong summoning the group of elderly people is also very impersonal, as is the fact that they have no choice in food, but eat the same things at the same time. All os this tells the reader the extent of her changes in lifestyle and her negative feelings are clearly evident from the tone of the poem.\n\n    The idea of waiting is developed throughout the poem. Initially this is seen as a good thing:\n    \"She waits neatly\"\n    \"She waits graciously\"\n    These give a sense of anticipation. However as we go further on, this idea changes:\n    \"she waits defiantly\"\n    Where the words 'neatly' and 'graciously' have positive conniptions, the word defiantly breaks this pattern. Now the waiting becomes less exciting and more tedious, waiting for something to interrupt the monotony rather than waiting for something interesting to take place. This idea of boredom is continued:\n    \"A man's face, / preoccupied by youth, looks on\"\n    Here a sense of loneliness in the poem is established. She is constantly waiting for something, anything to happen and when she does get a visitor they come across as passive, disinterested and not engaged. This creates a sympathetic tones for the woman which is built upon at the very end of the poem:\n    \"Waiting for the rain to stop / waiting for winter, waiting\"\n    Here we see the idea of waiting reach it's climax. The events she is waiting for start at short term, a change in weather. Then they become slightly longer term, a change in season. Finally, waiting for something even longer term which the reader can only assume is her inevitable death. This shows that Andrew uses the idea of waiting to show the woman's outlook on life has changed from optimistic to bleak.\n\n    To conclude, Andrew effectively conveys the theme of change through various means including tone, imagery, sentence structure and word choice amongst many others. Andrew takes us through this woman's life, showing us how she had changed in appearance and physical strength as well as how her outlook on life, mental state and lifestyle have changed. Of the many changes she has experienced since her move to the home, it was the final once that struck me the most. Her change in outlook leaves the reader reflecting on the negatives that come with old age. This brings us back to the title. After reading the poem it is clear that the title 'Waiting Room' is a metaphor for death. The room, is the woman's room in the care home and she is waiting to reach the end of her life, living out her final days in a less than exciting way.\n\n    Thanks in advance.\n\n    You clearly know your poem inside out. But, you need to know how to answer the question, and not simply do a guided tour. Essentially, your essay is: quote + meaning + more meanings -> repeat -> repeat.\n\n    You should try not to be repititive nor too predictable. You must structure your essay to, firstly, answer the question, and then to show your appreciation of the writer's craft. For example, what impact did the use of \"quote\" have on the question: what message is the writer trying to convey?\n\n    At the moment, you're giving a guided tour, going from quotation-to-quotation and annotating them, and then going to on to say that \"it deals with physical change\" or that it \"is yet another piece of imagery which shows a change in physical appearance.\"\n\n    From reading your paragraphs, I see you do not have opening sentences/points/statements which answer the question.\n\n    For example:\n\n    question = Write about a poem in which feminist ideas are put forth. Go on to discuss how it affects your appreciation of the text.\n\n    The feminist poet highlights women's pulchritude during the renaissance. Throughout the poem it is prevalent that women are, indeed, aesthetically appealing. As such, it is said that the \"lady is a rose\". It can be said that \"rose\" suggests beauty: thus, the lady is beautiful. Therefore, the poet believes that women, during the renaissance, were especially superior when it came to aesthetics.\n\n    The first part asks for feminist ideas: I have answered this with my opening sentence, and backed it up with my following sentences on analysis (the argument); then I answered the second part of the question which asks for appreciation of the text: I said that women during the renaissance were especially superior, as that is what the author is trying to convey (that's the Personal Response).\n\n    The above example was purely fictitious which I merely made up (there is no question on feminism, nor have I studied, and therefore written an essay, such a text). However, it does answer the question. Answering the question = minimum B, strong argument and personal response = A\n\n    Good luck. If you need any help on English PM me: I'm also doing Higher this year.\n    • Thread Starter\n\n    Thanks a lot that was very useful! I was aware that my essay had a rather formulaic and repetitive structure but I was unsure of how else to get my points across.\n\n    (Original post by James94)\n    I beg you to PM me with anything to do with English: admittedly, I love reading and writing essays.\nApplying to university\n\n\n\nWrite a reply...", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6546937823295593}
{"content": "How immigration reform would affect Social Security and Medicare\n\nImmigration ReformImmigration reform advocates, together with the nonpartisan organization the Congressional Budget Office, have declared in public that the United States would be positively affected by immigration reform in a number of different ways.  Thousands of jobs would be created by immigration reform every year, spurring economic growth and dramatically reducing the nation’s deficit.\n\nAs well as these benefits, independent researchers have also discovered evidence that indicates that the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the system that supports the great majority of healthcare services in which millions of Americans are enrolled, would have its own financial stability markedly improved by immigration reform.  Many experts are predicting that the Trust Fund, which finances healthcare for people on Medicare in the United States, is likely to be depleted within 12 years, by 2026.\n\nImmigrants who are newly legalized would give tax dollars to the Trust Fund without having to use its benefits for around ten years and Social Security is likely to be affected in much the same manner.  Undocumented immigrant workers who receive legalization would extend the solvency of the Social Security by a number of years by contributing taxes to the system.\n\nThe Congressional Budget Office and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare are of the opinion that immigration reform would prove to be extremely beneficial to the programs of the United States and affect the lives of senior citizens who are enrolled in these programs in America in a very positive way.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.931067705154419}
{"content": "The Eye\n\nFor a comprehensive and interactive treatment of the eye visit\n\nVisit this site to learn of the history of corrective lenses\n\nCourtesy: Buzard Eye Institute\n\n\nNormal Vision\n\n\n\n\nThe human eye is a marvelous manager of light rays. The function of eye structures is summarized here\ncornea is transparent tissue that serves as an outer covering for the eye and is the place where much (70-80%) of the refraction for the eye takes place.\niris regulates the amount of light entering the pupil by altering the size of the aperture (pupil) through which the light passes.\nlens is double convex and gelatinous, its shape being controlled by ciliary muscles in order to fine-tune a sharp image. The process by which the lens changes shape to sharpen the retinal image is called accommodation. Click here for a demonstration.\nretina at the back wall of the eye is the place where incoming rays(or waves or photons,take your pick) strike rods and cones that convert light energy into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain for analysis.\n\nWhile it will always be a marvelous construction, the eye from time to time does malfunction. The most common eye disorder is nearsightedness,more commonly known as myopia . There are two schools of thought on the cause of myopia. Some suggest that it is hereditary and exists because the eyeball slightly longer than it should be. In the other theory it is held that behavior, specifically great amounts of close work, weaken the ciliary muscles so that the eye cannot focus things are far away. In either case, the image comes to a focus in front of the retina . See the diagram above. The condition can be corrected by a diverging lens, most often a meniscus concave (a.k.a. convexo-concave). Such a lens in a spectacle frame is an imposing piece of glass or plastic being much thicker at the edge than at the center. The reader shoiuld note that the glass is this thickness mostly for its own safety--well beyond being shatter-prone. A soft contact lens is fashioned as meniscus concave and is called hydrophilic,literally \"water-loving\", because it has 40% water composition. This small wisp of plastic soaked in saline does all of the additional refraction necessary to put a sharp image on the retina.\n\nPeople who are extremely myopic may need the refractive power of a double concave lens/ Many years ago, Congress saw fit to give people who are functionally blind an additional tax exemption\n\n Formally, a person is legally blind if their central vision acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye, even with corrective lenses; or if they have central vision acuity of more than 20/200 if the peripheral field is restricted to a diameter of 20 degrees or less. Informally, those who, even with corrective lenses, cannot read the biggest letter on an eye chart are considered to be legally blind. -------The Braille Institute\n\nVisit these sites for a comprehensive look at myopia.\n\n\nFarsightedness (Hyperopia) is a condition where one can see well those things that are distant but cannot see things close at hand. See the diagram above to note that the light does not converge soon enough to put a sharp image on the retina. This deficiency is corrected with some kind of converging lens. These are the glasses that people wear only for reading or other close work and removed otherwise.\nSee this topic at\nhttp://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/hypThis page was last reviewed by mgosselin 10/09/2005This page was last reviewed by mgosselin 10/09/2005This page was last reviewed by mgosselin 10/09/2005eropia.htm\n\nPresbyopia is a condition usually related to the age of the patient wherein the lens in the eye is no longer flexible enough and/or the ciliary muscles in the eye are no longer strong enough to cause the lens to change shape. The patient needs glass lenses to see a close and to see things far away. this is the situation is corrected with bifocal lenses with the bottom half the convex lens for reading and the top half a concave lens for seeing things at a distance. This is not a new technology; first bifocal lenses were created for a client by Benjamin Franklin\n\n\n\nAstigmatism is a condition arising from asymmetry of the cornea; instead of being spherical, it is shaped more nearly like a football. See the diagram above. Once again, corrective lenses come to the rescue, although prescribing the correct configuration for the lens is not easy.\n\nLearn more about astigmatism at\n\n\nReturn to light as a ray\n\nThis page was last reviewed by mgosselin 10/09/2005", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.7650758624076843}
{"content": "Hero (2002) / ZHANG Yimou (dir.); Emi WADA (costume designer)\n\nAnsnitt Filmclub – Costume Workshop \nFilm-Virage Cultural Association\n\n7pm 5th February, 2018\n\nLecture by:\n\nWe are in China’s bloodiest era in history: the country is divided into 7 kingdoms, and the Chin ruler is particularly strong and cruel. His quest to conquer all of China demands many lives, so a group of excellent warriors join forces to kill the king. Their mission is doomed to failure; however, King Chin becomes much more cautious afterwards: he makes it impossible for anyone to come close to him. Then an Untitled man arrives in his palace, who claims to have defeated the assassins. He can only get his reward if he tells the story of his feat. A verbal duel begins between the Chin-ruler and the Unnamed man, leading to an exciting outcome…\n\nZhang YIMOU’s 2002 film is noteworthy for its interesting plot and philosophical questions, but also for its symbolic use of colors, its cinematography, imposing costumes and scenery. The talented Christopher DOYLE (In the Mood for Love, 2046) was responsible for the fantastic images, and the beautiful costumes were created by Emi WADA (Dreams, 8½ Women), who won an Oscar for costume design in Akira KUROSAWA’s Chaos. Among the actors are the internationally renowned Maggie CHEUNG (In the Mood for Love, Clean), Tony LEUNG CHIU WAI (In the Mood for Love, Lust, Caution, Internal Affairs) Ziyi ZHANG (House of Flying Daggers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2046 ) and Jet LI (Once Upon a Time in China, The Expendables).\n\nRita DANILESZK – 2005-2013: student of film history, film theory and Hungarian studies at the University of Pécs , a founding member and vice chairman of the Film-Virage Cultural Association, established in 2011, one of the main organizers and lecturers of Ansnitt Filmklub\n\nAnsnitt Filmklub’s new series Costume Workshop explores the field of costume design through Hungarian and foreign examples. During the pre-screening introduction and the subsequent lectures, we will discuss film-making processes, seeking answers to the following questions in specific: What is the costume designer’s job? Who do costume designers need to cooperate with before and during the production? Where does their inspiration come from? How well do costume designers need to know the film’s story and characters?\n\nAll films are either subtitled or dubbed in Hungarian. \nParticipation is free but is subject to registration. You can register until 5 pm on the day of the screening at the following email address: In the subject box, enter the title of the current movie, and in the text box, the name of the person or persons you want to register. Please arrive 15 minutes before the screening.\n\nSponsor: National Cultural Fund of Hungary\n\n  • Hős 2\n\n  • Hős", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9261754155158997}
{"content": "Organizational Resilience\n\nOrganizational resilience is “a task of determination of the complete condition of the organization, management of root weaknesses and adaptive capacity in a dynamic, compound and organized environment.” the main role is played by the organizational resilience for the purpose of organizational survival.  It also plays important role in the functioning of the extensive community during hard times. Organizational resilience assists the organization to reply to a variety of issues and threats. It also predicts the disturbances and troubles and learns from the experience. It is believed that competitive benefit achieved by the organization is due to the contribution of organizational resilience. Heads of the resilient organization motivate their employees in order to use their potential skills to resolve the issues and establish an environment through which the employees will know the connection between the organizational resilience and their work. \n\nAfter determining the role of employees that they play in the survival of an organization, it is known through the experimental proof that work engagement is the main symbol of organizational resilience. The work engagement is dependent on the employee resilience. The employees who possess more psychological resilience accept the change of organization soon because of their positive attitude which they experience. Therefore, it can be said that main attention should be given to the resilience and well-being of the employees of the organization while concerning the organizational resilience. Current researchers believe that now organization should shift from reacting to the emotional disturbance resulted due to constant change to carefully investing in the establishment of resilience in the employees of the organization.\n\nThe most significant part of HRM is said to be training and development of the employee. Its significance enhances during the global decline. It can be said that during the phase of global decline and when many issues are faced by the businesses at different levels, it pressurizes management at each level so that it can be more responsive, adaptive and intensive. Only employees that can protect their organization to become the part of economic doubts will be highly encouraged and educated. Improved level of interest and increased creativity of employee to work for their organization can be achieved by committing with the training and development of employee inappropriate and suitable method. Individual learning of employees can be concentrated and corrected by practicing and continuously applying the training and development programs of the employee. Usually, there are different styles of learning such as verbal, social, visual, solitary, logical, aural and physical. The knowledge regarding the classical conditioning should be contained in the plan of training and development programs for the employees. A theory is known as ‘learning by association’ particularly enhances the role of incentives and undefined response to it at the time of learning phase. Emirates Airline, which is known as the leading player of the universal airline industry, was the first one to determine the significance of investment in the training and development of employee during the phase of global decline.\n", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9947221279144287}
{"content": "Do you like Aragon Ballroom?\n\nPortugal. The Man\n\n16th February 2018 - Friday 19:30\n\nPortugal. The Man, Alaska’s sensational alternative rock artists are bringing their signature sounds to the Aragon Ballroom!\n\nPortugal. The Man was formed in Wasilla (Alaska) in 2004 and currently consists of John Baldwin Gourley (vocals, guitar, organ, drum machines), Zachary Scott Carothers (bass guitar, backing vocals), Kyle O'Quin (keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals), Eric Howk (guitar), Jason Sechrist (drums), and Zoe Manville. Their musical style can be best described as a blend of indie rock (a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1980s, encapsulating the genres chamber pop, indie pop, lo fi, math rock, neo psychedelia, post punk revival, sadcore, and shoegazing), psychedelic rock (a style of rock music - inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture - that attempts to replicate and enhance the mind altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD, by using novelty recording techniques, electronic instruments or effects), and progressive rock (a broad subgenre of rock music that grew out of psychedelic bands who abandoned standard traditions in favour of instrumentation and compositional techniques more frequently associated with jazz, folk or classical music). They’ve had a stellar career with 7 studio albums, 1 split album (with The Satanic Satanist), 4 extended plays, and 11 singles. Their music has also been featured on the soundtrack of The Walking Dead (Volume 2).\n\nDon’t miss your chance to see these artists add a unique touch to indie rock, psychedelic rock, and progressive rock!", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.9983497858047485}
{"content": "January 12, 2015\n\nYoga practice begins. I have a new zest for practice that I have known for a long time would help me reach my goals. I am excited to change up my lifestyle and infuse my day with passion towards an activity that will give back. I have been thinking a lot about the sides of a triangle, the harmony of the image and how I strive for it. Body, mind and spirit combine and when one is lacking, the others suffer. I am joining up the pieces, creating a stronger foundation to build what I know is coming. Transformative and abundant. There is no limit to what is possible and the more I realize that, the freer I feel. I am recognizing the loops that I have been caught in. How I have limited my growth in so many ways, the past is the past. Moving forward, gaining speed and understanding the truth. That time is perception, relative to the situation, and may not exist at all. The boxes that exist in my mind, in the thoughts I have circulated are winding out, creating a space for new developments. As I process these ideas, I feel bliss.", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.6865183115005493}
{"content": "Inner Glow Application | Expandabis Inner Glow Application | Expandabis\n\nUnlock the Full Potential of Cannabis\n\nPlease let Joshua welcome you, in the video below.\n\n$44/Month via Patreon\n\nSeason 1: Basic Energy Mechanics\n\nYou may start this course at ANY time during the season - and it is highly recommended that you catch up on recordings of missed trainings as there will be a cumulative building of information throughout.\n\nYou will be recommended supplements - part of the CannaCare kit which your membership gets you access to viewing. Your dashboard will also give you access to the group calendar, document downloads, and the most up to date information for the course.\n\nCannActivation Month 1: Dissolving Passive Tendencies\n\nTOPIC: What is productive cannabis usage? How was our passivity initially imprinted?\n\nTOPIC: How can we re-animate our passive parts - the parts that want to want? How can a new story be imprinted onto our subconscious mind?\n\nCannActivation Month 2: Developing Our Inner Parents\n\nTOPIC: What is the Mother/Child dynamic?\n\nTOPIC: The upper limits of love - why some people experience cannanxiety\n\nTOPIC: Synthetized experiences for real results - being seen in the eyes of a plant spirit\n\nTOPIC: The constituents of my well-being and safety\n\nCannActivation Month 3: Masculine/Feminine Detanglement\n\nTOPIC: Our narcissistic attempt at love - creating boundaries which make possible receiving with integrity\n\nTOPIC: Cannabis powered shadow play - gently touching our blind spots and deepest hurt aspects\n\nTOPIC: Feeling Valuable\n\nTOPIC: The grieving of Perfection\n\nTo officially join this program, please purchase your membership on the Patreon page here and fill out the form below:", "pred_label": "__label__1", "pred_score_pos": 0.8299841284751892}